Saturday, September 20, 2014

Who's Your Birthday Buddy?






It's that time again! Another year is in the books while all the excitement, anticipation and joy of a new year of adventures looms on the horizon. The celebratory tiara is polished and packages of books sit waiting to wing their way to new homes.  Do you know what that means, dear readers? Of course, you do! Hang the streamers! Blow up the balloons! Grab a drink and a cupcake and get ready to
celebrate because...it's my BIRTHDAY!




I'm always excited to find someone who shares my birthday, especially someone I know.  Julie Anne Long is one of my favorite historical romance authors.  The books of her Pennyroyal Green series hold special places on my keeper shelves and there's a big red circle around March 31 on my 2015 calendar. That's when her next book, It Started With a Scandal (isn't that cover simply gorgeous?) will be published.  Happy Birthday, Julie!  Wishing you a day filled with sunshine, smiles, good friends and great books!










I also share a birthday with my Uncle F.  I didn't have the opportunity to meet him - he died at two years old - but I always felt a special bond with him, as if I had my very own guardian angel watching over me from above.  Considering the near misses I've had during my life, Uncle F has been one busy dude. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Uncle F!








Sophia Loren turns a glorious 80 years old today.  Beautiful, sensual and comfortable in her own skin, Sophia continues to age with dignity and grace; not complaining of getting older but embracing each day of life and all it has to offer. That's how I want to approach each day I'm given in this life. Grazie, Signora!  Buon Compleanno!











Philip Phillips was born on September 20th.  If you're not a fan of American Idol or Top 40 music, you may not know Phillips but I daresay you'll recognize his debut single, "Home." I don't buy a lot of singles but I downloaded this one the first time I heard it.  Happy Birthday, Philip!





I've been a sports fan for as long as I can remember and for much of that time my NBA basketball team of choice has been the Boston Celtics.  It doesn't make a lot of sense considering I grew up in Michigan but there you have it. I'm proud to share my birthday with the long-time coach and president of the Celtics, Red Auerbach. In addition to his 938 victories and 16 NBA championships and ever-present victory cigar, this Hall of Fame coach was also a ground-breaker. He drafted the first African-American player into the NBA in 1950 and sent the first African-American starting five out onto the court in 1964 - bold moves in 1960's America. Auerbach died in 2006 but his legacy lives on. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Coach!




Juan Pablo Montoya is a Columbian race car driver who has the distinction of being one of a small number of drivers to have participated in NASCAR, CART, Formula One and IRL racing. It's fitting that we share a birthday considering the fact that my teenage dream was to be a race car driver. I never made it to the race track but my passengers (a/k/a younger brothers) would tell you it was a dream fulfilled none-the-less. *grin*








Last week I discovered that one of my favorite new historical romance authors is also a September 20th birthday buddy! Elizabeth Michels sparkles and so do her wonderful historical romances.  If you haven't checked them out I enthusiastically encourage you to do so.  They'll leave you smiling as bright and beautifully as their creator! I asked Elizabeth if she'd like to share a few thoughts on this, our shared birthday.  Of course, she responded with an enthusiastic "YES!" So, without further ado, heeeeeeeeere's Elizabeth!

*Twirls onto the blog singing, Happy Birthdaaaaaay toooooo youuu!!!* What a wonderful day! The leaves are changing colors, it’s finally cute boots weather, and not only is it PJ’s birthday, but it’s my birthday too!  What? We share a birthday?  That’s crazy.  Or was that just my reaction?  When I discovered I shared this fine day of birth with such a lovely lady, it made me curious who else arrived in the world on September 20th.  Apparently, George RR Martin and Sophia Loren are celebrating today too.  And, they’re next up on The Romance Dish! Just kidding.  But, I’m here, and I’m excited to announce a giveaway of two signed copies of my books in honor of this fabulous day! I hope you have fun reading Desperately Seeking Suzanna and How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less! I have big, sparkly plans to write a little, shop a little, and go to dinner with my family.  It’s a special Birthday dinner where I will dip things in cheese and chocolate, but not at the same time.  Happy September 20th and Happy Birthday to PJ, George, and Sophia!


Thanks, Elizabeth! A very Happy Birthday to you too!

