Another year, another great 4th! :D Can you believe it’s already over?
Tuesday night I mixed up a huge batch of Dad’s Killer Beergaritas to take with us to the Yankee Doodle Pops concert, put on by the Des Moines Symphony, that my family and I go to every year at the state capital.
Since it was 100+ degrees, there was less than HALF the crowd there usually is, and we had our choice of the entire capital lawn to spread our blankets out on and cheers to a hot and boozy 4th. ;)
(Seriously, have you made the Beergaritas yet? So refreshing!)
The symphony and other acts played all throughout the evening, until it was dark enough for fireworks.
It was another great show, although perhaps a tad shorter than other years. It really was that hot out!
The 4th was just as toasty, so Ben and I hung indoors all day before heading to a friend’s 4th of July BBQ that evening, then yesterday I turned The Big 2-9, AHHH!!
Ben and I mourned celebrated with my annual birthday sushi lunch at Miyabi 9 – my favorite restaurant in town.
A cooling sushi lunch platter with miso soup, ginger salad, a full plate of sushi, and my sweet honey-bee (Ben) was just what I was craving. :)
Drooling at the memory!
We also splurged and split a Cascoe Bay Roll – a tempura battered and fried spicy tuna roll. I never believed in frying sushi rolls until I tried this. It is amazing!
To distract me from the fact that I was turning 29, my Mom took me out for a pedicure next (rocking the obnoxious neon pink – woot!)
Then everyone came over to my parent’s house for a birthday dinner, including my sweet niece, Evie!
I requested a simple summer BBQ with cheeseburgers, Judy’s Baked Beans, Mom’s Potato Salad, and fresh fruit.
And frozen Pepperidge Farms Cake, natch. :)
It was great having all the fam come over, even though my birthday hit in the middle of the week.
We even got to facetime my little bro in Denver – whee! (Classic Dad expression, no?) ;)
To 30, and beyond!
Today is supposed to be the hottest day yet, with temps at 101 and the heat index at 110+ degrees, but everyone’s getting a little cuckoo around here from being cooped up, so Ben and I are heading out for a night out on the town tonight with some friends. I CAN’T WAIT!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my weekly wrap-up of my favorite finds from around the web, in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite treat: Blueberry Hand Pies. I don’t think I’ve ever told you this but I AM OBSESSED WITH HAND PIES. Like, obsessed. I once (almost) overnighted an entire shipment of these famous hand pies from NOLA to my house in an act of hand-held pie desperation. Eesh.
Favorite find: Chevron Painting. This is just too cool. So mod.
Favorite mmmm: Grilled Figs & Cheese. I can’t even imagine how decadent this would taste with salty prosciutto slices!
Favorite view. Sigh! Take me there?
Favorite copycat: Noodles & Company Penne Rosa. A copycat version of Noodles & Company’s spicy, creamy Penne Rosa, made healthy!
Favorite bling: Lindsay Bangles. Aren’t these bangles too much fun? I can’t decide which color I love the most!
Favorite side: Orzo with Parmesan & Basil. It’s always nice to find a tasty side for dinner. This looks simple and so satisfying.
Favorite funny. Been there, done that! ;) Look at his little eyes all closed in delight!
Favorite crunch: Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing. This salad looks light yet filling, and full of fun textures and flavors.
 Favorite fashion: Nena Zig Zag Dress. SO fun and flirty. The perfect party dress.
Favorite redo: Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce. Made without velveeta?! Getcho own – this batch is all mine! ;)
Favorite place: Charleston Beach House Bedroom. Oh how I’d like to wake up here!
Favorite grill: Grilled Chicken with Fresh Cherry Sauce. I am obsessing over cherries right now. they’re candy sweet, and so inexpensive.
 Favorite photo: Seven Hours. Sweet.
Favorite bite: S’Mores Dip. No campfire required. Love this!
Favorite print: Time For Coffee. Great colors that would pop in the kitchen.
Favorite fresh: Summer Salad. Fresh veggies, goat cheese, and a light vinaigrette. Perfect for these hot days when you can’t bear to turn on the stove!
