Birthday Celebration

THE.FLU.

It's been quiet over here for the last four weeks. Because I flew to NYC to attend our annual staff conference for work the last week in January, and then promptly caught the flu and spent 11 days bouncing between our bed and our couch. It was horrible. One month later, and I'm still congested and coughing. Nightmare.

In the meantime, it was also my birthday and I did some amazing celebrating with family and friends. That included a dinner party in our home, catered by my buddy, Chef Jeff Jarrett. He's done some in-home stuff for us before, and it's always delicious, easy, and interactive. He's launching a new business focusing on these in-home experiences, called Traveling Knives Culinary. Stay tuned for more details soon.

He kicked us off with a Tuna Tartare to start.

We were just plain having fun watching him cook, plate, and do all the work! Best way to "dinner party" in my opinion. Yes, it's a verb now in my book.

Then came my favorite course of the night, Seared Pork Belly with rosemary creamed leeks, apple butter, and a radish and green onion salad.

Next up was a beautiful and delicious Beet and Chickpea Salad with honey goat cheese, kale, toasted breadcrumbs, and a lemon vinaigrette.

Scallops with butternut squash puree, apple, and parsley followed.

Finished with a grassfed NY Strip with a toasted farro risotto, broccolini, and a tart cherry demi. I want a jar of that tart cherry demi! And I loved his use of the farro in a creamy, rich way.

Having him do all the work in the kitchen left Mr. H and I to just enjoy the evening with my parents and some of my closest friends around the table!

The meal was topped off with a Chocolate Salted Caramel cake from A Cookie and A Cupcake. We still dream about that cake from our wedding, so it was amazing to have it appear again for my birthday.

I wasn't too thrilled about turning 35 this year. I'm no longer in my "early 30s" and that was bothering me a bit, if I'm honest. But, if this is what 35 looks like, then I'll take it!

I'm feeling much better, so we should get back to our regularly scheduled program over here on the blog. Goodbye, flu, it's been real.