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Birthday Wishes

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29 Reasons To Be Thankful:

  1. Pumpkin, Biscoff, beer, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, kale and buttercream frosting
  2. A [knock on wood] healthy body
  3. Endless parties and reasons to celebrate
  4. Charlottesville, Virginia
  5. A career path even better than I could have dreamed of
  6. Biking, walking, running
  7. A supportive and super fun family
  8. Our beautiful new house
  9. Stunning mountain hikes, complete with picnics
  10. Wonderful friends, real and virtual
  11. Mother Earth
  12. Delicious foods to be eaten all the time
  13. Grandparents, antiques and other things appreciated with time
  14. Great Harvest Bread Co. and our ability to feed others both for profit and through giving
  15. The ability to walk everywhere, thanks to legs and location
  16. Living in the locavore capital
  17. My laundry room
  18. Hillsborough, North Carolina
  19. Nut butters and their sticky goodness
  20. 4 years at Davidson College, plus 2.5 more spend on a subject I love
  21. Our entertaining and endearing employees
  22. Mountains + ocean
  23. Gossip Girl and House Hunters
  24. 6.2.07
  25. El Tigre, El Lion and Lillis Billis
  26. Fancy dinners and 10-minute pantry suppers
  27. Four seasons
  28. My talk, dark and handsome husband who keeps me entertained and happy everyday
  29. And you, my dear friends, for making my life happier every day

Today was jam-packed with fun!! At times I felt a little stressed, but I fit in tons of things that I love! Lots of reasons to be thankful today.

Matt and I set out on a simple hike on the Monticello Trail today. LOVE that trail! We talked about only fun subjects: beer brewing equipment of our future and the Meyers Briggs personality test.

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We finished our hike at 12:15 – and had a lunch date at 12:30 with some friends. Mind you I had still not showered!!!

20 SPEEDY minutes later, I had showered and we biked over to Feast for lunch.

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I had the soup/salad combo: Polyface chicken salad with a farro + mushroom soup on the side

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SO GOOD!

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Excellent lunch because it was shared with so many great friends!! M, G, S, S, M and Karen, who is back from a 10-day bike trip in Italy!

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After lunch most had to go back to work, but Sara was up for a little shopping!

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We headed to Roxie Daisy, a new store downtown that always catches my eye on the way home from the gym.

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SO many gorgeous vintagey things!!

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I ended up chatting with the owner for a while [who gave me permission to photograph the store]

and I bought this AMAZING candle that I am describing as the smell “Handsome Man’s Neck” because it smells just like a cologne! Officially called Leather Mahogany!

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I also couldn’t resist buying a twin pair of numbered votive holders – a 2 + 6! Left the amazing preserved boxwood balls at the store, as they were a bit over budget, but still love them.

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Next stop was Sweet Frog for a little sweet dessert and a stroll along the mall!! Thanks to Sara for treating – the total was 6.62!

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On my tour de birthday, I booked a mani/pedi at Cville’s “Best Of” spa – Oasis.

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This was a bit of a splurge, but I definitely felt it was worth it. It was the most “attention to detail” pedi I’ve ever gotten and I very much appreciated that! Also, very very clean.

I chose muted fall colors by Essie – Bangle Jangle and something on the rocks?

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My appointment lasted most of the afternoon and I raced home to greet Matt and Amanda, from Great Harvest, who is here tomorrow to check in hang out.

Matt gave me my birthday gift – this gorgeous pair of earrings!!! His gift speech reported eyeing these earrings since last Christmas and waiting for a good enough reason to buy them. I guess 29 years is pretty important! I love their funky design!

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We gussied up and headed out to dinner

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To Fleurie, a very fancy French restaurant we had yet to try. The night was extra sweet because our wonderful realtor, Karan Ball, gave us a generous gift certificate as a house warming gift!!

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Our night was celebrated with glasses of red and cheers to another year of wisdom.

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We started our eating adventure with an amuse bouche of Cod in a potato cream sauce – yum! A preview of my main course to come!

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We shared a starter that caught my eye when I previewed the menu this morning – Gnocchi with Arugula and Spiced Pecans in a BLUE D’AUVERGNE SAUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!! [If you’re not familiar, I am obsessed with that bleu cheese!] The dish was incredible – the bleu plus the pillows of gnocchi plus the spiced pecans were just amazing.

