Sara Jane's Birthday Dinner

I have known my friend Sara Jane since elementary school.  Despite living super close to each other, we weren't always the closest growing up.  Yet through the years, our friendship slowly grew and now I can't imagine what my life would be like without her.  Sara Jane has lived in San Francisco since she graduated from Emerson College in 2003 and I only get to see her maybe two or three times a year at most.  But Sara Jane is always generous with her time and manages to squeeze in a visit with me whenever she finds herself back on the East Coast.

Tuesday night was Sara Jane's last night in Massachusetts and I was happy to throw a little dinner party for Sara Jane, her wife Meghan and their precious pup Albie.  It also happened to be Sara Jane's birthday so I went all out for a huge birthday feast and even set the table in the dining room!

When they arrived, we started the night off with a little prosecco and a prettier version of my watermelon and feta bites.  But we were so busy chatting and laughing that I forgot to take a picture!  I'll have to blame it on this hysterical "Get Well" card that I made for Sara Jane in the third grade.  She found it when she was at home and couldn't resist bringing it over!

If you can't read it, the card says, "Dear Sara, I hope you get well.  Or I won't be happy. So you better get well. Or there won't be any cheerleading cheers. From your friend, Michelle Lee"  Doesn't it sound slightly menacing?  I guess there's a reason why my Hallmark career never took off!

Anyway, our meal for the evening was simple but full of lots of flavor.  The main attraction was our maple pepper and habanero chicken breasts.  The chicken breasts were marinated with the maple pepper and habanero dry rub, olive oil and a touch of maple syrup during the day and then were given a dry rub of the maple pepper and habanero seasoning.  The chicken was seared on both sides and then thrown in the oven to cook through.

As a side, we served corn on the cob with a healthy rub of Myers + Chang's sriracha butter.

And I made a side of my new favorite pasta salad - pesto orecchiette salad.  Instead of using feta, I substituted it with mozzarella and served this pasta cold.

And of course, it wouldn't be a birthday party without birthday cake! Bret and I made a two layer Funfetti cake with Funfetti frosting!

It was so lovely to spend a whole evening with Sara Jane and her wife Meghan.  And I insisted that we take a  self-timer photo to remember the night...along with some photos of their adorable dog Albie.

Have you ever seen a picture of a dog with a mohawk?

It was a wonderful evening with one of my oldest friends.  I was so happy to celebrate her birthday with her and even happier when everyone took multiple servings!

Bret and I also had a hidden agenda and we wanted to ask Sara Jane if she would honor us by officiating our wedding.  Without even a moment's hesitation, she said yes and we're thrilled that she will be part of our special day.

Happy Birthday Sara Jane.  I hope you have a happy birthday.  Or else I won't be happy.