Oooh Happy Birthday Janie!!! I do hope all of your birthday wishes come true! You most certainly deserve cake and caramel corn on your special day... you look fabulous in your photos, you do NOT need to worry about your weight! I would have polished off the whole bag of caramel corn in the first place, and chased it down with a HUGE piece of cake... I have zero willpower on certain things! How fun you will be going to New Orleans... where all of my French family on my daddy's side still live...can I go with you??? tee hee hee xoxo Julie Marie
Hope your year will be filled with all the things you love most. I consider your birthday a very special day because it blessed us with one of my favorite bloggy friends.
Happy Birthday to you....You are so funny! I do the 'sliver of cake' thing too and before you know it, it's all gone. You are going to have such a wonderful trip in Orleans. Take lots of pictures to show us:) Oh and to answer your question, my doves live inside. They are the most peaceful birds I have. ~Debra Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
Happy Birthday Jane! And you should know that it is okay to eat the entire cake on your birthday, oh yes it is! Have a wonderful trip to New Orleans, that sounds like fun. That carmel corn sounds good, I'm gettin hungry now.
Happy B-day to you, Janie! You share the day with Mr. Sullivan. He had kind of a cra**y day, though. Things were a little tough for him. Today he made some headway and his doctor said she was pretty pleased with things so far. Long road ahead with antibiotics and therapy and diet for the diabetes. But the time bring better things. Hope all is well with you. Enjoy your trip to LA. BTW, I am eating correctly because I am cooking for a specialty diet so I hope to lose some pounds too. It is not easy, is it? Too much temptation and I love my Cokes~ I'd rather have them than anything else except for delicious Esther Price milk chocolate candies made here in Dayton. Those turtles are my ultimate downfall. xo Sue
February 4, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Anonymous said...
Well Happy Birthday!!!... and New Orleans..how awesome. I've never been, really want to see it...you must take pictures and post.
Happy birthday, Jane! And I can see your rational about waiting for your 'reward' trip in the spring... You'll have a great time and then you won't come back to snow. And as far as the sweets - so you ate them. It's your birthday - you deserve every bit of sweetness, my dear!
me me me me!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET JANE....HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and Many more... Ok so I can't sing...what is it they say I can't carry a tune in a basket ha ha!! Girl I wish you nothing but the best this coming year...Your a doll..Hey and I don't cook on my Birthday either its my one day off a year....I hope when you blowed out those candles your wish will come true...Hugs and smiles My dear friend...Gl♥ria
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear sweet Jane! And I am so glad you are not going to diet on your BDay week. EAT CAKE! And caramel corn & anything else you want! It's your week! There is time for diets later! HAppy Happy! HUGS! Charlene
Oh Jane Sweetie... Happy Day Late Birthday. Your cake looks delish, who can say no when Dear Daughter took such good care to make it for you. That was really sweet. Carmel corn did you say? That's it, I am coming over. Can't stand it no more. I love carmel corn and kettle corn. Oh and sushi? You had a great time, and you haven't even taken your official birthday trip. Oh I can't wait to see pics of when you go to New Orleans, and how nice to get to see a friend also.
Hugs to you sweetie, and again Happy Birthday to You. Love ya girl. Country hugs and so much love...Sherry
Happy Birthday Dear Jane! How precious of Abby to make you the cake, it looks delicious! And a trip to New Orleans, what a great thing to look forward to. That caramel corn sounds wonderful, I'm leaving now so I don't click on the link lol. Hugs, Kathy
Hey Janie, Happy Happy Birthday. I say enjoy it and you especially deserve some treats if it was the biggy. I say, you can always crawl back up on the wagon next week! Have a wonderful weekend! hugs, Debra
Happy Birthday Jane and I'm peeing my pants over here picturing you digging into that cake after polishing off the bag-o-popcorn! You Go Girl!!!! WhootWhoot! xoxo, Kim
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!! YooHoo! I should have remembered, such a milestone too! Sounds like you had a wonderful day and the New Orleans trip should be awesome! Getting to see Christine again, so fun! Great big Hugs to you my friend! Cindy
Happy Birthday! You had Garrett Caramel Corn? I might have to hate you. I've been in that line and it is so worth it. We used to be 100 miles south of Chicago...now we are closer to St. Louis and I miss all those special Chicago goodies. I'm glad you had a good birthday!
Happy, Happy Birthday!! You have a ton more will power than I do ~ and one day of celebrating is not going to hurt you. You look gorgeous in all the pics anyway. I'm so excited that you're going to New Orleans! I suggest that you choose the month of April...May is already pretty warm & humid. Of course, that may not bother you. Wish I were closer ~ I'd come and join you for coffee & beignets. :-) Have a wonderful weekend!
Well Happy Birthday. My and my husbands birthday is on Feb. 17th.
Glad you had a good day.
About New Orleans, it will be some of the best food you could eat. I know Chicago probably has great food too. New Orleans is wonderful. The garden district is beautiful and Bourbon Street....what can you say:)
Have fun. We just moved from Florida to a suburb of Cincy and we are thinking of taking a long weekend in the summer to visit. It would be our first time there. Any advice of places to see and things to do? Thinking of taking my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. Would there be enough for them to do and like?
February 4, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Anonymous said...
Happy Birthday!! I love your frankness. I know exactly what you mean about slivers then more slivers, then more of this and that.
I can make a pan of brownies, eat one, then cut just a sliver, then a bit more, then just a taste more, then I have to even out the pieces in the pan and that means more brownies and I don't even feel full, just in need of milk to cut the sugar. I thought when my PMS ended I wouldn't have the cravings. Well, menopause makes me crave brownies just as much only now my fanny is less forgiving :) And our husbands think we have it so easy being princesses!
