Mar Jennings: TV Host | Author | Lifestyle Expert

Earth Day, Birth Day

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970. Designed to inspire appreciation for and awareness of Earth’s environment by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. It is now celebrated in more than 70 countries every year. And it also happens to be my well birthday!

This blog I’m not going to talk about Mother Earth as I do that enough already, instead we’re traveling to non other than life on Mar’s.

Although I’m not one for surprises, I was surprised to learn that I would be the recipient of such a notable night out. Friends gathered, we ate and drank, and even sang—no, not Happy Birthday, rather “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” The evening started with some cocktails with friends who were staying with me for the weekend, then on to Barcelona in South Norwalk for non-stop tapas and sangria—and more. Then back to Rosebrook Gardens for more revelry, including my personal favorite cake: coconut!

In fact, the cake is one I requested, even strongly suggesting it be the recipe from my website. I know, I know, but it’s a great recipe, and one I don’t make time to do as often as I’d like. So it was coordinated that my new neighbor, Kristin make it for me. She’s previously revealed herself to be an excellent baker by popping over with scrumptious chocolate chip cookies, and later sinfully decadent and buttery double chocolate brownies for my staff and me. For the record, the cake was amazing! All the guests were mesmerized by it—it’s not often most of us have a cake from scratch these days! It was the added finishing touch for a fabulous evening. Well, second-to-last: Violet also got something wonderful from Kristin and her husband Geoff: a brand new jeweled collar, which Kristin hand-made from lovely grosgrain ribbon and a vintage bracelet—Violet’s first very own “canine couture.” (In the photo you see yours truly with Mary, left, and Kristin, right.)

My birthday weekend actually started on Friday night, when I went into the city for a few engagements. First, a quick get-together at a friend’s home—a charming ground-floor apartment with a garden terrace, where we did a quick consultation on how to make the most of the space and the challenges of mid-city amounts of natural sunlight—and then on to a Broadway play. Finally, a late supper at Rosa Mexicano—the famous guacamole there is enough of a reason to go!—then returning to Westport in the morning for what else?  More gardening work.

Saturday the neighborhood was filled with everyone doing something in their gardens. I took a moment to celebrate that perhaps my passion was somehow contagious—if so, a birthday gift in it's own way. Questions were asked of me and it felt all very natural and organic that our little private road was filled with people taking such pride in their homes and property.

Throughout the weekend people have been so thoughtful. Getting phone calls, texts, and e-mails from people all over the world was so touching—and reminded me how sometimes the world can seem so small when we’re able to connect so easily. I even got treated to the ultimate new tech toy: an iPad. In fact, I’m composing this blog on it as we speak. I know that my birthday falls on Earth Day, but I’m sure that since I celebrate Mother Nature every day she doesn’t mind if I say that my birthday weekend was “out of this world.”

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