It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Christmas!!! I love it.  Big Red is now Big Silver - so thankful for spray paint. I need to go grab a bottle of wine and relax. 

Shrimp Night

It's funny how life comes together.  The very first time I had lunch with an ex-boyfriend's mother, she said, "I need to teach you our family fried shrimp recipe!" To be honest, I have never fried ANYTHING in my life. The only thing my mother ever fried was chicken and that was maybe once a year. 

Don't get me wrong.  I love fried just as much as the next girl, but never thought about doing it in my own home.  Well, about a month ago, she had me over and I learned the family secret. I can't share it...and that makes this post a little mean.  However, I can tell you that 2 weeks after I learned the recipe, a very pregnant and beautiful friend of mine shared her craving for fried shrimp on Facebook.  I thought, "It is my destiny to make her fried shrimp".

I followed the recipe to a T and they were AMAZING!!!  Wooo hooo!  I served them with a baked potato, baked applesauce, and a salad.  My friend loved them and it made me so happy to see her feeding her craving. 

She sent me the above picture of the table. It's my grandmother's china.  I love it! What a great night to remember.

Hello Kitty

My best friend threw a birthday party at a jumpy place for her five year old. It was a Hello Kitty theme. I thought the decorations were adorable...granted, she had to work with a neon orange party room.  She made the tissue paper flowers and taught me how to make them in the process. So easy and cute!

She made the cake herself...but have you ever noticed that  Hello Kitty doesn't have a mouth? Strange.

I wish I had a picture of the birthday girl to share but she was not having it.  She had too many people to greet and things to hop on.  Maybe next time!

Everyone left with fun favors...and their own little flowers...

The Versatile Blogger Award!

Versatile Blogger!


I have been very blessed recently to receive the Versatile Blogger Award.

I received it from a new and very fun blogging friend, Jayaycee Blog.

That woman can knit...and she is a witty writer, two of my favorite things in one blog.  She also shares beautiful pictures of Scottsdale, one of the top ten places that I would like to visit in the US.  Maybe I will share the entire list with you someday.  Longevity has its priveleges.  You can learn all kinds of useless information about me if you stick around.

 

With this award comes some duties ... first, I must thank the blogger(s) who honored me. Thanks so much to Jayaycee. You have been a huge encouragement and I am thrilled to be among such great company.
Second, I must tell you 7 things about me ...I warned you earlier in the post that you would learn something about me if you stuck around.  Abandon ship now if you would prefer I be clothed in mystery. 

1. I have a fear of punctuation.  I am pretty sure I butcher proper punctuation (and grammar) 70% of the time.  The more I research it as an editor (yes, that's my job and I still have a fear of it), the more confused I become.  Can we just go back to the days when there were clear cut grammar and punctuation rules?  I would also like to vote for the return of etiquette.  Good, old fashioned, 'don't wear white to a wedding or a veil to your second wedding' etiquette.
2. I cannot pick-up, peel, or eat a whole peach. I love the taste of peaches but the fuzz makes my skin crawl.  Just thinking about it now gives me the icks. I decided I was going to get over this so I bought some peaches last Summer to make a dessert but I couldn't do it. They sat there until I emptied the whole bowl into the trashcan because it was too much for me.  I live in Georgia - the Peach State.  Why, oh why can't I eat or touch a stupid peach?
3. One day a friend said that he wished he had a passion like music. He said musicians eat, sleep, and breathe their passion.  They would rather make music than anything else.  I feel that way about God.  I eat, sleep, and breathe God.  He is all I think about. I love Him so much that I want to tell everyone about Him (just like being in love with a man). I am always asking what He thinks, wants, and why He created things a specific way.  He really does lead and guide my life.  I have no idea how people live without having a relationship with God - He is like air and water to me - necessary.  I am not a religious zealot, I am a woman in love.
4. If I could have any career, I would be a hair dresser. Unfortunately, I am past the stage when I can quit my job and make no money for five years to become one. If only I had gone with my gut at 18.
5. I wish there was a philanthropist who would sponsor scholarships for older men and women to go to medical school later in life.  I have met so many people who are passionate, committed, interested, and engaged in healthcare but they developed this interest later in life. Now they are stuck because they are older and have to support a family. I personally would prefer to have these people as my care providers!
6. I want a real, adult vacation. It has been years since I have had one. I love my family and they are spread out along the Eastern seaboard so I spend most of my vacation time traveling to see them. I am going to make this a priority in the next 18 months....even if it is driving to the Outer Banks of North Carolina!
7. I love newborn babies.  I have an amazing rock step that puts them right to sleep.  Nothing is better than rocking a newborn baby to sleep and them sleeping like a little tree frog on your chest. Oh how I love wittle babies.

