Sunday, December 22, 2013

Celebrating the winter solstice and a few other things

I awoke to a snowstorm on the morning of the winter solstice. Swell.



George, Alan and Lucy were as disbelieving as I that another round of shoveling and breaking ice had begun.


Hank didn't care. Hank loves the snow.



Happy birthday, Hank! 
Hank turned 20 yesterday. He was born some day in 1993, but we celebrate it on December 21
because that's the day I brought him into my life. It also happens to be my birthday, 
so it's an easy date to remember when you get to be my age.



I celebrated with a Breaking Bad breakfast, then Smooch and I watched Breaking Bad repeats
while waiting for the snow to quit so we could go for a walk. It didn't. Bummer.
Then around 2:00 I checked emails and saw this one from everybody's favorite ranchsitter:
Please go into the guest room.
When you are standing at the door, turn to your right.
Walk three and one half paces.
Turn to your right so you are facing the closet.
Slide the left-hand door to the right.
Look up.
You will see a white bag on the upper shelf, filled with old portraits.
Pull this bag down and place it on the bed behind you.
Turn back to the closet.
Look up again.
You should now see a second, more festively decorated bag.
Pull this one down, as well. 
I don't think it has your name on it, but I'm certain it is for you.
Please open the small, token items inside at your leisure. :-)



Smooch: I don't detect a bomb or drugs, but I'd still be careful if I were you.



Who but Danni would leave a birthday card with six water-skiing chickens wearing gold lamé bathing suits?
Smooch, what in the heck are you doing back there?


The bag was filled with presents wrapped in smiling-dog paper. Smooch wasn't impressed, but I sure was.



I had so much fun unwrapping each treasure...



...like these critter-shaped chocolate truffles...



...and bird-seed treats for our feathered friends...



...and a kick-ass blue bottle of champagne for me! Getting older may not be so bad after all.

56 comments:

  1. that is just about the coolest birthday gift ever and so much fun just finding it. she is so creative. Happy Belated Birthday and to Hank to...

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  2. Happy Birthday to you Linda and Gorgeous Hank. and waw ! what a superb surprise in the closet! Enjoy your bublles! so nice to share happiness and precious friendship with you. I am grateful. I love your BB breakfast, wonder what is this mauve thing under the omelet...but I never saw BB. big hugs from France

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  3. Diane from NC12/22/13, 4:29 AM

    Danni is surely a keeper. What a wonderful friend and a great way to make your birthday special. You got me hooked on Breaking Bad, thank you very much. Great show.

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  4. Seems like a pretty great way to celebrate a birthday despite the snow (which DID look awfully pretty.)

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  5. Happy Birthday to YOU! And may you and your critters have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

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  6. I hope 59 turns out to be a very good year for you.
    Happy birthday to you and Hank.

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  7. Welcome to the 59-year-old Club! And Happy Birthday to Handsome Hank!

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  8. She is a Hoot! Isn't it amazing the wonderful people that come into our lives?

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  9. What a wonderful surprise!

    I have to say that yours is one of my favorite blogs. Your pics, storytelling and humor make me laugh every time.

    Happy 59th and give Smooch a smooch!

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  10. Happy Birthday!! It is raining here in the Midwest....but that will change. It IS December with Jan-Mar left to go. Sigh.

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  11. Lovely ... and wondeful colors :)

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  12. That card is hilarious!! what a wonderful birthday surprise :) Happy Belated Birthday from CanadaEH!!

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  13. Happy Birthday, Carson and Hank!

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  14. Happy belated birthday to you and Hank! Love the gifts from Danni, especially the wrapping paper. Hope you and Smooch celebrated in style!

    Maggy

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  15. I thought it was a Breaking Bad champagne!

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  16. Happy Birthday to you and Hank!

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  17. Northern AB gal12/22/13, 6:44 AM

    Happy belated birthday! What a fun surprise, your friends are the best, but you already know that :)
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014!

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  18. Happy Birthday to you and to Hank!

    Julia

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  19. Happy Birthday to you and Hank! I wish you all the merriest of Christmases!
    (btw, I'm in Virginia and it's been 70+ degrees the last couple of days and you have snow.....go figure)

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  20. Happy Day, Birthday Babes! Enjoy the day, even though it is not your favorite chore (ice chopping) but you bear it so beautifully! That Hank is quite a dish!

    Lift one for us, we would if we were there.

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  21. Happy belated Birthday to you and Hank!! What a wonderful critter sitter and friend you have!! She made your day extra special and one you won't forget. Best wishes!

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  22. Now that is nice. Hats off to Dani for all her genuine friendship and thoughtfulness. Thanks for sharing, Carson. What treats! Birthdays are all good these days.

    Best always,

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  23. What a wonderful surprise! So glad you had a lovely day, despite the snow.

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  24. Yumm, chocolate,animal crackers, candles, champagne and birdseed?! Danni thought of everything! I like how she made you work for it :-)
    Happy Belated Birthday to Hank the Stud!

