Birthdays! (And a Product Review)

This month…

my blog turned 1 and I turned 25!  And what a happy birthday it has been!

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…My husband and I packed up the car, drove a few hours north to my hometown of Ozark, MO, and spent three delicious days with my family.  I could not have asked for a better 25th birthday.

Rather than a cake, my dear friend Angie made me a stunning rhubarb pie (my request.)  It was perfection.  In every way.

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And it’s always been a tradition to watch fireworks on my birthday (since I was almost a 4th of July baby) but this year it wasn’t meant to be.  Twice we tried, and twice it rained!  (I feel the need to explain that the rain is to blame for my hair in the picture above where I’m blowing out the candles… it’s bad, I know.)

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But the rain couldn’t spoil our good time.  We were still able to do some great shopping at the Branson Landing, even without a fireworks show!  Which brings me to this…

This is something I bought at the Landing on July 4th.

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Ever heard of the Devo Olive Oil Company?  It’s a fabulous little store!  Inside are drums upon drums of oil and vinegar… in some of the most amazing and unusual flavors!  There are tasting cups everywhere and you can sample to your hearts content.

Among my favorites were the Tangerine-scented Olive Oil, the White Truffle Olive Oil, and THIS delightful treat!

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Black Cherry Balsamic Vinegar!

Yum and YUM!

I was literally guzzling this straight from my sample cup.

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If you think you don’t like balsamic vinegar, I implore you to go get your head checked.  It is the most delicious, rich, concentrated, delightfully sweetly acidic taste on the planet.

This particular flavor is awesome added to marinades for chicken or steak.

But today…

Today what I needed was some spinach, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, and feta.

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Drizzled with a simple vinaigrette of this fabulous new Black Cherry Balsamic, plus some olive oil, salt, pepper, and lime zest.  (Add a little honey if you like.)

Lunch for a queen… I need nothing more in life!  (My husband needed a little grilled chicken with his salad.  Also delicious, but I’m a happy camper without it.)

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Go get you some 🙂