Ryan arrived home from work today to a table filled with presents in honor of his birthday!
(Yes, I did use butterfly wrapping paper. It was either that or Christmas paper and I figured butterflies are technically bugs which are boyish. Right? Sure.)
I also busted out my bin of markers to make festive birthday signs like I did last year and realized that a bunch of my markers were all dried out.
Apparently I need Monica Gellar to follow me around to make sure the caps go “click” when I put them on. Or I just need to invest in new markers and realize that the same makers I’ve had since grade school have run their course.
We opened presents and Ryan seemed to like all of his gifts which is great!
Dinner
Gift unwrapping was preceded by dinner which included Ryan’s favorite salmon with a raspberry glaze, roasted summer squash and a side of garlic bread that I made by topping a whole wheat sandwich thin with butter and garlic salt.
I seasoned the summer squash with Garlic Gold sea salt nuggets that the company sent me to try.
Ryan and I loved them! They added the perfect pop of flavor to the roasted squash.
The salmon was a hit as well.
Now it’s time for dessert! Someone has some candles to blow out…
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Hah! I have markers that are way old too… and crayons that are older than the 3 year olds I teach on sundays… you never know when they will come in handy!
Happy birthday to Ryan!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ryan!!
Happy Birthday Ryan!! What a sweet wife you are 🙂
Congrats on your nomination- I voted for ya, obvi!
delicious looking dinner! never tried garlic gold..but i eat garlic salt/powder like it’s goin’ out of style, so i have a hunch i’d like it. hope you have a great night celebrating and eating lots of cake!!!
Yay! Happy Birthday, Ryan!
I have made your raspberry salmon before and it’s delicious!
Hope you guys have a great night!
I think we could all benefit from having one or all of the cast of Friends follow us around 🙂
I definitely need to try the sweet take on salmon. What a fabulous idea!
As a gradeschool teacher, please send my your first pack of those markers your going to invent 😉
Yay, BIRTHDAY CANDLES!!!
Oh my gosh, great Friends reference! Over the weekend I was quoting the episode where Joey learns the right way to use quotes haha. 😉
Love that idea of raspberry and salmon! Happy birthday ryan!
Hey Julie,
You’ve mentioned wrapping paper on your blog a couple times recently because it’s Ryan’s bday today. Happy bday Ryan! Could I kindly request you and everyone to consider whether there really is a need for wrapping paper? I’m sure Ryan appreciated it and/or had a good laugh at the butterflies! But it IS an un-environmentally friendly accessory, and (personally) always had fun being creative and making my own or re-using other paper/materials/gift-giving methods!
Great point! I definitely could use spare shopping bags in the future.
So true! I wish more people thought about stuff like this.
But then again, I grew up in a family where we NEVER used wrapping paper. It was recycled newspaper if anything. 🙂
My grandma always used the Sports section for the guys in the family — or the “Funnies” — OR we got our presents in the shopping bag they came in. 😉
Wow – that salmon looks taaaaasty!! I am saving the recipe for next time I cook salmon. Yum!
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Yummy birthday meal. 🙂 Have fun celebrating!
Yummy birthday dinner! Also, congrats on the nomination–I voted for you. =)
Oh, commenter #11, don’t be a killjoy! 😉 I’m sure Ryan loved both his gifts and his birthday dinner! Hope you two have a great night!
P.S. So stumped on what to make for dinner and ended up whipping up a batch of your banana pancakes! Delish! Thanks 🙂
Happy birthday to Ryan!
Does he get one of his favorite desserts for his birthday…the ever new favorite marble cake or red velvet!?! 😉
bahahahahaha Monica Gellar. I think I need to pop in some Friends DVDs now to laugh the night away.
Happy Birthday to Ryan! 🙂
I love the butterfly paper
looks like a lot of goodies! i don’t think he’ll mind the wrapping. i’m notorious for using christmas wrapping for all occasions. 🙁 lol.
I need to try this recipe stat! I remember first reading about it on here a while back & now that I’m married & cooking dinner ever night, it’s finally time to give it a try!
I just saw that episode the other night! LOVE it!
what a fun and delicious birthday dinner! hope dessert is just as yummy!!
(btw that is NOT meant to be a dirty joke!)
How come Friend’s references never get old? I am always looking for cool gift ideas for my husband, so if you feel comfortable sharing, I’d love to see what you got for Ryan. Happy Birthday to your awesome husband!
Seconded!!
i gave him new gym shoes, work shoes, his favorite socks, gourmet popcorn he loves from chicago & tickets to a tampa bay lightning game. 🙂 i also had another gift planned, but it didn’t arrive in time, so i’m saving that for our anniversary.
Ooh I like the work shoes idea ! Sounds like he received some wonderful gifts!
Oooh love the idea of the raspberry glaze! Looks delicious.
Also? I’m watching Friends as I read this! Haha. I love how Friends references are pretty much applicable in all life situations – it’s like Seinfeld.
That was so sweet of you to make him his favorite meal! I’ve heard such good things about garlic gold, I need to try that out. And I happen to think the present wrapping is adorable! ;p
I love birthdays! Happy birthday to your man! How cute that you ate his fav meal—-something I would’ve done too 🙂
Um, did you know that today is the most popular day for birthdays??
I have to ask- what did you get ryan?
i gave him new gym shoes, work shoes, his favorite socks, gourmet popcorn he loves from chicago & tickets to a tampa bay lightning game. i also had another gift planned, but it didn’t arrive in time, so i’m saving that for our anniversary.
wow! that sounds like a great birthday!
Happy Birthday Ryan!
PS LOVE friends and Monica! She is so OCD about things such as the markers, keeping a pad by the phone, and cleaning in general! 🙂 So funny!
I laughed out loud at your Friends reference. I loved her because I totally relate to her type of crazy!
I totally have to try that Garlic Gold. It seems like it would make food taste amazing and I’m all about that.
Happy Birthday to your husband! I LOVE the garlic gold nuggets! I have the parmesan ones from iHerb. LOVE them!! Yum!
Love the wrapping paper justification- totally works!
I am going to have to try your salmon tonight I think! Very exciting stuff 🙂
Glad he liked all his gifts! Loving the “boyish” wrapping paper, hehe 😀
Your dinner looks delish!
Awww sounds like a great birthday dinner! 😀
Yum! That glaze for the salmon sounds great 😀
Still holding on to those summer squashes! LOL 🙂
I had salmon last night too! It was cashew crusted salmon! Best recipe of all times, I also tried (and LOVE) the banana protein pancakes, they were a huge hit! I love your simple, delicious and nutrious recipes! Thanks 🙂
Awesome title!! I knew right away what you were referring to 🙂 Love for Friends and your post!
Love Monica Gellar.. Oh boy would she ever cry if she seen my unorganized home office right now :/
p.s. Happy Belated to Ryan!