Recently a sweet friend of mine died suddenly and totally unexpectedly. She was only a few years older than me and had no signs of health problems. I have so many thoughts and feelings about her death but cannot properly articulate them, so I’ll just say she was an amazing woman and I will miss her.
What I can articulate is the need to enjoy life NOW. We cannot wait until next year to do things we have been wanting to do for years. Live like you are dying because you do not know if you will see tomorrow’s sunrise. AND, enjoy each birthday as they come, regardless of the number attached to it.
Yesterday I turned 41. Last year I struggled with the fact I was turning 40. Honestly, the anticipation of it was worse than the actual event. Now I’m 41 but that is just a number; every age we get to is a gift.
All that said, I want to throw a little Celebrate Life party with a giveaway and a special discount. I am total introvert so having a real-life party would be an agonizing experience. Virtual parties are perfect for me!
FOUR $25 AMAZON GIFT CARDS
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winning comment numbers were 98, 7, 50, 78. Thank you to all who participated!
I am giving away FOUR Amazon gift cards worth $25 each! To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite cake/dessert to have on your birthday. (My favorite is carrot cake with cream cheese icing).
- One entry per person
- Comments must be left on the blog post, not on Facebook or as an email reply
- Giveaway ends 11:00 PM EST, Thursday, November 15th
- Four winning comment numbers identified via Random.org
- Winners have 7 days to respond to my email, after which alternate winner(s) will be selected
LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT
You can save 30% on all action sets and video workshops offered at Everyday Elements between now and Thursday, November 15th. Use the coupon code life30 at checkout.
All video workshops will be removed from the site by December 1, so now is a good time to grab them up.
About Amanda
My favorite birthday cake/dessert is either chocolate cake (devils food, of course) with chocolate icing, or cheesecake…depends on my mood! Happy Birthday to you, Amanda! 🙂
Not a big cake fan, so I have Razzleberry Pie from Marie Callendar’s with vanilla bean ice cream!
So, so sorry for the loss of your friend.
My favorite treat on my birthday now is red velvet cake with cream cheese and pecan icing.
My very. very. favorite dessert is Pineapple Upside Down Cake but it is in a tight race with Baked Pineapple Crisp….oh my, I want it right now! Happy birthday Amanda…I have learned much through you and I too just lost a friend to cancer…she was too young but I will say this about her…she lived a life that left one breathless just trying to keep up with her!
My favorite dessert to have on my birthday is since my birthday is in the summer months instead of a normal cake I love ice cream cake 😉
My favorite Birthday cake would have to be Bailey’s …Yummy! 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box yellow cake mix or 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box white cake mix
1 (3 1/2 ounce) box fat-free sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 cup Irish cream
1/4 cup water
Glaze
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup irish cream
Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/baileys-cake-220948?oc=linkback
Happy Birthday! I like to try something new every year, my grandmother was a cake baker so part of the excitement was coming up with something new for her to make. I will be 38 this Saturday:)
My favorite was a chocolate celebration cake it had so much chocolate in it my husband called it the chocolate explosion cake. 🙂
Happy Birthday. I think 30 was harder than 40 for me. Let’s see how I do at 50 in a few years. Not big on cake, but I do love coconut creme pie!
I love a good coconut cream pie for my birthday! Happy belated birthday! I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and you’re right that we need to celebrate every day and recognize them for the gifts that they are to us.
Amanda, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend – These posts you’ve mentioned her in have been heartwrenching and it’s clear she meant a lot to you. Thank you for the reminders about living for today, I think we all need to be reminded regularly.
On a lighter note, ice cream cake is my favorite for my birthday, but I wouldn’t really complain about ANY sweet dessert 🙂 Also, thanks for the giveaway and coupon. I always love your classes and actions, too. You have a gift, thank you for sharing!
My favorite cake for my birthday is one my mom makes for me. Chocolate cake with homemade seven minute frosting – divine!
My favorite birthday dessert is homemade cherry pie. My mom always got a kick out of it when I was a child that I wanted pie instead of cake for my birthday. My birthday is this week too! Happy Birthday!
Ooo..chocolate truffles!
