Thursday, February 12, 2015

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real


A pretty, happy, funny, really nice birthday!


This year, whenever anyone asked what I wanted for my birthday, I simply said:  something exotic, nothing "useful", something from a far off land.  I have always had wanderlust but never the bankroll to travel far and away.  I visited France once as a high school student and it did not disappoint!  Paris was exactly as I imagined - which isn't always the case with such things.  The reality is not always the dream.  But Paris was!!! 
Image result for paris
  
Looking through the old pictures of myself at 18 sitting at a cafe has brought back that old restless feeling to have an adventure. (I suppose I am very much like old Bilbo in this way). So, I did...of a sort.  My husband and children and friends gave me things from far and away on my birthday.   It was lovely..... and, believe it or not, I felt exotic that day.....and rather like a traveler without leaving my Hobbit Hole.  Here are all the PRETTY, HAPPY, FUNNY and REALLY exotic things people thought of.




A mysterious Chinese jewelry box, an Irish tea pot, coffee from Kenya and France, a Starbuckian mug with an African village on it, and a lovely drawing of Our Lady of the Broom from Creative Child. 



 The best one of all was a surprise.  Long ago, a friend in Italy, (I shall call her my Italian Art enabler) sent me a wonderful print of "The School of Athens" by Raphael because I loved Philosophy.  Well, my Dad made me a frame and it hung above my fireplace for years.  One day we heard a loud crash and discovered my picture all broken on the floor.  The nail had fallen out of the plaster and disaster!  So, I rolled up the print and put it in the closet, cleaned up the glass and mourned for my Philosophical youth.  Well, on my birthday, Tony takes me on a little trip to a very tiny shop.  It is a framing shop.  I had no idea why we were there.  But when we opened the door, there on the wall was my "School of Athens" brilliantly displayed.  The owner had a great understanding of the element of surprise.  The picture was FANTASTIC!   




So, there you have it........an exotic, adventurous birthday without leaving home.  China, France, Kenya, Ireland, Ancient Greece, Israel (Our Lady was from Israel) and Italy.  Hurrah for birthdays, I say!  And I toast you Bilbo Baggins from the door of my Hobbit Hole.




4 comments:

  1. Oh, how wonderful! It is all so lovely. How very loved you are.

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  2. Aah, wanderlust...I know the feeling! I'd say you had a very nice adventure indeed! Love, love Creative Child's drawing! God bless+

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  3. Aah, wanderlust...I know the feeling! I'd say you had a very nice adventure indeed! Love, love Creative Child's drawing! God bless+

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  4. What awesome gifts you received. You are loved!

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