July 27, 2004
Birthday Girl
I turn 25 today, and as much as everyone has tried to scare me with tales of quarter-century milestones, the slowing down of cellular renewal and the ensuing downward path to old age, I am utterly, utterly delighted!
I have always loved birthdays, with their procession of cakes, candles, presents and well wishes, and every year I spend my birthday in a glow of giggly happiness and inexplicable pride.
I am not yet sure what this day has in store for me, as I have an inkling that someone may surprise me with something, but what I do know is that Maxence and his mother are whisking me off to lunch somewhere, and that is a mighty fine start to the string of birthday celebrations I intend to throw.
I have also been thinking for years about this day, as the day to listen with particular relish to one of my favorite songs of all times, written and sung by one of my favorite music groups of all times, Superflu.
The song is called 25 ans, and like all songs by Superflu, it is delicate, moving, a little melancholy and simply beautiful. Here are the lyrics.
25 ans (by Superflu)
Regarde-nous, 25 ans
Ce n'est plus tout à fait pareil déjà
Oh je sais tu vas me dire ca n'est pas encore vieux
Mais ca pourrait le devenir
Tu as vu mes yeux
Tu as vu ta peau
Et le cheveu blanc chez untel
Regarde-nous les casseroles que l'on traîne
Les photos sur nos murs
Et ces piles de lettres, je suis sûr que parmi les tiennes
J'en ai signé quelques-unes
Tu as vu nos coeurs
Tu as vu le désordre
Et ses effets sur untel
Tu as vu mes yeux
Tu as vu ta peau
Et le cheveu blanc chez untel
Regarde-nous, tout ça pour te dire
Que nous laissons passer les heures
A attendre quelque chose qui ne viendra jamais
Quelque chose qui ne viendra jamais
Tu as vu nos vies
Nos appartements
Et l'enfant déjà chez untel
Tu as vu mes yeux
Tu as vu ta peau
Et le cheveu blanc chez untel
Regarde-nous, ne crois-tu pas
Qu'il reste une place pour nous deux
Même pas très grande, même pas très belle
Mais au moins qui nous appartienne
Tu as vu nos peines
Nos problèmes d'argent
Et les soucis d'untel
Tu as vu mes yeux
Tu as vu ta peau
Et le cheveu blanc chez untel
Regarde-nous et dis-moi
Ce que tu veux maintenant
Moi je n'ai plus beaucoup de force mais encore envie de toi
Encore envie de toi
Tu as vu nos rêves
Et la poussière dessus
Et puis les rides chez untel
Tu as vu nos peines
Nos problemes d'argent
Et les soucis d'untel
Tu as vu nos vies
Nos appartements
Et l'enfant déjà chez untel
Tu as vu nos coeurs
Tu as vu le désordre
Et ses effets sur untel
Tu as vu mes yeux
Tu as vu ta peau
Et le cheveu blanc
[whispered] chez untel
Never miss a recipe!Sign up for the Chocolate & Zucchini newsletter to receive monthly news and a digest of recent entries.
Print me!
| 
Comments (93)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Interlude
bon anniversaire, clotilde!
Best wishes to your "25ans" year... w/love, chika
Posted by chika on July 27, 2004 8:37 AMJoyeux quart de siècle, Clotilde!
...something in the picture tells me you bought the August issue of Biba... ;-)
Posted by Caroline on July 27, 2004 9:09 AMHappy birthday!
Life really just starts here...
Enjoy your day (you probably will)!
Väös
Posted by Väös on July 27, 2004 9:18 AMHappy 25th Birthday! Wishing you the best!
Posted by Nia on July 27, 2004 9:33 AMJoyeux Anniversaire!
Posted by Eliza on July 27, 2004 9:56 AMI adore your blog C., hope you have a fantabulous time today!
Je te souhaite un très joyeux anniversaire... Je te rejoindrai dans le clan des "vieilles" de 25 ans dans quelques petits mois! ;o)
I wish you the very best and enjoy your surprise!!!
Posted by Ninou on July 27, 2004 10:34 AMHappy Birthday Clotilde!
