Big birthday

Cooling off on the couch after the Redbirds game

Today I turned 30. And, honestly, it feels really good. No fears of aging here!

My mom and dad came down yesterday. Mom and I went to a Viking Culinary Institute cooking class while the guys and Caroline did some shopping at Sportsman's Warehouse. The cooking class was about grilling techniques and it was fantastic. The food we made was incredible - bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp; glazed chicken drummettes with 2 dipping sauces; zucchini, prosciutto roulades; tomato, goat cheese, basil grilled sandwiches; and grilled pound cake with caramel rum sauce. I can't wait to try out some of the recipes myself! You're all invited to the grilling party!

Today we went to church, where I had many well-wishes from dear friends. And as we were driving downtown to a seafood restaurant I love, we saw there was a Redbirds game this afternoon. So instead of going for fried shrimp (which, believe me, was a tough sacrifice for this lowcountry girl!), we ate a quick lunch at home and then headed to Auto Zone park to catch the game. The Redbirds won, which makes it even more fun.

We came home, relaxed, had more cake, and opened cards and gifts. Caroline had some definite ideas about what I should get. She told Daddy she wanted to get me a cake, candles, and a fork. And that's exactly what I got. Mimi helped out and brought the cake. Kevin took her to Pier One, where she picked out two lovely candles and a really pretty salad serving set. So sweet...

I've been richly blessed this past year. Actually, I've been richly blessed for 30 years. God has been so good to me. It is comforting to know He will continue to bless me. This verse is my prayer for myself today.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
-Psalm 23:6