Celebrating Early

My hubby was gone last Friday afternoon through Sunday night on a youth retreat with the teens from our church. He was one of the drivers as well as a chaperon for the boys. Since I was by myself, my son and daughter-in-law [Steve & Sharon] took me out to Olive Garden after church to celebrate my birthday [which isn't actually until tomorrow].

I don't know why, but I've never ordered tea at Olive Garden until yesterday. It was so cold outside [in the teens] and hot tea sounded good. They serve Tetley tea and I selected Earl Grey. Sharon ordered the same, and we both enjoyed it.

My meal was Ravioli di Portobello with a salad. Because we were celebrating my birthday, one of their Piccoli Dolci Desserts was complimentary. I chose the Limoncello Mousse garnished with white chocolate shavings and a sugared lemon jelly slice. Yum!

A special thanks to Frieda in Texas [a follower of my blog] for the surprise package that arrived in Friday's mail.

She visited Chip & JoAnna Gaines Magnolia Market before the holidays. Inside the envelope was a lovely tea towel from The Silos. I don't watch a lot of television, but I do enjoy Chip & JoAnna's "Fixer-Upper" show, and I would love to visit the Silos someday as well as Ree Drummond's mercantile store [Food Network's Pioneer Lady] near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I love the vintage car carrying the Christmas tree on top. It's so JoAnna. It reminded me of the displays in the Owosso, MI florist ship that I visited the end of last November.