...is sucking sweet meat from the legs of what is, in essence, a glorified spider. Friday night, Mr. Food Musings and I finally made it to Thanh Long at the behest of good friends R. & B. They brought loads of bubbly (and presents!) and steered us to the choicest picks: whole roasted Dungeness crab dripping with garlic and butter, and a heaping plate of garlic noodles on the side. The garlic noodles were literally life-changing, and that's as much as I can say about them. You just have to go and eat them to believe it. Rumor has it that they're even made in a secret kitchen that the waitstaff isn't allowed to step foot into. High drama -- I love it!
The Most Perfect Birthday ever continued with the best pancake on the planet Saturday morning. It was plump with fresh purple blueberries, and the sour cream-brown sugar puddle on top was so divine it makes syrup look just plain silly.
Mr. FM and I toodled around the City, enjoying the warm day, and then I spent some of my birthday money on a new desk chair and a pair of framed antique silk paintings from Guangzhou, China. I hung them in our hallway next to a painted wooden serving tray that my grandmother gave me when I was home a few weeks ago. Mr. FM gave me the most gorgeous jewelry ever (lots of superlatives, I know, but I told you it was a perfect day!) and then we went out for a (quiet) night on the town to our all time favorite bistro, Chapeau! We haven't been in since the accident, so it was good to reconnect with Philippe & Ellen and explain our long absence (...and stuff ourselves silly with oysters and sweetbreads and cassoulet and profiteroles).
All in all, it was a lovely day. What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed it. It's been an annus horribilis to say the least. I didn't have a candle, but if I had I'd have wished that Mr. FM were fully recovered. (Aside: a recent visit to a specialist was encouraging, but we've got at least 6 months more before we can realistically hope for anything resembling normalcy). I missed my grandfather a lot -- it was the first birthday for me, for anyone in our family, without him. In spite of all the sadness this year has rained down, on Saturday I was joyful and very much looking forward to the next spin around the sun.
Amen to joyful birthdays! They are meant to be delightful!
Posted by: Mom | August 14, 2006 at 02:15 PM
Happy Birthday! And why didn't I know about this??? You must allow us to prolong the celebrations so we can fete you properly!
Posted by: Joy | August 14, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Sorry, my dear, I get a bit shy about announcing my birthday...
Posted by: Catherine | August 14, 2006 at 05:04 PM
belated happy birthday catherine.
hope to see you soon,
love sam x
ps - the "no photos" declaration was a bit short lived, eh?
pps - now i think i owe YOU lunch!
Posted by: sam | August 14, 2006 at 05:57 PM
Happy B-day Catherine! (I must get Mr FM to give my other half a lesson in birthday gift-giving.) :-)
Posted by: Robyn | August 14, 2006 at 06:14 PM
Sam - I know, I know, but I thought this photo was okay. Lunch sounds good anytime, but you don't owe me a thing silly girl.
Robyn - Perhaps you should say something like, oh, I don't know: "How about some jewelry? I always like the selection at [insert store name here] and lately, I'm really drawn to pieces in [insert metal here] and rings that are [insert description here]." I find that produces good results ;)
Posted by: Catherine | August 14, 2006 at 06:46 PM
Happy belated birthday, and best wishes for a wonderful year ahead!
Posted by: NS | August 14, 2006 at 06:57 PM
oops - thought i posted yesterday but anyway, belated birthday wishes. glad to see you had a lovely time.
Posted by: Alison | August 15, 2006 at 08:58 AM
Thanks, NS & Alison!
NS - I am heading to Junnoon next week and very excited, based on your review.
Alison - I think I'm going to use one of your chutneys this week in a dish I'm crafting...thanks again.
Posted by: Catherine | August 15, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Happy belated, I hope we get a chance to tip back some bubbles in your honor soon.
Posted by: bill | August 15, 2006 at 11:26 AM
Catherine, you're a master of subtlety. ;-)
Posted by: Robyn | August 15, 2006 at 05:58 PM
Bill - hey, open some champagne and drink it without me! Any excuse is a good one for bubbly.
Robyn - I'm old & wise enough to go with what works.
Posted by: Catherine | August 15, 2006 at 06:13 PM
Many happy returns. Here's to a great new year for you and Mr. FM too.
Posted by: Amy | August 15, 2006 at 08:57 PM
Happy birthday, my dear! I am glad to hear you had a lovely day. May the year to come be filled with many of them--and with positive news on the medical front as well. Sending you all the best.
Posted by: Tea | August 16, 2006 at 01:07 AM
Happy, Happy Birthday to you! Good food and jewelry and a man who loves you all make for a fabulous celebration.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Junnoon.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 16, 2006 at 09:39 AM
Thank you, Amy, Tea & Jennifer!
Posted by: Catherine | August 16, 2006 at 10:26 AM
Oy, sorry for the long absence and the clearly belated Happy Birthday.
Glad that you guys had a nice weekend - it is much deserved.
And personally, I think a girls birthday outing is in order!
Posted by: Fatemeh | August 23, 2006 at 06:17 PM