Thursday, August 21, 2014

A Surprise Party for my Birthday - a New England Clam & Lobster Boil


My husband Meakin threw a surprise party for me for my birthday over the weekend and I never had a clue! He managed to assemble our entire family from Texas, Florida, Tennessee, & North Carolina to celebrate one those “milestone” birthdays for me. He had live lobsters and clams flown in from Maine and everyone hid at my brother & sister-in-law’s house here in the mountains of North Carolina in the same small town where we live and where the New England Clam and Lobster Boil party was held, all in a cloud of secrecy.

Meakin and I are practically joined at the hip and how he pulled this off without my even having a clue is still a big mystery to me, but he did it, along with the help of our family, and it was a huge success.

Big caldrons were brought from Florida to cook the lobsters and clams, corn was shucked and cleaned, beer and wine was chilled, the table was set, and the feast was devoured in no time, followed of course by a birthday cake and much visiting.

I want to say that my brother-in-law Stuart and his wife Sandy deserve big accolades as the actual burden of the details in planning and implementation of the party fell on their shoulders. You guys are the best and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Here they are along with Meakin's youngest brother, who kindly brought his big pots from Florida for the lobsters and clams, sharing a beer while cooking.



I thought you might enjoy some of the pictures.








Meakin having fun with the lobster.








My sister-in-law had never met my sister. Here they are with me getting to know each other.




Our host with his lobster.




Meakin's handsome son and his pretty wife. They got up early and drove all morning to get here on time.



And of course the finale, a birthday cake.




Here we all are together as a group for the first time in years.




I am truly blessed. Meakin asked me to marry him on my birthday forty-five years ago. Time flies when you're having fun.

Have a great weekend everyone.


42 comments:

  1. What a wonderful surprise! Happy Birthday! Nothing like Maine lobster.

    Carol

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  2. A tip of the hat to Meakin! To gather fabulous food and special family members for such a celebration is no small task. It all looks delicious and fun. Thanks for sharing!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. How wonderful Sam. I already wished you a happy birthday, but I will say it again. Happy Birthday.

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

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  4. Wonderful! Lucky lady.

    Happy belated Birthday!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. How wonderful! Happy Birthday - what a sweetheart to pull off such a great party:)
    Mary

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  6. Such a special time Sam. What memories were made!! Happy birthday once again!!

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  7. Beautiful Sam! Memories forever, that man of yours is a great guy!

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  8. What a wonderful surprise party! Congrats to Meakin and Happy Birthday to you, Sam! We just had one of our gourmet group dinners a good friends home last Saturday and it was a Lobster Boil. What a great meal that you just can replicate in a restaurant.

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  9. Woo hoo! Good for Meakin surprising you! It looks like you had a fabulous celebration, great family with delicious food! The photos are great, esp. the 7th one.

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  10. Happy happy Birthday, Sam! And what a fantastic surprise party Meakin has arranged!

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  11. What a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone birthday, Sam! I could not think of a more delightful meal and company to enjoy it with. Meakin--you are the best!

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  12. Happy, Happy B-Day! Life is memories and you were just given some wonderful ones from those who love you. Best gift ever! The best food is love. Period.

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  13. Mi querida amiga; que la FELICIDAD, bendiga su casa en este nuevo año que va a disfrutar.
    Esta FIESTA, ha sido un buen comienzo!!!
    RECIBA MI FELICITACIÓN DE TODO CORAZÓN:))))))
    Conxita

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  14. Hi Sam, Happy Birthday! so sweet of your husband and family to surprise you like that.

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  15. Such a delicious surprise! Kudos to Meakin for arranging it! And a belated Happy Birthday to you, Sam!

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  16. You gave me lovely feelings in reading this.
    He is so special to you and vice versa.
    You are a dear couple.
    Everyone looks so nice too!
    And the food?Fab.
    Happy year to you Sam...may all your dreams come true.

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  17. Sam, Great family birthday gathering! Meakin did himself proud... Give Laurie lobster and a great chocolate cake and she'd be a very happy camper! Hope you had a terrific birthday! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  18. Happy B-Day Sam! What a fun surprise, it looks like everyone had a blast and ate very well:@)

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  19. What a wonderful birthday surprise. The pictures tell the happy story. Wonderful food, family, love and joy!

    Belated Happy birthday dear Sam.

    FlowerLady

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  20. What a blast! Love the photos, Sam, and yum on that birthday meal! Belated Happy Birthday to you!

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  21. I'd been wondering who was who in your FB photo and how lobsters ended up in back country NC. That is quite a feast and great that your family could be there to share it with you. I'm willing to be adopted by you guys before the next family lobster fest.

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  22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! What a great way to celebrate with fantastic food and warm family.

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  23. Best post. Happiest post. Love this post! First: perfect birthday. Second: that is my perfect summer meal (landlocked as I am) Third: You are all brimming with happiness. Doesn't get any better than this post!

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  24. What a great party to celebrate you, Sam! This party speaks volumes about how much they care about you. So glad you had a great birthday and the food, I'm sure, was amazing!

    Bill
    http://www.southernboydishes.com

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  25. That Meakin is something else. Not only is he a great photographer but a sneaky party planner. Wait til I tell my Sous Chef.

    Sorry I'm so late to the party but I've taken a short break from my blogging. Taking care of Madame Mere is no easy task...to say the least.

    Happy belated Birthday dearest friend. May you have many, many more in the company of such a wonderful family. Julieta

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  26. I saw this on Facebook and came here to see more pics!!

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  27. How did he pull this off???? What a great party he threw. Thanks for sharing all the photos. Happy Birthday.

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  28. Oh! what a great party! thank u for sharing your photos!:)

    and best wishes !

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  29. Wow - now, that's what I call a party and how nice to be a surprise.
    Happy belated Birthday! :)

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  30. Sorry I am a bit behind but belated Happy birthday. Wow what a great time you must have had and the food looks so yummy. What a great gift. Keep well Diane

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  31. Looks like a delightful birthday Sam in every way. Good food and good friends/family. You are blessed!

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  32. Sorry I am so late with good wishes for your birthday Sam. We have been away. Meakin pulled off a perfect surprise! We look forward to seeing you in September.

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  33. happy birthday my friend! Hope it was the best one and it looks like it was! No better way to spend a bday than with Lobsters and good friends!

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  34. Happy Birthday Sam--- what a wonderful family you have! We had this same meal at our small wedding, it brings back memories.

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  35. Happy Birthday Dear Sam!! What a beautiful gift and celebration for you. I wish you all the very best always. Blessings, Catherine xo

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  36. Oh Sam...this is so sweet...what a wonderful meal...and so much fun!
    Happy Belated Birthday :D

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  37. Well Happy Birthday, young lady! I can just imagine the funny things that Meakin was saying when playing with the lobsters. Looks like a really grand time for you all, what a fantastic surprise.

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  38. I'm so sorry to have missed your birthday. I wish you many more happy and healthy years. Meakin did a great job!

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  39. Sam! This is the sweetest thing ever! I love that they came from all points to celebrate with you. That is amazing that Meakin kept the secret so well!

    Looks like a fun party. I love lobster, and that was quite a feast!

    You guessed correctly. It was my birthday. They just outdid themselves. I was SO touched.

    xo

    Sheila :-)

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  40. Where is my mind???

    HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

    xoxoxo

    Sheila:-)

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