MUCHO photos coming through.

Between Chance and me, it's been BIRTHDAY CENTRAL around here. Thought I'd post a ton few photos of what the last week looked like. The girls started school on my birthday. This picture is kind of fuzzy because it was so humid outside, it fogged my lens up!

I would have loved to let her wear her ruby slippers to school, but they'd gotten too small. Oh well. 

Sandee was brave enough to leave this innocent little (live) basil plant at my doorstep. I probably won't use her for cooking (seeing as I haven't heard of a microwave recipe involving fress herbs). But I love the way she smells. Thus her name, Miss Basil Smell. Not to be confused with the carcenoma. Now I just have to keep her alive. Wish me (her) luck.

Then my mom made me this pretty necklace...not even knowing that I'm all into butterflies right now because it's part of my 1+1+1 painting. Plus a really sweet letter because she likes to make people cry on their birthdays.

I also drove up to my favorite TX town again to talk to Mimi (remember, the cool lady that gave us a cigarette for Shelly's shoot?) about doing more shoots at the junkshop. It was such a nice rainy day, I couldn't resist grabbing a few shots on the way.

Then I met Jason for lunch at my new FAVORITE BURGER PLACE EVER. We were sure it was a franchise because it's so squared away. But we met the owner (well, he came outside when he saw me taking pictures of his sign). His name is Jorge Cosio, and this is the first restaurant. IT IS SO GOOD people, so GO THERE and support him so there will be many more! I'm talking Ahi Tuna burgers and the BEST sweet potato fries you will ever taste. Just check out the MENU, and GO. I'm serious, I've been there like 3 times in 2 weeks. IT IS THAT GOOD.

They even have FREE WiFi people! And yes, this is Jason on the computer, on my birthday. We both have the internet coarsing through our veins.

Then Tina, the most amazing hostess EVER, was so sweet and made dinner for my birthday. She is the person who makes you feel intimidated to ever have a dinner party because she's so good at it. Like, not only does she have enough forks, but she has a the special dish that is just for asparagus. And speakers that play music OUTSIDE too.

Plus, she never lets your glass get low.  :0)

Some of these are blurry because of the low light. The ones that are in semi-focus are because I was using my super technical trick of using my face as a tripod. That's right. Call me Annie Leibowitz. If you press the camera into your cheek, it can actually be quite stabilizing.

I love Judy's expression here, so I'm making it my Best Shot Monday.

Besides my face, the table is my second favorite choice for a tripod. I love this shot of Andrea and Michelle.

This is Michelle's best American Beauty imitation. Very gooott! And yes, my cheek trick didn't work on this one because I was laughing too much.

Nor did it work on this one because of the same reason. This is Suzanne waving to her sister, Bebe, after I said, "You know ya'll are going to end up on the blog again, right?"  HI BEBE! ....Right after this, she got up on the table and did a strip tease.   JUST KIDDING!!! :0)

Judy hated having this photo taken, but I made her do it because the light and she were so pretty.

It was a nice change of pace from the normal restaurant-hopping we do every week. I had so much fun...ALL UP UNTIL THE POINT WHEN ANDREA TOLD HER HORRIBLE, HORRID GHOST STORIES. At 1:00 AM...sitting on the porch IN THE DARK, mind you. I had to drive home at 1:30. All by myself. Out on those black roads. BY MYSELF. WITHOUT ANYONE THERE. BY MYSELF. I wouldn't even look out the windows when I got home. Thanks A LOT Andrea!

Phew, that was a lotta pictures! Have a great day People Of the Net.

Comments

[k]

OH MY GOSH!! I LOVE YOUR BANGS!! I was looking at the last picture, and couldn't quite figure out why you looked different. :).... I wish I could've come to Tina's house for your birthday. Last time I was there, she definitely kept my glass FULL!! Didn't feel so hot the next day! Love the jewels mom sent...the copper is gorgeoso!! And the girls are so adorable. I want to get Annie a new pair of RED shoes. I swear, there's no place like home!

[k]

OH, and red shoes!

[cathy]

awww...what a nice group of people to celebrate your birthday like that! Love your top! :)

[tracey]

Thos photos are fab! Thanks for letting us in on your amazing bday celebrations. And the first day of school shots?? Adorable.

[sandee]

The first day of school shots are so adorable...but with such cute kiddos, how could they be anything else? Thanks for sharing-they make me smile

[nana]

You are ravishingly beautiful Maile!!!! Thank God for Kelly who notices the details. I would have missed the bangs.

And the little-lolas... I'd have to speak the language of heaven to find verbs and nouns and adjectives to adequately describe such purity. I guess it all boils down to the four letter word. LOVE.

I hope I get to go to GNO when I visit. If my book is done by then, I'll bring copies for everyone.

[Christina]

Goodness girl, your photos are all so amazing!!! I just went back and read the last week. Wow! I am adding you to my Google Reader so I can keep up with all your fabulous posts!

[Heidi]

Happy belated birthday! We are almost birthday buddies (mine's on the 6th). Looks like you had a fantabulous celebration. Thanks for sharing it with us! (by the way, love your blog banner. makes me want a pig-out on cupcakes, they look so ravishing!)

[Shannon in Oklahoma]

Those were so fun! Thanks for sharing!

[Tiffany]

Love the pictures. Love those Ruby red shoes too! I got my daughter a pair in a size 1 (Infant) They looked so cute on her! So I got them in the 2 (infant) also...lol. Looks like you all had a great time!

[melody is slurping life]

I had a good time. Thanks for the fun. The photos are fantastic and the one of your girls, I like the hazy look.

[Jana]

Happy belated birthday....looks like you had a great one!!!

[Bunny]

It sounds like you had a lovely birthday with some lovely girlfriends. I love the first picture even with the humid fog/haze, I think it makes it look a little like an old photo.

[Anna]

What a visual treat it is to come to your site, I love it! Every image has flavor and flair and vision and beauty. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring.

And what a great birthday party! Wahoo!

[Shari Barnes]

So glad to know that hubby and I aren't the only ones with "internet coursing through our veins." ;-) Sounds like you had a GREAT birthday! I celebrate the big "34" this weekend. Ugh - did I really just say that???!!