Our NYC Adventure

Mr. T and I recently took a trip to New York to visit my sister Sarah, her boyfriend Cameron, and their cat Puck.  Mr. T had never seen the city of New York from a non-tourist perspective, so it was quite fun to experience that with him.  We flew out of Charlotte at 6:00 am to ensure that we spent the most amount of time possible in the city.  We arrived around 8:00 am and took a cab to her apartment.  Sarah unfortunately had to work, but Cameron spent the day with us giving a tour of Manhattan.  We met Sarah at her office and went out to lunch.  After lunch Cameron, Mr. T and I took a leisurely stroll on the High Line.  If you haven't ever walked on it, you're majorly missing out.  The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It was originally used to bring animals in from the Hudson River to the Meat Packing District.  It's a great escape from the crowded smelly roads of the city.

That evening we went to dinner at Pipa, a Spanish style tapas restaurant that has amazing Sangria.

The next day the boys got up and went to the Yankee's game.  It was Mr. T's first time at one and he loved it.  The weather was absolutely perfect for it and they had a blast.  Sarah and I spent the beautiful day shopping... of course! That night we went to a great little Italian place for dinner.

Yankee Stadium

Sunday morning we got up relatively early to make the most of our last day.   While we were walking on the High Line on Friday, Mr. T spotted the driving range at Chelsea Piers.   It had been rated the best driving range in the country, so obviously he was dying to try it out.  Cameron and T headed out there for a few hours on Sunday morning, and met up with us later that day for lunch.

We went to lunch at Mottorino, a great pizza place where you can get real Italian pizza, not that by-the-slice crap.  We decided to keep that European thing going and head out to the Beer Gardens in Queens.  The only place I've ever been with beer gardens before was Munich, and when I found out that New York had some I was dying to go. We hopped on the Subway and ended up at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden.  It was awesome.

Cheers!

We Then returned to Sarah's apartment, packed up, and headed to the airport.  I must say, having a slight buzz on the airplane made it much easier to nap!  I was out like a light.

Mr. T absolutely loved the big city and we're already planning our next trip back.  He is even trying to convince me that we need to move there. I guess I could always be the Hudson River Recessionista!

Birthday Dinner at AGR

As many as you know, I just had a birthday and boy was it a great one.  Most birthdays I hype up to be such an action-packed fun filled day, and get disappointed when they don't turn out just as expected. Instead I end up spending my special day on the couch watching documentaries on bulimia- no joke, this is how I spent my birthday last year. So, this year I decided to expect nothing special, and just be pleasantly surprised when good things happened.  Mr. T and I decided to not to gifts for each other this year, just a card and dinner.

We made reservations at American Grocery, a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for the last year.  We arrived for our reservation half an hour early so we stopped in to West End Wine to have a glass of wine (which turned into a bottle) before dinner.  We had never been to West End Wine before, but I was highly impressed.  Since it's a wine shop, their prices are unbeatable.  They have several tables inside where you can sit and enjoy your purchase, and offer complementary Gold Fish- a perfect accompaniment to any Pinot or Cab. They even offer delivery services from several restaurants around the area. GENIUS.

 After our $18 bottle of wine (that would have been at least $35 at any downtown restaurant) we walked on over to American Grocery.  The concept of American Grocery Restaurant has always intrigued me, the majority of all of their ingredients come from local farms and artisan producers-something the town of Greenville was missing downtown until AGR's arrival.

We started off with cocktails, I had the AGR Champagne Cocktail a simple mixture of champagne and St. Germain, two of my favorite things to drink combined. Then for our appetizer we tried the Charcuterie and Cheese Plate.

As for entrees, I filled up too much on gold fish so I opted for a salad.  My salad had local duck egg, duck prosciutto, frisée lettuce, blood oranges and was topped with a white balsamic and cumin vinaigrette.  It was awesome.

Mr. T really surprised me when he ordered his adventurous entree- Braised Beef Tongue. He loved it.  The flavor was amazing, but I had a really hard time getting it out of my head that I was eating tongue.  I had one bite and it was amazing, but that was all I could do.

 We opted out of dessert and instead walked down the street to meet some friends out for a few more cocktails.  A much better way to spend your calories, in my opinion. Overall the day was a complete success, low key and full of great food and drinks.  What more could a girl ask for?

 

Spring Has Sprung!

Since we've been having this amazing weather, I've been craving some new spring foliage in our apartment.  I swung by the home improvement store yesterday and picked up some herbs.  It's amazing how just adding a few fresh greenies to your window sill can brighten up the space.  I chose these four herbs because they are the ones I most commonly use in recipes.  I'm just waiting for them to get a little bit bigger before I start cutting them down.  Below I've shared some of my favorite summer time recipes that I make with fresh herbs.  Enjoy!

