Happy August, everyone! July went by like a flash, didn’t it? And to cap it all off, I had a birthday last week: #62, and life is still amazing and grand!
Adding another 12 dots to my Precious Life painting. You can read about it: here.
In my honour, my friend and What’s On Your Plate co-host Donna kindly offered to make me a birthday lunch (remember this…it’s important). Here’s what happened…a birthday lunch tale, told in pictures:
I got to choose from several meal kits just delivered to Chez Retirement Reflections from this here food cult Donna belongs to. 😉 I went with the salmon, since my momma didn’t raise no fool.What the finished meal will look like.Donna made sure I read the instructions…hmmm, why? DAH DAH DAAAH! (foreshadowing music).The veggies, herbs, and spices were in the brown bag. The salmon and yogourt were in another container, more suitable for keeping them colder during transport.Next thing I know, I was cutting up potatoes.Then I was cutting up zucchini. Then I was grating cucumber for the tzatziki.Then I was MAKING the damn tzatziki. BTW, don’t my nails look birthday-fabulous?Then I was on to prepping the salmon. Remember when I told you Donna was going to make ME a birthday lunch? Yeah, not so much…Well I guess Donna DID work the oven and stove top. Yet, here I am anxiously watching over stuff cooking because I am all alone in the kitchen and Donna is nowhere to be found. Oh yes! This happened!And here is the delicious finished product, artfully plated by Donna. See, she did do one thing something…Closeup of what’s on my plate!AND THEN after our delicious lunch You’re welcome, Donna, she had the NERVE to ask me to pose as if I was relaxing on the couch the whole time it was being prepared. Seriously! I kid you not. My expression says it all: this is some kinda bullshit right here.MEANWHILE Donna is pretending to be exhausted from making lunch and loading the damn dishwasher. As if! Should you ever get a lunch invitation from this woman, be forewarned! Whoever said there is no such thing as a free lunch was spot on. AND THEN Donna hands me the birthday candles she forgot to use on my cupcake, so I brought them home. Woman, you had one job…Which were put to good use the next day (actual birthday) when my daughter (and fam) brought over Vietnamese food and a homemade trifle for dessert. WHICH I DID NOT HAVE TO MAKE, DONNA…TAKE NOTES!All kidding aside – you know I was kidding, right?!?! – we had such a fun time and were hooting up a storm planning this blog post. (I think I have some pieces of lemon in my eyebrow WHICH A TRUE FRIEND WOULD’VE TOLD ME ABOUT, DONNA.)
So, that’s my tale of woe and foul treatment by Ms Donna, my lovely co-host. 😉
What’s on your plate this month?
As always: please feel free to let my co-host Donna or myself know what’s on your plate at your house, in the Comments of either Donna’s or my post (or both, if you are so inclined!). Donna has made an amazing dish with great significance for Indigenous people. And she has created beautiful badges for this challenge, should you want to place one on your blog. You can find them here.
Remember: if you decide to blog or Facebook or Instagram about it, to use the tags #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge or #woypbc so we can find you out on ye olde interwebbs!
92 thoughts on “What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – Birthday Edition”
Happy # 62 … and here’s to many more … what a fun blog post – oh how I love salmon … while the Hello Fresh – seems a great idea. I must look your dots up – to see what they mean. Excellent post … and you’ve reminded me about Marrow – the elderly version (or older) of zucchini or courgettes … I really enjoy Marrow – a different taste to the younger ones! Cheers have great weeks – Hilary
Hi Deb – marrows are overgrown courgettes/zucchini … “left on the plant and just grew like topsy” … but cook very quickly – otherwise the flesh goes watery … they just have a different flavour – good in the Autumn … cheers Hilary
Happy Birthday Deb and you two crack me up! What a beautiful friendship you have developed. We have Hello Fresh over here in Australia although I’ve not tried it as yet. Thanks for hosting #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge. I look forward to it every month.
Donna is truly BRILLIANT! I had never considered this kind of entertaining before, but it sounds like WAY MORE FUN than my version which involves anxious sweating for hours in the kitchen. Future guests of mine beware! I’m a fast learner.
