Summer is here!

It's been nearly two months since I have written a blog post (yikes!), but I've been busy! I got married and went on my honeymoon.

My husband and I ate so much great food in California and Hawaii (where we honeymooned) and I forgot to take photos of the food!

We enjoyed three wine tastings in California and out-of-this-world food.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, which means lighter, delicious dishes. I'm looking forward to blogging about what wonderful dishes my husband and I prepare this summer.

And, now that it's hotter and more humid outside, I have to adjust to running in the heat and humidity. I am not registered for any races until September (when I'm planning to run 2 10K's one weekend after the next).

Until then, I'm ready to sit back, relax and have fun cooking new dishes and running throughout the hot, hot summer! And, blog about them!

Catch us if you can

This morning was the 3rd annual Nikia's Nippy Nor'easter Half-Marathon and Relay on the NCR trail in Monkton and it was incredible!
James and I were on the "Catch us if you can" relay team and had a blast. I had the joy of running the third and final leg of the race for our team (5 miles). The official time isn't up yet, but it looked like our team finished in 1:50:00!

The energy and team spirit on the trail was incredible. Great job everyone!

Seconds, please!

Saturday night James and I enjoyed dinner at Grano, the pasta bar. It was a rainy night and Grano was the perfect spot for dinner - warm, cozy and inviting!
We started with their bread and olive oil - the bread was so soft, moist and fresh. We had a bit of a wait so they brought a second round of bread - on the house.

We tried different dishes this time (see my 3/11/12 post). I had fusilli noodles with a Vodka sauce (I love a good rose sauce!) and one meatball. Delicious!
James had bow tie pasta with peppers. He said he enjoyed it, but was disappointed there wasn't a red sauce with the dish.
Last night we went, for the second Sunday night in a row, to get ice cream at Uncle Wiggly's/Taharka Brothers in Mt. Washington. We both had coconut chunk - vanilla ice cream with real coconut and chocolate chips - in a cone. I loved it - can't wait to get it again!
I wonder what we'll try next week...

Something sweet

It's mid-March but a mild March night and a kid-sized double chocolate chip ice cream cone transported me three months into the future.

Tonight James and I each enjoyed an ice cream cone in celebration of the opening of Taharka Brothers/Uncle Wiggly's in Mount Washington! From what we can tell, the shop is open March through mid-to-late fall, then closes down for the season.

We have several Groupon's left from last season to enjoy... I'm looking forward to many more ice cream dates as the weather gets warmer and warmer!

One Grano, two locations

About a month ago now (I'm so behind!) James and I went out with another couple for dinner at Grano Emporio (3547 Chestnut Ave.) and a couple of weeks ago we went out with another couple to Grano Pasta Bar (1031 West 36th St.). Grano Pasta Bar was the original - it's sort of a hole-in-the-wall, but intimate, cozy and warm and BYOB!! - and Grano Emporio is much, much larger.

Both meals were great, but I prefered the Grano Pasta Bar dinner - you build your own meal. I enjoyed a steaming hot bowl of their homemade pasta and meat sauce, which was fantastic and melt-in-your-mouth. And you really can't beat BYOB!
The service was excellent, too (very happy, pleasant people).

Grano Emporio was also good - I had spaghetti and meatballs which was served in separate dishes. But, I recommend the pasta bar for cozy and intimate dining experience!

I must remember to bring my camera!!

A delightful foodie weekend

Life has gotten in the way of blogging. Oops!
James and I enjoyed a foodie weekend - dinner last night at Blue Hill Tavern and brunch today at Woodberry Kitchen - I have got to remember to take pictures!

I enjoyed the Proscuitto Herb Crusted Cod (roasted tomato, olive salad, crispy polenta) for dinner and the chef's special - a mouth watering carrot cake - for dessert.
The fish was soft yet firm and the polenta was fantastic - the fish was positioned on top of the polenta.
A glass of Malbec was a nice complement the meal.
Every meal that I've ever had at Blue Hill has been out of this world (the atmosphere is fun, funky yet romantic and intimate). We had excellent service, too.

We also had an outstanding meal at Woodberry Kitchen, per usual. I enjoyed the breakfast burger (homemade English muffin, fried egg, cheese, bacon, burger, potatoes). The flavors were separate yet complimentary. Fantastic.
We also had excellent service with a pleasant and perky waitress.

Next time I have to remember to take pictures...

Spring fever

This week we entered the month of February and the temperature soared into the 60s. What a wonderful way to begin the month!

Will it last? Likely not, since Phil the groundhog saw his shadow - we're in for another six weeks of winter. Rumor has it that the good 'ol Farmer's Almanac says we're due for a snowstorm later this month. Enjoy the taste of spring while it lasts.

I thoroughly enjoyed the great outdoors and running these past couple of days sans gloves, ear muffs, winter spanex pants and a coat - I hope this trend continues!

Did you get outside this week to enjoy the beautiful weather?

Pinning on Pintrest

A friend told me about the virtual pinboard Pinterest a few months ago and I knew nothing about it. I visited the website and was hooked - immediately. It covers topics including food, exercise, weddings, home decorating - the list goes on and on. 

I haven't looked at it in months and decided that today was as good as any day to check it out again. The photos of food that makes your mouth water and there are amazing recipes listed (cranberry oatmeal bars, curry chicken with ginger and yogurt, jalapeno popper grilled cheese). There are too many to mention.

I also love the home decorating ideas, wedding ideas and inspirational quotes! This particular quote (search "lovely words") resonated with me today: "Someday everything will make perfect sense. So, for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason."

If you haven't visited the site before (it seems like everyone has), check it out.

Milk & Honey Market owners select second location

It looks like the owners of Milk & Honey Market have selected the location for their second shop!

Cooking a birthday dinner

James celebrated his brithday last week so we celebrated Saturday night with a homecooked meal, made by me. I enjoyed making it as much as he enjoyed eating it!

We started the evening with gouda cheese and goat brie cheese - two of my favorites! For dinner I made asparagus (I cooked the stalks perfectly - not too hard or soft), 
pork tenderloin with with balsamic plum reduction and blood orange olive oil cake, all of which were a success! I had never before made the pork tenderloin or the cake, so I was thrilled that they came out well. However, we ate the cake shortly after it came out of the oven and it 1. either needed a lot more time to cool (it tasted far better on Sunday) 2. the honey-blood orange compote to accompany it or 3. different oranges. I'm not sure if the oranges weren't ripe or if they were bad, but the cake was extremely bitter!

Now that I know how to make pork tenderloin, I might be hooked on the meat and this recipe. And, if you've never checked out Smitten Kitchen, check it out ASAP.
I think that I'll just have to make it again to be sure...