I got up this morning with a big smile on my face and went downstairs to open the door for the dog and cats to do their business and then started tidying up a bit from last night. You can’t work AND clean at the same time, at least I haven’t figured out how to do that.
John got up about an hour later and came down and said, “Good morning, dear, did you sleep well?”
“Uhhh yeah, did you?”
“I went to bed too late but come and see what I’ve done.”
We went to my office and cranked up my computer and he showed me the new text index he’d written to add to the index plugin he’s about to release on beta. I told him I liked it and then I smiled sweetly and he turned around and went upstairs.
My face fell.
I went to my office and started to work and a few minutes later I received a phone call from my friend Madonna who wanted to know if I had lunch plans. I said I didn’t and she invited me to lunch and asked if John wanted to go. Around 11am I went up to put my face on to go to lunch and asked John if he wanted to join us and he said he really needed to work.
He reminded me that Saturday is voting day here in Queensland and we’ll have his dad with us much of the day so there’s no working then. I said okay and started to go out the door and turned around on my heel and went to his computer and typed:
“What does January 29th mean to you?”
He looked at me quizzically and said, “Our anniversary isn’t until February, so I don’t know.”
“Okay, nevermind, I’ll see you when I get back,” I said with a grin.
“Wait, what’s January 29th?”
“Nevermind, it’s not important, I won’t be gone too long and then I’m going to bring a cake over to the nursing home for your parents. Still he didn’t get it.
“I’ll go with you to see the olds,” he said with a smile.
I was nearly out the door and then it hit.
“OH MY GOD, I’m SO sorry, Maureen” he said and looked truly distressed.
Now most of you think I’m nice but I’m going to destroy that impression right now because I said, “About fucking time!!” with emphasis on each word. I did say it with a big smile on my face, if that counts for anything.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I’ll come to lunch but I’d rather take you out for dinner if that’s okay?”
Hello Harry, the Burger Joint has been open in Maroochydore for just under a year. I’ve thought about visiting before now but it just never happened until today. My friend Madonna is a vegetarian and I’d heard that Hello Harry does a nice veggie burger as well as a fish burger. That sealed it and off we went.
The restaurant is on Ocean Street in Maroochydore amongst several new restaurants and it’s a hopping place at night. Lunch time today was pretty quiet at all the restaurants on the strip. School holidays ended after Australia Day on Monday so the city is a bit quiet.
After perusing the menu of $10 burgers where the choices range from grass fed wagyu beef, Louisiana pulled pork, crumbed barramundi, Middle Eastern chickpea, labneh, candied pumpkin and honey mustard burger, chicken burger, confit lamb and Texan brisket, I chose the pulled pork and Madonna had the fish.
When I saw onion rings on the menu, I figured it was my birthday and that was a gift from the universe. I don’t often have them but how often do you celebrate a birthday? Once a year — maybe? Madonna wanted the seasoned fries so we had plenty to eat.
Hello Harry has beer, wine and soft drinks so we were set for celebration but for lunch we decided not to spring for alcohol. We had a lovely time and other than no salt on the table, I couldn’t have been more pleased with my food. Madonna asked for some salt and this is how it was served.
No napkins and no frills but every need was looked after with a roll of paper towels on every table.
This meal was independently paid for.
So I got to go out for lunch and I’ll get dinner out too. Two wins AND I got cake with the olds but I did have to make it. I made a chocolate cake and filled it with vanilla custard and topped it with chocolate ganache. It was pretty swish to eat but it was less than pretty to look at.
When we got to the nursing home John’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband Alan were there visiting Rob so we all had birthday cake and coffee in the cafe there. John’s mother told me she ate every bite but I did catch her trying to feed chocolate to the dog. That’s a big no-no for me.
Helene D'Souza says
Happy Birthday Maureen! 😀
Ah men… what to say to that? Glad you guys took it easy, John will owe you. ^.^
The Veggie burger at harry looks very attractive and I am not a vegetarian.
Maureen says
We didn’t have the veggie burger but it does sound good. next time! I had the pulled pork 🙂
Mira says
Happy B-Day! The cake looks fantastic! Love vanilla custard. These burgers are looking seriously delicious ! (I got two friends who have a B-Day today + my grandmother, so I better call them now 🙂 )
Chris Scheuer says
Happy Birthday friend, it sounds like a great day despite the way it started! And you’ve got me hungry for burgers now but it’s only 10 in the morning…
Sandra - The Foodie Affair says
That burger looks excellent and so does your hair! Love the color!! I’m sure John Wil make good after that major whoops! Happiest of birthdays from your CA friend! Xo
immaculate says
Happy Birthday Maureen. What a great way to spend your birthday . Seriously, I just want to take a big bite of that burger right out of my screen . Gorgeous pictures !
