Celebrating 45!

I turned 45 this year, an age I've always considered to be truly "middle-aged".  Since my birthday is just two days before Christmas, it is often a bit overshadowed by the holiday.  In recent years, I've taken to really thinking about how I want to spend the day and planning it for myself.

This year, I decided that I wanted to visit Strasbourg, France. It holds, and is famous for, its Christmas market that began in 1570.  I took the early train from Bern, and in just 2.5 relaxing hours of reading on the train while enjoying a coffee, I arrived at my destination.

Strasbourg now hosts more than 5 different markets in its old town.  I enjoyed a vin chaud (hot wine), visited most of the markets, saw some of the landmarks and just enjoyed being in a new place.

I returned home early evening to a thoughtful meal designed by the Isabella and Xavier.  Staying true to my love for tea and chocolate, they chose to prepare a variety of "tea" sandwiches, a pot of tea and a mixture of chocolates for dessert.  After the meal, I opened the very thoughtful gifts from them as well as from family and friends who had sent things.

Turning 45 was lovely!