Have a great weekend everyone! :D
Jocelyn 07.06.2012
Happy birthday! Looks like you had fun. Love your blog, recipes, and Friday Favorites! Where did you get the gold leaf necklace in your pictures?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.07.2012
Forever 21! :)
Jenny 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day!
Lauren T 07.06.2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY! Looks like you had a wonderful time celebrating it.
I need that cup that your beergarita is in–did you buy that or make it? I need it. Now.
Iowa Girl Eats 07.07.2012
My old boss gave it to me. Target, maybe??
Maria 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday! Looks like you had fun!
Paula S 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday!! Just have to say I was born and raised in NW Iowa and now live just south of Denver. Love, love, love your blog. You do us proud Iowa Girl!
Tom H. 07.06.2012
Happy belated birthday Kristen! Just ordered deck furniture that should be here this weekend…can’t wait break it in with some ice cold beergarita’s! Let’s just hope these triple digit temps go away ASAP…
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 07.06.2012
Happy Birthdayyy!!! Looks like you had a great time :)
Melissa 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday. You don’t look a day over 21 :) What the heck is on Ben’s toe in those photos? That’s a mighty fancy toe ring.
Iowa Girl Eats 07.06.2012
The lid to his water bottle (gross!)
Lisa 07.06.2012
Haha I thought it was a camera lense!
Lindsey 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday! Looks like you had the perfect celebration! Great Friday finds!!
Elyse 07.06.2012
Happy birthday to you!
Jane {In the Pink and Green} 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday Kristin! Looks like it was wonderful! Also, you look really adorable holding your niece…a vision of things to come perhaps? Hehe…whenever you do have kids they’re going to be super lucky to have a mom that is such a great cook! Have a great weekend :)
Faun 07.06.2012
Happy birthday, but it’s a tad peculiar that you’re so overwrought about turning 29. I turned 42 last year and didn’t give it a second thought. I LIKE getting older.
Amy M 07.06.2012
Happy birthday! Mine’s today and I am just a little bit excited to celebrate at Flying Mango! Will have to check your old posts to remember what you recommend from there.
Iowa Girl Eats 07.06.2012
Happy, happy birthday!! Can’t go wrong with anything at Flying Mango, but we love their ribs, and gosh, well anything really. :) Just don’t forget to get some cornbread with cinnamon butter!
Allison 07.06.2012
Flying Mango is a small restaurant with not much parking, so we always try to get there before 6:30 when we go there so that we don’t have to sit around and wait very long. Just a thought! It is a great restaurant. My favorite there, by far, is the brisket. The cornbread is excellent.
Amy M 07.06.2012
Thanks! My mouth is already watering thinking about the cornbread and butter! :)
Daisy 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday, lady!
I want that chevron dress, but its sold out, nooooo.
Lisa Rohrbaugh 07.06.2012
WoW 29 – enjoy! Love your blog and you are a great photographer. Thank You for all the time you put into this. Love reading it! And, your little girl – so adorable.
Christa @ a*typicaljourney 07.06.2012
First of all, HUGE happy birthday to you!! Looks like you had a really great birthday!
My best friend’s son was born just yesterday, too…so good day for birthdays :)
Also. I think I found my project for the unofficial Pinterest Challenge – that chevron painting is unbelievable and I must have it (but not for $1,600)!
I’m also going to have to try my hand at that 8 hours photo. What a unique concept!!
Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend! Looks like the heat should ease a bit tomorrow morning!!
J+H @ Beyond The Stoop 07.06.2012
grilled cheese with FIGS!!?! sounds like heaven! i’ve recently learned that my adult tastebuds LOVE figs, but they are so hard to find in the grocery store :(
cheers to the weekend!
clare @ fittingitallin 07.06.2012
happy birthday kristen! you look GORGEOUS in all these pics:)
Kristin from MN 07.06.2012
Happy B’day! I love your striped tank – where do you get it?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.06.2012
Target!
Emily 07.06.2012
Absolutely adorable family pics; awesome! Happy birthday Iowa Girl!