Let the 80th Birthday Bash Begin for Bernard!!
Bonjour mes amis,
If you’ve visited us in Paris, one of the first things you learn is to address Bernie as “Bear-nar” (spelled phonetically) as the French would say.
Last night was his night and our light theme doesn’t need a special picture for this post. The light in everyone’s eyes and the fun smiles conveyed all the warm light that we needed. It was a great evening with our special neighbors and friends in Paris, and we share it here with you. There were bits and pieces of some of you present from your cards and gifts. We were completely exhausted afterward but in a wonderful way.
By the way in French, 80 is quite a mouthful…quartre vingt or four twenties! 
The best story of the night was told by Vinciane as we were surprised to learn that this building at 42 rue St. Paul used to be a brothel called Chez Janine and appears to be haunted! Oh my!
Life is good and we are very blessed. Thanks for sharing in this magical moment. And many thanks to these friends for joining in Bernard’s birthday celebration.
The rest of the birthday company starts arriving tomorrow! Stay tuned!
L & B
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
November 10, 2019 @ 12:07 pm
I was pleased with all the food and the flowers were gorgeous as they always are in Paris.
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!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 9:23 am
Thank you for sharing your beautiful evening! I really enjoyed this post!
Angela Broyles
November 10, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
Merci!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
Yes, indeed. And you know what the second lesson you learn upon visiting us: Bernard’s subway rules!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 3:56 pm
Merci!
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!!!!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:56 pm
Thanks, Buddy!!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
Yes, all I wanted it to be!
November 10, 2019 @ 12:54 pm
A beautiful and tasty start to the celebration of our fine friend, Bernard! Keep having fun!
November 11, 2019 @ 2:44 am
The best is yet to be!
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!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:54 pm
Ha!!
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.
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!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
Merci, Fred!
November 10, 2019 @ 1:29 pm
Bon anniversaire!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
Thank you, Deborah! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
November 10, 2019 @ 1:38 pm
Happiest of birthdays to Bear-Nar!!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:50 pm
Merci!!
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!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:50 pm
Merci mille fois!
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!
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.
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!
November 10, 2019 @ 3:49 pm
Merci, mon amie!
November 10, 2019 @ 5:23 pm
Happy Birthday to Bernie! Love y’all. What a great night. Wish we were there to share it.
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!
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.
November 10, 2019 @ 5:48 pm
Thanks so much, Glenda. Stay warm at The Villas!
November 10, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
It looks like a great day — Happy Birthday Bernie — Thanks for letting us enjoy it with you.
November 10, 2019 @ 8:37 pm
Yes, a great time!
November 10, 2019 @ 10:08 pm
Happy Birthday Bernie. Wish I could help you celebrate. Looks like you all had a ball.
November 11, 2019 @ 1:59 am
Hi Shirley, fond memories of our times in Paris.
November 11, 2019 @ 12:13 am
Happy Birthday Bernie! Love the photos. Cheers to you and your 80 wonderful years! -Jeff
November 11, 2019 @ 1:58 am
Jeff, how lovely to hear from you all the way from Boston!!