February 4, 2010 at 8:45 PM
Anonymous said...
Oops! Your daughter's creation turned out beautiful. What a sweet daughter.
Jane, Your birthday is the right time to indulge in some cake and carmel corn. yummo. The book sounds like a good read. I have been doing a bit more reading than normal lately. It is just a matter of finding the right book. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Blessings! Gwen
Sounds like you had a really fun birthday, Janie. How swewet of Abby to bake you that scrumptious choc cake. And don't worry about your diet, it's your birthday so you are excused. I can't wait till you come for a visit. It will be hard to go on a diet in New Orleans. They have the best food!...Christine
Lucky you, a trip to New Orleans. You're right, I wouldn't want to come back to Winter either. Now you have something to look forward to. And so do we, when you blog about it!
Janie-Happy Birthday!!! Sushi and cake is my idea of a perfect meal! April or May is the perfect time for N.O.--before it gets too hot! Abby is a sweetie. Your cake is the best kind--made with love! BTW-I did not realize that the Food for Thought is just every OTHER week---a blonde moment :)
What a great idea to go to New Orleans in the spring and extend that birthday celebration. Loved the cake, but how on earth did you resist...what willpower. Sounds like a great day and sushi...yummy.
When I was in Chicago with my bunco girls a while back we were some of those crazy people in line for caramel corn, and yes it is delicous. Stay warm and enjoy your birthday month.
Happy birthday, Jane! It sounds like you celebrated well with your wonderful family. (For me, ordering the caramel corn would be Bad...VERY BAD! I love even bad caramel corn, so with the best, I could cause some serious damage!) xoxo...Kathy
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANIE!!! I hope you had a wonderful day...my birthday was last Saturday...how cool is that! Let me know if you would like some names of some awesome local fav resturants in New Orleans...I would love to help you in this area. My MIL was from New Orleans and my hubby knows some great places to eat there...the FOOD in New Orleans is the best thing about this city! We try to go over for a visit once a year so we can go by and put out some flowers at his parents graves.
Happy Birthday Jane May all your dreams come true!!! How sweet of Abby to make the cake...I hope you lit and blew out the candles and make a big wish too!!! Take care Jane... xxx Julie
Happy Birthday! Better late than never as they say.
I'm reading through your post and what do I see? "I think of getting away in the spring as my reward for putting up with this weather." That is exactly how I feel about this time of year in Florida! It's supposed to be fabulous weather right now, it's our reward for putting up with the unbearable heat and humidity of summer. So, quit laughing at me as I turn on the electric blanket when its 62 degrees. I figure if I lived in Chicago, I'd have to change my name from Shellbelle to Popsicle, lol.
I love your ramblings and can so relate to that sweet binge you had.
Happy Birthday! Milestone days...They are kind of sacred in their own little sense in our heart, ya know? yes... Thanks for visiting and You Know I will be looking for those Pink toile valances! How neat will that be? Classic with a twist of Pink. awesome and unique to you. Share it with us.
Well Happy, Happy Birthday! I think like you, two small slivers = just one piece! I have a book too I started reading in August :( Again, best wishes ~ Judi
Every birthday girl deserves lots of 'sugary' sweets ... you enjoy every single bite ... IF I looked as good as you, I'd not worry about the calories, even if just for one day.
New Orleans is one of the top 5 cities we LOVE, it is fascinating, captivating & enticing. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Jane! Yes your cake is adorable! The book sounds like one that I would enjoy too! hopefully in less than a year! I read mostly at the cabin, It seems to be the place I can sit for hours without apology and read cover to cover if I want to.
Enjoy your trip and let us know all about it. I have never been to New Orleans.
Happy Birthday, sweet friend! (Uh, you didn't divulge the milestone birthday number...) Well, I'll just shout mine to the rooftops. I will be 53 on the 19th. I think the fifties has been the most fun of any decade. Spoil yourself rotten, Jane. Celebrate the whole month of February. You deserve it. Brenda
That was both sweet and not sweet, of your daughter and husband. The thought was sweet. The effect on the eating you have chosen, was not. -le sigh-
What a wonderful Birthday trip that will be.
Thank you for another reading suggestion. I love to write ideas down, in my library notebook. Then I have ideas, ahead of time. :-) And I really need ideas, right now, actually. I seem to have hit a deep, dark hole of reading backup. ,-)
Happy Birthday, Janie!!! A milestone, huh??? I think a visit to the Big Easy is a wonderful way to celebrate. Be sure to eat a beignet for me, okay?
I remember one return trip from a winter vacation in FL to OH, I sat down in the plane & said very loudly "I don't wanna go home!" LOL The entire plane was headed to Cleveland & they all agreed.
Jane I hope your day was as special as you are! I laughed at your will power. I think we could be twins! I don't diet per se, but I watch what I eat and when I over do on the sugar, I think, well, I've already lost it, so lets just party. Not good. But I just can't help it. I know I wouldn't be able to resist the camel corn. Bad, bad hubby. Hugs
If you ate standing up near running water, the calories fell right off your plate, so don't worry. The water doesn't have to be actually running, I think any indoor plumbing counts. If you were seated though, this could be a problem unless you had something to drink with the cake. Was the drink made with running water? ;-D
Have a wonderful weekend and keep the celebration going!
