37 and Being Thankful

I turned 37 and for the most part I'm so grateful for another birthday because not everyone I know will get the opportunity to celebrate one more birthday.  I actually get sad on Facebook when someone that passed already and a reminder pops up to remind me to post a birthday wish on their wall. 

So I turned 37 and I do feel more mature.  I feel as if my health is stable.  My job is fulfilling, my friends are great and my beau is super sweet. Typical Austin we had a cold front blow in when it was in the 80's just a few days ago.  It appeared it would be a dark and dreary day but I arrived to work to find my office phone ringing and a friend singing happy birthday to me.  I had a voice message that a coworker sang happy birthday to me in both English AND Spanish.  I've never had that happen so that was pretty neat.  I got some gifts from my sweet coworkers and even some gluten free goodies.  (I'll need to blog about that soon.)  It's hard to find gluten free goodies, even in Austin, so it was a nice treat.  I even had flowers delivered to my office.  Even with all that I had a busy day at work that always leave me feeling whole and warm inside.

Dinner was at Uchikos and was amazing as usual.  My two favorite dishes are below:

 Mushroom, basil and peanut works so well together in a roll!  What a great combination of flavors! 

 Best dessert EVER!  I didn't ask if this was gluten free but it was pretty darn amazing and worth the small amount of gluten.  The bottom was layer in a chocolate type of oreo cookie crust.  Then there was a large chocolate ganache, raspberry sorbets, raspberry caviar, microherbs, grapes and then this cream ball. Talk about a party in your mouth!

Saturday was dinner and drinks with my girlfriends at T'jeas and JBlacks. 
Sunday friends picked me up for Catching Fire and the new movie house with yummy food.  I ordered a goat cheese salad, gluten free, and it was pretty amazing.  The company, food and movie were top notch!  


A few weeks prior I had an early celebration with my super sis and we watched Harry Connick Jr. She's my super sis that is 366 days younger than me and she'll never let me live that down. 

Thanksgiving is usually very close on my Birthday or it usually falls on my Birthday. This year I was a whole week ahead but it's always a great time for me to remember why I'm so thankful.  Emotionally it was a roller coaster of a ride but my cancer keeps me grounded.  It makes me appreciate the little things.  It makes me appreciate the innocent.  This is little Hana bear about 1.5 years old.  She's happy as a clam with her croissant.  I'm thankful for her and for my nephews.  I'm thankful for my health and all those that I love.