Birthday Photodump

Here I am another year older and still equally as bad as I was last year at scheduled blogging (whoops). My birthday was on Thursday and it was a gorgeous summer day in Northern Michigan. I couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate with family. We went wine tasting, which I've pretty much done every weekend in July so far (I'm definitely not complaining!), and ate dinner at North Peak. 

The wine tasting started off at Brengman Brother (I don't have any pictures from there), then moved on to Shady Lane Cellars, and lastly Tandem Ciders. Since we started later in the day and my brother and Katy had a concert to get to we didn't go to that many wineries, but we made them count. Despite the gorgeous tasting room, I wasn't that impressed by Brengman Borthers wines. I'm pretty sure the only wine I did like was from their sister winery in Italy. On the other hand, Shady Lane Cellars was gorgeous and the wine was tasty. I'd definitely go back there again, especially after realizing it's right off of the bike trail. 

Overall it was another wonderful birthday. I'm so thankful for my family and friends.

-S

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my 23rd birthday... never a more appropriate time for this song.

Nobody likes you when you're 23...

I spent the morning downtown. Since it's over 90 degrees and sunny outside I was a puddle of sweat by the time I got down there. I should have taken my mom up on her offer to drive me down. Oh well it was a nice walk anyway and there was a nice wind by the water.

I went to see the Wednesday Classic at the State Theater this morning. Today's movie was The Long Hot Summer with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

They sure made one great couple. On and off the screen.

Well hello there Paul. Seeing this site on the big screen wasn't a bad way to spend my birthday morning. Boy is he attractive in this movie.

I did find it ironic though that I was watching a movie about a 23 year old woman who's father was trying to marry her off because she was getting old. I guess I'm glad I live in a different time and don't have a father like that. Although if I was supposed to marry a man that looked like Paul Newman maybe i wouldn't object.

After the movie I walked over to Horizon Books to get an iced coffee at Cuppa Joe. I'm pretty sure I have gone there every day this week for an iced coffee... so good. I love mine with soy milk and a packet of raw sugar. I sat inside for a bit reading Ender's Game and relaxing before walking back in the heat.

On the way back I stopped by the water. It looked so beautiful today.

Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful summer day!

-S

Birthday Buddies

This may be a little late in the day, with less than an hour left, but today is one of my best friends and birthday buddy's 23rd birthday. My birthday is tomorrow and it's weird not having her around to celebrate. Last year Sam came down to stay with me in Kalamazoo for a few days and we made delicious birthday cake pancakes and Liberty (Cherry Republic's Cherry Sparkling Wine) mimosas. It was one of the best birthday breakfasts I've ever had.

Yum

This was while wine tasting this last spring.

So glad Sam has her dream job, but I miss her dearly. Especially when my parents, grandparents and I all went out for dinner tonight so I could get sushi. There's a restaurant in town that does half off sushi on Tuesday night, so for my bday dinner I requested that option. Man, was it good and so filling tonight. I was stuffed afterwards. Normally I have no problem finishing a whole roll by myself.

Tomorrow should be a pretty relaxing day. I don't have a lot planned other than going to the Wednesday Classic at the State Theater in the morning and birthday cake with the family tomorrow night. Still can't believe I'm going to be 23... when did I get to be an adult?

-S