This week, I celebrated my birthday – I am now in my mid-thirties. (I guess. When is that “cutoff”?) It’s funny how birthdays can take on a theme. For Bea’s first birthday, somehow she ended up with almost all giraffe-themed gifts from growth charts to tricycles.
This year, my theme was champagne. I got some new flutes and a half a case of “everyday” champagne. Years ago, I had read something about celebrating the everyday moments by toasting with champagne. I loved that idea and we’ve been on the lookout for a good but less expensive champagne to keep in our house for those everyday moments.
While I love Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon, I love the idea of celebrating even more. So, we found a tasty sparkling wine and have stocked up.
Frank asked me my goals for this year and – in the midst of babyhood and preschoolhood and early motherhood – I find them to be a bit less specific and more nebulous. My goals are so intertwined with my family’s goals and at this stage, it’s hard to create a SMART goal around a 3-year-old.
So, a goal this year is to be present. To celebrate more. To recognize the amazing milestones and achievements that happen so often and yet so often go unnoticed.
Do you have a favorite Champagne? How do you take time to celebrate the everyday moments?
Linked with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday, a time to write without editing. Today’s prompt is Present.
Annie Rim 
I’ve only had champagne twice. At our first wedding, when it made both Barbara and me sick; and when I was courting Barbara again after our divorce, when I took her to a ‘restaurant in Indianapolis that was in a tower…and rotated.
I ordered a bottle of really expensive stuff, and knocked it over. Clumsy am I.
At the moment – and as I write this – I am trying to get through the everyday awful, for survival can be celebration.
Yes, survival as celebration. All perspective I guess… I’m toasting your strength.
Annie, I love the idea of toasting everyday. We shouldn’t only celebrate the “special” occasions. I’m trying to be more intentional about celebrating the small things in our lives. A boy’s first football game. A first band concert, the things that make a day special, not necessarily the big things that add to life, if that makes sense. 🙂
I don’t have a favorite champagne, though I drink it on occasion. So, tell me. Is Dom Perignon worth the price tag? 🙂 What’s your favorite champagne?
That’s why it’s so important to have good “everyday” champagne! 😉 Dom Perignon was amazing – definitely worth it! But, we’ve only had the one bottle (pre-Bea!) and there are so many other great, less expensive options. Veuve Cliquot, Perrier Jouet, and J are some of my faves.
I love Pol Roger. It sounds unglamourous to be special but if far from it and it was served exclusively at a certain Embassy not from St Mic’s Paris. Unfortunately it gave me the taste for life. But I’m no champers-snob. If it sparkles, I’ll drink it 😉
Aw! Tasty and filled with memories? The best! I agree – it has to be pretty bad to not enjoy bubbles! 😉
I don’t know that I ‘toast’ the everyday moments. I do frequently stop and say “hey, that was a neat God moment”. 🙂
Toasting, recognizing God moments, stopping to take it in. Being present is so worth it, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Belated Birthday Annie! Champagne theme….I like that. I’m visiting from FMF where I’m in the #60 spot.
Thanks, Tara! 🙂
I think the cutoff is 37. Once you’re 38, you have to say “late 30’s.” Don’t worry. At 40, things really get good.
Ha! From all I’ve heard, the 40’s are pretty great!
Happy belated birthday Annie. May God fill your year with blessings and joy.
Thank you!