We had a great night celebrating my mom’s birthday… Dinner was at one of our favorite local “homestyle” restaurants… This is basically where we go for everyone’s birthday & special events, both in my family and in Bill’s… kind of funny, huh? The environment may seem familiar since we were just there in May for graduation and back in March for my dad’s birthday…
I started out with a house salad with italian dressing on top (best dressing option here unfortunately they have no vinaigrettes!)… I was kind of surprised because they normally put it on the side, but this time they put it in the center, luckily I was able to work around it!
My entree was 2 crab cakes & an assortment of veggies (southwestern corn, Brussels sprouts)… I love this place because they serve steamed vegetables family style so there is plenty to go around… I also had a few bites of the potatoes that were served alongside of the veggies… I only ate one of the crab cakes, so you’ll be seeing the other one soon!
Their crab cakes are made from scratch so when I pulled off the breading, this is what I got (topped w/ some of the cocktail sauce):
Dessert is what I most look forward to here, strawberry crepes! We all split two orders of crepes… yum! I ate it despite my “cutting back” on dairy, so I’m hoping the whipped cream doesn’t affect me too badly 
Although I overindulged tonight, it was worth it considering my mom & dad loved their combined birthday + Father’s Day presents, tickets to see Cirque du Soleil (they saw it in Vegas and loved it)… I also wrote my mom a pretty lengthy poem and she started to cry, which in turn caused me to cry, which in turn caused my grandmom to cry LOL! What can we say, it’s a family trait 
All the men at the table (my grandpop, dad, brother & Bill) just started laughing at us, they don’t get that it’s a girl thing!
Now I’m off to do some quick arm exercises: tricep dips using a chair and some push ups… and then it’s off to relax + sleep… I have been so tired lately in the mornings so I’m going to try to get to bed earlier tonight! Night 
What a nice celebration!! Your indulgences are justified :0)
You wrote her a poem! That is seriously beautiful, and I totally got you on the crying. Show the ladies in my family a picture of a puppy and we’re all bawling
That sounds and looks wonderful
The dessert looks ridiculously incredible! I am glad they liked your gifts!
Ack! So much dressing! Where do restaurants get the idea that we need that much?
I’m glad your celebrations went so well
Hi Linds- I just love your blog and have been a follower for a long time now. I really admire your honesty, your commitment to your health, and your ability to find balance even amidst craziness!
My name is Anna and I have been an avid lover of the food blogging world for over a year.
About a month ago, I started my own blog, called Meals from the Girl in the Little Black Dress.
http://mealsfromthegirlinthelittleblackdress.wordpress.com/
I focus on eating healthfully with mostly whole foods, and feeling good about everything I put into my mouth. I was wondering if I might provide a link to your blog on my website? Also, if you have any suggestions on my blog, I would love to hear them! Thanks so much Linds, for showing us you can be super busy yet super healthy!
Happy Birthday to your mom!!! =) Those crepes look SO good.
Sounds like a lot of fun!! I hope that your stomach feels ok…
You know I love crepes too! Yum!
Haha awww, the chain reaction of crying. Too cute! Looks like a great dinner! Even though semi unhealthy(dressing, breading etc) you managed to make it work. Good job! Haha
Those crepes look SOOOOO unbelievably good! Any dessert with strawberries i’ve def gotta have
(woo hoo triceps dips!)
now,, I have to finally ask:
so you just whip out your camera phone at the restaurant?!
M
VeggieGirl ~ Thanks!
RLS ~ haha, its nice to know your fam is the same way!
Erica ~ Its awesome, I think my fave dessert ever!
magpie ~ I know!!! Usually they put it on the side which is why I didn’t ask for it on the side!
annaalstondonnelly ~ Hi Anna! Thanks for stopping by
I did a quick skim of your blog – looks awesome, now I have to catch up w/ it! I LOVE the title hehe… Aww I would love to be linked from your blog 
I have to update my blogroll, but when I do you will be on there!
Romina ~ Aww thanks, I’ll pass it along to her!
Jenn ~ I was fine last night but woke up this morning not feeling so well, guess it was the dairy overload!
Monica ~ hehe, my weakness!
Kristie ~ I think everyone in the restaurant was wondering what was going on b/c we were crying haha!!!
Richelle ~
That’s my motto exactly!
MizFit ~ Yup, except I do not use a camera phone b/c the quality stinks LOL… I use my camera which is semi-small but definitely more obvious than a cell phone… but I’ve become really quick & discrete, so much so that my family will ask, “did you get your picture????” haha… they dont even see me do it anymore