How to: Have the Perfect Birthday

Now that I've conquered the task of creating tasty potato samosas and peach chutney, I thought I'd share my How-To Guide on having the perfect birthday.

Step 1: Take the day off from work.

Step 2: Sleep in until 8:00 a.m.

Step 3: Eat the banana pancakes your lovely boyfriend made for you as a surprise and left in the toaster to stay warm. Drink the mocha java Green Mountain coffee with a sprinkle of cinnamon, milk, and sugar.

Step 4: Go to the RMV to renew your license. Print application ahead of time so you don't have to wait as long. Smile REALLY big in the new mug shot that will be your license for the next 5 years.

Step 5: Take a solo drive. Anywhere you want. I chose Portsmouth, NH. But make sure to detour and do some shopping first and buy some new duds.

Step 6: While driving, ponder what your 26th year of life will hold.

Step 7: Refill the air in one of your tires. Wonder how much you are actually supposed to fill a tire. Drive to Firestone Auto Center. Smile when the Firestone Service Center Auto Rep yells at you for overinflating your tire. Ponder what this symbolizes. Send out this ponder to the world via a Facebook update.

Step 8: Finish your drive to the sea coast.

Step 9: Thank the woman that paid for your parking after you stand at the parking meter machine and swipe your credit card 5,293,309 times in the pouring rain and it doesn't work.

Step 10: Head to a restaurant recommended by Chowhound and check out the menu.

Step 11: Head back out into the rain because you weren't really feeling vegan "hamburgers."

Step 12: Duck into a pizzeria just to get out of the rain, and realize you've found your lunch spot and local food mecca.

Step 13: Sit at the bar by yourself, and smile. It's your birthday and you're by yourself. Relish in the feeling of eating alone and the chance to enjoy and linger on every bite.

Step 14: Check out the menu and specials board and order the veggie special, organic salad, and a hot fresh-squeezed lemonade. Question your decision to order hot lemonade.

Step 15: Enjoy the local artist decor, and dive into your salad and hot lemonade, which you realize you've been missing out on this whole time. And, it is sweetened by maple syrup. A match made in heaven.

Step 16: Plan on buying ingredients, including arame seaweed to recreate this amazing salad.

Step 17: Start in on the pizza. Take bites and close your eyes and chew. Don't worry about what other people think. Taste the red onions, creamy ricotta cheese, the juicy warm tomatoes, and buttery flavor of the wood-fired crust. Let the flavor explode in your mouth and smile.

Step 18: Order something off the dessert menu. For lunch. Choose the gingerbread, just because, and request a scoop of both the vanilla and pumpkin ice cream so you don't have to choose between the two.

Step 19: Take a few bites of each, and realize you've had enough and are completely satisfied. Smile, pay your bill, take some photos of the amazing open kitchen concept and wood-fire kilns, and head back into the rain. Your belly will be extremely happy.

Step 20: Do some more shopping, buy some items at the local health food store, browse the book store, and walk around near the ocean. Get soaking wet by the rain, but smile, because it's worth it.

Step 21: Head home. Drive slow, and ponder what you're 26th year will be like some more.

Step 22: Get home.

Step 23: Take a nap.

Step 24: Eat your birthday dinner with your family.

Step 25: Make a wish.

Step 26: Be thankful for 25 years of life, for health, for family and for friends.

Question of the Day: What would be included in your perfect birthday?