And the winner is...

The winner of the Fiber One Chocolate Brownie giveaway is...

Black Tag Diaries said...

nighttime... no doubt. i actually buy the fiber one granola-type bars sometimes and they are pretty good. haven't tried those though. yummy:)

Congratulations!  If you haven't already done so, please send me your address (new or old!) so that I can have your prize package mailed to you.  

Kung Fu Master

Wes and Colin are forever wrestling, chasing each other, and doing all sorts of 'boys only' things.  A few months ago, I knew I was in for a treat when I heard "hi-yah" and other various grunts and groans coming from the living room.  Sure enough, Wes was teaching him some karate moves, complete with the sound effects.

Taking a que from that, I bought Colin a karate outfit for his birthday.  He opened it and put it to the side, as if to say he wasn't interested.  My mom pushed for him to try it on but he was in a defiant mood.  Since then the costume has hung in his closet, untouched.

Last week I was watching Colin at Hogwarts via the online camera.  I was trying to see if he was napping. He wasn't.  At first he was laying on his stomach with his head in his hands just looking around the room.  A few minutes later, he was standing up, on one leg, doing the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon move.  I laughed out loud at my desk.  Then I look over and there's another little girl doing the same move.  I can only assume this is the same little girl who has taught him numerous other "tricks" to do with his body.

That night when I asked him about it, he proudly showed me his moves again and then asked if he could go put his karate outfit on.  He forgets nothing!  

Allow me to entertain you.

 

Getting ready.

Full costume.

Karate chop!

Back kick.

And the piece de resistance, the inspiration move...

Now let's just hope he doesn't use Sawyer as his first chopping block!

Blind Date

I always wanted to go on a blind date.  I thought it would be so cool to go out with someone I'd never seen before and knew nothing about and end up falling deeply in love and having a fairytale romance.  Well that didn't happen.  I did get my happy ending but not quite like the Lifetime movie that played in my head.

I did get my chance at a blind date this weekend - just not in the traditional sense.  When I started my blog, I never dreamed I would actually meet a fellow blogger face to face.

I follow many blogs; some I rarely read (or even look at the pictures) and others that I comment on nearly every post.  Those are the ones I deem my "friends."  Wes laughs, I roll my eyes.  It's our thing.  Well this weekend I got the chance to meet one of these "friends" in person - as in she (and her kids) came to stay with me.  Maybe I'm just a trusting sole but I never gave it a second thought that I didn't know this girl from Adam and had never met her or even talked to her before.  Those are just minor details, right?

Well just as I suspected, she wasn't a mass murderer.  I still have all my digits and we're still friends.  My house is still standing and contains the same contents it did before (well minus a few annoying toys I was able to pawn off on her kids!).  And better still, I have a new real-life friend!

So thank you, Amanda, for coming to visit us.  We had a blast and you're welcome in our home any time!  To say Colin enjoyed your visit is the understatement of the century.  He got up at who knows what time just to make sure he didn't miss your departure.  Oh and I promise next time I'll check first before you pet a frisky horse.  Nothing like getting bit by a horse on your first trip to Kentucky!

Amanda is an amazing photographer and that's actually what drew me to her site for the first time.  I have taken copious notes from her but alas, she's still miles ahead of me.  She has taught me SO much though and I am forever indebted to her for that.  As a bonus, she brought her monster camera with her and she and I had a little photo session with the kids in the back yard.  I hesitate to even post any of my pictures next to a professional but in the end, we both captured memories - some just better than others!

Here are some pictures from our afternoon of fun.

Men at work

While the ladies lounge.

Yes, she is honestly just as adorable in person as she is in this picture.  I wanted to just eat her up!

Meanwhile, Sawyer found his own source of entertainment with the sprinkler.  Delicious.

Don't miss that party train

The funny thing about this picture is that Pierce, the one pushing the truck, was saying, "muscles, muscles, muscles" as he pushed.  When Colin said he was tired, Pierce said it was because he wasn't saying muscles.  Lauren decided she didn't have any interest in the pool and would rather be pulled like the pretty, pretty princess that she is.  

Side note:  Colin said Lauren looked pretty as a princess earlier that morning when he saw her in her dress.  I'm pretty sure there was a little crush forming.  As a matter of fact, he did ask her to get in his bed within the first hour of meeting her.  Daddy?  What have you been teaching your son?

