This was my birthday week.  Thursday was the actual day but the celebrating started Wednesday at lunch and, as of this writing – on Sunday – is still going on.  That is how I like my birthdays.

Last Sunday night I went to a wine tasting at the Palace Ballroom.  We tasted 13 different wines from up and coming wineries in Walla Walla.  How do you make it through 13 wines?  There were four flights.  One of whites, one of red blends, one of Syrahs and one of Cabernet Sauvignons.  I decided which of the wines in each flight I liked best and focused on enjoying that one.

In food news, I made an amazing pasta dish.  I know it’s probably hot where you are but if you don’t mind turning on your oven, I would suggest making this – stat.

I got a box of gorgeous produce from Oxbow Farm on my birthday.  I’ve got some great ideas brewing for next week.

My dear friend Julie took me out for dinner to one of my favorite places – Sitka and Spruce.  We shared some yummy dishes.  This was turnips, tarragon, and housemade yogurt with za’atar.

The nice people at Ben & Jerry’s asked if I wanted to taste their new Greek yogurt flavors.  Um, hello?  I brought the boys to my local scoop shop and we got to taste three flavors – all terrific.  The banana and peanut butter was my favorite.  Tune in next week for a giveaway!

I am very sad that this is all that is left of some of my favorite cookies I have every made.  No stand mixer necessary!  Recipe coming next week.

In gift news,  this was my birthday present from Randy.  While we were in Paris, we had these silhouettes done in a park.  The guy used just a piece of black paper and a nothing-special pair of scissors.  In less than five minutes he cut a perfect likeness of each of us.  They cost 3€ a piece.  Randy had them mounted and the plaque at the bottom reads France 2012.

Spencer made me this bracelet.

It matches my consignment store gift to myself.  (Donald Pliner!  $60!)

Our wedding anniversary is August 24th.  We will be knee deep in moving mode by then.  We were able to celebrate with our friends John and Lauren who gave us a most extraordinary present 10 years ago.  Three bottles of wine, to drink on our 1st, 5th, and 10th anniversaries.  Their letter to us said that they hoped we would be celebrating momentous things when each of the bottles were opened.  The 1st year, we were getting ready to move to London.  The 5th year, we had Spencer and had built a house.  This year, we went to South Africa, spent a month in France, and are preparing for our move to the Bay area.

Speaking of moving, the company came by to take a look at our stuff to asses how many boxes we need, packing materials, etc.  I was feeling relatively good about where we are in the process, until I realized that we still have this many things to decide whether or not we are taking with us.

And this happened.  Yes, I also have news about a new house but I am just superstitious enough not to share until it’s certain.

Finally, Catherine, one of our beloved babysitters, took this photo of the boys.  I can’t tell you how much I love this picture.  It somehow captures perfectly who they are in this moment.  Little buggers.