Happy 30th Derek!!

This is the story of the surprise party that wouldn't be.

I was torn about how to celebrate Derek's milestone birthday. While in renos, I knew that a full-out invite-everyone-you-know shindig was not in the cards. Derek suggested a July fete after completing the renos was what he would prefer, but a friend suggested that I couldn't let his birthday pass without a little party, which confirmed what I was already thinking.

So I thought of what would be most "him". Derek is not a fancy dinner party guy. He isn't into anything fancy for that matter. I decided to plan what Derek would like without worrying about what others might like. I cam up with golf and food. Derek had mentioned that he would like ribs for supper, so I found a favorite recipe for ribs and baked beans and then added in 3 salads, Dad's Rootbeer in bottles and desserts including cheesecake, pie and store-bought cookies (he doesn't ever eat my homemade cookies which, I have to say, is more a reflection of his taste than my baking abilities)

Anyway, it was to be a semi-surprise party. Semi-surprise because this would keep his schedule open, but allow my to do what I wanted in planning without interference and to preserve a bit of surprise. He knew that there were people coming on Saturday, but not who and/or what the plans were. One day before the party, one of his friends called his cell telling him that he wasn't going able to make it for golf!!! GRRRR...I officially uninvited that friend, and then re-invited him (note: he admitted this isn't the first surprise party he has spilled the beans on, as if this was to make me feel better...seriously?)

I think the guys had a good time as they stayed pretty late. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Warm, and barely a breeze for golf and weather that allowed for dinner on the deck. The food and the rootbeer was a hit and we celebrated Derek's entrance into the thirties with a bang!!!!

Surprise Birthday Brunch

My Mother-in-law, Susan's birthday was at the beginning of November. My sister-in-law, Brenda, and I decided to plan a surprise birthday brunch for her. Most of the planning happened one night shortly after we got home from Australia while I was still jet-lagged. My mom graciously opened up her home for hosting as both my mom and mother-in-law live about an hour from where we live.


With a pink and yellow theme, we decorated with bunting (some made and some borrowed, thanks, Rhonda) and the infamous Martha Stewart-style poufs. On the table, I decorated with flowers in large Mason jars. I picked out some gerbera daisies, as these are Susan's favorite flower. Favors were small jars of homemade lemon curd (so tart and yummy), with labels that Derek helped me design and print.



For the menu, we went with eggs benedict. I made Julia Child's blender hollandaise recipe (pretty easy, actually) and had Brie cheese, back bacon, mushroom and asparagus for toppings. I also had a greens salad with beets and pecans, and a pink and yellow fruit salad. Pink punch, coffee and tea rounded out the beverages. It was a great time, and I think everyone had fun. There were 9 or 10 of us in total. For dessert we had some pineapple upside-down cake, which was a new recipe for me to try. Looking back, trying a new recipe for a party wasn't the best idea, but it turned out delicious (even with me forgetting the white sugar).