Happy Birthday To Me!

As of yesterday, I am officially 31. Holy number!

I can't believe that I'm now "in my thirties." Excuse me, could someone tell me how this happened? Wasn't it just a "couple of years ago" that I graduated from college and moved to the big D to start work in the real world? Not only have I worked for 8 years, but somehow along the way, I became a grown-up. Don't get my wrong, I absolutely love being a grown-up and tasting all of its perks, but sometimes, I wish that I was still living at 301 S. Monroe and had party pics, date parties and penny beer to look forward to instead of car payments, work and 401K's. [The thought that anything could cost a penny is troubling seeing as how anything today costs at least $1! Does that date me?]

Thankfully, my twenties were a breeze bc I met Patrick and now, at 31, I get to be his wife. This is gonna be a good year, I can tell. I started off the day having a mini birthday party for myself...with myself. Well, the dogs were there but you get my drift. My Mom sent some birthday sussies home with my brother last weekend, so I opened my presies without even taking a picture of how beautifully wrapped they were! (Next year, Julie.) I think Patrick was a little surprised to hear that I couldn't wait for him to open. Hey, don't blame me...I've always gotten to open at least a gift on the morning of my birthday and I can't break a tradition, can I?! :)

Patrick may have won Fiance of the Year bc he really outdid himself yesterday. I had a gourmet feast waiting for me when I got home, complete with our FOURTH batch of brownies in 2 weeks (iced, no less)! I got to sip on wine and taste test his yummy appetizers as he finished dinner and then ate on my You Are Special Today plate. LOVE. Last year, my mom gifted me with my very own plate (we had a Collins plate growing up) to celebrate our own special occasions on. It even came with a special pen so that I can mark said occasion on the back each time we use it. Hello prosperity.

Dinner was yummo scrummo: he made chicken parm from scratch with the sauce I canned not too long ago, and it was like heaven. He may have missed his calling in life bc cooking is so his thing. We also had fresh french bread and green beans and good wine.

After dinner, Patrick lit the candles on my/our :) brownies and sang "Happy Birthday!" And I even got to see two new episodes of my favorite shows: Little People, Big World and Jon and Kate Plus 8. Life is good.

My yummy dinner on the You Are Special Plate.


My sweet and hilarious card from my precious Fiance.

Appetizers!

The Master Chef

The Birthday Girl

S is for SO Fabulous!

Sweet Chocolate Brownies

[Be sure to look at the new pics added to "All The Single Ladies!"]