I think I have officially reverted back to sausage casing status.

But it feels so good! Perhaps I could at least be a soy sausage? I do enjoy those quite frequently.
So, as promised, there was certainly cheese tonight. Billowy mounds of creamy deliciousness topped with runny golden truffle honey sent straight to earth from the gods. Oh yes.

beet ravioli with goat cheese! Very glad I pulled the trigger on this one rather than salmon, my usual restaurant go-to entree. Ravioli has been on my mind since the stunning conquest last weekend, and I knew I just had to order this.

Peanut butter ice cream sandwiches with chocolate “dipping” sauce. Do I need to say more?

I didn’t think so.
And beautiful flowers π

I still have one more day left of my youth. Hark, happy day!

Becki @ HikeBikeEat
June 9, 2010 at 10:02 pmThe only cheese I can have is goat cheese – I have a dairy sensitivity. I live vicariously through your cheesy posts!
jenny (green food diaries)
June 9, 2010 at 10:11 pmi have a friend named zazu! food looks beautiful.
“But it feels so good! Perhaps I could at least be a soy sausage? I do enjoy those quite frequently.” – ohhh goodness. you crack me up. seriously. i snorted π
amber's notebook
June 9, 2010 at 10:16 pmLooked like a fabulous way to start celebrating your birthday my fellow Gemini! have fun with your Madre!
Sana
June 9, 2010 at 10:20 pmHappy B-day!!!!!!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please
June 9, 2010 at 10:24 pmWow, if I could have a meal like that for every birthday, I wouldn’t mind aging!! The picture of you and your mom is classic! I love it!
Suzanne de Cornelia
June 9, 2010 at 10:31 pmLooks delicious and like lots of fun. Your mom is a doll!! And you look beautiful in your ice-blue dress!!
Suzanne de Cornelia
June 9, 2010 at 10:38 pmPS: in case you missed today–Salma Heyek (love her) totally freaking out over snake (who wouldn’t!). SO agile on those high heels balancing on the skinny arm of a filmsy director chair. Isn’t that an Olympic sport?
http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/watch-salma-hayek-freak-out-when-she-spots-a-snake-201096
Marina
June 9, 2010 at 10:54 pmEverything looks so delicious, the cheese, pb cookies…
And you look so cute on that picture π
Helen
June 9, 2010 at 11:08 pmCheese overload! Love all your food, especially the raviolli, delicious. How cute is the chocolate dipping sauce holder?! What a great meal!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
June 9, 2010 at 11:12 pmBeet ravioli – oh my!
Is that your mum? She’s gorgeous!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
June 9, 2010 at 11:14 pmAh, Zazu – how I want you! Cute pic of you. Hope you enjoyed your night : )
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
June 9, 2010 at 11:16 pmP.S. Your hair is so silky & gorgeous!
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
June 9, 2010 at 11:43 pmWeΒ΄re almost birthday twins! Happy birthday, girl!
tasha - the clean eating mama
June 9, 2010 at 11:57 pmFood + flowers + BF + Mom + Dress Fitting = Amazing! =) Glad you had a wonderful night!
Annie @ stronghealthyfit
June 10, 2010 at 12:29 amYou are so funny. That restaurant looks amazing…. Im pining for California!
Happy Birthday π
~Jessica~
June 10, 2010 at 2:42 amHappy birthday!
I love your expression in that photo…it’s been cracking me up all morning π
xxxxxxxx
Marieke
June 10, 2010 at 3:24 amGoats cheese and beet root – such a great combo! Cookies and ice cream too I must say. What a great meal to share with your mum – you really look like her!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
June 10, 2010 at 3:34 amAlmost your bday! Those flowers are just gorgeous. π
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
June 10, 2010 at 3:42 amYou look beautiful!!! Sounds like a fantastic meal! I love the beet ravioli…I’d have to order that too if I spotted it on the menu! And that dessert…there are no words. Heaven, maybe? Happy almost birthday!
Alina
June 10, 2010 at 3:46 amHappy Birthday! I turned 25 on Saturday and it wasn’t as traumatic as I thought it would be. Plus I got carded at the liquor store! (the legal age is 19 here). Anyway, here’s to another great year!
amanda
June 10, 2010 at 4:25 amOhh wow that ice cream sandwich looks deliciously yummy!
M.
June 10, 2010 at 4:35 amYour mum is so beautiful-wowsa!
A quick question-someone else was asking what you thought about mint.com wanting your bank account/password info etc.
That really concerns me-do you think that is safe?
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
June 10, 2010 at 5:07 amHey M,
Thought I’d put in my two cents. I use mint.com and I haven’t had a single problem. By taking all of that information it can update according to all of your accounts, so you can see everything in one place. I’ve used it for a couple years now without problems.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
June 10, 2010 at 4:36 amThat entire meal looks fantastic, from the cheese to the ice cream sandwiches. I’m such a cheese snob- I never eat it unless it’s the good stuff on a cheese plate!! Enjoy your birthday’s eve!!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami)
June 10, 2010 at 5:09 amOhh, the chesse! But what do you mean by you’re reverting back to a sausage? You’re beautiful.
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
June 10, 2010 at 5:22 amIt all looks amazing, as always. And congrats on getting back into your dress! I agree with your slim down attitude completely. Just cutting back a little and working out more is the best zero deprivation way to feel great again!
jenna
June 10, 2010 at 5:27 amyou look great in your dress!
that cheese plate looks sinfully fabulous!! mmmm…
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
June 10, 2010 at 5:27 ammmm..that is *my* kind of restaurant. Fresh cheese plate? Peanut butter sandwiches? Oh my! π