Oh no! What have I done??? Gilles and the boys, forgive me!!!! 😉 Yes, you are definitely a fast learner…of other peoples’ bad examples 🤣. Thank you, Joanne 💕
Love your ‘connect the dots’ post and this one too. In the first I learned a lot about you I didn’t know and in the second I learned I’m kind of glad it was you cooking and not me. Fabulous looking plate of food and I love salmon. Happy birthday!
Happy 62nd Deb! That Donna sure is sneaky but she does look like a fun partner in crime to celebrate a birthday with! Absolutely love the Precious Life painting, such a beautiful reminder to honour the life we have been gifted.💕
Well, it looked good anyway, no matter who did the chopping. Did Donna get any? Remember, she has a birthday too, you can plan the perfect revenge, ummm, MEAL for her day!
HAH! Great idea, the Revenge Meal! Yes, Donna had some…the kit made a meal for 2. It would be highly suspicious if I had to cook the meal and then I was the only one eating, wouldn’t it? 😉 Sounds like the start of a murder plot…🤣 Thanks, Dawn 💕
Well I’d been wondering what had become of you. I haven’t seen you commenting around blog land lately and now I know why: you’ve been goofing off. Happy Birthday, your meal looks delicious. I like what is on your plate.
I love every single moment of this.
I’ve never tried Hello Fresh before, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. This looks delicious.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!
Happy Birthday to you, Lovely Woman!
Would have loved being a fly on the wall while this post was being cooked up 😆 (except I’d probably have been swatted). 🤣
Have most of the ingredients for your salmon, which looks delicious, but will sub chicken breast. All the photos are much appreciated. 💕
I think that chicken breast would be a great substitute in this dish, Del. I would have loved you to be a fly at on the walk during our lunch date. I would have put you to work too! 😀
You two crack me up! Next year, I’m definitely inviting you over for your birthday lunch. I’m a big fan of salmon so, now that you know the recipe, it should be easy for you to make (you are welcome).
Your photo turns out wonderful as a cover photo, here, Deb. Hilarious post! Extra hilarious about the posing! Now guffawing…….the candles! Soooo much fun. We have been eating healthy without turning an oven on during the heat. Massive veggy salads and often salmon – I drink wine and watch Chuck cook. Mama did not raise a fool.😎
Hey Deb! Well your birthday dinner looks delicious. But thanks for the warning about Donna’s offer to cook! I will keep that in mind if she extends the same sort of invitation. Actually I tried Hello Fresh last summer myself and while I found the meals tasty, they are a LOT of work. Of course some people probably enjoy that but I was looking for something a bit more simple. Still, it can be a nice change of pace. And how great you were able to use it for the cooking challenge. Hope to see you soon. ~Kathy
Happy Birthday!! You ladies rocked this edition. You had a wonderful time celebrating together (hey where are the bevvies?!) and a delicious meal to boot. Not bad!
I have never commented on a blog and have no idea how to contribute. So maybe DM me and let me know how I can share.
Thank you, Brenda 💕 You can share “what’s on your plate” on social media, or your blog if you have one. Or leave in the comments of either Donna’s or my blog…as you have just done!
First up happy birthday to you! Second that was such a fun post to read, I felt like I was there with you both! Great to join you both again for #woypbc
Oh my gosh! You’ve got me in stitches! This has got to be the best account of a birthday celebration in a long time! You gals are a hoot! and so very cute!
Happy Birthday Deb! May the year ahead continue to be filled with laughter, good friends & yummy food!
Seriously I think you have the funniest blog posts and I am so glad I found you and your strikeouts! Happy belated birthday. Up next is my food one for this month. Well here’s hoping a squirrel or two don’t pop into my head or my life.
Like you I feel that friendship is a wonderful gift and worth the work.
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what a delightful post! And Happy (belated) Birthday to you! I’m turning 61 next week, and made reservations. 🙂 [Outdoor seating.]
I’ve made a few new things this month, but nothing great enough to share. I don’t think I’m going to be a food blogger – I never take photos of my food! My fav thing however was peach smoothie with fresh peaches. I adore peach season and found a lovely recipe with cinnamon and ginger. Since I’m not a regular smoothie drinker, this was new territory for me.
