(As of the beginning of this post
)
The party was a great success – thanks to all of our friends for coming!!!
THE CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It couldn’t have been more perfect!!! Tres Leches cake (Alton Brown’s recipe) with REAL whipped cream layer and a chocolate ganache 26. Pure heaven!
Snackin’ on the whipped cream 🙂 I had no idea the real stuff was so darn good!
Appetizer. I had about 4 of these bread toasts with bruschetta. The bruschetta was navy beans (of course!) with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic (lightly cooked to take off the edge), oregano (fresh + dried), a few chopped kalamata olives and a splash of balsamic.
Onto the Beer Fest –
We had so many different kinds!!!!
I stuck to pumpkin ales with a few tastes in-between –
Really good:
The best in the worlllllllllld!! (Unfortunately it’s locally brewed so I doubt it’s available outside of Charlotte…)
The spread –
Buns + Dogs (These were Bilinski’s Chicken Sausages and were really good! We had mild Italian and Pesto)
More highlights
My plate. After the beer I was totally full when I finished this! (But of course had room for cake x2!)
Par-tay
The Grande Finale
Piece #1
I HAD to have more! The ganache was amazing and OMG on the whipped cream.
Piece #2
And dessert……… 🙂 Reisling!
The husband and I are listening to Brad Paisley’s “Online” right now and we just finished the song and he said “Man I love Brad PLAYsly!” Rummmmmiiiiie!
We just cleaned the house top to bottom and it only took about 45 minutes. Nice!
I’m stuffed, but in a good birthday way. And the husband promptly put away the cake so there was no picking.
6 minutes to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll officially be 26 as of 9:35 tomorrow morning – so probably the next time you see me!
Justy2003 says
It’s 12:01 your time which means it’s your BIRTHDAY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH!!! 😀
Danielle says
Happy Happy Happy Birthday! So glad you had a great night, you deserve it! Everything looks amazing – the food, the beer, the decorations, the wine, the CAKE!!! yay for 26!
Justy2003 says
Okay, now I’ve actually read the post 🙂 Looks like a great night! And the cake looks delicious! You can send any leftovers my way if ya want…that’ll keep ya from picking at them! 😉
caitlin says
i wish you a very happy and healthy birthday.
cute black and white chair, by the way!
HangryPants says
What a wonderful birthday! Cake looks awesome. I love your pumpkin beer, too. Real whipped cream is the best, isn’t it! I never clean the night of the party, but always wish I did!
Oh and did you know Real Simple has a show now? I saw it today on TLC I think. They went to someone’s house and helped her solve wardrobe, kitchen, decorating and other Real Simple type problems. I know you love the magazine, so thought you might like the show, too.
The Healthy Hostess says
Happy Birthday Kath! It seems like the party was a great success with wonderful food and friends – the perfect way to spend a birthday!
Too bad we don’t live closer …we could do a beer tasting, or wine..maybe even better!
Our best friend from college is a brewer for Carolina Brewing Company in Charlotte. He always brings great beer for us when we see him! Maybe when we come down, we can arrange something!
🙂 Enjoy your day tomorrow!
Andrea says
happy birthday kath! you look so pretty in the pictures! yay 26! fun year!!!
Rae says
Happy 26!!!
What an impressive cake! Kudos to the husband and to you…I wouldve showed ALOT less retstraint!! Enjoy your day!
Alexia says
Happy Birthday! Your cake looks awesome! How sweet!
Olga Deshchenko says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
That’s such a beautiful cake and it sounds delish! I <3 all your photos, you are such an inspiration!
jenner says
Happy Birthday KATH!!!!
Katerina says
Happy Birthday!! I JUST turned 27 and I swear every year gets better (even if I don’t say that on my actual birthday…).
Have a great one, and indulge you enjoy it!
Hil says
Happy birthday! I can’t think of a better birthday present than discovering the joys of real whipped cream…that stuff is fantastic.
Jenn (eating bender) says
Ahh, so exciting and so much fun! Great cake 🙂 I’m glad you had a good night — see you for the real deal tomorrow morning!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
jenner says
oh WOW that cake looks amazing!!!! (I swear, Matt should open up his own bread & pastry shop). It looks like your party had a great spread and ambiance, what a great way to kick off your birthday!! Sweet Dreams! 🙂
erica says
Happy Birthday Kath! And what a way to celebrate with a cake like that!
Katie says
Happy birthday Kath!!!
I’m trying to track down the Cottonwood Pumpkin… pumpkin beer is my favorite!
magpie says
Happy Birthday!!!!! It looks like you had an amazing time tonight! The cake is to die for 🙂
I can’t wait to see what your actual bday brings 😀 Happy Happy Bday!!!!
Jenny says
Happy Birthday Kath!! Looks like a good time was had by all tonight, that cake looks to die for! 🙂
Julia says
Otanjyoubi Omedetou! (that’s Japanese for Happy Birthday!) Your Bday dinner spread looks absolutely delicious. And the cake sounds phenomenal…. tres leches? I’ve never had that before, but sounds like a dream come true. I hope you had a special night!
Madison (FollowMyWeigh) says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! wow matt did great on the cake!! and i wish i could have some of that pumpkin beer!! looks good =D
thepinkpeppercorn says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks again for your blog – I am liking it more and more 🙂 Good read.
p.s. I think Alton Brown rocks too!
Marianne says
Looks like a great party, and nice job on the cake!