Who could blame him though, with a tush like that?

The boys had so much fun playing together.  Colin hasn't stopped talking about Pierce yet!

Sawyer wanted to get in on the fun too and decided he no longer hated the swimming pool.  In he went, clothes and all.

Thanks, Amanda, Pierce, & Lauren, for coming to visit us.  We had so much fun and we hope you come back to visit soon!

Weekly Recipe: Mediterranean Pasta

Sometimes I remember recipes differently than they are actually written.  Sometimes those mistakes end up not so great but sometimes they end up better than the original.  This was one of those "better than the original" ones.

I was searching for a recipe that I could make almost entirely the day before because I knew I had to bake 2 pies for a coworker the next night.  I remembered a pasta dish I had bookmarked and thought it would be the perfect solution.  However, when I started preparing it, I discovered it was actually supposed to be served warm and I had intended to serve it cold over salad greens.  I went with it and just mixed everything up the night before and served it cold as I had planned.  It turned out great and now I think that's the only way I'd want it.  If you prefer it warm, consult the original recipe for those directions.  Otherwise, my version is below.

Mediterranean Pasta
adapted from:  Val So Cal

• 3/4 box cavitapi pasta
• 1/4 cup plus 2 T. olive oil, divided use
• 1 small onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced
• 4 chicken breasts, cut into strips or small pieces
• 1 (14oz) jar artichokes in water, chopped
• 2 T. oregano
• 1 T. basil
• 3 T. balsamic vinegar
• 1 T. dijon mustard
• splash of fresh lemon juice
• 8oz feta cheese (flavored or plain)
• handful of cherry tomatoes
• salt and pepper
• fresh spinach
• fig balsamic vinegar

        1) Cook pasta and set aside. Meanwhile in a skillet heat 2 T. olive oil on med-high heat.
        Cook chicken until cooked through and set aside. In the same skillet add onion, garlic
        saute for 5 min and then add mushrooms and cook until mushrooms have color.
        Add veggies and artichokes to the pasta.
        

       2) Mix balsamic vinegar, mustardolive oil, lemon juice and spices. Mix well
        and add to the pasta. Top with Feta cheese and tomatoes.  Cover and refrigerate

        overnight to allow the flavors to meld.  

       3)  Serve over spinach leaves that have been lightly dressed with fig balsamic vinegar &

        olive oil.

Thankful Thursday

I think I'm finally caught up enough with travel posts to get back into the Thankful Thursday routine. 

1)  I'm thankful for a child who continues to amaze me with the speed at which he adapts to new environments.  Colin has been in and out of 4 "schools" in the last 3 years and he has exceeded my expectations with each one.  I'm the nervous mother who thinks her child will be sitting in the corner, waiting for someone to ask him to play, too shy to initiate contact on his own.  Wrongly so.  With each new day, there's a new friend, a new toy, and a new talent one of his friends has taught him.  I'm thankful he is coming out of his shell, seeing as how it took me a good 18 years to do it!

2)  I'm thankful for a child who smiles, laughs, babbles, and squirms until his little heart is content.  Sawyer has to be one of the happiest little boys around.  Now don't get me wrong, when I leave his sight or he doesn't get what he wants quick enough, he lets you know his displeasure, but otherwise he is happy as a lark playing, talking, and humping about!  He talks much more than I ever remember Colin talking at this age and he loves nothing more than to give whatever object he's holding the business.  Seeing his face light up when he sees me is more rewarding than anything!

3)  I'm thankful for unexpected lunch dates with myself.  I am a creature of habit and routine.  I plan weekly menus so that we have leftovers to take for lunch the next day.  I'm too thrifty to spend money on lunches out every day, so on the rare occasion that I do get to go out, it's extra special.  I got to pick my own lunch spot yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed the break in my routine to eat some delicious food prepared by someone else.  Doesn't everything taste better when someone else prepares it?

What are you thankful for?  Link up to Black Tag Diaries to share. 

Choco-late and a giveaway!

Believe it or not, there are actually a few days out of the year that we don't have a fresh baked dessert in our house.  Admittedly it's rare but that doesn't mean our sweet tooth isn't still there waiting to be satisfied.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of processed foods, they will do in a pinch.  So when MyBlogSpark contacted me about reviewing the new Fiber One 90 calorie chocolate brownies, I wanted to try them out to see if they'd meet my standards.

