Happy Birthday to Me!

It was my birthday last week, and I have to say I have had a great birthday this year! I am quite proud to admit that I am 58 years old. I worked hard to get here, and I earned each and every year.

The celebration of my birth started with a visit from my best friend Kathryn. I have known her since the 2^nd grade (admittedly she thought I was stupid back then) and was so happy to be able to spend Friday afternoon with her and her family. Kat moved down to New York over 10 years ago, but since her entire family lives here she makes a point of coming up for a visit at least once a year. This visit just happened to fall on my birthday, so I’m counting it as part of my celebration.

I didn’t get a picture, since I had put my phone away so as to just enjoy her company without that particular distraction – but here is one from 2018 (not the greatest shot ever, but at least you get to see us both).

On Saturday I went out to dinner with Mother & Bryan to the Raven’s Perchrestaurant, up at the Knik Glacier. Or at least, I thought it was dinner with Mother & Brayn: turns out, Bryan had organized my whole family to surprise us by joining in! We had over 20 people (from age 1 up to age 86)! I was completely surprised’ even though my sister Kelly did kind of let the cat out of the bag earlier by telling me she might be able to come (thankfully I am rather dense at times and completely missed it). The restaurant was a bit overwhelmed by us all as they only had one waitress & one cook and their credit card scanner was being fussy – but they did a great job despite all that stress. The food was good, the company was even better, and you just can’t beat the view out there!

Tuesday was my actual birthday, but it was also a workday – so I headed up to my office early morning and started working away. Around 8:00 Bryan called up asking if it wasn’t Teatime yet, and wouldn’t I like to come downstairs to get some? Who can say no to that? When I got to the kitchen, I found a ginormous box wrapped up in a blanket on the counter! It was a Food Dehydrator – one that I’ve had my eye on for quite some time! I’m very happy with it and am looking forward to dehydrating all kinds of goodies: herbs, vegetables, fruits, even perhaps some jerky!!

Mother then invited us both out to a special Birthday breakfast at the (relatively) new restaurant in town called the Feather & Flour, so we both took an hour or so off work and had a lovely meal. Bryan had the BISCUITS & GRAVY, I had the ORANGE-CARDAMOM WAFFLE, and mother had a cup of their SOUP OF THE DAY (shrimp bisque).  The restaurant is in an old house that they have remodeled with a very European look – very clean and simple.

That evening we got a call from Bryan’s father wanting to take us both out to dinner, so we headed off to the Basil Ginger in Wasilla. Their food is always good, and this time was no exception. I had a yellow curry with tofu, Bryan had his sashimi, Bob had some coconut prawns, and Brenda had the kung po chicken. Again, I did not get a picture because I had put my phone away – but here is a shot of Bryan and his Father from last year.

Believe it or not, the celebration continues! It does end tomorrow, however – one can’t celebrate one’s birthday all year long, I suppose. Anyway, Sunday is another edition of our Family Craft day. I’ll post pictures of it later on, so keep an eye out for that!