For my birthday's I like to be around my family and enjoy some of my favorite treats with them. Today was a wonderful birthday which started off at the local Houston I-hop where I got crepes and strawberries (no ice cream today with the drive back I don't need a sugar high :) ). At breakfast, I got a wonderful mushroom cookbook and a book on entertaining with cheese from my parents. With all of our "social engagements" these will definitely come in handy- a cheese and mushroom combo makes a wonderful occasion for both Mark (Mr. cheese lover) and Laura (Ms. mushroom lover). Mark got me a wonderful book we had seen first at the castle in North Carolina called Forgotten Arts and Crafts- it describes how to do things we take for granted every day- just up my alley.

On the road home we saw much countryside and took a detour to swing by a delicious local meat store- the smells of BBQ making us all hungry. After swinging my favorite sandwich shop- Tex-anwiches, for lunch (I wrote down the order of ingredients this time- Schlotskzys just isn't the same) and then took nice relaxing naps. After waking up, Mark and I headed out to visit Half Priced Books down the street (we found a great book for learning German) and picked up some great movies from the local Hastings: Collateral, In good company. Mark was very impressed that Hastings had the two top games on their wall- Settlers of Catan and Carcassone.

For dinner, Dad made the best steak I have had in a long time! I have to get that recipe!! Mom added the best accompaniment for any steak- mashed potatoes & gravy- I really need to practice that delicious gravy too. Needless to say we all had full tummies tonight!!