I recently celebrated my 49^th birthday, kicking off another trip around the sun!

This year, I struck out on my own with my positive attitude in tow and sunshine literally on my shoulders, to find some local Birthday Fun. 

To me, a fun birthday is a day of being treated like a Queen, without the guilt of busting the budget or calorie count for the month.

My first treat was a lovely pedicure by Bailey Brunson at Headz Up Salon in Thomasville, AL. Bailey is excellent, fun to talk to, and makes amazing salt scrubs and coconut oil lotions that leave my skin feeling soft and refreshed. I chose bubble gum pink polish, because flip flop weather and sunny days are coming! Then it was off to Noelle’s Salon for a quick trim and brow shaping. Noelle Morris has been cutting my hair for several years. Her infectious giggle and intelligent conversation makes a visit with her more than just a few minutes in the styling chair. I leave feeling like I’ve been with a friend.

Southern Grounds Coffee Shop in Downtown Thomasville, AL is a tasty lunch spot. The enticing smell of brewing coffee is quite tempting. On this day I indulged myself with a Yellowhammer Panni. The Yellowhammer is a toasty, gooey sandwich, prepared like a grilled cheese with pimento cheese and bacon. My favorite!

After lunch I visited with Kerry Dunaway, a friend from my newspaper days. She is the director of the Clarke County Museum, Grove Hill, AL. Kerry is just the same, passionate and focused. She gave me some great leads on interesting articles for my website and blog. 

Grove Hill has changed a lot since the bypass was complete in the late 90s. I parked close to the Clarke County Courthouse and walked around the revitalized square. An inviting storefront at the Square Cup Coffee Shop caught my eye so I ventured inside. Along with the aroma of coffee, I was delighted to find a great assortment of gourmet food items, some that I typically have to drive to Mobile to purchase. I had a Lucky Duck coffee latte and a sampling of the Honeycomb frappe.  

No shopping trip to Grove Hill is complete without a perusal around A Little Bird Boutique. I bought a soft, hot pink top to wear to my daughter’s gender reveal. Team Girl!

Returning home, I scooped up Sunny, my piebald dachshund, and we enjoyed a few minutes on the back porch swing. Swings and Things, Grove Hill, AL, made and delivered my swing in June 2020 and I finally had it expertly hung by contractor Ryan Lyles in February. A friend found a great deal on some outdoor cushions at the Salvation Army, so Sunny and I were extra comfy as we waited for the family to arrive that afternoon.

Having my family under the same roof again definitely added to the day’s anticipation. My daughter and son-in-law brought crawfish for supper and we spread paper bags onto the outdoor table. Crawfish season is a spring ritual in the South. I’m sure it began as a cheap and accessible source of food, but now it’s a delicacy usually enjoyed with beer, boiled potatoes and corn, and sometimes sausage.

After supper, cinnamon roll aficionado Becky Luker kindly agreed to teach me and a group of ladies the ins-and-outs of dough and roll preparation. Needless to say, her melt-in-your-mouth, tender, and sweet cinnamon rolls, were the best birthday “cake!”

Finally, my daughter from Troy arrived, making the day complete in a way only a mama understands.  All of my babies, who are certainly not babies anymore, together again.  I got my best night sleep in weeks!

Find your own birthday fun adventure! Share it with me. I’d love to know what you enjoy doing on your birthday too!