It's always nice to see something that you put a lot of effort into be successful. There were a few drawbacks, but for the most part it was a good day. I was really sad that Ben wasn't able to make it...he didn't exactly sound pleased either.

I spent the morning cutting up the various things and putting them on plates. I think the presentation was nice, obviously meant for people to pick up their own...so they could be selective as to what they wanted to eat...

The table started out in the middle of the room, but had to be adjusted, to prevent possible tripping over the cord, to keep Holly's Fondue warm.

The White Chocolate Brownies with Dark Chocolate Chips and White Chocolate Ganache, followed by (or maybe trumped by) the Matta's Cocoa Rub and Chocolate Based BBQ Sauce were, I think, the hits of the night (wonderful pork and a great saucy BBQ sauce). I also really enjoyed Tiff's Brown Butter Blondies and Holly's Chocolate Orange Fondue. Though the orange taste of the fondue was very understated...perhaps too understated. For my own preference for simplicity (thought I broke 'em too) I would've had an individual nut piece on each blondie...though knowing how I could, I would've excluded them all together, just because Shannon's not a big fan. But I was still quite happy with everything.

This was also the first night, that people took me seriously and almost everyone brought something. I was thrilled. I had lots of leftovers...most of it being cheese! I love cheese...though I do feel like a worm. I should've let Chris take some of Uncle Wendell's Smoked Cheddar...which was fantastic and I mean fantastic. Just touching it leaves your hands smelling like a good wood smoke...delicious.

In fact, Chris, I am sorry, I will bring you a big chunk on movie night.

Ahhh...I'm still so greedy about food. There is something about being young and fighting over a limited quantity of food. Not that we went hungry, mind you, but it wasn't like we could be leisurely about it and at my core I think it is still there, even though I've fought hard to concentrate more on the goodness, not the quantity...but it's still hard. There is just something about that over full feeling that I can't...it's just hard...I think it's something I'll deal with my entire life. I think I do good most times, all of the left over chocolate things were consumed by our co-workers (all but 3 pieces and a chocolate covered cherry were consumed by lunch time at my office).

My favorite of the night though was the Chocolate Chip Apple Cake with White Chocolate Ganache...which is more an Apple Cinnamon, but even so, it was my favorite. Light chocolate taste, lots of apple and some cinnamon and moist...crumbly moist. So delicious...even today, 2.5 days or so after I made it, it was still moist.

Anyways, it was a good birthday. Scott came up for the first time and saw the house and gave us a nice bottle of wine. I met his girlfriend, and she was nice too. It was nice to see everyone, it's been far to long since we got together with the crew...Patrick also came, and I was able to feed him, which makes me happy...he seemed pleased to have made it, which makes me happy.

Lots of Wii playing, a little bit of game playing. Val has a baby bump now, which was nice to see...it makes it real (They also recently announced on their baby blog that it's a boy!). It was kind of funny cause around memorial day nobody could believe that she was pregnant.

It was probably my best birthday ever...and I had about 2 glasses of wine and a beer...so...

As far as the week building up to my birthday, it was great. No alarm, but excited to get up, to cook to create what I wanted. I was so pumped I actually couldn't sleep. I often woke up even before Shannon's alarm went off to face the day. Make something, take a break, make something else, take a break...start prep for something else. I think I decided that I don't really think that I have the attention to become a chef, but I think I may take a cooking vacation from time to time (sometime even to some other place with someone else to teach the class, rather then me just experimenting).

On Sunday, Joseph and Isaac came up and I fed them samples of all the things that were left...it was fun...afterwards, they played some Wii for a bit, then I sent them home.

Thanks everyone!