Mary's 14th Birthday

Me - Mary, what would you like for your birthday meal this week? (It's been Christmas, she doesn't get early planning.)

Mary - I don't know, I like casseroles.

Me - Like chicken and rice? (Surprised, everyone knows that I make that way too often because it's the easiest thing in the world to whip up and and it's always different.)

Mary - No, like vegetable casseroles, like squash casserole, cabbage casserole, green bean casserole. And do whatever decorating you want to do, just make it easy on yourself.

I used a chocolate pie left over from New Year's Day and piled it high with lots of ice cream balls and whipped cream. Now that's making things easy for yourself!

Though this didn't make a beautiful plate, I was really glad to make squash casserole in my new ramekins. I have had ramekins on my wish list for years, but no one ever got them. On Mary's birthday when I went into Kroger for a few last minute things, I saw two boxes on sale for an incredible price. I bought them and didn't even feel guilty about it.

We made the table cloth out of an old book and wrapped a present in it too.

Abigail couldn't wait to dig in.

Susannah couldn't get enough of her granddaddy since they had been gone to Minnesota for the week.

Abigail and Susannah provided lots of entertainment.

Hannah found this Christmas ornament at a thrift store that just fits Mary's style.

Mary's big compliment of the evening to me, "Even though you aren't always the coolest mom, you are  cool most of the time."