Things have been hectic in our family. My grandfather has been going through a health crisis and in November finally got a concrete diagnosis -- Stage 4 lymphoma. He had his first round of chemo the week of Thanksgiving and is tolerating it well. But, of course, Mom has been wrapped up (emotionally and physically) in care of Abou and said that we would just not worry about her birthday this year. Dad and I secretly said "not so fast" to that and planned a surprise ladies' night out with some of her friends.
We sent an evite and invited about fifteen of her closest friends to my house for heavy appetizers and cocktails on her actual birthday night. We got a great response and Dad, Allison and I got to planning the menu.
Mom started to get suspicious the day before her birthday but we easily threw her off the trail. We surprised her with Magic Muffins, decorations, and her cute grandsons at work the morning of her birthday. She said "so this is what you've been up to." Ha!
While it would have been ideal to truly surprise Mom, we just didn't think we could pull it off and have all of the food hot and ready for our guests. (Buck was unfortunately out of town for work so I really needed Dad around to help!) So, Mom and Dad came over to my house to get Mom's present from the boys. She saw the house all decorated in gorgeous tulips and old pictures of her and clearly a party about to happen. Dad told her she would have to leave him at my house so he could help get ready for her birthday party and she needed to go home and get ready. She was dumbstruck! And speechless (NEVER EVER happens)!
Ben, Allison and I frantically finished up the odds and ends while Dad got the grill going. When the guests arrived, Mom excitedly greeted them (we didn't tell her who was coming) and they enjoyed wine, cranberry margaritas, homemade cheese biscuits, and homemade spiced nuts. After some visiting time, we set out the main food: bacon wrapped shrimp, grilled and served with Thai dipping sauce; grilled pork tenderloin with yeast biscuits and horseradish sauce; grilled vegetables; cranberry-orange cheese ball with crackers; baked brie with apples and ginger snaps; hot spinach salsa dip with corn chips. Everyone enjoyed dinner, which was a relief considering we tried lots of new recipes!
After dinner I quickly headed to Lulu's to pick up my boys so they could help sing to Mimi and pass out dessert (Steel City Pops! -- Mom's favorite and perfect for her gluten-free, dairy-free diet). They were so excited to sing to Mimi and put on quite the show.
It was a great night celebrating a fabulous wife, mother, grandmother and friend. I hope it is a night Mom remembers forever.
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