~My Birthday and * P A R I S * Update~

This is what I woke to yesterday on my phone

17th April......My Birthday

which co-incidentally happens to be the same as Monica McInerney's so I found out just a little while ago......how cool is that!!!

A new little sparkly phone cover.......in gold of course

Even the bed is getting into the swing of my upcoming PARIS trip

(You might recall that my Son is taking me over later this year while Mr Armchair cares for JoJo)

We had a Paris clock on the wall which recently broke and after looking around in my small coastal town I couldn't find another

Then my Cousin Katy sent me this clock........and she had no idea about my clock!!!

Thank you so much Katy......it's perfect!!!

After JoJo left for her programme Mr Armchair and I thought we would go out for a Birthday Breakfast at the newest and hippest place in town 'Against The Grain'......an all Paleo Cafe/Restaurant

Paleo suits me down to the ground being gluten free which means I can have anything on the menu......no compromises at this Cafe for me

This Cafe has all organic and free-range food

I ordered a Cappuccino with Coconut milk which came with a small glass of sparkling mineral water

How perfect is that as I always have water after coffee anyway

Mr Armchair had Scrambled Egg, Paleo Toast, Sauteed Kale, Bacon and a Sweet Potato Rosti

The Birthday Girl Omelette with Pulled Pork, Avocado, Cress and Apple Coleslaw and 

Sweet Potato Rosti

JoJo will also be able to order freely here as she is Lactose Intolerant so it's win/win for us

I know she is looking forward to Pancakes here.......and Coconut Cream

Sounds delicious

On Thursday afternoon I caught up with Asta for a Hot Chocolate

and she gave me these very lovely fabrics and threads

Thank You so much Asta......they're gorgeous

I joined a Fat Quarter Birthday Swap hosted by the lovely Chez

These are the little packages so far with 2 more to come

this is the little stack so far

I'll be back when the other 2 come in

Friday afternoon when JoJo came home we had some Persian Love Cake and Coffee

Before heading out for dinner (yes it seems like we ate all day)

I had some Cuttlefish to start with and Mr Armchair had Scallops

 JoJo had some Pasta and Prawns

One of the Desserts here is Popcorn Custard and Banana.......very interesting!!!

And just to finish off I scored a Gold *grin* Travel Wallet at a super duper price!!!

In between dreaming of PARIS I've been quilting Forty Years of Light and getting there!!!

Happy Weekend everyone......love Dzintra xo

~The Birthday Food and Gifts......and Family~

Well it seems that I have eaten my way through my B I G birthday LOL

I opened up this card a week before my birthday from my dear friend Dot and out fell all these gorgeous little stars

Two days later we headed up through the historic village of Braidwood to our desination that evening for dinner

at La Scala Ristorante in Canberra

DD Jacqueline and DIL Danelle

Going left to right DS James, SIL Bill, GD Lidija, Mr Armchair, GS Ryan, Jacuqline and Danelle

Some of the food

Family pic

the cake......a gluten free chocolate mud cake

that Jacqueline decorated

all so nice and chocolatey......thank you so much for organizing this and the dinner!!!

 

The gifts......gorgeous necklace from my children

and a cook book from my SIL Liene

Monday Morning Cooking Club

Recipes put together by a group of women who get together and cook on Mondays

I had heard of these ladies doing this but didn't realize there was a book

JoJo loved the table balloons

I received these glasses a few weeks before from my childhood friend Kerrie

My dear Friend Geo sent me these buttons by Lynette Anderson Designs

and this 1953 Australian three pence all set and ready to wear with a chain
Thank you so much Geo and Lloyd.......this coin made a flood of childhood memories come flooding back to me as I hadn't seen one for years.....and yes it was a little emotional too!!!

I had a cocktail when Mr Armchair and JoJo took me out for dinner on Birthday Eve to On The Pier

Sending a Cheers to everyone at the time!!!

More food......

The waitress came out with this Happy Birthday plate of a Mango Sauce that said Happy Birthday...

and it was all edible too......

And pic to finish off the evening.....

On Birthday morning Mr Armchair said let's go out for breakfast when JoJo had left for her day programme......yes please!!

We went to North St Cafe and Bar where they have the best Gluten Free food and cakes

I took a new glass that my Cousin Katy sent me and wondered if it was too early at 11am for some bubbles but Steph at the Cafe said no!!!

After that Mr Armchair took me to Georgie's Jewellers where we bought a new Pandora chain and a couple of charms.......I used some birthday money from MIL Velta to purchase the charm with the star on it as it reminded me of a sea shell and the beach that we are close too..... 

I came home to a gift from Nat

this lovely wallet purchased from Bangkok when she went for a visit back home there recently

Thank you so much dear Nat......it's great!!!

And Fiona you'll love this.....it's in your favourite colour orange!!!

And the biggest surprise.....an Ipad......how cool is this all in a lovely crimson cover as well

I first saw one of these at GDITC (Girls Day in the Country) when Susan had one at our table

It took photos as well and I was sooooo impressed

It's great and I just love it.....so now I will be able to be portable so will bring it next time to GDITC......

And guess what, Mr Armchair and JoJo took me out to dinner again.......this time at Isabella's

Funny enough the Chef here is one that was in my class when I did my course at TAFE 

After that we came home and had this delicious Chocolate Plum Ganache cake from North Street Cafe for dessert

 

And a pic to finish it all off

I've had a great birthday celebration

Thank you for all the birthday greetings and gifts

I've been thoroughly spoilt

Thank you to my lovely family

And I still can't believe I'm this age

But they do say 60 is the new 50 or some even say 40 !!!