When your birthday is December 31
there is always a party all over the world on your birthday.
Decorations, food, celebrations, party favors, and dress
are spectacular, more so than any other time of the year.
A time to use the sterling silver that was a wedding gift from your parents...
My sister's birthday is December 31.
With all the over-the-top partying worldwide as incentive,
I spent several days mulling over what kind of
birthday cake to bake for her this year.
Bûche de Noël
seemed a perfect choice since it is
*s*p*e*c*t*a*c*u*l*a*r*
and
CHOCOLATE,
one of her favorite flavors.
The recipe I used is a Martha Stewart variation.
She loves raspberries, and peach is her favorite color.
She is not three years old,
and after a certain age, good manners dictate NOT revealing
a lady's age.
We are sisters by chance,
and friends by choice.
With more than eleven years difference in age,
we did not play together as children.
No, I was a senior in high school the year she was in the first grade.
Rather than childhood playmates,
I was her babysitter after school during her preschool years.
Then I left for college, and never lived at home in Alabama again.
She visited my husband and me during her teenage years,
and lived with us in Texas while attending the University of Texas,
first in Austin, then in Arlington.
We became good friends in adulthood,
discovering we are very much alike in many ways.
![]() |
Sisters in Lavender Field in France moi wearing lavender; sister wearing a hat |
We traveled together to France many times over the years,
and together developed a love for all things French,
especially lavender fields.
Another good reason to bake Bûche de Noël.
We have bought the very same shoes,
while she lived in Maine, and I lived in Texas.
We say the same thing at the same time,
and laugh whenever we do.
Once while vacationing together with our husbands in Hawaii,
we were walking across a mall parking lot that had
trees planted in small islands with lush soft green grass.
Then in unexpected synchronized choreography,
each of us slipped our right feet out of our shoes
as we stepped onto the next island of lush green grass
to walk barefoot in the grass.
We all laughed as our husbands looked at each other,
shrugged their shoulders, and shook their heads.
Yes, friends by choice.
My life has been enriched beyond measure
by having her as my sister,
my closest friend who has been there with me
during happy life celebrations, heartbreaking loss,
and everyday living.
How wonderful that her birthday is
celebrated all over the world every year!
~~~~❦~~~~
~~~~❦~~~~
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SUNDAY
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dear judith, happy new year!!!!! hugs, angie from germany
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Judith! What a lovely post about sisters and celebrations and sharing. I loved it all and I know she loved her special birthday cake! I miss my darling sisters so much and cherish every
ReplyDeleteremembrance of them! Blessings for a wonderful 2015, Edie Marie
ReplyDelete(sorry for the separation of my comment)
Oh Judith, such a fragrant post today, and a happy birthday à ta soeur!!!
ReplyDeleteYou both look wonderful in that heavenly champ de lavande. That was always my dream destination (a lavender field in France) and I got my wish when I went to Grasse. Oh the love.
Wishing you all out there a spectacular new year, une bonne année riche d'amour! Anita
Sisters are so precious. My sister was my best friend, and I still smile when I imagine her laughing. We too bought the same shoes. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy celebrating such a special day together!
And Happy New Year, Judith!
xoxo,
Lin
Judith, What a wonderful post to start the new year! Sisters are so special, I have 2. They are very dear to me too! Wishing your sister a very special birthday!! The cake looks divine!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jody
What a lovely post and I can't imagine a more perfect cake to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteBon Anniversaire!
Beautiful cake, beautiful sentiments! I can relate as my brother is 11 years older than I. Lots of fun memories and he was and is very protective of me as I'm sure you are of your sister. Wish her a late Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to do for your sister. I have a sis eleven years younger and we can pick out the same pair of earring on opposite sides of a store and even buy the same coat in different cities. I feel the same way about her that you do about your sister. So lucky to have sisters.
ReplyDeleteBonjour, Judith! How I love that photo of you and your sister....that looks like a perfect photo for a magazine! Ooooo....bonne idée!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for coming by. Looking forward myself to another fabulous year, with YOU! Anita
What a beautiful photo of sisters ... I have 4 and I cherish them. Blessings to you for the upcoming year.
ReplyDeletePatty@thatssopretty
My sister (whose name is Judy) has a Dec 31st bday. I am bookmarking your post AND my calendar. for inspiration for her bday next year. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJudith I adore the photo in the lavender field with you and your sister. The fragrance once experienced stays in your forever cherished moments. Birthday cake for your sister was splendid and beautiful (with I could of had a piece!!!).
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Vera
Such a beautiful post and the picture of you both in the field of lavender is just beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
And mine as well. MANY years ago when I could never have a birthday party because no one would come, my Mother told me that the whole world was celebrating my birthday, and that is why they couldn't come to my house.....well.......it sounded good to a sad little girl :^)
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting tidbit...my only sibling is 18 years younger than I. I moved out a year or so after he was born, and we never lived near one another until 2002. I am soaking up EVERY moment of having them nearby. His wife is my sister in love, and I adore his kiddos!
Happy Birthday to your sister, and God bless you with a wonderful new year!!
J
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ReplyDelete