How to make a Happy Birthday

Ingredients:
Virtually no plans
1 pot of coffee
Radio tuned to 94.9
Trip to Proctor Farmers Market
Trip to Corina's Bakery to request a cake, any cake (and get a lovely red velvet)
Late-night trek to the Java Jive
Deborah Page playing at the Java Jive
Family
Friends

Wa-lah! One heck of a Happy Birthday without the stress of party planning!

For the big 3-2, I made no plans, other than to chill. My Saturday "big day" began lazily. Hubby and I had enjoyed an evening at The Tempest the previous night, he was working and the kids were sleeping. I dawdled on the Internet a bit, had my hit of NPR, soaked in some sun, straightened up in anticipation of a parental visit, and relished the fact that I would enjoy my day. Simple as that. With the brother watching the sleeping children, I made a dash to the Proctor Farmers Market where I procured 2 dozen fresh oysters for the hubby to barbecue for dinner. Then I realized the kids would probably wonder where the cake was if we didn't get one -- it's a BIRTHDAY after all. So I ran over to Corina's Bakery -- under new ownership by the fabulously fabulous Julie and crew -- and inquired "do you have anything whole?" (Without nuts -- The Diva is allergic.) And they did! A yet unfrosted red velvet (I'd heard tales of this scrumptious concoction). Score! I placed my order, texted the hubby to pick it up later, and off I was back home where my family had just arrived from that state down south. I won't bore you with details, but highlights include the Corina's folks sending me a special note UNDER my cake. "What's that?" I asked myself as I served my family slices of scrumptiousness. A secret message! Sweet. (Literally.) Julie is the best. Then I read in my e-mail that my very favorite Deborah Page was playing that night at the Java Jive -- a place that has been on my "must go" list for ages. So late that night, my dad, my uncle and I were off to the Jive to enjoy a beer, some cheesy fries, the music and the unique atmosphere. And while it was technically a bit AFTER my birthday (after midnight), Deborah sealed the deal with a lovely Happy Birthday tune at the end of their set. Add to it gatherings with friends over the following days, and I'm blown over with bliss.

Now that's a recipe I'm not sure I can recreate. I'll be dreamily savoring the memories for years to come ...

A blessed night out on the T-town ...

Thank you to the folks at Suite133 for giving myself and Elle a reason to explore downtown on a Friday night with our hubbies. SANS CHILDREN. Both of these feats are rather rarities, as children are actually fun to be around, and also by week's end we're usually so tired with chasing them and balancing life that we just want to curl up with a movie, our lovely hubbies (note to dirty minds: to each her own, not together), and sleep. These last couple weeks were really no different, between holidays, tragedies and Elle's mission of Sweet Hope chocolate making, we were all exhausted. Had the sweet folks at the Suite not been throwing their shin-dig, it's quite likely our heads would have hit the pillow by 8 in order to recover/prep for other holiday parties. I'm so glad we went.

At 5, I walked over from work, down the Spanish steps and over to Suite133 (just above Capers). There I met up with my "crew" ... and ran into many, many, many others it was a treat to see. (Though Marty, I've seen you too much this last week. Find your own parties! Kidding ...) Old classmates, good friends, new friends, acquaintances from every walk of life ... it was a great meshing of T-Town. And I got to point out that Elle is more than a blogger, she's a talented handbag-maker, graphic designer, shoe connoisseur and so much more. That was fun. Oh, and the Tacoma Gnome was making the rounds with Exit133's lovely stafferette. As a friend, of course, so no spreading rumors back to Hanne ... We look forward to hearing more about his evening! And Elle reminds him that he does need to spend SOME time in her garden this year ...

And then ... we headed over for dinner and drinks at Paddy Coyne's on Pacific Avenue in downtown T-Town. This great little Irish pub has become one of my favorite go-to places, but usually for their fabulous happy hour specials. This time? It might not have been "happy hour" per se, but we spent a happy hour or two there! I had my cheeseburger, of course. The menfolk had the fish n' chips, and the lovely Elle savored the beef stew. The boys had their beer, we girls split a bottle of Yellow Tail reserve. Wow. I'm quite acquainted with Yellow Tail wine, but I'd never tried or even seen the reserve version. Very fabulous. Definitely kicked it up a notch. Now I like Paddy's even more ... great grub, great suds, and great vino!

Ahhh ... now I can relax, meditate, and enjoy me some holidays.