For those of you who missed it, Mattapalooza was a great success this year! You may remember me writing about this annual event before, but for those of you who don't know or remember, it is the week-long celebration of Matt's birth :)
A few years ago, a friend mentioned how over time her birthday celebration continued extending farther and farther to include additional days. Since she loves celebrating holidays and especially loves having her loved ones celebrate her :), she suggested the tradition of a week long celebration each year...and for some reason, they all bought into it! lol
When I met Matt and began learning more and more about him, I realized it would be a blessing to him to make much of his birthday. Borrowing the idea from my friend, I coined the term Mattapalooza to mark the full week of celebration. I have to admit, it was easier (somehow) to be creative with the celebration before we were married. This year, the celebration each day largely involved making a favorite meal of his for dinner and special desserts. (NOT the best idea when we are both trying to trim down!)
Here are a few of the most notable aspects of our celebration week:
Matt (and I) love fajitas. Deciding to buy some flank steak to use (for the first time), I knew proper preparation would be essential. I found a recipe online to use as a marinade and he grilled the meat for me (normally I cook it on the stove). Adding the leftover marinade to the peppers and onions, cooking it long enough to be safe, I constructed the fajitas (for the first time) without using packaged seasoning. It blew us away! The flavor was unlike any fajitas I'd ever had before. That recipe is going to be revisited, often.
A while back, I found a peanut butter cookie recipe I wanted to try. It was something I hoped to bake around Christmas, but it never happened. Matt and I love a good peanut butter cookie. Let me just tell you...these are probably the best cookies I've ever eaten! Matt Oooos and Aaahs each time he takes the first bite of one. lol He's reminded me at least twice to keep the recipe :)
Matt's birthday was on Friday this year, so it would make sense for him to take the day off, right?! Well, I asked two months ago, but that wasn't early enough. Due to another critical employee already having the day off, he'd have to work. Bummer.
That didn't stop me though! I secretly planned a little getaway and didn't let on, except to say Friday night and Saturday were mine. All mine.
At about noon on Friday, I showed up at work with cupcakes and an invitation, letting him know he'd be kidnapped at 4 p.m. I'd be back to pick him up and I'd have everything he'd need. It was really cute to see his face and know he didn't know how to react.
When I returned, I had our bags packed (and a change of clothes for him) and off we went on a road trip! I'll tell you more about our trip on another post, but suffice it to say, we had a great weekend and as always, enjoyed our time together. I love that man. And I'm glad he was born. :)
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