December 7, 2010

Why I am Smiling

1. It's my birthday week.  I love a good birthday, don't you?  I don't like the counting up thing, but it's better than the alternative.  Last Friday I was grumbling about having a December birthday because everyone is so busy with holiday bidness.

Around 8pm my doorbell rang and I answered it expecting a neighbor (since no one just "stops by" out here).   There stood the best birthday surprise I've ever had, besides the year I turned 9 and my dog had puppies on my day.  My college roommate had driven 3 hours to spend the weekend with me!  My sweet husband arranged for her to come for a surprise visit.  She just happened to be holding her famous sour cream cheesecake.

Isn't it beautiful??  She knows how to wrap a gift!  Next to it is the world's richest triple chocolate cheesecake that my husband brought home.  He's a good man. Do you notice a pattern?  Cheese and cake?

2. We spent Saturday doing a little Christmas shopping, sipping a little java, and having a whole lotta chit chat.  We had a good time watching the show in the parking lot.  You know, the I-can't-remember-where-I-parked-the-car show with an opening act of it's-december-so-don't-you-dare-take-my-parking-spot.  Crazy shoppers!

3. As we finished up our shopping it began to ..... snow!  Here.  In North Carolina.  In December.  A true miracle.
We had about an inch but it was enough for the kiddos to make an itty bitty snowman, and the grownups to don our scarves and squeal a little.

4. On a recent shopping marathon trip with my mother-in-law I realized that teaching my children good penmanship and spelling is well worth the time and effort.
Mall kiosk marketing at its best:
It read:  Just Tody alll pillow pets 19.99

5. I got an email from my brother who is currently deployed.  It's just good to hear from him and know he is okay.

6. Christmas cards have started arriving in the mail.

7. I won a giveaway last week from Room Remix.  Woot woot!  Thanks, PK!

8. It is cold enough to enjoy the fireplace each night.  Do you use your fireplace?

9. We have a very productive chicken.  An egg a day is her gift to us.  I'm hoping her sisters figure it all out soon.  Then we will have enough to share.

10. Need I say more?

What makes you happy today?

15 comments:

Tracey said...

Happy, Happy Birthday week to you! What a great husband..and what a great friend!!

AND..what great looking CHEESECAKES!

Hugs!

Sherri said...

Happy Birthday! Glad you had such a great weekend!

Ryan, Corrie, Max, and Jack said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!

What has made me happy recently...
-borrowing a friend's Phil and Ted stroller so I'm not having to push my monstrosity of a double stroller around.
- good Skype conversations with my parents in.... North Carolina!! We're in Korea. The time difference sucks.
- awesome bread bowls for dinner. Homemade, of course.

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe said...

That sure was sweet of your hubby/friend to plan for you!! It's always special to spend birthday's with people you care about the most.

I need to get me some of those oreos! :)

Enjoy the rest of your celebrations!

~h

Joy for the Seasons said...

Happy birthday, sweet Gretchen! I appreciate the fun, encouragement, and "fodder" you post for us each week.

Janet said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you can continue to "kick up your heels" and enjoy the rest of your birthday week! So sad to be missing tonight's celebration. Are those oreos good in milk, too?

amber waves of grain said...

Happy Birthday! Glad you enjoyed your surprise and celebration. You do have a lot of reasons to smile!

The Corbett Family said...

Happy Birthday! I just saw what you can do with those oreos to make them extra special. That crazy food blog posted this Brownie Covered Oreos -

http://picky-palate.com/2010/12/06/brownie-covered-oreos/

Looking forward to tonight!

Suz said...

Happy Birthday sweet friend!
So glad you heard from your brother. He is in my prayers.
Enjoy your day.

anthonyandbeth said...

Happy Birthday Gretchen! What a wonderful birthday surprise!!! I know that had to mean the world to you. :) loved the mall sign. too funny!

Jenn A said...

Happy birthday! Your man did a good job, sounds like! It is wonderful when those you love demonstrate how special you are to them! My son's birthday is today and we try hard to make it special apart from the Christmas season.

Kellie said...

Happy Birthday, dear friend! :) What a wonderful surprise for the weekend!

My fireplace makes me happy today. :) I love the crackling fire and warmth.

Mom said...

It was such fun to "be in on" your surprise & know you would LOVE it!
Confession time: I ate a whole package of those cookies in the mountains when I was alone. And yes, they are GREAT dunked in milk!
Sure was a fun birthday day today!

Carpool Queen said...

Happy Belated! What makes me happy is that I slept in today and I'm still in my pj's.

At noon.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a very special birthday all the way around! Thankful for you! :) E