1. My dad :)

2. Part of his present - new outdoor lounge chairs and German beer

3. Opening one of his gifts (an iPod).

4. Flammkuchen - what we had for dinner. Recipe coming soon :)

5 & 6. My dad's birthday "cake"...Rhubarb Crisp. I have about 10 other photos of it...but I'll spare you. Yes, I went a bit snap happy. Thanks for asking. ;)

Today is my dad's birthday! It was a lovely day :) Unfortunately I didn't get to see him until 4:30 this afternoon...I slept in too long and he left for work. Oops. Anyway. Moving right along. We gave him some new outdoor lounge chairs - he can now relax in style. ;) In addition to that, he got an iPod (the newest generation...I'm jealous.), iPod cases, and truffles...yes, the same ones that I made for my mom. Well, not, you know, the same truffles but the made from the same recipe. Ha.

It's also my friend Louis' 13th birthday today! Yes, my dad and Louis share a birthday...my dad being forty years his senior. Hop on over to his blog and wish him a happy birthday, will ya? I know he'll greatly appreciate it :)

How has your day been?

Oh, and there's still time to enter in my giveaway if you haven't already done so!

-carlotta

Oh basil...how I love you. And you're even better straight from our garden.

Great. Now I'm craving a sandwich with basil on it. Mmm.

-carlotta

Is there something that made you incredibly happy this week? Are you elated about something? Share is here at Happiness Is!

It's simple to play along. Just write a post with two things that have made you happy this past week (with a link to me), then come back here to my blog and link up! 

Also, we now have a button for Happiness Is, made by the lovely Ann...thanks, Ann! Feel free to grab it :)

<div align="center"><a href="http://pastors-girl.blogspot.com"><img alt="Happiness Is..." src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1064/4732886685_1331802b43_m.jpg" /></a></div>

Happiness is...

...delicious blackberries fresh from the garden. The best thing ever. Mmm.

...gorgeous sunsets. They're stunning. I know...I've already raved over them, but I can't help it ;)

What has made you happy this week? Link up and let me know!

-carlotta

This week's Raw(e) theme is summertime.

Above is my entry. It could mean a plethora of things - playing with the hose, watering summer gardens, etc. It's one thing I love about summer :)

Want to learn more about Raw(e)? Go here to the first "edition". If you'd like to see other summer photos and enter in your own picture, go here. Remember, your photo needs to be unedited!

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to enter in my giveaway!

-carlotta