Celebrating 34 Years

I guess it's time to officially end my birthday party this year. It has been over a week that I've been celebrating. Well, I didn't celebrate the entire minute of every day, but I've had several small bouts of festivities that have really helped me to embrace the beginning of my 34th year.

It all started the Friday before my birthday, let's see that was April 3rd. Janie kept the kids over night, which was a huge gift in and of itself, so that Justin and I could go out for a night on the town. If you know me, you know that that would consist of being gone by 5 and home by 9. I am by no means a party animal! lol My idea of a night on the town starts with dinner, an early dinner preferably, and in this case at one of my all time favorite restaurants. It's on the expensive side so we don't go unless we have a good coupon, which I did, a free dinner! It doesn't get any better than that. Of course we had to pay for Justin's dinner and the two slices of chocolate cake that we ordered, but it didn't really average out to be all that bad and birthdays only come around once every year or so, right?

After our lovely dinner at Texas De Brazil, we walked to Barnes and Noble. It's only a half a dozen blocks from the restaurant and a very nice walk. I love downtown Fort Worth. It's so perfectly alive with people walking to and fro, trees lit up with ornamental lights lining the vintage brick roads and a live bands playing at corner grills. Fort Worth is a mixture of old world charm and every modern amenity imaginable.

We spent some time at B&N browsing the books, found a couple we wanted to view a little closer, and located some cozy chairs overlooking the Bass Performance Hall across the street. We took turns looking at our books and watching the people in and around the Bass Hall. From there we walked back to the truck and went home. I think we made it before my bed time. It was such an enjoyable evening!

My actual birthday, April 7th, was filled with things that I love: baking, trying new recipes, long chats on the phone with friends and family, sweet e-cards full of birthday wishes, and a perfect ending to it all, dinner at Posado's.

I made Chocolate Covered Coconut Macaroons that were divine! With the egg yolks that were left, I decided to make a Chocolate Cream Pie for John, as a thank you gift for tilling my garden. We also dipped Strawberries in the ganache that was left over from the Macaroons. That was Kristen's idea. She wanted to surprise me with it, but decided it would be better if she had a little help- Smart girl!

The next and final little celebration took place on Saturday. I didn't plan it, but being the opportunist that I am, when I heard that the kids' Sunday School teachers planned an outing for the kids in town that day, I figured I may as well spend the $100 Janie gave me for my birthday. I've been in a food mood lately (surprise) and Williams Sonoma is a short drive from the church. I probably wouldn't have another chance like this for quite some time.

The crowds must get a late start on Saturdays because we were able to park right in front of WS with plenty of empty spaces all around. We browsed WS, then walked down to Crate and Barrel. By the time we finished there we were famished. We decided on Italian. I think it had something to do with the spice-filled aromas coming from the restaurant. Like a hand, they reached out and grabbed us, forcing us to come in.

We enjoyed another great meal. Justin ordered a grilled pork chop with mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. I went with the lasagna. It was all very good. They have the cutest, tiniest desserts served in espresso cups. There was several to choose from and since I couldn't make up my mind, I asked the waiter for a recommendation. He said if it was him, he'd go with the Key Lime Pie. I followed his advice and wasn't the least bit disappointed. It was deliciously rich, creamy and tart enough to draw your face up into all kinds of contortions, everything you'd expect from a good Key Lime Pie.

Our last stop was WS to make the purchases that I mulled over while we hit the other stores. I ended up with a brand new Pepper and Salt Mill set. I have a cheap set that I bought from Bed Bath and Beyond a few years ago, but they don't work that well. I wanted something that works like they work in the restaurants when the waiters grind a little for your salad. They came highly recommended by the ladies who work at WS, as well as by a very wise friend of mine.

I fell in love with a cook book entitled, Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott while I was there, but after comparing it to the price on Amazon, I figured I could wait a couple of weeks for it. I've already ordered it and should get it some time this month, I hope. I ordered another cookbook, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg, a few weeks ago from Amazon, but it has yet to arrive. I don't think there's a single picture in it, but it sounded so interesting, I couldn't resist.

Wow, I feel really spoiled after this week. 90% of what I did to enjoy myself revolved around food. 2 new cookbooks, a fancy Pepper and Salt Mill and 3 awesome meals that I didn't have to cook! This has been a really, really nice birthday week. Getting older is a GREAT thing!

Here are some photos of the things I picked up Saturday as well as one of the macaroons and the strawberries the kids and I made on Tuesday.

Here is an All About Me page that I made to show where I'm at in life at 34 years old. It says, "I love to read, to cook, and to take pictures. My family is the most important thing on this Earth to me. I'm far from perfect, but with God's help, I'm still trying." I really feel like the word strips sum up the things that I've had on my mind lately.-- pressing onward for the prize, becoming more, faith hope love.