After quickly blogging and changing into our nice dinner outfits, mom and I headed over to Gram’s to meet my Uncle Chris, Aunt Mary Ellen and Cousin Mary Jane plus Uncle Mel and Aunt Betty for dinner in the dining hall of Gram’s building.
But first, cocktail hour. A drink and a toast.
Nothin’ like a Manhattan made by a Kiehne! If you’ve never had a Manhattan, you should try one. But make sure you request it to be “extra sweet with tons of cherry juice” or you will risk wrinkling your nose at strong straight bourbon.
In the dining hall, we started with salads from the salad bar. Pile those veggies high!!
I also got a small cup of Shrimp Bisque upon recommendation
But the recommendation was really for the splash of sherry on top when a fellow resident came over with the bottle telling us the soup was 10 times better with sherry ; )
Definitely made it more delicious!
For dinner I chose a piece of miso glazed fish, which was really really good! Plus spinach and green beans.
Guess who has a birthday tomorrow!!
I think she’s saying “Wheeeee” here!
That or “peaches” : )
The cake was REALLY REALLY GOOD CAKE!!!
High quality icing and cake-part. Hard to find! It was almost like wedding cake!
Happy Birthday Gram!
Matt says
Lookin’ good Kiehnes!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
CAKE!!! So thaaaat’s why you visited Grams 🙂
Kath says
🙂 You know me so well!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Awwww too sweet! 🙂 Happy birthday to her! 🙂
Hannah says
*laughs* My 96 year old grandma is a sherry fiend too – must be something about getting older! 😛
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Yum – what a good dinner!
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
Cake looks delish! and after all the talk of Manhattans, I have got to break down and try one!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
oh yum, wedding cake (if done right) always tastes SO good! happy birthday to your Gram!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Mmm it was a weekend for cake. Happy birthday to your Grams! I celebrated my birthday this weekend and made sure it was well equipped with cake 🙂 AND! I had my very first Manhattan! I confess, you’ve made a recruit out of me.
Regina says
My stomach just growled for that fish. YUM!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
Happpy Bday to your Gram and your cake description: quality cake AND icing…so key!
“But make sure you request it to be “extra sweet with tons of cherry juice” or you will risk wrinkling your nose at strong straight bourbon. “–LOL
The sherry in shrimp bisque..yes, sherry does make everything better. Growing up, I knew it was the holidays when the smell of shrimp and sherry wafted thru the house. Ahh. Memories!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
I LOVE good cake! It is hard to find. Whenever I find a good bakery, I’m a loyal customer for life.
Dee says
Mmm cake! Happy Birthday to your Grams! 🙂
Stephanie @ The Travelling Tastebuds says
Wow… that cake looks so moist!
[email protected] says
I want a plate of your dinner choosings too… sounds delicious!
Alaina says
Aww, Happy Birthday to Gram! Let them eat cake! 😛
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Happy Birthday to your Gram!
We had a huge party for my Gram in May when she turned 80. It was so nice that T and I were able to go back to IL for her birthday weekend. I know how special it is to get to celebrate those birthdays together as the years go by… 🙂
~
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
The cake and the rest of the food looks amazing! Happy birthday to her!
Lee says
Happy Birthday to your Gram!
I have to admit, I’m a bit afraid of a manhattan as the smell of bourbon kind of makes me cringe. My husband likes it though.
Melissa @ I Never Imagined says
Happy birthday to Gram!
I would love to live where she lives!!
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
Awe, so nice of you to celebrate with your Grams! I am sure she was so thankful!
Laura (Starloz) says
oh boy, strong alcohol makes me cringe.
Happy Birthday to your Gram
Ann @ Day by Day says
Mmm that fish looks so good. That’s so sweet that y’all are with your grandmother for her birthday. She looks great! Enjoy your family time together!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Wheeeeee!
p.s WE need to make that fish soon.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Happy birthday to your Grandma!! 🙂 I just celebrated my birthday this week, too! Annnndd you would have loved my cake; it was wedding cake quality through and through! 😉
Anna @ ciaotochow says
Happy Birthday, Gram! 🙂 Looks like she had a delicious dinner (and dessert!) to help celebrate!!
Angela says
Your dinner looked amazing! I want a big salad now. I have grown to love a salad with red grapes!
http://tidbitsofmybusylife.blogspot.com/2010/12/all-in-weekend.html
Marina says
Happy birthday to your Gran!
have a nice time with her!
carlee says
Happy Birthday to your grandma! she’s a cutie!
that cake does look bomb indeed!
retro sweets says
Happy birthday to your Grams! That cake sure looks delicious! Recipe please!
Cara Craves... says
I love the resident’s advice of spiking to soup…too cute!
Carol says
So happy you were able to celebrate with your gram! She looks wonderful! Hope you enjoy the rest of your visit!
Amalfi Girl says
That soup and fish look absolutely delicious! Major envy!
stacey-healthylife says
Oh so cute. Happy birthday to your grams.
Kristina says
Happy Birthday to your Grams! (I call my grandma grams too)
Lauren says
Aww, your gram is adorable! Happy birthday to her! 🙂
Jen says
Happy Birthday to your Gram! Dinner and cake looked really good 🙂
Jen
Katie says
I know cake is cake BUT that Cake looks REALLY good! YUm!!!
Happy Birthday to your gram! SHe is so sweet! Im sure having her family there is the best gift!
Miso glazed fish looks yum too!!!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
Happy Birthday to your grandmother. And boy oh boy, that cake looks amazing!!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Happy birthday to your Gram!
The food at her dining hall looks good! Does she get to eat like that everyday? She must love it!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Happy birthday to your gram!! That cake does look fantastic…I would have gone straight for a rose 🙂
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
Booze on top of soup? Of course it’s going to be delicious! Happy birthday to your gram!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
That cake looks perfect!! A well-put together cake really *is* hard to find. 😀
Happy Birthday to your grandmother! 😀
Madeline - Greens and Jeans says
Happy Birthday to her! I call my grandmother ‘Gram’ too! 🙂
Jen G. says
I’m from Kentucky — we just skip the cherry juice and go for the strong, straight bourbon 🙂 And bourbon + cake? Dinner of the gods…
Meagan says
THAT cake looks GREAT. I’m such a frosting and cake person!
eliza says
Kath, do you happen to know where Snow Creek, VA is?? All my family is from there..
Kath says
I don’t, sorry
Ellen says
I’ve been following your blog now for a couple months, but this is my first time commenting! I love your blog so much. This fish looks incredible and so does the cake! yum!