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Fall Birthday Brunch

October 1, 2012 by Julie 63 Comments

Yesterday my mother-in-law, Diane, and her boyfriend, Les, hosted a fall birthday brunch!

a slice of heaven cake sarasota

Les’ son and daughter, Chris and Jenna, and Ryan have birthdays within a couple of weeks of each other, so a birthday brunch was a great excuse to get everyone together to celebrate. (Ryan’s birthday is this Friday!)

Doesn’t the cake look amazing? Diane ordered it from A Slice of Heaven in Sarasota – the same place that made Ryan’s surprise groom’s cake for our wedding!

Brunch began around 10 a.m. when everyone started to arrive.

chris jenna and leah

ryan and diane

grandma dottie

Ryan’s grandma brought her adorable Maltese, Dottie, who is very camera shy. If a camera is anywhere near her, she hides!

bubbie and bernie

It was so great to see Ryan’s grandma and her boyfriend, Bernie. They are such a spunky and fun couple and I love spending time with them. Bernie regularly volunteers at the local library and they’re both avid readers, so I enjoy hearing their book recommendations.

Of course Sadie had to be part of the action at all times.

velcro dog

Naturally.

She also knows just who to go to for a sneaky bite of bacon…

sarasota brunch 031

sarasota brunch 027

Everyone filled up their plates within 30 minutes of arriving and lots of “mmms” could be heard around the table,

brunch foodbrunch

Diane is an incredible cook and I always end up in a food coma after any family gathering at her house.

The standout dish from yesterday’s brunch for me was the French toast casserole.

French toast casserole paula deen

Diane followed Paula Deen’s recipe and it was irresistible. I went back for seconds and also included some of the casserole on my dessert plate later in the day. It was that good. It tasted a lot like an eggnog French toast casserole and I was in heaven. 

Dessert came in the form of birthday cake that we ate after singing to the birthday bunch!

birthday

marble cake with cookies n cream filling

The cake itself was a marble cake with cookies ‘n’ cream filling and I had no trouble clearing my plate.

It was so great spend the weekend with family. Happy birthday to Jenna, Chris and Ryan!

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Family Tagged With: brunch, family, French toast casserole, Sarasota

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Selva Grill in Sarasota
Summer Outside, Fall Inside »

Comments

  1. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:33 am

    What a fun brunch! All of that food looks delicious especially that cake! Wow! I love that it has cookies n’ cream filling. Yummy!! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Khushboo Thadani says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Suddenly my cuppa tea isn’t all that exciting…that cake looks INCREDIBLE!

    Reply
  3. Caroline says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:50 am

    When I first read “Ryan and Les’ son and daughter, Chris and Jenna” I thought… wait, Ryan and Les have children together?? hahaha it’s definitely a Monday morning…

    Reply
  4. Joelle (On a Pink Typewriter) says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:51 am

    How fun!! That cake is rocking my socks, too.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Haha, in the second paragraph, I totally read it to mean that Ryan and Les had a couple of kids!

    But seriously, that looks like the most amazing brunch I have ever seen. Lucky!

    Reply
  6. Anne says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:54 am

    That looks like so much fun! And that cake… to die for, yum!

    Reply
  7. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Looks like a great weekend. Of course Sadie wants in on the action – that little lady likes to party! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Avery @ YoungAspirations says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:57 am

    That picture of you and Ryan is so cute! Framer, for sure. Also, I am seriously impressed by that cake! Wow! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Elaine says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:59 am

    Happy early birthday to Ryan! That feast looks soo delicious. And I’ve had a similar recipe to that French Toast Casserole. It really is that good!!

    Reply
  10. Lindsey says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Les’ son is a hottie! I’m totally (happily) married, but I’m OK with him popping up on your blog from time to time! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

      October 1, 2012 at 9:08 am

      haha! i’ll be sure to spread the good word. 🙂

      Reply
      • Allie says

        October 1, 2012 at 9:28 am

        haha I agree with Lindsey! Noticed no ring, what a hunk! Ow ow!! I’m totally single and willing to move. 😉

        Reply
        • Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says

          October 1, 2012 at 10:42 am

          I thought the same thing. I am happily married but he is a cutie!!!

          Reply
  11. Nicole @ For The Love of Fit says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Everything looks so delicious!!

    Reply
  12. Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:11 am

    That’s great you could all get together to celebrate! And happy almost birthday to Ryan, October is the best birthday month!!!

    Reply
  13. Kerry @ Totes My Oats says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Looks like a wonderful spread of food with wonderful family!

    Reply
  14. Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Wow! Looks like quite the feast 🙂 I think Ryan’s grandma is just adorable! Love that you get book ideas forum her and Bernie! lol

    Reply
  15. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Yum! Brunch/breakfast foods are my favorite. Looks like you guys had an awesome spread!

    Reply
  16. Natalie @ Free Range Human says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:29 am

    That looks like quite a spread! Happy Birthday to all of them!

    Reply
  17. Steph @ StephSnacks says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:36 am

    I simply cannot get over how amazing that cake looks! Whoa!

    Reply
  18. Marissa says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Hey Julie 🙂
    I was just wondering how you deal with food splurges …. bc I’m my worst critic. So when I indulge, I feel so guilty. I’m not insinuating you shouldn’t ever indulge I just find myself being very critical of my own indulgences and then I try to over compensate to make up for it.

