I always felt a really BIG birthday called for a really BIG birthday dinner celebration. I talked to my party planner (Marla) and she said…“I hate to disappoint you but we have a couple of problems.” “I understand you want to go big but we don’t know that many people…and surely we don’t have that much glassware!” I knew she was right so I went back to plan B.

I decided to do something more intimate, inviting our daughter Lisa and husband Ray. “Now…what am I going to do with this table?”

I let my right-brain work on the table setting. I love vintage Venetian glassware so I had to have them on the table. The table was ready, but what about the menu? Marla wanted to cook her famous tenderloin with nice vegetables. I LOVE her cooking but I told her I wanted…“take-out.” Yes, take-out! One of my favorite restaurants makes my favorite Saltimbocca all Romana so I had to have it!

An important guest arrived.

I pulled out a 2009 bottle of Cristal Champagne.

This birthday boy is VERY happy!

Marla prepared escargot which we all love!

Ray looks very happy as well!

I love our dinner party and having Lisa and Ray with us was very special!

Everything was very tasty!

I’m reading Marla’s birthday card for me.

A private smooch!

Time for dessert!

“Did someone take a bite out of the candle?”

So many French pastries!

We did go BIG on the wines! Solaia and Ornellaia are some of my very favorites! I truly loved my BIG birthday dinner!

And I will be celebrating the entire year!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.