I have one more responsibility as a versatile blogger award winner but it will have to wait until my next post. Too much to do today!  Check back for 15 of my favorite blogs!

When In Doubt, Craft it Out

My connection is spotty at best so I am going to post a few pictures now and will finish up later.  I did NOT want to be a craft tease - that is just so wrong.

I decided to use scrapbook paper for this particular set of coasters - you can see a selection above.  Tracy suggested cocktail napkins (check back for a link to her tutorial - connection too slow to post right now) and I think those would have worked a bit better because this paper was a little thick and stiff - it was hard to get it sufficiently soaked to 'melt' onto the coaster and so it slipped out of position fairly easily leaving white borders and crooked paper.  You should have seen the ones I gave away ; )

I kept the rejects for myself so please ignore the crooked paper above and the unsightly white border below.  Regardless, here is my morning cup of coffee enjoying a new resting place. Makes me want to write a love letter to a foreign man. Strange.

Where Are Those Coasters?

All the pictures are uploaded and I am ready to go, but my home computer doesn't want to connect to the Internet. Drats.  This is an issue.  Don't give up on me, though. I plan to do some sewing this weekend and hope to have several new things to upload in the next few days. 

I will tell you the back story to the coasters.  I woke-up Saturday morning and I had an itch.  If you are reading DIY blogs, you know the itch. It was that, "I need to do something creative before I jump out of my skin" itch.  The previous week was a bit of a downer.  I was excited about a new guy.  He is adorable.  He makes me laugh but isn't all laughs.  Cute.  Godly. Handy. Creative. He never followed up.  Radio silence.  There was no obligation to follow-up. Just hope. Hope springs eternal.  He did follow-up this week but definitely seems a bit down--sensing he needs some time to process some things in his life.  As my favorite saying goes, "C'est la vie." 

Mother's Day was also hard for me this year. I posted a bit about it here but took it down. Who comes to a lifestyle blog to read down in the dumps drivel?  Not me.  Here's the recap. I want to be a mama.  I am 36.  You do the math. You think the thoughts. There you go.  Saturday, I needed an outlet.

I have this thing.  When I start feeling down, I try to find someone I can bless.  Mother's Day was Sunday and my mind wandered to all of my single mother friends.  These are some committed women.  They work themselves to exhaustion for their children -- some with no support from the father.  I wanted to do something for them on a day when all the Dads out there plan a big show of appreciation for the Moms. I wanted these women to have something from someone who appreciates what they are doing.  I wanted them to know that they are seen and remembered. 

What I really wanted to make was a magnetic picture frame - the ones where you change out the picture just by removing the magnet and then putting a new one on. I couldn't find the tutorial. If you find one, can you post it in the comments?  So, I surfed Tracy's blog and found some adorable coasters.  Perfect. I can make  tons at once and can tailor them for each person.

It was such a great day.  As I made them, I focused my heart on how blessed I am to have time alone with God.  He is so good to me. He loves me so much and lavishes love and care on me constantly.  Although I would like to be married and have children, no one will compare to Him. Ever. As my heart recentered, an excitement grew - I couldn't wait to give these women their gifts and to hug their necks.

