Birthday Weekend

What a fun weekend we had! The weather was fantastic. perfect. unbeatable. unbelievable. amazing. did I say perfect? Sunday the high was 68. Saturday the high was 68. Both days were gorgeously sunny with not a cloud to be found; it was icing on my birthday cake!

Sandals and green grass!
Sandals and green grass!

Our weekend started on Friday, which was absolutely gorgeous. Alex had intended on biking to and from work on Friday, as a way to get in some extra miles for his training, but he got a flat tire and didn’t have an extra replacement tube, so he was out of luck. I couldn’t resist going for a run on Friday and I ran my longest distance since I’ve gotten back into it – 3.5 miles! The evening started with a fun dinner at Cactus, a Mexican restaurant in Madison Park, with Jamie and Chris. Alex had a couple margaritas while I had my first mojito of the season. Alex and Jamie went out in Capitol Hill after dinner, but knowing we had a full day of wine drinking ahead of us, I went home early.

The weekend continued on Saturday with our friend Mary’s 30th birthday party! Her husband arranged a party bus that drove us to and around Woodinville and dropped us off at some of the wineries.

Getting our wine education at Brian Carter Cellars
Getting our wine education at Brian Carter Cellars

We started the wine tour at Brian Carter Cellars in the Tourist District, then headed to the newer Warehouse District and tasted wine at Sparkman Cellars, Guardian and Patterson.

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I had been to all but Guardian before, and still loved Patterson, but Brian Carter did grow on me this time around. Perhaps it was their south-facing patio overlooking the valley, Mount Rainier and the sunshine?

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After the wine tour we went back to Mary and Ryan’s and continued the celebration! There were quite a few people who came out for the occasion and it was a nice opportunity to catch up with some of our good friends.

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All day Sunday was spent outside. I lingered on the front porch as long as I could while Alex was out on a quick 25 mile bike ride, then Alex mowed and trimmed the grass and we walked up the block for a couple drinks at Bottlehouse, our beloved neighborhood wine bar.

Birthday coffee in the sunshine on our front porch
Birthday coffee in the sunshine on our front porch

 

I had two Spring Thymes (prosecco with raspberries and a sprig of thyme) and Alex had a Shandy or two and we sat outside on the patio and soaked up as much sun as possible.

Spring Thyme at BH
Spring Thyme at BH

Mary and Ryan came over to our house and we shared a couple bottles of wine on our patio, then went to dinner together at Restaurant Bea. I continue to be impressed by Restaurant Bea every time we go – it is always consistent and fantastic. I think each of us ate every last bite of our meal!

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All in all, it was a wonderful birthday, but the highlight for me truly was the weather. Thanks to my friends and family for making it such a great day!

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