10-10-10

Yeah, you know you wish you had a cool birthday like 10-10-10, too. Today was the big 3-3 for me which was pretty low key and uneventful. Just the way I like it. It was my Sunday to sing at church today and during the announcements my birthday was mentioned so everybody in the congregation gave me a big 'happy birthday' and applause. That was nice. After church I came home to my beautiful new present from my darling husband;
A fancy pants sewing machine full of a million stitches for me to use on my scrapbooking projects. I don't sew, nor do I plan to, I just want to add a little extra something to my homemade cards. Unfortunately this lovely beast did not come fully assembled (or even with any string - WTF?), but Chris saddled up and eventually got it running.
In addition to my sewing machine I got a super cute scrapbooking kit from my sister, Jessica.
I love, love, love the papers (lots of glitter) and the letter stickers. I already picked out one of the papers to use for my birthday layout.

My birthday dinner turned into a birthday lunch since we were out running errands and getting hungry like the wolf. This year I chose La Hacienda for their fiesta salad with the super secret house dressing.
It's spanish rice, pinto beans, cheese, a mountain of lettuce, tomatoes and avocado in a fried tortilla shell. Then you douse it all in the house pink sauce which is like a vinegary thousand island sauce. I could eat it straight out of the bottle. It's a family secret and they won't let loose of the recipe, not even to Bon Appetit, but as long as they're willing to share some with me on my birthday then I'm happy.

Oktoberfest

Chris and I went to the Sierra Nevada Brewery Oktoberfest this evening at the brewery in a tent set up in their hop fields. Since there was no parking at the facility (reserved for the restaurant) we parked around the corner at Barnes and Noble and walked over when the event started at 4:00 pm. We were literally part of the first 10 people to arrive and initially had the whole place to ourselves.
Chris' first order of business was to head out back to get an Octoberfest with the first of our four drink tickets while I splurged on a stein full of iced tea.
Our tickets also included dinner and we figured out pretty quickly that the buffet line was open whenever we were ready.
You're looking at a mountain of kraut, sausage and beans, beer infused pulled pork, cucumber salad and German potato salad. You only get one trip through so you have to make it count!
Also in the tent was a display of blown glass beer steins that everybody got to vote on to decide which one the brewery would commission a limited run of for the gift shop.
Next to the display case was an actual glass blowing demonstration.
And you can't forget about the 'hardcore polka band'.


Much to our surprise we ran into a work friend who we spent most of the evening hanging out with.
What I liked most about the event was that there was no set schedule, you just milled around drinking your beer, checking out the glass blowing, making fun of people's outfits, and listening to the polka band. We made it four hours before calling it an evening and heading back home.

I wonder what it tastes like...

A little something-something showed up at my front door today from one of my sisters for my birthday, but don't worry Jessica, I didn't open it yet.
But I sure wonder what it tastes like..... (my youngest sister would always say that when she wanted you to offer her some of whatever you had).

Since it was Friday I brought home all of my birthday cards from work and made a lovely tribute to myself on the shelf above the TV for all to enjoy.
Count 'em - eight cards! That's eight people who like me enough to buy me a card. And you thought I didn't know that many people - ha!

On a whim I bought tickets this morning to the Oktoberfest event at Sierra Nevada tomorrow. I saw an ad in the paper yesterday and remembered about it this morning. It's out in their hop fields and for the price of admission you get a stein, two drink tickets, and a traditional Oktoberfest meal full of kraut and meat. It's from 4-10 pm tomorrow and sounds like a lot of fun. Especially the "hardcore polka band"!

A very merry unbirthday to me!

Much to my surprise, my co-workers celebrated my birthday today (along with two other October birthdays) with many an edible treat.
My favorites were a pumpkin spice bundt cake and a strawberry cloud pie. Yes, I might have had multiples of each. And about a pound of fresh guacamole and chips. I was also surprised with multiple goodies from my co-workers like this handmade candle holder;
and a new Silpada necklace that goes with the last one I bought.
Another co-worker bought me a little scrapbook kit - always something I could use. And then when I got home I had this super cute card from my sister in the mail;
I'm going to keep this party rollin' all weekend!

Bustin' out some brownies

Since we didn't get home until late afternoon on Monday and I still had to do grocery shopping and laundry I didn't get a chance to do my usual weekend baking to take to work. Tonight however, after whipping up some jambalaya for dinner, I got back in the kitchen and made some peanut butter cup brownie bites.
My official taste tester declared it edible after rubbing his buddha belly. Hope he enjoyed his sample because that's all he's getting!

Birthday celebrations in Medford

We just got back from a quick, overnighter in Medford at the 'rents for a funeral service and a birthday extravaganza. A long time family friend had passed away so Chris and I had come up so that Chris and Mr. A. could attended his Sunday afternoon service. And since both of our birthdays are this month, the 'rents put together a little dinner party for us complete with cake and gifts.
Chris got an automotive stethoscope and some lounge pants, while I got a beautiful, embroidered tank top.

While there we met the 'rents new dog, Chase.
He is so lovable and fun. Even when he's sneaking off with a pair of Chris' underwear or socks for a quick chew. He was abandoned as a puppy so he's a little timid and scares easily, but he warmed up to us quickly and had us eating out of his little paws.

Mum and I also managed to sneak in a little trip to the mall so that I could wander endlessly around Macy's until the perfect pair of jeans and two tops fell into my arms. We also stopped by Kohl's where I scored a black cardigan for only $7 which I used my b-day gift card on from my mom. So much good shopping, so little time...

Overnighter in San Fran

Chris and I spent Friday and Saturday in San Francisco partly for the West Coast Green conference and party for grins and giggles. We arrived in town late morning on Friday, checked into our hotel and headed over to Fort Mason on foot where the West Coast Green conference was being held.
We met up with out friend, Chris, who was there as an exhibitor from Chris' old wastewater company in Oregon. I've been to prior West Coast Green conferences in Sacramento, but this is the first time there's ever been a free organic beer and wine tasting.
We made plans to meet friend Chris for dinner after the show closed for the evening and then headed off to do a little sight seeing until then. We spent some time at Pier 39 which is full of shops and restaurants....and sea lions.
I wish this was a scratch and sniff photo you could enjoy the sweet, sweet aroma of these chubby beasts.
At 7:00 pm we met back up with Chris and his co-worker (and ex co-worker of my Chris) for dinner. We took them back to Pier 39 since there were dozens of restaurants to choose from. We settled at a place called Neptune's Palace for some really good seafood. I picked a shrimp risotto while Chris got his beloved cioppino (fish stew) and then we all shared an oyster platter appetizer.
We stayed there chatting and eating until 10:00 pm topping off the evening with a shared tiramisu. Our cold and foggy Saturday morning started around 8:00 am with a quick jaunt around the corner to a little bakery we'd spied the day before and shared a ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate croissant.
After breakfast we headed over to Ghirardeli Square to walk around and of course check out the chocolate.
Ghirardeli Square is a beautiful brick multi-level building full of cute little shops and of course the chocolate shop.
Everybody got a pumpkin spice chocolate square when they entered the shop. The first one's always free....

Walking back we checked out some of the other piers and the boats that were on display there.
Before we left we had to stop and have lunch on Fishermen's Wharf. How can you visit S.F. and not have some chowder and sourdough?
We had a great time and are already thinking about coming back for a longer weekend and maybe spending some time over in Golden Gate Park where there's lots of museums and gardens to visit.