Monday 22 June 2009

All the World

"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece but not too much."
~George Harrison

The morning began with these

Then these

I melted a little.

So it was my birthday, a day filled with love, beauty and laughter. I feel so blessed and thank them profusely. What to do with a relatively anonymous blog? I suppose post a snapshot of the periphery. Not the gifts, that would be tacky, although I'm itching to be tacky... but I shan't.

I was then told, nay, ordered "not to do a thing". This is hard for me.
A friend once asked me not to work too hard then added "Well, it's like asking Jesus not to cure the blind, isn't it?". So I allowed this one day of total pampering with no mind to work, writing or schedules. I felt somewhat useless. But lovely. Wrapping paper was strewn like confetti and a zaniness ensued that I had nothing to do with but delighted in gladly. The day of hugs and kisses included full stomachs with a surprise dinner of one of my favourites - Spaghetti Cioppino (pardon the blur - steam)



And was matched by



This berry-scrumptious creation arrived courtesy of Patisserie Valerie (est. 1926, they proudly boast). Together with a loved one they chucked their repertoire and came up with a new recipe of all my favourite things - fresh berries, ganache and what appears to be Belgium's entire supply of white chocolate. I am sorry to any diabetics, truly I am.

I love the effort that comes straight from the heart, not spectacle or show but pure love. It was a good day, so rhythmically good I almost got a headache.

After some delicate hour I floated off to bed, feeling like a princess. I just wish I remembered what I dreamt about...


45 comments:

Emma Lavelle said...

happy birthday!!

alas, i am still to find the tshirt. do let me know if you come across one anywhere. Thankyou for the advice on my blog

xxx

Purple Flowers said...

And a very Happy Birthday to you! I wish you many more.

"Great minds think alike". I was going to post about my husband's Birthday, which was yesterday, June 21. I forgot to take photos getting all caught up in dinner and cake, which is why I decided on a "positive life"
See you around the bend. :)

Dream Sequins said...

Can you please be tacky? I'd love to see the loot ;) Happy birthday, by the way!

Le Meems said...

Felice Cumpleanos!
Are you on the Cancer side or the Gemini side of the cusp?

I'm Gemini. Triple Gemini. So ... crazy, in an eye of the storm kind of way.

Looks like you had a de-lovely birthday my dear. Cheers to you :)

Jennifer said...

Happy birthday! What a wonderful day it sounds like :)

la cuisine bourgeois said...

Oh my goodness...so many beautiful things!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! that berry cake is to die for!!!

Oh and thanks for the comments..especially the Starbucks one...i was literally laughing out loud at my desk!

jennifer said...

that is the prettiest cake! sounds like a perfect day. happy birthday.

Shell said...

Happy Birthday!! Some of my dearest friends are Cancers. You are in good company. May your most fondest wish come to pass for you this year.

VanessasRunway said...

Happpppppppppppy Birthday!

that cake looks beyond yummy! I'm glad it was a great day and you were surrounded by your love ones! ;)

Chuck Dilmore said...

yes... Happy Birthday!

it looks like you had
a wonderful one!
yeaaaa!

enjoy~
Chuck

polli said...

OWEE YOU FIND AMAZING YUMMY FOOD ON HERE MAKES ME HUNGRY LOOKING AT YOUR BLOG!

Laurel said...

Awe- happy birthday sweets- thanks for popping by my post today- you made me giggle:)xoxo

Rebecca Corvese said...

Happy Birthday! It sounds like you had the perfect day. We are all so rushed all the time and never stop to smell the roses... so I'm glad that you started with fresh flowers! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments! Enjoy the rest of your special day!

the paris apartment said...

What a perfect day, thanks for sharing it, I bet you dreamed about it all night, especially the part you don't want to be tacky about!

Kim said...

What a wonderful Birthday. I wish you many more such special days :)
The Solstice is a special time, as it's one of the old Pagan Festivals. The Summer and Winter Solstice were the turning points of the year, when the veils were thinnest and spirits and deities could be contacted. Think of Midsummer Night's Dream for the Summer and Halloween for Winter. That's it in a very small nutshell :)

Kim x

Annie Spandex said...

Happy birthday! The pasta looks so good and that berry thing--yum!!

French Fancy... said...

