I can’t believe I’m 30! It seems like an age you wait your whole life for…and it’s just…here. One day you wake up and you’re a new decade. Honestly, I haven’t had that much time to think about it because I’ve been living life day to day with Maze, but I’m actually really happy to turn 30. It’s a nice, mature age and I think it fits my mindset these days. People who are older than 30 have told me that it’s the best decade, so I’m excited!
Pumpkin Kodiak cake to celebrate the occasion!! Topped with Birthday Cake Nutty Butter and Autumn Spice Granola! And sprinkles!
Mazen gave me a 5.5 hour stretch of sleep last night for my present. And 1,000 smiles!!! After breakfast, the two of us went out on a long walk – about an hour. He slept, I pondered.
MY OTHER RECIPES
And then we met up with Matt and drove into the countryside for lunch
Back to Pippin Hill! When we planned this event I didn’t know I’d be going with my mothers’ group earlier in the week, but I had no problem going twice : ) Thanks to Faith + Tate, Hillary, Alex and Finn and Holly + her Finn for joining us!
Matt and I shared a tasting and ordered bites for lunch
A ham, pear and grilled greens salad topped with pine nuts
Root Veggie Soup with crostini
And local trout, which was so good!
The portions were really small, but luckily, we had cupcakes for dessert!!
Delicious, incredible Sweethaus delights!! We actually did a trade with the Sweethaus owners who love our Great Harvest scuffins. These totally made my day! They are the best cupcakes I’ve ever had.
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Coconut, Pistachio, Carrot Cake, Red Velvet and Pumpkin Spice!
I love the Strawberry, the Pumpkin Spice and the Coconut the most, but if I had to pick a top fav, Coconut wins!
We drove from Pippin Hill to one more winery to end the afternoon. FYI, we were not driving my car, and that was SO exciting!! More details coming to BERF soon : )
We had never been to First Colony Winery, so we made that our second and final destination. I was much more interested in the cupcakes than the wine though : )
Back home, Matt gave me his gift – cute fancy gloves (with missing fingers for typing!) and a pretty pair of earrings!
We then got dressed up
And handed sweet Maze off to his KK so we could go out to a nice dinner!
We left a bottle of pumped milk and left them snuggling on the porch.
Karen gave me a new pair of dress pants and a cute top from LOFT, which I wore to dinner. Thanks for the presents Karen, including the night out!
Matt and I had a gift certificate to Al Dente, a nice Italian restaurant here. The CEO of Great Harvest, Mike, gave it to us after we spoke at Darden last year. We had been saving it for just the right night (and a time when I could partake in some red wine!)
<3 the bread plate
We shared this bottle of red, although Matt got much more than I did because I was the DD and a mama who didn’t want too much.
Figgy salad to start – pretty good with lots of crunchy toppings!
But Matt’s Scallops with Brandy + Shrooms stole the course. Great flavor combos!!
For dinner I had a whole baked trout in a tomato + caper sauce with a side of green beans. Loved it!
And Matt had sea bass with orzo and artichokes – good but mine won (for once!)
Believe it or not, we were way too full for dessert. I never turn down dessert, especially on my birthday, but if that is any indication of how eager we were to get home to our little peanut, that should tell you something : ) Plus – too many cupcakes!
But our server brought us some Sambuca on the house to end the meal – anise flavor. It was the perfect palate cleanser. [Also that goblet looks huuuuuge but the camera was just under it. Also I stuck my tongue in it and called it a night : ) ]
I feel like I have been eating and eating and eating lately. Definitely one of those times where I can’t wait to get back to salads and fruit and foods that leave me feeling fresh inside! But that’s what births…and birthdays…are for!
Time to go snuggle!
Happy belated birthday, Kath! You look lovely 🙂
What a great birthday! And I’ve heard the same – that your 30s are your best years, so enjoy them! Especially now that you have Mazen to share them with!
Happy Birthday Kath! So glad you had such a wonderful day! A birthday full of cuddles, walks, friends, cupcakes, wine + fancy dinners out with the man seems good to me 🙂 Cheers!
Happy birthday!!! My 30th is in January, and I’ve heard the same thing– that your thirties are the best decade!
glad you had such a good birthday, kath! all those celebration meals look yummy!
Happy birthday Kath! 30s is definitely great decade, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my 20s. I guess it’s because we become wiser and know exactly what we value the most and know to to get them.
I completely agree! I’ve really been enjoying my 30s 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday! It sounds like it was a great day!
Yay, that sounds like a great birthday! Those cupcakes look fabulous.
Ok that last picture is is heart warming….glad you had a wonderful birthday. Thinking back to 30 I think my life was much the same, except child #3 was on the way. Hang on to these times I can’t stress that enough they go by so fast.
Hugs,
Judy
Happy Birthday! Looks like a great way to celebrate! And that last picture is just precious!!!
