It’s My Birthday I Can Do What I Want To

My birthday landed on Thanksgiving day this year, just like the day I was born.  My Mom tells the story every Thanksgiving with a twinkle in her eye, how I interrupted her Thanksgiving meal with my untimely arrival. We’ve heard it a million times and it never gets old.

I did get to do what I wanted to this year.  Having my dear family in my home on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for is exactly how I would choose to spend my birthday.  We had Thanksgiving Day brunch, something we have never done.  It was my idea; a way to get out of peeling those dreaded potatoes. Have I told you that potatoes make my hands break out and itch? It’s awful. It was also a way to get out of making turkey.  Not that it is hard to make a turkey, but I just don’t quite enjoy handling a raw turkey. Blech.  It really was a great idea, as we had eaten and dishes were done by noon! It left the afternoon to just chill, play games, and enjoy each other.

We had turkey breast sandwiches & potato casserole in place of the whole bird and mashed potatoes.  Trader Joes has a whole turkey breast that is fully cooked, all you have to do is heat it. I also made a breakfast egg casserole, potato casserole, stuffing, jalapeno cranberry sauce drizzled over a block of cream cheese with pita crisps to dip (another great food item Trader Joes!) & a mac -n- cheese corn casserole.  My little sis Laurie, made some amazing mini apple pies–they were adorable–and Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon roll recipe, which was A-MA-ZING. My Mom brought a pumpkin pie and my older sister brought corn casserole, pecan struesel topped sweet potato casserole, some amazing chocolate drizzled kettle corn, & cinnamon beer bread (heaven). Last but not least, my next-to-youngest sister, Kathy of Nudge Media (I have 3 sisters) brought fruit, Lucky Charms cereal, & a Twinkie cake.  As you can tell, Kathy is a favorite aunt with my kids, as she is known for having sugar in her pockets & bringing the stuff that kids like best; like the time she made a pyramid out of McDonald’s cheeseburgers for our family Christmas pot luck. Yeah–that happened–and they were the most popular food item there!

Kathy’s Twinkie cake was hilarious. She is an amazing cook, can handle a grill the best of anyone I know, and makes a mean Pad Thai, but I don’t know if baking birthday cakes is something she should continue to pursue.  Don’t get me wrong; her Twinkie cake–actually, make that a Twinkie Jello Poke Cake–was delicious.  Her downfall was in the decorating.  She used black–like the color of tar– for the lettering.  She then drizzled red glaze over the top for pretty; except the glaze was too runny, and her cake ended up looking like a murder scene.  I laughed so hard.  I was so touched she took the time to make a cake, and I loved that wherever Kathy goes, laughter follows.  Hers was my favorite birthday cake to date–by far.

Having my little niece and nephew (2&4) around for the holiday & my birthday was another by-far favorite.  They are just so precious and amazing. They bring such joy as only little ones can.

My Mom-in-Law came, too.  Her calm presence is always refreshing and she is such a server.  I can’t tell you how many times she has done my dishes.  She also spoiled me with two new chairs for a small table I recently put in my dining room–I will show you them soon. It is my new favorite place to sit with my morning coffee.

My sisters & mom also spoiled me with gifts.  My mom got me some kitchen accessories & a much-needed new front door mat. She always knows the things I  need and will love.  My oldest sister gave me a super sweet necklace from Origami Owl.  The packaging was beautiful and the message that came with each charm was chosen specifically for me.  I just love it.  My sister Kathy brought me a rosemary plant in the shape of a Christmas tree–I’ve eyed them and so wanted one.  It makes the whole living room smell amazing!  My lil’ sis gave me a super soft scarf, some makeup & nail polish and a great CD that I am now crushing on called The Undoing by Staphanie Gretzinger.

My Todd and girls shopped for me the night before and bought me some of my favorite things from Trader Joes, like flowers and chocolate covered coffee beans.  They also picked up a paperweight bulb kit and I cannot wait to watch it grow.

As you can see, I am a very spoiled girl.  Today, it continues.

This morning my mother-in-law, Kathy, took me out to breakfast at the Green Gateau.  It is only opened for breakfast on Saturday’s, and they sure know how to do it right. She gave me a card with money in it, which they do every year.  It is so much fun to take the money and shop!

Tonight Todd and I will join his brother and wife and my other mother-in-law. Yes, I’m spoiled enough to be loved on by 2!  His brother and I have birthdays very close together, so our tradition is Sharon treating us all to dinner at the restaurant of our choice.  Can’t wait!

Yep, very spoiled.  I feel so very loved.

I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Know that I am so, so thankful for each and every one of YOU!  Thank you for your support of this blog and caring about me and my story.