When I was a child it was rare that anyone's birthday was celebrated. My parents were working hard just to make a living, putting food on the table, paying the rent and everyday expenses. There were no frills - with a few exceptions.
I do remember the Friday night dinners which welcomed the Sabbath and the families getting together for the Jewish High Holy Days. My mother made everything herself, and I do mean everything! She made the challah, gefilite fish, horseradish, noodles, chicken soup, chopped liver, roast chicken and a delicious strudel for dessert.
Many times I would ask her, "how do you make the dough for the strudel?" Her answer was, "put in just enough" Whatever she made, it was always "put just enough." - no recipe. That didn't work for me until I started reading cookbooks. As time went by I too learned to cook and "put in just enough!"
Now, getting back to the present time, my birthdays usually turns out to be like a "Greek Weding."
Tonight I'll be doing something that I have been looking forward to for a long time, I'm going to see "Jersey Boys". Ever since "Jersey Boys" opened in New York, that's the play I've wanted to see. Well, it's here in Boston and I'll be seeing it tonight!!!
Years ago when Boston was a try out city and the price of tickets was reasonable I got to see many productions and even got to see some of the actors backstage. It was an exciting time.
Well, I'm going to have some of that excitement tonight!