Happy Belated Birthday!! I hope you had a wonderful day! It certainly sounds like you did, and that cake that your daughter made is too sweet. I hear you on the delayed vacation...I'm still trying to convince my husband that we need one! Have a wonderful weekend! :)
Happy Birthday Jane!!!!! I am guilty of a sliver and sliver there too. Only my slivers usually add up to half the cake!!!! You are doing great! Your trip to New Orleans sounds like a wonderful birthday gift. Have a great time, and as always... Thanks so much for coming over for a visit. It's always so nice to hear from you. :)
Happy Birthday, Jane. I hope you have a great dinner when your son comes home. I understand what you mean about going away and coming back in bad weather. You will have a great trip in the spring, plus a visit with a new friend.
Thanks for visiting me and leaving your sweet comment. Have a warm and cozy weekend.
Happy Birthday, Jane! Your birthday trip sounds wonderful..I was just trying to figure out the last vacation I had...25 years ago!! I don't see any on the horizon either! Have a good time at your birthday dinner, and NO sounds wonderful!
Happy Birthday sweet Jane!!!! My little Grandsons name is Garrett,so of course we must pick him up some Garrett pop corn when in Chicago!!! Another year older and wiser!!! Have fun my friend...grab it all and laugh a lot!, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
Happy Birthday!!! I think you mentioned before it was coming up?
New Orleans is a marvelous choice! Of course, we have attended Mardi Gras celebrations there since the kids were babies and now my son is at college there, and the other boys are at LSU.
I am so happy you are meeting Christine. I should have done so in August, but we were back and forth to Austin.
If you like local restaurants, let me know. My BIL is a life long resident.
All I can say about "diet" is after following Alton Brown's example, sugar tastes very sweet! and, after the first indulgence I crave more and more. All and all I have been pretty good, and I think a birthday is a much better reason to stray than the one I had last week.
Gray skies? Vermont is perpetually gray and I can't even talk about it anymore...no one believes me. :-)
February 6, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Anonymous said...
Hi Jane, I understand your feeling about not leaving Chicago until the Spring because my son and his family do the exact same thing. K says they wait until Spring because she could not bear coming home to snow after being in a warm climate for a week. We also did the same thing at my house for my birthday ...no cake. My youngest, who was visiting at the time, was appalled too so he and his girl went out and bought cupcakes from Coldstone. I had one! yeah for me.....diets are hard!!! Happy Birthday to YOU! xoxo
Happy Birthday! I know what you mean about resisting, then having just a little bit of whatever, and then the wall of resistence breaks down. Oh, well, as we say in the south, tomorrow is another day : ) Linda
Happy Birthday to you!! Fantastic - wishing you a fun birthday weekend...is there sledding or snowman building involved? I know that's what we'd have to do to celebrate :) So jealous about New Orleans - fun fun fun!! Eat at Mulate's and Brennan's for us (the last time we were there, my son was just over 1 year and he was HORRIBLE while we ate breakfast at Brennan's - the people next to us asked to be seated somewhere else...they were replaced by more understanding guests...oh, ya, and my husband & I had to eat alone, while the other parent was out in the courtyard with the little guy (who prefered it much more out there!) Memories!! Enjoy your birthday Jane!!
Happy Birthday sweetie!! What a beautiful cake and how sweet of your daughter to make it! You did a lot better than I ever would! I probably would have eaten half of it, lol! I cannot resist sweets! And oh that caramel corn, YUMMERS!!! Big Hugs, Amy
Happy Birthday! That was sweet of your daughter to bake you a cake, and so what if you took a day off the diet to celebrate?
I always thought it would be really great to take a vacation to someplace warm in the dead of winter, but I never thought of having to come back! I would probably dread it the whole time and take all the fun out of the trip!
Hope you have a great birthday weekend, take care.
Happy Birthday Jane! I'm having a milestone birthday later this year too. The cake looks yummy. I laughed about how you ate the whole bag, and then went on and ate a huge piece of cake. Don't we all do that? I hope you have a nice time out to dinner when your son gets home. Blessings, Marcia
I'm a couple days late but I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I would wait for the trip too, Even though New Orleans is further south Iwould want to go when I was SURE the weather would be lovely! Happy Birthday again!
Happy Birthday, belated though the sentiment may be! Can you believe that I've NEVER been to Chicago? I'll eventually get there and you better believe I'm going for some of that Carmel popcorn...
Happy Birthday {a little late}!! What a sweet cake! Hope you have a fabulous trip to New Orleans. My sister and BIL are moving there in two weeks from West Palm Beach. They are so excited! I've never been so now we'll have a place to stay when going there. Have fun!
Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like you had such a nice one... I have been trying to lose too but man it comes off slow - I am going to try and remember that the next time I want something sweet! Blessings
February 7, 2010 at 10:40 AM
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February 7, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Anonymous said...
Hi Jane and a belated Happy Birthday! What a sweet cake and the story behind it! You're going to love New Orleans! I love going there and the food - forget your diet when you go! :) Can't believe you're even on a diet - you look so beautiful! Be a sweetie and have another slice of birthday cake! :) Be a sweetie, Shelia ;)
February 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM
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Hi Janie! thanks for stopping by my blog. I did have the blog makeover yesterday. That's my new blog - cute isn't it!? my niece surprised me by changing it all!
Well happy birthday to you..happy birthday to you...happy birthday to my friend...happy birthday to you! ps...Be glad you could not hear me sing...bad...very bad!
February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Anonymous said...
interesting post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you guys hear that some chinese hacker had busted twitter yesterday again.
