Just another day on the couch for Goompa's Purrky yesterday, but we had our eye on a bigger prize, our pater familias's 90th birthday.
We three children, two spouses and four grandchildren drove and flew in from points south and west to toast the Energizer Bunny at his Down East homestead, Camelot-by-the-Sea.
Formal posing for pictures? Never our thing, as we're totally into beauty in unexpected places, snapping the shutter early and often before and after formal "say cheese" set-ups to capture Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment."
Ellen's Beef Strogie was to die for, a transcendent reincarnation of our mother's signature dish with salted butter and bouillon cubes front and center. VERY politically incorrect. She's promised to write it all down so we can publish here in our Cold Turkey Cookbook in the "Full of Calories and Loving It" section.
"Just had a nice chat with Dad," imails our sis this evening:
She: He did, indeed, enjoy his birthday celebration and was totally delighted that all four grandchildren were able to attend. He reports that the pumpkin muffins were so good that you had TWO!
We: Yes. Plus I took some home. Delicious!
She: I know that I took a Toll House Cookie, just to be polite, and THEN … I wanted to scarf down the whole container, but retrained myself.
We: Retrained yourself? Love it. You'd have to.
She: I love how all four grandchildren are great cooks. Whatever it took, and I'm sure that Mummy had a lot to do with it … my boys LOVE to cook. They are not slugs on the couch, watching football. They watch some football, then go whip up a meal. AND they do laundry and know how to iron. I think being a sluggard has helped me to raise capable children.
Update: Modulator's Friday Ark #270 now boarding.
Happy Birthday to Goomp, a Renaissance Man in a nation of metrosexual males!
Posted by: pam | November 15, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Happy Birthday to the one and only Goomp!
May there be many more, all in good health and surrounded by happy, loving family members.
Posted by: Elisson | November 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
We are so lucky to be a family that all love one another. And I was so lucky they all came from as far as 1,000 miles to celebrate my ninetieth.
Posted by: goomp | November 16, 2009 at 07:54 AM
No luck involved goomp - well deserved respect, love and admiration! Not just from your family - but from all of us who only know you through Sissy's blog. And isn't Purrkey looking lovely/handsome these days. MANY happy returns goomp - you are cherished by many people you've never met!
Posted by: Gayle Miller | November 16, 2009 at 09:13 AM
90 amazing years !
And here's to 90 blessed more...
What a thrill.
Happy Birthday.
What a wonderful Family.
Congratulations.
The mighty SISU is always so impressive and heart warming.
Posted by: Brooklyn | November 16, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I second Gayle's comment. Goomp (and Sissy) - you are cherished by many people you will never know.
Many happy returns.
Posted by: Carol Ward | November 16, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Oh I'm so late!!! I seem to have gotten myself so far behind on everything I can't seem to catch up.
A very belated but notheless heartfelt Happy Birthday to you Goomp! I see a wonderful time was had by all and that's excellent. WooHoo!
Posted by: Teresa | November 17, 2009 at 04:12 PM