A Haven for Vee

Monday, February 27, 2012

Birthday Gifts and Thoughts

Do you play tricks with your birthday? Probably not. Probably you receive each birthday as the gift that it is and that's all there is to it. I do something strange. Since I was thirty-seven, I have added a year to my age. Yes, I know that most people subtract a few. Not I. That year, I rolled into my thirty-seventh birthday thinking that I was thirty-six. It did such a number on me that I've never been caught like that again.

So when my grandson arrived last week saying that he wasn't sure how old I was, but perhaps I was "%^," I really had to stop to think for he had added a year before I was ready to add a year. It's shocking either way!

Yesterday I shared one of my gifts (the Downton Abbey magnets) and today I thought I'd share some more. Family is always the best gift, of course. They arrived in the early evening with supper in tow. That was lovely. And this was lovely, too.

~My son and grandsons doing the dishes together~

Could it get any sweeter?


I had done something crazy to my camera settings so all my photos of the evening are so strangely colored that I turned them all to gray scale. No amount of playing in Photoshop would straighten them out. 



See what I mean? Sometimes one just has to return to the default settings and start over.

~nice interaction between Baby Grand and his mother in this one and I have no idea to whom the Older Grand is speaking...~ 

~John's thinking that the frame idea is going to mean that someone will get hurt...possible!~

By the next morning, I had the camera back to some semblance of normal. I think this proves that one needs to anticipate events and be prepared. What a novel concept!

On to the other gifts...


My sister sent me some delicious coffee from a coffee plantation she visited in Puerto Rico. It is some good too, smooth and flavorful.


 My son and daughter-in-law brought the cake and this lovely quilt square.



My daughter brought supper and this set of dishes for storage. I don't think that she's been happy with what's been available here lately. I'm making room for this in the cupboard today.


 The sweetest birthday card ever...


 And another from my sister, in Spanish...


Sewing notions and tea towels from my son and his family and a jean-a-ma-jij from my daughter. I've talked about this *before* you may remember.


 Jets were flown and crashed...


 Jets were flown and landed safely...


Two movies. One from my daughter, which I have also discussed *before* and the other from my niece. I know little about it, but perhaps I should check to see if it won an Oscar last night.

Did you watch? The Oscars that is?

53 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Vee! My family celebrated my birthday on Saturday. My daughter and son in law made dinner and my son made the dessert. I couldn't have asked for a better day.
    Hugs,
    Cathie

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  2. Yes, family is the best gift. My husband always tells the children--on his birthday, Father's Day, Christmas, etc.--having you is the best gift!

    Looks like you had a wonderful day of blessings. Happy (belated) birthday to you!

    And now I know there are two of them. Ladies who add a year to their ages, that is. My mom has done that for years! As soon as she gets a day past her birthday, she starts thinking of herself as the next age...so when her birthday rolls around, she has to think about what age she really is. Confusing. Me? I hold on to the current age until the last possible moment.

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  3. What nice gifts! I didn't watch the Oscars. They are boring to me, would rather read the recap on the net. Have a good day.

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  4. Happy Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful time! My husband always adds a year to his birthday, I have never understood that!

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  5. Happy Birthday Angel!!!!! I hope your day was just wonderful...and it looks like it was!!! It's funny about aging, I still can't believe I am the number I am, when I still feel like that 19 year old girl inside. But I guess that's what really matters and also that we are surrounded by the family we love! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead sweet Vee, hugs and love, Dawn

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  6. Happy Birthday Vee! No I didn't watch the Oscars....

    Loved the movie Temple Grandin...

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  7. Happy Belated Birthday Wishes!!! :-)

    Yes, a most perfect Birth Day.

    Lovely photos too.

    *Naughty, naughty*! You played in your camera settings, and forgot to switch 'em back. -grin- Guess it's a good thing that I don't try to play in my camera settings. So I never have to *go deep into the bowels* of my cam settings, and set 'em back. ,-)

    But you have many lovely photos and just 2, which are a bit gray. I never understand what you are complaining about..... "Oh sigh, my cam settings were off!!!"

    In today's post, I managed to nip a tiny bit, about the Oscars, which we did NOT watch. But more importantly, I nipped a bit more, on 'Downton Abbey.'