diana@mymarblerye
June 10, 2010 at 5:40 amLOVE LOVE that your mom is there for your bday…I hope it’s gonna be a night of dancing!
Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries
June 10, 2010 at 5:40 amCongrats on feeling more comfortable in your own skin. Nothing is more important. Food looked OUTRAGEOUS. Glad you had a great bday dinner #1!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
June 10, 2010 at 5:45 amOh my, I would have had to order that beet ravioli too! It looks delicious! Glad you enjoyed your birthday dinner! π
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
June 10, 2010 at 5:48 amWhat a fun dinner! That dessert looks amazing…
Christena
June 10, 2010 at 6:17 amLove the picture of you and your mother. And the meal looks fantastic. Have a great b-day! You look gorgeous, as usual!
Danielle
June 10, 2010 at 6:27 amFeasting my eyes on this meal has been such a delightful early morning treat! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! π
Miranda @ Mirandasjeans
June 10, 2010 at 6:33 amOMG that cheese looks so good. I haven’t enjoyed much cheese lately π sad I know, but it just upsets my stomach too much. Such beautiful looking food.
Ashley
June 10, 2010 at 6:45 amHappppy bday! Nothing better than a bday dinner with your mom! Everything looks incredible as always
AllieNic (Frisky Lemon)
June 10, 2010 at 6:52 amHappy Birthday!! YAY for peanut butter ice cream sandwiches…those things look AMAZING! Have a great day!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
June 10, 2010 at 7:04 ami’d venture to say that cheese looks like it’s sent straight to heaven from the gods too…what a truly delicious dinner!
eatmovelove
June 10, 2010 at 7:06 amLooks good!
R @ learningasichop.wordpress.com
June 10, 2010 at 7:09 amBeet ravioli? Sounds delicious! and very summery
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
June 10, 2010 at 7:10 amLife without cheese would not be worth living.
What is that bleu one you had? I love a strong, in-your-face creamy bleu cheese!
Kristin (Salty Tooth)
June 10, 2010 at 7:11 amOut of all of that, I so want the cheese plate!
Andrea (Sweet N Green)
June 10, 2010 at 7:28 amAll of that fooood..yuM! Especially the peanut butter ice cream sandwiches! Love the dress!
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 10, 2010 at 7:44 amWhat a unique restaurant! It’s so fun finding dishes on the menu that you don’t find anywhere else. Happy early birthday, and just so you know, I’m turning 28 next week and I feel younger than I did when I was 25. π Don’t worry, we are lucky to be part of a generation where adulthood is getting pushed back later and later.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
June 10, 2010 at 7:49 amWhat a DELICIOUS bday dinner!!! Those cookies…. oh yum…
Jenna (Hello, I Love You)
June 10, 2010 at 8:20 amI can always count on you for amazing Wine Country restaurant recommendations. I am going up there again next weekend and we might just need to go to Zazu. The whole meal looks incredible!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
June 10, 2010 at 9:11 amlooks amazing!
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
June 10, 2010 at 9:36 ammmmmm…. cheeeeeeese! Happy Birthday!!!
kaitlin
June 10, 2010 at 9:40 amAmazing looking meal!!
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy
June 10, 2010 at 9:49 amMmm…peanut butter ice cream sandwiches! I’ve never even thought of putting ice cream between pb cookies before! What’s wrong with me?!?
Running Betty
June 10, 2010 at 9:59 amcheck out my blog today. You got an award!
I had a lot of cheese yesterday too. I had a meeting in a hotel and there was free cheese to try – all sorts. And guacamole with goat cheese. Yum!
Kellie
June 10, 2010 at 10:04 amThat dessert is making my mouth water. How amazing that sounds!
Kim (Imperfectly Perfect)
June 10, 2010 at 10:09 amYour meal looks amazing! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!
Jessica @ Jessica Balances
June 10, 2010 at 10:26 amHave a great birthday! π That dessert looks sosososo good!
Kelly
June 10, 2010 at 10:29 amGood gracious, those pb ice cream sandwiches look good. I just licked my screen! π
Rachel
June 10, 2010 at 11:03 amMMmmm soy sausage
Kathleen
June 10, 2010 at 11:14 amoh man! those ravioli sound delicious! also, when are we going to see a picture of you and the boy TOGETHER? haha
Camille
June 10, 2010 at 1:33 pmNo matter whether your dress is big or small, tight or loose, you are still gorgeous!
Meg
June 10, 2010 at 2:23 pmI just came across your blog and I’m really enjoying it! You have a lot of great information. I peeked in your Book Nerd Club, which definitely gave me some ideas for summer reads. I have read Sarah’s Key and absolutely LOVED it!
Katherine
June 10, 2010 at 2:24 pmThat cheese looks so good that after seeing the picture I left work, ran across the street to Ralphs and bought cheese to suppliment my lunch. Delicious, and happy birthday!
Sally
June 10, 2010 at 3:27 pmI love the picture of you and your mama. It is clear how much she loves you from her adoring look. What a cute moment.
Dorry
June 10, 2010 at 3:42 pmYou are beautiful! And I LOVE those orange roses!
Kathleen
June 10, 2010 at 4:34 pmHappy Birthday…epic meal and epic look on ur pretty face…seriously adored it and laughed out loud (which made the boyfriend think I’m crazier than normal although he is getting used to random spurts of laughter when I am blog surfing).
Katherine
June 10, 2010 at 4:42 pmwhere did the name “zazu” come from?
the fresh flowers are so lovely!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
June 10, 2010 at 7:24 pmThat cheese looks magnificent..It would make my tummy hurt but looks lovely.
Pierre
June 10, 2010 at 8:49 pmA friend told me about your blog and she was right….good food with beautiful images… I’m hook.
kate
June 13, 2010 at 6:46 pmHow old are you turning?