Wednesday Gratitude #11 at Heart and Home: Birthday Celebrations

                          

It's time for another Wednesday Gratitude! Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are having a great day. If you're new to the meme, it's when you can post about "whatever makes you happy and makes your heart sing!" If you're joining the party, please remember to use the URL of your actual gratitude post, and link back to Heart and Home in your post. Thank you!

I'm also linking to Outdoor Wednesday, at A Southern Daydreamer. Thanks, Susan!

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher

I love birthdays! I was treated like a queen this weekend and had such a wonderful time. I'm so grateful for the good wishes of my friends, and for the outpouring of love from my family who made me feel so special. After a quick breakfast we headed to the Filoli House and Garden in Woodside, where we enjoyed the beautiful gardens and had lunch outdoors in the courtyard. Filoli was built between 1917 and 1919. The name was created by combining the first two letters from the words Fight, Love, Live, from the credo: "Fight for a just cause, Love your fellow man, Live a good life". Good words to live by, I believe! The propety is part of  The National Trust For Historic Preservation.

Here are a few pictures of the grounds:

Fragrant Lilac, my favorite!

There are thousands of tulips planted everywhere.

Cherry blossoms

The view through the Yew Allee to the High Place.

Delicate magnolia blossoms

It's so peaceful and beautiful in this place! For more information about Filoli, go here. If you have a chance to visit, I would highly recommend it! I know you would love spending an afternoon there as much as I do!

After touring the Filoli grounds and walking around the mansion, we headed up to San Francisco to spend the rest of the day walking in my favorite city. We decided to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and take in the views. The weather was beautiful, a perfect Spring day. The views were spectacular, and the wind was very brisk. It gave us big appetites for the fabulous dinner we enjoyed that evening in North Beach. There's nothing better than Italian food, served to you by handsome Italian men, after an invigorating afternoon walk across the San Francisco Bay!

The view from SF to Marin/Sausalito area

The exciting City by The Bay, with views of Fort Point below:

Just getting started, I'm all bundled up and ready to walk!

We got home late from a very busy day, tired and happy!

I love celebrating special occasions with my family! I love birthday presents, and cards, and birthday dessert, and streamers and flowers! I'm so thankful for the happy day I was able to spend with my daughters and my husband, celebrating one more candle added to my cake! Or rather, one candle on top of my Lemon souffle with raspberries and caramel sauce. Talk about delicious!! It was as good as it looked, better actually! I'm very thankful daughter #1 is comfortable in the kitchen and likes to try new recipes. She always knows just what to do make the occasion extra special!

And it was! I had an extra special, fun-filled weekend! I love birthdays!!

Thank you for stopping by today! Come back again, soon! Remember to leave a comment, and I'd be honored if you'd like to become a follower.

Until next time,

XO

Heidi