What a wonderful birthday and St. Valentine's day I had...the one-two punch of all of that kindness and good food has left me feeling slightly drunk and uncharacteristically, slap-happily...well...happy. Thanks to you guys for all of the sweet little well-wishings that were left on Tuesday. I felt very loved by blog-land!
I felt immensely loved in real life, too, and I was the happy recipient of some very thoughtful gifts. About a month ago, I asked Josiah to write me a story for my birthday, which he did. Not just a story, though...what he presented me with was a 30+ page, beautiful, whimsical, semi-biographical (of me) fairy story. Needless to say, there were many happy, incredulous tears of appreciation...I feel so damn lucky.
My treasured real-life + blog-life darlin' Sara made me the sweetest creature for my birthday, which she gave me along with some much-needed kitchen implements:
The sushi+pals combo proved the perfect remedy for the yuck weather, and after a very tasty dinner we went out for (wait for it) ice cream, which, in the very windy and misty winter air seemed so-wrong-it-was-right. Then the gaggle of us headed over to the nice, quiet place where my good buddy Keith tends bar, and, in honor of my birthday, he (being quite the johnny-on-the-spot creator) presented me a "The Black Apple Martini"! My Keith is an excellent concocter, and it was so tasty...truly almost black, and filled with pomegranate, cherry, apple, etc in a big, swanky glass.
I hope that everyone's Valentine's Day was exactly what it needed to be...I know that many people abhor the day. I just hate the fact that people-in-general don't treat every possible day like Valentine's Day. We stayed in and I made a nice, quiet dinner at home. The only confectionery request I received was for Nigella's sour cream cake from "Domestic Goddess", so we had that in spades. That cake...it blows my mind. It really does. Most cake, truthfully, I could kinda take or leave (meaning I usually don't want to devour the whole thing as quickly as possible). One lone conversation heart dots the middle:
Recipe to follow tomorrow, because everyone must experience this cake, even if they don't have the complete Nigella library at their disposal. And, speaking of conversation hearts, has anyone noticed how utterly bizarre the little sayings are these days?! Almost all of them seem to refer to either slightly antiquated or really unromantic modes-of-communication..."Fax Me", "Email Me", "Page Me" (!!!). There was one in the box that simply stated "Love 4 Gold".
What?!
Conversation hearts are supposed to be about slyly communicating your Love 4 a Person, not demanding that someone Fax You an invoice for the bling they just bought for you. The single white one atop the cake simply says "Dear One", which was really the only one I could find that didn't offend my sensibilities.
I'm getting the shop update ready for 4:00 EST, which involves some bustling, but I am so happy that I did have time for a proper blog-post! I'll leave you with the wee bear girl I mentioned in my very short (sentence-long) post yesterday:
PS: One thrifted teddy bear was harmed in the making of this sweetie. Just so you know.
Comments (20)
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday! A story written just for you?! A cake baked and a drink created?! Perfect!!!
Heather · February 15, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Awesome doll!
Katie · February 15, 2007 at 03:36 PM
Sounds like the perfect birthday - hooray!
Hey, I just received my "Lunar Valentine" order today, and it's even more beautiful in person. I can't wait to frame it!
meg · February 15, 2007 at 03:39 PM
She's adorable. I think we can forgive the bear tragedy.
Gina · February 15, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Have to say that I found your blog last night through your etsy shop. I LOVE your art and your Blog!!! I am going to add you to my favorites list! Can't wait to own some of your original art!
Michelle
Michelle · February 15, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I can't believe I missed out on a doll again!! I'm heart broken. I must get one one day! they are so beautiful, and would look just lovely in my craft room.
Shannon · February 15, 2007 at 05:21 PM
your bear-doll is adorable. i love her!! can't wait for the sour cream cake recipe. i will definitely be trying that one out in my beloved kitchen... cheers!
natalie · February 15, 2007 at 06:16 PM
...just stumbled across your blog & shop! totally loving your art, gotta have me some!! :)
dannelle · February 15, 2007 at 06:21 PM
your comments about the hearts crack me up!
rebecca · February 15, 2007 at 10:25 PM
I read the "fax me" one last night over dinner, very bizzare indeed! Happy post valentines day and your shop update today was splendid.
Lorrie · February 15, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Hi Emily,
Happy birthday for Tuesday!
I had mine yesterday...ouch my head hurts...
Glad you had a lovely week!
love Erica
x
Erica · February 16, 2007 at 05:48 AM
your valentine's bithday extravaganza sounded delightful, mine was filled with snow and ice....but my darling bubs did opresent we a platter of heart shaped sweet cakes in melted chocolate.
um...yum.
Ice cream and winter go perfectly together...at least in my world they do.
Congrats on the successful shop update!
stilettoheights · February 16, 2007 at 08:59 AM
happy belated b-day!
we didn't celebrate v-day because of the fact that i couldnt get over the whole "i love you this much more today since it's valentines day" thing. i used to love the holiday...but this year something came over me! and those hearts!? we were laughing at those at work the other day...what's with them lately!? i was cracked up by the "IM ME" one...internet has taken over the world!
erin scissorhands · February 16, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Yeah, there is something wrong with "LOVE 4 GOLD". That's like, prostitution. Cake and custom martinis sound like much more fun. Cheers, girl. xo.
erin michelle · February 16, 2007 at 12:02 PM
happy belated birthday and Valentine's Day! Your sweetie Josiah is a doll for writing a story for you. My Josiah would only write a story for me if it consisted exclusively of comic book word bubbles and crude drawings of stick men and women. I take what I can get!
Nichole · February 16, 2007 at 12:14 PM
I love what you asked for and got -the 30 page story. I haven't thought of that-but it sounds luscious and romantic.
The rest sounds yummy too.
The doll looks like she was worth the sacrifice:)
Colorsonmymind · February 16, 2007 at 12:58 PM
happy belated birthday... sounds like you had a fun one! Im sure the bear wouldn't mind if he knew what he would look like eventually...
dandelion · February 16, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Hmmm my comment must have been junked due to keywords...
I think that "LOVE 4 GOLD" is a reference to certain online games who shall not be named since I would get junked again! Sign of the times...
Villain Extraordinaire · February 16, 2007 at 07:37 PM
Bear girl is extraordinary, adorable and slightly subversive,making her absolutely perfect!
jungle dream pagoda · February 17, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Happy belated Birthday cheer to you!
take care, grache
gracia · February 20, 2007 at 06:04 PM