Everyone…wish my grandmother a very happy birthday!
Last week I planned a surprise visit to come to Georgia to be with her on her birthday. I cleared my Monday and Tuesday calendar and drove down yesterday to surprise her!
I left on Monday morning. It’s a little less than 4 hours to get down here so I passed the time listening to an audio book, Jennifer Weiner’s Fly Away Home.
I stopped at the grocery on my way in to get stuff for dinner and brunch and then arrived at her house with flowers and a cake that afternoon. She was very surprised!
I think Sam was pretty surprised too!
I whipped up a feta, shrimp and asparagus pasta dish for dinner.
I sauteed asparagus, portobello mushrooms, diced tomatoes, onion and shrimp. I deglazed the pan with chicken stock and then used the leftover feta dip that I made for the cookout as a sauce (it was just a puree of feta, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic). I finished it off with some fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese and the dish turned out great!
A birthday dinner is not complete without cake and candles! I baked a lemon cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting on Sunday night and it make the trip to Georgia with me. The fact that it was the hottest day of the year to date did not do the cake any favors in transport but it’s the thought that counts, right?
I slept like a rock last night. Up and at em this morning making birthday brunch (including homemade cinnamon rolls!!!), heading out for a short run and hanging out before I have to head back to Charlotte. A quick trip but TOTALLY 100% worth it to be here with my Mema!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEMA!!!
Happy birthday, Mema!!! Hope you ladies enjoy your time together! I believe we’re going to hit 80 degrees in middle GA today…WOOHOO!
That is so sweet of you to surprise your grandmother with a visit. I consider my mema my best friend and I know it would absolutely make her day if I surprised her with a visit, a meal, and a cake!
Beautiful gesture!! Very worth it for your mema!!!!
That is so sweet. My Grandma was cool and fun like you Mema and I miss her everyday. I’m so glad you got to celebrate her birthday with her. Happy Birthday Mema!!
That was so incredibly thoughtful of you! It brought a tear to my eye it was so sweet. I miss my grandmother so much! What a treasure grandmothers are! 🙂
so, so sweet! Happy Birthday to Mema!
Happy Birthday MEMA! OMG you made her some delicious food!! Such an amazing granddaughter!
Happy Birthday grandmother! What a priceless gift. I am sure she was overjoyed to have you.
What a sweet birthday surprise. Happy birthday to your grandmother. She’s a beaut!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEMA! So sweet of you to surprise her. That dinner looks absolutely delicious…even at 9am. 😉
Happy Birthday! What a sweet surprise for your grandmother. It looks like you made her very happy. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your MEMA! It was so thoughtful of you to take the trip and surprise her.
By the was can you give the recipe for the no bake cookie from yesterday, and todays lemon cake/icing recipe?
I would love to try them.
I enjoy your blog. I am also an exercise enthusiast, especially Yoga, and like reading your workouts.
Happy birthday to her!
Birthday surprise are the best and I’m sure she is so grateful for your company and all those delicious eats! Isn’t it nice how we can sleep like a rock in family member’s homes. It’s like a whole different experience. I think it is because we feel so safe and literally “at home”. Enjoy your time down there and safe travels back!
wow – that pasta looks incredible! So sweet that you went to see your Grandma!
That’s so sweet! Happy Birthday to her! Life gets so hectic, it’s awesome that you took the time to be able to free your schedule and get away and spoil her a little.
So sweet! I wish I lived closer to my grandma and could surprise her for her birthday 🙂 That pasta also sounds INSANELY good! Happy Birthday to your Grandma!
What a great surprise! I am sure you made her day 🙂
Happy Birthday to your beautiful grandma! I have a close relationship with my grandma (we call her Nana) and I love seeing your posts about Mema! Enjoy your time together!
Happy Birthday to your dear Grandmother! I know your surprise made her day! You are a radiant beam of light! Blessings!
So sweet!!! I miss my grandmothers sooooo much and think about them often. I lost them both within the past few years.
I am driving home (to B’ham) this weekend to help throw my sister a surprise B’day party!! So excited.
Happy birthday Mema!
Happy Birthday, Mema!! I am sure that surprise visit made her month, if not more. I know that visits with my YiaYia give her just a little bit more energy and make her so happy!
Happy Birthday Mema. What a wonderful granddaughter to put her life on hold and pop in for a surprise birthday visit. You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful family.
i feel so blessed!