Birthday Blessings

Dear Mom,

I do believe I’m overwhelmed by all the sweet things that loved ones have done for me for my birthday. It started a week before my birthday when my “other mom” Elsie (that I wrote about when I wished my best friend a happy birthday) came over with a gift. About 20 plus years ago, I had started on this little quilt. Recently I found it and decided that I was never going to do anything with it and gave it to Susan to give to her mom who quilts. Some of the pieces of material came from Elsie’s mother and it seemed appropriate to give it to her. It just needed a back and to be quilted. I had already appliquéd the hearts on the squares. Now that little stinker finished it and gave it back to me—for my birthday.

The next day I met a dear friend who gave me a cookbook (The Route 66 St. Louis Cookbook by Norma Maret Bolin) and some beautiful stationary. In the cookbook is a gooey butter recipe that I’m anxious to try to see if it’s as good as mine ☺. Nothing like bragging, but somebody has to do it.

Sunday my little sister Ruthie drove on the snowy highway and delivered a homemade birthday/anniversary cake for Norm and me. OMG, it was so delicious that it is now my favorite kind of cake—Spiced Chocolate Torte wrapped in Chocolate Ribbon. She told me it came from the December 1984 Bon Appétit magazine. The cake has 42 ounces of chocolate in that baby—what’s not to love?

My daughter Rita knitted a lovely scarf—not the kind that keeps you warm as she has knitted me several of those. This one is to class up my looks! My stepdaughter Robyn created an owl necklace that’s absolutely beautiful—it goes along with my new role as Mother Owl. My granddaughter Logan wrote the sweetest note and letter to me.

Norm and I decided not to give each other anything—there’s nothing neither of us need. However we decided I would purchase the goods that are needed to go with a book that my sister Ruthie gave me some time ago (Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë François). Anyone who loves homemade bread will love this. It doesn’t fit in the “trying to lose weight” category, but better for you if you’re going to eat bread, in my opinion.

Then there were many birthday wishes via email and Facebook. Real birthday cards were sent my way and phone calls all throughout the day. Such overwhelming love —who could ask for more?