As I am counting down the days to my birthday, I remember some of things my mom did to make my birthday special and things Jimmy does now to make my birthday special. What is one of your favorite memories for your birthday?

When I was growing up, my mom would always ask what we wanted for our birthday and dinner. I usually requested french toast, waffles or pancakes for breakfast. My love for breakfast is years and years old. When I was younger, I always wanted stuffed shells, but when I got older I would switch it up and ask for shrimp scampi.  So I thought I would make stuffed shells and share the recipe with you. I always loved my mom’s stuffed shells. Mine are very similar to hers, except I am doing a shortcut on the sauce and I add some meat to the sauce. 

As far as cakes go, I really only remember her making one cake for me when I was young. It was a coconut bear cake. I have a picture of it in storage. I loved that cake. I also remember a lot of Carvel Ice Cream Cakes. I always remember how special I felt on my birthday.

For the past few years Jimmy and I have been away for my birthday. We started this tradition to go away for vacations, instead of buying gifts. The first time we went away for my birthday it was on a cruise out of San Juan. We had so much fun and we knew we wanted to continue to do vacations. We did cruises for two years, last year we went to Vegas and this year we are going to Arizona and Vegas. Each vacation Jimmy does something to make me feel special on my birthday. He sure does know how to make a girl feel special.

I love birthdays and making traditions, like when I was kid and what we do now. I can’t wait to have some kids at our house to help make their birthday’s extra special.

That’s the Dish from my Kitchen to your Kitchen ????????

Billie-Jo