happy clappy birthday

In one week's span, Beka found two grey hairs (right at the temple, by the hair line), aged one more year, and ate pudding and animal crackers for lunch. Nikki asked Beka if she was seven years old. Doug asked Beka if she was seventy.

So the day of Beka's birthday, she busied herself with teaching in Long Island in the morning, meeting Doug midtown for lunch and then teaching in Larchmont. When Beka got home after 7pm she was tired.

Doug had cleaned the whole apartment and lit candles around so that it smelled nice again too. This is the card from Doug →






And the inside →



Dr. Pepper Jelly Beans...



And books!!

Beka thinks that Doug was paying attention when Beka said weeks ago that she wanted sewing books that were good ones. Not the ones that have a pattern for a placemat and a square pillow.

So now Beka gets to learn how to use patterns correctly (She's always sewn "by eye" with relative success.) This book is more complicated, so it will be a goal to be able to follow some of the patterns in here.




This one has lots of fun things too and good starting instructions for sewing with a pattern.



And of course, a new cookbook!! There are some really interesting recipies in here, all with beer — cookies, dip, multiple breads, soup and chili, and various seafoods and meats.









And of course Beer and Brats...

I think this matches closely with how Beka's Mom taught her to do it... Drink a beer, boil brats, drink a beer... pretty accurate, only a few minor ingredients are different.












This is a pendant that Doug made Beka while she was gone. It is copper and jeweler's solder and very very nice.



Thank you to everyone else who sent cards and warm wishes Beka's way. It was a very nice birthday. :)