sharing.

Blogging? Ha! Who has time for blogging, when there is eating to be done.

I know - I'm a bit fixated right now. And part of this is cut off due to my blogger template. But I don't have time to change the template right now....I have to go make dinner.

Recipes you need:

Chocolate S'More Pie - Worth it. Really.

Gourmet Sweet Potato Classic - Like Candy. Not a marshmallow in sight.

Recipe that I need to try:

Pear Butterscotch Pie

breaking for treats.

Oh, the glories of buying groceries with only one child in tow.

And to celebrate, I decided to spend a couple shiny quarters at the deli counter for a delicious beverage of my choosing.

On the way, we just happened to pass the pastry counter with a large plastic container practically throwing chocolate chip cookies into our mouths.

Why thank you! Yes, I will take one for my child. None for me. No, I'm saving space for the refreshing nectar that will soon be flowing from a red and
white cup.

Ready to behold my reflection in the dark liquid smiling at me through the plastic lid, anticipating the touch of red straw to lips, we approached the counter with one hopeful and one chocolate smile.

And as the attendant smiled in return and walked toward me we were interrupted. By an older woman. Smiling as well. And I thought:

Yes. She is looking forward to the solitude of shopping while sipping from a straw as well.

So I didn't mind the interruption. I could wait two more minutes for refreshment.

The woman proceeded to say to the attendant:

I would like to thank you for offering caffeine free drinks at the fountain.

And she walked away. She didn't even wait for a reply. And perhaps I should have taken it as a hint. That I too should walk away. But I didn't. I handed over my coins. Even took the time to search for pennies and give exact change.

But I was going to enjoy my sweet, sweet trip down the aisle. I mean what's better than a child with cookie and a woman with diet joy? Nothing, I argue.

And I wondered, what timing? And if this ever happens to people in other states? I mean, what are the odds?

photo via williamhartz

scammed.

I'd like to say that Martha made me do it. And she did. Kind of. Or at least one of the magazines in her empire did.

The recipe calls for heirloom tomatoes. And there they were. All orange, and imperfect. And the word heirloom kind of draws you in. Doesn't it?

Assuming they couldn't be much more than all the other tomatoes in the aisle, I picked a large one. Thinking that I could save money by only getting one and throwing regular, old, reddies in with the beaut.

So I didn't pay attention at checkout, because the hoodlums were climbing on top of the car grocery cart, throwing flip flops at customers, screaming, and pulling at anything they could get their hands on.

And now. As I look at the receipt. Martha can be blamed. For the college educations, retirement, and fortunes that fade from our future.

eating...

and cooking. a. lot.

we can't eat out as much. because my job went down by 1/2. and we moved. and i'm not eating the sugar. so meal plans and weekly shopping lists have become my norm.

i can't cook through an entire meal without some diet coke and a bit of npr. if i drank wine, i'm sure it would be a bottle a night. because there is joy in the slice and heat if i can sip my way through. if not, i'm miserable and tired.

millie and ellis don't seem to enjoy my home cooked meals, unless they consist of chicken nuggets and hot dogs. clin has been pretty positive. until monday. cumin chicken topped with a radish and watercress salad did not excite. either of us.

but then we ate. and learned that lemon juice completely takes the bite out of radishes. and avocados can make the most un-appetizing looking watercress taste divinely fresh. yeah for success.

so last night i had high hopes for gazpacho drizzled in olive oil. with a bit of rustic country bread on the side to hook the sugar-ites of the family.

i assumed that two weeks without sugar would turn me into a gazpacho loving fiend. new tastes to replace the old. you know?

it didn't work. an enemy to gazpacho will i forever be. i couldn't even finish the bowl. and allowed millie and ellis to follow suit.

thank goodness for leftover diet coke and a platter of cheese....and the scent of rustic breadiness.

off the drug...

One week. and 2.5 days. I've been off the sugar. None. I'm giving it one more to even out. and stop the cravings.

What drove me to such despair? Because quitting the sugar is despair. my happy is sugar. and goodness. and everything food good equals sugar.

On our recent drive to Portland, OR, I consumed 2 whole packages of sugar wafers. By myself. And I loved every second of it.

I'm also tired of my skin touching skin. I'm not talking about when a hand gently rests upon the other hand. Or when my elbow bends to scratch my back and the forearm and bicep are forced together. Oh, no. I'm talking about the skin that should not be constantly touching anything. Except clothing. And it bugs.

