I turned forty-seven a week ago Saturday. It sounds old, but oddly enough it doesn't feel old. In fact, it feels younger than forty-six. I've spent the last 3 or 4 years lamenting my weight and my stress level and my lack of free time, but with the recent changes in my employment, the most stressful thing about my job now is remembering to set the alarm clock. I have a lot more free time as well. Life is good. And forty-seven isn't old. My parents are both still living and have just entered retirement. My kids are getting more independent. This is going to be my year.
Whether as a result of my new found optimism, or as testament to my new outlook, this year started off with a fabulous birthday weekend. While I don't generally hale my birthday with the same celebratory zeal as Cara, this year was the exception. My husband, ever the consummate gift giver, gave me three sets of Crystal Palace Bamboo needles for sock knitting as well as a gift card to my not-so-LYS. My daughter gifted me with the cutest tea set and tea-light holder in my favorite breast cancer awareness theme.
My good blogging friend, the sublime Amanda (who undoubtedly tired of seeing Hand Maiden Silk Cashmere listed as my dream yarn on every single sock swap questionnaire), gifted me with two skeins of Hand Maiden Silk Cashmere in the perfect color: Rose Garden. Thank you Amanda. It's just perfect!
But the gift that rocked the best this year was from my good friend non-knitting Terrisa. She gave me the gift of time, her time specifically. As two working mothers, we are lucky if we get together for brunch once a month at the local Panera Bread. This year she took me to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art for a lovely brunch with crystal and linen, Mimosa's and an actual waiter who pulled out my chair and everything.
Then we toured the museum. It was the perfect time of day. An early Sunday afternoon meant there were very few people in the museum (as opposed to the museum café, which was packed) so we got to browse to our hearts content. The highlight of our local museum is the Chihuly exhibit. Words cannot express the beauty of the flowing lines of the blown glass, the depth of the lovely colors. It was magical.
Comments (28)
What great pictures!! I LOVE Dale Chihuly. If I ever magically become wealthy, I'm going to have a collection of Chihuly glass. That sock yarn is beautiful too - Happy late Birthday!
Posted by Renee | January 14, 2007 3:57 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 15:57
First, happy birthday!! And many, many more. Second, that tree? That glass? Wow. Just, wow.
Posted by --Deb | January 14, 2007 5:05 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:05
Oh, happy birthday, dearie!
Posted by Carole | January 14, 2007 5:08 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:08
First off - HAPPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I think your outlook this year is awesome - good or you girl. Looks like you had a great birthday. I hope 2007 brings you much health and happiness.
Posted by Esther | January 14, 2007 5:45 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:45
great attitude to start the year with. seriously, come kick my arse into gear and into the right attitude while you're at it. and the yarn, not because i'm tired of seeing it on swap questionnaires BUT because you deserve it. and the glass? oh my word, i think waking up to that every morning would definitely brighten my outlook! i hope 47 rocks and rocks hard.
Posted by amanda | January 14, 2007 5:50 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:50
Happy Birthday Leah! It sounds like you had a perfect one! May this year be everything that you want it to be.
Posted by Karen | January 14, 2007 5:51 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:51
Belated Happy Birthday. Love the sock yarn and it sounds like you had the perfect birthday. Brunch and a stroll through an art gallery… I can't think of anything nicer. I hope 2007 is a fabulous year for you!
Posted by marnie | January 14, 2007 6:42 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 18:42
Oh my what a beautiful exhibit! Happy belated birthday my dear! I am glad to hear that everyone treated you so well on your special day. Man or man that cashmere is to die for:)
Posted by Marisol | January 14, 2007 7:44 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 19:44
Happy Birthday (belated), it looks like you had a wonderful time! And you received gifts that really keep on giving!
Posted by nova | January 14, 2007 7:50 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 19:50
What a wonderful, birthday-positive post! It sounds like you got wonderful gifts from some creative gift-givers. That silk cashmere -- oh my gosh! Too gorgeous.
Happy 47!
Posted by Rachel | January 14, 2007 9:16 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 21:16
May every birthday be this happy!