I have been avoiding sugar for the past month and gave into one snickerdoodle cookie my daughter baked last night...so good...but I have to stay away from sugar...its like a Lays potato chip...I can't eat just one! Have a great trip and I hope is it nice and sunny for you...it is hard to live without a little sunshine everyday.
Happy Birthday!Hope you had a lovely day, such a cute cake and the caramel corn sounds deliious! Thank you for the kind comments on my notebooks! Rachel x
Hello Jane, I was just thinking of you, and your comment popped up!I had read your post in the afternoon, but then had no time to comment... please DO NOT FEEL GUILTY! Life's short, you have to enjoy it fully!! And I believe that if a girl does all at home, she deserves some time just for herself every now and then! I HAD to LEARN not to feel guilty, but I did- even if I love to have my kitchen spotless at breakfast, sometimes I am just too tired to do it in the evening, but I DO NOT feel guilty! After all, tomorrow is another day!;)) As for the things a girl shouldn't do for her husband... oh, I'd have a looong list!! To name but one, I always put sugar in my DH's coffee and stir it... sooner or later I will drink it also!LOL Hugs, Monicax. P.S Happy happy birthday!
February 9, 2010 at 6:03 PM
[Image]Happy Birthday to me!! It was yesterday and I had a great day. We really haven't celebrated much yet because my son Jeff is out of town, but when he gets back we will go out to dinner. And then The Husband and I are planning my birthday trip and I have chosen New Orleans. We like to do that for milestone birthdays and this was a heck of a milestone. I am thinking that we will go in April or May and I have my own strange little reason for putting it off. The weather here in Chicago is miserable right now. I think I have seen the sun about 5 times since November. Before the snow on the ground melts, we get more snow. So you would think that I'd want to go away now. Nope. I would abhor coming back. That is my reason. I think of getting away in the spring as my reward for putting up with this weather. So off we go to the Big Easy and I have plans to pop in and visit my friend Christine from Christine's Home And Travel Adventures. After we met here in Chicago, we vowed we would get together again and she is not that far from New Orleans. I am so excited!
Abby made me this cake last night. We don't normally have cake at home because we order dessert when we go out for dinner, so I completely forgot about a cake and candles when we decided to skip the dinner. Well, I think she was appalled. She drove to the grocery store and got the ingredients and candles and made the cake. Isn't it cute? And so is she. And because I refuse to cook dinner on my birthday, we ordered sushi. It was a great day. :-) [Image]I was finally able to finish the book that I have been reading for years it seems. I have lamented about my lack of time (and overdoing the blogging) for reading and it kills me that it took so long to read a book that should not have taken more than a week. And you might be able to tell by the condition of the book that it has been everywhere; in my purse, in my duffel bag, in my bed, on the floor... It is an excellent book. In a nutshell, it's about a young mother who is widowed suddenly. Her mourning is disrupted by a cast of characters right out of a Woody Allen movie. This is a book that can make you laugh one minute and cry the next. There are the craziest relatives, a few larger than life friends, a hunk (of course) and a priest that is ready to give it all up for her. "...Juliette Fay writes with vivid dialogue and conjures up characters that feel real enough to be sitting in your kitchen." And that is the truth! I love books like this. What is that called? Character development? Anyway, it's a great read and you should look for it at your book store or on Amazon. I am now set to either start a new book or finish the other two I am reading. I think I will move on the Julie And Julia and keep the juggling act going. [Image]I was doing really well on my diet until the birthday cake came along. I had a sliver last night. Then a sliver this morning. I figure that totals one whole piece which is not bad. But last night the Husband brought home Carmel corn. And not just any Carmel corn...Garrett Carmel corn. The best Carmel corn in the world. If you pass the shop in downtown Chicago, you will see a line all the way down the block. I have personally seen this line on the most frigid of days. People are either waiting because it is the best Carmel corn ever, or they have never had it and know it is a Chicago tradition. But I digress. He brought this home and I was such a good girl, didn't go near it. Because you know that if you have one piece you have to have the whole bag. Today I was alone, thinking how good I had been about the luscious chocolate birthday cake when I spotted the bag. Feeling virtuous, I thought, I deserve a small handful. And I proceeded to finish the bag right off. And then I made the mistake that every dieter has made. "Well...since I already screwed up..." and before I knew it I was cutting a humongous piece of cake. I even hit the fortune cookies that came with the sushi. So if you have little restraint or need a jump start on a sweet binge, you can have your own bag of Carmel corn by going to www.Garrett Popcorn.com. You may or may not regret it.
So that's it for my ramblings today. I hope you are having a great day. Thanks for stopping by!
posted by Blondie's Journal at 3:38 PM on Feb 4, 2010
"RAINY DAY RAMBLINGS"
95 Comments -
Happy Birthday, Jane! Have a great time celebrating all MONTH!!!
February 4, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Oooh Happy Birthday Janie!!! I do hope all of your birthday wishes come true! You most certainly deserve cake and caramel corn on your special day... you look fabulous in your photos, you do NOT need to worry about your weight! I would have polished off the whole bag of caramel corn in the first place, and chased it down with a HUGE piece of cake... I have zero willpower on certain things! How fun you will be going to New Orleans... where all of my French family on my daddy's side still live...can I go with you??? tee hee hee xoxo Julie Marie
February 4, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Janie, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Woohoo....doin' a birthday-slash-sushi dance (a day late but still with enthusiasm!)
February 4, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday, Dear Janie!
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!
Hope your year will be filled with all the things you love most. I consider your birthday a very special day because it blessed us with one of my favorite bloggy friends.
Love you much, Janie!
