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Engaging stories of love, joy, comfort and friendship with proven scrumptious, healthy recipes, we celebrate LOVE as the secret ingredient for wonderful food!

My Birthday

December 5, 2014 by Mary 13 Comments

Best birthday card.I have to share with you the best card that I received from my friend Sheila in Texas for my birthday this year. First of all, you must know, Sheila and I have been friends for like, 37 years. And she always sends me a card, NEVER forgets. But this card, isn’t it the greatest? And it is fitting for me – don’t you think? (I certainly hope no one is offended.)

My real birthday was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. My younger son and his girlfriend made me a beautiful dinner that evening – exactly what I wanted, fulfilling my request superbly – sautéed boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a red sauce with capers over pasta, topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, with some green beans and pancetta on the side. It was a simple, robust and perfect meal for a snowy evening in front of the fire after a long day of cooking for Thanksgiving. The only thing is that I forgot to take pictures. 

My older son declared my birthday was Saturday as he and his girlfriend did not arrive until Thanksgiving day, so they just moved my day. He recently made Pot au Feu for a Sunday evening dinner for my husband and me and he wanted to revisit that dish, only this time, he started making the broth on Thursday evening with the turkey carcass along with a chicken carcass I had saved for him. He cooked that broth in my giant soup pot for 3 days, as it very slowly simmered, totally permeating the house with luscious stock smells. His meat was pork shoulder and a whole breast of veal. This meal was to die for. Pot au Feu platter with broth in bowls.

The broth was so dark and rich and his vegetables were cooked perfectly – cabbage still a little crisp, turnips and potatoes were dreamy creamy while both meats were fork tender and so flavorful. Fresh baked peasant bread and a chocolate pie with a gingerbread crust.Agata made a crusty bread for dipping and his girlfriend made a totally yummy, rich chocolate pie with a ginger snap crust. It was EPIC! And, we got to have the exact same meal on Monday night with all the leftovers. I feel so fat and happy and I don’t care, for just this once. Just like a queen! Lucky me!Pot au Feu dinner.

Sending LOVE to all of you!!

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Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: big family dinners, birthday dinners, chocolate pie, dark rich broth, homemade bread, Pot au Feu

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Comments

  1. Sues says

    December 5, 2014 at 6:56 AM

    Wow, it sounds like you raised your sons right!! What awesome birthday treats 🙂
    Sues recently posted…Thanksgiving 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      December 5, 2014 at 8:14 AM

      They certainly did!! Thanks for coming by Sues!

      Reply
  2. William McLeod says

    December 5, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    Belated HB; cookin’ good!!

    Reply
  3. Jen P says

    December 5, 2014 at 10:37 AM

    Sounds like your birthday was as special as you are!!!! The boys are following in their mother’s footsteps. How wonderful to have so many good chefs in the house. And yes – you are the F*&%$#G Queen of Everything!!!!

    Love,

    Your St. Louis Family

    Reply
  4. Jovina Coughlin says

    December 5, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    That is hysterical. Where in the world did she find such a great card? That is quite a meal but that bread is to die for.

    Reply
  5. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    December 5, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    That’s a fun birthday card!
    Happy happy Birthday, Mary!!!
    Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Chocolate Christmas TreesMy Profile

    Reply
  6. cheri says

    December 5, 2014 at 3:14 PM

    Happy Birthday Mary Frances, so nice to be spoiled!
    cheri recently posted…Roasted Beets with Sesame and OreganoMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    December 7, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    I love that birthday card. You ARE queen of fucking everything. 🙂

    That dinner was outstanding. You certainly raised those kids to be good cooks. Happy belated birthday.
    Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Gingerbread MenMy Profile

    Reply
  8. The Squishy Monster says

    December 7, 2014 at 8:10 AM

    What an amazing birthday with some amazing food!!!
    The Squishy Monster recently posted…Paris & Rome + Announcement!My Profile

    Reply
  9. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    December 8, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    I think the card is great! Happy birthday – it looks like you had a lovely time and a great meal!
    Amy (Savory Moments) recently posted…Chocolate chip butternut squash oatmeal cookiesMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Chris says

    December 8, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Both of these meals sound so wonderful! Lucky you! We should all be so lucky to have such delicious meals on our special day! Happy Birthday!
    Chris recently posted…Tis the Season for Light Eating: Chicken and Rice Soup with Lemon and GingerMy Profile

    Reply
  11. mimi says

    December 8, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    First of all, Happy Birthday! And that is one great card. So glad you have such a great, old friend.
    mimi recently posted…Bread for CheeseMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Raymund says

    December 8, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    Belated Happy Birthday!
    That card is awesome!
    Raymund recently posted…Meatball SubMy Profile

    Reply

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