So I'm taking control. Trying to conquer. Because it is something I can control. And even if the joy is gone, at least I can find joy in being able to completely control something. Right?

photo via Cayusa

ready to defrost.

Maybe it's the recent emotional temperature. but I've got a hankering to defrost. And the physical ritual of working on a freezer may symbolically satiate the soul.

Which means that I need to salvage a bit of creative inspiration to utilize the freezer contents in the next couple of weeks. No more grocery shopping. It shall be freezer eats for us all.

Currently on my list:

1. Café Rio - love this recipe. It makes enough that I freeze half.



2. Pad Thai - Costco style
   
   
3. Tator Tot Casserole - I have all the ingredients. But it seems that I am the only one that likes this. How is that possible? Who doesn't love tator tot casserole? Anyone have a good recipe for this? Maybe I need a new recipe.
   


4. Chicken Salad Sandwiches - I have lots of frozen cooked chicken. AND lots of frozen croissants... Problem: they have been in the freezer a long time. And probably taste more like the freezer than France.



5. Chicken Ceasar Wraps- More cooked chicken. AND tortillas
   


6. Orange Chicken, Rice, and Edamame - Costco style. Again. But almost through with chicken and edamame. That will free up some space.
   


7. Meatballs - We may be eating these for an entire week. But I am determined.
   


8. Popsicles - I think we will all enjoy these for a couple of meals. And they will meet our fruit requirement. Right?

photo via hypersapiens

learning.

Last weekend I learned something new about Carl's Jr.

Their new jalapeno burger?

It tastes great going down and absolutely awful coming up.

sick of long posts.

And I promise that next week I will only write short - very short - posts.

Our last morning in New York, Sunday, was a blur.

Breakfast, we headed to Le Pain Quotidien. (Which is very crowded on Sunday morns.) But we ate my ideal breakfast.

This was some type of pistachio cake like thingy. I can't recall the name. But it was good.

My only other real memory of the morning was catching, what felt like, 20 different subway lines to get to Peanut Butter & Co. This is the store that haunts my NY dreams, and lingers in my mouth - even at this moment.

We ordered take out to eat for dinner on the plane that night.

Clin ordered - Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich: Chocolate Peanut Butter and cherry jam, stuffed with shredded coconut. It's peanut butter meets black forest cake.

I ordered - The Cookie Dough sandwich: Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and cream cheese.

Mine completely wasted Clin's in fabulousness. I Looovvvveeed it. And I also loved that it came with a small bag of potato chips and carrot sticks. Perfect for dinner on the plane. It was so good that I completely forgot to take a photo.

Here I am in our taxi cab on the way to the airport....before I got sick. I'm surprised we survived this ride. Clin knows I'm completely sick when I stop talking, only look straight ahead, and roll down the window. It took a few hours for the feeling to go away.

And at the airport Clin finally met someone famous. This is Mindy Kaling from the television show The Office. (She is also a writer on the show. Gen.i.ous.)

Here's what happened. We sat down at our gate with all of the other Utah looking people. Soon I see Mindy (because we're totally on a first name basis now) come up and sit directly across from me. Clin was not there at the time - so it was actually my sighting, not his. Oh, and she had matching pink baggage by the way. Very cute. Because I'm totally into pink.

Clin comes back just in time to see Mindy walk away. He looks at me and I see his eyes light up.

Me: Clin. Don't be obnoxious. Let her have her privacy. I'm sure she doesn't want everyone paying attention to her. Especially in such a crowded place.

Clin: Just a picture. No one will notice.

Yeah! Right!

That is when we find out that our gate has been changed and everyone sitting around us starts to move to the real gate. So the only reason we even saw Mindy was thanks to Jet Blue for sending those going to Burbank, CA to our gate. Thanks Jet Blue.

We wait. Passive stalking. I suppose. And the longer I'm waiting the more nervous I get. And I must say - I hate, HATE, hate asking famous people for a picture, signature, or even to raise their head and acknowledge my existence.

She comes back and is moving her luggage to a different seat. We collect our things and make the approach. I'm really smooth because I have the camera (hidden) and I walk by and act like I don't see her. That way if Clin decides not to go through with it (yeah, right) I won't have to be humiliated.

Clin: Are you on The Office?

Mindy: Yes.

Clin: We love the show. Can I get a picture of you?

(This is my cue to stop and turn. Maybe someday I'll keep walking. What would happen then?)

Mindy: Sure.

