We celebrated Len’s 55th birthday on Sunday. After an early morning bicycle ride, we headed over to “Our Garden” for a beautiful bouquet of colorful flowers and some delicious vegetables to add to the celebration meal.
Because it was hot and humid, we kept the meal simple and cool: fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese for appetizers, and a build-your-own salad, with fresh-off-the-stalk corn on the cob. I made one of the salad dressings with Chemlali Olive Oil and Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar—both from “The Olive Oil Shops” in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin—our favorite oilery.
Our friend, Karen, brought an assortment of homemade bars—chocolate, lemon, and peanut butter—for dessert.
The first birthday that Len and I celebrated together after we got married in 1980 was Len’s 25th birthday. Because he didn’t play a musical instrument, I thought it would be a good idea to broaden his horizons just a wee bit. With that in mind, I bought him a harmonica. After two months of ear-scraping, brain-denting “noise” I confiscated it, explaining that this was just one more good reason for him to never, ever go to prison. With a harmonica they’d kill him—definitely kill him!
Happy Birthday Len!
Listen with your heart,
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan
www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Well, I am of the mind that Len has had 30 years of the best birthday present ever: you. What a wonderful way to spend the day: biking, eating nummy food, great company. The best gifts can’t be found in a store.
Barbara – I’m glad that you stopped by today. And thank you for the compliment 🙂
Truly gifts to each other!
Thanks for sharing Len’s special day!
Give Len my wishes for many more.
Your making me hungry at 6:24 am!
Kim
Kim – We ate the final leftovers this evening, yum!
Love the Gladiolas!
The food looks yummy too, ok I am full. Gotta go to work!
Kim
Kim – The gladiolas and Calla Lilies still look just as beautiful this evening as they did when we picked them out on Sunday morning.
Happy Birthday Len-your party looked perfect!! Love, Mona
Mona – We were over in your neck of the woods this morning. We got a 3-day guest pass for the new HealthBridge facility on Route 62 and we swam laps in one of their lap pools this morning. It’s a phenomenal place!
A very Happy Birthday and the best of all wishes to you Len. Rick and I both celebrated our 55th birthdays six years ago and looking back, it was a very good year. Wishing you the same!
One more thing, Mona — I’m remembering that you’ve got a birthday coming up on the 17th 🙂
Colleen – Thank you so much for the birthday well wishes for Len. Bright blessings to you and Rick.
Happy birthday to Len! Looks like you had a wonderful time. I stared at the pictures and tried to imagine being a bird at the party. Of course wanted some of that corn on the cob. The olive oil dressing sounds scrumptious. Mmmm…. Tell Len we wish him well this year!
Kathy – I have conveyed your birthday wishes to Len, thank you. The corn on the cob was beyond amazing — I didn’t even use butter on mine. And that olive oil with pomegranite balsamic vinegar dressing is an over-the-top experience for the taste buds.
Happy Birthday Len!~
Don’t forget to make a wish.
Looks like a great time.
~Jean
Jean – Many thanks for stopping by and leaving birthday wishes for Len.
Happy Birthday, Len! Looks like you had a great start – hope your day continues to be fantastic!
Cheri
Cheri – thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU.
Happy, Happy, Happy!
This is Len, thank you for the birthday wishes. It is already a good year and it has just begun.
Mike – That had me up and shakin’ my groove thang!
You know, I do believe those folks were Dixie fried! Paartayy!!
Hey Miss Sandi – We do know how to Paartayy! I like peanut butter too. My favorite it creamy style from Trader Joe’s (don’t know if you have those stores down there). It’s organic with nothin’ added – only smushed up peanuts. I’m glad you picked up salad fixin’s — they’re perfect for when it’s too darned hot to cook. And if you’re weather’s anything like ours has been, you’ve got the humidity to go with it. Thank you for stopping by, I’m glad you enjoyed the party 🙂
Looks like you had a delicious and delightful Birthday Celebration. A most “Harmonious”day, minus the harmonica. Best Wishes to your husband fora year filled with an abundance of good health, love, laughter and joy!
Sheila – We enjoyed your “harmonious” comment 🙂 Thank you for the birthday well wishes. I’m glad you stopped in because I want to point out to my friend, Jean, that you “Diabetes Connection” on your website.
Happy birthday Len! Sure glad that Laurie didn’t fall in love with a harmonica player:) What a wonderful story. I read the post out loud to David this morning – once I stopped laughing. I love all the bare toes in at your birthday party too. So nice to be in bare feet. May your day be filled with bliss.
Terrill – I’m so glad that you and David enjoyed the harmonica story. And yes, at this time of year, you’ll always find us in bare feet — I’m glad you came by to visit. More importantly, I’m glad that you and David have something special to celebrate as you shared in your post, August Mist. That’s FANTASTIC news!
Happy Birthday Len
Thank you for so graciously sharing so much of your beloved’s time with me.
Looking forward to catching up with you two physically sometime in the next few years.
Be Great
Ted
Ted – I’m so glad you stopped in. We’re still TICKLED PINK over the EXCELLENT NEWS that you shared in your post YIPPEE and then followed up in LAB REPORT ON TUMORS. You betcha we’ll have an in-person nose-to-nose (well, with your height it’ll more likely be nose to Adam’s apple) – I’m counting on it, and holding you to it 🙂 We’ll come down there as you guys have been here, but we’ve never been there.
The minute I saw those peanut butter bars, I started feeling like I needed some. Of course, I had none so I grabbed the jar and a spoon. When I went to the store later on, I piled into the fresh salad makings. Too darned hot to cook. I enjoyed the party, thanks for bringing to us!
Happy Birthday Len,
Thank you Laurie for sharing the day with us, all the yummy food and welcomed friends!
Jeff – I’m glad you stopped by for the birthday festivities. Thank you.
Loved the part about the Harmonica.
Warmest Birthday greetings to Len.
The pictures indicate a great party you had put together.
Roamer
Roamer – I’m glad you enjoyed the harmonica story. Thank you for the birthday well-wishes for Len, I will convey them.
Sorry we’re late for the party…. just dried off from sweating so much this week…someone once told me that ladies perspire, not sweat…well, this is pure sweat! We hope that you have the happiest of years ahead and many, many more.
Glad we could be a tiny part of your day!
Cindy and Keith – Hey you guys, the flowers at Len’s birthday celebration were drop-dead gorgeous! And even though the gladiolas are gone, the Calla Lilies are still GORGEOUS! Thank you for Len’s birthday well-wishes, I have conveyed them 🙂