with gratitude

I just welcomed in a new decade. Earlier this year I proclaimed it was going to be sixty and sensational. Several plans were made, and just as many pivots. With my husband out of town on a business trip and the arrival of my new grandson my daughters decided to surprise me with a “staycation” at my desert home. Honestly, it sounded idyllic. Five days alone with my girls and one very special cabana boy.

I knew they had some surprises up their sleeves, but I had no idea how utterly special their plans would be. It was incredible to be the pampered guest of honor in one’s own home.

Those two pulled out all the stops. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect weekend to herald in this decade.

My birthday morning started in LA with an early cup of coffee and birthday wishes. My youngest flew in from Park City, we packed up the car, and headed out to the desert.

We kicked off the celebrations with some pre-dinner champs. My youngest put on her chef hat and wowed us all, as did my oldest with her sommelier skills extraordinaire.

So many beautiful arrangements arrived from dear ones near and far. It felt as if I was having a funeral for my fifties. Off the chart were the sixty yellow long stemmed roses from my University of Michigan roommates. Go Blue! 

For our first “dinner at home” my baby prepared the most incredible sous vided rib eyes, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed broccoli rabe. My oldest decanted a very special bottle of Chave Hermitage. Merci beaucoup Papa Shiv!

“Don’t Worry Darling” was a bit disappointing, but the company was anything but.

The next morning my youngest took me to the Palm Springs Yacht Club at the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs for a luscious sugar scrub and massage. Nothing like polishing up one’s birthday suit to welcome in the year.

We then met up with her older sister and the babe at the Ritz for lunch.

Friday’s surprise dinner was truly amazing. The girls had procured a white truffle which they shaved over a sumptuous parmesan risotto. Paired with my all-time favorite Meursault Clos de la Barre, loving termed the “dog wine”. For I named the yellow lab I got when the girls were toddlers after this Comets Lafon Burgundy.

Saturday the girls gave me one of the best gifts ever. They went through my entire closet and every single drawer. We shopped my wardrobe and bagged up sizable donations, ensuring I would indeed look sensational as I embarked on this next phase of my life. 

I put on a soon to be discarded pair of yellow jeans and Lincoln and I rooted on the Wolverines as they trounced the Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

Before our fiesta dinner we played a round of Settlers of Catan. Then dove into Molly’s phenomenal crunch wrap burritos. 

The next morning we indulged with mimosas, bagels and lox poolside. 

Then headed up to Stone Eagle for one last lunch.

What remarkable weekend. My heart is so full of love and gratitude for my two amazing daughters. They are truly the best present one could ever ask for.

And that little Lincoln…. Sixty is certainly off to a sensational start.