I turn, snap the photo. She was very kind and smiley. So I say (just so she knows that we are big fans, not just your average run of the mill channel changer): And aren't you one of the writers as well?

Mindy: Yes.

Me: Thank you for making us laugh.

What? Why did I open my mouth??? Stupid. Cheesy. Dumb. But she smiled, and I slothed away, and Clin got his picture AND his encounter with fame.

a saturday in NYC.

Clin left the room to get me some hot cocoa and grab a paper. After the snacking debaucle that occurred the day before, I was in no mood to eat an entire breakfast. Two hours later he came back. Deciding to stop at the theatre bookstore; leaving me to get ready. What? I take two hours to dress?

Upon his return, we decided to journey up 5th avenue and do a bit 'o' window shopping. H&M (my favorite store where I never seem to buy anything), Rockefeller Plaza, The Disney Store (5 stories - overwhelming, panic attack. Panic attack!), and another Gap. Which also had the fabulous sale of the century, and even more choices on the clearance rack. We loaded up. Serious load up. (A dress for $2.50? Yes please.) And guess what, Millie and Ellis? We went to NY and the only gift you get in return? Loads 'o' clothes. Because we know THAT is what 3 yr olds and 18 monthers like.

With little time left we hopped the train, and high tailed it to S'MAC.

This is the restaurant that haunts my NY dreams. And it again lived up to my obsession.

I ordered the Parisienne - Creamy Brie, roasted figs, roasted shiitake mushrooms & fresh rosemary. Beautiful. Sweet. Divine. Mmmmm.

Clin ordered exactly as he ordered in June. (Which baffels me. Why wouldn't you want to order until you have tasted everything from the menu?) Masala Mac - North American comfort food blended with Indian spices. Clin's was nice as well. Not AS nice. But nice.

Next time I go? The S'Mac Sampler - 8 different macs to taste. And I do not plan on sharing.

Next Destination? The matinee of A Tale of Two Cities: the musical.




The best part? James Barbour and the set. But the entire time I was trying to figure out what seemed off. Something. And talking to Clin - I figured it out.

This musical is for those who love Scarlet Pimpernel. Those who love Phantom of the Opera (except the story of this is much, much better.) It feels old fashioned. It is definitely in a certain vein of musical theatre. And the Utah audiences will looooove this.

Me? Ehhh. I enjoyed it. But I didn't looooooove it. I wasn't moved. I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary.

So we headed back to the subway and made our way down to the Lower East Side. I have always wanted to go to Katz's Delicatessen. You know, it's the eatery where Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm in When Harry Met Sally.

We walked in, each handed a ticket, and sent to a long counter that was already surrounded by many, many people. Was there a line? I still don't know. There were many signs telling us what to do - but they were everywhere and didn't quite make sense.

I ordered this:

Reuben Sandwich - corned beef, swiss cheese, russian, and sauerkraut.

The cooks were cooking fast, talking fast - I didn't understand a word. While I waited for my sandwich, the man preparing it threw some meat on my tray. What was this for? Am I required to pay extra for this? No one explained. So I ate it. It was good.

When done - they write on the back of your ticket the amount you owe.

Clin stepped up to the counter, ordered some meat and the man told him he could not get that there. What? It was on the menu. So Clin changed his order and again was told he could not get it there. He finally relented and ordered a Pastrami Sandwich.

I attempted to get us some drinks. I crowded around one group of people getting beer. It was taking so long that I thought - perhaps this was only the alcohol line. So I journeyed elsewhere and failed. Miserably. Ended up back in the beer group and eventually ended up with some soda.

Meanwhile, Clin chose seats for us. And that is when we noticed that the seats against the wall were for those being waited upon. So Clin could have ordered his meat if we had just sat against the wall when entering. But no one told us that! We were rushed into the crowd, but had a better experience because of it.

We finally sat down, bit into our sandwiches, and both said yum. Serious yum. And the pickles....mmmmm. Smiles for all.

The couple sitting behind us returned, desperately looking for one of their 2 tickets. They only ordered 1 meal. If you try leaving the deli without a ticket (even if you didn't purchase anything), you are required to pay $50. So a fair warning to all. (The waitress found a blank ticket in the bathroom and gave it to them.)

The experience was as fabulous as the food. I sensed that not much has changed since its opening in 1888. Historical AND Fabulous.

Our final broadway show of the trip was Billy Elliot.

