We'll actually be doing our celebration "event" near Cleveland at the Blossom Festival enjoying a concert of Elgar and others (I know -- to some of you that's a BIG ICK! But to Rick, a big "Ahhh!") And he didn't want to go out to a restaurant; his main present we're waiting to go on sale. So instead, a little picnic!
We headed over to Michigan State's arboretum and found a picnic in the "vineyard." Although we never dined in a vineyard in France, it the evening sort of reminded me of what that experience might be.
I'm not sure I'd like Moo U wine (if they even make it) but I admire their garden!
Our menu -- I had memories of enjoying wonderful "sub-like" sandwiches from the boulangerie when we were in Paris in 2012, enjoying lunch on the lawn at Place des Vosges.
I wish I could remember the name -- I'm relying on some of you to tell me! Look familiar?
So I made my version -- a baguette with several meats, cheese, olive tapenade, dijon, pappadew peppers, artichoke hearts, basil. So good! That was served up with cornichons, sweet black cherries, and yellow peppers.
And yes, wine. A nice Malbec because I couldn't find a good French at the store I was getting the rest of the ingredients!
For dessert, a chocolate lava cake from the Chapelleure bakery. Which, of course, I didn't photograph! But I did see a lovely bird! Is this a finch? When it flew, I thought it a cardinal but looking closer at the head on the photo, it's not the right shape!
Others were in the garden too -- they thought we had the right idea! Some were doing photo shoots of the grapes!
We enjoyed lots of good talk, memory and reflections of years gone by and ahead. As twilight moved in, the cloud formations were really beautiful. It was the perfect evening -- not too hot or cool or humid. Mama Bear weather. Just right.
We didn't want to end there and to keep the French theme going (even though we never really called it that!), we headed downtown for a celebratory class of champagne.
The only one on the menu was called "California Champagne," which I think might not be "legal" -- or at least of great offense to the French!
But no matter! It was bubbly and fun and tasted good!
And it's safe to say...
A good time had by both -- especially the birthday boy!
Here's to another year of good luck, love, fun and joy!
53 comments:
What an event celebration in a great venue! California Champagne? That is not legal!
Hmmm, first: Happy Birthday to Rick and second... I´m hungry now! :-)
That sure looks tempting!
The bird is colorful, very pretty.
LOL, "Mama Bear weather", never heard that saying, but I might "steal" it, too!
And the t-shirt is just right.
Yes, to another year, a fab one!
Happy Birthday to Rick! Glad you both had a wonderful day out in the sun. Hugs, Valerie
Why anyone would think that celebrating with Elgar would be a big ICK I have no idea. His Enigma Variations and his Cello Concerto are, to use an overworked word, divine. His Pomp and Circumstance marches must be very familiar to you and there have been serious attempts in the past to make Land of Hope Glory (Number One if I am not mistaken) the British National Anthem. And to an anglophile like you, Jeanie, it must have had extra meaning. And then you celebrated à la française to wallow in your francophile side too, so I think you put the whole package together. Congratulations! Félicitations! . And your bird is a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by the way. You say that each birthday with advancing years becomes more special and more worthy of celebration and I think that perhaps Miriam and I, in this respect, are quite different from most. We never celebrate birthdays. The day comes and goes like any other. I should also mention that I find Malbecs very enjoyable and I am quite sure it is illegal to use the word Champagne, and an affront to the real thing. But you had a good time and it evoked memories, so that's all that counts. Happy Birthday, Rick. Bonne Anniversaire. Au plaisir de te connaître dans un avenir rapproché.
Great idea for a birthday dinner. Sounds really good and very French. Sometimes the simpliest things are the best.
Happy Birthday to Rick! It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a birthday.
A belated Happy birthday to Rick.
What a fabulous French themed party.
It sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!
Looks like a lovely celebration.
Happy birthday to Rick! A picnic is such a fun idea for a birthday celebration! Everything looks perfect.
Looks like a perfect time together . . .
A Happy Birthday enjoyed by two . . .
“All we need is love . . .”
(I think the bird might be a Scarlet Tanager.)
Wonderful! Happy birthday Rick and many more just like that one.
Happy birthday to Mr. Rick! This must have been a special one for him, whatever the year, just because he's so well recovered from the "recent unpleasantness"! You designed a perfect celebration -- one that included the past, and looked to the future. There's nothing better!
Jeanie, I love the way you celebrated Rick’s birthday....a French style picnic sounds fabulous! Happy Birthday Rick!
Happy Birthday to such a kind looking man! That tee is truly him.Great idea for a bday lunch!
My fave lunch in Paris was in fact a picnic in the Tuileries Gardens:) Wine..baguette and cheese♥
A picnic in vineyard sounds like a super way to spend a birthday. I like how you could pretend to be in France, but even being in Michigan must be wonderful in July. I think it sounds perfect! And on another note, How's the ear infection doing? Hope you're feeling better. Hugs-Erika
What a great way to celebrate! Sounds perfect. We attended a wedding at a vineyard up here a couple of years ago. It was fun to walk the between the grapes. Cheers to good times!
A happy belated birthday to Rick. May the Lord bless him with many more. The photos of the two of you together are so sweet!
Did you mean you were trying to remember the name of the sandwich or the name of the bakery where you bought it?
