the way i see it
I’ve gone through phases when it comes to birthdays. It used to be that I couldn’t wait because it was such a big deal to be another year older! Wow, EIGHT!!
By the time I turned 16 it didn’t matter so much anymore and I learned that not having expectations for birthdays meant you wouldn’t be let down.
On my 21st birthday I went out drinking with my girlfriend and co-captain late into the night. The next day, during a grueling and hungover early morning pre-season volleyball practice, I decided to stop drinking alcohol altogether.
I don’t remember my 30th birthday because I was in graduate school and I’ve been told that the human mind tries to forget traumatic events as a protection mechanism.
Today I turned 40. My parents texted me a happy birthday message at 5 am.
When my dad turned 40, my sister and I ran around the house yelling “The BIG 4-0!!” and we thought it was so funny. 40… Who the hell turns 40? That’s so old! Well, I’m 40 now and I don’t feel any different from 39 any different from 32 any different from 25. It’s still me. I’m just me.
People have asked if I’m doing anything special for my birthday, but I think the people who know me best know that every day is special. And I guess that’s my point – I’m really grateful to have made it this far. I’m grateful every morning that I wake up because there was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d be here. So I’ll take any birthday, any day that comes and I’ll make the most of it and love it because I can’t imagine living any other way.
We’re on travel in southwestern Colorado on recon for the fall shoot. It’s the intersection of work and play. That’s how it always is on my birthday because that’s when the leaves start turning. They wait for no one.
glowing red like a beacon
they look like candy to me
The fall shoot is without a doubt, my favorite shoot of the year. Right now, it’s early in the season, but we’re already seeing more reds than usual and plenty of beautiful and healthy golds. I wonder if that has to do with the late and wet spring we had? It’s glorious.
warm colors
mix and match
My only request for my birthday was that I spend it with Jeremy. It didn’t matter if the leaves were green, gold, or purple (that would have been neat) – I just wanted to be together. The colors, the good weather, the mountains we love so much… all icing on the cake.
how’s that for icing?
sunset: just us, cattle, and two dudes revving their atvs in the background
Jeremy keeps saying, “Happy birthday!” and I instinctively reply, “Happy birthday!” He corrects me and says that it isn’t his birthday. I’ve always felt that birthdays are meant to be shared. So yes, it’s his birthday, and yours, and mine. Happy birthday, everyone! xo
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:41 am
Happy Birthday!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:45 am
I’m not too far behind you – happy birthday!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:51 am
Yes, happy birthday and what a surprise to learn that we share birthdays! I really truly love your blog and have always felt we had a lot in common, but this !!… Love from Istanbul… :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:56 am
I love this, Jen. Happy birthday to all of us! It’s just amazing to be alive and *living* this life. You’re so, so right about that.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 am
Happy birthday to you! 40 is a good one! The simple every day can be celebrated and you seem to be doing that very well.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:11 am
Happy Birthday!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:19 am
Happy birthday! I like your take on birthdays and being grateful for every day. That’s how I felt on my 30th birthday earlier this month – just so grateful for my life so far.
If things had worked out schedule-wise this year, my husband and I would have been spending next week in Colorado enjoying the fall colors. Your photos (which are beautiful, by the way!) make me sad it didn’t work out this year, but oh well. Hopefully we can make it happen next year :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:34 am
can i tell you that it only gets better? i remember thinking 40 was an old number . . . but 40 was my best year ever . . . i met the professor when i was 40 . . . and every. single. day. since then has been a joy and celebrated as if it were a birthday . . . you’ve got it together Jen . . . here’s to many more birthdays
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:40 am
Happy birthday! :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:41 am
What a lovely, thoughtful post. Everyone should embrace life the same way and enjoy every day and its beauty. Love the pictures, gorgeous shots. Happy birthday.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:44 am
As always, your photos and sentiments are good for the soul. Hope your day brings your great joy!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:48 am
Happy Birthday!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:48 am
these photos are making me weep.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 am
Sounds like a great way to spend your birthday Jen! Have a very happy day.
Pru
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 am
Happy birthday Jen! I’m a long time lurker, but I’d just like to say that I’ve followed your blog for quite some time now. I always find your photography and recipes beautiful and inspiring, but to be honest it’s your wonderful views on life and your incredibly positive attitude that keeps me coming back. Your posts always make me feel good about things, and inspire me to be a better person. Thanks for that.
P.S you share the exact birthday of one of my best friends… he just turned 40 today as well. Off for celebrations!
Happy birthday to us all!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:51 am
Beautiful post, Jen.
