Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thursday's child


So...we were going to have dinner tonight at The Grocery, and just cancelled that. I still sound a like a V8 and Vince thinks he feels a sore throat coming on. If it's anything like mine last Sunday, that's not funny.

It's wet. It's Thursday. And, ahem, it's my birthday. I was born on a Thursday, too. And it rained, then. It feels silly writing about it but, when I think about it some more, it feels even sillier not writing about it. Like ignoring the variegated elephant on the terrace. I'm not big into birthdays. Perhaps an inherited trait. My parents made and make little fuss about theirs, though I still remember what my mother made for some of my little-girl birthday parties (cherry cake! red, dog-shaped jelly (?)! fruit punch! snoek pate! breadsticks!).

It is a time when I wish I had a very big, very strong, very long table. And the right room to put it in. Or right tree to put it under. Or grape arbour. So that I could make food for all the people I love and like and miss and fit them all around it quite comfortably. And of course they'd have to be flown in from all the corners of our cornerless world. And from this very hood, too, of course.

But what we're going to do, is this: clear this table in this apartment, give it a cloth, or maybe just some linen place mats. Arrange Vince's flowers, light candles, rub the silver clean. And eat a sliver each of foie gras and toast, and then a good old roast chicken, perhaps with herbs and ricotta stuffed under the skin. Perhaps with wild rice stuffing inside. We'll drink Champagne with a capital C. I'll make a cake - but I'm not sure what sort yet. Perhaps plum.

And if I can find small candles for the cake, I'll blow them out, and make a wish.

Now? To make ze shoppeeng...

36 comments:

  1. Happy Happy birthday to you and yours! You bring so much beauty and grace to others, that you deserve some of your own. And you might want to try "throat coat" tea, which I heard was used by NYC Opera singers.

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  3. Happy birthday to you, Marie. I hope your next year is the best ever.

    I have used your ideas freely and they have given my husband and me a lot of pleasure.

    Thanks for all your hard work and for sharing it with us.

    Hope you guys are better soon.

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  4. A very Happy Birthday to you! Even though you had to cancel dinner out, it still sounds like it will be a special evening.

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  5. Happy birthday Marie! I've been reading your blog for a year or so and enjoy your posts. You've even inspired me to put a fig tree on my balcony (when I noticed I was becoming jealous of your massive crops)! Always wanted to post something to thank you and today you gave me the occasion. Best wishes from Switzerland, Philippe.

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  6. I wish you a very Happy Birthday and all the best!

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  7. Happy birthday, Marie.May the happies crush the germs.

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  8. Happy Birthday. Hope you go far and enjoy all that you see on your thursday's child travels next year.

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  9. Happy Birthday Marie!
    I have a delicious plum cake recipe I must send to you the minute I get home.

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  10. Thursdays child?

    Then you have far to go.

    And we'll enjoy every step of the journey with you.

    Happy Birthday my dear internet friend.

    Make a good wish.

    xo Jane

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  11. Happy birthday, Marie! Best wishes to you for another fantastic year.

    Aside from being sick (I'm still recovering from a cold myself, ugh) it sounds like you have a lovely evening in store. Enjoy!!

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  12. Happy Birthday Thursdays child.
    Your blog* is such a treat & in so many ways. xo Susan & les Gang

    * & food blog also

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  13. Have a lovely birthday and enjoy your birthday meal, it sounds scrummy!

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  14. Happy Birthday! Tanti Auguri! It sounds like a lovely celebration. I do like your idea of bringing everyone you love and care for together for a good meal. Thank you for the gifts of your blogs and of course, introducing us to Don Estorbo.

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  15. A very happy birthday! Hope you are really feeling better, and that this will be a wonderful year for you both... oops! all three.

    Thanks for all you share. xoxo

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  16. Have a wonderful Birthday and thank you for the beautiful roses. I just love the color.

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  17. What gorgeous roses! Happy birthday and best wishes for the year to come. And may all of you be feeling much better soon.

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  18. A very Happy Birthday to you Marie! May health return to you and Vince at the speed of light and that you continue to be you!

    Maria, from NJ.

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  19. I suppose there is something to be said for great minds thinking alike, and this also explains why I enjoy your blog so much.

    My birthday was on Monday, the 24th. James presented me with yellow roses (my favorite) and for dinner we had a roasted chicken and real, actual Champagne. Our decadent starter kind of involved toast, though it was brioche, egg and truffle. Pumpkin pie with a pumpkin from my garden for dessert. With one candle.

    So, a very happy birthday to you! The next drink will be lifted in your honor!

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  20. Dinner with the man who has your heart, beautiful flowers, a warm home. You have all of life's pleasures, including a bery bery handsome gato. Enjoy your birthday and your dinner. And good wishes to both of you to feel better soon.

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  21. Happy, Happy Birthday, Marie! Wishing you a wonderful year to come.

    'Kaika and Keli'i

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  22. Happy birthday, Marie. I dreamt about an older woman singing opera last night, and I told the people in my dream:"It's the blogger's mother".
    It's my bday next week, will add a rose to my table for you! Hope you get well soon.

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  23. Lekker verjaar, Marie!! Dis my gunsteling kleur rose daardie.
    Dis nie lekker om ver van jou familie te verjaar nie - ek weet.
    Hoop julle voel gou beter - ek's seker die sjampanje sal help
    x

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  24. Happy Birthday Marie, you dinner sounds just perfect- we'll drink to your good health and fortune tonight! x

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  25. Marie, happy birthday. May your day be filled with love and laughter and good food.

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  26. Happy belated Birthday, Marie! :) Wishing you all the very best.

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  27. Hoping that your birthday is rich in love and good wishes and that you know how much your blogs mean to so many of us who gather around your table and raise a glass in celebration and thanks!

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  28. Happy Birthday to a fellow Scorpio !

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  29. Darn ... the one day I miss your blog, I miss your birthday too. Hope that by now that you are feeling strrrronger and that Vince is too. Thank you for the gift of your blog and look forward to seeing you celebrating your next birthday surrounded by all your friends at a long table, somewhere gorgeous.

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  30. From Brooklyn to everyone, Thank you very, very much! xx

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  31. A very late HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Only checked your blog 19:30 SA time)Hope dinner was good and that all 3 of you are well :-) I am soooo excited!!! Your mom is hosting our garden club next Saturday.I remember her garden, when it was open to the public last year - what a treat!

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  32. Happy belated birthday!
    From another fan of 66SqFt

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  33. Late but heartfelt! Happy birthday Marie :D Thank you for the joy you bring to my computer screen every day. Enjoy your day with those so precious to you - very best wishes from another Thursday's child x

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  34. Happy late Birthday! How funny it was mine too and I have a cold:)

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  35. Oh dear...A very belated Happy Birthday Marie. I hope you are feeling much better by now and that Vince's throat didn't develop into anything bad!

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