In years past, my birthday has been marked with a bistecca alla fiorentina. (Last year’s Florentine-style porterhouse was particularly memorable because it coincided with James Suckling’s announcement that he was leaving Wine Spectator.)
But this year, with Baby P on the way and the implementation of new austerity measures, bacon cheeseburgers (another guilty pleasure of mine) seemed more idoneous.
I always use ground sirloin for my burgers, seasoned with salt, pepper, and Tabasco.
We sacrilegiously paired with a bottle of 2001 Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes by Leroy (!!!). I know what you’re thinking: austerity measures and a $300+ bottle of wine? It was given to me by a friend at a famous auction house after I helped her out by researching a lot of famous Tuscan wine for her.
I wrote about the wine this morning over at the Houston Press blog, where I’ve been having a lot of fun with the “Odd Pair” rubric that I author. It’s been great to get out of my comfort zone and write about a wider variety of wines (and even some wines I wouldn’t reach for normally).
I made the burgers and Tracie P made the mashed potatoes (as my birthday request) and the traditional blueberry pie (this year with lattice-top crust!). She’s really beginning to show!
Baby P and she are doing great and we’re looking forward to finding out Baby P’s sex in a few weeks. :)
Thanks, so much, for all the birthday wishes! They mean so much to me… What a special birthday this year and what an amazing year this has been and will be… We can’t tell you how much your support means to us…
Do Bianchi 
Happy Birthday. What you don’t like surprises?
@TWG Tracie P convinced me that it would be better to find out the sex. Jayne and Jon didn’t know the sex: they said it was super difficult NOT to find out, with all the tests etc. Thanks for the bday wishes! :)
Yes, it is nearly impossible unless you are going ultrasound free. We had two nurses unintentionally slip and reveal the gender early on in the pregnancy although they both backpeddled and said they always use a particular pronoun went they aren’t revealing the sex. We are so excited for you both!
Twg–i love surprises, and we’ll get one at our 20 week ultrasound :)
Gorgeous. The cheeseburgers look good too!
So happy for you guys. Baby Sofia is 4 months old and it gets more fun every day. Hope to see you soon.
hells ya, what an amazing birthday
I’ve been out of the wine circuit for a bit due to my first-born (now 3 mo old)… just checked your blog and wow – you are expecting! Congrats to you and Tracy, and happy B! (btw, the burger with bacon + CM from Leroy sounds amazing!)
Great pairing! Though the old burgundian guard must not approve it , I like your comment-warning in the odd pairing article… Chambolle Musigny my favorite appelation from Bourgogne and btw those burgers looked like heaven
Tracie P looks soooo cute!
Congratulations, enjoy looking at all your pictures of the happy mamma to be, really like the video you made for the happy event, when do we get to see an updated video, so happy for you both…