Basil

Basil

Fresh Pesto
2 c. packed fresh basil
3/4 c. grated Parmesan
1/2 c. walnut pieces
2 large cloves garlic, cut in half
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly grated pepper
2/3 c. olive oil

Remove stems from basil. Wash leaves thoroughly in lukewarm water, and then drain well.  Position knife in food processor bowl; ad basil and next five ingredients, and top with cover.  Process until smooth.  With processor running, pour oil through food chute in a slow, steady stream until combined.

Mint

Mint

Grilled Portobellos
1/3 c. chopped fresh mint
2 chopped garlic cloves
pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
EVOO
Salt and Pepper to taste
2-4 large portabello caps

Combine first six ingredients in zip top bag.  Mix ingredients together by smushing it together on the outside of the bag.  Add portobellos and marinate at least 1 hour.  Grill starting with gill side down.  After 3-4 minutes, flip them and pour remaining marinade into the gills.  Cook 3-4 more minutes.  They will be done when a metal skewer pierces them easily.

Cilantro

Cilantro

Salsa Fresca
2-3 large tomatoes small diced
1 medium onion small diced
1 jalapeno diced
2 limes, juiced
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients.  Chill for about an hour before serving. Great served with my Baked Tortilla Chips recipe, too!

 

Rosemary

Rosemary

Balsamic Roasted Carrots
1 lb carrots
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2-3 stalks fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 t paprika
salt and pepper to taste
1 T EVOO

Preheat oven to 400. Spread carrots evenly over 1/2 of large piece of foil.  Cover with balsamic, rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Drizzle with EVOO. Close the carrots in the foil and place on cookie sheet to bake.  Bake 20-30 minutes or until tender.

Birthdays, Blogiversaries, and Freebies!

In honor of my blogiversary and birthday coming up this month, I've decided to update my list of birthday freebies.  I love the month of March because every day I get to see coupons pour into my mailbox and inbox.  Here are several of my favorite deals:

Applebee's – Free dessert of your choice

Arby’s– Free 12oz. milkshake with any purchase. Valid one week before your birthday through one week after.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels– Get a coupon for a BOGO pretzel.  Valid one week before your birthday through one week after.
Baskin Robbins– Free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a swirl of soft serve when you sign up for their birthday club
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – They’ll send you a coupon for a free appetizer when you sign up, plus free dessert with purchase of any entrée for your birthday, valid the week before your birthday through the week after

Buffalo Wild Wings – Free dessert (you don’t have to sign up, just go in)

Chili’s– Get a free order of chips and queso when you sign up, plus a free brownie Sunday for your birthday. (offer valid with purchase of one or more entrées, valid week before your birthday through the week after)
Firehouse Subs – Get free chips and medium fountain drink with purchase of any sub when you sign up, plus a free sub on your birthday when you show your ID
Fuddruckers– Join their Fudd Club and get a free 1/3 lb burger or anything of equal or lesser value.  Redeemable week before your birthday through the week after.
Great American Cookies– Get a coupon for a BOGO cookie when you sign up, plus a free cookie cake slice with purchase of a soda valid the week before your birthday through the week after.
Hooters– 10 free wings on your birthday or up to a week after. Hooters girls not included.
Jack in the Box– Free dessert- your choice of Chocolate Overload Cake, New York Cheesecake, or 5 Piece Mini Churros.  Offer valid only on your birthday and bring your ID
Joe’s Crab Shack – Free appetizer when you sign up, plus the same deal on your birthday.  Both are valid with the purchase of any adult entrée.
Marble Slab Creamery– BOGO coupon when you sign up plus free cone and $3 off any ice cream cake on your birthday (bring your ID- offer only valid on your birthday)
McAlister’s Deli– $5 gift certificate towards your next meal
Moe’s Southwest Grill– Sign up for their newsletter and get a coupon for a free cup of queso and on your birthday week get a coupon for a free entrée (excluding fajitas)
On The Border– Free bowl of queso or sopapillas when you sign up, plus receive a coupon for a free Dip Trio or Brownie Sundae valid one week before your birthday through the week after.

Red Robin– Free Gourmet Burger if you pick up a Red Royalty Card at your local restaurant and then register it online.
Schlotzsky’s –Free bag of chips and fountain drink with purchase of a sandwich when you sign up, plus receive a free small sandwich on your birthday (must bring ID with your coupon)

Smoothie King – BOGO coupon for a free 20 oz. smoothie.
Sonic – Print a coupon for your choice of free regular cream slush, free medium tater tots, or a free medium drink! Also, get a free Wacky Pack Kid’s Meal on children’s birthdays if you register here.
Starbucks – If you have a gift card to their store, register it and receive a free coffee on your birthday.  It may even be worth it to buy yourself a gift card to register just so you can get a free drink!
Sticky Fingers – Free half slab of ribs (or any other menu item up to $13.99) May need to check ID for verification of your birthday too
TCBY – Free small cup of frozen yogurt and $3 off a cake or pie.
Waffle House – Join their Regulars Club and get a free waffle when you sign up, plus a free one on your birthday.
Zaxby’s – Join their Z-Mail club and you’ll get a coupon for a free meal, plus a coupon for a free nibbler on your birthday. Both of these are postcards via snail mail, so make sure you sign up in time to get it on your birthday!