While they weren't as good as homemade, both Wes and Colin thought they were pretty good.  I'm not a good judge since I'm not the biggest chocolate fan, so I default to the 2 chocolate monsters in the house.  If it gets their seal of approval, it's a winner in my book.  Plus, I feel a little less guilty knowing that each brownie has a whopping 5 grams of fiber.  Wes preferred the Chocolate Fudge variety, while Colin preferred the Chocolate Peanut Butter one.  Both boxes were gone in no time - even with fresh baked goods in the house!

Now, thanks to General Mills and Fiber One through MyBlogSpark, you have the chance to win a brownie prize pack and taste the goodness for yourself.  In addition to 2 boxes of brownies (1 of each flavor), you'll win a Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownie themed duffel bag, jump rope, water bottle, snack case, headband and bracelet.


To enter, simply answer this question:


"What time of day do you crave a little sweet treat; morning, afternoon, or nighttime?" 

You have until Tuesday, July 26th to enter.  Good luck and happy snacking!

Weekly Recipe: Thai Chicken Wraps

I love to read recipes and food blogs for inspiration.  You never know when something is going to spark an idea that might just turn into something delicious.  Sometimes it's the simplest things that end up tasting so good.

This was one of those divine discoveries.  I saw the idea for Asian Wraps on Yummly.  I typically glance at that email and promptly delete it but this time the idea struck a chord with me.  I clicked and read through the recipe and realized it was quick and sounded delicious.  I wasn't wild on the slaw recipe the used, so I searched my own database for a better alternative.  I found one I have been wanting to try from The Kitchn, called Crunchy Peanut Slaw.  I modified both slightly to fit what I had and to scale them down to fit our smaller family.  My version is listed below.

 

Thai Chicken Wraps

adapted from Yummly and The Kitchn

Chicken:

1 tsp olive oil or cooking spray

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

1 tsp minced garlic

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

3/4 lb chicken, cubed

Slaw:

1 small head cabbage

3 green onions

3/4 cup roasted peanuts, unsalted

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/3 cup canola oil

3 T. rice vinegar

1 T. sugar

1 T. sesame oil

1 T. tamari sauce (soy sauce)

salt and pepper to taste

4 whole wheat tortilla shells

For chicken:  Coat a medium nonstick skillet with olive oil or cooking spray.  Saute chicken for 2 minutes.  Add ginger and garlic and stir to combine.  Saute another 2 minutes.  Add teriyaki sauce and stir to combine.  Remove from heat.

For slaw:  Shred the cabbage very finely. The fineness of the shredded cabbage is really what makes this salad; you want it in in threads, almost, and with the threads chopped into bite-size lengths. Toss with the peanuts in a large bowl. Chop the scallions, including the green and white parts. Toss the scallions and chopped cilantro with the cabbage, seasoning very lightly with salt and pepper.

Whisk the dressing until emulsified, then taste and adjust to your own preferences of sweetness and saltiness.
Toss with the cabbage.  Note:  I made this the day before and allowed the flavors to meld overnight.


Garnish with a few more peanuts and serve.

To serve, heat tortillas slightly in the microwave.  Fill with chicken and top with slaw.  Dig in!

Let Him Eat Cake!

Are words even necessary?  Enjoy the progression.

Verdict:  Delicious but I prefer help getting my bites.

1-year stats:

Sawyer                                              Colin

30 inches tall                                     30 inches tall

19 lbs 2.2 oz skinny                          21 lbs 5.5 oz chubby

Take Two

I honestly don't know why I buy toys.  Both of my boys prefer unconventional toys.

Colin 1-year:

Same cabinet 4 years later:

The student becomes the master.

It's our anniversary...

Does that bring back memories of cruisin' in the early 90's to Tony! Toni! Tone!?  It sure does for me.  I had no one to sing to about an anniversary but that didn't stop me from belting it out with my eyes closed. 

