I got an email from an old kitchen designer I used to work with he said he was sittng eating lunch and saw someone walk in with this shirt on and had to think of me....Makes me feel like I will be thought of a lot more with Michael Phelps' victory....

Saturday...

Saturday we had a great day...David and I took Reese (david's pooch) to Eno State Park about 35 minutes away. we went for a nice long 2 1/2 hr hike along the creek...we had a picnic on a rock and Reese had a nice swim...It's so nice to be surrounded by things that we can do that don't take money (which seems to be a commodity these days).

Test Kitchen Part I

With NC State Football right around the corner David and I have been throwing some ideas around for tailgating food. Before taking these ideas out to the lots they have to be tested...Thus creating the first of many *Test Kitchens*

Menu:

Grilled Pizza

Jalapeno Stuffed with bacon, cheese & shallots

We did 2 pizzas...one on the flat-top grill & one on the charcoal. David found a place right around the corner that sells pizza dough for $2.00! and it was yummy! We topped the pizzas with tomato sauce,shredded mozzarella, fresh sliced mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, banana peppers & roma tomatoes. Both pizzas turned out great...I think I prefer the charcoal grill pizza over the flat top, there was a little more of a "grilled taste". This is a great idea for tailgating because we can bring so many different toppings. A++

A couple months ago I saw this great jalapeno stand at Williams Sonoma so David went and got one yesterday for our "test kitchen". The jalapenos were cleaned out and stuffed with bacon, cheese & shallots, we cooked them on the charcoal grill for about 15-20 minutes....they probably could have cooked for a little while longer because the tops were not as soft as the bottoms. This is a recipe we will have to try again. I also think we should use a "cheesier" cheese. The mozzarella had a very mild flavor & I think Cheddar or maybe even gruyere would add more flavor, maybe replacing the tops to the jalapenos will also help keep the cheese & other ingredients inside....To Be Continued....

P.S As you can see I thought about pictures a little too late....but I am getting better!

This is the best bloody mary mix on the face of the planet

An Unexpected Date Night.....

So I was supposed to work at the Mint last night but they were not busy enough so they did not need me....I had worn a black dress to work and some sassy wedge heels and felt I couldn't just go home so.....David met me at the Mint for a glass of champagne, we feasted on a yummy scallop appetizer and from there we walked down the street to Sono. Sono is a wonderful new sushi/asian fusion restaurant. I had read an article about the place a couple weeks ago and was dying to try one of their bloody mary martinis made with zing zang,wasabi,splash of soy sauce and julienned cucumbers...YES it is as good as it sounds. We started off with shrimp and vegetable tempura. I got the Screaming "O" roll (hee hee) which is spicy tuna & tempura shrimp with seared tuna on top served with a creamy "O" sauce (I have no idea what the sauce is, but it lived up to it's name!). David got the Crunchy Diablo roll which had a spicy crab salad,avocado,cream cheese & jalapeno dusted in panko & deep fried topped with spicy mayo & eel sauce. We sat at the shiny black bar with our drinks, very cosmopolitan, still dressed in our savvy work clothes. For a minute we felt like we weren't even in Raleigh.... the downtown area is getting so built up with great restaurants, I can't wait to see it in a couple years!

I truly feel like I have found my "settling" place in Raleigh of course I think wherever David is I will be settled. It was a super, unexpected date...the best kind!

You say tomato...I say yummy!

I love juicy red, fresh garden tomatoes and yesterday I was lucky enough to get a whole bag from a co-worker!! So last night for "dessert" I made my very first tomato pie http://projects.eveningedge.com/recipes/tomato-pie2/...It is a savory pie that has fresh basil, cheese and plenty of those red slices of heaven! I doctored it up a little bit and added some bacon crumbles (not baco-bits...I actually fried bacon, then crumbled it) The one challenge with the pie was trying to get all the water out of the tomatoes which I will be more aware of next time. David also suggested adding some crushed red pepper and I agree that would add some "flare". After indulging in 2 pieces of the pie it then dawned on me that I should have taken a picture of it to post when it was hot out of the oven but oh well I am still new to this whole thing...next time

In Addition....

I feel that starting this blog is a great way for people near and far to know what's going on in my world....with the whole "being a grown up" thing, life tends to keep you busier than you'd like and it's becoming more and more difficult to keep in touch. Okay that's all I think I might be done now....this is a wonderful way to make the time pass at work!

Popping that blog cherry....

I should have started this blog over a year ago because that's when things in my life became very interesting....But instead of reliving the past I will forge forward with current events & happenins'. Betsey, I ultimately dedicate this blog site to you, you are officially the godmother of my blog so be nice to it, spoil it and most of all read the damn thing.

Blog Vows:

I promise to keep you updated as best as possible
I promise to be truthful
I promise to not hold back on even the most ridiculous & vulgar thoughts
I promise to try to post pictures even though I probably won't know what I am doing (case in point, profile pic & writing over David's head...