Update

We bought our Chicago plane tickets on Sunday so I have been busy gathering trip plans. I am super excited about an awesome restaurant I found called Alinea. Here is an interesting review of the restaurant. We have several activities lined up: Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, John Hancock Observatory, Architecture Tour, etc. I have also found an awesome champagne bar called Pops for Champagne, touted as "the nation's most acclaimed champagne bar." They even have amazing music performances and live jazz.

We are headed to a wedding this weekend for a family member. The ceremony and reception will be at the Tidewater Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. We are leaving Friday morning and return on Sunday. I still have to get a wedding gift for the couple.

I posted a few days ago about an awesome new drink called Loire Lemonade. I am actually enjoying a glass as I type. Here is the recipe for those who are curious:

Makes 4 servings (you can easily cut it down to 1 or 2 of you like)

2 ounces fresh lemon juice
4 ounces Simple Syrup
4 ounces Citrus Vodka (we use Absolut Citron)
16 ounces Sauvignon Blanc
4 lemon twists for garnish.

1. Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add lemon juice, simple syrup and vodka. Shake well.
2. Put 2 ice cubes in 4 wine glasses (or highball). Divide the shaken mixture among the glasses. Add 4 ounces of the wine to each glass and stir gently.
3. Twist a lemon twist over each glass and drop in. Serve immediately. Try to release the essential oils into the glass.

*in my opinion this could be made ahead and served at a party, just like a traditional Sangria.

Saturday Night

Good morning... Last night we had a great evening with family. Mr. Foodie's parents and grandparents came over for dinner. Mr. Foodie made his signature dish: Baked Ziti. It is one of the best things I have ever tasted. I also love it because it is a one dish meal great for dinner parties. We served it with garlic bread. For dessert I made Smore Brownies, a recipe I found on the Food Network website. We served them with cappuccino and they were a big hit. Mr. Foodie even ate Smore Brownies for breakfast this morning!

The hit of the evening was a new cocktail we tried called Loire Lemonade. I bought a new cocktail book in San Francisco for Mr. Foodie called "Wine Cocktails." The book is broken up into sections: Red, White, Bubbly, & Exotic. The Loire Lemonade recipe contained fresh lemon juice, citrus Vodka, and simple syrup topped off with chilled Savignon Blanc. A wonderful recipe that will be making it's way onto our cocktail menu.

We are looking forward to next weekend because we are going to Charleston for a family wedding. We already have dinner plans for both nights (wedding stuff), but I am going to do a little research and find a place for lunch on Friday, and maybe Sunday if we have time.

Back in the swing of things

My trip to California was amazing. I got to spend time with my Mom and Grandparents which was really special to me. We saw some beautiful things while we were there. The highlight of the trip was riding the Cable Cars up the extremely steep hills. We also went to Monterey and Big Sur. Mr. Foodie and I are planning a trip next year because he has to go there! I brought him back a cocktail recipe book focusing on wine cocktails and bleu cheese dijon mustard.

I am trying to get back into the swing of things. At least today is Friday so I will have the weekend to recover. I made an awesome Reuben Sandwich for dinner last night that blew both of us away. The recipe came from my autographed Barbara Jean cookbook given to me by my Mother in Law. I will definitely be making this one again. I don't have any pictures because we ate them too fast!

We are leaving for Charleston a week from today for a family wedding. Looking forward to a road trip in our new car. Keep you posted.

Birthday

I just booked Mr. Foodies birthday trip. We are flying to Nashville on October 31st to watch the Jaguars play the Tennessee Titans. We have always wanted to go to an away game and here is our chance. We are flying Southwest and staying at the best hotel in Nashville: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

I also found a great Blues Club to take Mr. Foodie to while we are there: Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. I am really looking forward to surprising him!!

Totally Awkward Tuesdays

Totally Awkward Tuesdays - The concept brought to you by the lovely Tova Darling. Check out her blog for more Awkward moments.