Posted by Theresa | January 14, 2007 9:30 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 21:30
Happy birthday, Leah! It's wonderful to hear that you are embracing this year, and getting to enjoy yourself. The museum visit looks like it was fabulous. I love those Chihuly photos. Stunning!
Posted by Rachel | January 15, 2007 12:52 AM
Posted on January 15, 2007 00:52
Happy birthday! What a wonderful way to spend the day, that exhibit is wonderful.
Posted by heather | January 15, 2007 8:53 AM
Posted on January 15, 2007 08:53
Happy Belated Birthday! It could be worse...you could be ten year older (like me);-)
We had a Chihuly exhibit here a few years ago and it is such breathtaking work. Thanks for sharing it!
Posted by margene | January 15, 2007 9:42 AM
Posted on January 15, 2007 09:42
I'm so glad your birthday was a good one : )
Posted by Beck | January 15, 2007 10:44 AM
Posted on January 15, 2007 10:44
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Leah, happy birthday to you!!!
Wishing you many more!
Posted by keri | January 15, 2007 7:13 PM
Posted on January 15, 2007 19:13
Happy belated birthday - and may it be the year of your dreams!
Posted by Teyani | January 15, 2007 9:35 PM
Posted on January 15, 2007 21:35
Happy Birthday, Leah! Hope you have a most WONDERFUL year!
Posted by Kathy | January 15, 2007 10:10 PM
Posted on January 15, 2007 22:10
Happy Happy Birthday! Are you going to make socks out of the Handmaiden or frame it? Or maybe put it in a bowl and use it as a centerpiece? mmmmm dream yarn.
Oh that curly glass is so insanely cool - nice photography too!
Posted by Emily | January 16, 2007 8:11 AM
Posted on January 16, 2007 08:11
Your Chihuly pics are so great! I love his work! I saw some last fall in California, and they were so amazing!
Happy belated birthday!
Posted by Lolly | January 16, 2007 8:17 AM
Posted on January 16, 2007 08:17
What GREAT pictures......and VERY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!! I turned 48 this year and I SOOO understand what you mean about not feeling like I should be this age!! Funny how life creeps up on you!!! The yarn is YUMMY!!!!
Posted by Crazy For Yarn In Alabama: Darlene | January 17, 2007 8:28 AM
Posted on January 17, 2007 08:28
That blown glass is gorgeous! Sounds like a great birthday!
Posted by Cheryl | January 17, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on January 17, 2007 10:58
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you received wonderful gifts. And the pictures from the exhibit are beautiful!
Posted by Allison | January 18, 2007 9:30 AM
Posted on January 18, 2007 09:30
Happy birthday, Leah! What a wonderful birthday you had! (And I really do hope that this year IS your year!)
Posted by katie | January 19, 2007 12:29 PM
Posted on January 19, 2007 12:29
What lovely, artistic shots of the glass exhibit! Love it! And Happy Birthday!
Posted by My Merino Mantra | January 20, 2007 6:57 PM
Posted on January 20, 2007 18:57
Oh my gosh, your Chihuly photos are breathtaking! Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. You picked up the detail just beautifully.
I'm very lucky to walk past a Chihuly sculpture in my office building every day - unfortunately it's one of his more staid works, not the trademark squiggly kind with so much free energy...but I'm still not complaining.
Happy birthday to you - may 47 be your best yet!!
Posted by Anne K. | January 22, 2007 4:17 PM
Posted on January 22, 2007 16:17
Hi Leah. Thought I'd check in and read a little on youur blog - hopefully getting to know you a little better. I'm looking forward to the swap and hope I pick out the best yarn/pattern combination for you.
Quick question - I read the list of your favorite colors (I think I'm safe going with some vibrant shades) but when I saw your dream yarn - it's beautiful shades of pink - which you didn't list in your choices of favorite colors. Although pink and red roses are your favorite flowers. I just want to make sure I'm going in the right direction when I choose your yarn.
Posted by Your Bloomin' Feet Pal | January 23, 2007 12:57 PM
Posted on January 23, 2007 12:57
Happy Belated Birthday Leah!! I'm sorry I'm late to the party - your photos and description of the day are so beautiful. Have a wonderful year my friend. :)
Posted by Laura | January 29, 2007 9:35 AM
Posted on January 29, 2007 09:35