Check back and say a little prayer my Internet works tonight!

Make Your Own Coaster Tutorial...

Check back tonight for a tutorial on making your very own coasters.  It's so fun and a great gift!

Enjoying the Simple Things...

Whenever the world goes crazy and I get a little down around the edges, I stop and think of all the simple things in life there are to enjoy.  I thought I would share a few today.

Meet Jane - she is an ex-school teacher with grown children who regularly invites children over for a morning of cookie baking, flower watering and crafts.  What fun and what a lifesaver for tired parents or Aunt B on day long excursion with the girls.

I love gardens.  Any and every kind. I don't have much of one right now but love to linger in other people's gardens, enjoying their yard art.

 

I love my Azalaea (sp?) bush in spring and having my family come to visit.  Oh how a visit from family can brighten my whole month...especially when they are just 2, are learning to talk and wear tiny little sweater vests.

And now, I will exhale and go to bed thinking on these lovely yet simple things.

Being Open

If you truly want to see into the Simply Fabulous Single life, eavesdrop on this conversation:

Me:                 I'm done.  Really.  I have come to grips with the fact that he's just not that into me.

Best Friend:    Oh no, girl. Do not shut him down.  I will not let you shut him down.

Me:                You are going to have to work fast because I am almost there.

Best Friend:    Girl, you need to be open.  Drink your Frappucino, take a deep breath and be open with the
                      next single guy you see.  Practice.

Me:                OPEN?!  Girl - I have been as open as a 7 Eleven.  I don't get much more open.

Best Friend:    To me, it sounds like you are "CLOSED FOR BITTERNESS."

Me:                NO YOU DID NOT.

Best Friend:    YES I DID.

Me:                I have to go.

Best Friend:    STAY OPEN

Me:                Good bye.

I mean, really. I can see why she keeps me around as her token single friend - I offer her scintillating conversation.  Over and out.

My Marvelous Mother

I say it over and over but I stand by it – I have the best mother, ever. As she likes to remind me, she is my only mother, but I still am thankful she is the only one I got. She has introduced me to some of the best things in my life, like:


• Giving. My Mom has always said that she would have so much more money if she could just hold on to it. As soon as she gets it, she is looking for ways to give it away – through special gifts, little trinkets, donations, or a special dinner for the ones she loves. If she only had $1.00, she would find something fun for someone at The Dollar Store. For some, it is about the act of spending money. For my Mom, it is about the act of giving to others.

• Entertaining. Oh how she loves to throw a good party. Planning and preparing for the party are almost as much fun as the party itself. She has taught me the joy in setting beautiful tables, catering to special needs, and making guests feel loved and pampered. Some of my fondest memories have been around her table with the people we love.

• Quirky Humor. My friends always guffaw at my mother's witticisms. The best part is that they come out of nowhere and they are quick. 

• Writing. I so wish she would write a book. She is one of the most talented writers I know. I can’t hold a candle to her and I get paid to write. I love having my mother on Facebook so that I can see her writing everyday! She has the gift of storytelling. She polishes a story in her mind until it is perfect. Her emails are informative, entertaining, and encouraging. I will always remember her saying, “The one thing I disliked most about your college was that professor who discouraged you from writing.” It has given me the courage to write – knowing that such a talented writer thinks I have a talent that is worth nurturing.

• The Value of a Friendly Face. Anyone will approach my mother at anytime. There is something innately friendly about her face – her smile and your eyes show an openness. As one who hung on her leg for her first18 years, I have learned to emulate the same look and I love the way I am greeted by the world.

• Whimsy. My mother is whimsical. She loves fun little things and finds just as much joy in a child's toy as she does in the latest technological gadget.  She encouraged us to use our imaginations and to see whimsy in everything.

