tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post3714608201193224904..comments2023-12-23T20:39:16.612+01:00Comments on A Femme d'Un Certain Age: Joyeux Anniversaire vs. Happy BirthdayTish Jetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-78586052859162669432014-03-28T18:04:46.922+01:002014-03-28T18:04:46.922+01:00Tish I am so excited to hear you are working on an...Tish I am so excited to hear you are working on another book, Bravo!!<br /><br />I admit I like my own birthdays to be low keyed, others though can celebrate to the nth!<br /><br />xoxo<br />Karena<br />Artist William GlackensKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-68945829964994151102014-03-27T19:42:08.207+01:002014-03-27T19:42:08.207+01:00Tish, congrats on your new book proposal. Whatever...Tish, congrats on your new book proposal. Whatever the book is, I'll be getting it as soon as it comes out.Lara Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14142706918555514684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-17709746415706723112014-03-27T15:50:39.606+01:002014-03-27T15:50:39.606+01:00Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is so strange,...Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is so strange, writing a book. You think it's a good idea, but then you're not sure anyone else will agree with you. You assume your family and close friends will be enthusiastic -- no matter what they really think because they care about you. But when you write and tell me that you enjoyed Forever Chic it means the world to me. You cannot imagine.<br /><br />Merci mille fois. Tish Jetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-81277335311926384222014-03-27T02:00:36.601+01:002014-03-27T02:00:36.601+01:00Another book? Fabulous!! Can't wait. LOVE For...Another book? Fabulous!! Can't wait. LOVE Forever Chic....Patricia, MinneapolisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-24785318085505311582014-03-25T01:21:14.780+01:002014-03-25T01:21:14.780+01:00Love Forever Chic! Adore small intimate birthdays....Love Forever Chic! Adore small intimate birthdays. Will be interested in my daughter's first birthday for her new baby boy. What will it be like?Sandy Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-8259377184914827482014-03-24T04:27:44.573+01:002014-03-24T04:27:44.573+01:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06317083739284666858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-69964742865009569332014-03-22T21:58:38.920+01:002014-03-22T21:58:38.920+01:00The family being together on birthdays and Christm...The family being together on birthdays and Christmas is the only and best present we share with each other. Gifts were cut out of our family tradition long ago. However, children who are under 18 exchange one gift with each other at Christmas time with a price limit of under $50. <br /><br />After ordering Forever Chic from the USA son 25 February, it finally arrive 2 days ago and I couldn't stop reading it. Absolutely fabulous - love your writing style. It's a MUST HAVE in every woman's home (unless one is French). Warm regards<br /> Elizabeth at Eiffel Tellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11054977148823539576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-65081920710864359512014-03-22T13:35:53.833+01:002014-03-22T13:35:53.833+01:00Growing up, my birthdays were always low-key. It ...Growing up, my birthdays were always low-key. It involved dinner at home, homemade cake and my grandparents. Only twice did I have a party that I could invite some friends to, one a sleep over. Even those were very low key by today's standards. Probably why I still prefer not much fuss. <br /><br /> I raised my son the same way and he prefers a quiet birthday as well. His father, on the other hand (my ex) thinks his own birthdays should be a national holiday.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10807637131530462959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-52139545116286125172014-03-20T16:52:52.602+01:002014-03-20T16:52:52.602+01:00I totally agree with the birthday thing. After hav...I totally agree with the birthday thing. After having to deal with awkward invitations throughout my 3 daughters growing up years now my youngest (25) is faced with invitations from these same over-indulged "children" who plan their own birthday parties at expensive city restaurants and expect the "guests" to foot the bill. I think she learned her lesson when she attended an event that ended up costing her over $200. And this was for brunch!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-82530373835324379782014-03-20T16:49:52.541+01:002014-03-20T16:49:52.541+01:00It's so nice to be back with you again. I love...It's so nice to be back with you again. I love your information on "tines" -- getting caught in lace cuffs(!) -- who would have thought?<br /><br />How funny that forks were once considered bourgeois. Love it!Tish Jetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-21985088464413672392014-03-20T01:10:29.922+01:002014-03-20T01:10:29.922+01:00The tines-up-tines-down question sent me off into ...The tines-up-tines-down question sent me off into the depths of the web, where a number of comments/answers cited your idea that setting tines down allows display of any hallmarks. <br /><br />Also, this intriguing little sociological explanation of tableware: <br />"In the US, forks were not commonly used until well after the revolutionary war. They were a considered a British upper-class invention and shunned by Continental Americans because it was TOO bourgeois! People ate with just a knife and spoon, and when you went to dinner at a "common person's" home, you brought your own silverware and sometimes even your own plate."<br /><br />Thank goodness we don't have to bring our own plates anymore -- although maybe that's where potluck suppers originated.Emmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-15803416104756553812014-03-19T20:53:00.001+01:002014-03-19T20:53:00.001+01:00As a single mother with a very "skinny" ...As a single mother with a very "skinny" budget for many years, it was always challenging to deal with birthdays for my boys. We never came close to the sorts of affairs that many of their friends had - and I never wanted to. So when they were younger, there were more scaled down (but still festive) celebrations to the extent that I was able, and a very personal tradition for my boys (and my boys for me) that cost nothing and always gave me great joy - a matter of balloons, and now a source of infinite teasing.