For 24 years, it's been all about me

I'm 24 years old today. And I have never felt more loved in my life. I could blather on about how I'm blessed with wonderful friends, family, wonderful mother, sister and mother in law and the sweetest husband alive, but I won't.

Instead, I'll show you.

After getting a wonderful kick off from Prudence Pennywise with a delicious chicken salad recipe, I then got spoiled rotten at my in-laws in Shreveport. I got all sorts of goodies, including this fabulous cookbook.


Then, on Friday, dear Libby turned the boring grey world of work into this:



There were streamers everywhere, a crepe paper wrapped monitor and a doorway of pink streamers I christened the "Doorway of Happiness."


Not only that, but I got to prance around in this all day.


Then, Libby and a few of my favorite co-workers took me to lunch at this delicious diner. One of my co-workers even wore a pink shirt because he knew it's my favorite color! And he gave me a large jar of peanut butter, even noting my favorite brand. Peanut butter and pink--the best combination of the world.



When I got home, I had a gift from my friend Marie. She gave me a darling dessert cookbook and this darling pie plate and blackbird!

Oh boy. I better get on the treadmill.

I feel a story idea coming on.

In fact, the little blackbird has been talking to my measuring cup ducks non-stop. I think they both had too much pie.

"And then I told the Blond Duck, "Bake me? Bake you!"

Saturday, I spent the day cleaning for my Princess Pie party that night. That's right ya'll. I'm 24 and I had a princess and pie party. I invited my favorite princesses, and they each brought a pie. My mom and sister came over early to help me set everything up.


We made little peanut butter and jelly and peanut butter, cream cheese and strawberry jelly sandwiches and I made an artichoke cheese dip. With chips. Lots of chips. (Don't worry, I'll post the dip later this week!)



My mom made punch and an apple pie.


She also brought up these cute little crystal plates with matching tea cups she inherited from her mother. Before paper plates, women would use these at bridal showers and parties to add a little special zing to the occasion. I thought they were darling.


My poor sister got stuck on dog duty.



We also made sandwich fixings with wheat rolls. Now Prudy, you'll have to forgive me for not using your chicken salad recipe. But I have a reason. My mother in law is coming down in a month and I need something to knock her socks off with. Being a good Southern woman, she's a chicken salad connoisseur. And as I always say, you never play your full hand. So it will be used! I promise. I just wanted to save it for a great occasion.



After awhile, my dear buddy Candace showed up and brought fresh fruit (she attempted to make us healthy) and a pecan pie (not so healthy.) Sarah and Libby trickled in, each bringing goodies and more pie. Libby brought a spinach dip that was DIVINE!



And then we had this to greet us. Excuse me. I need to get on the treadmill again.



We were happy. We were delighted. We were stuffed to the gills. We needed to burp.



But then it was time for pie.



Being one of great restraint and of a conservative nature, I limited myself to three out of the four pies. Pecan pie, homemade apple crumble pie and coconut cream pie. Let me tell you, I was in heaven. A sugar-coma heaven that made me want to leap through the stars and sing the praises of these glorious pies to the heavens.



Have I mentioned I really liked pie?


After we stuffed ourselves stupid, we waddled to the living room where I opened gifts. Sarah gave me some wonderful glitter spray and a coloring book (I'm really five), Libby gave me a glorious cookbook and a wonderful piece of art.



Sniff, sniff. She knows me so well. I love meat. I love Libby. I love brisket and ribs and steak and hamburgers and bacon and....Oh, sweet heavens. I need to get on the treadmill again.

Then she gave me my favorite of Marie's prints, the little girl leading the chicken. Go to her Etsy shop to see more of her work!

My dear mom, sister, Libby Lou, Marie, fellow princesses, family and Invisible Friends, thank you for making me feel so loved and appreciated. I would have never dreamed at 24 that I would know so many wonderful people that made my toes tingle with happiness and makes me want to dance with joy. Thank you so much, and I hope to make you feel the same on your birthday.




The only person who wasn't having fun was Bitty. She pouted the whole time she wore her crown. But that's no surprise.


She's just mad there's another princess in town.