And I think to myself...what a wonderful birthday!

I've always loved having a birthday in October, particularly having it the day before Halloween.  There is always a bunch of yummy candy around for my birthday and I'm a big candy lover.   The selection of holiday cakes and cookies made for All Hallow's Eve are also better because of the many options and diversity available as compared to other holidays (ghosts, skeletons, witches, pumpkins, spiders- I mean, c'mon, way better than bunnies or trees or shamrocks!).

I had a pretty shitastic week before my birthday, so come this past weekend, I was ready to leave my work computer closed (which was fine, because it was broken and I didn't have it anyway) and gorge myself.  Little did I know that Topher was planning a surprise for the big day- a visit from my TFA housemate Claire!

Topher set up a wonderful birthday day as well, with winery hopping, dinner at one of my favorite places from college and an ice cream cake from my favorite ice creamery ever- and I even have some photos to prove it!

We began the day at a very delicious winery that Topher and I have visited after hiking the nearby mountain, Sugarloaf before.  Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard had a selection of seven wines for ten dollars, 6 of which were yummy reds and one very dry Chardonnay (which pleased me greatly, since I HATE oaky whites).  Topher's mother and stepfather had planned on visiting some wineries too and we ended up connecting!

Gary, Nancy, me and Claire!

 I was VERY tipsy after seven tastings, a full glass of a cabernet sauvignon reserve and I was very happy Claire was there.

After an hour, we ventured to our next stop, a winery Topher and I had considered for our May wedding.  Linganore Winery at Berrywine Plantation is gorgeous and specializes in berry wines that are very sweet.

 They had some awesome Halloween decorations out.

 Again, Nancy and Gary joined us, which was great!

 Me, Claire, Gary, Nancy and Topher

Dusk was settling over the greenery of Maryland and we hit up our final vineyard- a smaller shop called Elk Run.  At this point, several tasting and glasses of wine had caught up with me and I forgot to bust out the camera until we were leaving.  However, it made for some beautiful photos with the vines!

 Claire and me

Topher and me, kickin' it

I love how they humor me... Did I mention Topher bought my wine of choice at each vineyard (and two selections at the final one!) so we now have some yummy drinks to imbibe in the cold month of November!

Yes, I may have been quite happy at this point in the day...

Thank you Claire for my surprise birthday present- YOU!

In other news, Boomer was a banana split for Halloween.

 She was not amused.

 But I sure was!

 Isn't she so cute, though?!

If you're looking for a great option for a birthday event, I highly recommend hopping your local vineyards!