<br /><br />I am very much in favor of the more intimate (and less competitive) gathering - for children or adults.<br /><br />It's about essentials. D. A. Wolfhttp://dailyplateofcrazy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-70987049281312628432014-03-19T20:45:51.336+01:002014-03-19T20:45:51.336+01:00How about bridal showers? engagement parties? baby...How about bridal showers? engagement parties? baby showers? Curious if those are occasions in France/Paris as well.Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17459890769866016771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-1606329864926086442014-03-19T20:36:50.318+01:002014-03-19T20:36:50.318+01:00It's very similar here in Spain. Our best Span...It's very similar here in Spain. Our best Spanish friend usually celebrates her actual birthday just with her family. However she and her husband invite the two of us, plus her sister-in-law and husband, for an evening out the following Friday, which they pay for. Spanish people don't give birthday cards if they see people on their birthdays, however they do give small presents.Suehttp://over60andoverhere.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-24889863298290174002014-03-19T15:49:21.687+01:002014-03-19T15:49:21.687+01:00Enjoy your special day!!!Enjoy your special day!!!therelishedroosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13968818627323512213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-26465700790556741552014-03-19T15:23:16.864+01:002014-03-19T15:23:16.864+01:00It is the same in Germany, where the 'round...It is the same in Germany, where the 'round' birthdays are marked, while anything in between is a low key affair. Imagine my surprise when I thought I could get away with a simple affair celebrating my eldest child's first birthday. My good friend at the time invited a clown for her daughter's first birthday a week earlier. :)) Stuck to my guns though.Corneliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02674961462823358063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-69436630581925830302014-03-19T13:54:41.916+01:002014-03-19T13:54:41.916+01:00Your post described how we celebrate our birthdays...Your post described how we celebrate our birthdays. My sons' birthdays are in late August and late October. For the summer birthday, we are usually at the beach, followed by a cake. The October boy gets to invite two best friends to a local Halloween event. While my boys have always enjoyed their family/close friends only parties, I've always felt a little guilty, especially when attending one of the birthday-extravaganzas. Thank you for helping me realize that we have NOT been depriving our boys, but teaching them that special days can be celebrated simply, yet joyfully. Virginianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-45108305640476827462014-03-19T12:54:29.794+01:002014-03-19T12:54:29.794+01:00Welcome back! I have missed your posts but glad y...Welcome back! I have missed your posts but glad you took a small break to enjoy and refresh, even though you were working. Looking forward to more insights and tricks of French women. I have tried many and some are now part of my regimen. Safe journey! xx-hb hollybhollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11088437139179820478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-56996771856945704332014-03-19T12:40:25.771+01:002014-03-19T12:40:25.771+01:00I will admit, with a touch of embarrassment that w...I will admit, with a touch of embarrassment that when I first moved to France, I was shocked that my Honey didn't have the similar "enthusiasm" for celebrating birthdays. Mine, especially! ;) Now, things have changed entirely and all I want is a nice day together with a home-cooked meal and maybe a bit of champers at the end of it...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-55360992471902194172014-03-19T11:46:26.718+01:002014-03-19T11:46:26.718+01:00I am just cock-a-hoop that someone is still using ...I am just cock-a-hoop that someone is still using the word 'tines.'<br /><br />Birthdays should be about cake. Home-made and lights out for the glowing candles which knock decades off.<br /><br /><br />Safe trip home ELShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10736614879046626605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-69410155664650923362014-03-19T11:41:08.834+01:002014-03-19T11:41:08.834+01:00Birthdays in the U.S. are both over the top and in...Birthdays in the U.S. are both over the top and inappropriate - age-wise of all things. My friends struggle with what to do as their 6-year olds are going to bowling parties or 10-year olds to spa days for other children. It's one more way to show off how much money we have (or would like to have) and to push our children to grow up too fast.<br /><br />I love the French way. Hubby and I have done that for year ... but didn't know it!webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168174623602308906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-80800189372349424152014-03-19T10:00:42.392+01:002014-03-19T10:00:42.392+01:00I knew there were reasons I loved France...here...I knew there were reasons I loved France...here's another one!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-31327070646280850642014-03-19T09:09:10.130+01:002014-03-19T09:09:10.130+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08181307209370955942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-45777592264522091372014-03-19T09:09:07.883+01:002014-03-19T09:09:07.883+01:00I've also heard that tines are down so lace cu...I've also heard that tines are down so lace cuffs don't get caught in them.Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08181307209370955942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-25344987048683387512014-03-19T08:36:53.323+01:002014-03-19T08:36:53.323+01:00I so agree with this. My daughter is finding it ve...I so agree with this. My daughter is finding it very challenging and expensive with 2 small boys and all these elaborate and expensive parties. <br />I offered to organise a party for my husbands 60th recently but we decided to have a 5 day holiday in Morocco together instead and it was magical. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08902418849121978821noreply@blogger.com