HAPPY Birthday to you darling! It’s my Birthday on Wednesday & I plan on getting me a Red Velvet Cupcake that is filled w/this sweet cheesecake filling I can NOT WAAAITT 🙂
My favorite birthday cake is my grandma’s home made chocolate cake, with home made frosting. I remember one year we were so broke she didn’t have the lard she needed so she used bacon drippings.. Wasn’t the best tasting cake that year, but it was the time and effort she would put into making this cake every year.. I now make this cake for my kids every year 🙂
My mother-in-law makes this chocolate cake – it’s like that cake on Matilda. “Much too good for children!” mmmmmmmm
First thing… I am sorry to hear about your friends passing… Second thing… Happy Birthday and 41 is not old my son turned 40 this year and I was more depressed I had a son turning 40 then he was about turning 40 lol. Tomorrow is my middle grandaughter’s birthday she will be 14 and Wednesday is my youngest grandson’s he will be 4. My favorite cake for my Birthday is one my Daughter-In-Law makes Chocolate bundt cake It is devils food cake mix made with chocolate milk chocolate syrup, then chocolate syrup poured on the cake when done It is to die for !!!
My fave would be chocolate cheese cake. I love the smooth texture and chocolate of course.
happy b day
I usually don’t have a cake, but one of my faves is German Chocolate. Followed closely by my sister’s yummy Carrot Cake! 🙂
My favorite “cake” for my birthday is a banana pudding my Aunt makes me every year. It is wonderful and made with love, and it’s just for me! She makes two. One for everyone else as one for just me! Now that’s love!!!
My heart goes out to you and your friends family.
Happy Late Birthday. I’m anticipating my 40th in a few weeks. But I’m excited. I get to see all of my family and friends!!
My most favorite cake is red velvet with cream cheese icing, I also love carrot cake as well….and I can ALWAYS go for a good cheesecake! 🙂 Good thing ive got about 6 months to figure out which one I want for my 32 birthday 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!! Sorry to hear about your good friend. Mine would be lemon pie instead of cake. I love lemons so much!!!
I love carrot cake, but this past year I have been really into red velvet cupcakes. So sorry for your loss.
My favorite is German Chocolate cake. My favorite memory of this cake is the time my mother made it and forgot to put the chocolate in it!
Happy Birthday! This year I requested an apple pie from my grandma and homemade ice cream. Not traditional but tasty!
Happy Birthday Amanda! Hope you had a great one!!! My fav is mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. Yum! 🙂
So sorry for the death of your friend. 🙁
Happy birthday to you!!
And my favorite cake is hot fudge pudding cake. Yum!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Chocolate cake with homemade old fashion buttercream frosting – yum!
Red velvet cake is my favorite birthday treat.
Happy Birthday to you! I love my 40’s so much. I’m on my last year of them and every one was great! I like either raspberry or blackberry pie for my birthday treat vs cake.
So sorry for your loss! 41 is VERY young….I am 55 and I think that is young, too. Enjoy every age…they all have their perks. My favorite birthday cake is Italian Cream Cake made by my dear friend Sally. Thanks for all you do, Amanda!
My favorite cake on my birthday is red velvet! yummy!
My favorite is banana cream pie.
Carrot.cake.cream.cheese.frosting. Happy birthday!
I love Costco white cake with the cream filling…yum! Worth every calorie! If my hubby is in the baking mood…banana cream pie is my favorite!!!
Happy Birthday! My favorite is strawberry shortcake with shaving of white chocolate on top 🙂
I like anything chocolate with vanilla ice cream for my birthday. I’m so sorry for your loss
Chocolate chip pound cake and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Happy birthday, Amanda!!!
My favorite birthday treat is anything to do with lemon! MMmmmm!!!
Happy Birthday!! My favourite cake is strawberry shortcake! Thanks for the chance!
First of all, I have a huge sweet tooth! Love all sweets! My Mom bakes homemade cakes. This past year she made me a “scratch” angel food cake. My fav! She made palm trees out of mandarin oranges and kiwi for the top. It was awesome!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks for asking…my favorite b-day treat is Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting!
Cannolis!
My favorite birthday treat is a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cake with chocolate therapy ice cream. Yummo! 🙂
My favorite birthday cake/dessert is definitely chocolate cake ! Happy Birthday to you, Amanda!
Happy Birthday! Thanks for the reminder to celebrate life – at any age. My favorite is chocolate cake. Any version of death by chocolate 😉
Happy Birthday Amanda. I hope you are feeling better 🙂 My favorite cake for my birthday is a buttercream laden cake from Publix. Chocolate cake – white icing. Yummmm
Happy Birthday!!! Chocolate anything or ice cream pie!
My birthday was the 10th – Happy Birthday! My all time favorite cake is one my mother made up years ago – yellow cake mix with cherry juice, chopped cherries and chopped pecans. Icing with juice, cherries and pecans. Love it!