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Birthday Stuff :)

Okay, So….. my actual birth “day” was over a week ago- but around here, I try to drag it out as long as possible! ;) A “birthday week” if you will! :)

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December 3rd – Birthday week has officially begun! ;) Kevin got me these earrings and a leather jacket. And Love Actually and It’s a Wonderful Life on Blu-Ray. :) Love “Love Actually”! We watched it this weekend. :)

Cake #1 – This is the cake the restaurant brought out! :) Warm Chocolate Fudge Cake (OMG, it *was* so warm. And fudgy. :D) with vanilla bean ice cream. :)

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Birthday week continues! Cake #2….. Ice Cream Cupcakes!!! These are from my favorite, favorite, favorite ice cream place in town- Maggie Moo’s! :) There were some with chocolate cake too, but those disappeared before I could get a pic. :blush: You could get anything mixed in the ice cream… I got one with twix, one with cookie dough, and one with brownies. :D

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The day after my birthday… It SNOWED!! :) It never, ever, *ever* snows here at our house. Seriously! We live in such a valley, and it can be snowing every where else around us, and we only get like a tiny flurry that never sticks. I think we’ve lived here 6 years and this is the most snow we’ve seen! On my birthday weekend! :)

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After playing in the snow everybody came inside and huddled together for warmth. :)

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Me and my honey- together we have lost a combined total of 60 lbs! :) I am so proud of us! :)

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There are a few little puppies around here who are ready for Christmas!! :)

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If Miley and Howie sent out Christmas cards… this would be it! :)

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And I’ll leave you with this…. :) Oh my gosh. This is the ULTIMATE layered cookie treat!! :) It’s a chocolate chip cookie, stacked on top of a peanut butter cookie, stacked on top of a double chocolate cookie, and finally, stacked on top of a sugar cookie. It’s insanely rich and delicious. Upon tasting this, Kevin declared, “I know what I want for my birthday next year!!!” :) I got this recipe from Jenny from Picky Palate– she says to bring these to “your next party or gathering and watch them disappear!” And she was right! We went to a Christmas party last week and I brought these- there were probably 100 people there and everyone brought something. There was a HUGE table of desserts!!! These ultimate mega-stacked cookies were the first to disappear!! And at the end of the night- my serving dish was the only empty one!! :)

Happy Holidays! :)

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71 Responses
  1. Michelle

    We are both Dec babies, mine was 10th though I was protesting it this year…lol Looks like you had a awesome birthday week what a lucky lady you are. And love the new hair cut, you look so pretty.

  2. ginger

    Amanda – first of all, Happy Late Birthday to you!
    I absolutely love your website and have gotten so many ideas from you. I just made the layered cookie bars, and oh my gosh!!!!!!!! they are delicious – I can’t stop eating them!!!! I wish I could eat them all before my husband gets home so I don’t have to share, but I’ll be nice and save him at least one;)
    Thanks for all of your ideas, recipes, and for helping to turn me on to other cool websites and blogs!

  3. http://onehappinessinlife.blogspot.com/

    You look amazing!! And I LOVE your hair, it looks great! By the way, how in the world do you get your dogs to take such wonderful pictures? I am so jealous!

  4. abby

    i SWEAR i think we have cat twins.! lol(: but it’s sooo ture.!! our cats could literally be twins it’s kinda scary.! haha. && happyyyy b-dayy,!

  5. Kathy

    I immediately noticed your cute new haircut! LOVE IT! I think it’s time for me to schedule an appointment with my stylist now :) So glad you had a great birthday week!

  6. Valery Bunnell

    Hi Amanda!

    Love your blog!!

    Can you give me a brief answer on the settings you have on your camera for taking such good outdoor pictures? The lighting is always so perfect. What’s the secret?

    I also want to know how you get the christmas tree (im assuming thats a christmas tree) lights to look the way they do behind the dogs. What’s your secret for that?

    Hope you read this. I’m going crazy trying to figure out my canon.

  7. Randa

    Happy Birthday week!
    Your pics are just amazing. I am hoping to improve mine soon…heading to a photography weekend retreat in February. If my pics could look this good I would be a happy, happy girl!!
    Will be trying the recipe. Thanks for sharing! I have my all-time fav on my blog right now….www.randapospisil.blogspot.com

  8. Rebecca

    I love the birthday stuff! Too sweet, I think next year the two beautiful puppies should send out their christmas cards with the picture with it. Absolutley adorable!

  9. Anna

    Happy Belated Birthday – it looks like it was a good one. Congrats on the weight loss as well – you both look great.

    One question – I am always jealous of your pictures (the ones of you and kevin together), how do you take them, or do you have a personal papparazi that travels with you???

  10. edy B

    Nice Birthday! You two look great and love the photos of the furries!
    The cake(s)are very tempting and yummy looking. Not too much cake … you’re both doing great with the weight!
    Merry Merry

  11. Jenny M

    I started following your blog recently and your comment about Birthday Week made me laugh. Before I got married, my roommates and I instituted Birthday Hanukkah because by the time you celebrate your birthday with everyone you want to it usually stretches out into a whole week or more. So Happy Birthday Hanukkah!