Alison says
That cake is TOO FUNNY and sweet and perfect! Happy Birthday! Glad you had a great party. 🙂
coco says
oh~~~ that cake is amazing, more amazing that I expected! The husband is such a genius!
great party!and happy birthday~~~
zestycook says
Kath, Happy Birthday…. awesome post, awesome pictures. It looked like you had a great time. Amazing Job on the cake!! Hope you have a great rest of the night.
thanks for sharing
zesty
Moran says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATH!
And to the husband – WOW! that cakes looks amazing!
VeggieGirl says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀
Sammie says
Happy Birthday!! Matt is quite a hubby – that cake looks amazing. You really scored yourself a goody.
Jaclyn says
happy birthday!
thanks for the comment on couchcubicle. looks like you all were having a good time (and a good meal) too!
awesome job on the cake, matt!
Lindsay says
happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Kath, happy birthday to you!!
Thanks for such an awesome blog.
Matt, that cake is amazing!
eliza says
love the mirror in your living room. and the black and white chair. any chance you’d be willing to share where they’re from? happy birthday!
mom says
Happy Birthday! Kath was a darling baby. Lots of pep and personality.
Stunning cake!!
Kim says
Happy Birthday Kath (birthday twin!) hope you have a great day! The cake looks AMAZING! glad you got to enjoy it!
Suzanne says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATH! Looks like you had a fabulous bday! 🙂
Beadie says
Happy Birthday, Kath!
The party looks like it was wonderful and that cake is so cool!
Tracy says
HApPy BiRthDaY tO YOU!!! I LOVE the cake!!! Will the husband give us a recap on making it?? Have a great day!!!!!!!!
sarah says
happy birthday!!!
the party looks like it was so much fun! and the cake — looks OTHER-WORLDLY, especially the copious amounts of real whipped cream. YUM. perfect for a birthday!
hope you have lots of fun and relaxation planned for today!
as a side note, if you ever wanted to run a marathon, i’d say this is your year (magic # 26!)
Bridget says
Happy Birthday!!
gina (fitnessista) says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATH!
can i drive up to charlotte for a piece of that cake? hah
hope you have a wonderful day <3
Meghann says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I’m signing this at 9:25 so its 10 minutes until you’re officially 26.
THat looks like a fabulous cake! I’m glad you had a great birthday party have a great rest of your birthday day. 🙂
WendyF says
Happy Birthday, that cake looks amazing. The food also looked great, my favorite pumpkin beer(dogfish head), doggies and squash. I also like the squash display with the delicata and carnivals 🙂
Have a great day today.
Erin says
That cake is fantastic! I’m so impressed!
Happy birthday! One more year until you’re in your late twenties…
hk says
HORRRAAY!! HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY 🙂
The party looks like it was a hit, the spread looks divine. And that CAKE, wooooaaah NELLY!!!
HAVE A FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY!
Roxana says
Happy birthday!
Real whipped cream = AWMAZING! My mom makes such good whipped cream, mmm
that cake looks amazing, send some over! =P
Cat says
Happy birthday Kath!!! The celebration looked amazing! Kudos to the husband on that cake too
Kath says
HangryPants ,
I just watched the Real Simple show yesterday! I actually wasn’t that impressed. I mean, they did everything with her kids gone on a day off from work. I don’t think much will have changed when they crew leaves.
The Healthy Hostess,
WOW!! So cool you’re friends with the brewer. Actually the husband has started home brewing so I’m sure he’d LOVE to meet your friend. We’ve always wanted to do a tour/tasting at the brewery up in Mooresville but surprisingly never have. Please do let me know if you come to visit!
eliza ,
Thanks! The mirror is from JC Penny’s Linden Street collection – see it here:
http://katheatsreviews.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/a-pretty-penney/
And the chairs are inherited from Karen, so I have no idea where she got them. She might have had them upholstered herself though. They are pretty old.
Kim ,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!
sarah ,
Yes, I do feel torn with a marathon. The whole 26.2 thing is such a draw for me to do it. But I just have no other desire!
gina (fitnessista),
We’ve got plenty left if you need a Sunday activity 🙂
Kath
bobbi says
what a cute cake:) My hubby is the baker in our family too! I am so glad your excited about turning 26, it’s a good year I have enjoyed it so far:)
Miss Tiffie says
I’m so jealous of your cake!!!! It sounds amazing!!! What an awesome hubby you have 😀 Sounds like a spectacular time!!!! Enjoy your day today!!!
runjess says
Looks like a wonderful celebration, especially that cake! Good job, KERF Husband!
Katelyn says
How sweet of your husband to shape the cake in a 26! He did an amazing job!
Bev says
HAPPY Celebration A #2…… the Husband does it right 🙂
Sidi says
Happy birthday, Kath! I don’t remember how was my 26th year, but my life is a blessing so far, so nothing special. I had my daughter when I was 23 and my son when I was 28. Pregnancy – beautiful period, I felt so good. Now, this is my present for you. Nothing but a tip that I got for my birthday which I L.O.V.E !!!
Check-out the Roomba, IRobot, the vaccuum cleaner that cleans by itself, you can do whatever you want while your house is getting cleaned-up.
Always a pleasure stopping by.
Lisa says
Happy happy birthday! I turned 22 last month, and I hope to be as accomplished as you are by the time I hit 26!
melisa says
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! Sorry we missed out! Happy Birthday!
monica says
OMG I love dogfish head! I sampled it while on a bicycle tour of wisconsin:
http://flickr.com/photos/spacekadet/187276622/
Great blog – I just found it. I’m chronicalling my own foody adventures and yours is an inspiration. Thank you!