Turning 31 Years (Young???)

I am absolutely growing older in years, yes. This is a part of the game we all get to participate in called life! How I love birthdays. Even the simplicity of them— waking up realizing it’s been X number of years since the day you were born, the early morning phone calls, the singing from my Dad on your voicemail, my Momma asking me how old I am (inadvertently forcing me to admit the number!). All of the moments that make up what I could call “just another day” in the life of Laura Berg (Crowell! I forget!) made it such a happy day.

This year I turned 31. I recall (was it really 365 days ago?!) last year sitting on the couch quite pregnant and pleading with the baby in my belly to come out. I am much happier with Landry here and not with child. I am quite pleased that we share a birthday month and have several weeks of nonstop celebrating!

Matthew woke me up around midnight to tell me Happy Birthday! So it begins….I woke up early and started the day with a 3 mile run through the neighborhood. I’m happiest when I get my exercise in early and I knew it wouldn’t happen later. Then, I got ready like usual and took the girls to school. No make up, I'm the happiest without it! I know, you wouldn't think it, right????

The exception, I grabbed some Starbucks and a White Chocolate Mocha with whip! I NEVER do this so it was a special treat, always the healthier option for me these days. Then I headed to my massage at Neva. If you live in SA this place is wonderful! Very reasonably priced and an excellent massage. Next, lunch with Matthew at the Copper Kitchen located at the Southwest School of Art. My favorite place to eat on Friday’s because they have delicious baked fish. And the walls display student works in a rotating exhibition and every time the artwork is so unique. Yum!

The afternoon I attempted baking for Landry’s party we had on Saturday (post coming soon!). This did not go so well. I am not a baker and it’s alright. But I made a red velvet cake and cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries and marshmallows. Thank goodness for the thumb print cookies (from Snow White Bakery in Abilene) and Julia’s cupcakes. This was probably the most difficult part of the day! Ha! But I had these beautiful flowers to stare at from Lesley Berg (soon to be Harcar!)

Then we had a happy hour with my SA friends at Paloma Blanca. So fun! And I got to meet Bert’s cousin, Gretchen, from Boston. She might be the coolest girl (and photographer!) I’ve met. I am going to really try to qualify for the Boston marathon so I can go visit with the Hargesheimer’s. Except I am livid that they are changing the qualifications to make it even more difficult to qualify, geesh!

Best part of the day was the birthday dinner at The Lodge in Castle Hills. Matthew and I got to experience a seven course dinner to celebrate. The Lodge is a home that has been completely redone and turned into a restaurant. This estate initially belonged to the Slimp Family and they are linked  to one of the major oil companies in Texas (I cannot recall which one). Keep in mind, with every course there is a wine pairing and my memory became fuzzy.  We had dinner in one of the grand daughter’s room—that was kind of freaky.  Matthew and I had never done a 7/8 course meal before and had a blast with such a unique way to dine. The waiter was quite informative on all of the courses and very well trained.

However, I had "Foui Gaue" for course 5 or course 6 but had no idea what this was. Matthew did not bother to warn me. Quite simply--the only reason I ordered this was due to the comment made when I tried to order the salmon and M ordered the foui gaue. The waiter said "He is getting the better part of the deal!" I thought, naturally, I want the better part and we switched. Hindsight, I don't know if it was a good or bad move. The course included huckleberry jam, vanilla granola, and greek yogurt and the best french toast I've ever tasted. Quite honestly, it was delicious and possibly my favorite part of the meal!!!! It wasn't until Saturday that I'm sharing my dining experience with the Crowell's only to find out that I had eaten duck liver. Now I feel terrible about it. 

The day was low key, with no work, and all of the blessings that bring me joy! Happy Birthday to Me!