Weekend before last my family spent Saturday and Sunday together to celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed spoiling someone who is so deserving. She is the glue that holds us together. My mom is full of creative talent and is the ultimate hostess. She always goes over the top in celebrating each of us in the family, so we wanted to do the same for her. She takes care of all of us so well, and we could never do enough to fully show her our gratitude!
My dad treated her to a fun trip to Charleston over her actual birthday, so we decided to keep our family celebration low-key and at home. My brother came home for the weekend, and Todd, the boys, Kenan and I all went over and stayed at my parents’ house for the night. We do this for Christmas as well, and it’s so nice to be able to put the boys to bed there, and not have to worry about rushing home by a certain time – even though they only live 25 minutes away. (I do not take this fact for granted – having them close is the best). After dinner we were able to stay up playing cards together and had a great time!
The plan was for my brother, Patrick, and I to cook a fancy dinner. We pulled it off, but my goodness, we were both so scatter-brained! It honestly ended up being really delicious, though. Patrick can cook, y’all! He is self-taught, and just wings it each time he cooks. He is not a fan of recipes, but my mom and I are determined to get him to write down some of his own recipes.
We decided to make two small courses:
1. Thyme Garlic Pan-Roasted Baby Bella and Shitake Mushrooms over Parmesan Polenta and Crisped Sautéed Tuscan Kale
2. Mini Surf & Turf: Petit Filet Cooked in a Cast Iron Skillet with Clarified Butter and Thyme with Garlic Herb Jumbo NC Shrimp and Sea Scallop with a Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce and Roasted Carrot and Ginger Asparagus
Dessert was a classic that my mom has always loved: brownie sundaes! I made this brownie recipe that I found on Pinterest, and just added 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans. They were great, and I will definitely save this recipe.
We also went all out for breakfast the next morning . (You all know that I do not eat gluten, but I broke that rule for these)! I made these copycat Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and holy goodness they were amazing. It may be because I haven’t eaten a bread product like this in years, but I really do think they were delicious! I made the recipe up until the second rise (step 10) the day before we ate them. We served them with some fresh raspberries and fresh-squeezed cara cara orange juice.
To keep the indulgence of the weekend going, mom and I went to the spa! We wanted her to feel special and spoiled, so a fancy girls’ day was in order. We got there early, sipped champagne, chatted and relaxed. Then we both had facial treatments, which were wonderful.
We could celebrate my mom every week and it still wouldn’t be enough to show how much we each appreciate her. But it was so nice to have an excuse to go all out! I love when our family is all together, and am thankful for these sweet moments.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
This makes me cry! So sweet! You all went over the top with everything you did to celebrate my birthday! The food was absolutely delicious – as good, if not better, than anything we had in Charleston. You and Patrick are both so talented! And just to be able to spend time together as a family is always the best treat! And the spa!! I felt loved and very spoiled – but you always make me feel that way anyway 🙂 I loved every minute of it! Thank you all for loving me so well! I love you all so much! Mom
So sweet! You and your mom look so much alike. What a lovely way to celebrate your mom!
Thank you, Colleen!