My birthday bash

When I was growing up, I really felt like no one every remembered my birthday. That wasn't actually true. My parents always remembered, and both of my grandparents would send me a birthday card... always on time. However, since I had a summer birthday my friends never remembered. I didn't get to bring cupcakes for the whole class or get birthday spankings from the teacher. One year in high school we had a church youth group event on my birthday. I arrived early in the morning to see one of my best friends carrying a birthday gift bag. Finally someone remembered! She saw me, said hi, and walked right past me to give a belated birthday gift to another member of our circle. I wanted to cry!

Mark had the opposite experience. His birthday is always a really big deal. Since he was born on the same day as his aunt, they have always (with the expection of one birthday) spent their birthdays together. And like most occasions in the Bentley household, they do it big.

So every year when my birthday rolls around I get really excited. I wonder what Mark is going to do. But then about a week before the event when no one has mentioned a single thing and Mark keeps acting like he's completely suprised every time I mention in I start getting really nervous. Maybe everyone is going to forget again.

But, of course, Mark didn't forget. He did it big. I felt like I was graduating from high school again. He had a suprise picnic at a park...with some of my favorite people (Nana and Papa, Grandpa Dick, Aunt Lisa and Carl all came from Detroit for the occasion) including some work friends and friends from Youngstown. And he had tons of my favorite food (The way to my heart is through food. Now I REALLY know he and everyone else was thinking of me).

Stoni made his hamburgers with this spiced honey from Estonia mixed in...some of the best burgers ever. Aunt Lisa made fresh salsa (the world's most perfect food...I felt so loved when I realized Mark even made sure I got some fresh salsa!). Nana made the taco salad that I previously posted. Mark's mom and Charlotte made Strawberry shortcake with real shortcake. None of this angel food cake, store-bought stuff (I should post that recipe soon...it's fantastic and totally heathy). My mom, who didn't really have access to a kitchen, brought veggies and dip (I'm always a sucker for dips) and watermelon. Grandpa Dick made his famous french onion dip. And more! There was so much food, I wasn't even able to try everything!

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Every year for my birthday in the Bentley family I get to choose what I want to eat for my special dinner, and so far, for 3 or 4 years running I've chosen El Paso pasta salad. It takes a little bit of time to prepare, but it's totally worth the effort. And, of course, Mark's mom made the effort, and prepared this salad for my birthday bash as well. I felt so loved!

4-5 roma tomatoes, diced
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 oz) can kernel corn, drained
½ bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped plus 1 tsp of the sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ c olive oil
1 ripe avocado, diced
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 lb pasta (bowtie) plus ½ c reserved cooking water

Prepare the bowtie pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ½ c cooking water.

In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, beans, corn, cilantro, chiles, adobo sauce, green onions, garlic, and oil.
In a small bowl combine avocado and lime juice. Add to large bowl.
Add warm pasta and reserved cooking water.

Serve warm. (It really is not nearly as good cold)