Thursday, February 12, 2009

83 Years Young......

(If my Nana knew I was writing this post and sharing these pictures I would be flogged big time. I would be scolded in Portuguese and threatened to never receive chocolate again. Keep it a secret for me okay so I don't fall off my wobbly pedestal.)

Recently we celebrated my Nana's 83rd birthday. (Thank you Mom for sending over the pictures.)
She can sometimes grumble about her age and think her pictures are scary. I guess we are all guilty of doing that at one time or another.

I think being 83 is a wonderful celebration and she looks amazing.


It was a fun day. Every couple of weeks I take her out shopping wherever she wants to go. That day she chose to conquer her list of needs and wants at Costco. With it's warehouse format of shopping in bulk, there is much to look at. I have to laugh that we actually spent three hours there, but at least it gave my mom time to cook much of the birthday dinner without Nana being the wiser.


Here is a sampling of my current favorite yummy.
Can you taste it?


For years we have made a dish called wonton for buffet family events. It has always been oh so good. But being traditionally a fried food, it gets soggy and blah after setting out for a bit. This past year my mom had the great idea of taking the wonton wrappers and baking them in muffin pans to achieve the crisp and then put the filling in to make it out of this world. Doing it this way keeps them fresh for a long time and makes it easy to store left overs without it sticking together. Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes and it is like they are steamy and new all over again.

It was so great to celebrate with the family. The evening was covered with all of us telling stories and filling our bellies with delicious food and laughter.
Nana loves everything concerning angels and we have all helped her to develop quite a collection.

Here are my girls with their Great-Nana after giving her an addition to her collection. Rosie is on the left and Pippin is on the right.


In other news: thank you for your prayers and encouragement with Pippin. She is home again today but doing much better. She can now walk a straight line without my help and even set down with steady hands to do some bracelet beading.

Blessings to you and I hope to be able to visit everyone soon.

18 comments:

  1. Oh yes Jules, it a wonderful blessing to be 83. And being able to enjoy such a wonderful celebration. May God bless and keep you and your family safe.

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  2. My lips are sealed. i don't want to jeopardize your chocolate supply.

    An Arkies Musings

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  3. Ah, how lovely...a birthday party!

    Hope Pippin continues to improve ..bad luck for her!

    Thanks for visiting Jules...good to hear from you!

    Annie

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  4. Nanas are angels in their own right...what a blessing to still have yours around. That dish looks scrumptious...I always find it amazing what you can do with those little wrappers, they are very versatile.

    Happy 83rd Birthday Nana! Shhhh...I'll keep it to a whisper...

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  5. Hi, Just caught up with your posts. My heart aches for M and his brother! I'll be praying for him!

    Now, I've had malaria and yes, it's nasty. The symptoms sound different from what I'm used to seeing in malaria. Did the drs check for dengue fever? (Make sure the drs know to give Pippin an eradication drug to kill the encysted lavae if it is malaria.)

    Happy Birthday to your nana!

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  6. Wow, your Nana is so beautiful, and doesn't look anywhere near being 83. So enjoyed the food shots, and the final, gorgeous pic of Nana with her Great Granddaughters. Good looking women run in your family!

    Care and huggles, Michelle and Zebbycat

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  7. Your Nana certainly doesn't look 83 years old! Happy Birthday to a beautiful lady!

    I am glad Pippin is doing better. I have had vertigo and it is horrible!

    The food looks good! I do wish were a less virtual medium that hard a bit more "real" in the reality part .... yum.

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  8. Now that was a lovely story, Nana looks a very young 83. So happy that Pippin was home to share it with you all.

    That food looks so yummy, can I have a doggy bag? Ten minutes in a hot oven eh?

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  9. Jules just think Hubby will be doing this sometime......God Will Provide


    A young woman brings home her fiance to meet her parents.
    After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out about the
    young man. The father invites the fiancee to his study for a
    drink.

    "So what are your plans?" the father asks the young man.

    "I am a Torah scholar," he replies.

    "A Torah scholar. Hmmm," the father says. "Admirable, but
    what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live
    in, as she's accustomed to?"

    "I will study," the young man replies, "and God will provide for
    us."

    "And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as
    she deserves?" asks the father.

    "I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replies, "God
    will provide for us."

    "And children?" asks the father. "How will you support
    children?"

    "Don't worry, sir, God will provide," replies the fiance.

    The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father
    questions, the young idealist insists that God will provide.
    Later, the mother asks, "How did it go, Honey?"

    The father answers, "He has no job and no plans, but the
    good news is he thinks I'm God."

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  10. I think your Nana looks amazing. I certainly wouldn't guess her at 83.

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  11. Sorry it took so long to comment:

    "Happy birthday, Nana!"


    Okay. Thanks.

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  12. What a wonderful post! And tell that Grandmother of yours that apparently 83 us the new 60! She looks lovely and I'd never have guessed 83...and can you share that wonton stuffing recipe?
    hugs
    Sandi

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  13. Happy birthday Nana you look wonderfully young and healthy, you have a great family, all the best for many many more years to come.
    I dear hope Pippin is getting better, my heart is with you.
    Bisous.

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  14. What a beautiful 'soul' she is. You are very blessed to have her....and vice-versa, too!!

    My prayers for Pipin.

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  15. Firsly, glad that Pippin is getting better. The birthday girl looks way too young for her age..and what yummy food, happy weekend Jules :D

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  16. where are you????????????????

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  17. Very, very nice portagee in da Ohana! Maybe likee mochi too? Nananananana!

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  18. Actually, Jules, I remember stories you told of your Nana way back when (1992) - they all made me homesick. Glad she is well and that you are too. She looks great (and so do all the local-kine grinds!) Check out my blog when you get a chance. (through philippian jailer) It's not much yet but will be, Lord willing.

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