Month 4, Day 5~ "Hello, Morning"

In the morning when the sun is just starting to light the day I am awakened     and my first thoughts are of you!
At night I stare at the dark trees  silhouetted against the quiet stars I am entranced into a complete peacefulness  and my last thoughts are of you
by Susan Polis Schutz
Best part of the weekend already here...he is home after what felt like an eternity.  The strength and willpower of military wives and husbands and those who have lost their spouse/significant other is incredible, because I have no place in this world to complain.  But, I am grateful each day I am home with him and I know how lucky we are.

Birthday Month!

Birthday month!  Four of us (including myself, my daughter and stepdaughter) are celebrating with a family party today...grilled roast beast, pulled BBQ chicken (a crock pot fave that is super simple!), roasted veggies, fresh fruit, and hot dogs (and of course mac and cheese for veggie boy)...and for dessert, (teenager approved)  Chocolate Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting (1T. instant coffee dissolved in 1/4 c. hot water, 1/2 c. softened butter, 3/4 t. vanilla, 2 T. cocoa and about 4 c. powdered sugar...add more or less to taste/consisteny...and just Devil's Food Cupcakes)... and a Pig Pickin Cake! 

Pig pickin cake is a delightful dump of mandarin oranges, yellow cake mix, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple and vanilla pudding mix.  Gonna be a question of what to eat first!  (last time I served this cake at a family party it was the first time not one crumb was left of a cake. so maybe I should start there?)

Another go to dinner...

Needed quick and easy and  use up stuff from the frig...Riviera Maya bound in the morning!  We always freeze the extra grilled steak and chicken, my "meat bag"...and one of the quickest easiest meals to make is tostadas.  Some refried beans, chopped meat, usually some grilled onions that were in with the steak, shredded cheese...topped with what I need to use up in the frig- lettuce, tomatoes and avocadoes.  On the side, a salad with more lettuce, tomato, and avocadoes (for me there cannot be too many avocadoes!).  It is one of those nights where four kids has turned into none, but two will eventually return...hello SpongeBob Mac for veggie boy!  Oh, and the other perfect side dish?  A Flying Dog Garde Dog beer!  If you haven't discovered this Maryland microbrew you need to!

Another Serendipitous Saturday...

We were headed to Kent Island for the night, and had planned to spend time at one of the more well known places for a night of food and fun...but not long before we left it occurred to me that we would be arriving at prime time and there could be waits to eat dinner, and I am not one that likes to wait...fast forward to Trip Advisor, and I found Bridges Restaurant, which takes reservations online.  What a fortunate discovery!  Three hour meal that was more romantic than what I thought it would be; the only negative was they were sold out of pizzas (?!?!?!?)...apparently with prom they had an overwhelming influx of high school students earlier in the evening. I guess that just gives me a reason to go back! The Flat Iron Steak was divine, the Cream of Crab Soup yummy, and the tapenade they serve with their bread was unique in a good way!  I also like that they have the wine lists but also have an "Under $30" wine list.  We were able to sit outside on the upper deck and it was perfect, it did seem as if it could get loud inside.  I hope next time you are headed to "that place everyone goes" that you think twice and check out what is next door...you might be serendipitously suprised!



The Calm Before the Storm...

I'm really lucky to have the opportunity to go on regular dates with my significant other even though we live together, and to say this has been a blissful weekend is an understatement; much of what I write here will be geared toward the blended family and fun (and usually off the beaten path and away from the large crowds) things to do with your love when you have the time...hopefully it will spark an idea for you (and maybe you will share one with me!).  It started Friday with the amazing brick oven pizza from  Pizzeria Moto at Doukenie Winery's "Bistro Night" (my new favorite default place to spend a Friday night...paired with their Sauvignon Blanc!)...  Saturday brought Olney Ale House for dinner and "The 39 Steps" at the The Olney Theatre- good show, clever how four people did it all!  Ending the weekend with checking out the new STARZ series "Magic City" (not bad- saw female and male butts within the first minute lol) and a great dinner; I promise we did do some housework in between, but took most of today to clear our minds (ok, I should have been clearing the boys' closet but last time I checked that mess will sti ll be there tomorrow.  The calm before the storm...tomorrow starts another full week, not to mention continued much welcomed rain (hoping it will lift the campfire ban by Friday so we can do our camping trip for the night!)...but until then will enjoy each other and some Orange Ricotta Pound Cake!