• Jesus Christ. I grieve the years I wasted running from the Lord. However, I receive letters daily at work from people who never heard of Jesus Christ until they turned on the TV or tuned in by radio. One of God’s greatest gifts to me was placing me in the care of parents who loved and feared the Lord. From a very early age, I knew what it meant to know and believe God. My mother never compromised on the Truth that Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life and that no one comes to the Father but by Him. She has always upheld the Word of God as true, living, and active. I am blessed to have grown up with the Word of God on my mother’s tongue, to have been bathed by her prayers, and to have been released to the care of the Lord because she knows He will complete the good work He has begun.

I love my Mom more than anyone will ever know and I thank God for every year we have together so that I may continue to learn and grow as her daughter. No ONE has a better mother than I do and that’s a FACT!

My Beautiful Mother

Mother's Day is approaching and I will be doing a few posts about my mother this week.  Before I do, I want to share these incredibly chic pictures of my mother.  She is still just as gorgeous - stay tuned.

You rock your baby dressed to the nines with full hair and make-up, don't you?  I am sure I will someday. I will make sure I am camera ready at all times. Such a beautiful mother.

What a Difference a Week Makes

My loves in full bloom....

Don't worry - I didn't use the key...or raid the bush...I was invited over for a green dog - at least that's what we call it.  This is what Spring should look like - beautiful flowers and outdoor livin'.

My Sewing Hero...

Visit this site.  Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.00.  Go straight to this site and meet my new sewing mentor.  I stumbled on her site like Alice in Wonderland. She purchased her first sewing machine in October 2009 and has done crazy incredible Goodwill makeovers - I can't explain it, I am too awestruck. There is hope for me and my little sewing machine - and my wardrobe.  Praise the Lord and go now. Go.

Please don't tell her that I named her my mentor - she doesn't know yet.  I don't want to freak her out. 

Endearing

Meet my Mom, Dad, and oldest brother.  Oh to be this chic. This wasn't for a night out - it was dinner at home.  Holy cow they are a good looking couple.  I have a stack of pictures of my parents looking like models for LIFE magazine.  The only thing this picture has to do with the rest of the post is that I find it endearing. Most of all, I find my brother endearing in this photo.  Isn't he the cutest, little clueless one?  I love that he has one hand in his pocket. 

I started to think this morning about what I find endearing.  My mind wandered to a few budding friendships and what I find endearing in those friendships.  It struck me that the very things others may try to avoid doing or may find cringe-worthy are the very things that I hold dear. I never find someone more attractive than when I see him/her as they really are -- goofey, struggling, insecure, posturing, uncertain, or awkward, yet still pushing through those things to connect with me.  When I see people as they truly are, I want to lavish my affection on them.

I once had a pastor friend say, "If you knew me like I knew me, you wouldn't want to look me in the face. But if I knew you like you know you, you wouldn't want me to look you in the face."  I agree with this on a performance level.  However, what if I really knew you like you knew you and I looked you in the face and loved you?  What if you did the same for me?  Powerful, right? Endearing? Certainly.

Say What?!

Peonies are my favorite flowers - hands down winner.  It is so rare that I get them because they are available for a super short season.  My best friend knows that these are my favorite flowers (or she should if she doesn't).  I was playing with her girls in the backyard and what did I see? 

This is just one of two peony bushes in her yard.  Say what?!  She has dozens of them about to bloom and she shared that you can cut a peony before it blooms, put it in the fridge and then put it in water up to two weeks later and it will still bloom.  Again, say what?! 

She has had this gorgeousness in the backyard for THREE YEARS and I have never received one stinkin' peony.  I gots issues with this.  Big issues.  Ok, not really much of an issue but I feel a little like a woman from the depression finding out her friend was stashing sugar for a birthday cake she wouldn't get a piece of someday.  I'm just sayin'.