XO,
Sheila :-)
February 4, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Happy Birthday to you....You are so funny! I do the 'sliver of cake' thing too and before you know it, it's all gone. You are going to have such a wonderful trip in Orleans. Take lots of pictures to show us:)
Oh and to answer your question, my doves live inside. They are the most peaceful birds I have.
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
February 4, 2010 at 6:03 PM
Happy Birthday Jane! And you should know that it is okay to eat the entire cake on your birthday, oh yes it is!
Have a wonderful trip to New Orleans, that sounds like fun.
That carmel corn sounds good, I'm gettin hungry now.
Hugs
Sissie
February 4, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Happy B-day to you, Janie! You share the day with Mr. Sullivan. He had kind of a cra**y day, though. Things were a little tough for him. Today he made some headway and his doctor said she was pretty pleased with things so far. Long road ahead with antibiotics and therapy and diet for the diabetes. But the time bring better things. Hope all is well with you. Enjoy your trip to LA. BTW, I am eating correctly because I am cooking for a specialty diet so I hope to lose some pounds too. It is not easy, is it? Too much temptation and I love my Cokes~ I'd rather have them than anything else except for delicious Esther Price milk chocolate candies made here in Dayton. Those turtles are my ultimate downfall. xo Sue
February 4, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Well Happy Birthday!!!... and New Orleans..how awesome. I've never been, really want to see it...you must take pictures and post.
February 4, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Happy Birthday!!!! Enjoy your trip to N.O. I'm originally from baton rouge, and have realtives that live in N.O. Have a blast...
February 4, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Happy birthday, Jane! And I can see your rational about waiting for your 'reward' trip in the spring... You'll have a great time and then you won't come back to snow. And as far as the sweets - so you ate them. It's your birthday - you deserve every bit of sweetness, my dear!
xoxo,
-maria
February 4, 2010 at 7:04 PM
me me me me!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET JANE....HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and Many more... Ok so I can't sing...what is it they say I can't carry a tune in a basket ha ha!! Girl I wish you nothing but the best this coming year...Your a doll..Hey and I don't cook on my Birthday either its my one day off a year....I hope when you blowed out those candles your wish will come true...Hugs and smiles My dear friend...Gl♥ria
February 4, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Happy Birthday and it sounded like a wonderful one.
New Orleans! I could go for that.
February 4, 2010 at 7:07 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear sweet Jane! And I am so glad you are not going to diet on your BDay week. EAT CAKE! And caramel corn & anything else you want! It's your week! There is time for diets later! HAppy Happy! HUGS! Charlene
February 4, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Oh Jane Sweetie...
Happy Day Late Birthday. Your cake looks delish, who can say no when Dear Daughter took such good care to make it for you. That was really sweet. Carmel corn did you say? That's it, I am coming over. Can't stand it no more. I love carmel corn and kettle corn. Oh and sushi? You had a great time, and you haven't even taken your official birthday trip. Oh I can't wait to see pics of when you go to New Orleans, and how nice to get to see a friend also.
Hugs to you sweetie, and again Happy Birthday to You. Love ya girl. Country hugs and so much love...Sherry
February 4, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Happy Birthday Dear Jane! How precious of Abby to make you the cake, it looks delicious! And a trip to New Orleans, what a great thing to look forward to. That caramel corn sounds wonderful, I'm leaving now so I don't click on the link lol. Hugs, Kathy
February 4, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Hey Janie, Happy Happy Birthday. I say enjoy it and you especially deserve some treats if it was the biggy. I say, you can always crawl back up on the wagon next week! Have a wonderful weekend!
hugs,
Debra
February 4, 2010 at 7:42 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Sounds like you have great plans to go to the Big Easy!! Always a fun place to go, eat and shop at!
Hope your birthday was wonderful!
Happy Milestone!
Miss Bloomers
February 4, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Happy Birthday Jane and I'm peeing my pants over here picturing you digging into that cake after polishing off the bag-o-popcorn! You Go Girl!!!!
WhootWhoot!
xoxo,
Kim
February 4, 2010 at 7:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet friend!!!!
~Hugs~
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com
February 4, 2010 at 7:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!! YooHoo! I should have remembered, such a milestone too! Sounds like you had a wonderful day and the New Orleans trip should be awesome! Getting to see Christine again, so fun! Great big Hugs to you my friend! Cindy
February 4, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Happy Birthday! You had Garrett Caramel Corn? I might have to hate you. I've been in that line and it is so worth it. We used to be 100 miles south of Chicago...now we are closer to St. Louis and I miss all those special Chicago goodies. I'm glad you had a good birthday!
Sue
February 4, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday!! You have a ton more will power than I do ~ and one day of celebrating is not going to hurt you. You look gorgeous in all the pics anyway. I'm so excited that you're going to New Orleans! I suggest that you choose the month of April...May is already pretty warm & humid. Of course, that may not bother you. Wish I were closer ~ I'd come and join you for coffee & beignets. :-)
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
February 4, 2010 at 8:23 PM
Happy Birthday and I hope you have a wonderful trip to New Orleans! Sounds like great fun to me!
February 4, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Happy, happy, happy Birthday to you. You don't look a day over yesterday's age. Whatever that was.
February 4, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Well Happy Birthday. My and my husbands birthday is on Feb. 17th.
Glad you had a good day.
About New Orleans, it will be some of the best food you could eat. I know Chicago probably has great food too. New Orleans is wonderful. The garden district is beautiful and Bourbon Street....what can you say:)
Have fun. We just moved from Florida to a suburb of Cincy and we are thinking of taking a long weekend in the summer to visit. It would be our first time there. Any advice of places to see and things to do? Thinking of taking my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. Would there be enough for them to do and like?
