Bleeding Espresso

17 October 2008

on getting another year older

Tomorrow will mark my 32nd birthday.

If you would’ve told me at, say, age 24, that I’d still be excited for birthdays at number 32, I’d probably have thought you were crazy.

But here we are, and I am!

As a very wise man (who is celebrating birthday number 80-something on Sunday) told me:

Never count your years;
count your blessings.

Indeed. And it’s hard not to be excited when you have so many blessings.

Thank you all for being a part of my life, tanti auguri to Frank,
and buon weekend a tutti!

———-

Reminders:

Today is the last day to enter to win a free, signed copy of Justin Catanoso’s My Cousin the Saint: A Search for Faith, Family, and Miracles. Details here. Hurry!
Check out Cherrye’s La Buona Cucina Americana recipe at My Bella Vita: Texas-style chicken and rice.
World Food Day was yesterday, and Bellini Vallini at More Than Burnt Toast (with the help of Ivy at Kopiaste) has compiled an amazing collection of dishes from around the world.
Judith of Think on it! is hosting Presto Pasta Night. Lots of great pasta plates to try out!

2009 End of Year Meme

68 beans of wisdom »

68 beans of wisdom to “on getting another year older”

anne on 17 Oct 2008 at 7:35 am #

Happy Birthday, hope you have a super day

A very wise man indeed….I count my blessings most days…
I hope he has a wonderful birthday as well.

anne’s last blog post..Pont-l’Évêque

Thanks for all the birthday wishes Anne
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 17 Oct 2008 at 8:30 am #

sorry if this posts twice. something funky was going when I hit submit.

Allora, buon compleanno!!

He is a very wise man.

Have a great birthday weekend.

Sorry for the funky-ness; only came through once! Thanks for the birthday wishes; hope you have a great weekend as well
amanda@A Tuscan View... on 17 Oct 2008 at 8:41 am #

Happy Birthday bella.

Hope you have a great weekend. Make sure you have lots of cake!

amanda@A Tuscan View…’s last blog post..Wine heaven

I haven’t had real, fabulous homemade cake in far too long. I plan to indulge, indeed Thanks for the wishes!
Scintilla on 17 Oct 2008 at 8:42 am #

It’s true that if we count our blessings, it will more than treble our years. Makes me feel better!

Have a great birthday and many more to come!

Scintilla’s last blog post..The Gardener

Thank you, and yes, let’s keep counting!
Kim H on 17 Oct 2008 at 9:03 am #

In honour of your birthday I’ve decided to begin my Italian lessons!!

Haha! Well– just kidding, but yes I am learning Italian!

And yes I do wish you the most marvelous day!

HappyHappy Birthday!

Kim H’s last blog post..The Wedding Costume

Awesome! In bocca al lupo! And thank you
awedree on 17 Oct 2008 at 9:15 am #

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Have a wonderful weekend (well-deserved!!) Thanks for bringing your loveliness into our lives

Aw, thank you cara
Judith in Umbria on 17 Oct 2008 at 9:54 am #

32 spanks seem like quite a lot, but since you are happy for it, so am I.

Happy Birthday, Tanti Auguri!

Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Made in America: Texas style chicken n’ rice (pollo con riso)

I’ll leave the spanking alone and simply thank you for the good wishes
Beatriz on 17 Oct 2008 at 10:58 am #

Auguri Michelle! Have a great weekend celebration!

Beatriz’s last blog post..Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Thanks Beatriz!
Cherrye at My Bella Vita on 17 Oct 2008 at 11:16 am #

Auguri …

Cherrye at My Bella Vita’s last blog post..La Buona Cucina Americana: Texas-Style Chicken and Rice

Grazie
Milanese Masala on 17 Oct 2008 at 11:23 am #

Auguroni Michelle!! I’ve been enjoying my 30s (even more than my 20s) and I still love celebrating my birthday. Besides, 30 is the new 40! Have a great day!!!

Milanese Masala’s last blog post..What’s going on?

Woohoo! Thanks
anno on 17 Oct 2008 at 11:36 am #

Wishing you a wonderful birthday weekend — many blessings!

anno’s last blog post..Autumn Day, 5:30 a.m.

Much appreciated
casalba on 17 Oct 2008 at 12:23 pm #

Hippy, Hoppy, Happy Birthday.

casalba’s last blog post..Woodland Treasures

Hee hee, thanks!
Happy Cook on 17 Oct 2008 at 1:13 pm #

Happy birthday and have a wonderful day tomorrow

Happy Cook’s last blog post..Celebration Bread

Thank you! I shall do my best
Diane Mandy on 17 Oct 2008 at 1:19 pm #

Happy birthday!

Diane Mandy’s last blog post..What I didn’t blog about this week

Thanks Diane!
Carla on 17 Oct 2008 at 1:23 pm #

Tanti Auguri!