The musical version of the movie about a boy in England who ends up taking the local ballet class rather than the boxing class his father sends him to.




They have three boys cast as Billy Elliot. We saw David Alvarez. The entire musical depends upon a 14 year old boy. A 14 year old boy who can dance! Imagine that.

I liked this better than the movie. The first half was stronger than the second. Imagine a set that looks like a mining town in 1980s England. The set is used as strike headquarters, Billy's house, bedroom, kitchen, ballet class, boxing class, etc. It works. Classroom full of dancing girls (one as young as 6 or 7) who were strong dancers - doing this 8 times a week!! Ballet dancers running around dancing, striking miners striking - all singing...together.

Enjoyable. And I was highly amused at the older women in front of us who kept turning around, glaring, and talking about how appalled they are at the dress of theatre audiences these days. (That was ME they were talking about!) Remember? 1 dress plus no heels equaled jeans the entire trip.

We were tired, so returned to our hotel room and fell asleep...while eating cheesecake.

friday snacking. part 2.

After eating all afternoon, our 2.5 hour walk led us to the conclusion that we needed some real food. Pomme Frites.

We shared a Double and 3 dipping sauces: War Sauce (Mayo, Peanut Satay, and Raw Onion), Parmesan Peppercorn, and Pesto May0.

This is a tiny store. Full of charm. Not a lot of seating. But enjoyable and oh, so good. The menu is full of sauces. And all they sale are fries. Double fried fries. Belgium fries.

Fat, full, and happy, we waddle over to South Street Seaport. First goal? Find a restroom. It was a worthy goal. One that seemed to overwhelm us this day, as we were up and down Manhattan, with only Popeye's and McDonald's which required purchases to pee. (Urinetown reference, my friends.)

So a free restroom (Hallelujah), and then purchasing our play tickets from TKTS. Funny thing? We also hit the Gap. The shopaholics that we are, children's Gap clearance in NY is awesome. $5 skirt, $5 dress. And then %25 off of that??? What? And if we were to find something like that in Utah - there would be nothing left for us.

On to SoHo. We had a little time to kill before our evening show. Why we headed to SoHo, I cannot remember. But we ended up at a small shop, recommended by our travel guide. Vosges.

This is where I will admit that our snacking went a bit too far. Vosges sales chocolate. Thinking that we could get through the show without dinner, we grabbed a drink.

I ordered the Elixir Couture Cocoa: ancho & chipotle chillies + Ceylon cinnamon + Madagascar vanilla bean + dark chocolate - this is spicier than it looks. Or sounds. I didn't hate it. But I also wasn't wanting spice. What was I thinking?

Clin ordered the Bianca Couture Cocoa: Australian lemon myrtle + lavender flowers + vanilla + white chocolate. He liked this. I did not.

And then their ice cream sucked Clin in. Naga Ice Cream: sweet Indian curry + fresh young coconut + creamy custard ice cream.

So imagine - I combined my spicy chocolate drink with curry ice cream. At the time it seemed right. And then we walked out and I realized it was wrong. So wrong.

We headed to our evening show. August: Osage County. The only thing that I knew about this play was that it entailed 3.5 hours and two intermissions with a dysfunctional family. Oh, and it won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize.

I went in thinking that my mind would wander. I left knowing that this would be my favorite performance of the trip. It was amazing. The acting was exceptional. There is a scene at the dining room table, with the sisters and their mother, toward the end of the play. I loved it. My favorite. Throwing dishes, yelling, swearing, awesome.

And Estelle Parsons, the actress who played the mother, blew me away. And she is 81 years old. And she performs 8 times a week. And she is in the play a lot. I'm in awe.

3.5 hours felt like 1.5. And it made me feel something. It made me think. It put me in a state of thought. Wonder. Enlightenment, maybe. A place that I used to find a lot. When I was in high school. But a place that isn't found so easy now. And it was nice to visit.

After a day of snacking, we were hungry for something substantial. Not a morsel. Or a taste. But a meal. So we hit the Burger Joint. The intrigue of this place? It's hidden. It's in the lobby of a fancy hotel. Behind a curtain. No one will tell you where it is. There is no sign.

Once you walk behind the curtain? It's a loud, messy, New York burger joint. And the food is so good. And the people behind the register only want cash, and they want you to order now.

We sat next to a man who knew the owner. He received a free pitcher of beer. Barely drank it, and offered it to those around him when he left. We stuck with our milkshakes, listened to the loud music, and tried to decipher the famous signatures on the walls.

a friday in New York or snack like you mean it! part 1.