February 4, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Happy Birthday!! I love your frankness. I know exactly what you mean about slivers then more slivers, then more of this and that.
I can make a pan of brownies, eat one, then cut just a sliver, then a bit more, then just a taste more, then I have to even out the pieces in the pan and that means more brownies and I don't even feel full, just in need of milk to cut the sugar. I thought when my PMS ended I wouldn't have the cravings. Well, menopause makes me crave brownies just as much only now my fanny is less forgiving :) And our husbands think we have it so easy being princesses!
February 4, 2010 at 8:45 PM
Oops! Your daughter's creation turned out beautiful. What a sweet daughter.
February 4, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Jane,
Your birthday is the right time to indulge in some cake and carmel corn. yummo. The book sounds like a good read. I have been doing a bit more reading than normal lately. It is just a matter of finding the right book. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Blessings!
Gwen
February 4, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Sounds like you had a really fun birthday, Janie. How swewet of Abby to bake you that scrumptious choc cake. And don't worry about your diet, it's your birthday so you are excused. I can't wait till you come for a visit. It will be hard to go on a diet in New Orleans. They have the best food!...Christine
February 4, 2010 at 9:57 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like it was fun.
Lucky you, a trip to New Orleans. You're right, I wouldn't want to come back to Winter either. Now you have something to look forward to. And so do we, when you blog about it!
February 4, 2010 at 9:57 PM
Janie-Happy Birthday!!! Sushi and cake is my idea of a perfect meal! April or May is the perfect time for N.O.--before it gets too hot! Abby is a sweetie. Your cake is the best kind--made with love! BTW-I did not realize that the Food for Thought is just every OTHER week---a blonde moment :)
February 4, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Well happy birthday to you! :) What a cute and thoughtful cake. And I would have GLADLY come by to help you out with that caramel corn! ;)
February 4, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Happy Birthday Janie,
What a great idea to go to New Orleans in the spring and extend that birthday celebration. Loved the cake, but how on earth did you resist...what willpower. Sounds like a great day and sushi...yummy.
When I was in Chicago with my bunco girls a while back we were some of those crazy people in line for caramel corn, and yes it is delicous. Stay warm and enjoy your birthday month.
February 4, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Happy birthday, Jane! It sounds like you celebrated well with your wonderful family. (For me, ordering the caramel corn would be Bad...VERY BAD! I love even bad caramel corn, so with the best, I could cause some serious damage!)
xoxo...Kathy
February 4, 2010 at 10:56 PM
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANIE!!! I hope you had a wonderful day...my birthday was last Saturday...how cool is that! Let me know if you would like some names of some awesome local fav resturants in New Orleans...I would love to help you in this area. My MIL was from New Orleans and my hubby knows some great places to eat there...the FOOD in New Orleans is the best thing about this city! We try to go over for a visit once a year so we can go by and put out some flowers at his parents graves.
Blessings,
Linda
February 4, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Happy Birthday Jane
May all your dreams come true!!! How sweet of Abby to make the cake...I hope you lit and blew out the candles and make a big wish too!!! Take care Jane... xxx Julie
February 4, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Happy Belated Birthday! I wished I would have known, I would have wished you happy birthday yesterday!
I think your reasoning for putting off the trip sounds logical. The weather will probably be better there in April as well.
That cake looks delish...but I'm also on a diet. What I wouldn't give for a big fat piece of cake right now!
February 5, 2010 at 12:33 AM
Happy Birthday, Janie! Your daughter was such a sweetie to make a cake for you. It sure looks good!
February 5, 2010 at 6:27 AM
happy birthday! that cake looks delicious!
February 5, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Happy Birthday sweetie!
And don't you know, birthday cake has no calories :) It sounds like you had a wonderful day, and I'm checking on that carmel corn right now!
February 5, 2010 at 7:56 AM
Happy Birthday! Better late than never as they say.
I'm reading through your post and what do I see? "I think of getting away in the spring as my reward for putting up with this weather." That is exactly how I feel about this time of year in Florida! It's supposed to be fabulous weather right now, it's our reward for putting up with the unbearable heat and humidity of summer. So, quit laughing at me as I turn on the electric blanket when its 62 degrees. I figure if I lived in Chicago, I'd have to change my name from Shellbelle to Popsicle, lol.
I love your ramblings and can so relate to that sweet binge you had.
February 5, 2010 at 8:19 AM
Happy Birthday! Milestone days...They are kind of sacred in their own little sense in our heart, ya know? yes...
Thanks for visiting and You Know I will be looking for those Pink toile valances! How neat will that be? Classic with a twist of Pink. awesome and unique to you. Share it with us.
February 5, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Well Happy, Happy Birthday! I think like you, two small slivers = just one piece! I have a book too I started reading in August :( Again, best wishes ~ Judi
February 5, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Happy blessed birthday wishes for you, Janie!
Every birthday girl deserves lots of 'sugary' sweets ... you enjoy every single bite ... IF I looked as good as you, I'd not worry about the calories, even if just for one day.
New Orleans is one of the top 5 cities we LOVE, it is fascinating, captivating & enticing. Enjoy!
Hugs, Marydon
February 5, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Happy Birthday Jane! Yes your cake is adorable! The book sounds like one that I would enjoy too! hopefully in less than a year! I read mostly at the cabin, It seems to be the place I can sit for hours without apology and read cover to cover if I want to.
Enjoy your trip and let us know all about it. I have never been to New Orleans.