SallyBR says
You are JUST TOO FUNNY! I wished you Happy Birthday on FB, but it’s time to repeat it here, even if right now it’s already Jan 30 where you are…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Lunch, dinner out and cake! What a wonderful day!!!!!
Lell Trogdon says
Happy Birthday!! I hope your weekend will continue the celebration!
Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Maureen – I had a start like that to my birthday last year:( Not impressed and used similar words at some stage:)
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
O happy happy birthday, dear Maureen! Today is my hubby Saba’s birthday too! I made him an orange cake with coconut cream cheese frosting, hopefully he’ll like it. If you were near, I would have made you one too 🙂 A hamburger sounds so yummy right now. Hope you enjoyed every bite. Hugs.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Happy, Happy Birthday Maureen!!!
Guess John’s temporary loss of memory paid off and you got taken out twice! Sometimes it’s nice to not have to make anything -other than a cake! I so love the rolls of paper towels on the tables at that burger joint – and your photography captures those burgers and fries oh so well! In fact – if you didn’t do such a wonderful job photographing that cake too, I wouldn’t have been caught licking my computer screen!!!!
Glamorous Glutton says
Happy Birthday Maureen. Those burgers look amazing, I’m assuming the breadcrumbed one is the Barramundi and that’s what I’d have to choose. With the onion rings, of course. GG
A_Boleyn says
Happy Birthday, Maureen.
Sometimes we have to remind loved ones of our special days. I’m sure supper out will be wonderful. John’s got some ways to go to make up for not remembering. 🙂
It’s funny that a restaurant doesn’t put salt (and pepper?) on the table so you have to ask for it. Those are pretty big burgers. In fact everything seems quite generously portioned … love the seasoned fries and onion rings.
And the b’day cake you made looks wonderful. I especially like the sturdy custard in the middle.
Roberta says
Happy, happy, happy birthday. And wishing you many, many more.
Hotly Spiced says
Happy birthday, Maureen. Some men just have to be hit with a sledge hammer before anything registers between their ears. I’m glad he got there in the end. How lovely to have a friend take you out for lunch. The range of burgers is fantastic and I think the prices are very good. I think your birthday cake looks very good and how good of you to share it with the olds. I do hope John made up for the poor start to the day with a good choice of restaurant in the evening xx
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Happy birthday lovely Maureen!
My face would have fallen too, I think… I’m glad to know that you did end up going out to lunch (looks delish!) AND you got a cake, even if you did bake it yourself. (Don’t feel bad… I can count on my ten fingers the number of birthday cakes I’ve had in my entire 56 years!!!).
Many happy returns…. and next time we’re up that way, we must go to this burger joint! xox
Veronica (Roni) says
I’m sorry Maureen….facebook didn’t tell me so!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you……:))
Glad you had a good day in the end, lol
Big love xxxx
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Happy Birthday Maureen! That burger place looks pretty amazing. The food looks handcrafted and totally perfect for a birthday lunch! My entire family forgot my birthday one time. I went shopping with my daughter that evening and I wrote a check at the shopping Mall. The lady checked my ID and said Happy Birthday. I said thanks and looked over at my daughter who had gone pale. She felt awful – but the rest of the family tried to say that hadn’t forgotten. Whatever – if they remember now I feel pretty special. Things aren’t the same when your mom’s not around any more. But I hope you enjoyed the rest of your day – it certainly sounds like you did! Woohoo!
lisaiscooking says
Happy Birthday! Your cake looks delicious, and Hello Harry looks like fun. Hope you had a wonderful day!
