Taste Life Blog

It’s almost my birthday! I love the feeling happy birthdays evoke. It is a special celebration – after all it is the day we popped into this world and forever changed the lives of those that treasure us most. As I approach a really “giant big birthday” many are asking me which birthday was my favorite. When I reflect back I realize every birthday was pretty much special and the common themes were family and food. Food was a big part of my life even before I was born. My mom attributes her eating pea soup for my early arrival in this world, popping out six weeks earlier on February 18th instead of on April Fool’s Day.

Childhood

In our fun loving, busy, spirit-filled house with five kids we were seldom alone with mom and dad. On our 13th birthday we were able to dine out all alone with mom and dad. We dined at Seven Seas and I ordered my first lobster. I kept that lobster tail for years and years on my bulletin board and it grossed out my sister Laurie.

Fast forward to adult life 

My 40th birthday was extra special because we went on a Bahaman cruise (cold ferocious winds so strong the ports were closed and we had to stay on the ship the entire time). I also purchased a piano and Danielle, Brett and I took piano lessons. That only lasted two years! And best, my sweet mom came to visit and made me my special no bake cheesecake as she had done every single year since I left for college.

Picture of neighborhood

My mom followed me to wherever I was living and made me this creamy, hard-to-find-ingredients cheesecake. I happily celebrated with my parents and this magical cake for 27 years until I was 45 when my dad suffered a stroke and mom was afraid to drive with dad and they no longer came to visit. Wish I would have known when I was 45 that it would be my last cake. I bet I would have savored it more.

Funny how life is…even on birthdays we are too busy to really savor.

But the fiftieth took the cake! With great intention we celebrated my birthday in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Blue Lagoon exceeded my expectations and I felt like I had a taste of heaven as I floated in dreamy 110°F water. I tried hakarl which is putrid shark meat that is buried in the ground for six months. It smelled like strong ammonia and tasted like rubbery blue cheese. I thought I was on “Fear Factor” as I mustered up the courage to even try it. The smell was so bad no other tourist would even consider trying it. In fact, they all backed away when the jar containing hakarl was opened.

But foodie Chere had to give it a try! I had a huge stomach ache that evening which Gary attributed to the hakarl.

We also spent an evening at Spicer Castle at a murder mystery dinner where I remember looking for hours for a red earring a friend gave me for my birthday. (Gary finally found it but then again he usually finds everything that I lose.)

And I felt truly treasured by family and friends. Dinner club was held at Jan St. Andrew’s house and we played games and had candy from the fifties.

The best gift

Birth is a really big deal. We really don’t have to wait for our birthday. Daily, people bless our lives with their unique gifts. We just have to be aware of them. And, we have to be open to receiving their gifts. It is not always about giving and giving some more. By being open to receiving other’s gifts incredible things have happened to me. Every day really feels like my birthday. If you get what you expect…so expect every day to be filled with birthday happiness. Happy Birthday! Every day is a new possibility because I wake up to a new day that I haven’t lived before.

Foot note: Favorite gift ever

One of my most treasured birthday gifts was from my friend Sue Brown, who on my 38th birthday wrote 38 reasons why she loves Chere. I still have that treasured love list. (Great gift idea for those you treasure most) What was your favorite birthday and why? And did you get a really extra special birthday present? We can’t wait to hear!