First stop, the Wooden Duck: Debby with Art Berger, co-owner, along with his wife Jane, of this wonderful shop: One of the pleasures of living in Skippack is getting to know the merchants. Art and Jane are terrific. And Debby will tell you the clothes they sell look elegant and feel luxurious.

Eyeing the merchandise: Debby loves Wooden Duck style. The shop is located at 4033 Skippack Pike. Call 610.584.0124.

Holiday decorations from the Snow Village collection available at the Wooden Duck: Outside the shop, motorcyclists who visit add to the flavor of life in Skippack Village.

Clothing as modern art: While the wife is shopping, what better for a husband to do than some experimental photography. This is a close up of a pattern on a jacket at the Wooden Duck.

Next stop on the birthday caravan: Simply Be Well Therapeutic Massage Center at 1246 Collegeville Road in Skippack. Phone 610.584.2439.

Judith Barrett Johnson, national certified massage therapist, and owner of Simply Be Well Therapeutic Massage Center

Sweet relief: Judith Barrett Johnson of Simply Be Well providing a massage to help relieve stress and ease chronic pain.

This is how you feel after a massage at Simply Be Well: Relaxed, calm, at peace.

Next we visit El Assri Salon. This lovely young woman, Sara, is a stylist at El Assri. Phone 610.584.2020.

Like the song says, she works hard for her money: Debby gets her nails done with Sara, stylist at El Assri.

For her birthday, Debby is getting a new hairstyle and a makeover. Between you and me, I think she looks great the way she is. But what the heck.

Hassan El Assri, owner of El Assri Salon and a European-trained stylist, works his magic.

He knows he's good: Hassan, owner of El Assri salon, shows off. I gotta admit that since Debby starting getting her hair cut at El Assri, she looks terrific.

Debby's new hairstyle

Next, the makeover: We turn to talented and gracious Jean Curtis, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics in Skippack. Phone 610.222.0577.

I've got the perfect girl for you. Just one small problem. She's a mannequin. She is wearing a wig from the Raquel Welch Signature Collection at Merle Norman in Skippack

Jean Curtis providing a makeover at Merle Norman: Debby is eating this up. She is soooo happy. She loves this.

The result: Debby on her birthday. Hair by El Assri Salon. Makeup by Merle Norman Cosmetics. Soul created by God. All three did an excellent job.

An offer we can't refuse: Kristin Deering Sullivan, owner and chef at It's a Peace of Cake, offered Debby a free birthday cupcake. According to the laws of marital property in Pennsylvania, half that cupcake is mine. Let's get it.

Debby and I selected a sweet potato with maple spice butter cream cupcake. Flavors beyond belief. Leave it to Kristin and It's a Peace of Cake to create a cupcake that captures the flavors of the Thanksgiving season.

Sweet temptation: Cupcakes beckon to whomever visits It's a Peace of Cake, located at 4101 Skippack Pike. Phone 610.584.5080.

For birthday dinner, we went to La Villa Mexican Grille in Skippack. The food was excellent and the hospitality made the experience even more special. Here is Debby with Rene Zepeda, owner and executive chef, a hardworking, sincere gentleman and great cook.

Mexican folk art watches over us as we dine at La Villa Mexican Grille. The beautiful dining space chef/owner Rene Zepeda created adds to the pleasure of fine cuisine. La Villa is located at 4101 Skippack Pike. Call 484.991.8085.

Birthday gift: While dining at La Villa Mexican Grille, I gave Debby this handcrafted heart necklace from the Copper Partridge Uniquities, a cozy, elegant gift shop, located at 4015 Skippack Pike. Call 610.584.8800.

This Mexican folk art painting hangs on the wall of La Villa Mexican Grille. A wise image, it reminds me that my time on earth is short and to enjoy each day. And always be grateful for the happiness I am given. Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to read my Skippack blog.