Posted by Kolya Soymonoff on July 27, 2004 10:37 AMHere's to another quarter century.
hi, I just happened to bump into your blog yesterday and am now looking forward to trying out some of your recipes, so attractive, simple with that interesting intelligent touch! Thanks a lot for sharing and happy birthday to you
Posted by savina on July 27, 2004 10:49 AMThis is me singing:
Posted by Alisa on July 27, 2004 11:02 AMHappy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Clotilde.....
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!
Love and Bisous
Alisa
Joyeux anniversaire Clotilde!
Posted by Theresa on July 27, 2004 11:17 AMNow, will you be posting about that cake and that gorgeous pink top you're wearing in the picture?
May you have a very good year ahead, and thousands of excellent lunches to come!
Hi Clotilde,
Happy 25th! Enjoy your day!
Posted by Reid on July 27, 2004 12:10 PMHappy Birthday!!!!! Bonne Fete a Toi!
Posted by Su-Lin on July 27, 2004 12:35 PMHappy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday to You....Happy Birthday dear Clotilde...Happy Birthday to You!
Have a wonderful day and wish I was 25 again! :-)
Sue
Posted by Mamasue on July 27, 2004 12:50 PMJoyeux anniversaire, Clotilde!!! And don't worry about being 25... the "downward path to old age" doesn't really start until 30. =) Hope you have a great day and LOTS of cake!
Posted by Kelli on July 27, 2004 1:10 PMAlles Gute zum Geburtstag - best birthday wishes for you from Frankfurt, Germany!
Posted by Beate on July 27, 2004 1:30 PMHappy Birthday Clotilde, and may there be many many more.
Posted by the amazing kim on July 27, 2004 1:33 PMHappy birthday !
Posted by Iaia on July 27, 2004 2:03 PMJoyeux anniversaire !
Buon compleanno !
Happy Birthday, Clotilde! Best wishes!
Posted by Josh on July 27, 2004 2:04 PMJoyeux anniversaire Clotilde !
It is cool to be 25, there are just two things you may not like : 1) you are too old now to take advantage of discounts and 2) it is the age when people are told to start using anti-wrikle creams :-)
You'll get over it, though, and I wish you a wonderful birthday with great food, as usual!
Posted by Estelle on July 27, 2004 2:23 PMClotilde, the happiest of days I wish you from Australia..such a treat to read your words that are filled to the brim with joy and excitement and love of life ~ many many thanks! I came across this quote and thought of you...a true original ..delicious day in and delicious day out..again, Clotilde, thank you for the joy you're spreading in this cyberspace world of ours..
Posted by Joan on July 27, 2004 2:40 PMoops..forgot to add the quote!...the white chocolate and macadamia cookies must have done something to my memory!
Posted by Joan on July 27, 2004 2:42 PM"Your were born an angel. Don't die a copy." John Mason
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Clotilde, and many happy returns of the day.
Posted by Adele on July 27, 2004 2:46 PMi have donned my isadora duncan costume and will now launch into a little birthday celebration dance in honor of you, clotilde.
::: leap, leap leap. twirl! jump! leap, leap. spin! swirl with silk scarves swishing in the air and on last leap off stage only to return strewing rose petals and fragrant lilacs at the feet of the birthday girl.::::
happy birthday!
Posted by monkey on July 27, 2004 3:04 PMHave a very happy birthday, Clotilde! I'm so glad you have such perfect weather for a perfect day! And 25 is young, my dear - no need to start worrying about anti-wrinkle creams and hot water bottles yet for heaven's sake - enjoy yourself!!
Posted by Meg in Paris on July 27, 2004 3:18 PMJoyeaux anniversaire Clotilde!
Posted by Karen on July 27, 2004 3:23 PMBonne Anniversaire la belle Clotilde! Sending you loads of hugs and good wishes for a splendid birthday and an even more splendid year ahead! All the very best wishes to YOU!
Posted by bluepoppy on July 27, 2004 3:24 PMBonne anniversaire! :-)
Posted by Josephine on July 27, 2004 3:24 PMHappy birthday! May you have many more years of bloggable culinary adventures!
Posted by Kat on July 27, 2004 3:31 PMHAPPY BIRTHDAY Clotilde!