I totally agree with you.
After C, everyday is icing.
Your photography is a gift that you share with the world.
I, for one, am incredibly grateful to experience it.
Wishing you a wonderful day w/the ones that you love.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:54 am
Happy Bday Jen. I am so with you- I did not feel any different at 40 than I did at 25. Just feel like me. Love your photos, as always, and I am so glad you’re here to share them :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:56 am
Beautiful post, beautiful photos. I am pinning them on my Pinterest under my catagory board : photos that make me happy”
Thanks!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
A very happy birthday to you, Jen :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 am
HaPpY BiRtHdAY JEN!! May you have many more days to love life and laugh!! All the best, Nan
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:04 am
Lovely post. Happy Birthday to you!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:21 am
Happy Birthday and a wonderful trip! Looking forward to your pictures.
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:25 am
Happy Birthday Jen. Thank you for all that you photograph, blog, cook, share, etc. Many, many more!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 am
Happy birthday!!! I hope that you will get to gorge on tons of beautiful sushis! :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 am
Happy, happy birthday, probably a bit late though considering the time difference. Greetings from Norway. Love your insights, your pictures and your recipes. Keep them coming!
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 am
Nicely done and beautiful shots, Jen. Great philosophy and inspiration. Life is for the taking. I like that you seem to reach out and grab it each day. It’s so easy to forget that’s what we’re all here for! Enjoy the day.
Waiting for some of that fall color to hit the East Coast.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:11 am
That’s beautiful, Happy Birthday to you too. May you have many more happy ones to come.
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:15 am
Happy Birthday to you!! I agree – everyday should be enjoyed!
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:41 am
I hear you about appreciating those birthdays. People who bitch about getting older are kind of missing the point, I think. Many happy wishes to you and Jeremy. Have an icing day. xo
September 23rd, 2011 at 9:49 am
Wishing you all the best – Happy Birthday to you yesterday, today and everyday! Hope you were able to find some purple leaves :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:14 am
Happy Birthday! Glad you get to spend it with the person you love, doing the things you love!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:28 am
Happy Birthday from Richmond, BC! Reading your blog always makes my workday a little brighter. You inspire me. Thank you.
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am
Happy Birthday, Jen!
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:52 am
What a beautiful post :)
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:04 am
Happy Birthday! I’m glad it’s wonderful for you, spending the day with your best friend. ;-)
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:06 am
Best birthday wishes! Looks and sounds like a great way to share the day.
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 am
I am very glad that you are here, too! Your friendship is extra-special, just like you! A beautiful birthday to you, Jen!
**hugs**
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:59 am
Happy Birthday! And thank you for the gorgeous photos .. I’m currently at school in Illinois and am really missing the beautiful fall foliage in Colorado!
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Happy birthday! Great pictures! (And a great blog too.) Here’s something that might suit your day: I believe that everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing the fall photos! They are beautiful!
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Happy Healthy Birthday to you! Your Fall photos are gorgeous. Maybe you can send some of your sunshine and clear crisp sunny days here to the Northeast. We’re in need here in NJ! Hope you will eat a GIANT piece of cake to celebrate!
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Yeah Happy Birthday to us dammit!!! LOL
Thanks for all you do for us….. your readers.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Happy, happy birthday. I love those candy red leaves.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Thank you for sharing yourself with us on this special day…and every other day. Happy Birthday, Jen! xox
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Happy Birthday!!! Go 71ers! I just turned 40 on Aug 24th. I feel the same as you, its not really any different! Hope you have a great year ahead.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Happy Birthday! You’ve brought more joy and happiness to more people in your short 40 years than most people do in their entire lifetimes with your warmth, beautiful photos, delicious recipes, and wise insights. As my mother has said as far back as I can remember in her motherly, Chinese way, “You’re only as old as you feel.” That means that you’re just getting started!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Happiest b/d to you, Jenzie! I am so thankful you are having your birthday, it means that I get to continue celebrating all that is, The House of Butter :))))))
Seriously, I really, really am so thankful I found your blog! I am thankful for your inspiration.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GURL!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Happy Birthday, Jen…
yours was one of the first blogs I started to follow, because of a search for potstickers, that are STILL my favorite food in the whole world – I am glad I found your virtual spot, and I am glad you still put so much thought and energy and joy into it.
Enjoy each day, birthday or not, it doesn’t matter – just be happy!
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Happy birthday Jen!
September 24th, 2011 at 3:31 am
Happy Birthday, Jen!
