Yes, today is my birthday.
I really didn’t intend to post about it because as a mom, I’d rather talk about my child’s birthday festivities, but you all forced my hand.
I want to thank everyone who has wished me a Happy Birthday on my personal Facebook page, my blog Facebook Page, on Twitter, on my last post in the comments, in text messages, in voicemails, and on email. Whew. I have never felt so loved!
Once again, I am blown away by all my wonderful friends and your kind words and well wishes. Thank you!
Ironically, and this is such a cruel twist, I feel like total crap today. I am sick. I have a super sore throat, I have a fever, my body aches, I am tired but can’t sleep.
Scott took these pictures and said, “But you don’t look sick.” Trust me, I am. Fake it til you make it, right?
And fake that this picture is in focus, right?
So what’s a sick birthday girl to do?
Just tell myself I am not sick, carry on as usual, and try to make the best of the day which is what I’ve done!
I went on a photo shoot bonanza at the farmer’s market today.
Here are a few of the images I captured that I have edited (of the 150 I took in about 45 minutes) that are early favorites.
I hope you like looking at produce and plants because I have a whole post of pictures coming up in the next day or two from my birthday photo shoot bonanza. And I don’t mean this photo shoot.
Scott didn’t buy me any presents. I buy my own. After the farmer’s market as I was walking home, I stopped in a thrift store and went “all out” and for $5 bucks scored two pink bowls and two plates. Last weekend it was a new computer but this weekend I kept it very thrifty.
I love little thrills and cute ‘n cheap dishes. It makes picture making time so much more fun with a few new props.
I didn’t make myself a birthday cake.
I ate No Bake Nutella & Peanut Butter Graham Bars with Chocolate Frosting. They are so easy to make and you too will enter a sugar coma and nut butter heaven all at once when you try these.
And honestly, one of the best presents of the day was having FoodGakwer and Tasteologie like my images. Photography is so important to me now and if I am judged well by the Food Photography Gods, then it’s a happy day for me.
Questions:
1. Have you ever been sick on your birthday or any other important day or holiday?
Growing up I would invariably get sick over holidays or when school was on break. It’s like I would take my final exams and my body said, ok, the stress of that big event is over now you can relax. And then my body would let out a big sigh and proceed to get sick.
I think after the running-on-adrenaline phase is over or the stress of a big event has passed, our bodies relax, including our immune systems, and that’s when sickness happens.
Not to mention, it’s no surprise, now that we’re home from Aruba and Skylar is back in preschool, she is bringing home tons of germs from all the other (sick) kids so it’s like going through my own childhood all over again with being exposed to every imaginable germ and virus out there!
Kids are little germ incubators. But I love her anyway.
Honestly, as a mom, being sick with a cold, fever, a headache, or anything else is just like any other day. You just smile, carry on, hug your kid, and pray to God the razor blades in your throat go away soon. No rest for the weary. I couldn’t imagine just laying around. Not when there’s pictures to make and snacks to fix!
Chugging vanilla iced coffees has felt good on my throat, though!
2. Best birthday memory or celebration you’ve ever had?
25th birthday comes to mind. We were living on the beach in North Carolina and I did a sunset yoga class on the beach with a dozen or so awesome free spirits, we carried on with a vegan potluck, Scott had me a hot pink cake made in the shape of a high heel, we drank all night long, went skinny dipping in the ocean, and watched the sun rise the next morning. Fun times!
Today’s festivities are just a wee bit different. Plus, I have to work later.
3. Best thing you’ve ate or done over the weekend?
The farmer’s market and taking pictures rocked for me. Sickness and all.
Ok and the Nutella & PB Bars rocked too.
And if you’re just catching up on posts since Friday, here are mine:
- Nutella & Peanut Butter Graham Bars with Chocolate Frosting
- Aruba Vacation Highlights
- Health & Beauty Mall Trip
- A First Time For Everything
- Rising Food & Grocery Prices
- Eating the Rainbow Recipes
Have a wonderful week and although I can’t thank everyone personally for all the birthday wishes, each and every email notification that I opened brought a huge smile to my face. Thank you so much!
