Saturday, March 28, 2009

This afternoon I got to celebrate my birthday for probably the last time of 2009. I mean sure my birthday was almost 2 months ago, but really who is judging? It’s better late then never.

Since my family is so large and on very different schedule, we have found it impossible to get together all at once on each other’s birthdays. So over the years we have taken to celebrate birthdays on a month basis, which of course lately has turned into a celebration of three months at a time.

Today’s celebration included January, February and March Birthdays. Lucky for me my birthday just happened to fall in the February range. Which, of course, meant there were a few presents with my name on it.

Have I mentioned yet that I have no problem with belated presents?

The birthday celebration took place at a central location park right near the river. Where we reserved a great big pavilion and had a sub spread.

My Aunt had picked up some Turkey and Roast Beef subs for the occasion, but we all know how I love my veggies so I brought some vegetable toppings for a make your own veggie sub station I set up.

As much as my cousins were bashing my need to have the veggies, I was surprised to see quite a few of them pic up the odd zucchini or sprouts to add to their own sub.

Before we got around to actually eating the subs I snacked on a few Apple Slices and Cheese Cubes.

With a refreshing Sam Adam’s White Ale. (Love this seasonal brew)

And I split 1/2 a cookie with my Mom.

My Cousin Jay made these incredibly rich cookies for the event, and the 2 dozen or so he had brought were gone even before the actual lunch was served! He said he got the recipe from the Land o Lakes website which means they were really good but I’m sure are oh so bad for you.

I was pretty hungry after my run so when it was time for real food, I over flowed my plate with food.

I had a Veggie Sub, 2 different kinds of Potato Salad, more Apple Slices & Grapes, and some Blue Corn Chips with Salsa.

The veggie sub ended up being AMAZING.

I stuffed my hoagie with Garlic Sabra Hummus, Zuchinni, Yellow Squash, Tomato, Sprouts, Mushrooms, Mozzarella Cheese, Carrots, and Yellow Mustard. Again really why would you eat a plain ole Turkey with Cheese on bread when you can pile on the veggies in a beauty like this?!?!

After food it was ‘Happy Birthday‘ time. Again really odd considering my birthday feels like so long ago now. I can only imagine how the January birthdays felt.

You may remember my Uncle Bill’s cake decorating talents from the ‘blog worthy’ cupcakes he made for my cousin’s baptism last month. Well he has outdone him self with his skills yet again.

The chocolate cake was so elegant and pretty, like it was from a bakery, not his kitchen.

You know my rule about having to eat a cake if it has my name on it….

It was good too!! I love the chocolate layer of icing in the middle. It was perfect.

Uncle Bill also had his talents shine through in the Dora the Explorer Cake he made for his grand daughters.

I loved how each girl had to show him exactly which piece of Dora they wanted to eat.

The girls convinced me Dora tasted way better then the ‘boring grown up cake’ so I had to judge for myself.

Good cake, but I think the chocolate one was the clear winner. Sorry Dora!

Boy oh Boy am I stuffed now. I see a light dinner in my future.

It really was a great day at the park and I had fun running around with all the kids on the jungle gym and swings. If you want a good work out, go jump on a swing.. trust me after 5 minutes you will be out of breath and ready to move on!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday everyone!!

Baker’s Spotlight…

Nicole from Another One Bites the Crust is another baker who took top dollar in my last blogging bake sale. Her Carrot Cake Whoopee Pies had quite a few bids and brought in quite a chunk of change in for TnT. And with good reason!

Not only was the highest bidder, Julie, able to send me an e-mail gushing about them, but I was lucky enough to sample them myself. And let me tell you, these vegan treats were good! It’s going to be another battle for the next item she is donating so be prepared!

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