Twenty-Seven

Well, once again the week seems to be getting away from me. Goal for the twenty-seventh year: improve time management skills. So let's have a birthday recap before it's all a distant memory.

The birthday was a particularly great one. We started it off with coffee in bed, sweet cards, and some amazing gifts (in nickel pearl).

Then there was the cake. Hugh baked me a birthday cake. From scratch. I gave it a name: Vanilla Bean Cake with Lemon Curd, Fresh Strawberries, and Vanilla Whipped Cream. This is what it looked like:

Birthday Girl and my dog shadow.

Then we went to a delightful birthday lunch, complete with Bellinis. Then we did a little birthday shopping. And then, Hugh took me here for dinner. And my life was complete. The food was amazing. The drinks were amazing. We had the best time eating and talking and toasting.

And this is what we drank:

• World's Best Margarita. Literally.
• Whiskey Smash: Bourbon, Gum Syrup, Lemon, Mint
• Havana Hotel: Rum, Lime, Pineapple Gum Syrup, Grand Marnier
• Sauvignon Blanc: The Crossings, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2009 (exactly what you want from NZ)
• Corvina, etc.: L'Arco, Rosso, Italy, 2004 (Burgundy befriended Valpolicella)

And this is what we ate:

• Sourdough Bread with Butter
• Marinated Anchovies with Oranges, Fennel, and Olives
• Shaved Benton's Country Ham with Grilled Sourdough Bread, Roasted Figs, and Balsamic Reduction
• Watermelon Salad with Watermelon, Pickled Watermelon Rind, Arugula, Serrano Vinaigrette, and Feta
• Field Pea Soup with Field Peas, Collard Greens, Chive Cream, Country Ham Hocks
• CAB Eye of Rib Eye with Lyonnaise Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Rosemary Jus, and Arugula
• Triple Tail Bass with Red Mule Grits, Collard Greens, Pot Liquor Jus, and Pickled Okra and Cucumber Salad
• Chocolate Nemesis Cake with Roasted Peanuts, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Brûléed Bananas

And then I died from complete and utter satisfaction.

And we didn't take any pictures of the food. Shoot.

It was just a perfect day and a lovely end to a lovely summer. Husband of mine, you are a peach: