Bonjour and Joyeux Anniversaire to me! That’s Happy Birthday of course!
Yes, my birthday was yesterday. And, in our house, birthdays that fall on the weekend turn into a weekend-long birthday celebration. Sometimes there are parties. Sometimes there are small dinners. Other times, there is little fanfare, but rather a celebration of relaxation and family that is often lost in the day-to-day activities of work and responsibilities.
So how did I celebrate my birthday weekend? With a little bit of this and a little bit of that:
- Relaxation – On Saturday, the day before my birthday, I received a wonderful pedicure from my mother-in-law (who moonlights as a nail technician!) Although les enfants were still running amok, the pedicure was quite relaxing, especially because I was sitting on the couch for a hour not having to do a thing! Another part of my relaxing weekend was going for a 7-mile run on Sunday, my actual birthday. Some of you may not think running is relaxing, but again, anytime I have an hour to myself, it’s relaxing!
- Indulgence – Ok, where do I start? My father-in-law, a master baker (I think he own a patisserie in a previous life!), knows that I love all things lemon. On Saturday, he surprised me by baking a lemon chiffon cake with raspberry cream – delicious! The next morning my husband and the kids went to the local bakery and picked up several baked treats for breakfast. I arrived home from my run to yummy sites and smells, followed by chocolate kisses from the kids. Finally, after a long birthday Sunday, I topped off my indulgences with a tart frozen yogurt from a local froyo cafe. Expensive, but well worth it!
- Family Time – On Saturday, I bonded with my 2 1/2 year old daugher as we shared a breakfast of French bread, brie, and raspberry preserves – plus a juicy green pear and English Breakfast tea with cream. I must also add that she was wearing her very pink tutu in preparation for the afternoon Fancy Nancy Party that we attended. So chic, at such a young age – she really must be my daughter. On Sunday, we attended my son’s rousing soccer game, followed by a quick trip to the zoo in downtown Chicago. In true Bistro Chic Fashion, we dined at a French Bistro- Mon Ami Gabi – for dinner, where I had an amazing asparagus and leek soup, followed by a frisee salad with bacon and a poached egg.
- Little Surprises – And now for the good stuff! I received several birthday greetings via FB, email, etc. some expected, and some very unexpected – but all lovely and very welcome! I also received a special birthday gift from Sephora – France’s gift to the mass-cosmetics world. Ooh la la – nothing like receiving a fancy and free beauty gift on your birthday. If you want a free Sephora treat on your birthday, just sign up for the Sephora Rewards Program. And speaking of free, I also received a free travel size Bath and Body Works hand cream – citrus of course! The free cream was not really a birthday gift, but it was still a nice free birthday treat! But wait, what was my very favorite birthday surprise? The homemade cards from mes enfants – complete with an alien spaceship with me inside. Maybe they are trying to tell me something?
Whew! For a low-key birthday, I actually did quite a lot!
Bistro Chic Travel Forecast – Looks like next week will be much warmer and sunnier week for me! I’m headed to Austin, TX, on another business trip. I may just, accidentally, stumble upon a few French macarons and a French hot chocolate – but that will be our little secret, mes amis!
Ciao!
