GLOW

I felt so blessed this year on my birthday. Last week, I traveled down to Virginia and North Carolina to celebrate my lovely stepmum, Mary-Anne's birthday, which was only a couple of days before my own. I originally planned to be back home in Boston for my own birthday, but due to frigid temperatures on the upper east coast, I decided to stay behind and celebrate with my family. My dad and I tried to think of the last time we had been together on my birthday, and the most realistic guess we could come up with was 11 years ago on my 17th birthday. Amazing. 

The day before my birthday, Mary-Anne said that for my birthday, she wanted me to select some of my recipes so that she could cook me dinner. My eyes lit up, and after a few, "Are you sure? I don't want to put you out,"'s, I gratefully accepted. I printed up some of my recipes, and we went to the grocery store together the next day to procure ingredients. It was a little nerve-wracking for me to witness for the first time someone following my own recipes! I was curious to see how clear my instructions were, and especially curious to see how well someone who was unfamiliar with many of the ingredients and methods used could understand them. She did an absolutely wonderful job, though, and blessed me with a wonderful birthday feast! This is the only time in the past year or so that I have been able to eat everything on the dinner table when outside of my own home. Triumph again! Here's what was on the menu:

Wild Alaskan Salmon (perfectly cooked by my sweet brother, Trinn)

Steamed Broccolini

And I couldn't resist making some of my Cashew Tahini ice cream for dessert. I will share the tasty Sweet Potato Gratin recipe with you very soon.