For those of you who have celebrated previous birthdays with me, you know how much I love presents.  For those who are new to the Dish, here's how it goes:  since I'm the birthday girl I get to choose the presents and because giving gifts gives me great joy, the recipients of my birthday presents will be you, my favorite readers! Six randomly chosen people who leave a comment on my birthday blog will receive a package of books from my book stash and one person will receive signed copies of Elizabeth's books, Desperately Seeking Suzanna and How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days.  (U.S.addresses only)  For my international friends, I'm giving away a copy of What a Duke Dares by Anna Campbell and Snow on the Bayou by Sandra Hill. 

So tell me, dear readers, who shares your birthday? 

Do you have any special traditions you follow in celebrating your birthday? 

Do you usually have a birthday cake? What's your favorite flavor?  

Thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday! 

~PJ







44 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to you both. I hope you both had lovely days and were able to do just what you liked. I don't celebrate birthdays much. If anything, we will take a day trip or go out for a nice dinner. That doesn't need to be on the day of, just close to the date.
    Those who share my birthday (Jan. 18) are A. A. Milne, Daniel Webster, Cary Grant, Danny Kaye, Oliver Hardy, and many actresses,actors and musicians.
    I hope you both have a great New Year.

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  2. A big Happy Birthday to you PJ! You have some great company for your birthday, some of my birthday buddies are Bette Midler, Treat Williams, Sarah Silverman and Zoe Kravitz. My family usually take me out for dinner and we do the whole birthday cake and presents bit. I have to say I always request an Oreo cake and my family never disappoints. Hope you have a wonderful day and have a big slice of cake for me! :)

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  3. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, PJ! A few of my birthday buddies (February 18th) are John Travolta, Vanna White and Cybill Shepherd. I "go with the flow" on my birthday. I don't really strive to do anything special but if it happens, all the better. Birthday cake? I like it simple. I'll take a yellow cake with homemade vanilla buttercream frosting. I'm not a chocolate cake fan.

    Enjoy your beautiful fall weather up there. Here in Florida, we're still needing the A/C and really look forward to some cooler and drier days.

    Again, hope yours is a very special birthday!

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  4. Happiest of Birthdays PJ. Bette Midler shares my birthday. On my birthday every year we put up our Christmas tree. My favorite cake and the kind I always have for my birthday is Cherry Chip with cherry icing

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  5. Happy Birthday! My sister's bday is 3 days after mine so we always have our family celebration together.

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  6. Happy birthday ladies! I don't really know who shares my birthday, it is in the cold month of January, should have been February but I got in a hurry.

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  7. Happy Birthday PJ. Hope you're enjoying a great day! My birthday is Nov 11 and there are lots of famous people born on that day. Here's a short list: Leonardo DiCaprio, Demi Moore, Abigail Adams (wife of President John Adams), George Patton, Calista Flockhart and Jonathan Winters. There are several reality TV personalities that I don't recognize since I don't watch that stuff; lots of sports stars and as far as authors go, there's Kurt Vonnegut. Oh, and I love chocolate cake.

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  8. Enjoy your birthday with all of your friends and family PJ!

    My birthday is January 15th shared with Civil Rights speaker and activist Martin Luther King Jr, New Orleans Saint's QB Drew Brees and his son Luke, actors:Lloyd Bridges, Chad Lowe and Eddie Cahill, Egypt's ex- President Nassar, French playwriter Moliere, Greek shipping mogul Aristotle Onassis, Government Fredrick Arthur Stanley (Hockey's Stanley Cup) and outlaw Cole Younger

    We have a tradition of making chocolate angel food cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting. It was a secret recipe but I badgered my mom to get her aunt Tressie and her mom, my grandmother, to reveal the recipe which they finally did when I was in middle school. My mom used to whip the egg whites by hand with this mesh like tool you can't even buy anymore. I used a hand mixer with excellent results. We also get to request whatever we want for dinner. Mine was always Hecker- style fried chicken, the recipe originated from a restaurant we used to visit near Elkhart Lake.

    What are you doing to celebrate PJ? Have a great time!

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  9. Morning, everyone! Thanks for the birthday wishes. I'm in Michigan celebrating with family and friends. A very good day!

