Hal’s Birthday Celebration
My husband Hal’s birthday present was a great success. His birthday celebration with friends tonight will equally be great. We invited his dear old friends who also have keen interests collecting antique guns, beautiful old rifles or pistols. Kurt and Ruth, Ronnie and Esther, Richard and Marilyn were our guests. I had the narrow pull-out table brought up to my husband’s library, it will easily seat eight people.
On Hal’s desk I displayed the beautiful mahogany box with the two John Manton dualling pistols and all the tools in pristine condition in it, next to it, the leather case for the boxed set. For my Hal and for our guests this will be an unbelievable treasure.
The friends of Hal’s could not believe how easy it was to secure this set and how lucky Hal was with the amount of his bid.
Everything worked like clockwork, once Hal decided to take this chance. It was easy and not stressful to work with the Auction House Christie’s in London by phone or fax. But more precise, prompt and accurate than now with e-mails and internet. No glitches like now with temperamental computers, one could miss the time for the bidding and be disqualified. The description in Christie’s catalogue about these fine dualling pistols was not overstated they are exactly as they were pictured and called: “Property of a Gentleman”, precious old guns, even still the key for the box, all in pristine condition.”
Hal was like a little boy, who peeked at his Christmas present to find out that it was what he wished for.
By the side of the desk on the floor I had a most beautiful Haviland floor vase. In it I purchased white lilac branches and with it five beautiful pink “Bird of Paradise” flowers from Hawaii. On the white tablecloth I made a bed of white lilac branches spread out on the table and into the lilac I pulled a celadon green silk ribbon and inserted pink roses.
By every serviette I put a pink rose bud, the guests could take home. I used my white Rosenthal China “Magic Flute” all white with a sculpted rim of the images of characters from the operetta and underneath these large dinner plates on the rim the Libretto text of the operetta “Zauber Floete” (Magic Flute) with gold handwriting by the designer of this awesome China, Bjorn Wiinblad.
Beautiful glasses and silver flatware added sparkle. My table was inviting and ready. My dinner, prime rib with all the trimmings, a wonderful sauce, made with half a cup of fine “Opus One” wine and white asparagus and little potatoes, braised in clarified butter on the side. For this tasty dinner my Hal opened a bottle of an elegant, full bodied “OPUS ONE”. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, one could tell, it got very quiet.
For dessert I had made from white Toblerone chocolate a creamy mousse and served a Melba sauce (fresh raspberry sauce) on the side and my wonderful Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.
Owning these precious old pistols, this excellent dinner and the wine and sharing it with wonderful friends, what more could a Gentleman wish for?
I can just imagine Hal’s face when he opened that beautiful box and found his birthday dueling pistols!
And the meal and wine they all shared to celebrate it, as usual, sounds mouthwateringly delicious!
Such a life of love they shared.
I hope you enjoy this tale as I did. Marcie
Another sweet story of Ilona’s deep love and appreciation for her Hal. Each tale adds a layer of beauty to their incredible story. I am always amazed by Ilona’s ability to record such details in her stories — from the personal interactions, to the surroundings, including the patterns on the table ware, to the delicious desserts she prepares. It’s almost like seeing snapshots, or watching a movie. So vivid and captivating. I now have a storehouse of visual memories I can dip into whenever I want to savor Ilona and Hal and their adventures. Thanks!
Ilona has such an amazing way of making her loved ones feel special, and this birthday celebration is a perfect example, with the sensational gift of the dueling pistols, the carefully planned and delectable dinner with friends, and the beautiful decor. Bravo Ilona, for making Hal’s birthday so special! Thank you Marcie and Ilona, for sharing this warm and wonderful story.