Grazie
My Mélange on 17 Oct 2008 at 1:30 pm #

Buon Compleanno mia amica

Have a great one

My Mélange’s last blog post..Brunello di Montalcino

Thanks Robin!
Justin on 17 Oct 2008 at 1:58 pm #

What a great time to be 32. And what a great place to be it. Buon compleanno!

Justin’s last blog post..A review: The Independent, Raleigh, NC

Thanks Justin
Frank on 17 Oct 2008 at 2:44 pm #

May You enjoy your life to the vey best and a big toast to your happiness!To me,you are very precious indeed and I shall never forget you.
Buon Compleanno B&B and many,many,many more to follow
Live it up, Beautiful!!!!!!!Frank:)))

Un bacione Franco
Rosa on 17 Oct 2008 at 2:45 pm #

Tanti auguri per il tuo compleanno!

The wise man is right – count your blessings because it only gets better from here!

Rosa

Rosa’s last blog post..Maple Butter Tarts (with homemade Flaky Butter Crust)

Grazie mille Rosa! So happy we’ve found each other
Carole in KC on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:02 pm #

Buon Compleanno Michelle and many more. Doesn’t time fly? I remember your last birthday as if it was yesterday. It really gets better, so keep on counting your blessings.

Buon weekend

Time *does* fly! Thanks for the good wishes Carole
Tina on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:14 pm #

Happy Birthday!

Tina’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday – Pappa al Pomodoro

Thanks Tina!
Erika of SWEET PEA Blog on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:14 pm #

Hi lovley,
wishing you a very happy birthday. Have a wonderful weekend

xxx
Erika

Erika of SWEET PEA Blog’s last blog post..HOMEMADE WHOLEWHEAT BREAD

Grazie bella
Kristin on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:19 pm #

Oh my goodness, you’re a baby! Only 32 … the best is yet to come. You have a wonderful life, a sweet and loving partner, and a bloosoming career. Any 41 year old would be jealous (and I am). Lots of love from your home state!!!

Aw now, your life is pretty enviable…look at those babies who are *so* not babies! Thanks for the wishes
Kacey on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:30 pm #

Have a wonderful birthday! Counting your blessings is a great way to count the years! Hope you have a great weekend.

Kacey’s last blog post..The Love Nest

Thanks Kacey!
janie on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:42 pm #

Have a wonderful birthday! It really doesn’t matter what age you are, but how you live your life and you seem to be doing a great job!

Thank you, Janie; that is very kind of you
Stefanie on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:45 pm #

Happy birthday! You’re still younger than I am, anyway.

Stefanie’s last blog post..If I could just get a paid endorsement from NBC for this post, maybe I could afford even MORE shoes!

Thank you! And it’s funny how those age differences keep staying the same
running42k on 17 Oct 2008 at 3:54 pm #

Happy birthday.

running42k’s last blog post..Vacation day 2

Thank you
softdrink on 17 Oct 2008 at 4:05 pm #

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

softdrink’s last blog post..Today’s assignment

Thanks bella!
Megan on 17 Oct 2008 at 4:09 pm #

AUGURI!!! Have a wonderful day. XX

Thanks Megan!
bella on 17 Oct 2008 at 4:53 pm #

Have a wonderful birthday, sweetheart!! xo

bella’s last blog post..self portrait ~ mirrors

Thanks Bella
Christina Arbini on 17 Oct 2008 at 4:55 pm #

Happy birthday, Michelle! Wishing you a fabulously decadent day filled with little (and big) splurges here and there. I hope this year brings even more wonderful memories and all of your heart’s desires.

Saluté!

Christina Arbini’s last blog post..Um, Excuse Me…Your Roots Are Showing

Thanks so much Christina! I’ve already splurged on a big ole piece of cake…what’s next? Hmm….
flurrious on 17 Oct 2008 at 5:04 pm #

32 is the new 31, you know.

Happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful year!

flurrious’s last blog post..Who Wants Some of this Pizza That I Found on the Bus?

Woohoo! I’m ready for 31 2.0 then (I do have some experience with it)
jmisgro on 17 Oct 2008 at 5:40 pm #

The Thirtys are tremendously terrific!
Happy Birthday!

jmisgro’s last blog post..Friday Fun For Kids

Thanks Litlequeen
saretta on 17 Oct 2008 at 5:45 pm #

Happy Birthday Michelle,

hope you have a great day tomorrow and a wonderful year! I agree, the 30’s are a good age! That is…if I remember correctly…

saretta’s last blog post..Behind Doors of Other Colors

Hah, well I’m certainly enjoying them so far, Saretta…thanks
Harley on 17 Oct 2008 at 7:36 pm #

Happy B-day tomorrow – which is also my B-day. I wish you many, many more.

