The Smiths Are Good to Me!!!!

My birthday was over two months ago and I still am writing thank you notes.  My grandmothers would be appalled.  Of course, they don't know that we can send emails and even email cards.   However, I also believe they would also be charmed by my practice of making a little painting for each gift.

Thanking my daughter Louisa and her family (aka The Smiths) has been especially challenging this year because of their amazing range of treats for me....lasting well over a week.

So, what were these special treats?  It began on Saturday June 11 when Louisa and Chantel (her long-time friend and my friend too) took me out to a great Italian restaurant near the waterfront.  Our "girl's night out" at Osteria Morini was fun for us.  I also thank Peter who made it possible.

My actual birthday was Monday June 13.  The plan was to take me out to dinner at Rose's Luxury, which is a celebrated restaurant just a block from my house.  Going to dinner there is sometimes risky because they do not take reservations.  I heard recent interview with owner and head chef Aaron Silverman in which he claimed this would make it a good neighborhood restaurant.  But Bon Appetit named it as the best new restaurant in the United States a couple of years ago and so the tourists flock.  To eat there, you need to stand in line and then hope for a good time of seating.  Griffin suggested that he would stand in line and then Louisa, Griffin's friend Sebastian, and Sophia joined in.  I think they had a good time, but I was home taking a bath and doing my nails and getting ready for my big celebration.  It was a great meal and Rose's really does make everyone (not just the guest of honor) feel special.  Plus, I loved the dessert when we got spoons that honored Presidents and their accomplishments.  We each had a different President and it was fun to share about our spoons.  I want those!!!!!  They are so DC  The little painting above is Rose's front door without the lines of people waiting.  I actually did the painting last year, but it seems to fit now.

On Tuesday, we also enjoyed the wonderful Italian sub sandwiches from Mangialardo.  I think that name means eat and get fat!!!!  They are something truly special in our neighborhood. HUGE submarines and made to order....mmmmmmm!

The treats weren't over.  Sophia made me a bowl of paper circles that I tried to make a sketch of but couldn't pull it off.  It is so pretty, though, and now livens up my china cabinet.

It's not over!!!!  I had been talking about an iPad holder for my kitchen so that I can display on-line recipes while I cook.  The Smiths did not disappoint and installed that gadget for me.  It looks very "hip" even when the iPad isn't in it, and does indeed make the access of on-line recipes much easier.

Hey, this might be my longest-ever blogpost.....but there is a lot to give thanks for.  Thank you, Smith family.  I had a great birthday.