Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Birthday Celebrations

Me By The Tree

Amidst the Christmas season rush, Terry and I took the time to celebrate my birthday, which was on December 21st.

The Sunday before, we went to north Michigan Avenue in Chicago for 5:30 tea at the Peninsula Hotel, our favorite posh place to celebrate! It was a very cold day as we walked the 2 miles from the train station to the hotel.

The Peninsula Lion

Tea is held in the Lobby, which was all decked out in its Christmas finery.

Peninsula Lobby at Christmas

The decor is very grand and the atmosphere is formal, but welcoming.

Me on Peninsula Stairway

Chamber musicians played softly in the balcony while we sipped our organic Earl Grey.

Earl Grey

A 3-tiered serving stand held wonderful gourmet sweets and savories. It's always a surprise to see what the chefs will make for us!

Tiers of Treats

The finger sandwiches were the traditional cucumber and cream cheese, a marinated portobello sandwich, and a marbled rye wrapped around tomato and fresh basil.

Finger Sandwiches

Next were ramekins of gourmet pot pies topped with puff pastry.

Puff Pastry Pie

A basket held both berry and maple scones, served with jam, clotted cream and lemon curd. Finally, a plate full of cookies, cakes, sweet breads, brownie-like cups of chocolate and meringues! And a macaroon, fresh from the oven, was an added bonus!

Dessert!

Everything was scrumptious!

Tea!

What an elegant and memorable birthday present from my dear husband, Terry!

Terry

Orchid & Candle

Tea in the Peninsula Lobby

Peninsula Stairway

After tea, we took a brief walk up Michigan Avenue to take in the sights and sounds of the season.

Chicago's Water Tower

I always say hello to the carriage horses!

My Friends, the Carriage Horses

___________________________________________

On Tuesday, my actual birthday, Terry took me out for dinner at my favorite nearby restaurant, Olive Garden!

My Birthday at Olive Garden

My parents joined us there. It was so nice celebrating with everyone.

The Folks at Olive Garden

Thank you, Terry, for always making my birthday very special.
And thank you, Ma & Pa, for giving me a birthday
and helping us celebrate!

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8 Comments:

Blogger Miss Sandra said...

Dear Pam,

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you!
What an absolutely fabulous place to have tea..and what a lovely tea it was! I wish you all the best for the new year!

Hugs,
Sandra

December 29, 2010 at 10:37 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Miss Sandra-

Thank you! I hope your Chrstmas was merry. Have a great New Year!

-Pam

December 30, 2010 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger La Petite Gallery said...

You look fabulous and what a wonderful Birthday, your parents are sweet and that Hubby is a keeper. I always felt bad that my friends birthday was so close to Xmas thought they got beat out
of birthday presents,, You did OK Dearie., Happy Birthday and may you have a blessed year ahead.
yvonne

December 30, 2010 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Yvonne-

Thank you for such sweet comments! I never got cheated out of presents, because my parents and now my husband always make sure my birthday is celebrated to the fullest. I am very lucky. I'll let my husband know you think he is a keeper... he'll like that! :-)

Have a wonderful New Year, Yvonne!

-Pam

December 30, 2010 at 3:28 PM  
Blogger Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

Happy Belated Birthday Pam!
I love high tea and this is one thing I miss a lot from moving to a small town. We have a little place in town called The Tea Room, but when I asked if they served high tea, I had the "are you an alien?" look. Anyway, Gerry came through, lucky girl. Nice seeing your parents -priceless.
Anyès
XX

January 1, 2011 at 8:57 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Anyès-

I really do live in a great place, far enough away from the big city to have that small town feel, yet close enough to work in and enjoy what Chicago has to offer. We love going for high tea, but because it is rather expensive, we save it for special occasions!

Happy New Year!

-Pam

January 1, 2011 at 11:40 AM  
Blogger The Rustic Victorian said...

Happy Belated Birthday Pam.
What a wonderful Birthday celebration. Just classy, and yummie! Your photos are exceptional.

Marcie

January 24, 2011 at 8:29 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Marcie,

Thank you! It was a lot of fun. My husband and I always try to celebrate our birthdays doing things we love, and I sure love eating out! :-)

-Pam

January 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM  

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