Mmm

This weekend has been great (not over yet...) But damn. I never get one birthday-day. It's always like Birthweek, for me. Mother's Day falls very close to my birthday, so I get all the time between, as birthday-special-time. I don't plan it that way, it' just happens.

Friday, we did like I said, went out to Noodles and More, for Thai food, then we walked around Redbank. The weather was PERFECT for Redbank, and I feel like even though the place has changed so much, it's still so much the same.

We even went into Earth Spirits. It was cool, because Jocelyn was there, she's a sweet, kind, happy woman. The guy that works there, I don't like him. I feel alternately under his Eye (like a bug under a microscope), when I shop there, and given the coldest shoulder. This store, it's one of those mystical shops, that sells stones, herbs, and tarot cards, and the like. I've been shopping there for about 11 years. Ever since I could get myself to Redbank pretty much. Now, when I was 16, I can understand being scrutinized. Even at that age, I had a friend that would go in there (without me, thank god) and buy up random herbs, to see what smoking them would be like. So, I can fully understand the suspicion of a rowdy teenager in a store like that. But really. The same treatment? After I've been a devoted customer, for all this time (and I've never ONCE smoked any of the herbs I've gotten from there, I swear it). But, it was a mostly pleasant experience. I found a beautiful goddess statue, that I've sorta wanted for awhile, and bought it on the spot, along with a few other things. Jocelyn and I were talking about all manner of things, real estate, Boris her old dog, from way back, Sammy her new dog (that I mistook for Boris, they're both schnauzers and they're identical), the shop's impending move to a few blocks away, etc. Then sourpuss guy walks in, walks behind the counter, and engages Jocelyn in a conversation, placing himself directly between her and I, putting his back to me. How rude is that? I remembered why I stopped coming in there. When she's there, I'm filled with warmth and love, and I want to shop there, and be friends with everyone. When he's there, I feel like walking in the door is a mistake.

Soanyway. I got a sweet new figure, and we had a blast walking around in Red Bank. I wish we didn't run so late, I would have liked to walk around Marine Park, some. It was that nice of a day.

Later on, we went to Portuguese Manor, for dinner. My longtime favorite fancy resturaunt. We spent the hour wait, in the bar, naturally. I ordered a drink I look forward to, between visits, this Brazilian concoction of half a chopped lime, and sugar, sorta pounded together, and this alcohol called cachaca, over ice. It's called Caipirinha. It's really REALLY potent. I ordered one, and Manny, the bartender froze for a second. "Do you know what that is?" I smiled. "Of course." Half the bottle of cachaca went into that drink, seemingly. It's like a really smooth white rum, slightly sweet, and more complex, but with the same kick as 151. Limes, sugar, and superbooze. It's like whoever invented this drink had me in mind :). It took me about 45 minutes to gently sip my way through it. I was going slow, it was tasting so good, and I had this warm glow going. Then I went up and ordered another one. Manny raised his eyebrow. I smiled and put my empty glass on the bar.

Good thing I always order the same thing, every time I go there, because by the middle of that second drink, we got seated, and I was feeling no pain. Me. Two drinks. I know, right? I got the filet mignon, Portuguese Style, which was a softball sized cut of filet, covered with ham, and this rich brown garlic sauce. Served with fried thick cut potato chip things, steamed veggies, and a mountain of yellow rice. It's easily my favorite meal, ever. EVER. This is what I would order for my last meal, if I ever got the death sentence. From the salad, with the house dressing (omg, it's spicy! Like a spicy, sweet, creamy French dressing) to the country-style bread, creamy onion soup, clams with Portuguese sausage (I let the mister have the clams, I dip in the sauce and nibble the sausage), the steak, and the white chocolate and chocolate mousse topped with ganache. Oh yeah, and the half a pitcher of red sangria I drank, when my caipirinha was empty. Every time I go there, it's The Perfect Meal. Dinnergsam.

Logged into the game, for a little bit, when I got home, and got some great birthday wishes from friends. Lots of naked dancing, and nice presents. Had a few more margaritas, too. Went to bed completely smashed, tired, happy. It was most pleasant.


Yesterday was good too. Made the appointment for my big birthday present, all new speakers for the Blazer, as well as an amp. Good times. I'll be dropping the car of Tuesday morning. I can't wait. I love music so much, and I hate having it ruined by a crackly bad speaker. Also, ran out and got crickets, then to the Asian market. Got a whole truckload of fresh veggies, which I came home and cooked into a most alluring Thai chicken soup.

My mom came over last night, to deliver my present, and visit. I hooked her up with some soup, and she LIKED it. My MOTHER. ATE something with LEMONGRASS in it. She's a very plain eater. She doesn't like exotic flavors. She happily devoured chicken, coconut, lemongrass, chili paste, and cilantro. Then she ate a steamed roast pork bun, and a red bean paste bun, on top of it. If THAT's not a testament to my cooking, nothing is.

This morning, I got woken up to a suprise breakfast, the mister went shopping early this morning, and made omelets (for him and the boy, I don't eat eggs) and this skillet stuff he makes, with all the random meats we have in the fridge. (we have a lot, considering how much time we spend at the Ukranian Butcher) so it was fried spicy potatoes, kielbasa, Hungarian sausage, Irish bacon, and normal breakfast sausage, with green peppers, onions, and garlic, and spicy as hell, I love it. He also made a huge fruit salad, with strawberries, pitted fresh black cherries, apple, mango, banana, watermelon, and canteloupe. That was the big suprise, he's never done that before. I loooove fruit for breakfast, it's my favorite thing.

He's really gone all out, to make my days special. It's nice to see.

I'm sitting here drinking a huge glass of ice water, and finishing up my coffee, wondering what he's got up his sleeve for the rest of the day...