ONE WEEK AGO…
Matt turned 30!!!
He chose to spend the day with three things he loves most: the bakery, fermentation and his family.
He went in to work in the morning and took a half day to come home and make cheese!
Homemade mozzarella cheese – post coming this week! The mozzarella turned out incredibly delicious. Both the homemade goat cheese and the mozzarella have been really fun to have on hand!
We quickly turned it into a pizza for lunch –
Served with salad on the side
That afternoon we went clothes shopping for both boys.
This was Matt’s first visit to the Charlottesville mall and he would like me to mention his first visit to Bath & Body Works in 15 years! (I wanted to peek inside…)
Once home we headed to Beer Run for a drink and some beer shopping
And then came home to a nice dinner for two – Mazen went to bed early!
We sipped this Schlafly Barleywine I got for Matt with dinner. Thumbs up!!
Every time I ask Matt “What should we make for XX holiday” his response is “Cornish hens!” They’re like tiny whole chickens, and while I think they’re great, they’re just never at the top of my list. So I knew they would make the perfect birthday dinner for him. Baked in a herb + butter rub at 400* for about 40-45 minutes (temperature told me when they were done).
We had roasted acorn squash and canned green beans that we prepped this summer on the side
Cupcakes for dessert, which sadly rolled over when I biked home with them.
But they sure were good!!
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
happy birthday! cornish hens don’t look like my kind of thing either, but the homemadecheese looks amazennnnn
ps just read ‘super baker’ on matts shirt! very cute
Happy belated Birthday to Matt!!! Pizza looks epic!
Happy Belated Birthday Matt!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this little peek into your life! We are expecting our first child in July and its so fun to see you still do super fun things with your family!
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY MATT!
It looks like a wonderful day filled with all things he loves! I’ve been seeing more and more people make their own cheese lately – it always looks so wonderful!!!
haha smooshed or not, cupcakes are always delicious! And I think I’ve had a cornish hen, but it was a looooong time ago. I think it would be fun every once and a while, but not regularly.
Happy birthday! My husband turns 30 this year too….O how I love cupcakes!
Looks like a perfect birthday! My birthday was actually yesterday– turning thirty as well! I think the thirties are supposed to be a GREAT decade.
Happy bday!
What a lovely birthday! Happy belated to Matt!!
Happy Belated Birthday to Matt! I love that you home make cheese! Amazing.
Happy birthday to him!
I just bought my first acorn squash… crazy I know.. haha! Can’t wait to roast it up!
Hi! Happy birthday to Matt! We own a bakery cafe too and I want to get my husband Matt’s Super Baker shirt for Valentine’s day… Can you tell me where it’s from? Thanks so much!
It’s actually a custom Great Harvest staff shirt
Good old Fashion Square Mall! I used to work there in high school…and probably spent lots of my paycheck at that Bath and Body Works…we used to douse ourselves in that awful Vanilla Cherry spray.
Anyway…
Happy birthday to Matt!
Happy Birthday Matt! I would love to be able to make my own cheese… Yum! Glad you guys had a great time celebrating.
I noticed Matt was carrying Mazen in a boba… How do you like it? I’m also looking at the Ergo, so I’m curious. Or is there a post you have already written about this?
Yes on babykerf on the reviews page. We love the Boba! I have only tired on an Ergo once so I can’t really compare the two though.
Happy Birthday Matt!!! HANDSOME DADDY!
I forgot Matt and I share the same birthday! Sounds like you guys had a great day of celebration!
Happy bday to you too!
Thank you!
Happy 30 to Matt!
We made a Margarita pizza as well this weekend. Love that style. So simple and so fresh tasting as long as you have fresh basil, good quality mozzi, and a vibrant tomato sauce, it will turn out perfect.
Happy b-day to Matt! I think it’s awesome how he likes to be in the kitchen too, very cool.
Happy B-day! That’s so cool you guys can/jar your own food. Do you use any recipes or books for that? I want to start to do that this coming summer!
We usually just research online : )
Love that at Beer Run Matt is standing in front of all CA beers — yay!
Looks like he had a good birthday!
Happy Birthday Matt! Turning 30 is special.