Oh belated happy birthday and thank you for popping over. Now I want you to be tacky and tell me all the presents you got - go on. do it!

Love the cake. It's years since I've been to Patisserie Valerie and now I feel a little bit homesick

Anika said...

Happy Birthday gorgeous!

I adore all the gifts and pretty things you got; the flowers, the sumptious snacks/food and all the rest.

Here's to many more fabulous days. And your friend is right. Enjoy and relax, its what your birthday is for :)

corine said...

Happy birthday to you! I am working on your birthday request :-)

Clarity said...

You're all very sweet, thank you.
PF - ditto and thank you dear.
Dream Sequins - I can't, although the "loot" crack made me giggle. I am so looted up.
Le Meems and Sweet Shell - some say Gemini, others Cancer, I say my sign is unlisted- I don't buy into it.
Bel - your post was funnymaking
Sone - I love to cook so it is a treat to have others cook for me.
Laurel and Rebecca, much appreciated.
Anika and Kim, lovely wishes, merci xx
French Fancy, I'll email it if I succumb, which I won't... ;) hope you see Pat.Val. soon.
Corine - woman on a mission, must admit, me too choosy.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment. How lovely to come by and find that it is your birthday! I wish you a most Happy one indeed!

You have a beautiful blog and I am sure I shall return here often. You are welcome over at our place anytime!

All the best!

GrannySmithGreen said...

Happy Birthday! I'm having a fit over that cake!

Unknown said...

hurray hurray for a birthday! thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. i'm so glad your birthday was filled with flowers!

Renee said...

Happy Birthday to you. Your blog is lovely, I just love it.

By the way, Wahid is my husband.

Renee xoxo

pve design said...

Birthdays are to be celebrated in an out of this world sort of way. In an over the moon sort of way.
Happy Landing....
pve

crystal said...

Aww happy belated birthday! I'm glad you enjoyed it and dinner and dessert look amazing.

Anatol Braeunig said...

sounds and looks wonderful...
sometimes it's good not to do anything and feel useless. that's what birthdays are for. happy birthday from me at tha point. even though i am two days late. :/
i hope it was a great day?!

Lennye said...

What a beautiful birthday cake!

Unknown said...

happy birthday! the images are so beautiful and your words so descriptive and wonderful that I am sure it was an incredible day for you:)

Lori ann said...

What a beautiful post, such lovely images and words.
Thank you for stopping by my place, I'm glad you did, now I can wish you a Happy Happy Birthday!

xx

PaperCourt said...

Happy birthday. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

agnes said...

to start with: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Hope this coming year will be filled up with all beautiful and magical moments :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Clarity, nice to see your Blog!
It looks great and well done! Keep on doing like this, I would love to see more! :)

Verdigris Vie said...

Happy belated birthday ! I hope that everyday is like your birthday!

Vitania

Penny Lane said...

i don't think we share birthday. mine is on 15th May. But happy birthday to you! :D

PL ♥

Estelle Hayes said...

Oh, happy, happy birthday. Sorry this is late. What a lovely post and it sounds like a lovely and special day.

paolo said...

sorry for delay.. happy birthday anyway! p.s. the cake looks tasty!

Lanny said...

Happy Belated birthday!

Thanks for the kind comments on my blog. I've really enjoyed yours...I'll be back.

My uncle was actually misdiagnosed at first. Since obtaining a correct diagnosis, he has had no significant progress of the disease.

Again, happy belated birthday. The cake looks yummy!

Happytizing Life said...

Happy birthday
beautiful post

beauty comma said...

Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a great day. It's always good to let our loved ones spoil you once in a while!

Diana said...

these are gorgeous and pasta looks so good! i hope you had a great celebration! just checking out your blog; you write beautifully!

Anonymous said...

OOooooh Lord,...you had your B-day! Can I still sing a B-song for you??

Tanti auguri a te
tanti auguri a te
tanti auguri a Clarity
taaaaaaanti auuuuuuguriiiiii aaaaaahhhhh te!!!!

Hip hip..Hurraaayyyy

(verrrrrrrry late, but still with the best wishes, xxx,Carmie.)

muralimanohar said...

Well, happy belated birthday! It sounds like a perfect one. :D

Aline said...

what a wonderful birthday!

it sounds like it was very special!

mina said...

I love that quote! That dessert looks delicious!