My Birthday Boy

Brad turned 30 yesterday. OK. He actually turned 27, but his face scrunches up in this cute and angry way when I say 30 ... so I keep saying it. And honestly? What is so wrong with 30? I'll be there before him, and he *knows* this so he's obviously not trying to win any points. Men.



He wanted me to make dinner for him and our family last night, and although I was super-busy and wanted to do it on Friday he said he'd rather have it on his actual birthday. You know. Like he's 12. OK - so maybe I'm being too harsh, but I love to pick on him - and don't worry, he loves when I pick. It's what makes our relationship spin 'round. Yes, we're odd.

My mom came to the rescue: shopping and helping cook all the while toting in gifts to spoil Brad even more. If it's one thing we do right in my family it's birthdays. They are always days to celebrate, days to spoil that special person, and days to get gifts! Yes, we especially love that last part.

I wrote up the menu (after Brad requested it) and made a grocery list, of which my mom shopped for while I was at work. It was an easy menu: pancakes - grits - sausage - hashbrowns. Granted, they're foods you have to make simultaneously and get on the table while they're hot, but with my prep work and my mom cooking - it all went smoothly. Thanks, mama!



The pancakes were not a new recipe - I've made them before - but this time I left out the blueberries. If you remember nothing else, remember this: Don't neglect the lemon zest! These pancakes are easy to throw together and make a quick, hot weekday meal. And that cake? Fabulous, isn't it? Yeah. I didn't make it. We bought it from a church member who makes cakes for an area restaurant. To-die-for.

I just stuck in the candles. And lit them. And watched as Brad tried to blow them out but they kept sparking and relighting. I mean seriously, isn't that what birthdays are all about?