Happy birthday! My birthday is in a couple of weeks.
I get sick all the time on holidays and stuff. Really annoying. I spent part of Friday praying to the porcelain god. Stress or food poisoning, or something else…not really sure, but it wasn’t fun.
Hope you feel better soon!
Happy birthday Averie!! Sorry to hear you’re sick, but hopefully you feel better soon and can at least celebrate a little bit :)
Happy birthday, I hope you feel better soon!
sorry you did not feel well on your birthday, but it looks like you made up for it with some cute buys! love the plates and happy birthday!
Happy birthday an I hope you feel better soon!
Happy Birthday Averie! Hope you get well quick!
I knew your birthday was sometime soon, I’ve been waiting for the birthday post!! Happy birthday Averie! Too bad you are sick for it :( I hope you feel better soon! Also, just because you are a mom doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a little! Maybe with some champagne when you are feeling better…. :)
Birthdays are a big deal in my family so they’re always memorable… My 21st was on Memorial day, which initially I wasn’t thrilled about. But my sister and I went to a weekend long music festival which ended on my birthday and I had a beer there and later at a restaurant, and it was a blast! Your 25th birthday celebration sounds like it was a blast!
Happy Birthday Averie! There must be something in the Southern CA air. I am sick today too! First time in over 2 years (and first time as a vegan). I haven’t even had a cold. I forgot what it feels like…
Feel better soon ;-)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Averie!! so glad I “met” you this year!
your farmers market photos are beautiful – I especially love the tomatoes. not surprised you were accepted by fg + ts with that one – I knew when I saw them they would be! :) hope you are feeling better soon!
Tasteologie, yes
Tastespotting, pending. So slow.
FG…yes
But I was worried they weren’t going to take them. You NEVER know what they want and dont want. Grrr :)
Thanks for lmk you like the tomato shot. Fresh eyes are a blessing when editing images. Your own eyeballs bug out after awhile. lol
oops, TO! yes, tastespotting is often slower. then sometimes they publish at like, midnight. boo. ;)
I completely agree, after a while I have to stop looking at photos! I show Jason my top 2 or 3 choices then make him tell me.
Happy Birthday Averie! Hope it is a good one even though you are sick- feel better soon!
2. Best birthday memory or celebration you’ve ever had?
I enjoyed my birthday parties as a child growing up and especially when 14 years old; I invited tons of friends over and we danced all night to a DJ.
3. Best thing you’ve ate or done over the weekend?
Hung out with my boyfriend a lot and we saw the Hangover Part II in theaters. I’m actually at his hockey game right now!
Enjoy your birthday festivties,
Michelle Alexandra
Happy Birthday! Hope you are feeling better soon :)
Happy Birthday!
Birthdays aren’t the same as an adult…but it’s still a special and symbolic of life and progress, so I hope you take a few moments to savor your magical day!
I’m so sorry you were sick on your birthday. I had my major back surgery three days before my 31st birthday. That was about the worst.
Hope you feel better soon!
Aww, thanks for the concern but you know as a mom, the show must (and does) go on.
And sadly, I remember your back surgery ordeal like it was….yesterday. Nothing could be worse than back surgery as a birthday “present”. Ugh! Thank goodness that’s behind you!
Happy Birthday!! I am so sorry you’re sick, but hopefully you’ll feel better soon! My 24th birthday was a comedy of errors, but ended up being on of my best. Also – just tried Counter in NYC tonight with my step-sis and it was delicious!
happy birthday! i’m sorry you’re sick, but your husband is right, you don’t look it! beautiful farmers’ market pics. i love the one with those perfect red tomatoes.
Happy birthday Averie!! I haven’t commented before but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday and say that I hope you feel better soon. I really enjoy your recipes and your photography is great too.