And….my actual birthday!! I like even birthday years more than odd, so I’m happy to be 32 : )
My day started with another soccer game, so I had coffee (thanks for the cute mug Rachel!) and cinnamon chip toast with almond butter.
I was a little stiff on the field, but I had a great time playing in game #2 of the weekend.
Back at home I joined the family for lunch! We made plates of leftovers. Lentils with parmesan, grapes, carrots, squash, cornbread and CHEESE!
The afternoon was filled with…more beer! We went to Homebrew for Hunger, which is an awesome event featuring beer from around 40 homebrewers and the craft breweries in the area. And all of the proceeds go to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank! Last year it was held in November, inside, after dark, but this year’s event was outdoors and so much fun!
Here were Matt’s two submissions! He drew the artwork himself.
I tasted lots of beer, and these were the highlights –
Seamane and Rob made a Chocolate Toasted Coconut Porter that was amazing! They toasted the coconut themselves, and the flavor really came through.
The McElroys’ Keagan Imperial Stout was pretty sweet!
Patrick and Laura’s Chococabra was a milk stout aged with cacao nibs and chipotle peppers!
Jeff chose this expression for his headshot
Loved his beer names – and the beer too!
This Naked Mole Rat Mole Porter was pretty awesome by name and flavor. It was brewed with serrano, cayenne cacao nibs, cinnamon and roasted bell peppers.
Loved these Mad Scientists! And one’s wife is a blog reader! HI!
Their set up was really cute, and their beer, delicious!
I played soccer with Loren and loved his raspberry beers!
This Pumpernickel Porter was pretty cool – lots of caraway flavor.
And a nice woman brewer (the minority present for sure) made these delicious selections. Loved her names and flavor combos!
Ellen and I had lots of fun together : )
We ate sweet potato fritters as a snack.
Hung out with friends
Notice the dog’s timing on the lick!!
Guess who won the whole event!? ROB + SEAMANE! The Chocolate Toasted Coconut ruled. They now get to brew with Three Notch’d!
We had a great time….but I don’t want to drink beer again for a while!! : ) : )
Dad, Matt and I walked home, and then we wrapped up the big day with a family dinner at Commonwealth. Empanadas to start – yum!
I had the scallops over pork belly and sweet potato.
And finally – a birthday sticky toffee pudding!
The next morning we said goodbye to Grammie and Pea and took these sweet photos before they left. We really appreciate all the playing that Grammie and Mazen did while we lived up the weekend! I hear they had as much fun as we did : )
#selfie
Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey says
Oh my goodness, the chocolate toasted coconut porter sounds amazing!! I love chocolate-flavored porters, but this sounds even better!
Holly @ Happiness This Hour says
So fun! That food all looked amazing!
seana says
Mazen looks just like your dad! Adorable.
Lorie says
I was going to say the same thing–Mazen has your Dad’s smile!
Tina says
I was thinking the same thing! Definitely see Kath’s Dad in Mazen. So cute!
Barbara says
I think Mazen looks a’Mazenly like his Pea too.
Rachel says
Glad to see you enjoying the mug 🙂 How are those dinosaurs doing??
Happy birthday to you too, my new birthday buddy!!
KathEats says
He loves them durine breakfast!
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
Looks like you had a truly fabulous birthday weekend!
Amanda @ Life To Table says
It was great to meet you at the event! Did not realize it was your birthday. Glad the coconut beer won, it was delicious!
KathEats says
You too Amanda!
Rachel says
What a cool event!! I’d love to try Matt’s Basil IPA- such an interesting combination of flavors. Glad you had a good birthday!
Tonya says
That was a fun, beer fueled birthday weekend. The only way to do it! Beautiful pics of Mazen and his grandparents! Your mom’s looking great. 🙂 Also, Go Matt with those hidden artistic talents! LOL
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, love the mug! What an awesome birthday weekend!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
I love that your birthday weekend required 3 posts. Everyone’s birthday should be a weekend long event, right?! Glad you had such a fabulous weekend. 🙂
Lindsey J says
Those photos at the end are too sweet (the one where he wears pea’s glasses? heart melting! but I secretly think kids in glasses are the cutest things). You’re lucky to have so many great pics of your family – the toughest part must be picking favorites to frame!
erin says
mazen’s cut looks pretty cute.
