That, my friends, is a Krispy Kreme donut cake, decorated with Peeps. Those are two of my dear husband’s favorite foods (we were going to try to work marshmallow fluff in there, too, but just couldn’t take it). Yesterday was DH’s 60th birthday, so the girls and I planned a little surprise party with a few close friends. The plan was that DH and I would go have a night on the town in Ashevegas, spend the night (away from the girls—the first time in 16 and 1/2 years!), bum around town (an activity DH is very fond of) all day, and show up at the house here at around 4 in the afternoon, where the folks would have assembled.

It being a Tuesday night, I didn’t bother with trying to make any reservations, thinking that we’d walk around downtown and find a place in walking distance of everything, so we set off, never imagining for a moment that there would be a septic tank installers convention in town. Or that there are lots and lots of septic tank installers that would go to a convention in Asheville, NC. We also didn’t realize just how few hotels/motels there are right downtown, having had no reason to pay attention to that sort of thing before. So we narrowed our choices quickly down to the Days Inn on Patton Ave—a fairly down in the heels looking place, but right across the street from Jack of the Woods pub, so we thought,”What the heck.” We waited in line in the lobby for a bit, behind a young septic tank installer and his lady friend, and finally made it up to the counter, where DH was asked for an ID (?!). Upon examining the driver’s license the guy behind the counter started shaking his head, handed the license back, and said,”I’m sorry, I can’t rent you a room. You’re from Madison county.” We were flabbergasted! He wouldn’t budge, though, so we were out on the street! Have you ever?!

We ended up way out Patton Ave at the Rock Haven Terrace. I cannot recommend strongly enough that you Never. Ever. EVER. stay there. Do not do it. Do not let anyone you love do it. Just…don’t.

We did, however, have a wonderful supper at Bouchon on Lexington. Lovely atmosphere, all-you-can-eat mussels that were divine. And we had a ball in town all day the next day. And DH was surprised, nay, shocked when we got home to a houseful of people who love him, including his dear daughter and son in law and three wildly energetic and extremely lovable grandsons. ED and Bernard and their best bud JD had done all the housecleaning, decorating and cake assembling with the help of a few friends and neighbors. The place was festive, and the cake, of course, divine. If a little sickening.