Posted by Deb on July 27, 2004 3:46 PMWhat a wonderful age to be, so many great adventures ahead of you. Enjoy yourself today and eat lots of cake!
Happy birthday, Clotilde!!!! You look so pretty.
Sher
Posted by sher on July 27, 2004 3:48 PMHappiest of birthdays! No matter the age, they must always be celebrated!
Posted by ladyloo on July 27, 2004 3:57 PMHappy birthday and many happy returns, Clotilde!
Posted by Charlotte on July 27, 2004 4:14 PMI just turned 25 this month too! Happy birthday from another July baby!
Posted by E. on July 27, 2004 4:14 PMBon anniversaire, Clotilde. Your website is new to me and wonderful! I'm so glad to be living now near France.
Posted by zuriga on July 27, 2004 4:15 PMzuriga
Happy happy happy day to you!!!!!
Posted by Allison on July 27, 2004 4:15 PMHappy Birthday Clotilde!
Your blog brings me a smile every time I visit; may you have all those smiles, and then some, today and for the rest of the year!
Marcy
Posted by Marcy on July 27, 2004 4:18 PMHappy birthday wishes from New York City - have a lovely day!
Posted by Luisa on July 27, 2004 4:24 PMxx
Many birthday wishes from over here in Oakland!
Posted by Derrick Schneider on July 27, 2004 4:26 PMHap-hap-happy birthday to the most charming blogger...
Posted by Matilda on July 27, 2004 4:33 PMAnd I'll be 26 here in just a few days -- not a July baby, but another Leo at least. A very merry birthday to you, gorgeous! Your articles are my reward to myself for making it in to work every morning - my employers owe you a lot! (: Have a beautiful, delicious birthday. Here's hoping 24 - Season 3 is one of the surprises in store for you (though I guess it would have to be a late birthday present due to its release date -- but that would just make it even more of a suprise!)
Posted by katie on July 27, 2004 4:42 PMClothilde
Posted by maryanne on July 27, 2004 4:43 PMHappy Birthday from Boston and one of your biggest fans!
Maryanne
Happy Birthday! You look adorable and you're mature beyond your years, which I think is a good thing. It means you can get away with having a lot more fun :) Many hugs, have a WONDERFUL time and enjoy!
Posted by Boreal on July 27, 2004 4:48 PMHappiest birthday! Your cake looks so nice.
Posted by Michelle on July 27, 2004 4:57 PM25 is great. Enjoy it! With love from Canada.
happy birthday wishes from Istanbul!
Posted by hatice on July 27, 2004 5:05 PMLots of birthday wishes from Chicago!! Hope it's a great day, Clotilde!!
Posted by Joni on July 27, 2004 5:35 PMJoyeux anniversaire,
Joyeux anniversaire,
Bonne fete pour Clotilde,
Bonne fete pour toi!
I hope you are having a fabulous day - you look really happy in the pictures, so the day clearly got off to a good start! I hope that Maxence and your family spoil you rotten and that you have many, many more happy birthdays.
Posted by Jeanne on July 27, 2004 5:41 PMMore birthday glee from NYC - hoping that this year is a brilliant one on your end, and from my side, hoping that it'll be full of C&Z.
Posted by Linus on July 27, 2004 5:49 PMJoyeux Anniversaire, Clotilde - and many more!!
Posted by writersbloc gal on July 27, 2004 5:54 PMAnd yet another helping of birthday good wishes from New York. I hope you have had a wonderful one!
Posted by Alexa on July 27, 2004 5:58 PMOH! I didn't realize you were a fellow Leo (although one year and a few weeks earlier than I) - Happy Birthday!!
Posted by redbeard on July 27, 2004 6:01 PMIyiki dogdun Clotilde!
(this is turkish...)
Posted by Hande on July 27, 2004 6:17 PMyou have already got 50 comments, and the day is not even over!
Happy birthday, Clotilde! Can't wait to hear about your surprise-filled day. :-)
I celebrated my 26th birthday two days ago. Cheers to all the July babies!
Posted by Melissa on July 27, 2004 6:28 PMEen gelukkige verjaardag, Clothilde! Greetings from Ghent.
