This weekend, I turned forty-eight. It made me think about all of the birthdays I’ve shared about here on my blog, and if you’ve been with me since the early years, you’ve followed me through most of my 30s and now well into my 40s. Dare I say, almost fifty? We’ve been through a lot together – my boys going from diapers to driving and college classes, two big moves, three different homes, and lots of twists and turns in my creative work and business. Whether you’re new here or an OG follower, thanks for joining me in my little corner of the internet.
So, if you’re like me, you don’t just have a birthDAY. You have a birthday weekend that can stretch out all month. The Birthday Card isn’t just something other people give you. It’s the thing you can play to get little perks and favors. My guys already do a lot of nice things for me, so it’s mostly in jest, but everyone plays along. I didn’t have anything specific in mind for a birthday present, so Jeff and I went out to breakfast and browsed at a local antique store to see if anything caught my fancy.
We ate breakfast at The Showroom in Frederick, MD, and it was really good.
We shopped at Emporium Antiques in Frederick, and also popped into a few small shops in the downtown area.
I found a lot of things I liked, but nothing that ticked all the boxes. Either I loved it, and it was within budget, but I didn’t really have a place for it, or I loved it, and it was too expensive. Nothing was in the sweet spot.
As always, though, I enjoyed looking around.
My favorite find was this antique oil painting, but it fit into the loved-it-but-too-expensive category.
So, I walked away empty-handed, and I’ll save my birthday money for another day.
While walking around downtown, we came across Twin Beads Bakery. Our philosophy when it comes to local bakeries is that you should always go inside and check them out. They had an amazing assortment of homemade bagels and breads. I think you have to get there before noon to try a cookie because they were cleaned out. We did get a couple of bagels to try, a loaf of sourdough bread, and some salted, French-style butter.
I made a bagel sandwich using one of the bagels for my birthday breakfast at home the next day, and it was delicious.
I also spent my birthday morning baking a lemon cream cake to have on Sunday for our birthday/Easter family lunch. I used to love the Italian lemon cream cake from Oliver Garden, and I liked that I could just buy one slice instead of having an entire cake in my house! But they discontinued it a few years ago, much to my disappointment. Now, I have to make it myself.
I tried THIS RECIPE. I selected it because it used whole ingredients and seemed pretty simple. I followed the recipe faithfully, except I used light olive oil instead of canola oil, and I skipped the crumb coating. I never liked that part of the Olive Garden cake, and it’s sort of a weird crumble made with dry-baked flour. In my opinion, the cake just doesn’t need it.
The cake turned out great, and it is delicious!
I mean, look at this gorgeous cake. I liked that it isn’t too sweet or too heavy.
I spent some time painting in the studio and a little time in the garden on my birthday, too. We have some cool spring weather this week, so I’ll take advantage of that and get more pruning, weeding, and tidying done.
As a little bonus, the fragrant viburnum bloomed on my birthday! I’ll have to make a note of that in my gardening notebook for future reference.
21 Responses
Happy birthday season! Also, is the motto of the “Oliver Garden” “Consider yourself…part of the famiglia”?
Gosh, those breakfast meals, I gain weight just looking at them! XD Happy birthday, dear. Lovely to hear how spoiled with attention you are. And the cake looks fantastic, I am with you on the crumble, only like that on a good apple torte. Viburnum Tinus; it is such a cutie with a good scent. Better spring days are coming with lots of time in the garden.
Happy Birthday Marian ! My 82nd is the 10th and I have been following you since your home in PA I think York County ? That looks like Korean Spice Viburnum to me am I correct ? Just love the pungent scent ! Have a Great Spring ! Take Good Care ! Irene Kelly
Happy 48th and 82nd to your reader 🎈
Spring birthdays are always so special.
Enjoy!
Cynthia
Happy Birthday! My birthday is today. I celebrated by having my very first birthday slumber party last night. My grandchildren were my guests. It was perfect in every way!!! I may be in my fifties but the glow in the dark Easter egg hunt last night was possibly the most fun I have had in ever. Brunch this morning with my grown children and husband made this year’s birthday sweet and simple. It has been my favorite birthday so far.
Happy Birthday! My daughter and granddaughter have birthdays in March. That’s the last birthday in spring for us.
Also would love to know which Vibernum that is as I’m putting this in a new garden and that looks lovely. Do you know the full name?
Fortunately, I could check the tag in my garden notebook! 🙂 It’s Viburnum Carlesii, but it’s commonly referred to as Fragrant Viburnum on the tag.
I have four Viiburnum Carlesii bushes that just finished blooming here in Cincinnati Ohio. They are 40 years old this year. Their scent is sweet and so delightful. I highly recommend them for a yard!
Also look into winter blooming Daphne- so fragrant, usually blooms before the daffodils
You can paint the sheep and love being able to do it.
Happy birthday! I have loved following you since shortly before you sold your PA house. I didn’t think I could possibly love a house more than your Minnesota one but I think this one is quickly becoming my favorite.
Happy Birthday. I believe in the month-long birthdays as well. Especially as I’ve aged. Most of my dear friends feel the same way.
I loved the painting of the sheep. I hate it when I find something beautiful and it’s too expensive. In your case I bet you could paint a painting very similar.
Have a wonderful month.
Karen B.
Happy Birthday Marian 🎉 That painting was beautiful and so was your cake. Have you ever eaten at Schmanketlstubes? It’s a lovely German restaurant on S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown. I haven’t been there for some years but the food was delicious the last time I was there. You could try it out for your Birthday week. 😉
Happy birthday! I feel like I have been growing old (77) while you have been growing into your best self! I’ve been with you for years. Forty eight feels young…enjoy!
I’ve been with you since the boys were in diapers! My first blog and only blog. Happy Birthday.
Well, thank you so much, Janet!
Happy birthday!! I love how you celebrated by browsing antiques. Sorry to hear about the refrigerator. That’s a damper on the birthday vibes for sure! 🎂🎉🐰💕
Happy Birthday! I’m so grateful that you share your corner of the world with all of us! The Lord bless you and keep you all the year through. May it be your best year yet!
With love,
Kristin
My fragrant viburnum are just beginning to bloom. I look forward to their fragrance each year and think surely they are what heaven will smell like!
Happy birthday wishes, Marian
Happy Birthday, Marian!
There are a few ladies in my family with the Marian name. My sis’s middle name and my grandmothers first name. Been following you since your PA house too! Many blessings to you all! I’m also of the “older” followers! Enjoy your young days!!!
Barb