I turned the big 2-7 at 6:43am this morning! I’ve come to embrace the number, since freaking out realizing a couple weeks ago how old I was going to be turning, and I believe this has the makings to be my best year yet! 
Isn’t it funny to look back and realize how much more you know now, then you did a year ago? Two years ago? Five years ago? Just when you think you know it all, you learn some more. I can’t even imagine how smart I’ll be when I’m 30. 
Anyways, since Ben had to work today, we celebrated with a 4th of July/birthday FEAST last night. That’s a Feast with a capital “F”. I am still FULL!
We had all the makings of a straight up ‘Q, including some freshly plucked Iowa sweet corn.
I’m not kidding you, this corn was so sweet and tender that we could’ve eaten it raw, but I steamed the cobs for just about a minute. That’s all you need!
Judy’s Baked Beans.
From the pages of the newspaper, to the pages of IGE.com!
I live for these baked beans. I do!
And the riiiiiiibs! Never again will we eat ribs that weren’t cooked in a smoker. Ok, we totally will, but still – smoked ribs are the way.to.go. Look at that pink smoke ring!
Gorge!
Oh you tender little kernels! I cut mine off the cob because that’s what my Grandpa always did, and it’s more fun to eat the corn when it comes off in “sheets”.
Did anyone try these baked beans this weekend?! Lindsay did and said there were no leftovers! My Mom will be so happy. Judy’s Baked Beans is her recipe and nothing makes her happier than when the food she brings to a potluck is gone by the end. It seriously makes or breaks her night.
Sweet, salty, smoky, KILLER!
Ben’s inaugural attempt at smoking ribs went FANTASTICALLY.
They were tender, packed with flavor, and the CRUST on these babies! Whoo!
To the gills, I tell you.
Somehow, twist my arm, we found room for birthday cake.
You know the kind – Pepperidge Farms Frozen Birthday Cake!!! (thawed)
My family is out of town (returning tonight) so Ben stepped up to the plate to make sure that, for the 27th year in a row, I would get to have my family’s traditional birthday cake on my birthday. 
What a guy!
Demolished in .5 while watching the fireworks in DC, on IPTV/PBS, bursting over our nations capital. My in-laws were actually THERE, and said the show was spectacular! Watching the fireworks in DC on the 4th is totally on my bucket list. Maybe next year?!
Whew! My rings are a wee bit tight this morning and I won’t be eating for another couple of hours. Literally still full!
You know what works up an appetite though?? Shopping! While the husband is away, the birthday girl will play! Muwahahaha! Totally kidding…kind of. Anyways, I’m off to get this party started – I’ll check back in with you later today!
Bye!
~~~~~
What’s been your best year yet? What made it so great?
Happy birthday!! Hope you have a fabulous day!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday! I’m celebrating 2-6 tomorrow and I am always amazed at how much has happened in the past year! Best wishes for another amazing year! Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday Kristin!
Happy Birthday!!! Shopping sounds like a great way to spend your birthday.
I need to find me a sweet corn stand. Your meal looked amazing.
Happy birthday Kristin!!! Have a fabulous day and may all of your wishes come true! Hmmm, my best year…well I’m 23 now, and I’d say 22 was really jam-packed, being my senior year in college. Things like the senior scavenger hunt, n.a.m.s.a.k., father-daughter, graduation, ahhh anything CSB/SJU I just love. So really, 18-22…but that’s cheating. I just turned 23, so I have a feeling this will be a good one, too! I can’t wait to share the bean recipe with my mom and dad. I think they might die and go to heaven!
Happy Birthday, Kristin! The cake looks delicious. Ben did good work! I’ll be turning the big 2-3 on the 18th so I am anticipating cake as well. Yum!
It’s hard to say a favorite year. I’ve really enjoyed this year so far despite some of the hard times. I went to England in May – somewhere I’ve wanted to go for a long time. I’ve also done a lot of writing which I’ve enjoyed. 2010 has just been a nice year in general.
Have a great day!
Happy Birthday!
Here’s to a wonderfull, blessed year & many more!
If you’re in DC next Fourth, blog meet up for sure!
I don’t know, every year gets a letter better…ya know?
Happy Birthday! Have a great time shopping and enjoying your day.
Happy happy birthday!!
Happy birthday! Hope you have wonderful day!
Your BBQ looks like a great birthday dinner! I need to make those beans!
happy birthday!!
Happy B-Day!!! I’m 33 and so much happier now than I was in my 20s. I’ve gotten “wiser” and try not to let the little stuff worry me as much. Now I focus more on staying healthy, enjoying my favorite hobbies and spending as much time with my loved ones as I can. Enjoy your day!
