We are joining Momfessionals and A Little Bit of Everything to spread some cheer this week.
Happy birthday to me. In honor of my big day, I thought I’d share some favorites that were discovered from this past year. Disclaimer: this past year was not filled with clam bakes with the Kardashians and trips to the Cape. It was a low-key year. I had Annie and Ellie on July 8, so once my birthday arrived, it was all about them. Then it was all about moving from Arkansas to Georgia. Then it was all Mark starting his new job with the Air Force Reserves as well as an airline. Then it was all Covid. So, A LOT of my time was spent at home, and my favorites from the year reflect that. Also, because it’s my big day, I’m doing a little giveaway. So, keep on reading.
Do y’all say “tennis shoe”? I do, and my husband thinks I’m dumb because I’m not actually playing tennis in them. He calls them “sneakers”, but he’s also from the north and thinks a lot things I do are weird. Anyways, these TENNIS shoes are a favorite from the year. They are comfy and cute.
I discovered my favorite cookie recipe this year. They are somewhat healthy and taste like a dream. You can find the recipe on this post.
Since we’re already talking desserts, let’s keep it going. Jeni’s ice cream is my next favorite. Y’all. This ice cream is truly made by cherubs. Some grocery stores carry it now, so if you seem some next time you’re strolling the aisles donning your mask, treat yo self. It also makes a fun gift to send someone who needs a little happy that’s peanut butter flavored.
This is appropriately my next favorite after the last two.
I realize this has been around a while, but I just jumped on board this year. I’m one of those weirdos who enjoys going to the dentist. So, this is the next best thing between cleanings. It feels like I’ve run my teeth through a car wash after each brush, and I appreciate that.
Kat had been telling me to watch Parks and Rec for a while, and I was being an idiot and just didn’t feel like it. Well, after the twins were born, I needed some laughter during the middle of the night parties they were having. I decided to give it a try. Why had I not been enjoying this brilliance before? It’s absurd and hilarious, and I laugh out loud every episode. If you’re one of the few like me who never watched it, give it a try. Ron Swanson is gold with a perfectly groomed mustache.
Something triggered inside my brain and/or taste buds after the twins were born. Ever since they joined the world, I want any and everything basil related. Before them, it tasted like soap to me. Look at them; they’ve brought joy and basil into my life. This salad dressing is simple and delicious.
Anytime Mark turns the TV on, it immediately goes to the news. Anytime I turn the TV on, it immediately goes to Food Network. I’d much rather watch someone make hollandaise sauce than hear about the crazy going on in the world. Trisha and Ree are my best gals, and they are always on my DVR. I watch a lot of other shows but don’t feel a strong connection to record them. Recently, The Kitchen has peeked my interested enough to get a top spot in my DVR collection. You should try them too.
Honestly, the fact that I have a full head of hair this year earns a spot on this list. If you weren’t with us to read all about the trials and tribulations of my locks, you can here. I mentioned my silk pillowcase in that post, and it deserves more recognition. Yes, it’s more than I’d care to spend on a pillowcase, but please go back and look at the pictures of my hair. I would have slept on a pile of rocks if it would have helped my situation.
This one is going to seem really dumb, but walking has become a favorite this year. I’ll do yoga or other workouts throughout the week as well, but almost every day I take an hour and go on a walk by myself, and it’s heaven. I listen to a podcast while I go, and it’s basically the equivalent of a vacation. Walk this way, walk like an Egyptian, walk the line, walk 500 miles. You’ll feel better.
It goes without saying, but the addition of Annie and Ellie has been the most favorite this year.
PRIZE TIME. Since one of my favorites is Jeni’s Ice Cream, I’d love to giveaway some for my birthday. Comment below with your most memorable birthday present (sentimental, hilarious, ridiculous, etc.) I’ll pick my favorite response on Monday and send you a gift card to have some delivered.
I take birthday gifts in the form of all-expense paid trips to Aruba. Let me know if you’d like to get me that.
Thanks for reading,
Good morning and happy birthday!