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We contemplated another glass of wine and in the discussion of Matt possibly getting another glass we ended up doing a 3 tasting wine flight that ended with each of us getting a glass of an amazing buttery chardonnay that went perfectly with our fish entrees.

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Cod with a Parsley and Lemon sauce and gnocchetti for me. This was really good – the cod flaked perfectly with a fork and the gnocchetti were just the right level of browness and pillows

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But Matt’s lobster over lentils stole the show. Really buttery outstanding!!

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For dessert we shared Dacquoise with cardamom buttercream and espresso ice cream. Maybe my favorite bite of the night!?

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And then………dessert bites compliments of the chef!! I had watched two other tables receive these and was really crossing my fingers every table got to taste them. We were lucky – my wish came true!

Cherry Almond cake, lemon meringue and chocolate ganache. Yum!!

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And beautiful birthday to spend in love!

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Thanks so much to you all for the well wishes today – it meant so much to me!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH! Sorry I’m a little late! I’m so glad that you had such a wonderful day with Matt and friends! All the best to you! You’re wonderful!

    Reply

  14. Happy Birthday Kath! Am a new follower of your blog and really enjoy your posts. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday with the perfect birthday dinner!

    Reply

  22. Happy Birthday, looks like you had a good one! I hope Karen didn’t get herself caught in any of the nasty weather Italy’s been having lately (although if it was a cycling tour I assume she was either east or south of it all).
    P.S. that purple dress looks fabulous! 🙂

    Reply

  25. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATH! looks like you had a perfect day celebrating! thanks for making all of our days so much brighter! 🙂

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  27. I’m old enough to be you mother, but you inspire me every day. Have a great 29th year. Love the earrings and that purple tunic. You rock, sista.

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  28. Hi Kath!
    A little late, but happy birthday from California! I hope it was as lovely as it seemed. I can’t believe the C-ville classic was a year ago already. Wishing you the best!
    Lani

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  35. Happy Birthday Kath! I never have time to comment but I am an avid reader and fellow writer who has lost 25 pounds since finding your blog forever ago. I tell all my friends who need help with healthy eating to read “the real food girl”! And my dad is very ill, so for me it is great to see that Karen is doing so well…your list of things that you are grateful for has reminded me that I have a lot to be thankful for as well. Thank you for being so much fun to read, you are a great writer. XO.

    Reply

  36. Kath what a great post and great birthday you had. Thanks for sharing it with us!

    The earrings are super cool, love how artsy and one of a kind they are.

    Congrats on the most attentive pedi ever. Love it when spa trips exceed expectations.

    And love those complimentary desserts at the restaurants, too. Yum 🙂

    Happy Bday!!

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  37. Happy Birthday Kath! Sounds and looks like you had an amazing day… even if the pumpkin did act funky this a.m. Cheers!

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  41. It sounds like you had a great birthday!! And I love that you and Matt talked about your Myers-Briggs types! That’s one of my favorite personality tests. Just curious…what is yours? Mine is ENFJ!

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      • Happy 29th again, Kath! It looks like a fabulous day – the earrings are beautiful, by the way, and your outfit for the birthday dinner is really cute 🙂

        I’ve taken the MB several times, and usually score as an INTJ, but have also scored as an ISTJ.

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  42. Happy 29th Birthday, Kath!! Sounds like a fantastic day. I think fall birthdays are the best, since October is my favorite month. Sadly, my bday does not fall in the Fall 🙂

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  49. Happy Happy Birthday beautiful lady! I didn’t get a chance to check blogs yesterday (your actual bday because I am in the UK!). This was the perfect post to check first thing, because I woke up in a mega funk… and then reading your amazing list about all the things you are grateful for totally put stuff into perspective. I’ve been freaking out about the dirty kitchen all morning… when really life is ever so sweet! Congratulations too on all your success – definitely worked hard for. xox ps I, too, LOVE blue cheese. Could anyone not!?

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  51. Happy Birthday and keep the healthy living spirit firing for the next 30, 40, 50 years and on of your life. Enjoy your day bcos you deserve it!!!