Well, I have a key and I am not afraid to use it.  I accidentally typed 'lose it' - oops, bad slip. No, use it to swipe some peonies leaving nothing but a bare bush in my wake.  Well, ok, not a bare peoony bush but one about a dozen buds short.  Ahhh....the trials of my life.

The World Might Be Mocking Me

I stopped by Beneath My Heart today and saw her encouragement to check-out Poppies At Play for their tour of homes.  Have I mentioned that I love Traci?  Finding her blog was like a cup of cool water.  I am an expert at stalking the design blogs and people who stalk magazines and design blogs, but I had grown weary of finding beautiful design that I couldn't afford and didn't know how to duplicate on my budget. 

One day I stumbled on Traci's blog.  I think I googled 'refinishing an armoire'.  The angels sang and I saw a woman who was decorating on a budget and was teaching me how to do the same. More than that, I think Traci teaches you how to create a home that invites people to stay awhile.  Her stories about her family and the lessons she has learned from her mother, Wanda, are priceless.  Check her blog out if you haven't yet.

While on Poppies at Play, I saw a picture from her tour of homes and there was a settee that was very similar to the one I lost on Craigslist.  It is on All Things Thirfty (a site I am fairly sure will become a favorite).  I mourned again for a moment but then I got really excited that I had a tutorial of what to do if I ever find the right settee, again.  Check it out when you get a minute...the world may be mocking me but I still think I win with this find!

The Dining Chairs/Area

I promised pictures of my dining room area in the previous 'One That Got Away' post. It's a bit of a blah/blank canvas right now.  My plan is to find a settee for the wall side and then I will find artwork for this space. 

The table does have a leaf and I usually use it when I have more than three people over. I love this table. However, my dream table is one that seats 18 people in an Italian olive orchard - a rustic table with bottles of local wine and olive oil with all my loved ones gathered around.  Someday.

 

I am not sure about the chairs on the other side. I bought two at a consignment store that I can't stand. It was like $50.00 for both of them (tops) but the fringe bugs me.  I had to have something for people to sit on while I find the right pieces so they are fine for now.  Eventually, I will sell them on Craigslist.

The One That Got Away

I need a settee for my dining room table. The end chairs are a modern version of a wing chair and I  want a settee on one side that offers equally comfortable seating. (check back tomorrow for pictures of the table/chairs - didn't plan my posts well).  The poor people on the other side of the table are out of luck.  Get to dinner early or sit on the uncomfortable side.

I found this settee at Pier 1 that is the exact shape I want...but am not super crazy about the colors:
          
I refuse to pay full price for a piece of furniture that is not exactly what I want. I will pay $30.00 at Goodwill for one I will makeover but new pieces need to scream PERFECT.  I did find one that was pretty darn close for $25.00 on Craigslist that I could slipcover. I passed it over because I had no way to get it home and I was tired of obligating my friends to tote my stuff.  It is now the one that got away.  Every other settee is antique, victorian, or just plain strange. 

I will continue hunting though.....just needed to grieve the one that got away for a moment first.

Single Ladies: Do Not Ever...

Whatever you do...do not let your roommate take funny pictures of you with her camera.  You may find them posted with strange notes in strange places at strange times of the day.  Like this one:

The caption read:  Is it 5:00 yet? I suspect a husband would never do this....

Marinated Flank Steak

I am officially in love with the marinated flank steak recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  It is DIVINE.  Tons of flavor and it cooked up perfectly.  I have made it twice and even though I almost smoked myself out of house and home both times I made it, I give it five stars.  I have a hard time cooking beef - I either way over do it or way under do it. Both times I have made this recipe, it came out perfectly. 

Above is Ree's image of her flank steak.  I borrowed it because it looks a lot better than mine. I could trash talk right now but I won't because I have way too much of a crush on her blog and I don't want her to block me...or mock me...or otherwise dismiss me publicly...little ole' me who has no right to trash talk her highness.  And...trash talkin' and ripping off photos don't really go together.

