The annual BLT Birthday Bash always takes place on the closest weekend to August 6. Two notable events collide on this auspicious day — it is my friend Bill’s birthday and heirloom tomatoes are in their full glory.

The sandwiches with which we celebrate are not your typical corner luncheonette variety, but rather, they must include these nonnegotiable ingredients:

· Homemade mayonnaise (Bill's proper Southern upbringing demands this)
· Hickory-smoked bacon from Oscar’s Smoke House
· Sliced local heirloom tomatoes, generously seasoned with a good quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
· Farm stand leaf lettuce
· Farmers’ market bread, sliced and "toasted" on the grill

Last year, my friend Catherine who hates tomatoes, was stunned at the taste of the heirloom and firmly stated "This does not taste like a tomato". "Au contraire", we assured her — this is exactly what a tomato should taste like. And my friend Jackie, more vegetarian than flexitarian, heartily partook of the irresistible Oscar's bacon.

My sandwich, before closing it

We wash these sandwiches down with iced tea, and this year, cold-brewed iced coffee, followed by yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing.

On a slightly related note, we’re promoting a Grown-Up Birthday Parties article right now on our home page and last week there was much debate over which image to use. We ended up deciding on picture of birthday candles, but if I had my way, it would have been BLTs and cupcakes.

What are some of your less traditional celebrations?

Check out Bill’s blog, In The Garden, and wish him a happy birthday while you’re there.