the party

Every year I put together a little something for my birthday because there is nothing more wonderful then spending time with your favorite people all together. Each year I am reminded of how great it is to have such good friends. People who drive hours just to spend a few hours talking and eating together. Whenever I feel lonely I just remind myself that if someone is willing to drive two hours to spend three hours together before driving two hours home that there is a friend! I am truly lucky to have met such amazing people in such few years on this planet. I anticipate many birthday celebrations to come with them surrounding me.

This year we went the easy route with food. Pulled pork for sandwiches and two simple salads, one fruit the other veggie as sides. I wanted to have plenty of dessert options so I made my favorite zucchini muffins (lucky me there were tons of leftovers, I've been having muffins for breakfast for days), a lemon bread (which actually didn't turn out), and paleo chocolate cake with raspberry ganache. Kenneth suggested that we have a non-paleo dessert so he picked up doughnuts and I arranged them on a cake platter. I think everyone enjoyed everything and the cake received good reviews even from my non-paleo friends!

One thing I learned from this party is it is a great thing to have an adorable two-year-old as a party guest. Not only was Cordelia entertainment on her own but she also brought legos! There is nothing better then seeing your 25 year old friends down on the floor playing legos as they sip their beers. Cordelia's mama is also my best friend so it was really just wonderful to have the whole family visit! Oh, the monkey in this picture is not Cordelia's. It is the special friend of my dear friend and sister-to-be, Kirsten.

Another year, another party, and another reminder that life is wonderful and to be cherished.