Reason for the Season- #6

Well, it's my birthday.



OK, so I'm 34, but I feel 28 and that's all that matters.

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but my birthday is less and less anticipated every year. Still, it's always good to celebrate if the opportunity arises.
Dan had another half day on Friday, so we started celebrating early. The great thing about having a birthday on Sunday is that it can last all weekend long, if you let it.

We left the girls with some friends and went to Manhattan. There, we went to,
• the temple
• sushi
• ChikaLicious - I write about ChikaLicious every time we go so I'll spare myself the typing. Besides, I already wrote a bit about it here.
• Pommes Frites, a place that only makes and sells french fries.

We had so much fun eating and walking through the city on our own. We're still talking about it.

e

Saturday, Dan gave me the gift of time. I got to,
• shop
• get a pedicure
• read
• rest

After pizza, I really wanted to make a caramel apple. I have eaten one before, years ago, but I have never made one that I can recall. Dan opted out of the whole-apple experience and cut his apples up for dipping. Here is the single caramel apple I made.

I used a crispy, sweet-tart Cortland apple and I enjoyed every messy bite of it.

We watched Young at Heart after the girls went to bed. If you haven't seen it, you should. We found it very entertaining.

e

Today was all about dessert. Dan dedicated the afternoon to making this amazingly rich and delicious chocolate peanut butter cake that we made from Smitten Kitchen. As he was making it, I would hear,
"Oh, man!" or
"Oh, my goodness!" and then I heard,
"This is dangerous!"


I couldn't help but go in and take a sampling myself. He was right- it is dangerous! It is the best birthday cake I have ever had. Thanks Dan (and sorry, mom).

We also had our friends over for an ice cream mix-in party. We made vanilla, chocolate and pumpkin ice creams and everyone brought a mix-in to mix in. Needless to say, we had more than enough sweet in our evening. I should say more than enough sweet for the weekend. At any rate, there were great memories made...
mostly about food.

••••••

Thanks to all for the kind birthday wishes, in various forms.