Go, grab your grass fed beef and give it a go.  I would say just go to Winn Dixie and choose any old cow but the food documentaries have spoiled the grocery store for me and I care about my readers. I do.  I care.

Something a Single Girl Rarely Sees

You Moms out there are totally used to stepping over bath toys to wash your hair. This is something single girls do not deal with on a daily basis.  My nephew recently came to visit and Noah came with his family and he was even able to tote the ark along.  I whipped open my shower curtain and what did I see but this:

I burst out laughing and grabbed my camera. They were either mooning me or offering me a little privacy - I am not entirely sure.  Thoughts ?!

How I Met My House

AnNicole over at Suburban Cottage is having a link party and it is such a fun one that I just have to join in.  It is a How I Met My House party.  I love this story because I am the most accidental home owner in the world. Please do not use me as a case study in how to purchase a home.  The picture above is before I bought it.  Reminds me of a baby picture because of all the new landscaping.  It's so full and big now - like a child rather than the baby in this picture.

The house itself is a 60 year-old brick ranch in a transitional neighborhood.  We have a little bit of everything in our 'hood.  I love the 'hood although there are some shady characters who come and go...like Two Boots. He is a gentleman who used to walk our streets at night drunk in his boxers and cowboy boots. He would stare you down - standing there in all his booted glory in the middle of the street.  I wasn't scared because I could have nicked him with my car if he got fiesty. Thankfully, he would hiccup and stumble away.  I'm suspecting he's in prison now. Good ole' Two Boots.

Oh yes, this is How I Met My House.  I was not looking for a house. I was a tumbleweed in an apartment complex.  I had already spent $100,000 in rent over the years and was poised to do it all over again until my friend Patti called me.  She said, "Girl, you need to get over here. A lady on my street is selling her house and it looks like you." I said, "I am not looking for a house. That would require money and responsibility - two things I am short on.  Thanks anyway."  She continued, "I really think you are supposed to have this house - please come see it - as a favor to me."

Patti is one of those girls who has a red phone to the Lord and I was curious to see if He had placed a call to her for me.  Off I went to take a tour of what would be my new home.  It really did look like me. It was everything I dreamed of in my first home - older, brick, ranch, hard wood floors, built-in bookshelves and a fireplace (that I never use because gas prices make it outrageously expensive to run).  I called Patti and said, "You were right - that is my house."

That was five years ago and I have never once regretted the decision to buy my home.  Not even when the air died in the middle of an August heat wave and I had to wait a week for the part to fix it.  Not when I realized that I was responsible for changing the air filter and light bulbs.  Not even when the oven over or under cooks every single thing I put in it because it is about as old as the house. Not once.  I love it. It feels like home. It is peaceful, comfortable, and I see it as a gift from the Lord to me.  There is no natural reason why I should have this home but I do - and I thank Him for it.

My Piwwwow

I made a pillow...a fancy pillow with fringe and a zipper. It turned out to be hugely expensive when you add in the lessons and the supplies that I bought at top dollar because I was way short on time and just chose the first fabric store in sight.  However, this super expensive pillow will set the stage for many future pillows....hopefully cheap, custom pillows...

Once again, please excuse the poor lighting..but TADA! I had to try it out on various pieces of furniture...

Up next?  A skirt.  Oh no.

I want, I want

I am absolutely floored

by this slipcovered chair from Pier One.  It is very rare that I REALLY want something but I REALLY want this. It is perfect for my room. I need to add in a little more color/flair.  I was so excited becasue I thought it was $69.95. Um, that's just for the slipcover. The chair is another $160.00.  I am not sure I would pay that much for a side chair and of course it appears when my redecorating budget has long been spent. Sigh.  This is what we call a character-building moment.

White, white, white

I settled.  I went for white.  Plain, boring white.  I had the paint and a trip to the store was not in the cards last night.  Here is the transformation of the door.

