Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Bethlehem Birthday Weekend

Turning 36 has been pretty great so far.  I don't know why I never thought to drag out my birthday celebration over an entire week before?!  Genius.  It was nice to have a few extra days off this weekend to visit with extended family and friends that I don't see often. 

The weekend started off with me driving up Interstate 95 in a snowstorm Friday morning?!  The first day of Spring brought 3-6 inches of snow from MD to PA.  It was weird.  It felt more like the middle of winter but whatever.  I am holding fast to the notion that Spring is here despite the bipolar tendencies of Mother Nature.

On Saturday, my parents took me out for a delicious Italian meal.  It was full of carbs which proved to be integral to my long run the next day.  I mean, Italians really know what they're doing when it comes to carb loading.  Behold:


My mom got a smartphone last year and she really loves taking pics with her phone now.  Therefore, she felt the need to document me eating dinner:

 
 
She also knows how to put fancy filters on her photos.  Look at those SKILLS!  The restaurant told us they were just starting to feature Vegan Treats on their menu and they gave me one gratis for my bday!  Just winning all around at that meal.  I love that local businesses are featuring my beloved bakery. 

After that giant meal, I went to visit one of my best friends and her family.  I got to hang out with her kiddos, including the new baby!  Who despite being 1 month old now still looks just as tiny as when I first met her.


I have no idea how we knew to coordinate our outfits.  We must be psychically connected.  My friend also surprised me with a non-dairy birthday cake!  I never forget that I have the best friends in the entire world.


On Sunday I knew I needed to get a long run in.  Last week I did 10 so anything greater than that was fair game.  It was pretty cold and windy in PA but my running felt really good that day so I decided to go for the whole 13 to get an idea of where I was time wise.  Not too shabby Bean.  Not too shabby at all.  The one thing I forgot to do here was put some fuel at the halfway point or in my pants (#twss) so by mile 11 I definitely felt like I needed some glucose.  Next time!

 
I came back from that run to the smell of my mom's homemade sauce on the stove.  She was having our extended family and friends over for yet MORE birthday celebrating!  The good thing about having multiple birthday cakes is that you get MULTIPLE wishes! Am I right?! 
 
Sunday dinner featured (what else) MORE pasta, sausage, stuffed shells (def NOT vegan), garlic bread, salad, bean dip, artichoke dip, and shrimp cocktail.  If you are a part of my family, or if you are invited to a family gathering, there is 0 chance you will ever be hungry.  I'm pretty sure Italians think eating can cure any ill.  You have a headache?  Eat something.  Stomachache?  Eat something?  The flu?  You better eat something.  HAHAHA  That's my mom on repeat. 
 

 
I had lots of help from all my cousins, nieces and nephews blowing out those candles. 
 
And to top off that epic weekend of family, friends and eating, I stopped at Vegan Treats to get the bubblegum ice cream they featured for me that weekend!
 

I hate to admit this, but it was TOO sweet for me.  I hadn't had bubblegum ice cream since I was a kid, so I guess it's not a stretch to say my taste buds have changed since then.  This got me thinking about memories and the way we perceive things in our past.  I think memories have a way of endearing themselves to you, and making things sometime seem more perfect and rosy than they actually were.  This little ice cream reminded me that it's important to stay in the PRESENT and experience things as they are NOW, instead of pining for the way things WERE.  You can never go back in time, and there's probably a reason for that.  Thank you deep spiritual guru soft serve.

Well, I think it's time I finally conclude my birthday celebrations, as well as this post.  I've been rambling forever.  I hope you had a great weekend and encourage you to celebrate your next birthday as many times as possible!


Does your family celebrate special occasions with giant meals?!

Do you think you sometimes see the past through rose-colored glasses?




10 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great week of birthday festivities! My family does birthday dinners and the like, but we're not a family of awesome cooks, so we often go out or bring outside food in. :-)

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    1. Hey good food is good food, no matter where it comes from!

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  2. Okay your birthday weekend sounds absolutely perfect. I'm so glad you got to go home and spend it with family eating good food. Seeing all these pics of cake and pasta makes me hungry. I've been craving a good hearty Italian meal lately. I always leave my parent's house feeling so full and craving salad like crazy. That's what parents are there for :)

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    1. Yes it was a lovely weekend! Seeing my whole family and eating all of their food always makes me happy! My mom loves cooking for guests so invite yourself along any time! Hahaha

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  3. YAY you got your bubblegum froyo. I was wondering if you were going to, after having been promised it! I am so excited that I'll be going home and seeing my mom on my birthday weekend. She is the best present ever. But vegan treats for you and the chance to try some new ones seems like a pretty darn good gift as well!

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you'll get to see your momma for your birthday too Susie! Celebrating without having family around just doesn't seem right. Makes me kinda sad so I'm glad I'm still able to see them on occasion. Vegan Treats also make me happy. Like really really happy! Haha

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  4. Sounds like a fun birthday weekend! So nice you were able to spend it with family. Nowadays birthdays are usually celebrated with my parents and 1/3 siblings (2 of my sisters are in Boston and my brother is local).

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    1. Awww, I bet your brother is glad to still have you around. I have a sister that lives far (in ATL) that I don't get to see often which makes me kinda sad :(

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  5. Replies
    1. Thanks Gigi. My friend told me 36 is the new 26 so that's what I'm going with now. HA!

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