Celebrating my birthday in Santa Barbara.
April 13th is a funny day, funny because it's the day AFTER my birthday. I always feel a bit sad that my birthday is over, this year especially because yesterday was absolutely fantastic!
It started off, completely according to Dutch-Lameijer tradition, with breakfast, cards and presents in bed. Kerstine prepared a perfect birthday-spread. The first birthday call came in at 12:03 AM. My little brother always likes calling me in the middle of the night. This year I was prepared though and had my cell phone turned on next to my bed J.
After breakfast Kerstine drove me to Santa Barbara to shop for hiking shoes at Mountain Air Sports! I had never been there -- what a great outdoor store! Super quality and very friendly, knowledgeable staff. After a nice walk in the Harbor (the weather is always perfect on my birthday) it was lunch time. We went to Stella Mare's -- Wow!
I have had my fair share of French meals, and their "Moules de frites" was absolutely one of the best. First of all the French bread was the best I have had here in the US. A lot of places serve "french bread", however it really never comes close to what French bread actually really tastes like. This bread however .... Spot on!!
Even on my birthday life goes on, and so my High School tennis team had a match. So in the afternoon I took a break from the festivities and coached my team in yet another league match. Alas it did not turn out to be a victory for us, we came close though.
Big surprise when I came home! Opening the door into the house, Kerstine was welcoming me, cocktails in hand, and appetizers in the yard. The house all decorated, music playing, the perfect atmosphere to finish off a great April 12th. The birthday-dinner Kerstine made was delicious, a wedge to start and a scrumptious wine-infused oven dish as main course. Desert was some chocolates from our magicians in Carpinteria "Chocolats du Cali Bressan" which we had in the yard sitting around our Chiminea.
What a day what a day. I want to thank everybody for the birthday wishes, text messages, phone calls, emails, and cards. You made my birthday very very special! On to another fantastic year!
