Fiesta Friday Birthday Edition (FF39)

Tags

Fiesta Friday, Fiesta Friday #39, Fiesta Friday Birthday Edition, link party, recipes

I’m celebrating my birthday this weekend, people! So, here’s the deal. I’m just going to relax and enjoy being celebrated, how’s that? This is my birthday party, after all! Birthday girls don’t normally have to cook for their own birthday parties, do they? So if you don’t see any contribution from me at the party, please don’t get mad.

In fact, I am under strict orders from the doctor aka the hubby to specifically not do anything other than being entertained and spoiled. Doesn’t that sound like a good prescription? He always takes such good care of me.

You are all invited to the party, of course, and if you bring food or drink or a story or a joke, I will personally see to it that you get the red carpet welcome from Suzanne @apuginthekitchen and Sue @Birgerbird, my co-hosts for this week’s Fiesta Friday Birthday Edition.

I did, however, manage to make a little somethin’ somethin’ this week, to be shared with you in the near future.

Can you guess what they are? Let’s just say they’re appropriate for the season, even if they’re not exactly birthday-celebration fare.

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Features from last week’s party are:

Spiced Poached Pear and Frangipane Brioche Tarts from Hannah @Domestic Gothess.

In Hilda’s words, “These are some ‘mid-morning snack’ as Hannah calls them. How I would love to be treated to one of these light and buttery fruit brioches in the a.m., sweetly spiced, glossy and beautiful. Come to think of it, I would welcome one just about any time.”

In Julianna’s words, “I thought these tarts were so sophisticated and could imagine what each layer would taste like as I took a bite. They are so beautiful and would be the perfect finish to any elegant dinner party.”

These tarts command attention immediately. Just so beautiful, Hannah! Would have loved to have a taste of one of these. Sounds about perfect as a mid-morning snack, maybe with coffee or tea.

Blackberry and Elderflower Entremets from Michelle @Giraffes Can Bake.

In Hilda’s words, “Michelle has done it again! This exquisite entremet is composed of five layers – each one a delectable recipe which could shine on its own. Beautifully assembled, the flavour, texture and colour of the final product is nothing short of stunning.”

Hilda took the words out of my mouth! This is just simply exquisite and stunning, Michelle! A five-star entremet!

Gulgule/Meetha Pooya from Sonal @Simply Vegetarian 777.

In Julianna’s words, “I was so excited when I saw these! Regular, mundane donut holes make a very frequent appearance in my workplace. I thought Sonal really raised the bar with this recipe and sent donut holes into a totally new dimension. Scented with fennel and cardamom? Wow! These donut holes I would actually eat!”

Well, first of all, I think Gulgule is a much better name than donut holes or munchkins. Not that I won’t eat donut holes, I eat plenty of them, but I always feel slightly juvenile whenever I down them. Call them Gulgule, instead, and all of a sudden, I feel like a sophisticated nibbler with a discriminating taste. Plus, like Julianna said, they’re flavored with fennel and cardamom! They’re definitely not your regular munchkins. Take that, Dunkin’ Donuts!

A Fall Garden Walk from Nick @The Optimistic Househusband.

I don’t know about you, but the first thing I do whenever I come home from a vacation is to go see what the garden’s been up to in my absence. It’s like my pet, my garden. And I like seeing other people’s “pets”, too. So, I thoroughly enjoyed taking a walk in Nick’s garden. It felt very relaxing. It was a complete stress-buster, Nick! Thank you for that. More, please! 🙂

Thank you Julianna and Hilda, for helping me host the party and select these features!

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Let’s get on with that birthday celebration, shall we? Click on the button below to join the party. This time, anything goes. No rules! No guidelines to follow! God Help Us!