It’s my birthday, the one day a year for unabashed, unsolicited self-promotion, a new cocktail and, apparently, a week full of getting a hair cut, painting my toes and getting back in the pool. Is it denial or determination? Eh, let’s not decide. Meanwhile, let the party begin:

Two quick pats on my back, pour myself a birthday drink, then take a tour of multiple tabletops.

Pat on back number one: a mention of my humble little blog in Seattle Magazine. I was swooning at the mention, tickled to be part of the Seattle squad of food bloggers. (Page 87 bottom right, not that I would know). Matt of Roots and Grubs was the journalist and I am grateful to have been part of his roundup.

Pat on back number two (”happy birthday to Meeee-eeee”): I started a second blog. It has been in the works for months and happily last month, I added Brown Bag Blues (www.brownbagblues.com) to the world wide web. The site is all about making lunches: ongoing ideas, bagable foods and drinks, bagable recipes and above all: staving off the brown bag blues, blahs and boredom. What to put in your child’s lunch? How about yours? Running out of ideas? If you have brilliant brown bag ideas I would love you to email them to me so I can ‘bag ‘em’ on my new site. Yes, the puns can be exhausting—but it is my birthday after all. And I can pun if I want to.

That last song had to be the cocktail talking. Where was I? Oh yes! The cocktail: just mixed it up. Have been wanting to pour a pink cocktail, to toast a dear friend of mine who is currently battling (and beating!) breast cancer. So here is to you, my friend, a pink cocktail: 1/2 vodka, 1/4 guava nectar (organic of course), 1/4 soda, squeeze of lime. I am proud of you, and drinking pink to prove it.

The tabletop tour is brought to you by inspired foodies and creative folk, who have shared their centerpiece inspiration during a particular month (“Centerpiece of the Month” or COTM). So birthday or not, the 7th of each month (in this case April) is the roundup for the prior month’s centerpieces (in this case March).

Joy from a Spot of T has this amazing mirrored vase brimming with pussywillows.

Sher from What did you Eat? has a fun round of pinks with fabulous sprigs of rosemary.

Glenna from A Fridge Full of Food includes a bona fide chef for her mood-setting tribute.

Myriam from Once Upon A Tart creatively used old cans and made them new.

Brigitte from Kuchendunst aus Singapur decorated many tabletops in her home, the one here is just the beginning!

Sandi from Whistlestop Cooking always puts so much thought into her centerpieces; I look forward to seeing her monthly creations!

Brie from the Playful Palate steals my heart: I have a weakness for food centric centrpieces!

Shn from Kitchen Mishmash put this topper into my inbox—and onto this tour! I couldn’t resist these naturally dyed eggs: how cool!

Janelle from Talk of Tomatoes! Yes, that is me. And yes, I get to have two pics: hello, it’s my birthday? I actually borrowed the thistle centerpiece: it is the brainchild of a friend of mine. Loved her centerpiece, need to keep an eye—and camera—on her tabletop in the future. The Forsythia branches come from my yard, and found their way into a wine carafe.

I look forward to another year, am grateful to each of my readers, my friends and my dear family who give me daily inspiration, encouragement and joy. My birthday is happy because of you.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 7th, 2007 at 10:25 am and is filed under COTM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.