The Birthday Boy

Part of the reason I've been absent from my blog for a while is that I've had a busy couple of weeks. You see, My Beloved was turning the Big 7-0 and his daughters and I decided long ago to throw him a surprise party. Katie made up the world's cutest e-vite, Sarah organized all the who's-bringing-what in a spreadsheet, I rented that lovely big house out in Inverness, the sons-in-law did double duty by keeping the Birthday Boy busy while we prepped for the party and by cooking the salmon and beef during the party, and we all did some running around to make the event a success.

And it was, indeed, a big success!  The guests came to honor him from as far away as Hawaii and as close as just down the road, My Beloved was completely surprised, the food was delicious, the children were angelic, and everyone had a fine time. My Beloved was hoarse by the end of the party, always a sign that he got to chat with everyone and laughed a lot.

There were presents, too. He's still writing thank you notes for all the presents. They were fun - as varied as a play station that weighs a ton and was clearly really intended for our newest grandson, to a wonderful set of four CDs of Top 40 songs from the year My Beloved was born up to the present, to this impressive spatula for the barbecue, complete with a super-sized black apron to wear when wielding it.

The spatula has to be eight or ten inches across - that's an entire, two-pound tri-tip roast next to it in the picture - and has a deliciously smooth wooden handle. One can scoop up two or three hamburgers at a time or, as we did, the whole tri-tip on its generous blade.

My Hawaii brother stayed for a week after the party, too, so we got in a nice, long visit with him. He helped us so much with moving furniture (yes, we are still moving in), unpacking, fixing the barbecue (the starter had stopped starting, so he took it all apart, checked all the components, and got it working again), and generally assisting two people who have few practical skills. Working to the tunes on the music CDs, we made good progress around the house.

We also took time out to ride the ferry from Larkspur to San Francisco to admire the passing landscape from the deck of a catamaran, to poke around the Ferry Building, and to have lunch; we enjoyed salads and sandwiches from Il Cane Rosso. We bought dinner from the various vendors - cheese for hors d'oeuvres from Cowgirl Creamery, "Tasty Salted Pig Parts" from Boccalone Salumeria, and killer brined pork chops from Prather Ranch Meat Company. Then, back on the ferry for the ride back on the warmest day this year.

All in all, it has been a fine birthday week for My Beloved, and we are basking in the glow. A special thanks to his daughters and his friends for making the party so memorable.

My Aunt Virginia and her daughter, Bonnie, plus Bonnie's daughter and son, arrive tomorrow, so I may be somewhat neglectful of the blog again this week. I hope you will hang in there with me as I look forward to telling you all about that visit next time.