My Latest Fine Dining Experience

Well, the truth is, I haven't had that many fine dining experiences, but this one definitely was one of  the- if not the- best ever!

As you are well aware from posts from past years, I've had some pretty special birthdays, thanks to my wonderful family! This year, I had already had some "me" time and other indulgences, so I didn't expect much more than an ordinary day for my birthday. Which was fine! I/we harvested for vegetable baskets, got them delivered, ran errands, did innumerable household tasks, weeded, made a typical weekday plain-old supper, and tucked little (and bigger) hearts into bed at night. Blessed ordinary! I got lots of sweet texts/emails throughout the day from dear friends and sisters, and fell asleep that night feeling very loved and touched. It was a good day. (It was a good year!)

Dave and the kids kept telling me they were going to do something special for Saturday supper. I didn't expect anything more, really! But it was nice to not have to think of something for supper for Saturday since I knew I'd be busy in the kitchen baking for church lunch the next day. 

So, around 3 pm on Saturday, with the remaining 30 dozen bars finally done for the morrow, I was booted out of the kitchen. I had to go to Bloomington to get donuts anyway, so it was okay! Plus I was getting sick of that kitchen, new and charming as it is. Kenan and I were gone about three hours. When I arrived home at 6, this is what I found at the top of the steps in a very quiet house with beautiful music playing in the background:

Honestly, I didn't really understand the likely hidden meaning behind the name, but was delighted with the anticipation of whatever it meant! They've done some pretty neat "special suppers," but nothing really prepared me for what was waiting me once I entered the kitchen:

A salad bar that rivals any Ruby Tuesday's (which I love), and hence, the name :) (which I didn't get until they told me, but once I knew, I found to be adorable!)

It was beyond anything I could have dreamed up- and absolutely delicious, too! I can still taste the apple salad, and the delectable bright green salad that grew on my plate as I went down the line- two long tables' worth! Such a huge variety, too!

love all those colors!! 

And that's not all! Fruit pizza for dessert! I am still not sure how they did all that in just three hours, plus were all cleaned up in a clean house, just waiting for us to return. They make it look so simple!

It was a fabulous Ephesians 3:21 evening. I couldn't have imagined something more special. Thanks, dear family! I love you all so much!! Truly, I do not deserve you!!  -Kara/Mom