I love reading your blog everyday – I count it as one of my many blessings. We Libras must stick together!

Thanks for all your wonderful posts.

Happy birthday to you as well Harley, and thanks so much for reading
Maria on 17 Oct 2008 at 8:07 pm #

Happy birthday and many, many more. Have a great birthday weekend.

Maria’s last blog post..Kounoupidokeftedes (Cauliflower Fritters) with a Caper Cream Sauce

Thanks so much Maria
paul of the clue-by-four on 17 Oct 2008 at 8:59 pm #

augurissimi seventy-sixer!

paul of the clue-by-four’s last blog post..Cluesday communiqué: the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and voter fraud

I’m just *so* PA, aren’t I? Grazie
Delina on 17 Oct 2008 at 9:37 pm #

Have a great day!!!!! Happy birthday!!!!

Delina’s last blog post..It’s a miracle again!

Thanks Delina!
shiborigirl on 17 Oct 2008 at 10:58 pm #

Haha! If you told me when I was 32 that I’d be excited about my 50th coming (next year) I’d have gone into shock, but here we are.

Many happy birthday wishes coming your way. Have a great weekend,

Kate

shiborigirl’s last blog post..Back To The Drawing Board

Hee hee…all birthdays are wonderful in my book! Thanks for the good wishes Kate
Gil on 17 Oct 2008 at 11:16 pm #

Hope that you have a very Happy Birthday! If I were my 32nd my own little girl would still be in Mommy’s Tummy.

Thanks Gil…is this another baby hint?
Susan on 18 Oct 2008 at 2:59 am #

Tanti Auguri Michelle!
Have a terrific weekend…

My thirties were terrific- enjoy yours-
they go by far too quickly!
You are one terrific lady and I’m so happy to be able to call you my friend!
Abbracci…

Susan’s last blog post..Cheesecake Brownies

Aw thank you Susan; you’re pretty great yourself
Dee on 18 Oct 2008 at 3:19 am #

Just stopped by to tell you how much I loved the idea of your baked pasta with eggplants. Happy birthday! 32 is great, 33 better, and it just improves from there

Dee’s last blog post..Guilt – 1, Greed – 1

Glad you like it Dee! And thanks for the birthday wishes
bonggamom on 18 Oct 2008 at 7:00 am #

I love that quote! Happy Birthday and may you have many more blessings!

bonggamom’s last blog post..Family

Thanks Bonggamom, and may you have plenty more blessings as well
Mary on 18 Oct 2008 at 9:12 am #

Happy Birthday! I still look forward to my birthday and I’ll be 43 this year. Yikes!!

Mary’s last blog post..Made in America – Texas style Chicken and Rice

Woohoo! Here’s to celebrating each and every birthday!
Tarie on 18 Oct 2008 at 9:59 am #

Michelle, you look like you are only in your 20’s! Seriously!

I wish you good food, good music, good books, good movies, good company, and lots and lots of luuurve for the new year in your life. Happy birthday! I’m glad I discovered your blog. )

And whoa, the other day was World Food Day? How did I miss that?! Ah yes, I was cramming a paper for grad school. Tsk….

Tarie’s last blog post..Finalists for the 2008 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

Aw thanks Tarie; I’m so happy to have “met” you as well
Grace @ Sandier Pastures on 18 Oct 2008 at 11:03 am #

Happy Birthday!

I’ll be turning 32 in a month too, Michelle and I always think that age is just a number.

Grace @ Sandier Pastures’s last blog post..Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt – Family

Agreed Grace! Thanks
Deeba on 18 Oct 2008 at 2:42 pm #

Sorry I’m late…hope your day was WONDERFUL in every way. You are still YOUNG lady…of course you need to be excited. Have a fantastic year ahead; wish you loads of hapiness always…

Deeba’s last blog post..A CRUST OF BREAD & A CORNER TO BLOG IN…LIFE IS!

You’re not late Deeba! I still have a good nine hours left of my bday Thanks for the wonderful wishes!
girasoli on 18 Oct 2008 at 4:59 pm #

Happy Happy!!
Happy Birthday!!
I hope you had a fabulous day!
Wishing you a wonderful year of being 32!!

Thank you, thank you!
AmiExpat on 18 Oct 2008 at 7:47 pm #

Happy Birthday!!! 32 is a good year!

AmiExpat’s last blog post..Noodle courts?

Thanks Christina!
London Southern Belle on 18 Oct 2008 at 10:11 pm #

I hope you have a splendid birthday! My 30th is in January and I never thought I would be excited about it, but I am

have a glass of bubble and cake for us all
amanda xx

Woohoo for birthdays! Believe me, I’ve definitely had enough cake for everyone…and I’m not finished yet
Dory on 18 Oct 2008 at 11:12 pm #

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Michelle,
Happy Birthday to YOU!

