8/7/09

You say its your birthday


So it was my birthday almost the second I got back from the bar, and despite being very nearly brain-dead, we had a nice little party at my parents house with a few friends. It was actually a lot like when I was a kid: I went the neighborhood pool all day, ordered pizza for lunch, and came home to dress up a little and eat a grilled dinner. Aren't summer birthdays the best? The only difference is that when I was a child, my mother would bring me a bag of candy to the pool to hand out to my friends, which I would proceed to devour in about 15 minutes then feel nauseated for the rest of the day. (This year's arrangement was preferable.)

When we got back from the pool my roommate Tim made these awesome watermelon drinks for everybody (although I ended up drinking most of them.) Here's the recipe, originally from epicurious.

Watermelon Vodka Cooler
-3 lbs. watermelon de-seeded and cut into chunks
-1/2 c. vodka
-1/4 c. triple sec
-couple squeezes lime juice

In a blender purée the watermelon pieces and strain through a sieve into a pitcher, discarding the solids. (There should be about 2-1/3 cups juice). Stir in the vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Pour into ice-filled glassed and garnish with a slice of watermelon, if desired. :)
******


It was completely perfect weather all day, so we sat outside most of the night, drinking the watermelon drinks, and watching the dogs show off. That's my dog with a squeeze gangster toy that says: "How you doin?". She likes to trick people into thinking she's talking by greeting them with it when they walk outside.

For dinner, I wanted something very simple and yummy that could easily translate for the meat-eaters at the table, since I was outnumbered for once. We opted for grilled vegetable skewers, grilled polenta, and grilled tofu, with a strawberry-spinach-poppyseed salad on the side. The omnis had some kind of bbq'd meat rather than tofu. Everything was perfect, light and satisfying, and for once I didn't do any of the cooking! We also had a chocolate cake but, being occupied blowing out the candles, I didn't get a pic. But still, really, a perfect birthday with perfect people. :)



Song of the Day: Birthday- The Very Best

8 comments:

nicoleishappy said...

happy birthday!!!!!!! that drink looks very yummy! as well as the grilled polenta, i need to try that sometime.

Bianca said...

Aw, happy birthday!!! The grilled tofu looks so good. I really miss having a grill. I need to commandeer someone's for a night before summer is over. BTW, I made a very similar watermelon martini from Vegan Soul Kitchen a few weeks ago, and it was so good...the only difference was it contained agave instead of triple sec.

T said...

Bianca, you know that makes me wonder whether triple sec is vegan? Hmm.... alcohol can be so tricky!

miss v said...

happy birthday! grilled yums is one of my faves for birthday eats! and poppyseed salad - yum!

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday! We either have the same birthday or birthdays very close together. And yes, summer birthdays are the best!

Michelle said...

Such an awesome birthday!! and that Watermelon martini...LOVE!

Lisa said...

Love your cute dog photo!

jessy said...

happy birthday, T! sorry it's a bit belated - but i'm sending you hugs & birthday wishes! yay!

those watermelon drinks sound most fantastical! watermelon & i are having a love affair, and i'm gonna have to make those because they sound delightful and absolutely perfect for summer. summer birthdays do = the best! your post just took me back to my summers spent at the pool with friends, a pool side snack (or two or three), then grilled summer yummies my parents would make, too. awesomesauce! i love your birthday dinner - veggies, polenta (which i haven't had in forever and i now must make this coming week), and strawberry-spinach-poppyseed salad! superw00t! your dog = the best ever! that's one happyfaced pooch! i'm glad you had the best birthday, T! that rocks!