Peach Cobbler and turning 30!

I turn 30 tomorrow.  You are probably wondering how I feel about this?  Or maybe you aren't, but I am going to tell you anyway...this is how I feel...

1.  Eh.  I always feel "eh" about my birthday.  Maybe because I don't like celebrating my own birthday, and I like celebrating other people's birthdays so much more.  I don't really mind the whole "getting older" thing, I just don't like being the center of attention....most of the time : )

2.  Nervous.  My kid sister is planning my "Singin' in the Rain" themed party...I am not involved, and not allowed to know the details...this is driving my "always in charge of everything" side crazy...hum, I trust that I have trained her well though and that she will throw me a smashing party. : )  No pressure Mimi. ; )

3.  Milestone birthdays are always a little more important, and a little more special.  The last milestone was 21-and that went really well, so I have high hopes for my 30th.

4.  I have heard a lot of sad tragic stories recently of people dying young, this makes me grateful that God has let me live this long so far...if you want to give me something for my birthday - pray that God has it in His plans to let me live a heck of a lot longer!

5.  Honestly.  Like most girls I thought by the time I was 30 I would have the typical "dream life" - a great husband with a great day job who was also the lead singer in a Jazz band, a few sweet kids with peanut butter smeared in their hair, the quintessential little house with the white fence-garden in the back-fruit trees everywhere, we would have dinner parties all the time.  It would be grand.  I know my actual life sounds so different in comparison to that dream, but obviously God had another plan for me...and it's not so bad if I don't say so myself.

I have my Faith-which keeps me anchored and grounded in things I should be anchored and grounded in.

I have my family - who keeps me on my toes, makes me feel needed - maybe a little too much, and loves me on most days when I am not lecturing them on their inabilities to close cabinet doors and clean the kitchen.

I have my Man - who makes me feel special, takes care of me when I do dumb things like cut my finger with a fork. and basically makes me really happy.

I have my friends - who are amazing and awesome, and make life a heck of a lot more enjoyable and fun.

I have my job - which isn't at all what I thought I wanted, but somehow it works and most days I don't have to try too hard to drag myself out of bed...except on Mondays...ohh Mondays.

I have my Church Group - which keeps me so busy I don't have too much time to cry about getting old - nice job guys, way to distract me from my crying appointments. : )

I have my health - quirky at times, but overall good...it better be after all the exercising I do and all those darn vegetables I cram into my body....darn you lettuce.

I have a roof over my head (that I don't pay for - yeah to living with the parents and free rent), I have food in my belly (usually lots of it and not the fake stuff but real darn good food), I have clothes on my back (and also on my front thank goodness)

I really can't complain.  So what if I am 30 and not living the life I thought I would have by now - what is important is that I am living and I am happy.  So take that 30 - go shake your almost mid life crisis stick somewhere else I am just going to sit here and eat this delicious Peach Cobbler instead.

Peach Cobbler
adapted from Paula Deen

4 cups sliced peaches - I keep the skin on because I like it, but peel it if you want to do more work
2 cups sugar - divided
1/2 cup water
8 TBS Butter
1 1/2 cups SELF RISING flour*
1 1/2 cups milk
Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large pan stir the peaches, water, and 1 cup of the sugar.  Boil for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Put the butter in a 13x9 baking pan or a 3 quart baking dish.  Place in hot oven until butter is melted.  Remove from oven.

In medium bowl mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk until smooth.  Pour mixture into pan over melted butter.  DO NOT STIR.  Spoon fruit mixture evenly on top of this, pour syrup over it all.  DO NOT STIR.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Batter will raise to the top while baking.  Bake 30-45 minutes.  Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or ice cream.

* Self rising flour is not all purpose flour, it has added leavening agents.  If you don't have self rising flour you can make your own