Thirty Something Candles

Last week I celebrated my birthday with my family.  We took two days to celebrate and my parents  visited from Montana.  I felt special and blessed to have them here on my birthday, because if it weren't for my parents, I would never have been born, right? Birthdays are a perfect time to reflect on one's life and we should feel grateful to get the chance to celebrate another year.  Growing older isn't such a bad thing, it means you've survived hardships and they've made you stronger.  But what do I know?  I'm still only thirty something. 

My mom brought me flowers from my aunt's house in Montana.  The Glad flowers were lovely and looked great in my dining room.

For breakfast on my birthday, and the day before, we ate this cinnamon roll coffee cake from Borracchini's Bakery.  One must have a special and delicious breakfast to start their BD off right. 

It being October and everything, my mom brought a pumpkin from Montana that she grew herself.  Then along with my sons, we carved this Jack-O-Lantern. 

Time for a Margarita!  We had a group of ten people at a Mexican restaurant, Puerto Vallarta.  It was so much fun and I loved when they surprised me by placing a huge Sombrero on my head and singing to me in Spanish!

I had a Chicken Chimichanga along with my Margarita.  

I've always wanted a Hello Kitty cake for my BD and this year I got it!  We took it to the restaurant and shared it with the staff who funnily enough, one of them was also celebrating their BD the next day and he was the same age as me, too. 

The next day, my actual birthday, my mom baked us an apple pie.  There's nothing like her apple pie.  Ahh, what could be better than an October BD, carving pumpkins and eating apple pie?

Then that night, we went out again for dinner.  This time to the Harvest Vine for some Spanish Tapas.  Our group of five started with some cheese, Bleu Cheese and Goat Cheese. 

One of the dishes we tried were the Prawns with a Remesco sauce, a sauce with red peppers.  We all loved the prawns and could have eaten them all night. 

Another highlight from our dinner was the Oxtail wrapped in Puff Pastry.  The Oxtail was so tender and finely shredded, it was a must try. 

And finally, a piece of chocolate cake with a candle to end my BD celebration off right!