Hilarious! Such a fun time you two had. I would have told Donna to do the dishes by hand after this abuse! But, really? Who cooked lunch? Was the cutting the veggies staged? (Love the nails.) Curious minds want to know. By the way, I would have picked the salmon too!
The only staging was me pretending to be relaxing on the couch. Slave driver Donna made me do all the work you see pictured and more besides!!! Unbelievable but true 😁. Thank you, Liesbet 💕
seriously Bernie? It’s like the easiest meal and it took me 3 weeks to finally finish the blog post. Rolls eyes are herself. But there we go. Sometimes in summer even finishing one blog can be a challenge. As someone who lived in the “not in the west” did you grow up eating Poutine Deb?
Nope, never grew up eating up. We had poutine come to our area only when I was already an adult. Now there are so many variations of poutine available as everyone has put their spin on it. Pulled pork poutine, jerk chicken poutine, curry poutine…you name it! Thanks for joining us, Bernie 💕
Belated birthday greetings. 🎂 I think your Donna was a good friend to stay around and keep you company while you cooked. That way she cheered you and the lunch was ‘just so’, the way you liked it. See, she didn’t want to risk spoiling it on your day.
Happy # 62 … and here’s to many more … what a fun blog post – oh how I love salmon … while the Hello Fresh – seems a great idea. I must look your dots up – to see what they mean. Excellent post … and you’ve reminded me about Marrow – the elderly version (or older) of zucchini or courgettes … I really enjoy Marrow – a different taste to the younger ones! Cheers have great weeks – Hilary
I have never had marrow, although I’ve heard of it. I will have to see if I can source it here. Thanks, Hilary 💕
Hi Deb – marrows are overgrown courgettes/zucchini … “left on the plant and just grew like topsy” … but cook very quickly – otherwise the flesh goes watery … they just have a different flavour – good in the Autumn … cheers Hilary
Happy Birthday! Sounds like a fun lunch 🙂
Thank you, Barbara 💕
Happy Birthday Deb and you two crack me up! What a beautiful friendship you have developed. We have Hello Fresh over here in Australia although I’ve not tried it as yet. Thanks for hosting #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge. I look forward to it every month.
Thank you, Sue 💕 That was the intent…to crack people up as much as we cracked each other up. 😁
I think this is an excellent idea. Bravo Donna!
🤣
Hey, let’s not encourage her now…OK? 😉 Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Happy, happy birthday! Such a fun post to read.
Thank you, Bernadette 💕 It was fun to put together too!
Happy birthday!
Thank you, TG 💕
I absolutely love your blog. I just had my Birthday Week as my sis calls it. It was wonderful. Your zest for life is so inspiring.
Thank you.
Thank you, Carol! Sorry for the late reply…your comment ended up in spam for some reason. Glad you had a wonderful birthday week!
Deb
Laugh out loud funny! 🤣
Donna is truly BRILLIANT! I had never considered this kind of entertaining before, but it sounds like WAY MORE FUN than my version which involves anxious sweating for hours in the kitchen. Future guests of mine beware! I’m a fast learner.
Oh no! What have I done??? Gilles and the boys, forgive me!!!! 😉 Yes, you are definitely a fast learner…of other peoples’ bad examples 🤣. Thank you, Joanne 💕
What is this ‘bad example’ of which you speak? 🙃
Oh that’s right…YOU are the bad example 😁
I try my best {blushing modestly}
Thanks for making me laugh this morning!
You are most welcome! Thank you for commenting 💕
Love your ‘connect the dots’ post and this one too. In the first I learned a lot about you I didn’t know and in the second I learned I’m kind of glad it was you cooking and not me. Fabulous looking plate of food and I love salmon. Happy birthday!
Thank you, Jean 💕 Hello Fresh is definitely “cooking for dummies” – super easy and fast. I can see why it is popular.
Happy 62nd Deb! That Donna sure is sneaky but she does look like a fun partner in crime to celebrate a birthday with! Absolutely love the Precious Life painting, such a beautiful reminder to honour the life we have been gifted.💕
Thank you, Lynn 💕 Donna is a fun partner in crime, for sure!
Well, it looked good anyway, no matter who did the chopping. Did Donna get any? Remember, she has a birthday too, you can plan the perfect revenge, ummm, MEAL for her day!
