Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[D&R love Disney]

Our staycation is two weeks away ...

I think I've got it all sketched out. Let me know what you guys think.

As a precursor to vacation we're going to use our $50 gift certificate next Saturday (5/16) at Wasabi ... a sushi place here in Stinktown that gets really good reviews.

Then on 5/21 we're attending another guest chef dinner at Oceano Bistro.

We're planning to use a $25 gift certificate at the Scottish Arms on Sunday, May 24.

Tuesday, May 26th is my doped up, wasted day since that's when my endoscopic ultrasound is scheduled.

Wednesday, May 27th we're attending a wine dinner at Soulard's (downtown STL).

Thursday, May 28th we're going to use a $25 gift certificate at Monarch ... a trendy-bendy kind of place.

Friday May 29th is our 10th anniversary. I think I'm going to order something special for breakfast (I don't know just where yet ... still thinking about it) and then we've decided to create our own beer dinner with Unibroue!

We're planning on

Welsh Rarebit
Crab Cakes with Jalapeno Butter
Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese, Strawberries & Granny Smith Apples
??? - The Mysterious and as Yet Unnamed Entree -
Bread Pudding Souffle with Whisky Cream Sauce (no beer with this course ... we're breaking out the fancy desesrt wine).

Saturday May 30th ... restart diet.

Great staycation except for the endoscope. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best

 

[D&R love Disney]

I finally uploaded the pictures from our BBQ last weekend ... I also have a couple of recipes to share later just in case anyone might be interested.

Boursin Cheese with Fresh Italian Bread Slices ...

Jay's Famous Cream Cheese Spinach Dip w/ Scoops

Fresh Fruit and Grand Marnier Cream Sauce ...

I just have to say ... the reception we got with this cream sauce blew me away. I don't know if it's because this is a lighter sauce as opposed to the amaretto dip I've made before, but people were eating this stuff without any fruit at all.

SANGRIA!!

A big ol' pot of bratwurst cooking in beer and onions ...

Tray o' Meats ...

Spinach Salad with Feta & Strawberries ...

Bendy's dinner plate ... oink oink oink!

A 6-pack of Boulevard Brewery's Zon Beer was declared a fine beverage by all ...

Lemon Bars by Jen ....

This next picture requires some explanation ... Dylan likes crust and he asked Jen to make a double thick layer of it. While the lemon bars tasted good - not too lemony and not too sweet - the inch-thick layer of crust on the bottom was a real turnoff. It was almost impossible to cut through the darn things without a knife and fork. So you can imagine how much fun it was for Dylan to try to extract a lemon bar from the baking pan.

Need a visual?

Look no further ...

And here's the infamous Mocha Creme Torte that I made for the hubba's birthday ... the cake that usually leaves me in tears actually turned out really well for the first time ... ever!

And finally, here's a picture of Jay's birthday prezzie from his lovey wife:

Oh the BBQ looks great! I'll bet that cream sauce was devine

Did you and Jay enjoy the scotch?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I need to get a Mickey plate like that.

I cooked dinner yesterday for my mom and my grandmother, (and my dad and sister,) and I have pictures I want to post. But we keep the computer on the dining room table, which is where we ate yesterday, and was cleared off, so now I can't find the camera-computer cord to upload said pictures.

But it was good. Not as extravagent as Easter, but I made this delicious pasta dish, a cake, which I decorated myself, and we had some nice cheese before dinner.

I also made cosmos, and since I couldn't find the martini glasses, I just filled up regular glasses, all the way full. Which wasn't the smartest idea since then I also had half a bottle of Rosa Regale before the night was done.

Nothing is better during Desperate Housewives then Rosa and chocolate.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Brenda - The next time you have a bbq I'm crashing it.

 

[Briarmom]

It's Monday.
The kids and I made 'Stone Soup' in the crockpot during school today. Sans stone.

We're having all sorts of problems with our next job assignment. I'm so so very tired of it all. I'm thinking of making a pitcher of Bendy's sangria.

 

[MA pigletfan]

Our staycation is two weeks away ...

I think I've got it all sketched out. Let me know what you guys think.

As a precursor to vacation we're going to use our $50 gift certificate next Saturday (5/16) at Wasabi ... a sushi place here in Stinktown that gets really good reviews.

Then on 5/21 we're attending another guest chef dinner at Oceano Bistro.

We're planning to use a $25 gift certificate at the Scottish Arms on Sunday, May 24.

Tuesday, May 26th is my doped up, wasted day since that's when my endoscopic ultrasound is scheduled.

Wednesday, May 27th we're attending a wine dinner at Soulard's (downtown STL).

Thursday, May 28th we're going to use a $25 gift certificate at Monarch ... a trendy-bendy kind of place.

Friday May 29th is our 10th anniversary. I think I'm going to order something special for breakfast (I don't know just where yet ... still thinking about it) and then we've decided to create our own beer dinner with Unibroue!

We're planning on

Welsh Rarebit
Crab Cakes with Jalapeno Butter
Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese, Strawberries & Granny Smith Apples
??? - The Mysterious and as Yet Unnamed Entree -
Bread Pudding Souffle with Whisky Cream Sauce (no beer with this course ... we're breaking out the fancy desesrt wine).

Saturday May 30th ... restart diet.

that all sounds amazing!! Well, sans the ultrasound of course ..hope all goes well there though!

 

[TigerKat]

Brenda - The BBQ looks awesome! OMG that torte looks insanely good...