    And on WHY you all get to enjoy all those Masterpiece Theater programs, which you have enjoyed, over the years.

    Hint.... ME!

    ,-)


    "May night had fallen soft and warm, enwrapping with its grape-bloom colour and its scents
    the billion caprices, intrigues, passions, longings, and regrets of men and women."


    ~The Forsyte Saga Quotes

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  8. Happy, happy birthday, Vee! Looks like you had a lovely one. I rarely ever know how old I am...I have to do the subtraction of birth year to current year...seriously. Time goes by so quickly! By the way...you're invited to the next getaway.

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  9. Happy Birthday Vee! It looks and sounds like you had a lovely evening with your family. Hope it was all you expected it to be!

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  10. Ohhhh, I didn't know the latest "DA" episodes were over. Oh sigh! I remember withdrawl!

    Way back in the 60's, when "The Forsyte Saga" ran on PBS, I went into deeeeeeeep with-drawl, when it was over!!!! Naturally, I had been reading the book, along with watching. Probably my first introduction to such literature.

    I really enjoyed the character of "Fleur" and also, the actress who played the part. I so wanted more "Fleur"!!!!!!

    Found some book, which sort of carried on the tale, but not to my satisfaction. Oh sigh... Memories. :-)

    Had you ever heard of this long-ago Brit series, before my post? :-)

    "May night had fallen soft and warm,
    enwrapping with its grape-bloom colour and its scents
    the billion caprices, intrigues, passions, longings,
    and regrets of men and women."


    ~The Forsyte Saga Quotes

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  11. Happy Birthday dear Vee! It sounds like a busy house you had. I smile....since I can well imagine. What a great bunch of tokens of love you received.

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  12. How lovely to share your birthday Vee! I love the black and white photos actually. Good job!
    Happy Birthday!!!
    hugs
    Sandi

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  13. Happy Birthday, Vee! Sounds like you had an awesome birthday party! What's better than having family around to spend special times! You made a haul, like the kids say. Those little grandsons are surely growing - they are losing the baby-look, especially the older one. And the photo of your son and grands doing the dishes is precious and the colors are just right - makes it cozy and dear...

    I hope you continue your birthday celebrations all week long, my friend!

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  14. Happy Birthday! Was it leap year the year you were born? If so, just think of how old you would be (not much older than your grandsons) if you'd been born on Feb 29th.

    Looks as if you had a fantastic birthday party!

    You'll have to let us know how "The Tree of Life" is. I can tell you, though, that "Temple Grandin" is one of my favorites.

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  15. Happy Birthday, Vee! Your grandsons look as though they would bring sunshine flooding into your heart always! What lovely interesting cards and presents!

    I'm not an oscar watcher, though I should probably go to the movies more. Last year I had seen and greatly enjoyed The King's Speech, but this year I haven't seen any of the movies nominated.

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  16. Happy Birthday, dear Vee-eee...Happy Birthday to you! I'm smiling about never knowing exactly how old you are. One's children should always remember to estimate on the low side. Just because.

    Fun party...fun gifts. And so nice for the family to bring supper...and do the dishes. Now I'm off to see what a jean-a-ma-jig is.

    No Oscar watching over here...but we did watch the Celebrity Apprentice season opener.

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  17. Happiest of Birthdays, dear Vee!

    You spent your day in the best possible way! (hey, that rhymes!)

    My Mom has been 39 for about 31 years...she would NEVER add years! :)
    I just tell the truth, it may hurt, and amaze me, but that's how it is!

    I have never seen either movie, but I like the other gifts you got...we use those storage dishes for lunches for Tim as well as to store left overs.

    The sewing stuff looks great too!

    Hope you are going to get some nice weather this week - sunny today, high of 56!

    Deanna

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  18. Happy Birthday, Vee!! If you have added a year each year you must be calling yourself 40 by now - surely!

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  19. HAPPY, happy Birthday!!! Your birthday looks and sounds delightful. I love the pictures and especially the one of the guys doing dishes.

    I enjoyed watching the Oscars... I loved the book and the movie, The Help. I haven't seen any of the other movies.

    Continue with your celebration, you deserve it!

