Birthday Party 2017

What were my parents thinking by giving me a January birthday?  Obviously not the weather!!  Unknown to each other, the parents of two of my best friends weren't thinking by welcoming them to the world in January either.  I'm so glad it worked out though.  There have been times during the twenty-five plus years that we've celebrated together that we've changed the date several times.  This year started out to be a travel challenge.  Our area has had little to no snow this winter.  However, on the eve of our celebration (a month after the actual date), a thin sheet of icy snow fell.

We conferenced and I offered to do our luncheon.  Yes, about three hours before the event, I agreed to be the hostess!!  Instead of meeting at Gamba's, our delicious restaurant of choice, we'd be dining at my house.  Having forewarned them the meal would be assembled from my freezer, I got busy setting the table.  It turned out to be the easiest entertainment ever!!  I didn't spend days deciding on the menu, grocery shopping, etc..

Minestrone Soup and Cornbread

I made a big batch of this delicious soup several weeks ago.  It was perfect for a very cold day.  There were five generous portions of homemade cornbread tucked into the freezer as well.  

Evolution's Poppyseed Cake

The Baker had made peanut butter cookies for a friend's children the day before.  I announced they would be dessert.  He didn't think them worthy of a birthday celebration so he headed out to a local sweet shop and came home with this cake.  The bottom layer is poppy seed.  That is topped with a vanilla cream, topped with a fruit gelatin.  Perched on top was a raspberry macaron.  Oh my!!

Of course there were presents

and good conversation.

It was another successful celebration!