  12. Colby

    First and foremost, Happy Belated Birthday to you! Looks like you had a wonderful time (with the snow and all of those birthday treats!) Also, love the new haircut. That length looks great on you. Last but not least, what setting did you use on your camera to get the pics of Miley and Howie in front of the tree? Fabulous pics!

    Hope you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas!

  13. Kimberly Ellis

    Amanda (and Kevin),
    You look great! Congratulations on the weight loss! I just LOOOVE your site and look forward to your posts. I teach at a community college in Mississippi & one of my students submitted her handwriting a few weeks ago (Laci). We use your fonts in my Desktop Publishing class! :) I hope to see her CUTE handwriting as a font on your website someday.
    Thanks for all that you do!
    Kimberly

  14. Tami

    Happy belated Birthday!! I like your style. I do the same thing…dragging it out as long as I can. It makes them more fun. Way to go on the weight loss. I was down 37 pounds on my birthday last month (11/17)and love it!!

    Have a great Christmas and enjoy the snow!!

  15. Coleen

    t h r e e t h i n g s…

    thing1: happy birthday! thing2: you cut your hair!! very cute! and thing3: you keep losing weight and you keep posting fabulous dessert recipes…. uhhhh… you must be a pro at just nibbling!

  16. tami

    happy belated! i bet you loved playing in the snow, I am from Utah & we get excited every first snow fall!! Love it! Congrrats on the weight lost too, I read your weight loss story & never had a chance to say good job! You guys look great!!Once I am done having babies (as we are on our last one which was a BIG surprise esp since we thought we were done & esp since we have a 10month old) I am soo on the same path. At least I did loose my prior pregnancy weight but still always hung onto that last 5 to 10 lbs that I could never get off thru out all my pregnanies. So after this little tike I am on it!! Congrats again!

  17. Amy Johnson

    I know I’m just repeating many above comments, but I really do love the haircut…and you guys look great! I lost 50 1b about four years ago…and then gained about 35 back! : P I am beginning my weight loss journey again, and reading about yours helps. So, thanks. : ) Happy Belated Birthday!

  18. Michelle

    Amanda….and Kevin too, Congrats to the both of you on your weight loss. I too have lost 22 and it has been a struggle, but boy o boy, do I ever feel good!
    And also, I wish a very Happy Birthday and many, many, many more!!

  19. Janet

    Happy Birthday to you! Your doggies are so cute. How did you get them to pose like that? My little doggie wouldn’t hold still long enough!! I have tried those cookire bars to and they were wonderful. Everyone LOVED them. Thanks Picky-palate!!

  20. Kweta

    Happy Birthday week!!! I love, love, love the 1st picture of you two!! And congratulations on your weight loss!! And I have never heard of ice cream cupcakes but I have got to find a recipe on the web….they look awesome. And kudos to your romantic husband for spoiling you on your birthday! Merry Christmas from Kweta, NC, USA

  21. Jessica Hills

    Sounds like you had a great birthday week! Congratulations on your weight loss- you both look amazing! Thanks for all the great things you offer on your blog – I love all of your fonts!

  22. Sarah

    Hi Guys!

    I am so proud of both of you, too!!! You guys look great! I wanted to ask you what kind of camera you had because all of your pictures just turn out so wonderfully! I can *never* get my pictures to turn out like yours do! I would so appreciate it! Keep up the good work, give kisses to pets!

  23. rachel in Cali.

    H
    Ha
    Hap
    Happ
    Happy
    Happy B
    Happy Bi
    Happy Bir
    Happy Birt
    Happy Birth
    Happy Birthd
    Happy Birthda
    Happy Birthday
    Happy Birthday!
    Happy Birthday!!

    Mine is this month too! :0)

  24. Jennifer

    Ha! Your “birthday” post arrived in my inbox on MY birthday! Happy Birthday to you! You guys look great and your weight loss story inspired me. I’m tackling it now myself….what a hard time of year though! But worth it. Thank you!!!

  25. Jenny Flake

    Happy Happy Birthday!! So glad you enjoyed those crazy layered cookie bars, we love them at my house too!! Thanks for sharing my recipe with your readers :) Have a great night!

  26. Sandy_in_MD

    A very happy, belated birthday! Congrats to both of you on your weight loss – you should be very proud. Love the photos, especially Miley and Howie in their sweaters!

  27. Danis

    Happy Birthday Amanda! Today is my birthday and I like to celebrate for at least a week! Loved all of your pictures. I don’t think I got any cake that looked that good tho! Congrats on your weight loss! You look great!

  28. Pati

    Happy Birthday! What a good week to celebrate! My bday was the 4th : ). You all look great in the pics! Funny how you post that the 2 of you have lost 60 lbs, then you post pics of some awfully yummy looking desserts! Great job, all the more to celebrate! Love the pics of the animals, they are cuties!