Posted by Peter on July 27, 2004 7:11 PMHappy happy and thanks for sharing all that you do with us! Wishing you much happiness, health and many adventures (culinary and otherwise ;) in the next year!
Posted by kitten on July 27, 2004 7:13 PMJoyeux anniversaire Clothilde! Here is wishing you 75 more! :-)
Posted by Seattle Bon Vivant on July 27, 2004 7:27 PMMa soeurette,
je me joins à ce concert de voeux (55 souhaits, et la journée n'est pas encore finie, c'est impressionnant !!) pour te souhaiter un joyeux anniversaire par blog interposé !
Et si toi, tu ne prends pas de coup de vieux, c'est moi qui en prends presque un pour deux... Ma petite soeur a 25 ans !! :-)
Je t'embrasse très fort,
Posted by Céline on July 27, 2004 8:05 PMCéline.
Happy birthday, dear Clotilde! Wishing you a year full of leeks, blueberry tarts, fantastic cheese, and perfect chocolate.
Posted by Brianna on July 27, 2004 8:55 PMHappy Birthday Clotilde!
Posted by charlotte on July 27, 2004 9:02 PMToday is my half birthday ;-) and even though I have 9 years on you (!) I still feel 25. If it's all in the attitude, then you have some great years to look forward too!
P.S. Thank you for letting me live in France vicariously through you with your blog!
Liebe Clotilde,
Posted by christoph on July 27, 2004 9:04 PMalles Gute zum 25. Geburstag wuenschen dir:
Christoph und Susanne
The day's not finished yet, ma Clotilde... I still remember with overwhelming joy (and pride) this day 25 years ago, 5 am, in the Clinique Marignan down the Champs-Elysées, when the doctor exclaimed, while I was holding your mother's hand: "Et voilà! C'est une fille!!!"
Little did he realise, and little did we know ourselves, that we had just witnessed the birth of the Food Blogger of the Century to Come !
Joyeux Anniversaire, et très grosses bises !
Posted by Patrick on July 27, 2004 9:19 PMFrom the far side of North America, happy birthday!
Posted by Kristi on July 27, 2004 9:25 PMHappy Birthday from Breda (Netherlands).
Posted by Sberg on July 27, 2004 9:57 PMTwentyfive is a beautiful age, enjoy and cherish the time you're young!
http://www.towse.com/blogger/2004/07/clotilde-dusoulier-turns-25-today.htm
Posted by Sal on July 27, 2004 9:59 PMhappy birthday! today is my husband's 25th birthday too!
i completely love your site.
Posted by Martine Workman on July 27, 2004 10:06 PM¡Feliz cumpleaños!, as the Spanish say, from a new reader in the United States near the Mexican border! :)
Posted by Manders on July 27, 2004 10:19 PMHappy Birthday Clotilde ! Beaucoup de bonheur pour cette journée, et pour toutes les belles années qui t'attendent !
Posted by Peggy on July 27, 2004 10:39 PMMerci de nous offrir toujours autant de nouveautés et de bonheurs culinaires!
Happu Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Clotilde, Happy Birthday to you!
Posted by Rickosss on July 27, 2004 10:42 PMjoyeux anniversaire ma chère clotilde, to many more birthdays to come and food experiences
Posted by daniel on July 28, 2004 12:21 AMClotilde - by now I think your special day is over, but I hope it was truly wonderful. I am certain that great things await you in the coming years!
Posted by Cathy on July 28, 2004 1:19 AMOkay I HAVE to do this, seeing there is no greeting in Danish:
TILLYKKE CLOTILDE! Håber din dag har været fantastisk!
(congrats Clotilde - hope you had an amazing day!)
Have been hanging around your site for a while now, and must say I'm very impressed. I thought you were much older (sorry!8-)) - just don't know that many people my own age that has the same kind of passion for food as I - and obviously you! -do! ;-) Love the site! Thank you!
Posted by Zarah on July 28, 2004 1:22 AMHappy Birthday, Clotilde! You look so happy and beautiful in that picture. Thanks for including a pic of yourself. Hope you had a wonderful day.
Posted by Jennifer in Tokyo on July 28, 2004 1:55 AMI really enjoy your blog, and want to wish you the happiest of birthdays!!!