February 5, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Happy Birthday, sweet friend! (Uh, you didn't divulge the milestone birthday number...) Well, I'll just shout mine to the rooftops. I will be 53 on the 19th. I think the fifties has been the most fun of any decade. Spoil yourself rotten, Jane. Celebrate the whole month of February. You deserve it.
Brenda
February 5, 2010 at 10:00 AM
That was both sweet and not sweet, of your daughter and husband. The thought was sweet. The effect on the eating you have chosen, was not. -le sigh-
What a wonderful Birthday trip that will be.
Thank you for another reading suggestion. I love to write ideas down, in my library notebook. Then I have ideas, ahead of time. :-) And I really need ideas, right now, actually. I seem to have hit a deep, dark hole of reading backup. ,-)
.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.
February 5, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Happy Birthday, sweet Jane!!!! I hope you have a wonderful celebration. The cake looks soooo good!
Hugs, Barb ♥
February 5, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Happy Birthday!! I love the cake... it looks yummy.
February 5, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Happy Birthday, Janie!!! A milestone, huh??? I think a visit to the Big Easy is a wonderful way to celebrate. Be sure to eat a beignet for me, okay?
I remember one return trip from a winter vacation in FL to OH, I sat down in the plane & said very loudly "I don't wanna go home!" LOL The entire plane was headed to Cleveland & they all agreed.
February 5, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Jane I hope your day was as special as you are! I laughed at your will power. I think we could be twins! I don't diet per se, but I watch what I eat and when I over do on the sugar, I think, well, I've already lost it, so lets just party. Not good. But I just can't help it. I know I wouldn't be able to resist the camel corn. Bad, bad hubby.
Hugs
February 5, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Thanks for your lovely visit! No it's not springtime here at all..snow is still melting and more on the way tomorrow or Sunday! Wishing for spring!
Have a great weekend!
February 5, 2010 at 11:56 AM
If you ate standing up near running water, the calories fell right off your plate, so don't worry. The water doesn't have to be actually running, I think any indoor plumbing counts. If you were seated though, this could be a problem unless you had something to drink with the cake. Was the drink made with running water? ;-D
Have a wonderful weekend and keep the celebration going!
February 5, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Happy Belated Birthday!! I hope you had a wonderful day! It certainly sounds like you did, and that cake that your daughter made is too sweet. I hear you on the delayed vacation...I'm still trying to convince my husband that we need one! Have a wonderful weekend! :)
February 5, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Happy Birthday Jane!!!!! I am guilty of a sliver and sliver there too. Only my slivers usually add up to half the cake!!!! You are doing great! Your trip to New Orleans sounds like a wonderful birthday gift. Have a great time, and as always... Thanks so much for coming over for a visit. It's always so nice to hear from you. :)
Karen
My Desert Cottage
February 5, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane. I hope you have a great dinner when your son comes home. I understand what you mean about going away and coming back in bad weather. You will have a great trip in the spring, plus a visit with a new friend.
Thanks for visiting me and leaving your sweet comment. Have a warm and cozy weekend.
February 5, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane and Happy Weekend, too!
February 5, 2010 at 1:46 PM
Happy Birthday!!!! I love extending the celebrations! What a sweet cake! Have fun in New Orleans!
February 5, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Oh my...sorry I am late...Happy Happy Birthday. What a perfect month to have a birthday in. xoxo
February 5, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Happy, happy birthday Jane!!! Didn't you know that diets don't apply to our birthdays....lol! Have a great trip, ~ Janet~
February 5, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane! Your birthday trip sounds wonderful..I was just trying to figure out the last vacation I had...25 years ago!!
I don't see any on the horizon either!
Have a good time at your birthday dinner, and NO sounds wonderful!
February 5, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Happy Birthday sweet Jane!!!!
My little Grandsons name is Garrett,so of course we must pick him up some Garrett pop corn when in Chicago!!!
Another year older and wiser!!! Have fun my friend...grab it all and laugh a lot!,
xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
February 5, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Happy Birthday Jane!! I hope you had a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Penny
February 5, 2010 at 9:57 PM
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February 6, 2010 at 4:45 AM
Happy Birthday!!! I think you mentioned before it was coming up?
New Orleans is a marvelous choice! Of course, we have attended Mardi Gras celebrations there since the kids were babies and now my son is at college there, and the other boys are at LSU.
I am so happy you are meeting Christine. I should have done so in August, but we were back and forth to Austin.
If you like local restaurants, let me know. My BIL is a life long resident.
All I can say about "diet" is after following Alton Brown's example, sugar tastes very sweet! and, after the first indulgence I crave more and more. All and all I have been pretty good, and I think a birthday is a much better reason to stray than the one I had last week.
Gray skies? Vermont is perpetually gray and I can't even talk about it anymore...no one believes me. :-)
February 6, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Hi Jane, I understand your feeling about not leaving Chicago until the Spring because my son and his family do the exact same thing. K says they wait until Spring because she could not bear coming home to snow after being in a warm climate for a week. We also did the same thing at my house for my birthday ...no cake. My youngest, who was visiting at the time, was appalled too so he and his girl went out and bought cupcakes from Coldstone. I had one! yeah for me.....diets are hard!!! Happy Birthday to YOU! xoxo
February 6, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Happy Birthday! I know what you mean about resisting, then having just a little bit of whatever, and then the wall of resistence breaks down. Oh, well, as we say in the south, tomorrow is another day : ) Linda
February 6, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Happy Birthday to you!!