One particular gift immediately came to mind as I finished reading your post today. My teaching partner, also a dear friend of mine even though we were as different night and day, made me a wooden cross. Our school had closed the chapel to renovate and they’d also sold the pews. Pat purchased a pew and crafted a cross from those wood pieces. Totally a treasure and of course she would have the skills to do that because she has a wood shop in her back yard! Her favorite store in the world is Home Depot and mine is not lol. Give me Jcrew or Nordstrom or anything in between the two. That cross hangs in my living room and I’m reminded of all the important things in life.
Enjoy your special weekend!
I love that story! Thanks for sharing.
My parents got me a puppy for my 13th birthday even though they had told me for years I could not have a dog.
Always the best gift
My grandmother individually wrapped ten 1 dollar bills for my tenth Birthday. I kept waiting for the last one to be a big bill, but it wasn’t. Bless her heart. She tried.
That’s why grandmother stories are the best
Finding out I was pregnant with Kyle on my 32nd birthday. Happy, happy birthday!
Well Kyle wants twins now, so….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET FRIEND!! I’m writing this in the dark of my camper without my glasses on so I hope there is no autocorrect profanity! My favorite birthday present has to be when my husband surprised me with a trip to NYC in February (yep just made it under the wire before COVID) for an early present. We saw our alma mater’s choir at Carnegie and then went to Moulin Rouge on Broadway (A.MAZ.ING!!). Best early bday present EVER – way to go Rob! Sending love and hugs to you, Caroline!!!!!!
Love love it! What a husband!
Happy Birthday! My most memorable gift was a MacBook friends gave me for my 30th birthday. I needed it to finish writing my dissertation. I also love the sapphire bracelet I got for my 18th birthday.
I need your friends.
Yes, I also say “tennis shoes.” Haha on running your teeth through a car wash! Happy Birthday, your twins are two cute! Also, I looked at your hair loss post, wow, that was traumatic! Have a great weekend!
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Caroline! I, too, say “sneakers”. But then again I grew up just 30 minutes from Mark. My Southern born girls also say sneakers cause I influenced them that way!
You yankee people..
Happy Birthday, birthday twin! It is my birthday today too, HOORAY 😉
The most recent favorite gift that comes to mind was for my birthday last year. My parents gifted me a 6ft tall metal rooster, I named him Tu-Bawk and he is the guardian of my large garden now lol! And my one year old is obsessed with Tu-Bawk the rooster chicken, so much so that multiple times every single day he demands that we go out to check on the rooster, visit with him, and yes sometimes even sit up on him. So no matter how absurd I think it is I don’t think we could even get rid of Tu-Bawk if we wanted because my toddler would be distraught, ha! While most of our neighbors think it looks absolutely ridiculous we did have one guy down the road stop to ask where he could get one, so I guess it’s not all bad.
It all stems from this blog post that I read years ago & promptly shared with my family & friends because I thought it was hilariously awesome, turns out joke was on me when they showed up to my house for my birthday with Tu-Bawk and now with my toddler bonded to him 😉 https://thebloggess.com/2011/06/21/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/
Thank you for sharing! What a great memory.
Well, this will not surprise you because you know all about my love for pickles. One of my students gifted me with a Sam’s size jar of dill pickles for my birthday! I was so touched because they knew me so well, but also so excited for all the pickle juice I was gonna get to drink!!😜
I do not remember this. I must not have been around then…
My most memorable gift was a necklace that had a diamond from my grandmother’s wedding ring. Great list of favorites!
A perfect gift!
Happy birthday!! My birthday was this week too. My most memorable birthday present was a trip. My husband and I turned 40 a couple years ago and to celebrate we ditched the gifts altogether and booked us a 4 day trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We stayed at a swanky resort and it was amazing!!
What a great memory! Happy birthday to you!
My most favorite gift was a ring my mom gave me for my 18th birthday that her mom had given her on her 18th birthday. I have never worn it because getting it resized has been on my list of things to do for 8 years now 🙄 oops! Maybe this will be the year I do that.
Do it! Otherwise, I’ll take it!
