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September 21, 2015

Birthday Weekend Adventures

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Hello my friends – today is my birthday! Monday is kind of a lame birthday day, but don’t worry – I was quite spoiled with a weekend of celebrations. 🙂

birthday candle fruit art

On Saturday, Matt and I had a bunch of friends over for a combination end of summer BBQ + birthday party for me. We started the party at 4 p.m. and it didn’t end until midnight, so I’d say it was a hit! I was having too much fun to take any photos, but Matt grilled everyone gourmet burgers and sausages from Whole Foods, and I made a big salad and all sorts of snacks (hummus, crackers, veggies, fruit, cheese, etc.) for everyone to enjoy, too. Dessert was this beautiful fruit tart, also from Whole Foods – I’m not a cake person but I love tarts! It was delicious. 🙂

birthday fruit tart

As for yesterday, Matt planned us a surprise adventure day! The weather could not have been more perfect, and our first stop was a picnic at Paradise Springs Winery near Clifton, VA!

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We had all sorts of good food to snack on – a mix of stuff from our fridge/pantry (crackers, cheese, grapes, guac, carrots) and a few things from Whole Foods that we grabbed on the drive out – kale salad, quinoa salad, beets, olives, and some sausage.

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We couldn’t have had a more beautiful day for it, and the winery grounds were lovely! Lots of people had the same idea and were also out enjoying the day, but it wasn’t crowded, which was nice. Can’t wait to go back!

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After eating and relaxing for awhile, we headed inside for a wine tasting. We ended up buying a bottle of the Chardonnay to take home – crisp and refreshing!

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Our second stop on the adventure day was Mason Neck State Park, about a 30 minute drive away (closer to DC).

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It’s right on the Potomac River, and Matt’s original plan was for us to go kayaking, but apparently they send out the last boats at 3:30 and we arrived shortly after that. No worries – we hit the hiking trails, instead!

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There were a bunch of shorter trails on the property and we spent about 2 hours enjoying them. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon!

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Our final birthday adventure was back in DC! We came home, cleaned up, and my parents took us out to a nice dinner. We went to Lincoln – the service wasn’t amazing (slow/disorganized), but the food was good and so was the company, so no worries. I especially love their deviled eggs. 🙂 This one had lobster on top!

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As for today, I’m spending the day working, but treating myself to a lunchtime yoga class and looking forward to a chill night at home with Matt. He’s going to make us cedar plank salmon and sweet potatoes on the grill per my request. Any recipes you guys recommend along those lines? I’m sure he’d love to see them! 🙂

Thank you to those who have already shared birthday wishes – and thank you, as always, for reading my blog and sharing in our adventures! You guys rock – I’m so glad you’re here. <3

