Birthday Celebrations - just the beginning!

My birthday is in one week and birthday celebrations began last night with a wonderful dinner at a little Italian restaurant in Edina, MN called Arezzo Ristorante. This birthday dinner was part of my gift from my new in-laws.

Arezzo is a charming little Italian restaurant, they have a lovely patio and we enjoyed our dinner outside last night as the weather was perfect.

The waiter suggested a bottle of Rizzi Barbera for the table and all four of us enjoyed the wine, it was easy to drink and went very well with our dinner choices.

We started the meal with Strangolapreti (oven baked spinach and ricotta dumplings, topped with fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and grans padano) and delicious bread with olive oil to dip.All four of us thoroughly enjoyed the appetizer.

My MIL ordered the Tagliatelle di Pollo e pinoli (house made tagliatelle pasta tossed with chicken, tomatoes and pine nuts in white wine sauce, topped with goat cheese).

My FIL enjoyed the Torteli Padrino (spinach tortelli hand stuffed with a blend of ricotta cheese and fresh spinach, finished in a tomato and eggplant sauce).

Mr. G ordered the Pollo alla Marsala (sliced chicken breast sautéed in Sicilian Marsala liqueur, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus).

I ordered the Farfale alla Gorgonzola e Salsiccia (butterfly pasta tossed with gorgonzola sauce and spicy Italian sausage).

All four of us loved our meals and shared the tiramisu for dessert. We were very full and enjoyed the evening immensely.

Each year I often say that I'm going to scale back on the celebrating but then another year rolls around and I celebrate with my in-laws, my family, Mr. G, some girlfriends, a birthday weekend at the cabin, etc etc....and by the time August is done I've had 7 "birthday celebrations", drank too much red wine and probably gained 7 pounds.

So to say I'm grateful for amazing people in my life is an understatement...I love celebrating with all of them and wouldn't trade it for the world.

How many birthday celebrations do you have?

Check back next week after Mr. G and I return from our couples weekend at the cabin. 4 couples are accompanying us to the cabin, lots of food, drinks and great company!!

 

With love,

Mrs. G

 

 

The Big Question

Now that Mrs. G and I are married we were just waiting for the BIG QUESTION to start banging on our door.  The big question is of course, when are we going to start having kids????  I even thought that someone in one of their speeches at the reception would bring it up.  Unfortunately, I was rather militant about this and even remember saying to Mrs. G (when she was Ms. S) prior to the wedding "I'm going to bepissed if someone brings that up.  It's none of their business!"

To be honest, I thought it would come from Mrs. G's mother for sure.  This will be her first grandchild while my parents already have 3 and since I'm the baby, I think they're more than fine waiting a bit.  Maybe it's a been there done that attitude.  For instance, I remember dropping my older brothers off at college and my folks being emotional.  When it was my turn, I got a hug and a smile and a "talk to ya later."  (Maybe they were happy to be childless for the first time in over 23 years.) Not that they wouldn't be excited for a new baby.  They'd be ecstatic.  Anyway, I got sidetracked.

Mrs. G's mother has not said much at all.  And if at all, more curiosity than anything.  Again, not that she wouldn't be excited but I haven't really heard boo.  My folks haven't said a word.  (Now I'm back on that topic.  Maybe that's a subject for my therapist if I had one.)  There's been a few inquiries from siblings but that's about it.

My biggest surprise is that my guy friends have inquired about it consistently.  Most of my friends have children and I think are excited.  Maybe the thinking is that we can hang out more if I have kids also.  (Don't get to see them much.)  I do have one friend who is single and is very picky about his ladies meaning he's always single.  He was the first to inquire and he has a few times since.  This is a friend of mine who I go and watch football with and drink beer.  Not family planning or future plans!  I saw a male former co worker of mine the other day who in passing asked me how I was.  I enthusiastically told him I got married and pointed to my ring.  (I've noticed my go to move is holding up my hand and pointing to my ring.)  He said to me right away "You need to start having kids right away, don't wait."

I guess my point of this whole post is that I am shocked by who is inquiring.  My thoughts were family members would be asking......nay, hounding us about having kids.  But the truth is, it's my guy friends who are interested.  Which is actually flattering and touching.  It's nice to see them encouraging etc.  Maybe it's because it's something we can share and talk about.  Or maybe, it gives us an excuse to get together on play dates and drink beer.  Either way, it's a good thing.

And to answer the big question........none ya bizness.

Mr. G