41

Family    Pumpkin Brûlée    La Crema Wine    Flowers    Voicemails  

Snail Mail   Gifts  Chocolate Cake  Pumpkins  A Country Drive  Love  Dinner Out   A Pretty Dress   Sunset   A Walk in the Park  Holding Hands

Kiernan   Stonefly Wine   Donations to Dr. Rowe  Hot Tea   Gershwin Warm Socks   Tovah Rose   Pretty Jewelry   Mom   Blue Sky   Fall Colors  

Text Messages   Picnic   Singing   Facebook Wishes  Lunch with Rebekah  Thoughtful Notes  Feeling Alive   80's Pop   People Magazine  Friends  Good Food   Dad   Abbie  Gorgeous Weather

Mom, Me, Kiernan
Abbie, Dad, Michelle (Kiernan's mom)

And there you have it--41 descriptors of my 41st birthday celebration.

Sunset on the Way to Dinner

On Saturday evening, the whole family went out for dinner at a restaurant about 45 minutes outside of town. On the way there we saw an incredible sunset.

The Happy Couple

Over the last three years, we can tell a dramatic difference between how we celebrate my birthday from year to year.

I Love This Guy!

We drove out of town to a restaurant, had a long meal, were in a very noisy environment, were in a big group, and I was able to fully enjoy it. I had wine. I spent the afternoon taking a shower, getting dressed up, doing my hair and painting my nails.

Mother and Son

Even one or two of these things used to wear me out, more or less all of them in the same day! And some of them (most of them) were impossible for me.

16 Years of Marriage!

Dad and Abbie treated us all to this special dinner out and Mom treated us to the wine. I've spent a lot of years celebrating my birthday from bed or in a recliner. Instead of gifts I said that what would mean the most to me would be a dinner out with those I love the most. 

It's Mom's Mommyversary!

I am the happiest when I can be with my family and the love of my life.

Gnocchi and Roasted Veggies

Three of us ordered the homemade gnocchi, 

Duck Breast, Roasted Veggies, Jasmine Rice, Carrot Puree

and the other three of us ordered the duck breast. :)

Make a Wish!

The birthday girl found room for pumpkin creme brûlée for dessert.

I Love Pumpkins!

On Sunday afternoon, Kiernan packed us a picnic and despite the chill in the air, we ate outside. We took a long Sunday drive though the country, stopped at a local art gallery, and scouted out the cheapest pumpkins we could find. Two bucks for the big ones! :)

A Walk in the Park

After our drive we stopped at a new park in town for a walk. The park offered beautiful views of the mountains surrounding us.

It was a perfect afternoon.

Sunday Soup

On Sunday evening, I took a little time to recuperate and hang out with Mom. We had a delicious Fall carrot soup for dinner with sage leaves, browned butter and popcorn as garnishes.

Birthday Cake Gum, Red Velvet Rooibos Tea from Maine, Socks from LL Bean outlet in Maine and  Earrings from one of my Favorite Jewelers

And Mom surprised me with tea and socks she snuck back from Maine, some funky and delicious birthday cake gum, and a pair of earrings I had been eyeing from my favorite jeweler at Arts Fest.

On Sunday evening, I took a long bath, settled into bed, read my birthday cards that had been arriving in the mail and some of the latest People magazine!

From Lana and Co.

On Monday, I woke up to a flower delivery from Lana and Co.

Lunch out with Rebekah!

I went out to lunch with Rebekah.

Upon my arrival home I was greeted with flowers from Kiernan and we went for a walk together.

He gifted me with a framed picture of us with pressed flowers from our yard that he used to decorate the frame. My guy is so creative!

Mom made a delicious birthday dinner of shrimp, pasta, roasted tomatoes, sweet red peppers and salad.

We kept hoping the Sox would pull off a win in honor of my birthday. They didn't! It's okay, though, because the Cubbies are gonna win the World Series! :)

Tovah Sacked Out On K's Lap

Tovah and Gershwin want to be wherever Kiernan is. And they didn't want to miss out on any of the celebrating!

And Gershwin Stayed Close By

Under his Red Sox sweatshirt, Kiernan wore his shirt that says: If you love a Davidson girl raise your hand. If not, raise your standard. :)

Mom made a gluten-free chocolate cake and I must say, it is the BEST gluten-free birthday dessert we have found to date.

I took making my birthday wish very seriously.

I hope it comes true! I've got big plans and big wishes for the year ahead.

On Tuesday, it was a perfect Fall day, so I went to the Farmer's market with Mom and the puppies where I got these gorgeous flowers, a free Maple Vanilla Goat Yogurt from one of our favorite vendors, and enjoyed that I could stroll around the market with the puppies!

What a birthday it was! 

I'm living a life I never imagined possible. I spent my birthday surrounded by those I love. And those far away called, texted, left singing messages, sent cards, or donated to Dr. Rowe in my honor.

41 feels a little funny. Am I really in my 40's now? Life feels like, in so many ways, it's just beginning.

Thank to everyone who made my birthday so very special. You are my heart.

Blessings,

Emily