- anne
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33 comments
  • Sana
    September 21, 2015 · 11:49AM:
    Happy happy birthday! I always do a birthday run/workout to celebrate! Enjoy yoga :)
    Reply
  • Sokphal @ Life as a Classroom
    September 21, 2015 · 12:10PM:
    I need to go to Lincoln - those eggs look amazing! Saturday was really fun. :) I was hoping Matt would wear the matching hat as well? :( Feliz cumpleanos! Glad you were born my friend! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 21, 2015 · 1:55PM:
      Haha I know, I wish we had been twinsies! Thanks for coming on Saturday - and for being such a great friend! xo
      Reply
  • Chris September 21, 2015 · 12:16PM:
    That picnic looks legit! We are some picnic loving people and Matt learned from the best. Happy Birthday!! Hope it kicks off a great year.
    Reply
  • Sara
    September 21, 2015 · 12:23PM:
    Happy Birthday! What a great weekend - that lobster deviled egg looks amazing. Enjoy your day today!
    Reply
  • Wan September 21, 2015 · 12:35PM:
    So so so nice husband and gorgeous birthday you have :D
    Reply
  • Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio
    September 21, 2015 · 12:49PM:
    Happy Birthday Anne!!!!!
    Reply
  • Dietitian Jess
    September 21, 2015 · 1:01PM:
    Happy Happy Birthday- sounds like a great weekend Matt planned for you, enjoy the rest of your celebrations :)
    Reply
  • Nolwenn September 21, 2015 · 1:04PM:
    Happy birthday Anne! I have been reading your blog for a long time, but never comment, but this was the day to do so, especially as we share the same birthday!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 21, 2015 · 1:54PM:
      Aw, yay! Happy birthday to you, too - and thank you for reading! :)
      Reply
  • Sandra F. September 21, 2015 · 1:38PM:
    Happy Birthday, Anne! Love the hat in your picnic picture! :) Wishing you many, many more.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 21, 2015 · 1:54PM:
      Thank you! It's from our trip to Malta! :)
      Reply
  • Heather @ Life In Leggings
    September 21, 2015 · 1:43PM:
    What a fun day of events! It sounds like you had the perfect weekend. Happy Birthday!! <3
    Reply
  • Alexis
    September 21, 2015 · 1:50PM:
    Happy birthday!!! :D
    Reply
  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    September 21, 2015 · 2:32PM:
    Matt needs to give Ulys some lessons in bday planning ;) What a fun weekend!
    Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    September 21, 2015 · 4:10PM:
    Deviled eggs with lobster!!! Birthday sorted :) Happy Birthday missus hope you enjoy your chilled evening!
    Reply
  • Mary
    September 21, 2015 · 4:45PM:
    Happy birthday!!!! That fruit tart cake thing looks SO delicious! Hope you had an awesome weekend, and your boring monday birthday goes well too :)
    Reply
  • Erin M. September 21, 2015 · 5:46PM:
    Happy birthday, Anne!!
    Reply
  • Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola
    September 21, 2015 · 5:58PM:
    Happy Birthday, Anne :) Sounds like you are eating some amazing food during your celebration!!
    Reply
  • Sara @ Oats & Rows
    September 21, 2015 · 7:20PM:
    Happy Birthday! :-)
    Reply
  • Roadrunner September 21, 2015 · 8:26PM:
    What an awesome weekend of birthday events -- prior to your birthday! Kudos to Matt for his surprise adventure. Very nice, indeed. So, happy birthday, Anne!
    Reply
  • Allison Keskimaki
    September 21, 2015 · 8:38PM:
    Happy birthday, Anne! Looks like you had a great weekend!!
    Reply
  • Min
    September 21, 2015 · 8:39PM:
    Happy happy birthday, Anne!!! What a fun-filled weekend! Matt sure is a keeper ;).
    Reply
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
    September 21, 2015 · 9:34PM:
    Happy Birthday!! Glad to hear you had such a great weekend!
    Reply
  • Mikołaj
    September 22, 2015 · 5:05AM:
    Happy Birthday! :)
    Reply
  • Doreen September 22, 2015 · 7:59AM:
    Sounds like a great birthday weekend--glad Matt spoils you! Happy Birthday!
    Reply
  • Emily @ Sinful Nutrition
    September 22, 2015 · 11:35AM:
    Happy Birthday Anne! Looks like a great celebration. I'm always get a fruit tart instead of a cake too! Unless it's Funfetti cake. Haha! :D
    Reply
  • Kelly
    September 22, 2015 · 11:58AM:
    Happy Birthday! Looks like a fun and delicious birthday weekend. :-)
    Reply
  • Amber @ Madden Wellness Counseling
    September 22, 2015 · 3:13PM:
    Happy Birthday Anne! It looks like you had such a fun day and I'm so glad! :)
    Reply
  • Selena @ The Nutritious Kitchen
    September 23, 2015 · 12:46AM:
    Ahh happy belated birthday Anne! This whole weekend honestly sounds perfect, laid back with good friends and lots of yummy food. Just my style! Also it was really great getting to meet you at Blog Brûlée, you totally killed it with your presentation! Looking over my notes as we speak :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 23, 2015 · 11:08AM:
      It was great meeting you, too! :) So glad you liked the presentation!
      Reply
  • masala girl
    September 24, 2015 · 10:17PM:
    i love how much you and matt go on adventurous dates :) I'd love to do that!!
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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