Birthday Weekend: Part Two

When I woke the Saturday before last, I'd turned forty during the night. Jeffrey brought me a cup of coffee in the Happy Birthday mug. I went to the kitchen for a second cup to find Bella had shredded her doggie bed. There were tiny bits of pale green fluff covering the floor. It was like she was trying to get in on the action so she provided her own confetti.

Pink roses decorated the kitchen. I opened two birthday cards from Jeffrey. Saturday afternoon we headed to Oxford, sipping coffee and nibbling on Mom's sugar cookies on the way.

We parked on the square and I got out my birthday gift: a new camera! It's fancy and also smarter than I am.

It was cold and windy - not an ideal day to be lazing about the square taking pictures. We had not choice, then, but to go upstairs to the City Grocery bar and have a glass of wine. Only they weren't open yet!

That left the haven that is Square Books.

From there we ducked into Ajax Diner. From the sidewalk glancing in it looked warm and cozy. We sat at the bar that was covered in 1977 Carroll County license plates, the old ones with the magnolia on them.

I love that at Ajax old-school Christmas lights are up year 'round, lights with big bulbs of primary colors.

We stayed long enough to have that glass of wine. It was growing dark by the time we left.

The famed courthouse in the center of the square. When I first attempted to take this photo, the lens cap was still on. So it wasn't quite as dark as I thought at first. Doh!

We met my brother and sister in law back in front of Square Books, where they gave me this birthday card:

I dashed into a convenience store restroom to change clothes for dinner. I took time to slowly put on red lipstick.

After looking around online, I had decided on Ravine Restaurant. I was hoping for someplace with soft candlelight and white linen tablecloths that was friendly, not snooty, cozy and inviting. When we walked in there was a fireplace in the middle of the room. Check. Mate.

We had a room to ourselves. The tables were covered with white tablecloths, candles, and low lighting, just as I'd pictured.

Forgive the out of focus photo. New camera!

It was all that I'd hoped for: great friends, delicious food, laughs.

Seared scallops atop a cauliflower puree.

When the waiter read the dessert specials it was like he knew we were coming: chocolate and hazelnut is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Chocolate hazelnut torte was one of the choices. Jeffrey loves coconut - anything coconut. He and I both love creme brulee. The first dessert the waiter listed was a coconut creme brulee. Delectable dessert with a cup of fresh coffee surrounded by friends - it was wonderful.

We hugged our friends goodbye. On the drive home I thought about the night, the entire weekend. Magical was the word that came to mind. What an incredible birthday.