What an absolutely perfect birthday! I could dive face first into the cupcakes! YUM!
I’ve been meaning to ask, you take such great pics when you’re at restaurants, what camera do you use?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II – you can read more about it here: https://www.katheats.com/lights-camera-action 🙂
Happy Birthday! Looks like it was a great one!
Happy birthday! All the meals look so yummy. Especially the cupcakes 🙂
Happy birthday!! Also, I have to share — I’m sure you don’t remember me from the tons of comments you get, but back when you announced you were expecting I commented how funny it was that we are both dietitians and had the same due date. Later on when you posted the girl names you had considered if it had been a girl, our name that we’ve had forever (Clementine) was on your list! And, my mother-in-law also goes by KK! Cracks me up — I keep waiting for even more crazy similarities!
Oh, and I forgot that Clementine also has the monkey toy Maze has. Her favorite!! Great for batting at and grasping!
Fun!!
Happy 30th! It is definitely a great decade. I think as we get older, we become more appreciative of everything around us thus making us happier. Looks like you had a wonderful day of celebrations. Those cupcakes look so yummy. I’ll have to make a mental note to stop by the next time I’m in town!
Looks like you were in a trout-y mood for your 30th! Happy Birthday to you again!
Karen and Mazen look so cute in that picture!
Happy 30th birthday. It’s really not that bad being 30+ because you generally have more disposable income and start to value the important things in life. I’m 34 now and have had a lot more fun in my 30s than I did for much of my 20s.
what a perfect birthday!!!
I’m a new follower, but I’m glad I came in at such a great time.
I hope the new decade brings on new, food adventures.
Hope you had a great birthday!!! Love your outfit-you look great! You just look so happy and I’m so excited to see what this next year brings for you!
Happy birthday!!
The cupcake/scudding swap sounds good. My family owns a restaurant/ice cream shop & always swap ice cream for yummy piazza from a next door pizzeria. So fun!
*scuffin.
So glad to hear you had such a wonderful birthday! I’m sure it was nice to have an evening out with just Matt – good for you guys! Happy 30th Birthday!
Love the outfit and dinner looks fab, but what I really want to know is, how did Maze do with KK?
He slept in her arms most of the time!
Happy 30th Birthday! Hope you had an “A-Mazing” day 🙂
Love your outfit, where did you get your dress pants?
Loft. They are the “Julie” style.
Looks like a great birthday! That soup and crostini look so good!
Happy Birthday! What a great way to start off your 30s
Happy 30th, Kath! …..I wish you all the happiness in the world as you bring in this new time in your life! It’s going to be great!!! 🙂
I absolutely love the picture of you, Matt, and Maze before you went to dinner. Happy 30th birthday!
Happy Belated Birthday! What a beautiful day you had! You can tell from the pictures Karen is one happy Grandma!!
gorgeous last photo…happy birthday kath! i’ve loved my 30’s so far and i know you will too…
Happy belated birthday!!!!
I love that last picture. I wish I would’ve taken more as my daughter got older, but honestly, trying to get her to settle down to nurse was hard enough, not to mention trying to take a picture to! LOL Take as many as you can while he’s still little – you’ll be glad you did!! 🙂
You are blessed.
Happy Birthday Kath! 🙂 Looks like Life is treating you well, healthy baby, handsome husband and wonderful support system in your family members to help with the little maze… <3 Enjoy!! 🙂 Hope your 30's treat you beautifully! 🙂
Glad the two of you had a nice night out alone. Isn’t it funny that you dream of those rare chances to get a night out alone, but you want them to end quickly so you can get back home?!
Since I’m in my 40s I have to say the 30s are a great decade (all 4 of my kids were born), but I hate to think the best is behind me!! The 40s have been great in a different way and I hope every decade to come is equally rewarding.
What a wonderful birthday! I love Matt’s gift to you. So pretty!
The picture of Karen and Mazen is beautiful. That was so nice of her to watch Mazen and let you two have a night out together.
The 30’s is a wonderful decade. I used to be worried about the 40’s but it’s all on how you feel. I’m 44 but feel like I’m in my 20’s. 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Maze is soooooo cute!!!!!
Happy, happy birthday, Kath! You look lovely and I’m so glad you had such a fun day of celebrating. 😀
So much happiness! What a fun day, especially the sweet date night and Maze getting fun time with gma 🙂 those cupcakes look so soft, fluffy and light – I’d go for coconut hands down, bonus if it had strawberry in the cake 🙂
Happy weekend!
Kath! That last picture of you and Maze is just incredible. Frame worthy!
I have a feeling 30 is going to be fantastic for you! Happy Birthday Kath!
Kath you look great and happy bday! Glad you are loving where you’re at in life and embracing this new decade!
The ‘best cupcakes I’ve ever had’ is VERY high praise from you and wow, I wish I could sample one! They look incredible!