HAH! Great idea, the Revenge Meal! Yes, Donna had some…the kit made a meal for 2. It would be highly suspicious if I had to cook the meal and then I was the only one eating, wouldn’t it? 😉 Sounds like the start of a murder plot…🤣 Thanks, Dawn 💕
Well I’d been wondering what had become of you. I haven’t seen you commenting around blog land lately and now I know why: you’ve been goofing off. Happy Birthday, your meal looks delicious. I like what is on your plate.
Yup! Colour me goofing off 🤣 Thank you, Ally 💕
I love every single moment of this.
I’ve never tried Hello Fresh before, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. This looks delicious.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!
Thank you, Kari 💕 I had the most wonderful birthday celebrations, even though I had to make my own damn lunch 😉🤣.
LOL
Happy Birthday Deb, what a way to celebrate!
Leslie xoxo
Thank you, Leslie 💕
ROFL!!!! Oh, what a hoot you two are!!! Maybe she meant she was treating you to lunch. 😂😂😂
Happy Belated Birthday!! I hope this is stellar year for you. 🌺💕
Oh hell, no! Donna knew exactly what she was doing and saying 😉 Thank you, Deborah 💕
😂😂😂😂😂
Yes, that’s it exactly! 😀 And Deb said that she wanted to try out Hello Fresh. What better way too test it out?! 😀
LOL! I know right! Sounded like a good plan to me. That’s a good story Donna. Stick to that one. 😂😂😂😂😂
Happy birthday! Love the pics. Looks like fun. – Marty
Thank you, Marty 💕
Happy Birthday to you, Lovely Woman!
Would have loved being a fly on the wall while this post was being cooked up 😆 (except I’d probably have been swatted). 🤣
Have most of the ingredients for your salmon, which looks delicious, but will sub chicken breast. All the photos are much appreciated. 💕
I think that chicken breast would be a great substitute in this dish, Del. I would have loved you to be a fly at on the walk during our lunch date. I would have put you to work too! 😀
😆 🤣 😆
Thank you, Del 💕 Chicken should be just as good!
Hope all is well with you just now. 💕
Happy birthday and this sounds like fun!
Thank you, Kate 💕 It was!
This was hilarious! Happy Birthday… https://andanyways.com/2021/07/30/whats-on-your-bookshelf/
Thank you, Jo 💕 I’m planning on joining What’s On Your Bookshelf. Looks like even more fun to be had!
You gals sure have a lot of fun! and by the way, if you hadn’t told me about the lemon in your eyebrow, I would have thought it an eyebrow ring 🙂
Hehehe! I wondered if I could pass it off as an eyebrow ring but thought better of it 🤣. Thank you, Sandy 💕
You two crack me up! Next year, I’m definitely inviting you over for your birthday lunch. I’m a big fan of salmon so, now that you know the recipe, it should be easy for you to make (you are welcome).
Hah!!! Maybe I should invite everyone over to my house for my birthday? Bring your aprons, ‘cos I’m putting you to work!!!😁 Thanks, Janis 💕
Your photo turns out wonderful as a cover photo, here, Deb. Hilarious post! Extra hilarious about the posing! Now guffawing…….the candles! Soooo much fun. We have been eating healthy without turning an oven on during the heat. Massive veggy salads and often salmon – I drink wine and watch Chuck cook. Mama did not raise a fool.😎
I like your style, woman 😁. “I drink wine and watch others cook” could, nay SHOULD become my new mantra! Thanks, Erica 💕
Happy birthday. It looks like a good time was had by all.
Tonight I was too damned tired to cook so my husband brought home burgers and fries which I appreciated so much.
I love your precious life painting. What a great reminder of our time here.
Thank you, Pixie 💕 We had a blast. I wish some one would bring me burgers and fries right now. Not enough to get another husband though 🤣.
I made this recipe tonight — all by my lonesome. It was not half as much fun. 🙁
Still laughing about this post. A very fun lunch and a very fun read!
Thank you, Donna 💕 It was a ton of fun!
