birthday

via Ladies with Style

This weekend is my birthday weekend.  I hope I can celebrate like that girl... minus the cigarette.

no. 71 up, up and away!

For my birthday, Pat arranged for a hot air balloon ride - which effectively became the coolest birthday present ever.  I can't really explain how wonderful it was.  The ride is so smooth, and suddenly I looked over and we were over 7000 miles over sea level. 

We flew over a horse farm and over kids playing in their yard.  I waved and waved and smiled til my face hurt.  We caught an excellent wind and flew just between two mountain peaks and I felt like I was in a movie. 

The balloon was beautiful, tons of color and so so big.  The landing was completely different than I imagined.  We had to brace ourselves with our back against the side of the basket, facing away from the direction we were going.  The basket nearly toppled over (and I may or may not have shrieked a little...).  But before we knew it we were sitting on a makeshift picnic table sipping champagne with our balloon's captain. 

Wee Brie? Yes, please.

cheesy name.... no pun intended (or maybe it is intended.)

Presidente has come out with "Wee Brie", tiny triangles of delicious brie.  This has changed my life.  I would never buy brie before because Pat doesn't like it and I'd end up eating 8 oz. of cheese in 2 days.  Which is bad for multiple reasons. 

But thanks to this lovely idea, I had a brie, apple, turkey, dijon sandwich on a baguette for a random Tuesday lunch.  Brilliant!