  29. heather

    Ii like to stretch by birthdays out as long as possible too!! Oh, and your cat is precious, but maybe I am a little biased. I had a beautiful cat that looked almost EXACTLY like yours for 9 wonderful years. Seeing your furry baby makes me think of my Gizmo! Hope you had a great birthday!

  30. Lorrie

    Happy Birthweek! Looks like you had an amazing week. Gifts, snow, furbabies and your hubby. That last photo was just sinful….those cookies look AMAZING! :)

  31. Jennie Larsen

    Amanda~ you and the hubs look great! How do you stay thin w/ all the treats, and birthday cake? Darling doggie sweaters, pictures too…. heck…. all of it. Loved my visit!

  32. Sweet Simplicity

    Your pictures are always amazing, but I am in LOVE with the dog pictures with the lights in the background. You should do a tutorial on how to take a pic like that. :)

  33. Regina

    Happy Belated Birthday!!!

    I am such a cake lover. Those cakes look so delicious. And those cookies… Mmmm. I will have to try those myself. I love the pics of your dogs they are so adorable.

  34. Laura

    Wow, congrats you two on all the wieght loss! You both look great and Happy Birthday. I just wanted to say..that’s some AWESOME bokeh in your shots of Howie and Miley!!

  35. Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous!

    Happy (late!) Birthday, Amanda! You look beautiful in your pictures!

    Would you ever consider doing a post about how you met (and fell in love with) your husband? In every picture you put up of the two of you, it just seems like you’re SO in love. I’m a single girl out there in the dating world and I’d just love to know your story. I have a feeling it would encourage me not to give up that there’s someone out there. :)

  36. Courtney

    You all look fantastic, congrats on losing all of that weight!

    What kind of camera do you use? Those pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!!

  37. Jaimie

    First, Happy Birthday!
    Second, OMG to all those treats!
    Third, you guys look great! I saved your weight loss post for my bf- he really wants to lose some weight and I thought your “plan” was great, so thanks for that!

  38. Barb in FL

    Howie and Miley are adorable! I’m glad that you had such a wonderful birthday week…and the snow, what a delight! The cookies…I’ll have to try, they look yummy! Thanks for sharing!

  39. Kalicia R. Beasley

    Hey, congratulations on the weight loss! You look great! Happy birthday! My daughter always has a birthday month! Celebrate life is too short!

  40. Lea Culp

    Have so enjoyed becoming a part of your “blog family.” Looks like you had a wonderful birthday. Good for you! And, congratulations on the weight loss, that’s something to be proud of. All the best!

  41. tchrtiff

    Happy Belated Birthday! You look fabulous! Love the new hairdo! The dogs are adorable as always. Mmmm…those layered cookies look devine! I think my thighs gained a pound or two each just as I read your description! Would love to see photos of your Christmas decorations and wrapping.

  42. Amy

    HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!!! I am so proud of you for losing weight too! Your weight loss post a while back was very motivating :) And Kevin looks mighty snazzy as well ;)

  43. snarflemarfle

    Happy belated birthday! Mine is on the second and I like to celebrate my birthday from Thanksgiving to Christmas!! (so, a birthday month?) We love Maggie Moo’s around here, too. My favorite from them is the Better Batter with Nilla Wafers and rainbow sprinkles mixed in…in a white chocolate bowl covered in rainbow sprinkles!!

    Love the cookie bars. Might have to make those soon!

  44. Melissa

    Ha- that is so funny – i was going to ask you what kind of camera you have too & then saw the above comment! Yes, i’m asking for a camera for Christmas. Other blog friends have recommended the Nikon D90 & the Canon Rebel. What do you recommend?

    Anyway – so much to say about this blog!
    I LOVE Miley & Howie!!!
    I LOVE your haircut!!!!
    Happy Birthday!!!
    I am going to check out that recipe & bring it to work! Everyone is taking turns bringing desserts throughout December!
    I love Maggie Moo’s! We don’t have one here, but i have friends about 4 hours from here who have one & they introduced me to it! SOOO good!
    Oh, we got snow this year too! & last year! & including those times, it’s snowed here 4 times in my 31 years! I live in the deep south (Louisiana). Anyway, love it!!
    Ok, i guess that’s all! Congrats on the pounds lost! I’m still working hard & it is working! :)

  45. 1LuvnMama

    Amanda! Happy Belated Birthday!

    The both of you look great!!! Way to go on losing 60lbs.! Luv the hair cut too! Since the holiday season draws near, hopefully you can manage to watch the calories . . . I know it’ll be hard, but stay focused! Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!! As we say in Hawaii, Mele Kalikimaka!!!!

  46. Cheryl

    Happy Belated Birthday to You, You look Great!!!!!
    Hows the Diet going >?
    Ps Amanda drop me a note . I have ask my husband for a camera like you cuz your pics ARE SOOOOOO GOOD . but it could be you a great photographer too. I remember you getting a new one right ?. So I have hinted I would like a camera like yours LOL. Don’t Remember what yo had or have …. Talk to you soon. Merry Christmas. Show us some more pictures of your family and house decorated for the Holidays…and share some more of your yummy recipes look forward to those.
    Thanks Cheryl Fillers

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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