Prior to leaving for vacation, we celebrated my 42nd birthday, starting off with some cake for breakfast…a yearly tradition that I always look VERY forward to. Having a good excuse to indulge in rich, sweet treats at a supposedly inappropriate time makes the entire experience that much more decadent.
For years I’ve been searching for a particular cake to replicate the one that I had on my birthday back in my 20’s. I remember this very special moment with utmost fondness…friends surprising me with a lavish cake and champagne to savor at the beach, as the sun was setting over the ocean at Montauk, NY (tip of the Hamptons.) This marvelous experience fed all of my senses – tastes, sights and sounds, filling my heart with great joy and immense feelings of bliss. Yes, the cake and scenery were fantastic, but what made me happiest was the feeling of gratitude towards my friends who so dearly organized this amazing birthday treat, just for me. Ever since, I’ve been looking for that exact cake, which unfortunately doesn’t seem to exist anywhere nearby. This strange, stubborn quest led me to choose two smaller cakes this year..these two combined almost resembles what I remember eating at the beach decades earlier.
BTW, this year on my birthday, it was also my 1st year blog anniversary (thanks to Bill for creating my blog platform as a birthday gift last year.) Perhaps these two occassions deserved to be celebrated with two cakes after all. Even though this wasn’t my original intent, I’m gonna go with this excuse anyway.
While feeling the sugar and caffeine rush, I dove into opening up my gifts. The first few below are from art friends who know exactly how to make someone feel special…I am so touched by their kind, giving spirit.
First, from Heather, all the way from Australia. We originally met many years ago after I saw Heather’s amazing artwork on the cover of Somerset Studio (I contacted her, asking her where she found the recycled materials she used for her piece.) Heather responded with great generosity, sending me a big batch of recycled disks…and we’ve been exchanging all sorts of wonderful packages and emails ever since.
Here’s a look at what I received from thoughtful, sweet Ellen. I was sincerely moved by all the care and attention she put into creating this package of delight.
And Doreen…look at these wonderful gifts she created. I love everything, including the translucent pieces of sea glass which I will undoubtedly have tons of fun using in my future projects.
Last year I created this necklace to be worn as a lucky charm, and low and behold…it worked! I’ve had a fantastic year filled with good thoughts and positive energy, much of which I found online…thanks to all of you. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know many of you through visiting your blogs and exchanging emails. Thank you for openly sharing yourselves and for making me feel welcome, as a vistor as well as a fellow blogger. Thank you for a wonderful year full of heART!
18 Comments, Comment or Ping
I wish to send warm warm wishes your way and to thank you for inspiring me everyday to lead a creative life.
love me 🙂
August 12th, 2010
Have a lovely lovely birthday! Love the tradition of cake for breakfast, definitely going to have to implement that one!
August 12th, 2010
Well, happy late birthday! It sounds like it was absolutely wonderful and you were spoiled as deserved! Cake for breakfast…now THAT is an idea I am ready to embrace! I can’t wait to see what you do with that sea glass!!! I have been thinking about finding some of that lately and I know you will be inspiring in whatever you create with it!
August 12th, 2010
Now that is a tradition I wholeheartedly endorse..two even!! May the year ahead be filled with many happy days ~ I am happy to have found your space . elk
August 12th, 2010
happy happy happy late birthday!!!
it looks like it was just perfect…..
and CAKE for BREAKFAST
is PERFECT!!!!
i may just have to start that tradition myself….you have absolutely inspired me!!
also congrats to you one your one year blog anniversary!!!
i often pinch myself with the amazing people that blogging has brought
into my life. what a blessing in disguise that was!!!!
big hugs to you beautiful Becky!!!
xxoo
k
August 12th, 2010
dear becky. all the best wishes for these special celebrations and they surely deserved two cakes. your thoughts and art have given me much inspiration. please accept a hug from one creative soul to another oh so amazing creative soul.
August 12th, 2010
Becky,
I love how you celebrated your day~ I hope the combo effect came close to the wonderful memory, instilled on that decadent day! The combo of chocolate n’ caffeine is a sensory awakening, to me. I hope for you, it woke your past memories, allowing them to mingle with the new ones! Your cake reminds me of Citizen Cake, is that a possibility?
I enjoyed sorting and finding components for your gift, it was a pleasure to do~ I am thrilled you liked it!
I love your good luck charm necklace; It worked!!! I hope this year provides you with wonderful memories, magic, and moments of joy!
Happy Birthday and Bloganniversary! See, that justifies two cakes ;-D
Thanks for being such an inspiration and kindhearted soul; Thanks for being YOU~xXx
August 12th, 2010
dearest becky,
it is always cake for breakfast
to visit your blog.
i love it here.
soulful. beautiful. friend-place.
happy birthday, dear one.
those cakes look divine.
& your gifts look tender-sacred.
lots to celebrate
& i’m sure the seashells
are telling many dear stories
about you
if you press your ear
into their shells.
xoxox
August 13th, 2010
Happy Birthday Girl: I’m happy to hear yours was lovely. (Sometimes I’ve had cake for breakfast too but didn’t dare tell everyone.)
All of the handmade gifts look filled with love! The best gifts anyone could have.
xo, Candylei
August 13th, 2010
I love that you all get the cake thing (thanks for making me feel less piggish.)
August 13th, 2010
Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day! I love the idea of having cake for breakfast on your birthday. I’m a long-time cake for breakfast fan. Inevitably, if there is cake left over from something served at a more ‘sensible’ time, and it’s on the kitchen counten when I get up in the morning, it’s toast. 🙂 My former Campus President at the college where I work, dear sweet Dr. D, always told me that he felt you should always eat dessert first, no matter the time of day. He saw so sense in ‘saving the best for last” when you could simply enjoy it first!
August 13th, 2010
Becky,
The cakes both look wonderful and look like something I would pick for my birthday breakfast. I love mousse-type fulling and I love a vanilla butter cream. And I adore a little bittersweet topping. This is what I am imagining it to be, of course!
Have a wonderful birthday and blogiversary. Aren’t those art presents the greatest? I love that your husband set up your blog platform. My daughter did mine for me.
Hugs,
Suz
August 13th, 2010
Happy Birthday wishes…oh those cakes look yummy. Hope they lived up to your expectations and even if they didn’t a cake quest is always fun!
August 14th, 2010
Happy Be-lated Birthday Becky!! You are such a wonderfully talented lady, and you are always such a source for inspiration to many of us. I wish you another year full of good things! xo
August 15th, 2010
Becky – Happy Birthday!!! I was away visiting my daughter in PA and just saw that you had a birthday – hope it was a great one. Your cakes look SO yummy and I wish I had a piece of them right now, haha. Can’t wait to see what you will create with the goodies from your friends – I know it’ll be something so creative and beautiful………….
Blessings,
Lisa
August 16th, 2010
here’s to your
42nd year of
creative living,
becky! i hope that
your days sparkle!
happy to you!
August 19th, 2010
Happy Belated Birthday Becky! Glad you had a lovely morning treat with cakes and goodies! Congrats on your 1 year blogoversary too! Cheers! 🙂
August 20th, 2010
dearest becky
better late to the party than never i guess.
happy -very very very- late birthday dear friend.
42!
i turned 42 on august 4th.
isn.t it a sweet number? i keep telling myself that it is.
42!
42!
42!
let us artfully and creatively celebrate 42 to it.s fullest….together.
you are so dear.
xo
c
August 24th, 2010
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