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  20. Happy Birthday Vee! It looks like a fun and exciting birthday dinner. It's nice that everyone was able to come. :)
    I keep meaning to ask you but always forget, does John have any children?

    I watched about 15 minutes of the Oscars. I don't know, I just didn't really care about any of the movies. (except The Help which I loved).

    Have a wonderful day.

    ((Hugs))
    Laura

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  21. Happy Birthday, Vee. It looks like you had a wonderful day with your family and received very nice gifts that you will enjoy! xo

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  22. So glad you had a great birthday. Lots of goodies there and of course the best, the loved ones. I did watch the Oscars. I had seen three of the movies, only because they came available on my Kindle. I wanted the Help to win but will have to see The Artist to decide. When I turned 50 I started counting my birthdays backwards. I have been 50 for 34 years so that makes me 16. No no I don't want to be 16 again that's for sure. I have seen that movie Temple Grandin. A true story and great movie.
    QMM

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  23. Oops my math is wrong. Been 50 for 24 years.Now that would make me 26 I would take that. LOL

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  24. Happy birthday Vee! Sounds like you a great day. Family is definitely the best gift you can get, though you got some other pretty nice ones too! haha. Taped the Oscars and then flipped through so we could catch only what we were interested in...which meant about 15 minutes, haha. Loved The Help. Have a wonderful day!

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  25. Happy Birthday Vee. It looks to me like you had a lot of love and fun come your way!

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  26. Wow, you had a blessed birthday.
    Great family catering to you and really nice gifts too. The photos
    are nice whether they're grey or colored, whatever. They show the joy shared while celebrating Nonni's special day!
    Happy B'Day from me!

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  27. Thinking of you on your Birthday hope it is a truly Happy One. xx

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  28. Happy birthday week, Vee!

    I'll be celebrating the last year of my present decade this June, so I'm going to make the most of it. It doesn't matter what age we are, it is that we simply "are" that matters! :)

    You gifts are all lovely and thoughtful. Your grandson's BD card is the sweetest!

    I watched half of the Oscars and now I want to go out and see "The Artist"! I love that Meryl Streep won best actress.

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  29. Happy happy birthday sweet Vee! Looks like you've spent it in the best way ever...with family! And you got some fun gifts! I'm sending you some warm Florida...Southern HUGS!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Have a FUN day! ♥♥♥♥♥♥

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  30. A very happy birthday and birthday year to you! Looks like you've been showered nicely with gifts. Blessings...

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  31. So nice that family came to deliver your gifts in person. The older I get, the more having family present means more to me than presents.

    We've only been in SLC for three years but I am afraid my thinking has already been give a local bent: I read the movie title "Temple Guardian" and wondered who was Mormon in your family. Sheesh...focus Jill! Maybe they are Jewish....ha!

    Many happy days are wished for you this coming year!

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  32. Happy Birthday, dear Vee! Love your birthday celebration photos...your grands are so cute! You really made out nicely in the gift department! I have a hard time anymore remembering how old I am, too. I just tell everyone that I'm the same age as Jack Benny...remember him?...he was always 39. LOL! Funny thing about that is the younger people wonder who the heck is Jack Benny. That really makes me feel old!

    I watched the Oscars with one eye while the other one was on my laptop. My favorite part was the performance by Cirque du Soleil....fantastic!

    Have a great day!!

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  33. Happy Birthday, dear Vee! It looks like you had a wonderful day filled with family love, yummy food, thoughtful gifts and ... the sweetest card ever.
    I can see how the frame could pose a danger, but it sure is a cute idea!
    I cracked up over the jets crashing and landing at your party ... beats fireworks any day :).
    I saw about the last hour of the Oscars. I did see The Tree of Life mentioned a few times. I don't remember you talking about Temple Grandin before, but it sounds like a good one.

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  34. Happy Birthday my friend! What a wonderful time you had with your family. I love the photos telling a story of the event. My daughter tells me I need to watch Temple Grandin but I have not found it. Enjoy the next year filled with God's best blessings. Hugs, Pamela

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  35. We can only watch the Oscars on Sky and as I don't subscribe, I did not get the chance to consider staying up all night. That would not have happened. Not for the Oscars! Maybe something else, though. Maybe. Happy Birthday, Vee! You have a wonderful haul of memories here, and presents too. Those grands are growing like weeds! I think I may know what is coming tomorrow...... and I am sure I will need it too!

