Quiet Birthday Day

Today is my birthday, and so far I've done almost nothing.  I'm actually pretty tired from yesterday, so I took B to the park and now I'm watching the Olympics.  It's a rainy dreary day, so it feels good to just be cozy on the couch.   

We celebrated my birthday last night, with 3 other couples (was supposed to be 4, but one of the fourth couple woke up Saturday with a bad stomach bug).  One couple we had not seen for almost 2 years, so it was great to see them and catch up. 

We started with champagne at our house, then off to a local Chinese seafood restaurant.  We go there a lot, and we love the people who own it.

Hub had chosen the menu in advance so when we got there, our table was prepared beautifully with a lovely centerpiece and napkins folded in the shape of a crane.  We ordered drinks, and the first course came out...lobster salad, made with celery, apples, and some other fruit I couldn't identify.  Whatever was in it...it was just wonderful. 

 An amazing display...and delicious! 

The rest of the dinner was excellent...honey walnut prawns, sesame beef, fried chicken stuffed with shrimp meat, scallops in black bean sauce, stir fried string beans, and for dessert...mango pudding shaped like a fish (in China, the fish symbolizes long life and good fortune).

Hub also brought in a red velvet cake from California Pizza Kitchen.   By the time we got to the cake, everyone was stuffed from the dinner, so our friends each took their cake home.  There were 4 pieces left, which Hub offered to our wait staff.  They had never had red velvet cake before, so they were excited to try it.  I had about half my piece left, which I'm going to eat tonight.  (I'm glad the rest is gone! If it were still in the house, I'd be obsessing over it.)     

My 61st birthday celebration wonderful evening and I was made to feel very special. I'm so fortunate to have good health, a wonderful husband, a sweet dog, a nice home, and a job I love.  I'm looking forward to a great year.