Sunday's picture and a song: Happy Birthday!
 |
| Two candles: one for my father-in-law's and one for my birthday at grand chef Marc Meneau's restaurant, L'Esperance in Burgundy last night. |
"Happy Birthday! I have a present for you." said the nurse at the American Hospital in Paris as she slapped a plastic bracelet with my name and date of birth on my wrist earlier today.
Usually, I prefer to celebrate my blog's milestones rather than my own, but after 10 days of premenopausal hell, a weekend trip to Burgundy with Stéphane's family that was cut short by an early morning drive to the hospital and three hours sitting in the emergency room, I'm feeling thankful to be 49 years old. It's time to celebrate with The Beatles' "Birthday" song!
 |
| One of the many surprises during our birthday dinner: the cherry tree that was in the film, Vatel. |
Oh gosh, not the most fun way to celebrate a birthday! :(
ReplyDeleteNo, it sure wasn't...but all's well that ends well! Plus, the dinner at Marc Meneau's was spectacular.
DeleteMy goodness, hope you are ok........and Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy! I'm pleased to say that I'm feeling much better.
DeleteSorry to hear about the trip to the hospital Mary Kay! I'm relieved to hear you are OK now, and hope you stay that way. Very many Happy Returns. I'm glad you were recovered enough to enjoy what looks like a wonderful party. GM xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hearing the doctors say that everything was alright was the best birthday present. Sorry that the post was misleading (I just tried to fix it), but the party was last night. The two trays of pastries and all of the other sweets on the table arrived around midnight...right before the dessert course and the cherry tree! It was quite a feast. I'm taking it easy tonight.
DeleteI should think so ;)
DeleteHappy Belated Birthday and I'm so glad you are feeling better! I want to see that film, Vatel. Have you?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kate! I've been wanting to see Vatel but haven't yet because it's not available on iTunes. I guess that I'll have to buy the DVD because I really want to see the scene with the golden trees after seeing the one at Marc Meneau. If I understood correctly, he provided them for the movie.
DeleteMany more happy and healthy birthdays, Mary Kay!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Jane. Thinking about you cycling in Brittany and seeing how healthy you are is a real inspiration for me!
DeleteOh no, sorry to hear you were ill but glad you're feeling better! Take care and a very Happy (rest of your) Birthday to you (plus I think you're entitled to a make-up birthday treat if so inclined!)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea of a make-up birthday treat and mentioned it to Stephane. Fortunately, the idea had already occurred to him, or so he claims, so perhaps we'll have a glass of champagne on a sunny terrace with a view one of these evenings.
DeleteHappy Birthday MK! That Beatles song always gets me into Birthday jam mode. I really rock out! So I hope you are too!
ReplyDeleteI really hope everything is okay. Should we be worried?
Nope, no need to worry. Everything's alright - to the point that I was able to rock out to The Beatles song yesterday evening! Thanks for the b'day wishes!
DeleteThe gift of better health for your birthday; what more could you want! From one third ager to another. Anne
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne! Reaching the point in your life where you no longer take good health for granted should be one of the definitions of a third ager. I never used to understand it before...but I do now.
DeleteHappy 49th birthday. I wish you a good year ahead.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you were in the hospital but glad you got out with a good report. And that you were able to celebrate in style. Those dessert plates look fantastic.
The desserts were amazing - although we didn't do them justice because we had already enough to feed an army. Many thanks for the birthday wishes. In spite of the bumpy start, I'm looking forward to the year ahead.
DeleteMK! I'm such an idiot. I hadn't read this post until after I saw you today.... happy birthday!!!! And I also hope you're OK... i feel so bad I didn't know anything and then couldn't ask you in person. Thinking about you and hope everything works out! xx
ReplyDeleteNo! Don't feel bad...I wasn't wearing a sticker saying that it was my b'day. I thought about mentioning it to you in a DM on Twitter but it was too long of a story for 140 characters. Everything's good and I'm just happy that I was able to make it to the bloggers' breakfast this morning. It was great to see you again and to hear about all of the progress that you've made with the Kale Project!
DeleteHi Mary Kay,
ReplyDeleteI realized I can give you a small birthday present, a link to someplace to stay on your way to the Loire. We haven't stayed here, but we will!
http://www.maisonconti.com/
The owner is an American artist and she has a studio in their house. In addition to running a B&B and doing her own art work, she gives print-making classes. Her blog gives the flavor of their lives in France and their small village:
http://ateliermaisonconti.blogspot.com/
Hope you enjoy!
What a fantastic present. Thank you! The Maison Conti looks like an ideal place to stop on the way to the Loire or as a destination in itself. I see that they also do culinary classes and personalized tours. Please let me know if you get there before we do.
DeleteThanks again! I always like learning about expat bloggers in other parts of France!
Belated Birthday Wishes to you, Mary Kay! Glad to hear you're OK. I've heard of a rule that says one gets to celebrate one's birthday for one week, so just keep on on partying!
ReplyDeleteAge is just a state of mind, I speak from experience and I'm older than you are by several years!
Patricia H
Thank you, Pat! If you're older than me by several years, you certainly are in great shape! I'll take your advice to just keep on partying!
DeleteHappy Belated Birthday, Mary Kay! ...and so sorry to here of your medical adventure (mis-adventure?) but true to your indomitable spirit, you still found all the good parts to hold close.
ReplyDeleteI also believe in the "extended" birthday and hope you did, indeed, have that sunny terrace drink with Stephane.
Happy Year, Happy Life!
Dekage
Happy Year, Happy Life - thank you, I'll gratefully accept those warm wishes! I still haven't had that drink on the sunny terrace but I am going to Disneyland Paris to use my free b'day ticket on Thursday! :)
DeleteBelated happy birthday and sympahty for the hormonal horrors. Similar things happening here in Creuse. :-( Do hope you're feeling better soon. Big hug with wellies on.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs without wellies on, Steph! I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing similar hormonal horrors in Creuse. Take care and treat yourself with extra loving kindness.
DeleteHappy belated birthday to you - I didn't see that post and your next one makes even more sense...
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I immensly admire the French health system where you can get treatment almost immediately when you truly need it. On the other hand I would absolutely HATE to go to our hospital as in Switzerland, where I often visited patients for various reasons, there is always a lovely restaurant, often with seating outside in the garden, employees are there to help you and not to discourage you and ..... everything costs a bomb!
Stephane and I had exactly the same discussion about the costs of French versus Swiss health care. Before going to Burgundy, one of the SOS médecins visited me on Saturday and we were very impressed with how quickly he arrived, etc. It's a service that I wish that they offered in Switzerland and the USA. And most surprisingly, it didn't cost a fortune.
DeleteThanks for the b'day wishes!
his is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the excellent work. personalised gifts
ReplyDelete