A Birthday Fest

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! These past couple of weeks have felt like a non-stop celebration. It’s strange to me, but I’m definitely enjoying it while it lasts. Or maybe it will just last forever? That’s how my mother lives life, and it’s contagious when you’re around her.

For my birthday my friend treated me to lunch… to any place I’d like “the sky’s the limit.”

Hmm… there were so many options, but I decided on Millie’s Diner. This place is one of those restaurants around Richmond that you HAVE to try. It’s got a stellar reputation, and I’ve always wanted to go. After a grueling and sweaty bike ride we finally made it to our destination.

The menu was written on a chalkboard hanging right above our heads, so we literally looked up to it which was an interesting experience in itself.

I got the Spicy Black Bean Burrito with Cheddar Cheese.

It also came with fresh salsa and sour cream, and every plate comes with their home fries.

My friend ordered the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger on a Kaiser Bun and Red Onion Marmalade.

They sure do like their sriracha.

Love pat before you take a big bite.

We split our entrees.

Everything was so tasty. Basic recipes but done right!

Birthday cake time for the birthday girl–this year I got a candle!

I got the Apple Spice Walnut Cake.

This tastes as good as it looks… dare I say it was better?

My friend ordered the Chocolate Pudding Peanut Butter dessert.

The delicious and incredibly rich abyss.

After my belly was satisfied I knew why Millie’s is so famous!

Later on I met up with some of friends at one of my favorite hangout spots.

There was a cool band playing while they had 1970’s Italian flicks projected over them.

I was treated with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and tasty drinks.

It was funny because when I arrived at the place I was the first one to get there. I decided to sit outside and enjoy the weather, and then I overheard someone saying happy birthday to someone else. I asked if it was their birthday, and I told them it was mine too. Then she asked me what I was doing out there, and I told her I was waiting. Next thing you know she invited me to sit with her friends at the biggest table. They looked like they were definitely having a lot of fun. Her slice of birthday cake came out and we sang happy birthday to each other, and she got me a glass of the wine she was having. A toast to Geminis and their lively ways!

This drink was called Light Kisses–and it was as lovely as it sounds.

The bunch!

Getting down to some funky music.

Good morning!

Then Saturday rolled around it was time to get to work for my Birthday/Going Away party. I woke up, had breakfast, and made some pizza dough.

My first pizza made completely out of scratch–I crossed my fingers and into the oven it went!

The pizza had basil pesto, tomato sauce, yellow squash, mushrooms sautéed with balsamic vinegar and thyme, mozzarella, and goat cheese.

This may look like a quiche, but it was actually a vegan baked spinach artichoke dip.

Orange and Almond Florentines

So delicate–held together by egg whites.

Also baked soft ginger cookies.

Oddly-shaped pizzas may now be my forte.

I had a feeling that my friends would love this!

Also made bruschetta.

This is the ultimate party snack for those hot weather days.

My friend graciously offered his place for my party–it was like an old world museum.

The spread on an old table saw–classic.

I also made a cannellini dip, and served Trader Joe’s Everything crackers (if you haven’t tried them you must) to go with the dips. Here’s a list of the recipe links, except for the pizza and the cannellini dip since I made those up.

Bruschetta

Orange and Almond Florentines

Soft Ginger Cookies

Vegan Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

Pizza Dough

My friend also made a salad using things from his garden–a mulberry salad.

Fresh mulberries are awesome, and I kept munching on them throughout the night. The house itself was hot, but it’s especially hot when you’re dancing up a storm.

He also made fresh spring rolls filled with his garden's bounty.

Let the birthday fun begin!

Our “serious” family portrait.

Think fast!

Wow! I really can’t imagine that there are people who don’t like to celebrate their birthdays. All I can say is that I was really happy, and I felt so special… I just wanted everyone else to be just as happy as I was.

What’s one of your favorite birthday memories?