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  25. Awwww, Danni is a true friend. Happy Birthday to you and Hank. Becky

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  26. Well, gosh darn! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and Hank! It looks like you've got some celebrating to do!
    ~~Cheryl Ann~~

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  27. Happy birthday, Hank and Linda! What a great surprise Danni left for you.

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  28. Happy Birthday to you and Hank. My cat Jag came home with me on December 18, thirteen years ago. As a kitten of indeterminate weeks, just celebrate his homecoming.

    Danni is just flipping amazing.

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  29. As my Mother used to say ~

    "That Danni, she's a goddamn jewel!"

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  30. Happy belated Birthday Hank! Danni...will you be my friend? :)

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  31. Happy Birthday yesterday to you and Hank!! So special, both of you. Sorry for the snow. Please tell us what is under the egg. I know it's not grits, is it bean dip? :-)

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  32. Many blessings to you on your birth anniversary! Nothing better than the gift of great friends!
    Lisa G in TN.

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  33. The mysterious bottom layer of breakfast is blue corn grits, brought to the 7MSN by JaneK all the way from Alabama. Walt would have used bacon to write his age...I used green chile.

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  34. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas - thank you for the gift of your blog! Susan

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  35. How fun is that?!? I like Danni's style.

    Hank looks very handsome in the snow. Glad to hear you had a fun birthday celebration, in spite of the inclement weather.

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  36. What a fabulous ranchsitter, your Danni is. And how much fun was a seek and find birthday game? The presents were so inventive and fun. The breakfast you fixed looks yummy and fitting for a gal who loves chile. Again, Happy Birthday to you and to Handsome Hank. The Cuckoos

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  37. Wow what a great Birthday surprise...Happy Birthday....I have an early DEC. birthday....And happy birthday to Hank too....Hope you had a great day even though it snowed..
    And Merry Christmas if I forget to wish it to you on Christmas...
    Love from NC

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  38. Happy Birthday to you and Hank. Enjoy your special day

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  39. Happy belated birthday Carson! You have the gosh darndest bestest ranch sitters in the whole wide world!
    I follow many blogs, but your blog is the one I read every day, assuming there is a post, and you usually don't disappoint.
    My sister and I often call each other and the conversation starts out with... Did you see 7MSN today... and then we start chuckling. Your captions are the best!
    May you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!

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  40. Happy Birthday to you and Hank! Hank looks beautiful in the snow and your breakfast so very yummy! May your holiday season be merry and bright!

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  41. (In my very best whiney voice) Hey, you guys are hogging all the snowwww! I didn't see a single snowflake the entire time I was there and look at all you've got now!
    But......it's good luck to have it snow on your birthday, dontcha know. This is a very auspicious sign. The next year will go very well for you. :-)

    Love those shots of Handsome Hank - he is gorgeous!
    And Smooch's antics make me giggle out loud!

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  42. Happy Birthday to Carson & Hank ... and Many more! :) :)

    Love the treasure hunt ... I have used it on people before too ;)

    M in NC

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  43. Happy Birthday...59 ain't bad believe me! Your friend Danni reminds me of my friend Margaret, who sends me an Xmas present like this every year. Danni's the Best and so is Smooch and so are you Ann from (Icy) Maine PS Tres scary breakfast!

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  44. Belated Happy Birthday to you and Handsome Hank! Thanks Danni for hiding the bag so well, it was a real good surprise...you were SO busy around the 7MSN! And as for the birthday breakfast, I thought the 59 was out of cowhide, like a doggy chew toy...ha!!

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  45. Late Happy Birthday from another December 21st baby...What a thoughtful friend you have in Danni...

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  46. Belated happy birthday wishes to you and Hank. That Danni! What a great friend.

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  47. Gorgeous snow pics! Bummer it means more work for you, though.

    That Danni... she is something else. She is always thinking ahead to do something for someone to make them smile. How fun for you!!!!

    And I was wondering what that was on TOP of the breakfast as I recognized the rest :) and I couldn't figure out the pattern but I read your explanation above so I am all in the know now :)

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  48. Your breaking bad breakfast cracked me up. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

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  49. Happy Birthday to you and to Hank. You both look great! From a long time fan and reader of your blog. Oh and Merry Christmas too. May your new year be filled with fun pictures and GOOD HEALTH for all. Terry

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  50. It's my birfday today, the 23rd! Happy birthday to all us Christmas babies! And Danni, you are a gem. :)

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  51. Awww....what fun having friends like that!! A special thing all 'round. Happy, happy birthday Carson! Here's to many more.

    Oh and, not to forget ...happy day to big Hank too... that handsome, snow lovin' devil!

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  52. That Danni! What a precious friend she is - she "rocked" your birthday, no? Best belated birthday wishes for you and Handsome Hank; may this new year of your life make all the things come true that you wish for.

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  53. What a special friend to leave such a wonderful gift! Happy birthday to you and Hank.

    Linda D.

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  54. Happy belated birthday! And what a wonderful way to find your present! :)

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  55. Happy Belated Birthday to a cool lady and her furry friends.

    XO,
    JC

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