29... Again!

My birthday this year fell on a Thursday, which meant we had to squeeze a celebration in between work and choir practice... I think perhaps we are getting old!

All three of my guys did an absolutely amazing job making that time together really count, and I loved every minute.

I'm not gonna lie, Daddy seriously outdid himself this year by cooking me dinner-- and you know it's true love forever when your husband makes you your very favorite dinner, knowing it's one of his absolute least favorite dinners.  Behold, the lamb chop!

Along with carrots and potatoes from our CSA, it was one of the best dinners I've ever had.  Who knew Anthony was such a chef?!  And just between you and me, he actually liked the lamb too :)

For dessert, Dad stayed up super-late the night before my birthday making cookie dough, and surprised me by baking it in a cast iron skillet after dinner.  Warm chocolate chip cookie... why yes, please!  And happy birthday to ME!!

It was the perfect way to end an already fantastic day.

Speaking of our CSA... although we've done a spring/summer fruit share for the past few years, this winter was the first time we'd tried a veggie share.  It was really fun- and definitely a bright spot in what was otherwise a pretty terrible winter!  We always looked forward to our "farmer box" on Tuesdays, and we were really proud of the boys for their willingness to try literally everything that we received.  Not saying they loved - or even liked - it all, but they at least tried it!  The winter shares reaffirmed our love for veggies like potatoes, rutabagas, and carrots, started a new love for things like kohlrabi, portobello mushrooms,  and crazy varieties of radishes, and helped us learn that we really do not care for sunchokes, bok choy, or fresh-from-the-farm, bugs-and-all greens. We will stick to the pre-washed bagged salad greens from now on, thankyouverymuch!

One of our favorite CSA items had to be the on-the-cob popcorn.  It was fantastic!

And probably the most surprising moment had to be when I was dicing raw beets for a salad, and could not keep the boys from stealing it!  I couldn't cut it fast enough before they'd scurry through the kitchen, grab a handful, and run away.

It was easy to nab these suspects, though-- those red-stained fingers totally gave them away!