Happy Belated Birthday to Me

I wasn't going to post anything about my birthday because I didn't want you all to feel like you had to get me something - and you still don't but my favorite color is blue - but I had such a wonderful birthday week that I just had to share.

First, my mom hired a personal chef to cook us dinner on Tuesday!  Holy cow!  Can you imagine how much this foodie love that?!  It was an incredible experience that was only slightly spoiled by my near 3-year spilling the beans right before we left for mom's house.  That's okay though, it gave me a chance to let the surprise soak in so that I could better react when I got there.  He cooked a great dinner of a spring salad, cracker crusted haddock, mixed veggies, and pesto angel hair pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.  My mom topped off the dinner with my birthday dessert, a fruit tart.  Colin couldn't stop talking about the chef because he was just so amazed.  He ate everything we did, which made it a lot easier on the chef.  The chef was very personable and was very eager to please.  What a great surprise!

Thursday was my actual birthday and Wes and I actually got to go to lunch together for the first time in years.  He used to work downtown and although we still didn't go often, we at least felt like we could if we wanted to.  He had some continuing legal education classes downtown so we jumped on the opportunity.  We actually went 2 days in a row, which is totally against my normal ways (think budget and nutrition) but I made the exception without much consideration.

I opened gifts from both my mom and him that night.  I got a couple new toys for my camera, a wonderful baking cookbook,

some fun jewelry, and a new tote to carry to work.

As if all that wasn't enough, Wes treated me to a surprise dinner at Orchid's in Cincinnati on Saturday night.  My mom watched Colin so we could enjoy our evening out and enjoy we did.  We each did the tasting menu, Wes the meat version, me the vegetarian, and it was great!  There's a reason this restaurant takes first place in Cincinnati Magazine's Top 10 List year after year (well they alternate between them and Boca - another fantastic restaurant).

What a great birthday week!  I am a lucky girl to be surrounded by people who love me and spoil me.  I can only imagine what festivities next year will hold.