This is the door 'before'.  It was a dingy white - didn't match the trim. This was the case with three or four doors in the house.  Why is that?  Did they paint it at different times? Does white paint yellow over time?  I don't know but it was BUGGING me. 

I decided to follow my inspiration picture and try the layered color look.   At first I taped.

But that was taking way too long...so I ripped all the tape off and just went for it.  I was surprised how well I did.  However, it caused me to use too many coats of paint - and so the color was much darker than the walls..making it look dirty.  Here is the finished door.

See what I mean - it looks like a bad, fake tan?  However, please note my super straight paint job.  Wow..I may have a marketable skill? 

I promised a friend I would leave it this way for three days to be sure it was wrong.  I did and hated every single day of it.  I considered going with a teal or a taupe instead of the wall color but settled on plain, boring white.....although it does look so clean and now matches the tape!

Much better...it is a poor lighting job but you get the drift.

Tonight, I go to my sewing lessons where I finish my pillow...here's a sneak peek...

DIW - Did it Wrong!

Centsational Girl inspired me and I stepped out on a painting limb.  Her spaces are gorgeous and I loved the closet door in this office picture.

It really finishes the room and takes the whole office up one notch.  I decided to try the same effect on my front door but made one critical mistake.  I painted the door the same color as my walls - Pristine - a blush color.  In order to get the lines straight, I had to use several coats and the result reminds me of a bad self-tanning job - a little orangey pinky - just off. 

I wanted to review my inspiration photo again and it was then that I realized she used a different color on the doors. That is why it pops.  Now I have a dilemma.  Do I just paint the door white and move on with my life or do I try the painting effect again with a different color from the walls? (I'm thinking a light teal/aqua)

I won't tell you what I am going to do but I will post the pictures in the next two days.  Here's to taking a design risk!

A Much Needed Rest

I took a few days off...of everything.  I went to visit my parents and ate, slept, and shopped. No crafts. No home renovations. No cleaning. No errands.  Just rest and time spent with loved ones.

I am smack dab in the middle of some projects right now.  This blog will be chocked full of goodness soon - but for right now, I am at the midway point and nothing is very impressive.

One thing I did notice though was how much I loved my redecorated home when I came back after being away for a few days. I think I needed some distance to love it as a whole rather than focusing all my energies on the unfinished bits. 

Here's to finishing some projects!

Good Times

Today is a down day. It really is pathetic why. I am having an ugly pity party. I don't like pity parties so instead I have decided to reflect on a much better party - my 30th birthday party. My favorite party ever - well, other than family birthday parties when I was little and Mom made my favorite food and everyone was around the dinner table. I could go to some of the most exotic places in the world but my favorite memories will always involve my family around the dinner table.

My favorite ADULT birthday party was my 30th birthday party - a luau. This party was almost seven years ago and I still remember it with fondness. My friend went all out. Two of my best friends were married the same year and went to Hawaii on their honeymoons and recreated it for my birthday. First, they flew in an authentic double-orchid lei from Hawaii. That's love, people.

Then, they landscaped the food to look like Hawaii.  It was ridiculously fun.

I called my team the 'BLT' or Bethany Luau Team. They were not afraid to get dressed in their Hawaiian finest.

My sister flew in which was so cool...it isn't a major life event without my sister...she lives in a far off land...well, in the North at least.

And we had cake...lots and lots of cake.  Did I ever tell you that if you only gave me one choice of food at a party, I would choose cake? Good cake.  Delicious cake. The only thing that would have made this better was if my sister-in-law had made it. She makes the world's most delicious birthday cakes.  I dream about them.  She has a talent.  Unfortunately, she did not come and make cake because I think she had a toddler at this point and the chances of my brother letting her get on a plane and leave him with the three kids was slim to none at that point.  "Don't leave me with the babies!"  The rest of my friends could come and design such an elaborate party because their babies were yet to come. 

Now, wasn't that much better than a pity party?