And glad you were able to enjoy great meals, the winery, and sweet gifts from Matt, and time with your two main men in your life 🙂
What a great birthday! I’m 32 and I looked so forward to turning 30. I am so much more confident now than I was in my 20’s.
It’s true – the 30s rock! Happy (belated) birthday!!
Karen has good taste! I love that top. Mazen is too cute. Happy late birthday!
Looks like you had a wonderful day! Those cupcakes are so cute! Coconut always comes out on tops for me! Gorgeous gloves, definitely needed when sitting at a laptop to keep the chill out! Happy Birthday again!!!
Happy birthday, Kath!
Looks like a fantastic day. Mazen is still as precious as ever.
I have go to visit Charlotteville or near so I can taste those yummy-looking cupcakes and all the fab food I drool over constantly on your blog. : )
-a reader
Happy Birthday, Kath! Looks like it was a great and delicious day! I was 29 when my first child was born, and like you, hardly even noticed 30! It is a great time of your life. Enjoy!
Happy birthday l Kath!! I hope my birthday breakfast looks half as delicious as yours did! You’re a lucky lady.
Those little cupcakes are adorable!!
Happy Birthday, I hope you have an incredible day with friends and family 🙂
Im 34 and I totally agree that 30s has been the best decade so far! Happy birthday!
Happy birthday Kath, glad you got to have such a nice celebration….30 only comes once! The food looked great (think they could have skipped having the fish eyes looking at you from the plate) and very tasty, well presented.
What a wonderful family you have, congratulations on the big 30.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for making the world a little bit healthier every day:)
Happy Birthday again, Kath! Love the new outfit, by the way 🙂
Welcome to your thirties! Totally agree with the other commenters – the thirties are definitely the best decade so far. And with a gorgeous new baby, a handsome hubs and a cute new outfit, you are starting the decade off right! Happy birthday 🙂
You guys (and KK) are all too cute for words. 30’s are good, 40’s are better I think. But, now I’m 51, in the best shape of my life, confident in work, relationships, life in general, so maybe this is the best decade? Happy B-day mama:)
Happy Birthday, Kath! It must have been twice as special seeing as it was not only your 30th but also your first as a mum! Love how cute you look as a family.
Happy birthday!! It looks like you had an awesome one. Good thing it wasn’t like Rachel’s from FRIENDS. 😉
Happy Birthday! 30 does have a way of creeping up… I’m right behind you but I swear some days I forget I’m not still 22.
Looks like the perfect indulgence. I can almost taste that trout from here!
Have the happiest birthday Kath. Health, Happiness, Prosperity, Love and much joy now and always. From my family to yours, we send you big hugs.
Happy birthday! Those cupcakes looked sooo good. You looked very pretty too.
Looks like a wonderful birthday. Glad you guys got a nice night out and had a happy little baby to come home and snuggle with. 🙂
Looks like such a fun day! I’d say that you are in a wonderful place in your life to start your 30’s – surrounded by loving family and friends and a beautiful new baby. 🙂
Sounds like a lovely day! Love that last photo of you and Maze.
Happy belated birthday Kath!!! It sounds like you got to have an amazing night out. I bet the best part is being able to come back to you little cutie though. Hard to get away at first, but it is good for you to have couple, adult time alone too at times. 🙂
Happy birthday Kath!
Happy Belated Birthday, Kath!
I am from Germany and have been following your amazing blog for a long time!
All the best to you and your family!
Hope you’ve had a wonderful Birthday weekend!
Hi Kath,
Can you share where the fingerless gloves are from? I have been looking for some and those look great! Thanks!
They’re from a gift shop here called Oh Susannah
Happy belated birthday! So glad you got to get out for some one on one time to celebrate! <3
I’m late to the party but I hope you had an amazing birthday Kath!!
Happy belated birthday, Kath! Glad you had such a great day. I’m sure you were stuffed after all of those amazing meals. I told my parents about Pippin Hill & they’re going to check it out soon. Thanks!
Happy Birthday! That last pictures is amazing.
Happy Birthday again! I wish I could have skipped work and come to lunch and wine tasting with y’all. It looks like so much fun. 🙂 I am glad you had a lovely day full of friends and family! [That sounded so cheesy, but I mean it!]
What a lovely (and delicious) day! Happy Happy Birthday! I’ll be 32 next month and I have to say, everything people say about entering your 30s is right. I feel more confident and content than I ever have.
Looks like a perfect way to celebrate! Happy, happy birthday Kath!!
Many congrats, Kath. I’ll bet this will be one unforgettable year for you and your sweet family of 3. Glad you have such a supportive mother-in-love around to help you out. Oh, what I’d give to have mine nearby. She’s a gem!
Yay for a delicious birthday! I had the pistachio cupcake from Sweethaus yesterday. So yummy.
Those earrings are made in the county where I live!
Happy belated birthday, Kath! 30 looks great on you.