The sunrise Sunday morning shined brightly, the day of Susan’s birthday, January Eight.

On the kitchen table was a birthday card I made for her. One of my photos, sunrise at the park down the street from where we live, and a poem.

“Did you write this,” she asked.

“I did.”

“It’s beautiful.”

This is the day
You are sacred
This the day
You are guided by love
This is the day
You embrace truth
This is the day
Truth is beauty
Beauty truth
You are beauty
You are truth
This is the day
To say Happy Birthday

The day began with bacon, toast, and scrambled eggs. And coffee, of course!

I then made her a birthday cake, based on a recipe from a recently published and fabulous cookbook, a work of art, “Gateau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes,” by Aleksandra Crapanzano, a recipient of the James Beard Foundation M.F.K. Fisher Award for Distinguished Writing. It was a Yogurt Lemon Tarragon Raspberry Cake. And it was delicious!

For our appetizer I made Steamed Shrimp Dumplings in a Bamboo Steamer served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. These were based on a recipe from Rasa Malaysia, a great recipe website.

And for our dinner I made a Glazed Spiral Ham, based on a recipe from Michael Symon. The glaze consisted of maple syrup, dark molasses, grain mustard, apple cider, curry paste and garlic. Gosh was it delicious! Served with roasted green beans and mushrooms. And I love the plate, too!

We are blessed. And blessings to you. Cheers!