I have been kind of dreading this milestone birthday. But so far it has been a good day. I received the gift that I wanted first thing this morning. I have received phone calls and facebook wishes. David made me breakfast and he will be making a cedar planked salmon in our fireplace tonight for dinner. It turned cold over night. The winds have been howling and our roof was pummeled with acorns dropping from the trees, keeping me awake most of the night.
I have been wanting a panini press for a long time. We have so much company that I thought it would be nice to have one that will make up to four sandwiches at a time. When I saw the size of the box, I thought, “Oh no, where am I going to store this monster?”
But it turned out not to be as large as I expected and it is a beauty. I have enough room to store it.
I have a lot to learn about paninis, so if any of you have suggestions or great recipes I would really appreciate your comments. My first attempt was delicious, but needed more ingredients. I used this recipe that I have posted before, but used smoked turkey instead of ham. I always picture a panini with lots of ingredients and am looking forward to experimenting.
We will be having our big birthday celebration in a couple of weeks in Florida. David’s birthday is in 20 days so it will be a joint endeavor. Many friends and family will join us for dinner, music and dancing. Our friends with the Malt Shoppe Memories will be performing. I’m just anxious for David to turn 70 also so that I don’t have to be the only oldest person that I know. Please tell me that 70 is the new 50! Thank you for all of your wishes. It mean so much to me.
Happy Birthday. I have a friend that I met at the hairdresser’s. She just turned 83 and she has more stamina than both my sister and me. For her birthday she parachuted out of a plane. Her daughter was too afraid. She has traveled to Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Rome all on her own. I hope I can be half as healthy and active as she. I have no desire to jump out of a plane though.
Madonna
MakeMineLemon
Madonna, I can agree with you about the plane jump, but travel is one of my great desires. I would love to spend months in a small apartment in Paris, and think it may happen someday. I guess the whole idea of aging is to remain interested in everything. It sounds like you will also embrace a fun life.
My Best, Penny
Happy Birthday Penny!!
Sounds like a nice day. Cooking salmon in the fireplace sounds wonderful.
I hope you enjoy your new grill. It will be fun.
Blessings dear. Catherine
Thank you Catherine. The salmon was great cooked in the fireplace, although David said it would have been better on the grill. But this was all about ambiance. He was trying to do something special. Appreciate your comments. My Best, Penny
Happy, happy birthday dear Penny – I’m just in time I hope!
Today has been a busy one, lots of gardening, see my new post.
Well my dear if it makes you feel any better, you are still younger than me as I’ll turn 71 in a couple of weeks! Life is what you make it – each day we get up and are thankful for another. Yes, I do think 70 is the new 50! You, like me, are a busy lady, I think that’s good for us. You look beautiful and another year will not change that.
Many happy returns dear friend – Mary X
My Dear Mary, I am so awed by all that you do. You are a true inspiration to me. Both you and your dear husband set the bar for how to live a full and inspiring life.
Hug and respect, Penny
Happy birthday Penny. I like the idea that 70 is the new 50 because I passed that milestone late this summer and don’t feel a day older. Age is what you make it. You and David certainly don’t look anywhere near your age, so enjoy it. We’ve had a panini press for several years, but ours is smaller. I was worried about where to store it too. I bought a little panini book at WS, but it wasn’t as inspiring as I had hoped. We often just make up sandwiches. Roasted red peppers can take the place of tomatoes and we always include some kind of cheese. Have fun.
Sam
Sam, Thank you for the good age related support. We all need to justify our ” Young at Heart” feelings. I am still working on panini recipes, roasted red peppers among the mix. Hope you guys are on the road to Florida. It is cold afterall. LOL
Hugs, Penny
Belated Birthday wishes to you Penny. I am pretty sure that 70 is the new 50. I too will be reaching that milestone in a few months and am not planning on slowing down any time soon.
Enjoy your panini press – I use my George Foreman grill and it works just fine.
Carla, Thanks for your support. It is so nice to talk to others who are facing something that I never thought I would be facing. 70 kind of scares me, but I am healthy so I will deal with it. I will not slow down either.
My Best, Penny
Happy Birthday to you! (Mine is coming up quickly and it’s a biggun for me as well.)
Hi Sandy, Hope your birthday is special. I felt like my day was just for me and I wish you the same for your day. It is the one day of the year that allows complete indulgence. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday to you, love love your blog and all the recipes and what you blog about, your home and life is in my opinion wonderful and enriching and mighty tasty recipes tooooo! I am 66 my hubs soon 67 on Oct.21st to be exact, age is just a number not a destiny, we are the youngest in our neighborhood of friends, most are 92 or 90 and lovely friends and neighbors, always busy and interesting I learn a lot about everything from them, my right next door neighbor turns 70 end of November and he is wonderful so dadblasted interesting and smart..Happy Happy enjoy the time with your loved ones and friends celebrating and your husband too..Ciao!