Lisa C says
Love the pictures with your parents. They look like fun ones! Happy birthday!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
hahahaha! that last picture cracks me up 🙂
Alissa says
GREAT pictures of Mazen and his grandparents! One of the best parts of parenting is seeing your kid with your parents, isn’t it?
Nicole says
Happy Birthday!
Where did you mom get her elephant shirt?
Mom says
Thanks! Maze l liked my elephant shirt too. The brand is Crown and Ivy. I got it at Belks here in North Carolina (although maybe Macy’s but I’m pretty sure Belks)
bmrobertson63 says
Wow! Mazen looks like such a big boy! He is a cutie, Kath.
Kavi says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATH! Sounds like you had a full weekend of birthday fun 🙂 I love the pictures of Mazen with your parents… he is so handsome, and looks like a little J.Crew model!
Emma says
Nothing is quite as happy as pictures of grandparents and their little grandchild having fun together! They always look so cute and happy together. I’m glad your mom seems to be doing so well.
Dana @ fresh simple five says
The homebrew event sounds awesome. My husband homebrews so I always love trying other people’s homebrews knowing how much time/love goes into each batch. Matt’s basil IPA sounds tasty!
MooMoo says
Those pictures of Mazen and his grandparents are SO good! Everyone has great smiles and you can tell there is a lot of love between the 3 of them. So presh. 🙂
Christine says
I love Mazen’s hair! He’s adorable! We are expecting our first baby (boy) next week…seeing these pictures of Mazen gets me excited! I love the sweater and boots he is wearing too! Such a little model!
p.s. I cannot wait to have a beer 😉 Seeing your photos has intensified my craving!
Sophie says
Belated Happy Birthday Kath! It looks like you had a great day.
Gosh Mazen is growing up fast – what a handsome boy! He’s looking more and more like Matt?!
Kate says
Your mom’s shirt is adorable! Do you know where she got it?
Catherine says
That looked like so much fun! I’m happy you had a wonderful birthday! I agree about liking being an even number year. I’m not 32 till February but I am definitely more drawn to it than 31. It’s nice to see another male named Loren, too. That’s my husband’s name! 🙂 And Mazen is adorable and so handsome!! What a cutie pie!
Alyssa @ The Healthy RD says
Love your birthday mug! Happy belated birthday!
Melissa says
Mazen is 100% big boy now. His baby face is gone 🙁 lol. He’s getting so big so fast!
Happy belated! 🙂
[email protected] says
Happy Birthday! What a great day!
[email protected] says
Oh wow what interesting beer flavours! The scallops with pork belly…pretty much my idea of the perfect meal right there! Yummers! Super duper fun filled birthday weekend!
Rachel says
I’m surprised you’re not #26!
KathEats says
Would be if it were an option!
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes says
Those corn fritters look delicious! YUM! I’ve had them before but yours looked much better than the ones I had!
I’m glad you had a fun birthday weekend! 🙂
Catalina @ Shades of Pink says
Happy Birthday! Looks like you are having a good time celebrating. Never had scallops over pork belly, but OMG it sounds divine. Mazen is so adorable, I like his boots.
Linda @ The Fitty says
Wonderful, wonderful, and even more wonderful day, Kath. Your friends are coolio, can I join you guys?
KathEats says
Of course!
Jess. says
Looks like a great birthday weekend! I really want to visit your city- it looks like there is so much good food and so many fun events going on! I will get there someday.
Jeanie says
Wow! You had a looong birthday celebration. Looks great. Mazen is really turning into a little boy.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Looks like a fun weekend! Happy belated birthday!
Leslie says
Kath your mom looks great! Glad to see her looking so happy and well.
[email protected] says
What fun! I’m constantly amazed at the huge number of different beers. I’m pretty plain when it comes to the occasional beer I drink. Great weekend!
Bobbie says
Mazen is just adorable Kath! Happy Belated!
Anonymous says
Your mom looks fabulous!! Glad u had a great Bday weekend!!