    Reply
  19. Krista says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:47 am

    I got a surprise grooms cake from slice of heaven too!!! I’ve read your blog for a while but somehow missed that!! Small world! They were fabulous!

    Reply
  20. Cher @ Weddicted says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:52 am

    That spread looks amazing! I always love family get togethers like that; there is never a lack of fun or delicious food!

    Happy birthday to Ryan!

    Reply
  21. Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:55 am

    What a great spread! That french toast casserole looks insanely delicious!

    Reply
  22. Courtney @ Journey of a Dreamer says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:00 am

    That cake looks awesome!

    Reply
  23. Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Oh my gosh. That cake. That looks unREAL. I think I’m going to move to Florida right now so I can get my hands on one of those.

    Reply
  24. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:13 am

    All of that food looks so good! And I love their kitchen!

    Reply
  25. Ashlee says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Sadie looks much smaller standing next to you on the couch than I thought she was! She reminds me so much of my boxer, Kemah.

    That food looks amazing!

    Reply
  26. Beks says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Holy cow! That’s a tall cake!

    Reply
  27. Lindsey says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:25 am

    MMMmmmmm yummy spread!!
    Looks like you had a wonderful weekend:)

    Happy Monday!

    Reply
  28. Alison says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:27 am

    What a fun way to spend the weekend! I love the pics of you and Sadie and you and Ryan..too cute! Just curious, but did Ryan’s grandmother have any good books she’d recommend? That reminds me…today is October 1 which means it’s time to vote for the PB Book Club!! 🙂

    Reply
  29. theresa @ aspoonfulofsunshine says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Holy mother of cake, that thing looks incredible!I am so glad you had a nice weekend spend with you family!

    Reply
  30. Kristy @ Kristy's Health Revolution says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Wow, does Ryan look exactly like his mom or what! How sweet, I love family time!

    Reply
  31. Emily says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:41 am

    WOW! Ryan’s Mom has an awesome kitchen, I bet she is an amazing cook! And his grandma and her boyfriend are adorable 🙂

    Reply
  32. Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I am dying over Ryan’s moms stove/oven!!! That WILL be in my dream house some day!!!

    Reply
  33. Chelsa says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:46 am

    yum that looks fabulous! The double oven is pretty great too!

    Reply
  34. Karin says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:50 am

    I thought I was the only one dying over that oven! I keep thinking about all the awesome meals I could make (sorry prego brain) =)

    Reply
  35. Rachel says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:01 am

    omg that cake looks amazing! You guys are so cute 🙂

    Reply
  36. Chelsie @ Balance, Not Scale says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Okay, so, my family gatherings look NOTHING like that!! I love my family to death, but we’re not the best cooks/chefs. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family (dysfunctional as they are!!) to bits, but I’m quite jealous of what you have going there!! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Sara @ The Foodie Diaries says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:43 am

    Happy early birthday to Ryan!! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for him for his birthday 🙂

    Reply
  38. Angie says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:55 am

    That cake looks delicious!

    Reply
  39. Maureen @ Organically Mo says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:59 am

    That cake….WOW!!! Happy birthday to all of them! I love family gatherings!

    Reply
  40. Brittany says

    October 1, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    Your mother-in-laws kitchen is incredible. I LOVE all the white!

    That cake looks scrumptious!

    Reply
  41. Lauren @The Homeostatic Mindset says

    October 1, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Oh my goodness, every picture in this post (of people) is absolutely adorable! I swear you and Ryan are the most beautiful couple I have ever seen! And how his Grandma’s boyfriend is looking at her in that one pic? Adorable! Glad you had such a nice time 🙂

    Reply
  42. Michelle @ Blogitness says

    October 1, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    That cake looks delicious!

    Reply
  43. Lauren says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Brunch parties are always so much fun! We also do a HUGE Christmas brunch every year and it’s by far, my favorite party. So glad you had a great time Julie.

    Reply
  44. Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Seriously, that cake looks better than any cake I’ve seen in awhile!!

    Reply
  45. Blog is the New Black says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    That’s my fav and “go to” brunch recipe! That casserole is heavenly. I have the recipe on the blog!

    Reply
  46. Ashlee @ A Step in the Right Direction says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    My mouth is watering! That french toast casserole looks delicious. I have always wanted to try one, but I usualy think of it the morning of.
    The cake looks like it was good too 🙂

    Reply
  47. Life's a Bowl says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Your family [both sides] always does some of the best celebrations!!! Happy birthday to everyone 🙂

    P.S. One of the layers of our wedding cake was marble and it was my first time trying it- chocolate + vanilla = best of both worlds!

    Reply
  48. Alexandrina @ The Cardio Queen says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Four layers?! Insane. Looks yummy.

    Reply
  49. Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut says

    October 1, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    That cake looks to die for and Ryan’s groom cake was awesome, too! I am definitely going to try that French Toast casserole, too. I would never make it for just me and my bf, but I do need a yummy and fairly easy breakfast item I can make guests when they stay over. In the past, they’ve seemed pretty happy with a simple egg + bacon + toast + smoothie breakfast, but I need to mix it up a bit and try something more special!

    Reply
  50. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    Cookies and cream filling? Yea, that sounds amazing.

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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