Happy birthday to me!

I am the first one in the family to celebrate a birthday here.  It was a wonderful day!  Dave started the morning by making my favorite pancake recipe (Four Grain Pancakes from the Joy of Cooking).  I obviously didn’t bring my tome of a cookbook down here, but fortunately someone else put it online.  I got to sleep in while Dave was cooking the pancakes and entertaining the girls.

After breakfast, I was able to hang out by myself (introverts around the world will understand what a treat that was).  I looked over my Facebook messages, read a novel, and generally enjoyed the time to myself. 

Dave and I went out for lunch downtown and I got to stop in a few shops.  We came home where I again got time to myself.  Dinner was my pick- pasta and garlic bread (neither of which I typically get at home since the rest of the family is gluten free).  And I made myself a delicious cheesecake.  Then some Skyping with family back home and a great night of sleep. 

Chocolate chip cheesecake!  Unaffected by the altitude....

M is ready to blow out the candles.

 

We aren’t typically into gifts (we tend to spend our money on travel instead of giving things).  Dave made me a fun flower bouquet with qualities written on each stem.  Mirabel drew several pictures and made a special card.  My mom sent money to buy some jewelry and Dave picked out some fun earrings.  And I got some money from my in-laws to spend on whatever I want (it’s either going to be a spa day or in-home massage). 

 

My flower bouquet.  I've been looking at one each day.

 

A bouquet of compliments.

My earrings.  You can buy a lot of sterling silver jewelry here.

We’ve been to several kid birthday parties here, but no grown up events.  I found out after my birthday that some traditions include staying up until midnight the night before to immediately wish the birthday person a happy birthday.  Some people go out drinking and there are sometimes fireworks (which seem to be the perfect complement to just about anything, based on how frequently we hear them).

It was a great birthday.