Hello 48!
In case you haven’t noticed by now, I’m not afraid to tell you my age. (Read last year’s birthday post here.) I mean, I am what I am, right? And while it’s seems a teeny bit surreal that I am getting ever closer to a new decade, I can honestly say my 40s have been my best decade yet so, you know, go me! 😉
Lots of pics to share so I’ll get right to it.
First things first – Joe’s stellar wrapping job on one of my gifts. Hmmm, I wonder what that is? 😉 My first-ever cast iron skillet – can’t wait to try cornbread and cookies and all kinds of recipe ideas!
And it wouldn’t be my birthday without some new shoes. I am in love with these comfy Born “Malli” flats. These will be perfect for work with dresses, skirts, leggings, and cropped pants. (Teacher Man may have had a little guidance on these – wink wink.)
And perhaps the most fun gift of all, which wasn’t meant to be a gift at all – Joe made snack mix to take to the farm for the weekend. It’s a recipe he learned in his FACS class at school and it was so fun to watch him put everything together. Plus, the mix was delish – Goldfish and oyster crackers along with some garlic salt and Ranch seasoning.
Isn’t this card (from my parents, no less!) hilarious?
Cake # 1 on Saturday, when we arrived for birthday lunch at the farm. My mom made this one – it’s a luscious white cake with cream cheese frosting and the top of the cake is filled with lemon curd. Seriously amazing and one of our family’s favorite cakes for sure!
After relaxing at my parents’ house Saturday afternoon, we got ready to head over to my brother’s house for the evening birthday festivities. (Hey, it’s go big or go home when it comes to birthday celebrations in my family.) Here, cousin Morgan and Joe were goofing … “they moustache you a question”!
My brother braved the wind and rain to grill individual Cornish game hens for everyone. My sister-in-law called it a “hen for an old hen!” She can get away with that because, unfortunately, she will always be younger than me. 😉
And cake #2 with my nieces, nephew, and Joe. I made this one – it was a pumpkin cake with browned butter maple frosting from Cookies & Cups that was pretty phenomenal! (And yes, the oldest nephew did go for the rabbit ears!)
My sissy!
I love this pic of Miss Morgan and my Dad – it just makes me smile. 🙂
The view of the western sky from my brother’s home – this was right after the rain and wind subsided.
And I have to share a gratuitous photo (or four) of the family dogs – Colt, Avery, Louie, and Vinny.
This morning we had brunch (mimosas!) at my parents’ house and then we commenced with our annual tradition of pumpkin picking with the grandkids. Miss Morgan was really into it this year!
Since it’s been raining off and on for what seems like weeks, Morgan and I came prepared with our garden boots!
Joe and cousin Miss Audree by one of the larger pumpkins my brother grew.
My mom always claims there won’t be as many pumpkins as the previous year but we always seem to do okay! 😉
Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids (and granddogs!).
Aren’t these little white pumpkins adorable?
Here we are, ready to head home with a Jeep-load full of pumpkins!
And here are a couple of photos of those pumpkins on my front porch.
Have a great start to the week, friends! It’s another busy one for me but I hope to have another blog post or two ready to put up in the next few days.
Lara