44 years ago, I celebrated my 21st birthday at Gino’s restaurant in Rome with a wonderful group of friends/fellow students. Shortly after, I would return to the US with my badge of honor – a driver’s license showing I was 21.
Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday, (you can do the math!), with a wonderful group of friends at Tuscher Cafe in Cortona. Soon, I will return to the US with another badge of honor – a red, white and blue Medicare card!
Yesterday was the kind of day one would order – sunny, warm, and filled with blue skies and wonderful greetings from family and friends, near and far, including this:
Len decided we should start the day at Tuscher with brunch and a prosecco toast – sounded good to me.
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Afterward, we went for a long walk and enjoyed vistas that never get old.
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Time for lunch – back to Tuscher for Edoardo’s new fish sandwich with fries… we split one, and enjoyed people watching as we sipped some vino.
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Feeling the need for another walk, the antique fair in town was the perfect venue. Finally, we headed home for a rest before dinner.
At 8pm, we arrived at Tuscher, (yes, it was definitely a Tuscher kind of day!) to a beautiful table and waited for our guests to arrive.
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Massimo and Niccolo took care of us as Dani and Edo worked their magic in the kitchen.
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Although the invitation said no gifts please, our guests claimed to not understand English!
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Len had already given me a relaxing day at the local spa, and Benita surprised me with family tickets to see James Taylor at Wrigley Field this summer.
Dinner began with Champaign and appertivo.
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©Blogginginitaly.com
Often interrupted for photos and toasts…
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©Blogginginitaly.com
I brought hand-made honey candles for each guest and created a bit of a game around their choice.
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First course – spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and basil…delicious!
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Second course – beef filet cooked to order, roasted rosemary potatoes and sautéed artichokes. Perfect!
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Sometime after dinner and singing and stories, and feeling we couldn’t eat another thing, the lights went out…
And Dani and Massimo entered with this incredible wine cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Wow!
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After all other customer were gone, Dani, Massimo, Niccolo and Edo were finally able to close the doors and join us. Applause! Applause!
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©Blogginginitaly.com
Many thanks to all, either with me or in my heart, who made my day so special, and a very, very special thanks to Len. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
Molte grazie a tutti, sia con me o nel mio cuore, che ha reso il mio giorno così speciale, e un grazie molto, molto speciale a Len. Una conclusione perfetta di una giornata perfetta!
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Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
What a wonderful birthday, almost heaven!!!!
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Oh, I thought it was! :)))
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Buon Compleanno, Judy! Che bellissimo girono! Sempre avanti! Il Dio ti benedica!
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Grazie, e vero!!!
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Happy birthday and another year of good health and wonderful memories yet to be made. Barbara
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thanks, Barbara, and certo!
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Beautiful and delicious! What kind of bread was the fish sandwich made with?
AUGURI!
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Need to get back to you on that one. He told me, but I want to get it right.
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It was made with Nero di seppia!
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Wow! Very interesting – it certainly explains the color! I haven’t ever seen bread that dark before. Thanks!
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It was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside – very tasty!
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What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! I hope you have many more.
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Thanks and I do too!!! Hope all is well with you.
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Really does look like you had an excellent birthday.
_____________________________
Vincent J. Connelly
Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4637
312-701-7912
email: vconnelly@mayerbrown.com
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Excellent is a good description!
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Happy Birthday Judy,
Best Wishes to you and Len too,
Love,
Gustavo and Hilary
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Thanks Hilary, and the best to you two as well!
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Oh Judy, the whole affair brought tears to my eyes! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! What a fantastic celebration for a very “young and beautiful” you. The last picture of you and Len is a definite keeper!! ……..and oh, the food, the food, the food! I’m starving!!
Love, Sandy and Larry
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Thanks, Sandy. As always, love hearing from you and happy that you and Larry were at Tuscher with us a few years ago! xox
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Al’s birthday is this week. Are you both Gemini’s?
Congratulations to Len for his choice of lovely child bride 🙂
Happy birthday, Judy and many more!
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Thanks, Jean, and yes, Gemini it is! Happy Birthday to Al from us. And I’ll pass along your comment!
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Auguri!! What a perfect place for a birthday! Your smile says it all!
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Happy Birthday!
What an endeavor
Certainly dining in Italy is an art form
Thanks for letting me share the experience
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You are right – eating in Italy is an art form. Thanks for “being” along!
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Happy Birthday!!! Tanti auguri! Che bella festa!
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Grazie!!
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You made my day and I vicariously celebrate with you!!!
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Thanks!
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What a memorable birthday celebration! A beautiful day in such a very special place!!!
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Yes to all!!
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Fantastic People = Fantastic Friends!
Ivan
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Grazie, Ivan! So happy you were with us!
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