Celebrating Birthdays

My husband, Michael was born on Father's Day making it a memorable event for my in- laws as he was their first born. Our family tries to give him his own birthday celebration aside from Father's Day because he is so special to all of us and we want him to have his own day.  He likes keeping it simple, so this year we are all gathering for a supper picnic style and I'm the main grill chef.  He loves grilled steak with pineapple as a side, and chocolate cake.  So to kick it up a notch,  I'll prepare a fun ice cream sundae bar to serve with his homemade chocolate cake.  

Lightly season steak with salt, pepper and onion salt.

Grilling fresh sliced pineapple sprinkled lightly with cinnamon sugar is delicious and easy.

Everyone enjoys a make your own sundae bar.  Provide ice creams, cookies, pound cake, whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, hot fudge, chocolate and caramel sauces. 

Happy birthday Michael.  You are loved and appreciated♡

The planning of a special birthday bash

Dad's 85th Birthday

We recently hosted a special birthday celebration for my Dad and it was fun from beginning to end.  Each and every birthday should be celebrated, and I feel it's the small and personal touches that make it extra special.  A good starting point is choosing a color scheme. Once you've decided the color, decide what your menu will be and if you will cater, cook your party foods or have guests help with specialty dishes. My Dad's favorite cocktail is a Manhattan, so I set up a make your own Manhattan bar in Dad's honor, and it was a huge success.  And for a special ending, have a sweets table with all of your guest of honors favorites! Below are a few things I did for our party and they can be incorporated into any special event you are hosting.

I liked black and gold because it's so classic.  And the colors went well with my Dad's Halloween birthday.

I found these chalkboard place cards with small easel holders on Amazon to place in front of my food dishes.

Disposable sturdy champagne glasses for our toast to Dad.  Everyone spoke a few words and it brought a lot of smiles.

Check out Etsy for personal signs and banners.

I ordered these take home treat bags from Etsy.

Everyone loved taking candy home from the 30's era.

Our make your own manhattan bar was a big hit!

We made this menu board online and had it printed at our office supply store, placed it in a frame and it added a nice touch to our dinner.

What would a party be without balloon bouquets? Party City is my go to for party products.

As the holidays are approaching, remember the little touches make a difference.

Thanks for stopping in:)

Soup-er Tuesday (Birthday Soup Edition!)

The pot is by the fire

The water in the pot is hot

If I put something in the water

I can make birthday soup

Let me see what we have

(Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik)

I am celebrating my birthday today and my family gave me a wonderful party over the weekend for my special day.  My daughter knows how I love chalkboard paint ideas and she gave me these chalkboard mugs in honor of my "Soup Tuesday" blog theme and I am crazy about these two from Etsy (Check out this great store) Make a big pot of birthday soup for your loved ones having a birthday and you can use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge.  

Start with 1-3 pounds of beef, cut into chunks. In a large soup pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil.  Add meat and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.  Add one 46-48 ounce can of tomato juice.  Season with salt, pepper, thyme and a bay leaf.  Add about a teaspoon of Worchestire sauce for flavor.

Return to simmer and add the following:

1/2 cup lentils
1/2 cup barley
1/2 cup brown rice
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large celery stalks, chopped

Simmer until lentils and grains are tender, about 30-45 minutes.  When the potatoes seem done, the soup is almost done. Now add frozen vegetables and simmer 10-15 minutes more.  

Serve and accompany with hot fresh bread or biscuits.

Who needs birthday cake when you have birthday soup? (Okay, I do!) But seriously, I love soup...celebrating a birthday is one of life's wonderful pleasures! 

Lakehouse Lyn