Birthday Bliss

We celebrated Phil's birthday this afternoon after yoga by going downtown and taking advantage of the Oyster Bar's happy hour prices to enjoy their delicious baked oysters (four each), as well as a "Tom Tom Pork" taco for Phil (marinated pork shoulder, salsa verde, onion, cotija cheese, cilantro) and a grilled wild salmon taco for me (fresh salmon, red cabbage, ginger peach mango salsa, creme), followed by "tonight's dessert selection" -- a flourless chocolate torte served with fresh berry compote and whipped cream.

He had the Bellingham Beer Week collaborative beer created by the three main breweries in town, and I had a cocktail -- a rare venture -- which had elderflower liqueur in it, something I love.

And here's the best part -- we ate outside, in the sunshine! Not the usual weather for this time of year, but so magical and celebratory.

Afterward, we walked to Elizabeth Station, Phil's favorite beer place, for another drink and a chat with several interesting people, and then strolled back to our car, reveling in being downtown and walking around after a very pleasant evening.