Local Places:

The Green Room- Complimentary champagne toast

Sassafras- double fudge brownie w/ scoop of ice cream and raspberry drizzle

Pomegranate- Complimentary chocolate cake

Larkin’s on the River- Dessert of your choice

Rick Erwin’s West End Grill- Complimentary dessert of your choice

Nantucket Seafood Grille- Complimentary dessert of your choice

Smoke on the Water- Complimentary dessert of your choice

High Cotton- Free dessert of your choice, and if you’re old enough a champagne toast too!

Tsunami- Free fried cheesecake- I’ve had it and its soo good

The Chocolate Moose- Sign up for their birthday club and receive a coupon for a free regular sized cupcake of your choice
Zoes Kitchen – BOGO coupon for one free entree when you join Zoe-Mail

And I'm Still Feeling Crafty

In my last post I left you with this photo and asked you to think about what you thought it was. 

Would you have any idea that a few hours later THAT became this. 

We've really been needing something to hang above our table, but with 17' ceilings hanging a chandelier or light fixture is not an easy (or cheap) task.  After perusing through blogs the other day, I found instructions to make these yarn chandeliers.  So here's how I did it.  

What you need:

1 spool of cheap white yarn

Cornstarch

All-purpose glue (I used Elmer's)

Clear spray paint

Balloons

Vaseline

Blow up your desired amount of balloons in various sizes.  An odd number will look best while hanging, I ended up using five of these.

Coat each balloon liberally with Vaseline.  This will prevent the yarn from sticking to the balloons.  Mix about 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup glue, and 1/4 cup water in a disposable bowl.  Dip your yarn into the glue mixture and then genlty run it through your fingers to get the excess glue out.  Start by wrapping the yarn around each balloon vertically then gradually start wrapping it around in all different directions.  When you've run out of yarn, tuck the end under one of the wrapped pieces of yarn.  Hang each balloon up using excess yarn.  I used two chairs with a shower rod placed between them, and hung the balloons from the rod.

Let them try for a full 24 hours and then pop each balloon.  Spray the balloons with the clear spray paint for extra protection.  When they were completely dry, I hung them from the ceiling with fishing line to give them a floating look.  Here's the final product!

Feeling Crafty

Mr. T and I just had our one year anniversary in our apartment.  Lately I've been looking around and wishing to spruce our little space up a bit.  I dove into two projects this past week, and they were both a complete success.  Project #1: something for our very plain front door.

Coffee Filter Wreath

To make the wreath, I started with a grapevine wreath.  We have a giant front door, so I selected the 18" wreath.  If you have a normal sized door you'll probably want to use one that is 12".  The only other supplies I needed were a package of 200 small natural colored coffee filters, a low-temperature glue gun, and ribbon.  Start by applying a dime-sized amount of hot glue in the center of a coffee filter and press it into the wreath.  Repeat this step with all 200 filters. Make sure to place each filter close to each other so you won't get any holes.

 

And that's it!  I found some snazzy leopard print ribbon I had left over from Christmas time do adorn the top.  Here's the final product.

Stay tuned for my next around the house project.  Here's a preview of what it looked like during the creation stage.  Any ideas of what it could be? You'll be shocked at what the end product looks like.

Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

This year for the Super Bowl, Mr. T and I went to a friends house to watch the game.  They had a taco bar which is such a great idea for a football party.  I brought one of my favorite salsas, a Black Bean and Mango Salsa. 

Black Bean and Mango Salsa:
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 medium mango, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper


Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Since there are no tomatoes, this recipe is a great alternative to other traditional salsas.  It's sweet and spicy and SO good with chips.  I love serving it with freshly baked tortilla chips, a tasty healthier alternative to the fried ones.  I came up with this recipe after not knowing what to do with the value-sized 4 pound package of corn tortillas my mom gave me.

 Baked Tortilla Chips 
(serves 2)
4 corn tortilla rounds
1 tsp EVOO
Salt

Preheat oven to 425.  Cut tortillas into wedges. Brush each wedge with a very small amount of extra virgin olive oil, just enough to make the tops shiny.  Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

Bake 5 minutes, and then turn each tortilla wedge.  Coat the other side with EVOO and sprinkle with salt.  Bake for another 3-4 minutes until edges turn slightly brown.