Celebrating Husband's Birthday

Thank you, Lord, for another birthday to celebrate together, and for all the blessings and lessons learned this past year.  We love you and praise you!

This was my husband's first birthday after we got married.  I wanted to do something special and AMAZING for him, that our humble budget would allow for (that means no $5000 road bike).  After a lot of thinking and planning (and some last minute running around town), I think I pulled it off!

  

Here are some of the things I did to make him feel special all day! :o)

1.  Birthday Playlist~
Some of his favorite energizing songs, so he can start the day
listening to his very own birthday soundtrack!  And I put these songs on a CD,
so he can continue listening to it on his way to work.

2.  Take Husband out for Lunch
Something about picking your husband up from their work place,
greeting them with baked sweets and taking them to their favorite place for lunch,
makes them REALLY HAPPY.

3.  Baked Sweets~

Cupcakes from Society Bakery

They always have a charity promotional going on. 

At the time, if you took in an unworn child pajama set, 

you could get 6 free cupcakes!

4.  Festive Helium Balloons
It doesn't matter how old you are,
helium balloons always put a smile on your face~
especially if they are only a dollar each!
Go to any Dollar Tree, and you can find helium balloons for any occasion!

5.  Birthday Dinner
Braised steak with Potatoes and Broccoli

6.  More Cupcakes!

Finish off the evening with more dessert!

7.  The Present!

My husband is an avid coffee drinker.  He manually grinds his own coffee, 

and brews it with an Aero Press (his favorite wedding gift!), EVERY MORNING.  

To expedite his coffee making process, without compromising the flavor~ 

my family and I got him an automatic bur grinder, with some of his favorite coffee 

(found at Whole Foods)! 

Cilantro!

"Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation; seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.'  And it was so.  And God saw that IT WAS GOOD."  Genesis 1:11-12

It seems like people either LOVE cilantro, or they hate it.  I remember my first experience with cilantro, when eating Pho for the first time about 11 years ago, and thought, "WHAT is that?"  Not being accustomed to its distinct scent and flavor, I initially steered clear of it.  But after I started noticing its flavor profile in my favorite Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes, I quickly began to develop a taste for it.  The next thing I, well my husband, knew~ I was adding it to almost every meal :o)  The great thing about cilantro, is that you can purchase a bunch for less than a buck (details on how I store it below)!  

Here are some simple dishes (will post recipes soon!!) that I enhanced with one of my favorite ingredients~ Cilantro! 

White Chicken Chili

More white chicken chili

Fideo~ Mexican Spaghetti (Mrs. Marcela Garza's recipe)

Corn Tortilla Classic Taco

Roast Beef Potato Omelet

Turkey Feta Crepe

Korean Beef Patty Salad

Thai Cilantro Chicken

Grilled Chicken with Pico de Gallo

How I store Cilantro:

With the hot and dry Texas weather, cilantro is not the easiest herb to grow, especially since it prefers cool temperatures and plenty of water.  Until I figure out the best way to grow and maintain it, purchasing a fresh bunch at the grocery store is CHEAP and easy!  I've tried many different ways to make the cilantro last longer, and this method seems to be working pretty well.  These pictures were taken about 10 days after purchase~ and the cilantro was still fresh!  I wrap it in a damp paper towel, and as shown in the pictures, just place it in a container (I used a bread pan) and cover with plastic wrap.  And then store it in the refrigerator.  It's important that the cilantro stays covered so it retains its moisture, otherwise it will shrivel up and dry out.  Before serving it, always give it a good rinse!  It goes really well with lime and onions!!