My birthday was fun. Around 1 pm on Friday, with the weather fine and my spirits up, I decided I should celebrate with a couple of friends. At first I thought I'd have a simple barbecue on the deck, but no, work had to get in the way of me getting to the store on my lunch hour. I texted Michele and Patrick and devised a simple plan. Eat in a hole-in-the-wall nearby ethnic restaurant then back to my house for margaritas, cake and a game.
Michele and Eric and Patrick and Christina came and picked us up, and we went about 1/4 mile to Tu Casa, a Domincan/Venezuelan restaurant in a janky strip mall. We felt as if we were walking into a private party when we entered, and they looked kind of confused. Finally someone who spoke English greeted us a little warily, wanting to know if we wanted Domincan or Venezuelan food, because after 6 pm, the menu changes to Venezuelan. "Venezuelan it is," we proclaimed. There were no menus or lists, just some photos on the wall, which were not necessarily exemplary of what was actually available. A waitress who spoke no English, came around with her phone, and showed us photos on Google. We all finally found something, and it was interesting to say the least. Food was okay, but my friends were great company and good spirited.
Afterwards we enjoyed a yummy strawberry creme cake I made, some homemade margaritas ala Michele, and played "The Game of Things." It was a really fun and simple evening with lots of laughs, and I felt very fortunate to have friends who made time to celebrate with me at a moment's notice.
Larry and I were able to squeeze in a nature / wildflower walk at Eagle Creek before the gathering. Wildflowers always cheer me up!
Sunday, Larry surprised me at tech rehearsal by showing up with a cake. After tech he took me out to eat at Season's 52, one of my favorite places. I had scallops and asparagus.
The week before, I went to Michigan for Easter, and my mom took me to dinner at Tosi's. We had a nice night! Afterwards we went home and watched cable TV, which I still always learn is a big waste and let down. We finally settled on Ten Commandments, and I learned that I am madly in love Yul Brynner.
The nursery down the road adopted some donkeys, Burrito and Lil Red. They are much like the donkeys at Sandos Caracol--aloof unless you have a snack.
Strawberry shortcake for dessert at my mom's house
Mom and Dad showed me the lake house they bought this Winter
An article my mom wrote about a waitress who was retiring after 64 years was framed and posted on Hall of Fame
Leftover Venezuelan food--a sort of giant sandwich with plantains as the bread.
I love my magnolia tree!
And my crab apple tree
Violets
Dogwood
A tree I like at Eagle Creek.
Welcoming Burrito and Li'l Red to our neighborhood!
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