happy birthday

to my husband and America – all in the same weekend! We’re gearing up for a fun, fun weekend around here. Birthday party, ridiculous foods, perhaps a hurricane or two N’awlins style (think drink – not Katrina), fireworks on the 4th, some swimming, some sunshine. It’s a party weekend!

In honor of my festive mood – this week’s moments of grace will all reflect some sense of merrymaking:

1. birthday cake baking in the oven – it’s just not a birthday until your house smells like baked goods

2. an excuse to cook for a crowd. I love planning and cooking for a bunch of people. Today I’ll be making bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, horseradish veggie dip, jambalaya pasta, homemade mac & cheese…

3. Sparklers and snaps! We can see the city’s fireworks show from our yard so I see no need to buy our own (wish I could convince my neighbors of that) instead we’ll run around with sparklers and litter the driveway with snaps. Do we know how to party it up on the 4th of July or what?!?!?

4. letting the kids stay up late, catch lightning bugs, watch fireworks – makes it feel like summer

5. and since it is his birthday – my husband in all his kid-wrestling, big hugging, me-humoring glory. Happy Birthday Matt!

(the only thing that could make this better is some beach time. But it’s so crowded at the beach this weekend I’m not sure I’m willing to fight the madness when I know I can go a few days later and have a much more peaceful experience on my Lake Michigan)