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  36. Vee,
    Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration!
    Oh my gosh, your daughter thought that was an "old lady" on the video??
    Gulp.

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  37. Dear Vee,
    Happy Birthday to you, you young thing.I'am older than you are..LOL
    My birthday is next week. How wonderful to have your family over to celebrate with you, I love it when the boys do the dishes.
    We did watch the awards, I always love seeing all the beautiful gowns.
    Have a sweet week full of sweet moments,
    Big hugs, Elizabeth

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  38. Wonderful way to celebrate a birthday no matter what age you are! the picture of your son and grandsons doing the dishes is priceless and actually perfect in the gray scale -- I love the whole post. Happy belated bday!

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  39. Happy Birthday Vee..I have to agree family is the very best gift of all. Looks like you had a lovely birthday
    I have to admit did not watch the Oscars at all

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  40. Happy Birthday, dear Vee.
    I'm glad your family was front and center in your celebrations. They are so precious.

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  41. What a warm and loving family celebration you enjoyed. That's the best gift!

    I did not watch the Oscars nor really care who won. But I was pleased to hear that Christopher Plummer won. At 82! That's encouraging. It's never too late ...

    Happiest of birthdays, dear Vee.

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  42. Sounds like a wonderful thoughtful birthday you had. Yes, I do add years instead of subtract, so I am always pleasantly surprised when someone else remembers ;)

    So enjoyed Downton Abbey!!!!

    Happy Birthday!

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  43. So glad you had a happy birthday, minus or plus a year. :)

    I do the same thing CHERYL'S mom does...as soon as I have a birthday, i move right into the other year and come birthday time, I have to stop and think about my CORRECT age. :))

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  44. A belated Happy Birthday to you!!!

    What a lovely celebration of the very best kind, surrounded by the love of family.

    I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  45. Happy Birthday Vee! There's nothing like spending it with family. Don't those handmade cards from your grandchildren just melt your heart. Thanks for sharing this happy event with us. ~ Abby

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  46. Happy Happy belated Birthday Vee!
    It looks like a lovely family celebration and such thoughtful gifts. You are right, of course, the best gift being family (and food showing up at the door)

    Yes I did watch the Oscars...I seem to be drawn to them every year, I do love the fashion...and the emotional speeches.

    Have a wonderful day,
    Niki

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  47. Happy Birthday!

    I'm always having to "think" about how old I am, subtracting date of birth from current year.

    I don't know if it is a mental block or something medical, hehehe.

    I do pray for you a very blessed year ahead. :)

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  48. A very Happy Birthday, my friend. Looks and sounds like a great one.
    I think it is fun to add a few years because then people say, Wow you look good for your age. : )

    No, didn't watch the Oscars - watched The Old Curiosity Shop.

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  49. Happy Birthday Vee,
    I savored every word on your post. Love those pictures of your grandchildren with the frames. Looks like you had a beautiful birthday.

    For my entire life I have spent the year beginning on my Birthday and saying I am going to be (the next age) for the entire year. Do you know sometimes when it rolls around I forget how old I really am.

    I watched the awards, and I was so pleased. I think it was the most elegant show I have ever watched. They finally figured out that when all those stars get gussied up to go and celebrate their work, they want to be celebrated. Love Billy Crystal, he can be funny without it being at someone else's expense. Love seeing the fashion too.

    Have a beautiful day.

    Karen

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  50. They look like photos taken on a normal setting indoors in electric light.

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  51. Am I the very last to wish you a Happy Birthday? Then may this be the empressement of all that has been stated. Because of you, dear Vee, countless days feel a little more wonderful and a lot more blessed! Thank you for the sunshine you add to our lives! Love ya! ~ Gwen ~

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  52. Family is the very best gift. Looks like you had a really wonderful birthday!

    We only watched the opening. We just wanted to see Billy Crystal. All the other stuff I was happy to read about the next day.

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  53. Happy belated birthday !!! You got some wonderful gifts. Thank you for the tip about the dvd Temple Grandin. That sounds very interesting. Especially because me and my family all have Asperger's Syndrome !!
    Have a wonderful day.

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