Fantastic - wishing you a fun birthday weekend...is there sledding or snowman building involved? I know that's what we'd have to do to celebrate :)
So jealous about New Orleans - fun fun fun!! Eat at Mulate's and Brennan's for us (the last time we were there, my son was just over 1 year and he was HORRIBLE while we ate breakfast at Brennan's - the people next to us asked to be seated somewhere else...they were replaced by more understanding guests...oh, ya, and my husband & I had to eat alone, while the other parent was out in the courtyard with the little guy (who prefered it much more out there!)
Memories!!
Enjoy your birthday Jane!!
February 6, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Janie, somehow I missed this post yesterday!
Happy Birthday girl!! I'm glad you have a trip south to look forward to.
February 6, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Happy Birthday sweetie!! What a beautiful cake and how sweet of your daughter to make it! You did a lot better than I ever would! I probably would have eaten half of it, lol! I cannot resist sweets! And oh that caramel corn, YUMMERS!!!
Big Hugs,
Amy
February 6, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Happy Birthday! That was sweet of your daughter to bake you a cake, and so what if you took a day off the diet to celebrate?
I always thought it would be really great to take a vacation to someplace warm in the dead of winter, but I never thought of having to come back! I would probably dread it the whole time and take all the fun out of the trip!
Hope you have a great birthday weekend, take care.
February 6, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Happy Birthday Jane! I'm having a milestone birthday later this year too. The cake looks yummy. I laughed about how you ate the whole bag, and then went on and ate a huge piece of cake. Don't we all do that? I hope you have a nice time out to dinner when your son gets home.
Blessings,
Marcia
February 6, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Happy Birthday Jane xo
A trip to New Orleans to celebrate sounds wonderful ♥
February 6, 2010 at 7:21 PM
I'm a couple days late but I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I would wait for the trip too, Even though New Orleans is further south Iwould want to go when I was SURE the weather would be lovely! Happy Birthday again!
February 6, 2010 at 7:22 PM
HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to you!!!! MMMM...love that popcorn!!!
m ^..^
February 6, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Happy Birthday, belated though the sentiment may be! Can you believe that I've NEVER been to Chicago? I'll eventually get there and you better believe I'm going for some of that Carmel popcorn...
February 6, 2010 at 8:48 PM
Happy Birthday {a little late}!! What a sweet cake! Hope you have a fabulous trip to New Orleans. My sister and BIL are moving there in two weeks from West Palm Beach. They are so excited! I've never been so now we'll have a place to stay when going there. Have fun!
Back Porch Blessings,
Rebecca
February 6, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Sounds like you had a great Birthday!! Happy Birthday Month!!! :O)
Kelly
February 6, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Happy Birthday! Belated but heartfelt. New Orleans, lucky you. Please take lots of pictures to share.
February 7, 2010 at 7:56 AM
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February 7, 2010 at 8:57 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! have a blessed new year!!
February 7, 2010 at 9:02 AM
Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like you had such a nice one... I have been trying to lose too but man it comes off slow - I am going to try and remember that the next time I want something sweet!
Blessings
February 7, 2010 at 10:40 AM
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February 7, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Hi Jane and a belated Happy Birthday! What a sweet cake and the story behind it! You're going to love New Orleans! I love going there and the food - forget your diet when you go! :)
Can't believe you're even on a diet - you look so beautiful!
Be a sweetie and have another slice of birthday cake! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
February 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM
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February 7, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Hi Jane - I am new to your blog! I am a blondie too!!
Happy Birthday!!!
February 7, 2010 at 6:15 PM
Happy Birthday to you! I hope you continue to have a wonderful celebration - and I think that birthday calories don't count :-) MIKI
February 7, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Belated Happy Birthday Jane - glad you were 'spoiled' and know your big gift of a trip to New Orleans will be a blast come Spring.
Many happy returns - may this be a wonderful year for you dear.
February 8, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Hi Janie,
I nominated you a Beautiful Blogger award over on my blog :O)
February 8, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Hi Janie! thanks for stopping by my blog. I did have the blog makeover yesterday. That's my new blog - cute isn't it!? my niece surprised me by changing it all!
February 8, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Well happy birthday to you..happy birthday to you...happy birthday to my friend...happy birthday to you! ps...Be glad you could not hear me sing...bad...very bad!
February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
interesting post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you guys hear that some chinese hacker had busted twitter yesterday again.
February 8, 2010 at 3:21 PM
I have been avoiding sugar for the past month and gave into one snickerdoodle cookie my daughter baked last night...so good...but I have to stay away from sugar...its like a Lays potato chip...I can't eat just one! Have a great trip and I hope is it nice and sunny for you...it is hard to live without a little sunshine everyday.
February 8, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Happy Birthday!Hope you had a lovely day, such a cute cake and the caramel corn sounds deliious! Thank you for the kind comments on my notebooks!
Rachel x
February 8, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Hello Jane,
I was just thinking of you, and your comment popped up!I had read your post in the afternoon, but then had no time to comment... please DO NOT FEEL GUILTY! Life's short, you have to enjoy it fully!!
And I believe that if a girl does all at home, she deserves some time just for herself every now and then! I HAD to LEARN not to feel guilty, but I did- even if I love to have my kitchen spotless at breakfast, sometimes I am just too tired to do it in the evening, but I DO NOT feel guilty! After all, tomorrow is another day!;))
As for the things a girl shouldn't do for her husband... oh, I'd have a looong list!! To name but one, I always put sugar in my DH's coffee and stir it... sooner or later I will drink it also!LOL
Hugs,
Monicax.
P.S Happy happy birthday!
February 9, 2010 at 6:03 PM