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  10. Happy birthday, ladies! have lots of cake for me! I have an odd assortment of birthday buddies (October 8)--Jesse Jackson, Chevy Chase and Matt Damon. We don't usually do anything special, because every day is kind of special around here, LOL. My husband's favorite birthday cake is chocolate with cream cheese frosting, but I don't have to worry about that until January.

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  11. Happy Birthday, PJ. My bro in law's bday is today as well. My aunt who is no longer here and I shared a birthday. Richard Dreyfus, Winona Ryder and Kate Jackson share my bday.
    Patoct

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  12. Happy Birthday, PJ! Wishing you continuing blessings through this next year.

    I share a birthday with a cousin and with Beatles George Harrison.

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    Replies
    1. Hey! You and I are birthday buddies, too. (The things you learn in blog posts!)

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  13. A very happy birthday, PJ. Hope you have a wonderful day. I have two wonderful authors that share my birthday - Louisa May Alcott and C. S. Lewis!!!
    My birthday is Nov. 29th and there have been years I get a candle in a pumpkin pie since it's so close to Thanksgiving. But if I get a choice, I pick white almond cake! Thanks for a chance at a wonderful gift on your birthday - so generous!

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  14. Have a very happy birthday! Hope all your wishes come true, My B-day is April 3rd and my husband and both daughters are in August so I'm the odd one out.
    Hugs Penney

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  15. Roy Rogers had the same bday. And my daughter almost shared it with me... Luckily it's all mine tho :) I don't want to share.

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  16. Happy Birthday, PJ! Have a wonderful day.

    I share a birthday with hymnist John Newton ("Amazing Grace"), aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, actress Lynda Carter, and country music singer Pam Tillis. I always celebrate with my family and with a long, long lunch with my BFF.

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  17. Happy birthday! I share a birthday with Paris Hilton and Michael Jordan.

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  18. Happy Birthday to PJ, Elizabeth and all your birthday buddies! Chocolate cake and champagne (and books, lots of books) all around.

    I have several birthday buddies. Number one is my Hubby. (I think that's why he married me--he never forgets our birthday!) Next is an uncle from my home town. And then there's my famous birthday buddy, Beatle George Harrison.

    Birthday cakes are hit and miss for us. If it was up to me, it would be chocolate, always. His choice would be strawberry. For the last couple of years, our daughter has made small cakes for each of us. Since our birthday frequently falls during Mardi Gras season, sometimes we have King Cake for our birthday. Thanks for a fun post.

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  19. Happy Birthday PJ!! I’m a summer baby (August 26). My birthday buddies are the amazing Mother Teresa, actor Chris Pine (those dreamy blue eyes), and actor Macaulay Culkin from my favorite childhood Christmas movie Home Alone. And I love me some chocolate cake. Hope you have a great day!

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  20. Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your special day.

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  21. Happy birthday! Don't know any who share it

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  22. Happy, happy birthday, PJ!!! I hope it's the best one yet! I share a birthday with Karl Urban, Prince, Liam Neeson, Dean Martin, and Anna Kournikouva. Those are the ones I know off the top of my head. lol

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  23. Happy borthday P J ! Hope your day is very special! For my birthday (9-28) I usually like a chocolate whipped cream cake or an ice cream cake. We usually celebrate with books and a dinner somewhere.... I share my bithday with Hikllary Duff and Bridget Bardot and the late Ed Sullivan.

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  24. My brother-in-law's older brother is my birthday buddy... sadly he lives in Vancover and I live in Indiana.. but we FB birthday wishes!

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  25. Happy birthday!!! You beat me by 8 days!! Don't you love an Autumn birthday. Carrot cake is my favorite. I have no idea who shares my birthday, but I think I will Google it. Have a great birthday!!!

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  26. Happy Happy Birthday!
    Hmmm interesting that Lana Parrilla, the evil queen herself from Once Upon a Time, shares my birthday, the always fantastic diane Kruger, and the dean himself from Community Jim Rash! Gotta say I'm proud to share July 15 with them! And most importantly, I MUST have chocolate cake on my bday : ) and my family must be present for a good time.

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  27. Happy Birthday! Celebrate and enjoy. we have a great family dinner, cake and lots of fun.

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  28. Happy Wonderful Birthday! I share my birthday with my first born son. Delightful. We celebrate together with a party meal and marble cake.

