Michael's a Happy Guy

Michael loves his family, he likes his job, he appreciates what a luxury it is to spend lots of time at his beautiful cottage. He's a glass-half-full kind of guy. He has no angst. He experiences little discontent. I, of course, cannot believe this to be true. I recently ask him if there's any part of himself that he doesn't like? He looks at me like I'm an alien. He can't answer the question. He can't relate. He doesn't think this way. It makes me wonder if life would be more enjoyable from this perspective?

On his birthday Michael has a perfect day. He goes for a 40km bike ride, he sits in the hot tub, has a nap, watches the Masters tournament, and then has a birthday party. Part of his happiness, I'm sure, is that he has Susan in his life, collecting the recipes that he gathers for her. Susan has organized the party and given it the perfect theme for Michael: Cottage Life.

Paul, Bruce, Michael (the Birthday Guy), Geoff, Jon, the Hubby

The Hubby takes great care in dressing for the party. And we wonder why no one invites us to their cottage...?!

Susan and the Hubby whose muscles are too big to fit in the frame of the photo

I believe this outfit is a metaphor for how the Hubby lives life. But this is a posting for another day.

Sabina and Sarah are very impressed with the Hubby's pipes

At the party I do my usual research of men who meet all 3 criteria in my definition of the Perfect Man. Up until now I haven't come across One. But tonight I finally do. Ross scores a perfect 3 out of 3. Those who know him are incredulous. They make me devise additional criteria which they are certain will rule him out. But he even aces the bonus points. There is murmuring that he's lip-synching the answers. He wishes his wife had come so she can witness this surprising revelation.

Bruce, Ross (a Perfect Man), Randy, and me.

Luckily for me, and for my faithful readers who are so regularly disappointed that I once again have not cooked a single thing, Susan has made Roasted Shrimp Cocktail and Guacamole . These are delicious and easy appetizers that are standards at their cottage. She even made the dipping sauce that goes with the shrimp. It's way tastier than anything you can buy in the store. I, for one, am impressed.

Roasted Shrimp

Michael continues to be happy all night long. It may be that it's his birthday. It may be that he's drinking a fine old scotch. It may be that his friends have gathered to cheer his birth. It's definitely not because he's a Perfect Man because he only scored 2 out of 3. But it may be that he's found the trick to happiness.

The Trick to Happiness

Happy Birthday Michael!

Birthday Letter to the Adolescent

Your sister is home for a visit

The Family has gathered tonight to celebrate your 16th birthday.

You and some of your loving family

As usual there are party games.


We try and smile with our eyes...

We kiss our muscles...

...and compare them...

...we punch our elders.













I think you are doing a fine job at adolescence. You are certainly giving me the Full Experience of parenting you. You are checking out how large you can be in the world and how to do it without blowing yourself up, or without blowing up the world. I am working hard to make sure you don't get hurt. I want you to get through adolescence safely because you need to become a MAN. You are going to be an amazing one. You are confident in your skin. Perhaps a little too confident right now but I think humility will come as you live more. You can talk about how you feel. A lot of men can't and that's a loss for them and everyone else. How you feel is very important and the people to whom you are important will feel privileged that you share it. You could listen a little better but that will come. You have a lovely open heart. You are the Beamer's most loyal brother and fiercest protector. You can see yourself inviting your sister over for dinner when you're adults.

Scarlett has added her special sprinkling touch to the Cake

Tonight I make you a Chocolate Mint Layer Cake. I even make chocolate curls...that's how much I love you.

You've always been smart and funny and kind and handsome. But when did you get so big? When did you get so muscular? When did you grow facial hair? When did all this happen?

While I was baking?








Happy Birthday dear one!

Maureen, Her Birthday, The Cake

Geoff is hosting a dinner party to celebrate Maureen's birthday. Despite the hardships I'm enduring in this Time of No Edwin, I email Geoff with an offer to bake a birthday cake for Maureen. He tells me that he's already ordered one but would gladly cancel it if I really really want to make one. Oh no! Do I really really want to? I decide that the answer to this question should not be the deciding factor. Is Maureen someone who's important to me and for whom I want to do something special in honour of the day she was born?

The answer is in the cake.

But which cake to bake? There are so many lovely possibilities. I decide on Cuban Opera Cake . This is a Serious Cake that I would only consider for someone who is very special. This is not a cake you take on lightly. You need to start making it at least the day before. I leave work early on Friday to start it. You have to make the mocha cake. You have to make the chocolate buttercream. You have to make the coffee mousse. You have to make the chocolate glaze. You have to use a thermometer. You have to work with gelatin. You have to dirty A LOT of dishes (as my Kitchen Bitch keeps reminding me). There are multiple stages. There's lots of chilling and cooling time. You have to assemble. There is a lot of LOVE in this cake.

Birthday Girl with Knife, Sarah, and Paul

Liz, Maureen, and Sarah enjoying my labour of love

Maureen and I have known each other for almost 20 years. We met at prenatal class when I was pregnant with the Daughter and she was pregnant with hers. After our Daughters were born we, and a few other women, met every Friday afternoon, rotating homes, for the next 15 years. Beautiful, smart, funny, kind women. Over the years the gatherings expanded from 5 women/5 children to 5 women/15 children.We call ourselves the Tea Group. Don't know why. We never drank tea. But we definitely drank coffee, sometimes wine, and ate lots of delicious goodies over the years. The Friday teas eventually ended. The kids had begun entering adolescence and other activities and interests started to get in the way of our previously sacred Friday afternoons. Now we get together without the kids. Even better! The Husbands are invited every now and again. They tend to be a little annoying, each in their own special way, but, I grudgingly admit, do add a special something. Tonight Geoff has invited this group and a few other special people to the birthday dinner.

We gather to fete Maureen

Susan, me, Maureen, Sabina
4/5ths of the Tea Group

Geoff has outdone himself tonight. I didn't even know he knew how to cook!

Colin (Birthday Guy), Jon (New Non-Smoker), and Geoff (the Chef)

He has made Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Sausage and Pine Nuts. He has put pancetta, not bacon, in the salad. He has warmed the bread. He has sliced lemons for the water. He has finely chopped fresh parsley and basil for garnishes.

Finely chopped  by Geoff

I am impressed. And yet, we determine, he still only has 1 1/2 out of 3 of the characteristics in my definition of the Perfect Man. No worries. Maureen doesn't seem to mind.

There is good cheer around the table all night long. Susan writes a poem to celebrate this event. Colin's actual birthday is this night but graciously lets Maureen have the spotlight. We all get to meet Maureen's sister, Liz, who is visiting from Vancouver.

Happy Birthday Maureen! Many happy returns.