Birthday Dinner at My Mom's

If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I celebrate my birthday the ENTIRE month of October. As a matter of fact, I started celebrating my birthday in September this year with a family party and a celebration from the staff at work. I'm sure you aren't really surprised...it was just a matter of time before I expanded beyond October. I'll be posting some entries on the various "birthday" activities. Essentially, anything I do in October that is "fun" I count as part of my birthday celebration! Why not?!

My mom always makes all our birthdays a special event. For me, there were many years we weren't together so it's really nice when we get to celebrate now. In our family, we typically have "family birthday" on the Sunday closest to the actual birthday. This year was no exception. My mom makes our favorite meal, which for me is typically roasted tenderloin of beef with homemade BBQ sauce...but this year, in light of my new dietary endeavors, I wanted to try something new (shhhh....be patient....I'm getting to it).

Here are a few shots of the evening...

Jayson took this picture with his phone. The boy has a good eye! I really love this picture.

Here's the lady responsible for it all (yes, the celebration...um, and ME too!) No one can decorate like my mom! She can take the most ordinary things and make something beautiful out of them - it's her gift. In this case, she made a beautiful birthday table!

OK, so who hasn't seen pretty flowers? I'm trying my hand at taking "interesting" pictures for you all. I hope you like them!

Seriously, they really were beautiful!

This is my favorite "flower" picture from the table setting. My mom gave me some suggestions for getting a great shot and this turned out to be my favorite. It's now the screen saver on my brand new laptop PC (birthday present from my dear sweet husband). Before you think "aaawww...isn't he the best?" Well, yes he is but his motives are not so pure. You see, if I have my own personal laptop, then I'll stay off his computer thereby allowing him MORE time to play WOW (World of Warcraft)!!!!! Ugh! Still, it was a nice present and it will allow me to post more timely blogs. :)

One more table shot...okay, now on to the food!

There's little more my family likes better than a GREAT meal....and this certainly qualified! (I can hear my little sister salivating all the way from Kentucky! Hmmm...can you really "hear" someone salivate? Well, trust me...she is!)

We started with a variety of Mediterranean appetizers and a most lovely cocktail...the "French 75". This cocktail is made with fresh lemon juice, sugar and gin...all topped off with my favorite....CHAMPAGNE! What's a birthday without champagne? I seldom drink it (or anything for that matter) but I always love it when I do!

Our dinner began with this incredible salad made with mixed greens, pears, oranges, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese and dried cranberries. All this lightly dressed with a light, homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Then we enjoyed the main course, which didn't photograph nearly as good as it tasted. I'll have to graduate from flower photography and work on "food stylings" next. Anyway, the main event included roasted salmon with a glaze of sugar-free apricot preserves, fresh ginger and soy sauce (ok, it's simply DELICIOUS!), rice pilaf and the most comforting...green bean casserole.

Here's the greatest 13 year old boy I know! He really enjoyed my birthday dinner too!

And for dessert....the coup de grace was Cheesecake Trifle with fresh strawberries, peaches and blueberries. It was lovely!

On to the presents! Once again, look how pretty! Um, wait a minute! Who's that cute little lady peeking at me? Ok, back to the presents...My mom also wraps a stunning package. Seriously, she makes everything she touches "special" and my presents were no exception!

There's a running joke in my family because my mom ALWAYS picks the most perfect presents. I LOVE her taste and I honestly can't remember ever getting a gift from her that I didn't like. Despite that track record, my mom ALWAYS includes a gift receipt and starts the disclaimer with "if you don't like it, it won't hurt my feelings if you want to return it..." We've heard this disclaimer so many times, she can't even get through the first three words now without an eruption of shhhshes (I'm sure I just made that word up...you know, when everyone is saying sshhh at the same time). So, just take a look below at what she got me this year....

Isn't this jacket cute? It's decked with "bling" and "hardware"...awesome! I told you she has great taste!!! And the necklace and matching earrings (not shown) were gifts also. Seriously! Isn't this the cutest?

So, my birthday advice to you is to celebrate ALL MONTH LONG when it is your birthday!!! Hey, as my Da always says....having another birthday is "better than the alternative!" Why not celebrate the life God gave you!