I hope it is taking you as long to read these as it is for me to write them. Sorry for the break in the story - but you've had plenty of time to eat, run to the restroom, and freshen up. Now we return to the great New York adventure of 2008.

Friday's first stop? The Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. It's an upscale version of a Utah mall. The picture above is the view from each floor - looking out on Central Park. Nice.


Normally, I would have no desire to visit a mall on a vacation. I'm not much for shopping. But it houses food from Thomas Keller. I need to give you a bit of a background to help you understand just what this means.

Clin and I enjoy reading books about food, chefs, food critics, and food. The first time I heard about Thomas Keller was when I read Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl. Good book. A bunch of food writers mention Thomas Keller in the same sentence as four star, best food, amazing, gastronomical feat, and every other positive adjective you can imagine. They often talk about his restaurant, The French Laundry which is in California.


Then I read Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter, the true story of a waitress working at Per Se, Thomas Keller's restaurant in New York City. Fascinating book. Read it and you will begin to understand our interest.

See the blue behind this tree? It is the door to Per Se. At the Time Warner Center. Not a door that Clin and I will be able to enter. Any. Time. Soon. But I felt privileged to be in its presence.

Thomas Keller views eating, cooking,and food as an artistic, whole body experience. So much so that the meals at Per Se are $275.00 for one dinner. Yep. They offer a different menu every day. It always consists of a 9 course tasting menu, either vegetarian or the chef's choice. Reservations can be made two months from the day, and fill up quickly.

So I stared at the door, lovingly. Stared at the menu. And moved on to Bouchon Bakery, the bakery for Thomas Keller's restaurants. Hoping to get a taste of what hides behind the blue doors, we ordered the following.

From top, clockwise: cherry cream cheese danish for Clin, cherry pistachio brioche for me, macarons for later, and a chocolate almond croissant to share.

Heaven. Heaven. Heaven. Even Clin's danish (of which I am usually not a fan) was wonderful. And if you have never had a Parisian macaron, fix that now. If you see one, just buy. Don't think. Just buy. I always do.

Enough with food, and on to shopping! We are such shoppers. Clothes are all we think about. (Ha! right!) But we made an exception to see what the big brouha-ha was regarding Century 21.

This store is insanity. It is a huge maze of racks and shelves of clothing. And it is crowded. See the image above for our Where's Waldo moment. Can you spot Clin?

Evidently you can get name brand items on the cheap here. I wouldn't know. I had a panic attack. I had many, many panic attacks. There were so many people here. So many floors, racks, small spaces, lines, and people. One would have to search deep to really find what they are looking for. So that means time. And I panicked because we did not have time. And Clin does not have patience for my style of shopping - which entails a lengthy look until I find something worthwhile and cheap. (Cheap for me is probably really, really cheap for you. Or free.)

So we left. My panic left. And on to my most anticipated moment of the trip!!!

Clin arranged for us to participate in the Original Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour of the Lower Eastside from Big Onion Walking Tours.

History. Food. My two favorite things about NY. I love the buildings. I love that within such a small area, one can find where so many important (or unimportant) events in history occurred. All of our travel guides have highly recommended Big Onion Walking Tours. I have always wanted to go on one - but with the high school students in tow, this was never possible.

In a group of 20, we were led by a PhD student from Columbia. Our first nosh was fried plantains. As we ate, our guide pointed out the spot where Boss Tweed died. There is a high school on the spot now that is the most ethnically diverse in New York. And, interesting fact, Walter Mathau graduated from it.

Next stop, The Pickle Guys. See this picture? It's barrels and barrels of pickled goods. Olives, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, celery, carrots, kraut, horseradish, herring, lox, EVERYTHING PICKLED.

A complete dream. I have discovered my future. I should completely open a pickling shop in Utah; using a seasoned mixture of brine, and making the most amazing food. And then my family will live off of pickled delights. I'm giddy with the thought.

We ate complete sour pickles. Mmmm. The best pickles I have ever had in my life.

Halva - we then sampled this sweet Middle Eastern treat. Made from sesame seeds and honey, it was really nice.

Lychee - we headed into part of China town, which is expanding (in case you didn't know). My mission dream was always to come home and open a greenhouse in which I could grow lychees. I have not yet realized this dream, but this little moment was a nice reminder from the past.

