Birthday weekend

For those of you who know Cameron he is easy to please, his demands are few and far between and he is happy to be doing whatever whenever. For his birthday, his request way simple: he wanted to take it easy. After trying to process exactly what this meant, I thought I had devised the perfect blend of entertainment, relaxation and surprises over the course of three days.

We started the festivities Friday evening with dinner at The Metropolitan Grill. When they sat us at the exact same table as last year, I knew it was the perfect place to be celebrating his birthday again. The restaurant with its dark wood and dim lighting is classy yet sophisticated. This is the type of place just begging for special occasions. The waitstaff is professional and you just cannot help but feel special in this meat lovers paradise.

They are nice and subtle about your birthday celebration, no clapping or loud singing, just an indiscreet creme brulee slipped onto your table donned with a single candle.

After dinner, we headed to the The Salish Lodge to fulfill the "taking it easy" request. Each room has a large wood burning fireplace, jetted soaking tub and a pillow menu.

After a restful evening, we awoke to brunch with a view.

Yes, this is my second indulgent helping of french toast this week, but who is counting??

Cameron is more of a waffle man. I was politely urged to learn the secret to this cinnamon infused whipped cream.

The Salish Lodge is grand and yet cozy enough to feel like one's home.

Cameron made himself right at home, while reading his favorite publication, The Seattle Times.

After indulging in copious amounts of good food, we deemed it appropriate to squeeze in a hike to reduce our caloric overload. The incessant rain did not stop us from enjoying Rattlesnake Ridge and it was a great deterrent for keeping fellow hikers away.

That evening as a little added surprise, we met up with two of our favorite people for dessert at The Melting Pot.

The actual day of birth was celebrated with my family an assortment of presents, a rainbow of fun sodas and homemade BBQ Chicken and Chicken Pesto pizza.

Although I am not a soda drinker, I just cannot resist the fun bright colors in glass bottles for a celebration.

For the last surprise of the weekend some of our friends came over for a little molten chocolate cake celebration. I mean we had to have something sweet that weekend :)