Fast forward many years (I'm starting to date myself) and now I do have someone to sing to - however, I somehow doubt he'd want me to serenade him with Tony Toni Tone.  I'm sure he won't mind reading my sappy prose about how great he is though (:

Today marks 10 years since I stood next to the man of my dreams and professed my undying love for him.  To have and to hold, in sickness and health, 'til death do us part - I cling to those words every day.  We decided to not see each other before the ceremony and I remember being a nervous wreck.  My gown weighed 100 pounds and I hadn't eaten much all day.  I was about to pass out...until I saw Wes.  I couldn't see him initially as I walked down the aisle but as soon as I did, my heart started to beat faster, my stomach did a flip, and all the cares in the world disappeared for that very moment.  Knowing that he was standing there, waiting for me, was all I needed.  That was one of the happiest days of my life - a day I will cherish forever.

Ten years later, my heart still skips a beat when we go on dates.  I love seeing him transform from his daily t-shirt attire to a well-dressed man.  Knowing that he still cares enough about me to care what he looks like really does mean a lot.  I love when he takes my hand in his and we walk into the restaurant as if it was our 2nd date (There's no way I would have been brave enough to hold his hand on our 1st date, actually 2nd date is pushing it but oh well.)

Ten years later, he still loves me for me, flaws and all.  He puts up with my obsessive ways.  He lets me nag (to an extent).  He lets me do the things I love to do and gives me my space to do it.  He goes to the grocery for me.  He takes out the trash and does the laundry.  He's a wonderful dad who gives so much of himself and his time to his boys.  He is honest, smart, funny, and devilishly handsome to boot.  To say I'm lucky would be an understatement.  Sometimes I have to put myself in check to realize just how fortunate I am.

Happy Anniversary, Wes!  I love you today more than I did yesterday and I'll somehow find room to love you even more tomorrow.

To celebrate, we went to our favorite B&B in Northern KY this weekend, Willis Graves B&B.  As always, it was relaxing, delicious, and overall perfection.  For dinner, we treated ourselves to one of our favorite restaurants, Boca, in Cincinnati.  I'd highly recommend either of these places if you're ever in NKY or Cincinnati. 

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

Dear Sawyer-
Just look at you, look how handsome you are.  Your hair has changed from a strange shade of brown with blond low-lights to white.  You get more comments on your big blue eyes than anything else.  You're going to be a charmer with those baby blues!  You're brown as a bear and your Daddy and I are still scratching at our heads as to where you get that trait.  You're a little small for your age but you make up for it in your devilish good looks (:

This year has flown by.  It still seems like yesterday that Buff was taking me to the hospital for your big arrival.  Little did I know that you were already ready to come out and in a short 30 minutes, I'd get to meet you.  You were perfect from the moment I saw you.

Your big brother was anxious to see his baby brother, "Pete", but he dropped that moniker as soon as he saw you and decided he'd call you Sawyer like everyone else.  From day one you've enjoyed watching your brother's every move.  When he comes into the room your face lights up with excitement.  You love to hover over him while he eats his breakfast, just hoping he'll drop you a little morsel of something you're not supposed to have.  You like to pull his hair, try to bite him, and grab at him when you're trying to stand up.  Sometimes he's okay with this but most of the time he whines.

You've been pulling up for over a month now and you'll occasionally even stand on your own.  It's a short stint before you fall to the ground.  You don't seem phased by it, you just opt to crawl to your next destination.  When you do walk, you like to either hang on to my pant legs and let me shuffle with you or you'll hang on to my fingers for a bit and let me walk with you.  I think one of your favorite (and funniest) positions is up on your knees with your hands extended over your head.  Most of the time this is your way of telling - not asking - me to pick you up.  You also like to do this when there's something on the ceiling or just generally above your head that you're trying to reach.  For whatever reason, you LOVE things up high.

You have a love for balloons that we discovered on your brother's birthday.  You make the o-face and say, "Ooh, ooh," as you bounce on your knees.

You've recently learned to clap and you like when we say, "Yay, Sawyer!"  You like to clap in between bites and we think that must be your way of telling us you want another bite.

You're a pretty good eater but when you don't want something, you calmly pick it up off your tray and dispose of it off the side, onto the ground.  There's no haste but there's no hesitation either.  If we sneak something into your mouth that you don't like the taste or texture of, you stick your tongue our and make an awful face to get the object out of your mouth.  You love anything shaped like an O and your other favorites are sweet potatoes, carrots, and yogurt.  You've recently discovered juice in a sippy cup as well and you like when we pretend to take a drink from your cup.