About sandwich names: the French don't really have that many names for sandwiches other than Mr & Madame Croques . Food and Wine magazine offered the following list of favorites, though:
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/best-french-sandwiches-to-eat
The closest to yours is Pain Bagnat but it's with tuna (sort of Salade Niçoise on a roll).
My impression is that sandwiches seem a little foreign and exotic to the French, despite their perfect bread for a crusty one. Their sandwich places are often very influenced by Americans and others. You can see that in the F&W list.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Rick! I hope your day was wonderful. The picnic certainly looked yummy to me and eating in a vineyard is very romantic too. I'm sure your concert was fabulous - to life!
You found the perfect place to have a birthday picnic celebration. It looks like BOTH of you had fun. Happy birthday, Rick. Enjoy.
I'm REALLY glad I'm not a drinker, because CA champagne sounds nasty.
A belated happy birthday to Rick! Or Penblwydd Hapus as we say in Welsh!
It certainly sounds like you both had a lovely day celebrating :)
Happy birthday Rick.
Absolutely lovely celebration!! And in such a pretty, sunny, peaceful spot! Happy happy birthday to Rick!!
You guys sure know how to live...and drink great wines.
Happy Birthday, Rick! I love the way you both celebrated, Jeanie. How romantic and festive. Your sandwich looks delicious. Such a happy photo of the two of you. Sending much joy to the both of you.
Happy birthday to Rick. Lovely birthday party in the vineyard.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK! A wonderful way and location to celebrate.
Happy birthday Rick. A lovely celebration.
Happy Birthday Rick - what a wonderful birthday celebration, yes every birthday is worth celebrating. Love that you recreated the Parisian picnic!
Love the t-shirt too.
Wren x
Happy Birthday Rick!
Have you read that European countries are trying to make a lot more food names illegal outside of EU, including types of well known cheese etc? Where will it all end?
Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday. Glad Rick enjoyed his birthday picnic. Happy birthday to him.
Oh, Jeanie, such an artful celebration!!! Rick is a lucky guy...and you are lucky too!
That sounds like an absolutely perfect way to celebrate another year! I would much prefer something like that to eating out. You guys are lucky to have summer birthdays. You can usually spend the outdoors. Mine is February 6th so we are bundled up inside for my celebrations! Lately we've opted to order dinner in instead of going out to a restaurant.
I personally LOVE birthdays - mine and others. I don't make a huge deal out of it, but I think birthdays are worth celebrating. I'm glad we'll be at the lake over my mom's in August as I rarely get to celebrate with her. She's turning 71 and looks sooo much younger so hopefully I inherited her genes. ;)
Happy birthday to Rick. You both look great in the photos. I loved his bash(picnic). Bless his heart he does look very happy. I know you two make wonderful memories. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
That sounds like a lovely way to celebrate a birthday, an evening picnic in a beautiful spot with memories of a special trip brought to life with food and wine! Happy Birthday to Rick!
Jenna
Happy Belated Birthday, Rick!! Looks like a wonderful day for you guys!
Jeanie, a picnic in a vineyard, a classical music concert--I would be in heaven!
Happy Birthday to Rick, for whom it's quite evident, "Cycling is Life". What a wonderfully thought out way of celebrating his birthday with a picnic, Jeanie.
Happy Birthday, Rick. Looks like a good time! Judy
A belated Happy Birthday to Rick. It sounds like the perfect way to celebrate. The sandwich sounds just delicious too.
Bons momentos. Bom fim-de-semana. Cumprimentos.
Happy belated birthday to Rick. Look like you to lovebirds had a great time! Janice
What a perfect day! Your picnic looks ... yes, there is only one word for it- splendiferous!!!!! And the French theme is inspired. A Happy belated birthday to Rick! We have got out of th e habit of noticing birthdays unless strongly reminded but seeing your joyful celebration reminds me that we should take the chance of a celebration when we can - years ago we had a Buddhist friend who said this when we asked why he was getting ready to celebrate Christmas :). I dont know when I stopped living by that rule) !So thanks for an inspirational post. jenie and I hope you and Rick continue to enjoy your summer.
To your health. Cheers!
Happy birthday to Rick.
The sandwich looks so tasty!
Picnic sounds awesome, I think it's a great idea to celebrate a special day :)
Belated Birthday wishes to Rick and hope he has a terrific birthday year. And that looks like some great celebrating -- cheers!
Happy birthday to your sweet husband, Rick!!! Looks like a wonderful evening meal in the vineyard and then downtown. Lovely weather we've been having lately too (until today when the humidity and heat came back, whaaaa!).
Hope your present goes on sale soon!
Hugs,
Barb :)
HAPPY B-DAY to Rick, albeit belated! A birthday picnic--what great fun, and in such a great place! I've made a baguette similar to that, but can't recall what it might be called, etc. YUM! So glad to see so many photos of you both. And glad you're continuing the celebration into some days ahead--now that's celebrating! I think the Blossom Festival and Elgar sounds pretty good, I think! HAPPY DAYS, my friend ((HUGS))
Happy Birthday!
Looks like a most perfect celebration to me! Happy Birthday to Rick!
Happy Birthday Wishes to Rick … looks and sounds a wonderful day.
All the best Jan
Belated Birthday wishes to Rick! Your picnic sounds delicious - both sandwich and CAKE!
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