Birthday Pancakes a day late...

What's better than birthday pancakes on your birthday? Birthday pancakes the day after your birthday; it's like celebrating your birthday two days in a row! Well, that's how I justified the fact that I was a day late surprising Michael with his birthday pancakes.We'll also forget the fact that some of them were a little burnt. In the past 3 years, I've always made Michael a birthday cake on his birthday, but this year, thanks to Pinterest, I decided to switch things up and make him birthday pancakes. :) 

Maybe it's the little girl in me, but I never want birthdays to become "another day" as you get older. Because of this, I love making my friends and families birthdays a special day. I mean, a person's birthday only happens once a year! I was so excited to celebrate Michael's birthday in Chicago. We went out to the most amazing, romantic place for dinner, called Geja's Cafe in Lincoln Park. It's a fondue place, with not only an amazing menu but a great atmosphere. It was a little pricey, but if you have a special occasion, I highly recommend this place! 

Until next year :) Happy Birthday Michael! 

Hanging out on the rooftop before taking off for dinner.

In front of our apartment.

I'm a sucker for flowers, so we made a pit stop at the Lincoln Park Conservatory before dinner :)

The birthday boy :)

The most amazing food!

Isn't this the cutest place ever?

Missing Family & Friends

With my family (missing my sister) at Miletta Vista Winery for my birthday.

I've been in Chicago for nearly 2 months and it's been nothing but great; but I can't deny I'm missing my family and friends. One of the reasons I chose to move to Chicago was because it was a quick trip home. Luckily I'll be traveling home mid August to graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with my Master's! But what I'm really anxious for, is to see and spend time with my loved ones. 

(Sadly, Miletta Vista had a tragedy and was burned to the ground by lightning shortly after we visited. Please send prayers to all who were affected.) 

And of course, after my family I'm missing my dear friends. I have to say I'm a pretty lucky girl to have the friends I do. Luckily for Skype, phone calls and Facebook, my friends don't seem near as far away as they are; that is my friends in Nebraska anyway. Below are some photos from my birthday/going away party at James Arthur Vineyard. Funny, I'm beginning to see a theme here with my love of winery's and parties.

My long time best friend!

Birthday Picnic

There’s something about your birthday that just makes you feel extra special. And on May 26,2011, the day could not have been more perfect. With Nebraska weather, you never know how the weather will be (one day it’s 75 and sunny, the next day its 50, rainy, and windy), but God chose to make my birthday the perfect temperature with clear skies, and boy was I thankful!

This called for one a birthday picnic at one of Michael and I’s favorite places: James Arthur Vineyard. We grabbed the pup, some sandwiches, a blanket and headed to the outskirts of Lincoln. We were lucky enough to have the vineyard all to ourselves. 

My favorite wine from James Arthur: Edelweiss

Harley was loving every minute.

I encourage you to venture out the next nice spring or summer day for a picnic. It's really easy, all we did was take some sandwiches, got some wine at the vineyard, grabbed a blanket and we were set! It's fun date idea! 


Later that night, some friends came to grab dinner. It was short notice, so not everyone could make it, but I was thankful to my close friends that could. Especially since Michael and I were taking off for California the next day where I spent the summer interning at an advertising agency! 

Cheers to 23 years old and new adventures!

Xo,

Belinda