Dory’s last blog post..Hey…. you wanna join me?

Thanks Dory!
Gil on 19 Oct 2008 at 7:53 am #

No baby hint. But, now I’m wondering! My birthday is in February and our daughter will be 32 in April. Was thinking about how I was supposed to fix her doorbell while I was typing the other night. I did fix it Saturday afternoon.

Just teasing You’re such a good doorbell-fixing daddy
odessa on 19 Oct 2008 at 8:51 pm #

happy, happy birthday michelle!

haven’t been commenting lately, but just want you to know that your blog is one of my daily reads and i’m genuinely happy that you are happy and you’re able to share your happiness with us. thanks and many, many more birthdays to come!

Thanks so much Odessa; I’m trying to keep up with all the blogs I read too, and sometimes that means fewer comments for everyone. It’s always nice to see you here and at your place
Anali on 19 Oct 2008 at 9:26 pm #

Belated Happy Birthday Michelle! I hope it was a good one! ; )

Anali’s last blog post..Possible Blog Interruption

Thanks Anali!
chesca (exskindiver) on 20 Oct 2008 at 12:45 am #

hello michelle!!
(aka sognatrice)
i had forgotten that you were from Calabria–remember i told you my sister in law was born there?
(when i first met you through Seamus, that is)

belated happy birthday to you.

chesca (exskindiver)’s last blog post..How owning a dog helps fight the blues

Hey there! Yes I remember, and I’m so happy we “met” via Seamus
LJ on 20 Oct 2008 at 2:37 am #

Happy early birthday! Keep the great posts coming. They always make my stomach grumble (well, the ones with the fab food photography, that is). May the year ahead bring great things to you.

Thanks LJ!
qualcosa di bello on 20 Oct 2008 at 2:43 am #

buon compleanno, bella!!!!!!

qualcosa di bello’s last blog post..Bee~ing there!

Grazie mille
thotlady on 20 Oct 2008 at 3:15 am #

Have a good one! I would kill to be 32 again. :0)

thotlady’s last blog post..I know it’s early, but I couldn’t resist!

Thanks! I’m sure you’re 32 or thereabouts inside
KC on 20 Oct 2008 at 9:44 am #

Happy Birthday! Tanti auguri! A few days late, but that’s what you get for having a birthday on a weekend.

I loved being 32- it was one of my best years so far! I wish the same for you!

KC’s last blog post..Persimmon Cake

Thanks KC! Now excuse me, I see a persimmon cake I’m going to have to check out….
nonizamboni on 20 Oct 2008 at 2:17 pm #

Happy birthday, fellow Libra, a little late! Hope it was wonderful.

nonizamboni’s last blog post..‘it turns with the sun’**

Thanks! Libras rock
jen of a2eatwrite on 20 Oct 2008 at 3:59 pm #

I hope it was as beautiful a b’day as you are.

jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..A Great Reminder

Aw thanks Jen
Butterfly Mama on 20 Oct 2008 at 11:45 pm #

Happy, Happy Birthday!!! (Now belated – but well wishes for a wonderful year full of blessings!!!)

Hugs,
Heidi

Butterfly Mama’s last blog post..Embrace

Thanks Heidi Very much appreciated!
online secured loans on 21 Oct 2008 at 12:32 pm #

Happy Birthday… little late but just came back online

online secured loans’s last blog post..Find the best Online Secured Loans

Why thank you!
Wanderlust Scarlett on 22 Oct 2008 at 12:13 am #

Hope that you had a wonderful birthday!!! SO sorry I wasn’t here for it, but I wish you much happiness and many wonderful memories to come in this new year of yours!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Much love to you sweet friend, (dolce amica?)

XOXOXO

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..Fall Fashion In Santa Fe

Thanks for the wishes! Hope you had a lovely weekend as well
Jeanne on 22 Oct 2008 at 3:10 am #

Hi there! I love your blog and have been admiring your photographs. Belated Happy Birthday wishes!!

Jeanne’s last blog post..Bird Dog Pups

Thanks Jeanne
Nate on 23 Oct 2008 at 8:44 pm #

Happy belated birthday! Sage advice.

Thanks Nate, and agreed
NewWrldYankee on 25 Oct 2008 at 7:30 pm #

Are you kidding?!! I am going to get excited about birthdays until I croak. And why shouldn’t you get just excited now. Happy belated bday, chica! Hope it was completely kickass as you deserve. Boldog szulinapot!

NewWrldYankee’s last blog post..How to Not Lose Money in Getting the Local Currency

Thanks…I think
Bleeding Espresso » what’s cooking wednesday: grilled tuna on 29 Oct 2008 at 6:53 am #

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