It was truly a happy birthday for me.
Our son, Jon left a happy birthday e-mail for me to wake up to saying that he would call later when he woke up in Bangladesh.
Then my daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law called from Illinois with their birthday wishes. I loved hearing 6 year old, KC chime out, "Happy Birthday, Grandma!"
Art then took me for my free Anna Miller birthday lunch. I forgot to take a photo. I remembered only when Art and I were finishing the lemon meringue pie that we shared.
When we got home I opened all the cards I'd gotten from my loving teacher friends in Illinois and Art's sister and brother-in-law from California. I was tearing up when I read my teacher friends saying they'd be waiting for me to return so we could get together again.
The phone rang. My brother and sister-in-law, Nancy said they were stopping by. They brought my favorite Ted's Bakery pie! I love their chocolate haupia (coconut pudding) pie. It would be our dessert tonight.
No sooner did they leave when my high school buddy and college roommate, Joanne showed up with another birthday surprise. She brought healthy favorites, edamame and boiled peanuts! Art and mom were very happy to see that. Joanne had wrapped it with a candle on top.
Joanne has an utterly busy life. I was so touched that she made time to surprise me with this. She laughingly called it a pupu (not poopoo) cake. Pupu is what we in Hawaii call hors d'oeuvres.
As soon as Joanne left, our son, Jon called from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He needed to get to work, but he spent time telling me about his life there. He then wrote me a wonderful email allowing me to picture his life in this poor country because I told him I wanted to include his impressions in a post soon.
As soon as that call ended it was time for our dinner out at Gyotaku (Mom's favorite Japanese restaurant. She had broiled eel over rice. Art had a crab bowl with vegetables and I had the shrimp tempura. It was great!
We ended the evening with a slice (rather large) of that chocolate haupia pie that Dennis and Nancy brought over.
All in all, it couldn't have been a happier birthday.
As much as I enjoyed this day, I wouldn't mind it if the next one didn't come so soon.
Our son, Jon left a happy birthday e-mail for me to wake up to saying that he would call later when he woke up in Bangladesh.
Then my daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law called from Illinois with their birthday wishes. I loved hearing 6 year old, KC chime out, "Happy Birthday, Grandma!"
Art then took me for my free Anna Miller birthday lunch. I forgot to take a photo. I remembered only when Art and I were finishing the lemon meringue pie that we shared.
When we got home I opened all the cards I'd gotten from my loving teacher friends in Illinois and Art's sister and brother-in-law from California. I was tearing up when I read my teacher friends saying they'd be waiting for me to return so we could get together again.
The phone rang. My brother and sister-in-law, Nancy said they were stopping by. They brought my favorite Ted's Bakery pie! I love their chocolate haupia (coconut pudding) pie. It would be our dessert tonight.
Joanne has an utterly busy life. I was so touched that she made time to surprise me with this. She laughingly called it a pupu (not poopoo) cake. Pupu is what we in Hawaii call hors d'oeuvres.
As soon as Joanne left, our son, Jon called from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He needed to get to work, but he spent time telling me about his life there. He then wrote me a wonderful email allowing me to picture his life in this poor country because I told him I wanted to include his impressions in a post soon.
As soon as that call ended it was time for our dinner out at Gyotaku (Mom's favorite Japanese restaurant. She had broiled eel over rice. Art had a crab bowl with vegetables and I had the shrimp tempura. It was great!
We ended the evening with a slice (rather large) of that chocolate haupia pie that Dennis and Nancy brought over.
All in all, it couldn't have been a happier birthday.
As much as I enjoyed this day, I wouldn't mind it if the next one didn't come so soon.
Many Happy returns of the day, Kay!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ugich! It was certainly happy. :-)
DeleteI would wish you a Happy Birthday but you obviously had just such a day. Full of family and friends and amazing food. What could be better? May your next one take its time getting here..
ReplyDeleteWhy does it seem like it's coming faster and faster?
DeleteWhat a great day! I think it sounds pretty much perfect, Kay. And I predict that your next birthday will take twelve months to get here, which is a VERY long time. Sort of. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose twelve months seem shorter and shorter each year.
DeleteHappy Birthday Kay, what a wonderful day you had!
ReplyDeleteI sure did get enough calories. Thank you, Christine.
DeleteYour day sounds like a winner!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteIt sounds like you had a birthday that made it worth being another year older. I'm glad it was such a good day.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could celebrate the birthday without getting the extra year after say.... age 50?
Deletehappy birthday
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adam.
Deletesuch a great day, I think its wonderful to have your friends from Illinois remember your birthday, you obviously mean alot to them, that sounds like a lovely meal and a yummy pie!!
