My birthday, Dubai style

I had an absolutely fantastic birthday this year! Joe bought the most delicious cake from a place called Gateaux in the Marina. Gateaux means cake in French. I learn something new every day! Despite what the candles may indicate, I did not turn 82 this year...I turned 28...but Joe thought it would be clever to switch the candles around since I was born in 1982. Did I mention that the cake was delicious?? It was a strawberries and cream cake, with fresh strawberries and fresh cream and white chocolate and boy, was it good!I got a birthday card all the way from Clarkston, Georgia...and Colin got a goody box from Great-Grandaddy and Great-Grandmother Owen! Thank you for thinking of us!

These are pretty flowers are from my parents:

The rest of the birthday loot - a pressurized wine cork, reference cards for homemade cleaners (more on that later), an iPad cover to pacify me until we can afford to get an actual iPad, and a gift certificate to the Virgin Megastore from Pete & Simone.

Pete & Simone came over to celebrate, eat dinner with us (lemon rosemary chicken with rice and fresh green beans a la Joe), then they listened out for Colin so Joe and I could have our first night out together since arriving in Dubai. What great friends they are!

Joe and I just before heading out:

We ended up at the Marina Yacht Club sports bar.

Then we headed outside to sit on the deck for awhile.

Afterwards we walked across the marina and down to the beach. Nothing like an evening stroll through the sand and surf with the one you love :)

Thanks to everyone that made my birthday so special!