 

[Briarmom]

OK foodies and boozies,
I have a question for you.

If you were living in Belgium, and you were VERY concerned that you'd be moving to the US very soon sad1 and you were (at every possible moment) mourning the possibility that you'll miss about a bazillion places you want to visit......

Would you pack up the car and two kids (10 and 5) and drive around France for 2+ weeks?

My real problem is that I hate driving.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Briarmom--in a word, yes. I don't think you'd ever regret doing that, even with all the "don't touch me" "s/he's looking at me" and "I gotta pee" that you would hear!

 

[cntkg1]

Now that's my kind of party B!

Everything looked really scrumptious. I do hope we'll see recipes for that dip and torte soon. Whogirlsmom, can you post the recipe for the Key Lime bars too please? (Thanks)

Bendy Girl, I'm keeping only positive thoughts for you and your test. Get better soon. The Wisconsin BOBers are looking forward to a visit from our favorite Stinktowntonian in a few weeks.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Briarmom--in a word, yes. I don't think you'd ever regret doing that, even with all the "don't touch me" "s/he's looking at me" and "I gotta pee" that you would hear!

I have to agree with whogirl'smom, Briarmom. Do it!!

 

[madameleota71]

OK foodies and boozies,
I have a question for you.

If you were living in Belgium, and you were VERY concerned that you'd be moving to the US very soon sad1 and you were (at every possible moment) mourning the possibility that you'll miss about a bazillion places you want to visit......

Would you pack up the car and two kids (10 and 5) and drive around France for 2+ weeks?

My real problem is that I hate driving.

Absolutely! If you don't, you might end up regretting it!

 

[oybolshoi]

OK foodies and boozies,
I have a question for you.

If you were living in Belgium, and you were VERY concerned that you'd be moving to the US very soon sad1 and you were (at every possible moment) mourning the possibility that you'll miss about a bazillion places you want to visit......

Would you pack up the car and two kids (10 and 5) and drive around France for 2+ weeks?

Hell yes!

I thought you were supposed to be headed to Barcelona so that we could meet up for a drinkiepoo next September?

 

[ChelleinNC]

OK foodies and boozies,
I have a question for you.

If you were living in Belgium, and you were VERY concerned that you'd be moving to the US very soon sad1 and you were (at every possible moment) mourning the possibility that you'll miss about a bazillion places you want to visit......

Would you pack up the car and two kids (10 and 5) and drive around France for 2+ weeks?

My real problem is that I hate driving.

I have to agree with whogirl'smom, Briarmom. Do it!!

Do it!

 

[ChelleinNC]

forgot to say love the title "foodies & boozies" I think that fits most of us pretty well

 

[TigerKat]

Another "Hell yes"!

 

[oybolshoi]

Thanks for the good wishes everyone ... I'll keep you posted but unless something wonky has happened since the last test everything should be OK. At least I'll get some good drugs out of it.

As for the scotch, it was good but very strong ... perhaps a little too strong for my taste but Jay really liked it a lot and that's the most important thing.

And a foodie update ... we were supposed to attend another guest chef dinner next Thursday but Jay has to work late that night now (usually he works late on Wednesday so this throws a wrenchie in my gastric plans).

So I had to cancel next week's dinner but I found a replacement for this week on Wednesday night! Yeah, I know ... you're thinking: doesn't Jay work late on Wednesday nights? Yep ... except that he has to work this weekend and so this week doesn't have to work late. Clear as mud, right?

Here's the scoop:

A five course wine dinner featuring Novelty Hills Wines ...

Course I: Saffron Risotto, Rissi Farm Grilled Asparagus, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Thyme served with 2007 Novelty Hill Viognier (Stillwater Creek Vineyard)

Course II: Field Greens, Boiled Egg, Olives, Radish, and Citrus Vinaigrette served with 2006 Novelty Hill Columbia Valley Chardonnay

Course III: Tasting of Housemade Charcuterie - Pate, Sausages, Head Cheese scared1, Coppa, and Proscuitto with Poached Cherries and Grain Mustard served with 2005 Novelty Hill Columbia Valley Merlot

Course IV: Grilled Prairie Grass Farm Leg of Lamb, Roasted Baby Potatoes, Ozark Forest Mushrooms, and Lehr Farm Spinach served with Novelty Hills 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Course V: Walnut Spice Cake, Vanilla Cream, and Blackberry Ice Cream served with Novelty Hills 2005 Syrah

It's a little funky but I think it still sounds pretty good ... I'll be sure to take pictures and post something this weekend.

 

[PNO4TE]

OK foodies and boozies,
I have a question for you.

If you were living in Belgium, and you were VERY concerned that you'd be moving to the US very soon sad1 and you were (at every possible moment) mourning the possibility that you'll miss about a bazillion places you want to visit......

Would you pack up the car and two kids (10 and 5) and drive around France for 2+ weeks?

My real problem is that I hate driving.

DEFINITELY!

 

[PNO4TE]

It sounds like a good replacement tasting, Brenda. Enjoy!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Whogirlsmom, can you post the recipe for the Key Lime bars too please? (Thanks)

It's pretty complicated and time-consuming, but here ya go!


http://www.krusteaz.com/brands/krusteaz/Brownie__Dessert_Mixes/Key_Lime_Bar_Mix/



They are sooo good! I should be ashamed putting it on our gourmet thread--kinda like doing a review of Old Milwaukee beer!