Happy Birthday to Matt!! The 30′s are great!! Can’t wait for the homemade mozzarella recipe….I’ve heard great things about making homemade mozzarella.
Can’t wait to see the mozzarella post!
I also have to admit that as a long time reader, I was a little sad about not seeing your daily posts. BUT I am liking this better!!
Happy birthday, Matt! And boy, that pizza looks great!
Happy Belated Birthday Matt! Looks like it was a good one and cupcakes are good no matter what. Just gives you an excuse to lick the plastic. (Unless you’re like me and don’t need an excuse)
Happy belated Matt!!! I remember when you were “the husband.”
haha!
Happy birthday, Matt! You totally lucked out with that fresh mozzarella! I’d never be able to get my man to make me fresh cheese on his birthday
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Happy Birthday Matt!
Kath, I came across a post where you traveled to Kenya. So cool! looks like you had a great time. Was there a reason you traveled there? (was it for school? internship?)
By the way, this post definitely needed a cute baby Mazen picture
Have a great day!
Yep – details in this post! I was sent by Lipton Tea: http://www.katheats.com/tea-travel
Happy Birthday Matt… (ooops, I wished the wrong person last week).
Happy Birthday to Matt!
And I cannot wait to see the homemade cheese recipes, truly cannot wait!!
Ana
Sounds like a pretty awesome, laid-back, family fun-filled birthday!! It’s the calmer ones like this that I personally enjoy the most.
Can’t wait for the fresh mozarella post! I have been wanting to try making some.
Also, I love cornish hens for special dinners. They just feel fancy
Happy birthday to Matt! Pizza and salad is my favorite meal combo
I’m sure those cupcakes still tasted amazing!
Hope Matt has a great 30th year! I turned 30 last year & was not all that excited about hitting the 30s, but it’s grown on me
Happy belated birthday, Matt!! I am in awe of your mad cheese-making skillz!
My cupcakes always roll over when I try to carry them too- frustrating but still good, of course.
Cheers to the birthday boy!!
Happy belated birthday to Matt! That pizza looks soooo good!
Aw, how sweet! He is so blessed to have you.
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/
happy birthday matt! Kath, I am really enjoying the blog recently. I love the new direction you are taking it. You guys are still my favorite family to check in on!
Happy Bday to Matt! Looks like a great day of eats:)
Happy belated birthday to Matt!!
Happy bday, Matt!! What an awesome birthday with the little guy!
Kath, how did you make the acorn squash? I am such a fan of your eats. Enjoy the remainder of your holiday.
Rub with coconut or olive oil and salt and roast the slices at 400* for 45-55 minutes
Happy Birthday, Matt!
Can’t wait to read the mozzarella post – I’ve been hoping to experiment with it myself.
Try spatchcocking the hens next time if you aren’t stuffing them. If you do stuff them, cut in half before serving the hen perched over the savory steaming stuffing. They plate beautifully with that small step added.
cheers and happy bd Matt.
Wow, that pizza looks incredible. A husband who enjoys making bread and cheese, and who is willing to go to the mall on his birthday? You hit the jackpot!
Oh my gosh that cheese looks amazing. I cant wait to see the recipe! Im about to start a 50 day “real food” challenge and this looks PERFECT.
Happy Birthday! I’d love to make my own cheese!
My husband is obsessed with cornish game hens too. So funny!
That sounds like a perfect low key birthday celebration
happy 30th!
Yum! That pizza looks so fresh and delicious!
Sounds like Matt had a wonderful birthday. Happy Birthday!
Can’t wait to hear how he made the cheese. It looked amazingly delicious.
Happy Birthday Matt! Love the homemade mozzerella! Pizza looks awesome…just how I like it…cheese and tomatoes!
Happy Birthday Matt!
Are you all per chance reading/using Home Cheese Making by Ricki Carroll as your cheese making guide? If you don’t have it, it is a great guide to cheese making, and I have had GREAT success using the techniques in the book!
Happy birthday, Matt! Looks like it was a great day.
Would you say that 1 Cornish hen is enough for a big-eater type of man?
Happy belated birthday to Matt!
Yep! I only ate about 2/3 of mine
Happy birthday Matt!!