You think Daddy is very funny but you're definitely a Mommy's boy.  When you see Mommy, you practically jump out of someones arms to get at me.  If we're in the same room and I leave for just a second, you cry immediately.  You'll only snuggle with Mommy in the bed in the mornings, even though Daddy is right there.  When I get up to get ready, you have to come with me or else you'll throw a big fit.  At dinner, you like sitting across the table from Daddy so he can make faces at you.  You dance, kick, and laugh at his crazy antics.

You have 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom.  Unlike your brother, you've let it be known when each tooth has broken through.  The first 4 you got sick with each one - a fever and cold-like symptoms - and the last 2 you've just been chewing on things a lot and have little bursts of what appear to be pain-induced cries.

You sleep pretty well at night but your naps are sporadic at best.  You prefer to be held while you nap or to be riding in the car.  If the car stops, you wake up.  The end.  Part of this is not your fault, as you mother and Buff are both busy bodies and take you on a lot of errands.

You haven't said any real words yet, unless you count the "daad" that you say a lot.  You don't seem to be directing it at Daddy, so I can only assume it's just sounds.  You do babble a lot though.  Some days you just talk and talk, as if you're having a conversation with someone.

You don't really have a favorite toy but we do wrap you up in a pink Churchill Weavers blanket every night.  Poor thing, pink will probably be your favorite color!  You do enjoy your brother's chef Dora doll and if you happen to have her with you while you're napping in the car, you hold onto both of her arms with your little hands.  It's precious!  In general, you tend to prefer whatever your brother has or something that was not intended to be a toy.  Take for example, this box.

My little Sawyer, you are such a joy.  Most of the time you are a happy baby (as long as you're getting your way).  You love to give open mouth "kiss, kiss, kisses" and you just fit perfectly into my chest.  When you want to give a hug, you tuck your little hands down at your side sot hey don't get in the way of my squishing you.  I love you so much, my precious little boy! 

Love,
Mommy

 A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.” -Anonymous

 

Weekly Recipe: Farmer's Market Salad

What do you do with a drawer full of fresh produce?  Chop it up and throw it all in a bowl together.  Add a quick vinaigrette and you've got a healthy side dish in no time.  They say you should eat a rainbow of colors and I think I've got just about every color accounted for in this salad.

Farmer's Market Salad
by:  Me

1 avocado, peeled and chopped
1 cup peppers, chopped (mixed colors for a prettier salad!)
1 ear corn, roasted and cut off cobb
1 medium squash or zucchini
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (grape work great cut in half because they're not as watery)
handful of feta cheese (I used a Mexican blend but I think feta or goat are better)
3 T. fresh cilantro, chopped (I didn't have it this time)

For the vinaigrette:


3 T. red wine vinegar
3 T. olive oil
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 garlic cloved, minced
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 T. honey

Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl.  Chop veggies and put into a large serving bowl.  Pour vinaigrette on top and stir to combine.  Enjoy cold or at room temperature.  I like to let mine sit in the fridge for a bit to allow the flavors to meld together.

Featured

Look who was featured last week over at The Party Wagon!

The Party Wagon

Weekly Recipe: Spring Pasta

It's time to move on and get back to my normal routine.  We made it home safe and sound and we were all somewhat relieved to be home.  Colin spent the night with my mom since they got home before us.  When he came home the next day it was as if he was seeing our house for the first time.  He kept saying, "I remember that couch!" or "Do you want to go see my room with my car covers?"  I would just love to know what was going on in his little mind.  I wonder if he thought we had left that place forever?  Needless to say, he was thrilled to be home.

Well since it isn't spring anymore, perhaps I should change the title to "Summer Pasta."  When we started our CSA program earlier in the season, I had to get my mind back into the fresh veggie mode.  I happen to love this mode and love pushing my creative limits. 

This pasta certainly isn't what I would deem creative but it was a chance to clean out the pantry and fridge a bit.  It is very flexible in terms of what you might have on hand.

Springtime Pasta
by:  Me!

3/4 lb penne pasta
4 strips bacon
1 large shallot, chopped
1 cup fresh peas
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup prepared (or fresh) pesto
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken stock
Fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese





1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta according to directions on package for al dente.  
2.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy, reserving about 1T. bacon drippings.  Crumble and set aside.
3.  Cook shallot in reserved bacon drippings untiil opaque, about 2 minutes. 
4.  Add mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes more. 
5.  Add fresh peas and cook for another 1-2 minutes. 
6.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add chicken stock, pesto, and heavy cream.  Cook until heated through and reduced slightly.
7.  Drain pasta, reserving a 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid for later use.
8.  Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to combine.  If it's too dry, add the 1/2 cup pasta water.
9.  Garnish with freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano and serve.