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  54. What a wonderful birthday. 🙂 Those earrings are just beautiful and I absolutely LOVE your shirt that you wore to dinner. I’m glad you had a great day. 🙂

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  56. So happy you had a great birthday Kath!

    Love the list of 29 things you wrote too!

    You deserved a wonderful day, and a mani/pedi is so nice to do! I have those 2 Essie colors! LOVE them! Great picks!

    Have a wonderful day! xo

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  58. Looks like a great day Kath! Happy Birthday….I like the # 1 thing you are thankful for! Haha…I can say the same myself. Glad to see you enjoyed your day!

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  60. Sounds like you had a great day! Happy Birthday! <3 I love those KOBO candles, we used to sell those in my store, we had them during our slow time so they didnt really sell so my boss just gave me a bunch to take home, they're so nice smelling!!

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  61. You sure know how to celebrate! 🙂 Looks like an amazing birthday…full of all the things and people you love! Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished in you 29 years and best wishes for a bright and happy future 🙂
    PS — Matt can go jewelry shopping for me any day 😉

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  63. Matt has great taste…your new earring suit you perfectly & look so beautiful with your outfit. Glad you had a great day.

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  70. Happy Birthday, Kath! Sorry, I’m a day late. Levi celebrated his 11 month yesterday too 🙂 I’m glad you had such a fabulous day. 29 is a good year. Best.

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  73. Lobster AND cardamom buttercream???? So many other amazing goodies, I’m sure, but those two make my knees weak!! On my birthday, I love to take the day off and treat myself to something special…looks like you have the same tradition 🙂 Glad you had a wonderful day. So much to be thankful for. Here’s to an amazing year to come!

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  78. What a great list of things to be thankful for. Sounds like you put a lot of thought into it. Next summer I’ll have to come up with 62 things to be thankful for. That’s 26 multiplied a couple of times. Better start thinking now… The first thing on my list will be my beautiful grandson, Ivan, who will be a year old by then.

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  81. What a wonderful day! Your new earrings are beautiful (nice job, Matt!) and I got a kick out of the “Handsome Man’s Neck”. lol I love that – I know exactly what you’re talking about!

    Happy 29th, Kath!

    Reply

    • Haha – I real this without reading who it was from and was about to exclaim “TAKING BACK MY TWENTIES!” …then I saw it was you!

      Reply

  86. When I saw your list of things that you are thankful for, it made me think of the book that I am currently reading. Since you like to read, I thought I would share the name of that book with you. It is called, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Have you heard of or read it?

    A 10-day bike trip in Italy… How cool is that!?!

    I love your pretty purple outfit–great for a festive eve. 🙂

    Okay… Please tell me where you got your necklace–located in the last pics. of you and Matt on this post. I have been looking for a dainty, pretty necklace like that that is about 15′ long.

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

    Reply

    • I haven’t heard of that book yet!

      The necklace was a gift from my cousin eons ago – I have no idea where she got it, but I love that it’s black with a little pressed rose inside

      Reply

  87. Looks like a fabulous way to bring in what I know is going to be another wonderful year for you Kath 🙂 Congrats on all you’ve accomplished and all you’ve become!! You should be SO proud of where you’re at!

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  88. Essie “School of Hard Rocks” from the “Cocktail Bling” collection! I love that dusty, muted teal – it’s on my fingers now!

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  90. Wow! Looks like an amazing birthday! I feel like birthdays that fall during the week usually aren’t as eventful during the work week, but you look like you had such a special day with the ones you love. Happy Belated B-day!

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  95. Looks like a fun day! We went to Fleurie for my birthday after we bought our house about a year and a half ago! (with a gift certificate from Karen) So nice to be able to splurge guilt-free!!

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  96. Bleu D’Auvergne?? I live in Auvergne!!!! you’re invited whenever you want to come! You will find yourself in a cheesy paradise! And the macaron’s are good also…
    by the way, Happy Birthday!

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  99. Catching up today…and 1. Love that your bday was so special! The hike, the lunch, the dinner…ya’ll packed a lot into that time! 2. Those earrings are STUNNING! 3. I adore the store you visited, such a cute place:)

    Reply

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