my belated 24th

I spent the morning of May 29, 2012 in Brazil at a chocolatier amongst other shops. I spent the evening of that same day in Bogotá, treating myself to a light dinner of hot chocolate, cheese, and bread. And four days later, I celebrated my birthday belatedly in Washingtonville, NY at Brotherhood Winery.

I'd invited my closest friends to join me at the Wine and Beer Festival, and was so glad that Stephanie, Anna, Leslie, Hannah, and Elaine could make it.

It was a bit of a commute (especially from the city) but I'd like to think it was worth it. America's Oldest Winery served at least a dozen unlimited tastings in addition to those generous pours by Yuengling, The Newburgh Brewing Company, Dogfish Head, Long Trail, Hooker, Warsteiner, Unibroue, and Sapporo.

Plus, as if that weren't enough for a ticket of only $39, Loughran's Irish Pub served some of the best barbecue ever: marinated grilled chicken, dill potato salad, caesar salad, baked beans, cornbread, pulled pork, corn on the cob. It was the perfect kind of food to last me through an afternoon of drinking sampling.

What. a. day. I hope they enjoyed themselves as much as I did, because I truly had the happiest of 24th birthdays I could have ever dreamt of.