Choc Chip Uru says
Happy Birthday my friend! Ugh John get your game up bro! What are you even doing?! Wow you let him off easy 😛
But it was nice of your friend to take you to this relish burger joint, wouldn’t have minded joining you myself (self invite!) haha
LOVE your cake, I would eat every bite (but never feed the dog!)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Happy birthday, Maureen! Ah men… can’t live with them, can’t live without them ;). A lunch and dinner out sound good, though. So does your luscious chocolate cake!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Happy Birthday! I always remember Mrs KR’s birthday (I know what’s good for me). Forget mine half the time, though! Anyway, this sounds like a terrific place. I haven’t had onion rings in eons — need to get some, and soon.
wok with ray says
Happy Birthday, Maureen! Oh boy those buns are full of heavenly yum! My favorite is the pulled pork. 🙂
Michael says
wow, those are some big burgers, they look delicious!! Love onion rings, once I start eating them it’s hard to stop!! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Happy Birthday lovely!! Oh no, poor John! I suspect it would happen to Mr NQN every year but I remind him just because well I know him and his tendency to forget these things. I hope that you had a gorgeous dinner last night? Is that cake like a Boston Cream Pie cake?
Maureen says
It is exactly a chocolate Boston Cream Pie. I didn’t call it that because a Boston Cream Pie is made with vanilla layers or a yellow cake mix packet. It was my birthday and I wanted chocolate. 🙂
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
Happy Birthday Maureen! I’m glad John got his act together 🙂 Great looking burgers – and great prices too.
Hope you had a lovely dinner last night too x
Caroline @ Shrinking Single says
Happy Birthday Maureen. What a lovely way to celebrate the day and that cake looks amazing. I love no fuss places with great food.
yummychunklet says
Happy birthday, Maureen!
Gourmet Getaways says
Aww…HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAUREEN!!! That was one good lunch with huge servings! Can’t wait to see what was for dinner!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Tara Noland says
Happy Birthday!!! Love the name of the burger joint and their food looks completely amazing!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
A belated but very Happy Birthday to you. I’m sure your sweet husband not only felt bad about forgetting your special day but treated you to a lovely dinner. Your cake must have been delicious…it sure looks good.
Glenda says
Happy birthday from me tooooo! It is all your fault though. You should have reminded John every day for a week before your birthday. That is what I do. I want to be certain I don’t miss out on any presents 🙂
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
Happy Birthday, Maureen!! Looks like John redeemed himself… 😉
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
Happy Birthday Maureen! I like to read your posts, they make me laugh. 🙂
Amira says
Hahahaha we have a saying in Egypt ” If you want to ALWAYS remember your wife’s B-day, forget about it once” 🙂 I hope you’ve got the meaning. My hubby did the same to me 10 years ago and as the saying goes it was his first and – I’ve made sure it is also his- LAST time he will do that. Happy Birthday dear.. loved your cake, the best part is ” Home made”.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Happy Birthday!!!!! This story is a book end complement to your “Joan Who?” post. My mouth fell open when I saw the burgers, fries, onion rings. One order is enough to feed a family of four. Boy am I missing out by not
visiting Australia.
The Ninja Baker says
Happy (belated) Birthday, Maureen! Those photos of the Hello Harry burgers make me want to book a ticket to Queensland right now =) How grrrreat that they have veggie burgers, too…Of course, the trip would not be worth it without a bite of that divine cake you made…Glad you had a happy day…Glad too that Angel Maureen stepped in and saved the dog from eating chocolate.
Eva says
Happy birtday Maureen !
I read a quota the other day in Instagram that said : “The only thing that’s better than chocolate is a friend with chocolate” ! Your birtday is been perfect, a nice hamburguer, frites, a friend and chocolate 🙂
Men are always late 😉
Debbie Russell says
That fish looked divine! Wish I had it right now. Glad you had a good birthday. You deserve it!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
Happy (late) Birthday Maureen, better late then never with John 😉 Sounds like you still had a great day and that burger join looks great!
Amanda (@lambsearshoney) says
I hope you had a happy birthday Maureen. I’d kill my husband if he forgot my birthday – and he knows it.
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Hahaha…. Classic. Poor John! 🙂 I think this would happen in my world too, if I didn’t have a solid 6 month birthday marketing campaign every year too. Hope the dinner was amaze and that you got extra spoils too.
Happy Birthday to you loveliest lady! We should do a joint party one year, reckon it’d be a hoot.
xo
Maureen says
Promise?? A party with you regardless the reason would be a hoot. 🙂
Raymund says
Happy Birthday Maureen! I want to celebrate my birthday like this, with some massive good burgers 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Maureen! My husband never remembers my birthday and we’ve been together for nearly 30 years! He is SO good is so many other ways that it doesn’t bother me anymore. I know I have been overloading you with comments and you certainly don’t have to respond – I’m just stuck in my chair again with my laptop and blogging takes my mind off things! 🙂