Hey Deb! Well your birthday dinner looks delicious. But thanks for the warning about Donna’s offer to cook! I will keep that in mind if she extends the same sort of invitation. Actually I tried Hello Fresh last summer myself and while I found the meals tasty, they are a LOT of work. Of course some people probably enjoy that but I was looking for something a bit more simple. Still, it can be a nice change of pace. And how great you were able to use it for the cooking challenge. Hope to see you soon. ~Kathy
Thanks, Kathy 💕 Unfortunately I am flying east for a funeral tomorrow but I will be back in time for the bloggers’ meetup. Safe travels!
Happy Birthday!! You ladies rocked this edition. You had a wonderful time celebrating together (hey where are the bevvies?!) and a delicious meal to boot. Not bad!
I have never commented on a blog and have no idea how to contribute. So maybe DM me and let me know how I can share.
Thank you, Brenda 💕 You can share “what’s on your plate” on social media, or your blog if you have one. Or leave in the comments of either Donna’s or my blog…as you have just done!
First up happy birthday to you! Second that was such a fun post to read, I felt like I was there with you both! Great to join you both again for #woypbc
Thank you, Debbie 💕
You are both so entertaining! Happy Birthday to you!
Thank you, Tracey 💕
Oh my gosh! You’ve got me in stitches! This has got to be the best account of a birthday celebration in a long time! You gals are a hoot! and so very cute!
Happy Birthday Deb! May the year ahead continue to be filled with laughter, good friends & yummy food!
Thank you, Ju-Lyn! 💕
Seriously I think you have the funniest blog posts and I am so glad I found you and your strikeouts! Happy belated birthday. Up next is my food one for this month. Well here’s hoping a squirrel or two don’t pop into my head or my life.
Thank you, Bernie 💕
I’m quite certain you would make a darn fine friend IRL. Your Ontario peeps will be SO glad to see you.
Thank you, Bernie 💕 I work hard at being a good friend and am so very fortunate to have some excellent role models in my life.
Like you I feel that friendship is a wonderful gift and worth the work.
what a delightful post! And Happy (belated) Birthday to you! I’m turning 61 next week, and made reservations. 🙂 [Outdoor seating.]
I’ve made a few new things this month, but nothing great enough to share. I don’t think I’m going to be a food blogger – I never take photos of my food! My fav thing however was peach smoothie with fresh peaches. I adore peach season and found a lovely recipe with cinnamon and ginger. Since I’m not a regular smoothie drinker, this was new territory for me.
Wow! That smoothie sounds delicious 😋. Thank you, Pat 💕 happy birthday!
Hilarious! Such a fun time you two had. I would have told Donna to do the dishes by hand after this abuse! But, really? Who cooked lunch? Was the cutting the veggies staged? (Love the nails.) Curious minds want to know. By the way, I would have picked the salmon too!
The only staging was me pretending to be relaxing on the couch. Slave driver Donna made me do all the work you see pictured and more besides!!! Unbelievable but true 😁. Thank you, Liesbet 💕
Hey, I chopped the dill! 😀
Oh yes, I seem to recall you did chop the dill. However there is no photo evidence but I’ll let you claim this one 😜😉
https://equipoiselife.wordpress.com/2021/08/10/who-knew-2/
seriously Bernie? It’s like the easiest meal and it took me 3 weeks to finally finish the blog post. Rolls eyes are herself. But there we go. Sometimes in summer even finishing one blog can be a challenge. As someone who lived in the “not in the west” did you grow up eating Poutine Deb?
Nope, never grew up eating up. We had poutine come to our area only when I was already an adult. Now there are so many variations of poutine available as everyone has put their spin on it. Pulled pork poutine, jerk chicken poutine, curry poutine…you name it! Thanks for joining us, Bernie 💕
Loving, loving, loving the photos! You two sound like you had loads of fun.
Oh & a belated happy birthday to you 😀
Thank you, Deb’s 💕 We had way too much fun!
No such thing as TOO much fun 😀 You’re making the most of life (and those dots). Love the Precious Life painting btw. Great idea.
Thank you very much, Deb’s 💕
Belated birthday greetings. 🎂 I think your Donna was a good friend to stay around and keep you company while you cooked. That way she cheered you and the lunch was ‘just so’, the way you liked it. See, she didn’t want to risk spoiling it on your day.
That’s the way to look at it! 😉 Thank you 💕
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