Birthday Activity

My birthday this year was great.  Aside from the whole turning 30 thing!!   We stayed out at camp the night before.  Waking up in the morning at camp with a view of the lake,  and the smell of fresh quiche,  is a good feeling.

Cooking quiche in muffin tins makes for easy portions

Sticky bun birthday cake

 The biggest reason that I wanted to stay at the lake the night before,  was so that the morning of my birthday,  I could go out fishing.

 The boys were very excited that they had "installed" a pool thermometer to check water temperature.

"Daddy,  go check the temperature to see if we can go swimming"

I lean over to check the reading,  and feel a shove!!!

note that they are even mocking me!!

Jumping in was easier than facing the "Wrath of Daddy"

I didn't catch any fish,  so I had to settle for a different lunch.   Fresh garden tomatoes, cracked pepper triscuits,  and sliced up sharp cheese.

We spent the evening having dinner at the in-laws,  where I listened to the worst version of "Happy Birthday" I have ever heard,  and yet,  I loved it!!

How to Ripen Tomatoes

So that perfect tomato you have been watching fell off the vine,  but wasn't quite ready to pick yet!  Or maybe your "garden helpers" picked a few less than red beauties.

NO PROBLEM!!

All they really need now that they have stopped growing is some sun.

Simply place the orangy tomato on the window sill,  and rotate every few days so a different side faces outward.

In less than a week you will have beautiful ripe red tomatoes!

Enjoy!

Portland Brew Festival

For my 30th birthday,  which was actually yesterday,  My wife got me tickets to the Portland Brew Festival.

Down on the Portland Maine waterfront,  there is an old warehouse style building which had all the vendors and brewers lined the walls.   You get your glasses and drink tickets at the door,  then just try anything that you want.  

Some brewers are quite serious

                 You get a booklet where you can keep track of the beers you have tried and what you think.   This was great for me,  one because I love trying new beers,  and two,  because I like to keep notes on the beers that I try anyway!!

Mead

My sample being poured

The note reads,  "worst of the day, tastes like tires, DUMPED"

                 

I was just a little happy.

By the end of the day,  I had sampled almost 40 beers,  and found some new favorites.   Bringing your pregnant wife to a beer tasting gets some odd looks,  but she was a great sport,  AND a free designated driver.