Here is Clin eating a dried rose petal. It is the red piece in his hand. It tasted nothing like a rose. We also had dried plums. Ymmmm. I wanted to bring some home - but the store name was in Japanese, and I cannot remember it at all.

On to Little Italy. Parmesan, fresh mozzarella and salami. I'm in love with cheese. I'm in love with Parmesan. I'm in love with Italy.

We ended our walk in the heart of Little Italy, eating small Cannolis. These were better than large cannolis. Why? More crust to the cream. A better percentage overall. And the taste lingered in my mouth the rest of the afternoon. Delightful.

This was the experience of experiences. The next time Clin and I go alone, I plan on booking every single Big Onion Walking tour. Every. One. #1 on my list? Greenwich Village.

Stay tuned for part 2: Will the snacking continue? Will it ever end?

a thursday in new york. part 1.

I wake up to sirens - and my first action is to have Clin call the front desk and get them to change us to another room. They say no problem. So we make a mad dash to pack the little that we un-packed. Shower, throw our faces on and we are out of there. The air on the elevator was a fresh breeze and the air of Times Square? Tropical. The trip is looking up.

Our first stop? Food! Clin's made a list of places recommended, and we set out to start checking them off of our list. Just south of Central Park was our breakfast destination. Sarabeth's.


This is what I ate. Lemony goodness, and the richness of the ricotta almost made them smooth and creamy. I think that Clin had an omelet. But I was so wrapped up with my food that I completely forgot to take a picture of his.

Bellies full, we headed up the east side of central park. The leaves were just starting to fall. The weather felt like a nice spring day. No. Warmer than spring. At 11:00 we took a break on a bench to call Mr. Letterman. Both of us spent 5 minutes or so trying to get through and Clin actually made it. The smaller the standby number, the better chances of getting in. I assumed we had no chance, because that's the realist that I am.

Mr. Letterman asked Clin if he knew the color of the announcer's hair. RED! Of course. And that useless bit of info, just sitting in Clin's brain, became useful as we got standby tickets #7 and #8. Still no chance - but we would see...


On to more intellectual pursuits. The Frick Museum. A beautiful mansion, full of artwork. I LOVED IT. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE. The price of admission includes a headset. As you see a piece of artwork you can enter the number and the headset tells you everything you need to know. AND it tells you the history of each room. I actually liked it more than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Crazy interesting and not overwhelming.

My only disappointment? The upstairs was roped off. I wanted to see the entire building.

Oh wait. My only other disappointment? Clin tried to get an educator's discount. This is how it played out:

Girl behind the desk: No, we only give discounts to students.
Clin: I have my student i.d.
Girl: Oh, are you a student?
Clin: I have my student i.d.
Girl: are you a student?
Clin: I have my i.d.
Girl: Are you a student?
Clin: I have my i.d.

This seemed to go on for.ev.er. I focused on the floor, willing myself to disappear, and finally nudging Clin to move beyond the skip in his brain.

After nourishing our eyes, it was time to move on to our next meal. Lunch. Jean George - Nougatine. Let me set the scene.

Jean George is a restaurant with multi-course meals for $150.00. Beyond my price range. But not beyond my dreams. Nougatine is connected to Jean George, kind of like eating in the kitchen. Similar food, from the same chef, but lower prices. They have a 3 course prix fixe lunch for $24.00. This is splurgable. But we had no reservations. We showed up and they sat us at the bar!!! We got in. They only had 2 seats...just for us. The following is a photo essay of our amazing meal.

We both got the soup. I should have ordered the salad just to taste everything, but this was gooood.



A word about sitting at the bar. We don't drink. Every one around us is drinking, and we are feeling a bit guilty. A bit out of our element. I quietly ordered tap water. I hate giving in to the guilt. I need to enjoy the crazy looks from the waiters. Clin ordered a homemade soda. $6.00. And it stunk! P.S. The glass that I'm holding was the best glass I have ever drank out of. The rim was so thin, delecate. I'm serious. We both noticed that it made our drinking experience different. So much so that I took a picture.


Clin ordered this. It doesn't look so great in this photo. The strange shape in the front is some type of mushroom. But I will tell you, the carrot puree? The best thing in both of our entrees. I would bathe in it. Lick the plate good. Honest.

Oh, and a side note? Clin was obsessed with looking for famous people. The entire trip. And he thought for sure we would find some at this restaurant. So he spent the meal looking behind him. And every time the wait staff came behind us carrying trays overflowing with beautiful food (meant for those at Jean George), he would practically scream for me to turn around and feast. I would have taken a picture but I really was trying not to be obnoxious.