Day 6: Happy Birthday to me / McCrady's review

What a better way to spend your birthday than on vacation?  Well maybe with great food!  Let me back up a bit.

I had most of the morning to myself to walk the streets of Charleston and just soak up the sun, the charm, and the history.  Wes took the boys to the Children's Museum (which is fabulous if you're interested) and my mom went for a morning of pampering at Stella Nova.

I hopped around town with my 2 dimes trying to avoid getting a parking ticket.  The meter readers take their jobs seriously in Charleston and I didn't want to ruin my birthday with a ticket.  Somehow I only had 2 dimes to my name, so that meant a grand total of 14 minutes.  I escaped the ticket and eventually found a cheap garage to park in for a little while.  In the meantime, here's some of what I saw.

After a relaxing morning, we came back and I lounged by the pool for a bit.  My mom had snuck and gotten me a few gifts while we were there - 2 of which were from the boys.  And a super special present was a card my Grandmother had already had for me with money.  That was an emotional moment for sure.

Wes and I had been looking forward to our date night all week.  It just so happened it was also my birthday dinner.  I'm usually in favor of surprises but I opted to select our destination this time.  I had read a lot about McCrady's, Husk's sister restaurant, and settled in on that.  Thankfully, I chose well.

See, I was really on this vacation!

Having a good waitress or waiter can make all the difference in a meal.  We were lucky enough to get a girl who clearly loved her job and was passionate about both food and wine.  She not only told us her favorite items but described why they were her favorites and specifically how they were prepared.

McCrady's had just rolled out a new menu concept that week.  From what I understand, previously they had been solely a pre-fixe menu but as of the week they were there, they had a la carte items but were in pre-fixe portions.  This was to allow one to order as much as they wanted without committing to a preset number of courses.  It also allows you to try multiple dishes, since the portions are smaller.

Wes and I opted for 4 courses each, including dinner.  We both started with a super fresh Heirloom Tomato Salad.   This was a summer garden on a plate.  If you were to close your eyes, this dish would put you right in the middle of a big country garden, wind blowing in your hair, and the smell of fresh cut grass wafting in your nose.  I'm not sure how they triggered all of those senses but they took me there.  Fresh tomatoes, smoked corn, cucumber, jalapeno, and liquid nitrogen olive oil!  Yes, please.

We also both ordered the Butter Poached Lobster & Scallop.  Our waitress mentioned this was one of her favorites and we could easily see why.  I had to hold Wes' hands down to keep him from licking the bowl.  The 2 large pieces of lobster and 4 smaller pieces of scallop were atop a buttered popcorn puree and topped with a fried ball of parsnip puree.  I had to know how both were made.  The popcorn puree was made by seeping buttered popcorn in heavy cream and then pureed into a liquid - kernels and all!  The parsnips had been pureed (with more cream, I'm sure) and then rolled in panko crumbs and fried.  I could have eaten a plate of that.

We differed on our next course.  I had the housemade egg pasta with clams.  I'm a sucker for homemade pasta even though it only consists of 2 ingredients.  The pasta was good but the previous 2 courses made this one pale in comparison.

Wes ordered the Pan Fried Sweetbreads with rutabaga and mushrooms.  I'm not a fan of sweetbreads, so I passed on his offer to try them.  I did, however, sample the rutabaga and mushrooms - both were excellent.  I think that's the first time I've ever had rutabaga prepared in a savory way.  The mushrooms just melted in my mouth.

We couldn't pass up dessert and thank goodness we didn't!  Wes order the Candy Bar and I ordered the Oatmeal Cake.  Both came with housemade pretzel ice cream and both were sinfully delicious.  I appreciate that neither portion was tiny, as fancy desserts tend to be.  If I'm paying $8-$10 for dessert, I expect it to be more than 2 bites.  My waistline might not agree but my wallet speaks louder (:

Success!  I had a great birthday.  I enjoyed time with my family, had some alone time, got some gifts, and had a fantastic meal.  Let's do it again next year!!