Birthday Blooms Again!

I'm very lucky to have wonderful in-laws that helped me celebrate my birthday again this past Sunday. It was wonderful to spend time with them and it was a lovely evening.

Cindy, my mother-in-law made everything look so fresh and ready for Spring. I'm definitely ready for it, i'm waiting excitedly for little pops of color.

The table was dressed with pale yellow. It was perfect, just the day before I had confessed to Brandon that I was developing a new interest in pale yellows. It was such a fun treat to have an evening anchored in fresh yellows.

Dinner was delightful as always. Cindy had prepared pink lemonade, broccoli (my personal favorite vegetable), fluffy rolls and panko encrusted chicken cordon bleu. Oh! Lets not forget the delicious personal assorted fruit dishes with yogurt dipping sauce. It all tasted so delicious. Thank you Cindy for all the preparation!

Cindy and Greg gifted me some gorgeous butterfly stationery (I love stationery), my first ever i-tunes gift card, and the yummiest lemon tree candle (yellow again:)

The Beyer Family, who bless their souls trekked over for dinner despite colds, gave me some fabulous milk glass dishes. Thank you! I'm so excited to have them out on display! They're darling.

It was a lovely evening and was topped off with Cindy sending me home with the daisies from the table. They've made themselves right at home on my nightstand.

The flowers, candle and milk glass were the perfect additions to my small spring i've had out since January. I'm just ready for sunshine!

Big thanks for such a wonderful birthday! I'm truly blessed with amazing family. It feels good to be loved and to love so many.

I Heart You Day

 Happy Valentines Day

Brandon was "in charge" of valentines day this year - meaning he could pick whatever he wanted to do to celebrate and he decided to spoil me and pick things that he knew i'd really enjoy!
We started out the day by playing tennis. It seemed fitting seeing how 'love' is apart of the scoring. We got ready and Brandon took me to Spark in Provo. It's a restaurant/lounge that features a menu of non-alcoholic drinks. It's a fun place and was such a wonderful treat! 

We ordered some fun drinks. They were delicious, there's so many options and i'd love to see the presentation of some of them!


I chose: Simply Citrus - fresh OJ, lemon, lime, grenadine, seltzer, passionfruit-mango foam


Brandon chose: Stripped Pina Colada -  unblended pineapple juice, coconut milk, and seltzer, real whipped cream

Brandon had a Kobe Beef Hamburger and Seasoned Fries: 

Southwest, melted pepperjack, made-to-order guacamole, 

crunchy red corn tortilla strips, chipotle aioli, butter lettuce.

I had the three course lunch special: 

Tomato Parmesan Soup

Ham & turkey club, bacon, avocado, butter lettuce, sundries aioli, side salad 

Raspberry Sorbet

 Interiors of the Restaurant

My Valentine: Mr. Finch

I asked him to be my valentine wearing a paper mustache. 

"I Mustache you a question. Will you be my Valentine?"

He said Yes.  

Me, pleasantly enjoying the day. 

Following our meal, Brandon drove me to the Gateway to select a new iPod nano. (I recently washed mine in the washing machine :( I really did take care of it, well besides that time)

It was so sweet. We spent the evening relaxing, home grilled burgers and chocolate covered strawberries for dinner and the jazz game for entertainment. The players weren't getting much love from us. We lost...again. 

Overall Mr. Finch and I won. He made it a wonderful day. 

I love my Valentine.  

 

Happy Birthday to Me

One year older and hopefully a little wiser than I was last year. It's been a wonderful year with the highlight being marrying Brandon in July. Birthdays are always celebrated with enthusiasm at my parents home, it was kinda fun being home for one last birthday. Some things changed, like my family didn't surround my bed singing happy birthday to wake me up, that duty was left to the Mister. The birthday boy or girl always gets to pick the menu for the entire day and any activity they'd desire. My birthday fell on Sunday this year and I actually really loved it. No one had to work, it was quiet, a little enlightenment at church, and a relaxing afternoon. It was perfect. 

Brandon and I celebrated on our own Saturday. He helped me have an amazing day. 
We started off the day by playing tennis. I've really come to enjoy playing tennis, especially with the hubby. 

My activity for the day was a trip to the Alice Lane Home Store in Orem. I follow the store's blog religiously and had never made my way into the store.
 

The store was beautiful and we fell in love with a sofa on display. It was so comfortable. Someday maybe...

After the store Brandon surprised me with dinner out! We headed over to Outback SteakHouse were we feasted! I had a lovely steak and coconut shrimp. It was such a fun surprise. I felt so special. Brandon truly made sure that I had a wonderful day. Love Him.

Sunday was made up of mostly food. Is that bad that I chose to celebrate all day by eating food? I didn't think so either. It was all divine. I think I enjoy birthday meals so much because it means everyone's seated together, talking, laughing, and creating memories. 

My family has a tradition of creating signs, like the one below, that let the birthday individual know all the ways we love them. Sometimes sweet, usually funny, these signs are a hoot!

Breakfast Sandwiches, Orange Juice and Fruit

 Dinner Menu:

Homemade Artisan Bread

Potato and Broccoli Soup

Grilled Lemon & Rosemary Chicken

My Dessert of Choice:

Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae

 

My family was wonderful in giving beautiful gifts-they know me so well and made me feel so special! Woven placemats, electronic food scale, silver bird wall art, dance party coupons, t-shirts, nail care kit, tortilla holder, and Brandon's huge surprise of new running shoes. We'll put some miles on them this year!

Happy Birthday to me! What an exciting year its already set out to be!