My meal. It rocked. I loved it. The potatoes are under the steak. And I usually don't enjoy eggplant, but this seasoning had olives in it. Yum.

Clin's dessert. Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

My dessert. Awesome!

And that is where we will take a break. Stay tuned to answer the following questions: Will we make it on Letterman? Will we find food better than Nougatine? Will we meet anyone famous? Will we survive?

bonding with my two moms...and a sis.

So sorry I have not posted. But I have a brilliant excuse. I've been bonding. Bonding with the girls. Once a year we all get together. Me, my sisters, my mom, and mommy k. Yes, you heard me right.

See, my sisters have two moms....and in some ways, so do I. Karen, my dad's ex-wife, has always been known to me as Mommy K. And her two daughters grew up with me and my Mom. And I wanted to be just like them. And Mommy K would visit and I didn't know anything because I was young and just thought she was amazing and had awesome red hair. (which she is. and she does.)

And then I moved to Utah and Mommy K gave me my first washer/dryer, and my first dining room table, and took me in at Thanksgiving, and invited me over when my sisters were in town, and treated me like family.

So once a year we all get together and hang. And have fun. And eat. And they talk me into shopping. And then we eat some more. Last year - Snowbird. This year, Chez Mommy K.


This is my older sister Kirstin. Notice her beauty. Notice her nails. Notice her makeup. Notice her matching clothes. Yep - she's awesome. Brightens a room, makes things better, makes things happy. That's how it always was when growing up. And I always wanted to be just like her.

She didn't get to come this year. But in honor of her - I want everyone to know that we did not play Trivial Pursuit. We did not play one game. She is still the champ and will not - no - can not be defeated until we are all together.

Kirst - you rock! 2009 or bust.



This is me with mommy k. See what I mean about the hair? Red rocks. She was an amazing hostess. Her house had been Marthafied.

Serious. Here is the gift basket that was in our room. Socks, Luna bars, gum, funny magnets, water bottles, and post-it notes in the shape of the letter J!

She also had a pile 'o' mags on the coffee table. People, O, In-Style, you name it.

And I thought that perhaps this was special. You know, just for the weekend? But she is always this organized. Here is her craft room. And this wall is her ribbon wall. Yes! I know what you are thinking...only in magazines. And that was my thought exactly. Until I saw this room. And I just wanted to sit on the floor and breath it in. It was beautiful.

Here is mom at breakfast. And notice - every morning we had half a grapefruit. and toast. Who knew I liked grapefruit. and toast.

And please note the gift bags. Every morning there was a gift bag with presents. Fun. happy presents. Jacks, and a fun pen, and a mood ring. Because I like moods.

So, we ventured out in the snow. and get a load of our idea of fun.

• home show - with Kelsey Nixon. That's right. from season 4 of the Next Food Network Star. and i forgot my camera in the car. but i saw her make bread pudding. and i asked her two questions. and she came off as real. and genuine. and awesome. for example: she was the assistant to Martha Stewart's assistant, and said that martha is beautiful on the outside and sort of beautiful on the inside. (I know!) And Rachel Ray was the least friendly and most disappointing of all the people they worked with. and if Sandra Lee had her heart set on something they could not talk her out of it - like opened pine car fresheners as napkin rings. ( I know!!)
• cheesecake factory - minus the cheesecake.
• greg kinnear - in Ghost Town and Flash of Genius
• chocolate
• talk
• Karen's awesome potato salad
• hour massage for all
• anthropology
• old navy - where everyone talked me into purchasing $4 and $5 shirts
• target
• smith's marketplace - where everyone talked me into purchasing $55 shoes for $15. And then mom paid. moms rock!
• Pei Wei
• diet coke
• Ikea - and putting together a chair.
• BYU Bookstore
• Zupas
• Karen's awesome beef over rice.
• chocolate
• more talk

Here is my sister Judy. Notice the nails match the sweater. AND the makeup. Yeah. Beautiful. She kept us laughing all weekend. and said she liked my hair. swweeeet! and i always wanted to be just like her - so compliments from Judy can make your world. Honest. give her a call. get a compliment? Your life will change.

Pudding on the Rice. Need I say more? Notice the rockstar in the back.

This is Debra. Greg's (Judy's husband) sister. She joined us on our last day.

And then we were done.

addicted. completely.