The Bearnson Birthday Tradition Revealed

Hey Everyone!

I'm having a FANTASTIC birthday! Thanks to everyone for playing my little game.

Your answers were great!

Yes--we sometimes make a fun cake for the special birthday girl or boy. This one was for Sage this year--of course Brecken made it!



Last year I hosted family birthday parties for Sage and Brecken and served food that started with either the first initial of their name or each letter of their name. This isn't a tradition but it was darn fun and I think I have to do it again. (Loved all your suggestions for a "L" for "Lisa" food party.) In fact, check out what my mom brought to my birthday lunch yesterday--a lemon merangue pie! My favorite and it starts with "L!"



It's tradition that my kids get no chores for the day but as a mom it's a little bit harder. My hubby makes sure I hardly have to do anything though!

So here's the big tradition that we ALWAYS do which I'm happy to say that many of you guessed!

It's breakfast in bed!!

Here is Sage on the 21st:



Here I am today (how lovely--a picture of me first thing in the morning!) showcasing my favorite smoothie complete with candles:




This is a great way to start the day!

It's 1:00 p.m. right now and I've already had a blast. Several of my neighborhood friends took me to brunch at Mi Mi's Cafe--yummy! (I'm stuffed--breakfast and brunch in the same day! But heck--it's my birthday, right?)



Kade is off on a day date for Preference, then tonight it's the whole tux and formal thing. His date's family has invited us over to their house to take photos before the dance. I'll put one on the blog!

Tonight it's off to dinner with friends from our last neighborhood.

Thursday I went to lunch with my friend, Cori Larsen, and went to Thanksgiving Point's Harvest restaurant. I always order the meat loaf there--pure comfort food for me.

Yesterday my sister Debbie hosted a birthday lunch for me, my sisters (minus Carolyn in Ohio), Brecken and Sage and my mom (Brecken took the photo and Sage didn't want to have her photo taken!).



She asked what my favorite dish is and I said meat loaf! I can't make a good meat loaf but love it (I know--I'm crazy!). So--she made an amazing meat loaf stuffed with blue cheese and cheddar cheese. Just had to share the recipe:

Ribbon Meat Loaf (from the kitchen of Debbie Downs)

3 slices soft bread, torn in pieces
1 c. milk
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. lean ground pork
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. minced onion
1 1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper, dry mustard, sage, celery salt and garlic salt.
1 T. Worcestershire sauce

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together bread and milk; mix in remaining ingredients. Pat one half of meat mixture in greased loaf pan. (9x5x3 inches). Cover with cheese filling (see recipe below). Spread rest of meat mixture over cheese filling. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes.

Cheese Filling

1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 T. water
2 slices bread, torn into pieces
4 oz. crumbled blue or shredded cheddar cheese

Combine egg white and water. Toss slightly with bread crumbs and cheese.

Last night Steve set up a massage, movie and dinner, then I came home and took a long, hot bubble bath and watched a recording of this week's American Idol.

Yep--I feel like a queen! I am so blessed. And--THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY! Something I haven't seen in months here in Utah.

I'm off to eat a few more Hershey's Cherry Cordial Kisses and Ferrero Rondhoir (sp?) dark chocolates. (These are evil, Lisa Anderson!)

Hope you're having a great day as well.

Lisa

P.S. I'll post the 10 Hot chocolate set winners and the five "Greatest Love Story Ever Told" winners on my blog on Monday! Thanks to Food For Thought for your generous donation!