It’s Birthday Time Once Again

Like everyone, once a year, I have a birthday, and it is that time once again. We celebrated last night (a couple of days early) with friends at one of my favorite restaurants, Barcelona. Birthday Celebrations – Part 2 – Barcelona, Fun With Friends – Part 1 – Denver Barcelona is a fun Spanish tapas wine bar and restaurant. It is always fun to go with a group of people. The more people you have, the more delicious foods we can all sample and taste. As my friend Rhonda put it last night, “it is like being on a cruise and sampling all different kinds of things so you can try them and come back later for what you really like”. Last night we celebrated with Janet, Bob, Mike, Lauren, Wendy, Su Yeon, Jim, Rhonda and Alan. Janet, Bob, Larry and I have all been to Barcelona quite a few times, but it was a new experience for everyone else.

Because we had a large group, our fabulous waiter, Gillian, suggested we try the Chef’s Sampler Menu, so that we did. We had no idea what dishes were going to come out, but we ate and enjoyed everything the chef chose for us. He chose very well indeed. Gillian took very good care of us. I brought a bunch of my truffles to share with everyone, and gave some to Gillian and the rest of the staff as well.

Most of us did wine flights so we could try different wines too, though Jim and Su bought a delicious bottle of red for us all to share before the festivities began. Needless to say we had a lot of delicious food, a lot of very good wines, and most importantly, a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. Thank you all for a fabulously fun evening.

Rhonda has this fun tradition when she gathers with friends. She has everyone take a picture with the person they are sitting next to. I LOVE this idea!!!!!!

And even though I said no presents, I am so glad no one actually listened to me. 🙂 I got some beautiful and fun gifts from my friends whom have all become familia. My friends all know me so well.

One of oldest and dearest friends, Andrea, who lives in California, sent me this fun and fabulous bath set.

Priscilla, Andrea and I all go way, way back to our junior high days, and we have all been great friends and family ever since. Priscilla and I share a love of cooking, so she presented me with a delicious jar of Dulce de Leche. When she gave it to me, she just smiled and winked and said “you’ll know what to do with it”. 🙂 I already have plenty of great ideas.

Janet and I also share a love of cooking and entertaining. She and Bob gave me this gorgeous little serving dish that would be just perfect for serving olives. This beautiful little dish was made from minerals that were mined here in Colorado. I do serve a lot of olives when entertaining, especially when wine is around (when do I NOT have wine around though?). Wine and olives just go together perfectly. Even the card says “A balanced diet. That means a glass of wine in each hand.” I couldn’t agree more. 🙂

And speaking of wine, Rhonda and Alan gave me this bottle of a delicious Tempranillo Spanish wine, along with this gorgeous necklace. I see another wine party in my very near future. 🙂

Lauren and I also were bonded by food, though she has also noticed I love to wear beautiful scarves and shiny bling. She also knows I love my flowers too, so she and Mike gave me this beautiful peacock scarf, along with some beautiful and fun bling to go with it, and a forever bouquet of flowers on the side. Janet has already said she wants to borrow this lovely scarf for her upcoming trip to Jerusalem. 🙂

And the necklace is a dolphin. I LOVE my dolphins!!!!!!

Jim and Su also know my heart and presented me with a beautiful little devotional book and some always much needed hand cream.

And everyone knows how much I love my dogs, and animals in general. Wendy gave me this little plaque that is already proudly hanging on the “dog wall”. Wendy’s daughter Zoe is also our pet sitter, so THEY KNOW how much we love our fur babies.

But the best gift of all is the beautiful gift of love that comes from having so many great and wonderful people in my life whom I very lucky and blessed to call FRIENDS, though they are really more like family. Thank you all for yet another fun and fabulous birthday. Life is very good indeed.

Have a great day Everyone, and make every day great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.