Birthday Bitch

Ten essential things to create the perfect birthday.

1) Tea in bed. (Well, in a cup, but served to you while YOU are in bed...)

2) Husband taking less than 50 minutes to call you Birthday Bitch for the first time. I get warm feelings from the wonderful, inventive insults Husband dishes out. I am NOT being sarcastic. I actually do.

3) Chocolate

4) Wine

5) Cream cakes for breakfast, and knowing your brand-new bread machine is on its way. Let the good doughs roll.

6) A cat to play with the wrapping paper.

7) Music. This year's selection is from Biddy's Big Country radio show and features.... The Kenny.

8) Jewelry from Pilgrim

9) A pashmina which appears to have been made from the shaded golden-greens of an ancient forest, spun into silk and draped like a benediction over your reverent shoulders.

10) A romance book that actually makes your heart race and brings tears to your eyes. This year brought to you by Bronwyn Jameson's "A Tempting Engagement" from Desire. One of those books that provokes equal parts starry eyed joy in the writing and head-beating frustration that you're so far off that high pinnacle yourself.