September 24th, 2011 at 6:39 am
So. You are one of the wealthiest friends I have. Every friend is
A drop of gold- look how many you having wishing you a speial day.
The photos are amazing. Thanks for posting bc it is my only way
To enjoy fall now. Breathe in that crisp air for me. Love ya to pieces.
September 24th, 2011 at 6:49 am
A birthday is a good reason to be very kind to yourself. I actually enjoy (and look forward to) them! May your “Happy Birthday” feeling last all year.
September 24th, 2011 at 7:34 am
Happy Birthday to one spectacular lady!
September 24th, 2011 at 7:39 am
Happy birthday…just a few hours late!
September 24th, 2011 at 8:06 am
Welcome to the beginning of The Age of Never.
September 24th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Happy Birthday, and thank you for sharing…..because….being a Leap Year Baby, you never get enough!!!!! 40 is awesome, and 50 even better!!!!!! Wait until you hit double nickels!!!!!! Happy Happy to my survivor sister!
September 24th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Happy Birthday!!!
September 24th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Happy Birthday, Jen. And as the birthday song refrain goes, “…and Many More.” I just turned 68 and can’t believe it ‘cuz I feel 40. As long as my own Mom was with us, when she wished me a happy birthday, I turned it back to her, with a hug and kiss, saying, “Thank you for giving me birthdays!” Somehow reflecting good wishes to others makes the day happier for everyone (the way you toss it back to Jeremy). -B
September 24th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
happy birthday, jen and thx so much for your wonderful butter during the years! :-)
September 24th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Loooove yoooooouuu. :)
Glad you’re still here. Every day.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:13 am
shen re kwai le to you as well!! hope you got to spend a lovely birthday weekend doing your favorite things with your favorite people, and dog! and thank you, as always, for sharing the beauty you find.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Happy Birthday! I am glad you had such a great day, and I hope many great things for you and your family.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Your photos are beautiful. We live in TX and I was trying to explain to my 5 yr old daughter what Fall looks like. She LOVED your images (especially the frost). We don’t really see that here.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Oh and Happy Birthday!
September 25th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Happy Birthday to you – and to Jeremy! It looks like an absolutely perfect Birthday! Celebrating life abundantly! Everyday
September 25th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Happy birthday, and many returns of this happy day! I love what Sara wrote above, and I agree entirely.
Your spunk and zest for life is good for us all.
September 26th, 2011 at 12:44 am
This is just the way I see it too. Happy birthday!
September 26th, 2011 at 1:39 am
Happy birthday to one of my favourite person! Age is just a number so they say! We don’t celebrate much in a big way. Like you, the every days are the ones that matter.
September 26th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Feliz cumpleaรฑos, Jen!! And to Jeremy! And to all of us! Thank you for everything (the humor, the inspiration, the warmth…)!
September 26th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Happy Birthday! This post is very well timed. You see A) I live San Francisco and am really missing fall right now. It’s completely my season and your photos brought it just a little closer. And B) I just had a birthday last week myself and feel exactly the same way. Your take on it all is lovely. Yes, every day is special. Thanks.
September 26th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
I have never left a comment on any blog in my entire life, and yet I felt compelled to leave one tonight. I read your blog avidly and when I saw that you say “Happy Birthday” back instinctively to Jeremy a huge grin popped up on my face. I too have that urge to repeat the “Happy Birthday” back to anyone who says it to me. I dont know, I feel as if they should have some part of the fun as well. My partner cannot quite figure it out either…
I just wanted to comment and say what a small world it is and the commonalities that we all sometimes share is a beautiful thing. Happy Birthday and many more to come. Thanks for your inspirational posts.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Thank you for all of the wonderful birthday wishes. You guys are the best :) xo
fidan – happy birthday to you!
Smith Bites – thank you, hon. And here’s to 40!! :)
Sara – thank you! That is just so nice of you to write. Hope you and your best friend had a great time celebrating!
Rachel – xxoo
Cindy – thank you, sweetheart. I’m gonna be in your hood soon! We should do lunch :)
Manisha – *hugs* to you, my dear dear friend.
Lisa @ The Cutting Edge of Ordinary – you’re hilarious :)
tami – xo
andrea – woooo!!!
Laura – so sweet of you. thank you xo
Amos – love you, Amos. Come visit us. I wanna meet Alejandra!
Jill – double nickels ? :) That’s so cute!
Melissa – right back atchya girl. xo
Mrs Ergรผl – thank you! xo
Sil – besos.
Austin – thank you for commenting and yes, I think some of us DO feel the need to say it right back to others :) xo