a self indulgent Five on Friday

It was my Birthday on Tuesday. If I were to live to a wise old age of 90, I am perfectly middle aged now. Funny that, I was only just 22 on Monday. Alistair says so, it must be true. The celebrations started at 6:30 am. Most of our days start at this time. My Birthday is not a National Holiday. I think it should be. Breakfast was carrot cake with an inch thick layer of sweet cream cheese icing. The day ended with a walk home after a delicious meal at a Mexican restaurant, including Margeritas on the rock.

I thought today I am sharing five of my presents with you. If you were as nosy as I am you would want to know. I was lucky, as I usually am. I find giving presents quite difficult and therefore try to make it as easy as possible for those who like to give me something. I maintain a detailed and up to date wishlist on Amazon for everybody to see, annotated with comments with regards to purchase of said item and how much I really yearn for it.The good thing with the wishlist is that I can add stuff from all over the internet, not restricting myself to Amazon and associated sellers. You are probably right to think I am an egomaniac but having had 44 birthdays before the current one, I know that a) I don't like talking about my birthday/Christmas wishes, b) I worry about unwelcome surprises, c) I don't like vouchers or money and d) I get intensely upset when I receive something that is almost what I am hankering for, but not quite. 
I have received some weird and wonderful presents over the years. Countless little clay creations from children for example. I keep those in my memory box. Others quietly move from prime position to a less prominent spot to a drawer. Here is what I received this year.There is nothing destined for the drawer!

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From Richard I received a generously sized piece of beautiful beautiful fabric and a dress pattern that does not only include my size but also contains options for different bust sizes. 

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James gave me a thermometer. I am in two minds about this (but it is not going in a drawer). On the one hand it is good to know how warm or cold the house is but on the other hand, Richard can now prove me wrong every time I complain about it being freezing.

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Annie made a memory box. I was a bit worried when I got the first glimpse of the box, it was a trial Graze snack box that my children every now and then order for free (because there is not enough food in our house). To my delight it contained sheets of paper with a keyword (family, love, children etc), and a photo for each. Lovely. I noticed that Annie raided our photo albums for some of her prompts.... Still, it is sweet. 

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Alistair gave me Reese's peanut butter cups. I have eaten those quickly and secretly because they are not for sharing. I do love those sweet temptations very much.

picture borrowed from here

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This colouring pencil bracelet was presented to me over dinner. Richard has a knack of finding unusual jewelry for me. He knows me well.

Because this is Five on Friday and not a dozen on Friday I shall not show any more pictures. Sam's gift didn't feature because it still has to materialise. I know it is a bobbin box because he asked me to check if it is the right one. It is. I did get other bits and bobs, for example a generous wad of cash from my mum, to go towards something expensive in the near future. If I don't fritter it away on lattes and cinnamon buns of course, cash is dangerous like that. I already converted a voucher that Annie gave me in addition to the memory box into a book about embroidery techniques. I wish it was my Birthday once a month! Or at least twice a year.

All but the first of five were surprises! I think I coped well. I am one lucky woman. My carefully curated wish list will come in handy again next year.

Today I am linking up with Amy at Love Made My Home. If you have a moment, do go and check out Amy's own post and all the the others, too :-)

For now, I am off to work. Have a lovely Friday my friends. xx