Mary Jane, What a lovely comment. It made me feel very special. It sounds like you also have a fulfilling life with your neighbors. It is all about the people that we choose to surround ourselves with, after all.
Ciao back, Penny
Happy Birthday Penny! And enjoy that press. I won a good one last year and haven’t used it much. And I can’t think of any good reason why. This is a great looking sandwich and with potato chips and a pickle, you’re inspiring me to get mine out and enjoy a warm gooey sandwich. I’ll be looking forward to some of your creations!
Lea Ann, So good to hear from you now that I have changed the commenting venue. Thanks for the wishes. I am sure that you could come up with some panini recipes too. I always look forward to your creations.
Hugs, Penny
Happy Birthday, Penny! You do not look a day over 50! Nor David. Enjoy that panini press. You will inspire all of us I’m sure, with your creations!
Jane xx
Hi Jane, Looking forward to seeing you and Al back here in Asheville. You are the best. Hugs,Penny
Happy Birthday Penny! You look way younger than your age! I love my Panini, and I know you will love yours. One of the best sandwiches you can make is with left overs after Thanksgiving! Really! Turkey, dressing, cranberries and a drizzle of gravy. Press in the Panini and enjoy!
Penny, The Thanksgiving sandwich sounds perfect. Looking forward to seeing you!
Hugs, Penny
Happy Birthday, Penny. Who doesn’t love a panini? And I like the ability to make 4 at a time. You will have fun experimenting with different combinations of ingredients. Turning 70 isn’t so bad and I do think that it is the new 50.
Hi Cathy, Hope that you are getting over your jet lag. Your trip sounded wonderful. Thank you for the wishes. An observant and questioning mind is the reason that we do so well. You are an inspiration. Hugs, Penny
Happy Birthday! I hope you love your press as much as I do mine. Yesterday I had an unusual panini out that I hope to re-create. It was a grilled portobello mushroom, roasted red pepper, arugula, cheese and pesto mayo in a whole wheat basil tortilla! Unbelievably good and I have never thought of using a tortilla, but it works great!
Cheers!
Candace, That panini sounds absolutely wonderful. I will try it soon I am sure. Thanks for commenting.
My Best, Penny
Happy Birthday, Penny! You look wonderful! Age and happiness is what you make it and I think you’re having a great time 🙂 Your birthday gift looks like lots of fun. There used to be a blog called “Panini Happy” where you can probably get some good ideas for your new toy. Have a wonderful time at the family celebration!
Thanks so much Susan. I have looked at the blog you suggested and there are many good panini recipes. You are the best!
Hugs, Penny
Happy Birthday! I firmly believe in ignoring numbers. Enjoy your day. I love your blog and have serious stove envy!
Thanks Jamie. I love my stove too. Can you believe we bought it on Ebay? Numbers are not important as you pointed out. Thanks for supporting me.
My Best, Penny
Happy Birthday!
You don’t look 70:)
I think you have that eternal youthfulness look..Like girl next door..And you have company..Sam:) Two spring chickens:)
Isn’t it funny how we love kitchen things for occasions?
My girls would be mortified if I gave them this:)
I would be excited.
I have an older ridged electric grill thingy..this one looks tempting.Breville make great products..
I like onion jams etc..in paninis..a touch of sweet:)
Look at Charles Aznavour..90!! Hasn’t lost a thing..Mr Charming.
Enjoy today and the whole year through.
Monique, You are turning my head with compliments. I would like to think that I am still that girl next door. Don’t we all still relate to that younger age? But seriously, I love my new panini press. I just want to keep it healthy. Sam looks beautiful, by the way. Her skin is porcelain.
PS let’s not forget Martha:) 73!
I think she does it by the strength of her personality. No one does it better than Martha. LOL.
Hey, we have that exact same panini press, we even took it over to Larry and Bev’s one weekend. Here’s a good panani recipe (not our recipe but a good one) http://www.nibblemethis.com/2013/02/portobello-and-roasted-red-pepper-panini.html
Happy belated birthday – what a wonderful present! I love paninis but only as a very special treat…. The orzo soup looks fantastic.
I make several panini recipes but the best two are toasted cheese with extra sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheese. And a combination of ham, olive bruschetta and a good cheese like Havarti. Sometimes I add seeded tomato to this last sandwish. I think some bacon could be good with the toasted cheese too. I use a good bread when I make these like a sour dough or French loaf bread. Sometimes I brush with olive oil and sometimes with a bit of butter. You will enjoy your new kitchen toy.
Belated “Happy Birthday!!”