Cilantro Pesto Pizza Bread

Can we talk about birthdays for a moment?  Mine was this weekend, and it was good, but strange.  I guess when we talk about birthdays, for a lot of us, that means talking about expectations.  I know I'm guilty of having a lot of expectations for what that day will be like.  I expect cake, I expect cards, I expect presents, and now that I'm older I expect some booze...  But I try my hardest to be flexible so that if things aren't perfect, I'm not disappointed.  It's hard, though, when a birthday is celebrated without your family, without most of your friends.

I will say that my coworkers really helped make that day special with all the decorations, gifts, and sweets they presented me with - I was really touched by all their efforts.  And all the cards and gifts I received in the mail, all the calls, texts, and Facebook posts reminded me that there are people all over the country (and the world!) who love me and who were thinking about me that day.  For all of you I am deeply and humbly thankful.  And, of course, my wonderful and doting boyfriend wanted to make my day as special as he could, and we did have a fun, special night out eating my favorite food, pad thai noodles.

It's hard to reconcile your expectations with reality sometimes.  And not just on birthdays either.  That's actually one of my biggest flaws - inflexibility.  Wanting things to be just so.  But I have been working on this for years, and I've gotten much, much better than I was when I was young.  It always helps to remind myself how things DID go my way, and to relive the moments when I felt on top of the world.  Like when you come in to work to find presents, cake, and a card waiting on your desk... or when you come home to find two packages waiting on your doorstep for you to open.  Even though you're 24 and not a kid anymore, these are the moments when the magic is still alive.

Brown Sugar Turkey Burgers

I cannot claim credit for this recipe.  This was all the idea of my new and dear friend Rose, who is among one of my favorite people I've met while living here in Georgia.  A little background, in case you do not know me personally (rare at this nascent stage of my blogging exposure, but hey you never know), or in case you do know me personally, but not as well as all that.

I was born in Maine.  Yup, like land of the lobster, and of saying "wicked," and of Whoopie Pies.  Oh God, Whoopie Pies... I'm thinking of trying to make those, just as a heads-up, guys.  Anyway, I am a proud native Mainer.  Ayuh.

I was raised in New Jersey, from age 3 to 22.  I lived about 45 minutes outside NYC, just close enough that a day trip into the city is easy, but just far enough away that I could get to nature and greenery very easily.  I was actually one of the few in my town who was fortunate enough to live across from woods.

I went to college in New York state.  Not to be confused with New York City, this area (called the Southern Tier of New York) is highly rural, sometimes isolated, definitely different from any New York you'd think of if you're not from there.  But beautiful.  Even in the cold-ass winter.

I moved to Georgia, about 1 1/2 years ago.  Why, you ask?  Partially because my boyfriend's family was here, and they let us live with them in my transitional period between college and grad school, and partially because I was ready to try someplace new for a while.  It's lovely, marshy, and palmy here, even through all the humidity.

Who knows if I would've gotten so into cooking, food blogs, and food in general if it hadn't been for Kyle's talented mother getting me started with her repertoire of recipes.  So that's my journey so far, in a nutshell.  I'm sure you'll hear about parts of it at a later date, but for now, enjoy these burgers that Rose whipped up one night and made me drool over when she told me about them the next day.

Shrimp Nacho Bites

Have you ever noticed how some people are unhappy no matter where they go or what they're doing?  Some people always have something to complain about.  Some people find fault with any new place they move, or even visit.  Some people find fault with every new person they encounter, and every person they live and work with, perhaps even smiling in their faces while behind their backs they tear them down.

Some people, on the other hand, are adaptable, and can be relatively happy anywhere.  They move to a completely new place, totally unfamiliar, and end up thoroughly enjoying it, while even most natives say they can't stand the area.  Some people see the best in other people, and try their best to like and get along with everyone.  It is rare for this type of person to hate or even actively dislike someone.  It is rare for them to complain about their lot in life, for they are thankful for everyone who cares about them, and for the resources to be able to live and have fun with those people who care about them.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I've been thinking a lot about human nature, and how some people do fit the first description above.  I personally try to be more like the second person.  While no one can be perfect all the time, and exactly fit the description of Person B, I do try my hardest.  Every day.  Even when I am sometimes surrounded by Person A's, and it's tempting to just complain about everything all the time.

But I have so much NOT to complain about!  I have an amazingly loyal and loving family, great friends here and all over the country, a boyfriend who is thoughtful, respectful, reliable, affectionate, and hilarious, a good steady job, and the ability to buy, make, and eat great food.

What do you have to be thankful for?  I know it's not Thanksgiving or anything, but give it a try.  Go ahead, actually make a list.  It will make you feel great to look at a quantified representation of all that is good in your life.  You might be surprised at how much good there is.