Happy birthday to me! (part two)

The second part of the big 50th birthday celebration was an (adults only) birthday party. A catered dinner, a special cocktail, the closest of friends and family all combined to make for a memorable evening.

Rik greeted everyone at the door and offered a glass of something festive - beer, wine, sparkling water or a special pomegranate martini. The caterers passed hot onion tartlets and olive tapenade on baguettes. A. handed me a tiara to wear, complete with sparkly purple rhinestones. People had the opportunity to write a favorite lyric from a musical into a special scrapbook to which I will add photos from the party.

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner catered by the Madison Park Cafe:
Spinach salad with goat cheese and pears
Marinated salmon on skewers
Green beans
Farro with sauteed vegetables
Sliced baguette and butter

Music by Balkanarama set the mood for a festive evening.

I think the highlight of the program was the singing of Ladarke with friends from Balkanarama, Radost and Dunava. What a rush! We haven't sung it together in years. And the kazoos were a nice substitute for a tamburitsa orchestra.

Of course, another highlight was the video slide show Rik created. And the toasts by my mother, sister and husband. And the roasting from dear friends C and D. Who could choose?

Dessert was prepared by good friends and featured lots of vitamin CH (chocolate).

We ended the evening with more dancing, carrying on and happy talk. All in all it was the perfect birthday party, just the way I imagined it, down to the last detail.