Posted by Janet on July 28, 2004 2:20 AMoops - looks like i'm out of the loop! the only excuse i can give is that i turned 21 this past weekend ;) so from (yet another) july baby to another - happy belated birthday, clotilde! i hope you had a fantastic day, & by the way you are beautiful!
-serena
Posted by serena on July 28, 2004 2:53 AMhappy birthday Clotilde!
biz..
Posted by pim on July 28, 2004 3:26 AMPim
Happy birthday, Clotilde, and many happy returns! Thank you for sharing a milestone with us.
Posted by Elsa on July 28, 2004 3:27 AMYet another set of slightly belated happy birthday wishes from NYC! I haven't forgotten about a petit paquet we discussed...I've just been waiting for a) the weather to cool down a bit and b) for us to come back from vacation with a few regional specialties...
Julie
Posted by Julie on July 28, 2004 4:22 AMhappy birthday!
Posted by brian&anna on July 28, 2004 5:22 AMhappy birthday! i was a little disoriented when coming to your site because i also turned 25 (on the 25th) and posted about it on my site a few times with similar headings! again, happy birthday and cheers to many more.
Posted by elizabeth on July 28, 2004 6:27 AMHappy birthday clotilde from Sydney, Australia :-) i hope you had lots of a lovely surprises on your birthday and that you were spoilt incredibly.
Thank you so much for sharing your food wisdom and delight with us all!
Posted by pipstar on July 28, 2004 7:57 AMhappy birthday! i hope it is a good one! clotilde, i have to thank you for introducing me to superflu. they're absolutely terrific! they're a bit like little rabbits. and i quite like little rabbits.
take care and be well.
mare
Posted by mare on July 28, 2004 8:24 AMHappy birthday to you! Oh, to be 25 again. The real rot sets in at 40.
Posted by Wendy on July 28, 2004 8:51 AM
Posted by chev on July 28, 2004 9:16 AMhappy happy birthday clotilde! best wishes fr. singapore
Back from holidays, so a little late:
Happy Birthday Clothilde, now you're talking ;-)
Posted by Sophie on July 28, 2004 11:53 AMHAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!!!
Posted by aru on July 28, 2004 12:54 PMi hope yesterday went the way u wanted it to. with lots of loved ones around u, good food, lucious cake and warm wishes for a very bright future. have a good summer.
take care.
Hey Clotilde,
Posted by Dave on July 28, 2004 1:05 PMI worked with a guy in Lyon several years ago and we spoke about getting older. He said "it's no difference, a few less hairs on your head, that's about it, you're still the same man." So for guys it's just a matter of losing hair; otherwise getting older is generally good. Except for the hair thing. I don't think you'll have that problem though. Happy belated birthday, hope your day was special. -Dave
Happy Birthday Clotilde! You're gonna love the other side of your twenties.
Posted by Marina on July 28, 2004 2:41 PMhappy birthday clotilde! I absolutely adore your blog...anyway enjoy your day!
Posted by meg on July 28, 2004 3:05 PM(belated) happy birthday, clotilde!
Posted by athena on July 28, 2004 5:39 PMBon anniversaire, Clotilde!
o_O
Posted by Sarah on July 28, 2004 9:06 PMWow, we have the same birthday! I turned 27 this July 27th!!
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a great day, enjoy your new I-Pod!
Posted by Eric on July 29, 2004 4:35 AMsince no one has wished you in chinese ...
Posted by jun on July 30, 2004 12:44 PMsheng ri kuai le, clotilde! :)
may all your days ahead be happy!
Bon anniversaire !!
Sans ton Blog, je ne suis rien :o)
Marcel
Posted by marcel on July 30, 2004 2:36 PMAll - Many, many thanks for all your kind words, they made me smile and laugh all through the day, a real treat!
Theresa - The pink top was actually a gift included in a magazine I bought to read on the train. Isn't it pretty? As for the cake, it is the family staple "Gâteau de Mamy" (recipe on C&Z), made with apricots!
Mare - I am ever-so-pleased that you checked out Superflu, they're the best! I also love the "little rabbit" image, and have to agree!
Posted by clotilde on August 6, 2004 11:41 AM