My nonna celebrating her 91st birthday with her three grandsons.

My nonna, Lucy de Forcade Cannon, turned 91 on Tuesday.

Although she lives in Naples, Italy, I was able to Skype with her. She took great pride in showing me her birthday flowers from my father, aunt, cousin Elena and friends. She was quite literally surrounded by them!

She enjoyed receiving cake and candied chestnuts, as well as two books and a leg massager. As our conversation ended, she announced that she hadn't had her birthday champagne yet, and she had to have it before the day ended because she had it every year.

What a fun birthday tradition. No wonder she is 91 years young!

Birthday champagne might need to become a tradition. What do you think?