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
Happy belated birthday, Kristin!
I just wanted to stop by and thank you for sharing my Coffee Time print! I’m so happy that I did, because I love your blog. I’m a nut for good food and travel (and married a boy from Iowa), so your content especially speaks to me. :)
Thank you!
Happy Birthday lady!!!!! So glad you enjoyed a wonderful day with your family. Now go celebrate some more this weekend!
happy belated birthday…! if this is any consolation(and i mean it in the best way possible), you could pass for going-on-25, very easily. youre gonna be one of those girls we’re all jealous of when youre 50!
Firstly Happy Birthday!! Secondly thank you for sharing my Orzo recipe!! I was so excited to see it, I love your blog and have been reading for awhile now!! Have a great weekend!
Happy Birthday! And thank you for posting my penne recipe! :)
Happy Happy Birthday, girl! Looks like you had a pretty fantastic few days of celebrating. Evie is starting to look so much like Finn, those two are the cutest!
Cannot WAIT to try that penne rosa recipe. It is by far my fave Noodles dish.
The summer always seems to fly by after the 4th of July!
Happy Belated Birthday! :)
I’ve been craving s’mores. I need to try out that recipe.
Happy Birthday! The fun has just begun… Thanks for another round of your Friday favs — always find good things to pin!
Happy Birthday!! Your niece and nephew are too cute!!
That ckicken salad looks so great! I love the dress, perfect for a spring or summer party.
happy belated birthday!!!!
Happy birthday to a fellow early July bday girl (mine was on Sunday!). Looks like you did it up right!
Thank you for the summer salad link. I have very little salad inspiration, and that looks perfect!
Mmmmm, Casco Bay at Miyabi is one of my favorites. Such a guilty pleasure, yum yum yum!
Happy birthday! Looks like it was wonderful. :)