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  29. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY I share my birthday with Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine and my favorite baseball player Chipper Jones.We go out to dinner and have cheese cake at home

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  30. I share my birthday with Jane Porter, Michael Jordan, and Larry the Cable Guy!! Not bad company. My husband always takes me out to dinner! Hope you have a wonderful birthday.

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  31. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PJ AND ELIZABETH!!!

    I share my birthday with Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin (or would have I I had been born about 150 years earlier). Others who share my b-day include Arsenio Hall and Christina Ricci. As for special celebrations, I am treated to breakfast in bed on the weekend closest to my birthday, a homecooked - not by me- meal, and sometimes a dinner out.

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  32. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PJ!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!! *throws confetti* :D

    My birthday is April 1st (which the day alone tends to make me...not favor that day). BUT - I share it with the Weasley twins from Harry Potter. I can appreciate that ;) I'm just not big on April Fools jokes...I have had...a few many of those happen on my birthday...

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  33. Happy Birthday, PJ! I hope you had a great day!! Those blueberry pancakes looked yummy!
    I share a birthday with Harry Connick, Jr.! :)
    I didn't have a cake this year...But will have carrot cake next weekend at my dad's birthday party.
    My birthday is on a somber day...9-11. But, I celebrate the happiness of it, and I did have it first.
    Big hugs to you!

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  34. I shared a birthday with my mother. I ruined family birthday plans to go to the Ice Capades by being an early arrival! Until she passed away several years ago, we made huge efforts to spend the day together. Nowadays, my husband and I have a special dinner, home or out. I like a chocolate birthday cake with butter cream icing and a local bakery makes the best version of that cake I've ever had.

    And, Happy Birthday, PJ. All the best to you in the year ahead. You are also a birthday buddy with one of my favorite co-workers. He is not famous but he is both a computer geek and a cowboy preacher. :)

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  35. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PJ AND ELIZABETH!!! here's wishing you many, many more and best wishes and all the books and book success you can handle ;) I had fun with this! I share a birthday with: Mark Wahlberg, Pancho Villa, Kenny G, and Suze Ortmann just to name a few. Which is funny cuz I dont' really even know if my birthday is my real birthday since I'm adopted. I just call it my birthday observed :)

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  36. Happy Birthday, PJ and Elizabeth!

    I share a birthday with Prince Charles and an online friend, Pat. We call ourselves birthday twins. ;) For traditions we get the meal of our choice, which for me is anything I didn't have to make. Take out if fine. LOL I also love carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Luckily I have my mother's recipe for that.

    Marcy Shuler

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  37. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays PJ! {{hugs}} Hope you have a lovely time in Michigan with friends and family. Since I don't know anyone who is my birthday buddy, here are some famous peeps I share a birthday with: Pink, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Patsy Kline and David Arquette. I get a birthday dinner with the family and of course there's cake. I'm not picky with my cakes so any type is fine by me!

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  38. Gary Sinse, Robe Lowe, MIa Hamm, Kurt Russell

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  39. Happy Birthday PJ!!! Jay Leno and Ann Margret are a couple that share my birthday. I alway go to my sister's house for a birthday dinner every year. Younger sister always makes me some kind of desert. Have a great one PJ!

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  40. Happy birthday! I hope it was a great one!

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  41. Happy birthday to you both! I looked up my birthday & found out Barry Manilow & Greg Kinnear share my birthday! My family usually has a joint birthday for 3 relatives & Father's Day celebration all together. My favorite cake is yellow with chocolate icing! Unless you can count cheesecake, which will win any dessert contest!

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  42. Happy Birthday!!!! I hope you have a wonderful, awesome birthday!!

    Current rituals with my birthday involve making the "celebration" last at least a month, lots of Chinese food, pedicures/manicures, movies with hunks in them, and ice cream. My favorite cake is wedding cake: white with white.

    As for those who share my birthday, apparently Chelsea Handler and I share the exact same birthday. (I find her a tad obnoxious, but I suppose if I look far enough--and probably wouldn't have to look far, people would say I'm obnoxious.) Others with my birthday: Tea Leoni, Sean Astin, the Weasley Twins (the ones who played them, not the actual twins who I think were born on April 1), George Harrison, Carrot Top.

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