5/8/11

"Happy" Days

We celebrated a week of "Happys" this week.  We started with Mae's birthday.  Then moved on to my birthday.  When Sue and I walked, she presented me with this precious gift:


If this makes no sense to you, you'll need to read my original post about the "Weenie Award."  She also gave me two little mocha cakes that tasted delicious with my afternoon cup of espresso. 

Yesterday was Mike's birthday, and I made him his favorite dinner.  On the menu were:

Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip
Spinach, Bacon, and Apple Salad
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Tart Green Beans with Bacon
Prime Rib
Orange Sunshine Cake



I've been making these green beans for about 30 years now.  A family friend made them in a similar way, and I fiddled with different combinations until I happened on this one.

Tart Green Beans with Bacon

1 pound green beans -- washed, stemmed, stringed, and broken
4 slices bacon -- cut in 1/2" pieces
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
4 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper

Boil green beans in salted water until tender.

Meanwhile, fry bacon in a skillet until lightly browned. Add remaining ingredients to skillet and bring to a boil.

Drain cooked beans. Pour bacon mixture over beans and toss lightly together.

These can be made a day ahead.  They are actually better if they are allowed to sit refrigerated over night to blend the flavors. 

Erik and Mae joined us for dinner last night.  It was a combined celebration for birthdays and Mother's Day.  They brought me an artichoke plant they dug from their garden.  (Cool!)  And they also brought this lovely bouquet for Mother's Day.


It's always so nice to be remembered.

Today the Barefoot Quilt Festival is going on at the Jenkins Estate, which is an historic mansion nearby.  We're just getting packed up and ready to go as I write this.  I'll tell you more about it and post some pictures later.

2 comments:

Mommarock said...

I like how you snuck in that it was your birthday.. Just a teensy little mention ... then on to something else.. LOL.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY~~~

Kate said...

Happy Birthday!
Happy Mother's Day!