WOO HOO, it’s Friday! I’m really hoping that today goes by quick because I’ve got some super fun plans for tonight.
For the past few years, Jay and I have hosted a fun little birthday party at our house, since it’s the perfect excuse to get together with friends in the dead of winter. While I’ve only been blogging long enough to recap one of these parties, they are always quite a blast. A couple of those years, we’ve even incorporated a luau theme because, hey, who doesn’t want to dress up in grass skirts and tank tops in January, right?
There have been many, many fun memories made at the luau birthday parties.
Especially this year, in 2009. That red bucket right there? Filled with some of the most delicious and dangerous “Agent Orange” punch you’ll ever drink. All I’ll say is, Jay and my brother did not find it necessary to drink the punch out of cups…
‘Nuff said.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t figure out a way to finagle a party this year, so instead, we invited a bunch of our friends out to a local bar/restaurant for a casual little birthday celebration. It may not be a luau, but I’m just so looking forward to getting to see everyone. It’s gonna be a blast!
*****
Last Night’s Dinner
Since I really only shared my new birthday week flowers last night, I never got a chance to catch ya’ll up on dinner.
I’m telling you, I am LOVING these quinoa bowls!
I mixed up a quinoa bowl, which was filled to the max with sundried tomato chicken sausage, spinach, tomatoes, red onion, and roasted cauliflower. I then mixed it all together with a few splashes of sundried tomato basil vinaigrette and a wedge of The Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese, which made everything super creamy.
It.was.awesome.
Breakfast
Since I have the time this week, I’m really enjoying having breakfast first and THEN taking care of my workout a little later (I start full time at the new job next week). So this morning, I got right to work on the good stuff.
Another egg, provolone, turkey bacon, and jam sandwich made on a toasted whole wheat English muffin.
I can’t even tell you how excited I am that I found some turkey bacon that I actually like and actually tastes somewhat similar to the actual stuff (it’s Jennie-O brand, btw).
Coffee was another delicious mug of English Toffee. Mmmm mmmm.
I’ve got a few things to try and take care of this afternoon, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for productivity.
Happy Friday!!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
The luau definitely looks like a blast, but dinner will be fun too! At my friends’ parties, we typically make jungle juice in the big tubs and it can get ugly sometimes too! Lol I just bought black quinoa at the store last week and am excited to try it. I’ve never had quinoa before!!
Traci says
That quinoa bowl looks amazing! And those sundried tomato chicken sausages are my favorite from TJs, so even better. I’m going to try it out!
Luau party looked like fun. Reminds me of college when we mixed up huge tubs of drinks in large plastic storage boxes. Classy, LOL. Have fun tonight!
Angela @ Health Happiness & Harmony says
Have a great night!
Faith @ For the Health of It says
With all of the bacon and bacon-subs I’ve seen on blogs lately, I had to cave and buy some tempeh bacon…best decision ever? I think YES!
Michelle @ Blogitness says
The luau party looks like a lot of fun and a nice change from January weather!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
i’ve never really experimented with quinoa before… you’re making me want to go get some right now, as your dinner looks excellent!
that’s so nice to have a low key week in between transitioning to a new job. it can definitely be a stressful thing, so some rest is a plus i’m sure!
Ruthie Hart says
how fun! I love the luau idea!!! have a fabulous birthday weekend courtney!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! says
Yeah, the luau looks fun! and Agent Orange punch just sounsd dangerous!! haha
Jodi @ Southern Flavored Life says
The quinoa bowl looks really good. I am still late on the quinoa-bandwagon.
I hope you guys have a wonderful time!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Even though it will be a different kind of birthday bash- I’m sure it will be a bash nonetheless! ENJOY your night out with friends celebrating all of your awesomeness! :)
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
A nice dinner our with friends sounds like the perfect way to kick off a weekend!
TheBloggersBrother says
My left arm in the first picture looks so deceivingly long that it makes me laugh
Courtney says
Haha…you should have seen me laughing at all the OTHER pictures of you that were not exactly blog appropriate ;)
TheBloggersBrother says
The creeper picture with Eileen and Dan should have been posted
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Mmm, English Toffee coffee sounds fantastic! And I love quinoa bowls. The options are endless so you can have a lot of fun with them! I actually had a very similar one with sun dried tomato and basil chicken sausage last night!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
I love quinoa and couscous bowls! They are so easy to throw together and are so yummy.
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
As the self-proclaimed turkey bacon queen, you NEED to try Wellshire Farms! It’s a little expensive, but soooo delicious!
Brandi @ Faith Fitness and Laughter says
I HEART Quinoa bowls SO much! I think you can put just about anything with quinoa. :)
Hope you have a great time at your get together tonight! :)
michelle kim says
That quinoa bowl looks sooo delicoius! I should definitely make that for lunch or dinner some time next week.
Khushboo says
Quinoa bowls are so delicious- they never seem to end…a volume eater’s dream!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
That quinoa bowl looks scrumptious! I always forget about quinoa, I need incorporated more of it into my diet. Happy Bday Week! :)
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
Have a fun party!!
I love the Jennie O turkey bacon, it’s so good!
Elisabeth says
Have fun tonight! Also? I’ve eaten a bacon, egg, jam, and cheese sandwich on a muffin for lunch every day this week with some veggies on the side. Cannot get enough of them!
Brianne says
Why don’t you eat regular bacon?
RunEatRepeat says
I am on a search for the best hot rollers! Loved your curls from the other post :)
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
that quinoa bowl combo sounds amazing!
Jenny@HealthyMOChick says
I love your english muffin-wich :) That looks delicious!
nicole says
The dinner recipe looks delish!! I was showing my mom as i was reading this morning and she wants to make it. Did you sautee the spinach and onion?
Courtney says
For this particular bowl, I ended up steaming the spinach in the microwave with a little garlic, but I sauteed the tomatoes and red onion on the stove top for a couple of minutes.