Nothin dirrrty about it

So that happened.
I turned 30.  I am now 30.  Finally.  Being a professional, a home owner, a wife, a mother (whoa) never felt right following "twenty-something."  I have been looking forward to 30.  I love 30.  Granted, the dirtiest thing about my turning the dirty thirty is most likely the pureed pea-induced poopy diapers I clean on the regular, but it was still a fantastic birthday.

peas on their way in (and much enjoyed)

My dear friend, Leah, threw me a 30th birthday party. We spent the day running subjects for a study, and therefore our fantastic culinarily gifted friends made all of the food and brought drinks.  We sat out on her back deck, had a little fire and made s'mores (which started the downward sugar spiral...mmmmmm). A perfect fall soiree.

note her hand going for my wine

who me? Im not doing anything!

My friend John made this cake!  It was chocolate upon buttery chocolate with a light vanilla icing with cracked black pepper- killer!

more cake!

voice center contingency- Adrianna, VyVy back from Maryland, and my boss, Clark

Melonie, me!, our neighbor Osei, and the lovely hostess, Leah

Kaleab (of toddler, Hannah, fame) & Reg

more neighbors! Osei and newly fianced, Deneka

Mrs. Helou, Uma's legs, Mel

marshmallows are totally vegan.  The always incredible, Leah L.  Check her out at www.brazenkitchen.com

Inadvertently not pictured- Kate & Nick Stoltzfus, Jason & Alaina Newell, Jesse Studer, Alyssa & the aforementioned darling Hannah, .

 *****

3 people on my block (including myself) have September birthdays, so we celebrated with a backyard birthday brunch potluck the next morning.

10.5 people can actually dine in our tiny backyard

 on to the food photos!

baked berry french toast

sausage rolls

pistachio macaroon torte from Food Glorious Food- best cake bakers in the city, and conveniently (for my taste buds, not my waist line) located a few blocks away in Highland Park.

egg souffles

spicy potatoes

salad

mimosas!