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42 Comments

  1. Malcolm
    November 10, 2019 @ 8:24 am

    Dear Linda and Bear-nar 😊

    Lovely to read about Bernie’s celebrations. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Antonia is going through the photos of the food, as we lay in bed, telling me how great it looks what she would have eaten. Breakfast may happen earlier this morning!

    Malcolm and Antonia X

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 12:07 pm

      I was pleased with all the food and the flowers were gorgeous as they always are in Paris.

      Reply

  2. Carolyn Barnabo
    November 10, 2019 @ 9:23 am

    The beautiful smiles and shining faces along with your wonderful words and photos got me quite choked up reading today’s post! The caption about being in Paris when your neighbour’s children were born sent me right over the edge, in a good way!

    Huge ‘good on ya’ for the memorable evening and wishing you both much joy and celebration in the coming days. Cheers and bonne continuation birthday bash for Bernard!

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 12:06 pm

      Celestin, the young boy, cried almost continuously for the first year of his life. We tell stories about that. He is so cute now. His eyes got huge when he saw the food table. They made plates of food to take upstairs, and only stayed a few minutes. We were so glad they came. He told us in his attempt at English that the White House is haunted by Lincoln.

      Reply

  3. Angela
    November 10, 2019 @ 9:23 am

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful evening! I really enjoyed this post!
    Angela Broyles

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 12:03 pm

      Merci!

      Reply

  4. Cynthia Ludwig
    November 10, 2019 @ 11:01 am

    Joy and happiness flow from your photos. Fine food, lovely flowers, and good friends are certainly the best birthday presents.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 12:03 pm

      Yes, indeed. And you know what the second lesson you learn upon visiting us: Bernard’s subway rules!

      Reply

  5. Beth
    November 10, 2019 @ 12:11 pm

    How very lovely! Happy birthday to Bernie and thank you for sharing this special evening. May the joy only increase.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:56 pm

      Merci!

      Reply

  6. Sharon Tyson
    November 10, 2019 @ 12:21 pm

    Love this post Linda and you are so very right……the happiness clearly shows through!!!!!!! So very happy for you and Bernie, your years in Paris have been enriched by all these wonderful people. Let the family celebration begin!!!!

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:56 pm

      Thanks, Buddy!!

      Reply

  7. Charles Gattis
    November 10, 2019 @ 12:50 pm

    We joined in spirit as we were thinking about you and imagining all the goings on. Looks like it was a great party.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:55 pm

      Yes, all I wanted it to be!

      Reply

  8. Monica & Marlyn
    November 10, 2019 @ 12:54 pm

    A beautiful and tasty start to the celebration of our fine friend, Bernard! Keep having fun!

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    • Linda Spalla
      November 11, 2019 @ 2:44 am

      The best is yet to be!

      Reply

  9. Judy Gattis
    November 10, 2019 @ 12:59 pm

    You were in my thoughts as we sat through that disastrous ballgame. Yours was by far a more successful evening! Linda, you really shined with your presentations. Now I know what those creepy sounds were I heard in our wee bedroom😉. Looking forward to the remaining landmark week!

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:54 pm

      Ha!!

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  10. Lynne Berry Vallely
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:21 pm

    Well now, these French friends have put all of our casual gatherings to shame – can’t remember ever having foie bras! Or such beautiful flowers. I wish we had thought to mail Bernie a birthday card. Please know that we wish him a fabulous one, know he is delighted with how he is spending it, and we will celebrate him when you return.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:54 pm

      The foie gras little bites were from Picard, I must admit. Don’t worry about the b’day card. We can’t receive mail here as we don’t have access to the mailbox key!

      Reply

  11. Fred Mayer
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:27 pm

    Hey Bernie, many happy returns of the day and throughout the week. Linda you are incredible! The food layout looks absolutely yummy and is right up there with the many food presentations we have seen on your blog.

    OK, I’ve got my guitar tuned up and will render my take on Happy Birthday to you, Bear-nar. I know the both of you will have a great celebratory week.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:52 pm

      Merci, Fred!

      Reply

  12. Deborah Conway
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:29 pm

    Bon anniversaire!

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:51 pm

      Thank you, Deborah! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

      Reply

  13. Debbie Jones
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:38 pm

    Happiest of birthdays to Bear-Nar!!

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:50 pm

      Merci!!

      Reply

  14. Pam Rhodes
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:41 pm

    Happy, Happy Birthday, Bernie! Ken and I both wish you love, joie de vivre and good health in the coming year. Cheers to many more!

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:50 pm

      Merci mille fois!

      Reply

  15. Amy Cameron
    November 10, 2019 @ 1:52 pm

    Pure joy in every picture! Eighty looks so good on Bernie! And oh my the food, I’d love to have a plate!

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:49 pm

      The food was tasty if I did do it myself with a little help from Picard but not much.

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  16. Peggy Bilbro
    November 10, 2019 @ 3:47 pm

    This entire post made me just smile and smile and smile! It is a testament to how much you and Bear-nar have integrated yourselves into your community and how beloved you are by all! Celebrate on!

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 3:49 pm

      Merci, mon amie!

      Reply

  17. Chris Parton
    November 10, 2019 @ 5:23 pm

    Happy Birthday to Bernie! Love y’all. What a great night. Wish we were there to share it.

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    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 5:50 pm

      Ah, son, it’s so good to see your name appear on the comments. Bernie will be thrilled to hear from you all! Too bad about the game last night. I think I’m glad I wasn’t there to watch. Would have probably had a heart attack!

      Reply

  18. Glenda Manzanares
    November 10, 2019 @ 5:44 pm

    Happy 80th Birthday to you Bernie and wishing you many more to come. Linda, thanks again for your most special posts and beautiful photos. Enjoy the continuation of Bernie’s celebration and stay safe.

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 5:48 pm

      Thanks so much, Glenda. Stay warm at The Villas!

      Reply

  19. Pat & Sybil O'Brien
    November 10, 2019 @ 8:24 pm

    It looks like a great day — Happy Birthday Bernie — Thanks for letting us enjoy it with you.

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 10, 2019 @ 8:37 pm

      Yes, a great time!

      Reply

  20. Shirley Fugit
    November 10, 2019 @ 10:08 pm

    Happy Birthday Bernie. Wish I could help you celebrate. Looks like you all had a ball.

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    • lspalla
      November 11, 2019 @ 1:59 am

      Hi Shirley, fond memories of our times in Paris.

      Reply

  21. Jeff Swett
    November 11, 2019 @ 12:13 am

    Happy Birthday Bernie! Love the photos. Cheers to you and your 80 wonderful years! -Jeff

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 11, 2019 @ 1:58 am

      Jeff, how lovely to hear from you all the way from Boston!!

      Reply

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