Mom giving a pre-dinner toast — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

Our antipasti table — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

All kinds of goodies — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

A special family gathering to celebrate two birthdays — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

Mui, and Hakan & Serenay, with mom's Christmas tree — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

Thank you Serenay & Hakan for our gifts ... yup, I got one, too — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

We ordered the all-chocolate birthday cake, but Mui made the strawberry Santa treats — Alsancak.

Yes, the birthday girls blow out the candles in one puff — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

Time to cut the cake — Alsancak ... İzmir, Turkey.

Happy Birthday x2

December 24, 2021 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F

In 1966, mom, who was born on Christmas Eve, gave herself a birthday gift … my sister, Aylin, also born on the 24th. We’ve always celebrated their birthdays together … making it a grand occasion by having our big Christmas meal on the 24th, with birthday cake for dessert.

This year, however, we’re having a family-only affair tonight to celebrate their special day. Since we will be having a Christmas party tomorrow night, with the traditional fixings, tonight’s menu was more in the vein of antipasti … heavy hors d'oeuvres and adult beverages … followed by birthday cake and “strawberry Santa treats.”

So much fun!Read more