Happy happy birthday, Kristin! Enjoy your shopping!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN! I hope you have tons of fun shopping and a FAB birthday cause you deserve it girl!!!
I love “baked beans” and so need to make those…..HMMMMMMM! I am making Ribs today, might try the beans if I can. =)
Happy, happy birthday!!!!!!! So glad you got your Pepperidge Farm cake
And, you can tell your mom that those beans were life changing. Seriously!
Happy birthday girlie!!! 27 was a great year for me… and I’m convinced yours will be too!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!! My dad ALWAYS gets the same Pepperidge Farm cake for his or my mom’s birthday! Have a great day!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL!!!
gave you a shout on my last post!!
Happy Birthday! I made “Judy’s Beans” this weekend and everyone loved them. Some members of the family tried to turn up their noses at the idea of pineapple with baked beans, but they quickly shut their mouths! I am a huge fan of baked beans, and these were definitely some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Hope you have a great birthday!
Happy Birthday!!!
I’m going to be 27 in September and I’m also working on embracing the number.
Happy birthday!!!
Haaaaaaaappppppppyyyyyyy biiiiirrrrrttthhhhdaaaayyy!! : )
Have fun shopping! Perfect day for it.
Sounds like a faaabulous bday feast. Have fun shopping! Can’t wait to see what you get. I want to try making those baked beans. Sound yummy.
its a little difficult for me to read the baked beans recipe in the picture of the newspaper (I know, but I’m getting old!), would it be possible for you to write it on your blog?? I’d be so grateful!!
happy birthday!!! definitely eat what you want! your always sooo healthy that it’s one day to splurge!! i just realized that we’re pretty close in age too, my 27th bday is in november!!
Hope you have a fab birthday! Let your hair down and go wild!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Kristin! Enjoy your special day, and have fun shopping!
There is HONESTLY nothing better in the world then Iowa Sweet Corn. My mom always goes back every summer to visit friends and go to the Iowa State Fair. We literally cannot wait for her to get back with bundles of corn.
Happy birthday hon!!! Hope you have a wonderful wonderful day
My best year…I LOVED my 17th year. Okay and my 18th year. A lot. Oh my 22nd wasn’t too shabby either! So hard to pick 
Happy birthday!! Looks like you had the perfect celebration
Happy birthday Kristin! Wishing you the best year yet to come!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday and here’s hoping it is the best year ever for you!
I have had so many “best years”.
But having my daughter and every year since has been at the top of the heap.
All the best,
Dawn
My mom made Judy’s Baked Beans for our family’s 4th of July get-together this year. Your recipe converted two non-baked bean fans! Everyone commented that the beans were def their favorite part of the meal. Thanks for the GREAT recipe!
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday to you!
I can hear ya about a birthday freak out as I’m going to turn 30 on Saturday. Gasp! I’m feeling pretty excited about it, actually, but think there are still a few things that I’m wrestling with about it.
I have two favorite years, 25 and 27. I really came into my own when I was 25 – I had finally graduated and was in a job that I LOVED, travelled and re-connected with my husband (we went to HS together but lost touch for a few years and started talking again). We were married when I was 27 so that will always be a special time in my life
Enjoy every minute of it!
Happy Birthday! I love how you eat such a variety and don’t stress about calorie/fat content. Life is short! We will run it off!
I have to know how you steam corn on the cob for a minute? I love trying new ways to cook it. Have you ever grilled it (husks still on) w/ the grill? Yum!
Happy Birthday! My birthday wish for you is that every year is as good as this one!
Happy birthday Kristin! I’m turning the big 2-7 soon myself and am finding that for the first time in years, I’m not freaking out about getting older. Of course, three years from now I might be singing a different tune! Anyway, have fun b-day shopping
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
My 25th year was pretty good. I was happy in my career change, falling in love and everything was just going good.
I love when recipes are just perfect and everyone loves them. Your mom’s beans looks great!
What a great way to celebrate! How cute that Ben made sure to have your cake. It would have been quite tragic to celebrate a birthday without it.
Glad you enjoyed your day! Now go tear up those malls!
Happy Birthday!! I actually got to spend the 4th of July in Washington D.C. one year. I watched the fireworks right under The Washington Monument!! It was awesome!!
Happy Birthday!! I actually made Judy’s Baked Beans yesterday for our family BBQ and they went over great! Just a little bit left, which was fine with me, since I took them home…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN!!
This year has been pretty awesome; I can’t really put my finger on it other than I made up my mind to enjoy life and I am! Plus my running makes me so happy (can you say ‘total endorphin high?’) so that’s helping as well.
Hope you had a great birthday; awesome pics as usual! Ahh to be 27 again! *sigh*
Happy Birthday! Great feast and cake! Honestly, that cake, frozen or not, looks damn good.