ReplyDeleteThey sure do mean a lot to me, too.
DeleteOh boy, that looks SO yummy!! What a wonderful day, really do appreciate sharing it with us! (hug)
ReplyDeleteSending you a hug back, MJ. Would you believe I have another birthday post coming up later because we celebrated a SUMMER birthday party?
Deletehappy birthday...sounds just about perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lin. It really was pretty darn perfect.
DeleteSounds as though you had a wonderful birthday, Kay!! And so did I!! Friends and family made my day so beautiful and fun!! Aren't we the fortunate ones to have such loving family and friends!! So, Happy Birthday, once again!! Wishing you a beautiful and happy year ahead!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Birthday to you, Sylvia!
DeleteIt sounds wonderful. Yep they do seem to come too fast don't they? Happy Birthday friend:)
ReplyDeleteFaster and faster and faster. Sigh... Thank you for the birthday greeting. I'm thinking about you, Annie.
Deletewow..happy happy birthday! You must be very excited on this special day. Many happy returns of the day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wenn. Jon has gone through the Cameron Highlands and is now on to Ipoh. I wonder if you know those places.
DeleteHappy Birthday Kay, it looks like a wonderful day. Having reached 65 a few days ago I've deciided that there are no new benefits to be gained from getting that old, so I think I'll go back to 60 and start again!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for going back to 60!
DeleteHappy Birthday Kay....you truly are blessed with so many good wishes from loved ones near and far.
ReplyDeleteL...w
It's such a lovely feeling. I hope people don't get tired of birthday posts. I have one more because we had a Summer Birthday Party for everybody.
DeleteWhat a wonderful day you had. Happy Birthday Kay, sending a big hug for your special day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. I'm sending you a hug back. :-)
DeleteSounds like you had a perfect birthday that really honored you and the special person you are. Happy, happy belated birthday wishes are being sent by me!
ReplyDeleteWhat is Jon doing in Bangladesh. I wish my son's blog were still up for you to read about their time in Dhaka. It is a fascinating place. You might enjoy reading some of what my daughter experienced when she visited there by reading her blog. I have put a link to it here. :http://o-townramblings.blogspot.com/search?q=bangladesh
Thank you so much, Sally! I really enjoyed reading about Keicha's (and Jon's) experiences. It amazes me how much your Jon is like my Jon. Incredible! Both brilliant (and cute), but with their own paths to take.
DeleteJon is getting his masters in International Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins right now and doing his research in Dhaka. Actually, Jon left Singapore and he's in Malaysia at this moment and sending us updates of his vacation week adventures. That kid just never stays still.
Happy Birthday Kay! Alright! I knew you looked young; there's only one candle on your birthday pie. Eel? Mom ate eel? What does that taste like? Is it better than rattlesnake meat from Texas? DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Mom loves eel and so does Art actually. They use it a lot with sushi, but it is quite costly these days. Mom insists it's very healthy for you and that for the Japanese, it's a summer time delicacy. Rattlesnake? Hmmm... Does it taste like chicken?
DeleteSounds like you had a very nice birthday!
DeleteYes, eel is delicious! And said to give stamina to withstand the heat of summer.
Two days every summer are especially popular to eat eel in Japan. They're called 「土用の丑の日」 ("Do-you-no-ushi-no-hi").
I wrote this about it:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/eel/
I forgot to mention...the most recent 「土用の丑の日」was on August 3rd (2013).
DeleteI've been told that rattlesnake meat is a bit like chicken, similar to eating corn on the cob....DrumMajor
DeleteHappy Birthday Kay... You are well loved...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle! It's so wonderful to always know there are friends waiting to talk on line.
DeleteOh, what a glorious birthday. I'm just sitting here grinning at all the thoughtful gifts and wonderful foods. Best of all was the outpouring of love.
ReplyDeleteSo true, so true. Thank you, Mage. I hope you're feeling better and better.
DeleteHappy Birthday Kay, and Art, wish you many joyful return years!!
ReplyDeleteMary L
Thank you so much, Mary!
DeleteMany Many happy celebrations together, you two!!!!!!! Blessings to everyone's favorite couple :-)
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu Town
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
Awwwww.... thank you, Cloudia.
DeleteOmedeto!
ReplyDeleteArigatoo
DeleteSince I am too late for birthday wishes, I will send you best wishes for the whole year ahead! I am glad I discovered your blog because I am enjoying reading it.
ReplyDeleteA belated happy birthday to you! another thing we have in common - summer birthdays.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have been remembered by so many loving and thoughtful people. but that's because you are such a loving and thoughtful friend.