Happy Birthday BFF, may this year bring you lots of laughter love and the abundance of the Lord…..now for my favorite birthday memory it would have to be my “Sweet 16 Birthday Bash” in my parents basement…. no details will be provided due to the spiritual nature of my birthday wish 😂😂😂 Love you lady!!
OMG. Details are needed.
Most memorable gift, sweet sixteen surprise red Firebird. Complete with T tops and PONTIAC written boldly across the windshield. Ahh the memories of so many wrecks to follow.
Most memorable Birthday party, a rager at the Washington Pizza Hut. You havent lived until you’ve had a Pizza Hut party with your class.
Oy to the Pontiac.
Happy happy birthday!! Oh how I love y’all’s love of good things to eat. I made sure the ingredients for every single grilled cheese mentioned in Kat’s was on my instacart list. Avoiding the Corona zoo as much as I can right now. Anywho, I will be adding the ice cream now too! You had me at peanut butter and chocolate.
Now for my birthday story. Best present. I have to say my most memorable was my 27th birthday. I had just met my future husband about 5 months prior, but didn’t know it cause I didn’t like him like that at the time. He and three other of my good friends threw me the best party ever. Invited my parents and all my friends at the time…I don’t have a ton, but the ones I have are keepers. So, during this glorious time of 2010 (yikes, what a dream-time ago), it was the “in” thing to Ice people. Depending on your age and corny friend choices…mine were certainly this…you may have heard of this. It’s when you hide a Smirnoff ice and whoever finds it has to take a knee and chug it. So. Gross. I thought it was quite funny, when it wasn’t me, cause no one had ever gotten me. Well, they did on my birthday. With my parents there. Hidden in my birthday present that I asked MULTIPLE TIMES if they hid one in there cause I didn’t want to chug this with my parents there. Or in general. It was in there alright. And a gross grape flavor that took me back to children’s Dimetapp. Luckily my parents thought it was all fun and games and commended my friends for actually getting me since I’m usually the one playing the jokes. Wonderful memory because it’s the first year of the rest of my life with my sweet husband…who still has “jokes” going on weekly for me.
What a fun story. I think I’ll do that for Claire’s 4th birthday! 😉
My Mama and your grandmama Miss Sybil gave me a Sweet 16 Surprise party at the VFW in Crawfordville. I was a tomboy and hated getting fixed up but Mama insisted that I wash my hair and put on a clean dress on my birthday. I was looking my best which was not good…86 pounds in my homemade purple checked A-line, not cute skinny, but skinny skinny, short frizzy hair that had gone orange with Summer Blonde, the first hair dye ever sold in the drugstore, and a mouth full of braces. Completely unaware, I walked into a sea of tanned bodies, straight white teeth, long straight hair, and Heerys Clothes Closet outfits….I was shocked by the surprise and further humiliated when ‘the cute boy‘ Randy Chew asked me to dance to Red Red Rose….and my best friend (really?) told me his daddy trained him to dance with every girl so not to get any ideas. It was a long night, but Mama and Daddy gave me a string of tiny pearls which I treasure and wear to this day. And Chuckie gave me a beautiful jewelry box that Miss Sybil bought at Rutherford’s that I also treasure to this day. Chuckles was also a cute boy, but he wouldn’t have given me the time of day!
Dell, the whole Stewart gang has enjoyed reading this….multiple times!!! Cheers to the good ol’ days!
I am from the Northwest and have always called them tennis shoes. I don’t even understand how the word sneakers represents a pair of athletic shoes……….surely there is some logic there I have missed, but they will always be tennis shoes to me! Also, I love all of your favorite things and those tennis shoes look so comfy!
When I turned 30 my husband gave me a VHS recording that he sent around the country for months before so family and friends could record greetings and sentimental messages for me. Mind you, it was 1991 and we did not even have a cordless phone, let alone any device other than a camera that took pictures with film. And back in the ancient of days all recordings had to be set up with a camcorder. He included postage for everyone with instructions and how to send to the next person. I did enjoy the gift at the time, but now, I get choked up just thinking about all that planning and effort……
That is the sweetest! Husband of the year!