The Gouda Life

So today is my birthday. February 22, 2012 (perhaps my last one before the world ends - no big deal)

Birthdays are sort of odd. At least as far as I’m concerned. I always get really anxious to have a day that’s all for me (yes, I’m a total brat) and all mine to be self absorbed….but when it finally gets here I always feel extremely apprehensive and unsure of how to respond to peoples well-wishes and attention. Time and again I curl into myself feeling red-faced at the hot spotlight that’s been set upon me. Which is sort of hilarious given that I wait 365 days to have my very own special day. I never claimed to be normal - let’s be straight about that.  

In order to counteract the cringing embarrassment I’m feeling about hogging all the attention from my loved ones and peers today, I decided to say thank you to you. Yes! You! You totally deserve a thank you. 

I have an extremely supportive group of people around me on a daily basis. Notably, my boyfriend Allan, who not only picks up half (ok, 3/4) the groceries for the recipes you see around here (and with a smile, I might add) but acts as a sounding-board, taste tester, backbone, editor, photo-chooser and therapist every.single.day. He is a keeper. And I intend to keep him for as long as he’ll have me. Though he’ll likely burn red when he reads this, he’s one of the most incredible people I know. So thank you, Ally. 

My best friend, Amanda, who I’ve spoken about umpteen times on the blog, is also up there in the list of people that keep me sane, give me the little shove I need when I’m dragging my feet or feeling like it’s not worth it, and lets me vent endlessly about the stresses and pressures I sometimes feel in this world I still know very little about. I think it’s also worth celebrating that she has probably eaten more dishes from The Gouda Life than anyone else in my life. She is my taste-tester extraordinaire and she’s always honest about how she feels about the dishes, which I appreciate more than she knows. Thank you, my Hemmy. 

My family, close friends, sister (who is my also family, but more than that), my peers, fellow bloggers, and you, whoever you might be that reads my sometimes never-ending rambles - THANK YOU. You are the reason I write, the reason I take photos, my inspiration, my creativity, and the reason I haven’t given up on this, at times daunting, hobby. I just love you all more than I can say and I wouldn’t have found my voice or my passion without you. 

On my birthday - I want to say thank you to you all. If I could hug each and every one of you, I would. Instead, I will keep sharing recipes and doing what makes me eternally happy. I can only hope it makes you happy as well. 



**That photo there, at the top of the page, is coming up next on TGL. It’s sinful and full of delicious fat and better than birthday cake. Hint: STRAWBERRY TIRAMISU PANCAKES! Did you hear that!!? Whoaaaa!