birthday weekend

What's worse than being sick on your birthday?

The entire family being sick.

But just when I was starting to feel really pathetic and sorry for myself, these arrived on my doorstep:

Thanks, Rachael

And a lot of family and friends called with well-wishes, and there were even a few cards and packages in the mail. It really did make my day to hear from all of you, so thanks and thanks again.

The birthday package from my in-laws included some daffodil bulbs, and the weather this weekend was mild enough to get them in the ground.
A little time outside did all of us some good.

Especially this guy, who is finally on the mend.

My mom took us all out to breakfast at Mimi's. It was the most food I'd eaten in over a week, and it was wonderful.

For my birthday dinner, I made this Thai Steak Salad Over Soba Noodles from Cynthia Lair's Feeding the Whole Family, except I didn't make it until Sunday because none of us felt up to eating it Saturday night.

And for my birthday dessert, I wanted cherry pie because I love it and Gabriel hates it, so this is the only day each year I can make it without any complaints. But because cherries are clearly out of season, I had to go with a frozen variety, and all I could find were frozen bing cherries at our not-so-favorite big box store. I followed this recipe from Everyday Food Magazine, and it was good even if it lacked the flavor a sour cherry pie would have delivered. Not to worry, a scoop of real vanilla ice cream makes everything palatable. Yes, I have been testing how much dairy River can handle. A little cheese here, a dollop of ice cream there. So far, so good.


So now it's Tuesday, and Liam is back to his usual self, which means I am scrambling to keep up with him. I, however, seem to have come down with a sinus infection, so I still feel rotten. My doctor called in a prescription for me this afternoon, so I should start feeling better soon. One can always hope, right?

And the hero of the past couple of weeks, my mom, has come down with the flu, but since she had clearly been exposed, she is on Tamiflu and already feeling remarkably better.

And Gabriel, finally home from his business trip, has a bad chest cold. So the sickness saga continues.

Don't you just love January?