The Leather Anniversary

As you may already know, we stick to the traditional materials for our anniversary gift exchange (see the last two years here). This year was leather, and although that brings to mind lots of fun ideas, we kept it tame; I got Christian an engraved leather bracelet and he got me some awesome bedazzled shoes. After gifts we went out to a new restaurant, Peche Seafood Grill, where the specialty is fish grilled over an open flame.

   

After a few martinis and some key lime pie, we decided to skip town the following morning and stay resort style in a Biloxi casino. I jumped on priceline® and negotiated us a hotel room with a view. We ended up at the IP and since we don't gamble, we spent the next 24 hours sunning pool side, eating, and drinking. It was a much needed recreation of our honeymoon in Miami. 

Easter Weekend 2013

Last Sunday was our third year hosting Easter (check out last year's here). My mom and little sis, Emmy, came to town as well as C's mom. We had a great time taking them around to all our favorite spots and cooking as one big family on Easter Sunday. Here are some of the places we hit up and the big meal that closed it out:

Friday morning we took them to the best breakfast spot in town: Cake Cafe. They make fresh pastries daily and the best fried oysters in town!

Courtesy of Cake Cafe

Saturday night we went to Bacchanal. It was really crowded, so we sat in their newly renovated upstairs. We couldn't hear the music or enjoy the weather, but we were glad we got a table at all considering how quick they fill up and how long folks linger. 

Sunday: After mass at St. Francis Seelos in the Bywater. We went to Mr. B.'s Bistro for brunch. 

waiting for our table with bloody mary's 

feelin' it 

We rushed home from brunch and began the preparation for Easter dinner.

Here's what was on the menu:

Appetizers: pears with blue cheese and proscuitto, deviled eggs. cheese plate 

I keep my Deviled Eggs super simple and they are delicious.

Step 1: boil the eggs (best results come when I bring the water to a boil with eggs already submerged, boil 1 minute, remove from heat, steam 3 min, remove from water ASAP). Shells usually come off with ease, especially if I run them under cold water. 

Step 2: cut eggs in half, remove yolk. Add to the yolks sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dash of hot sauce, ground pepper to taste. Mash with a fork.

Step 3: Scoop egg mixture into a ziplock bag, seal, cut off a corner (to mimic a pastry bag). Pipe into eggs.

Step 4: Sprinkle with paprika and chill 

Dinner: leg of lamb, spring pea salad, nicoise salad, mac and cheese

best mac and cheese yet!

mmm lamb + mint jelly 

nicoise salad and spring pea salad

And we eat...

Dessert: lemon pound cake with honey vanilla neufchatel cheese and fresh fruit

till next year...

Seafood Porn

Here's a little something we put together to help curb carnivorous cravings. It's hot, steamy, and raw...

  

 

Lent is upon us. A time for atonement and sacrifice. Traditionally Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. This is one of the Lenten abstentions Lauren & I observe. We are also using this Lent to cut expenses any way possible to save for a Summer trip. So we will be cutting back on meat consumption not just on Fridays. Lauren's menu plan for this coming week has several vegan dishes. So we will see how that goes. Together we will also be cutting back spending at restaurants, bars, & entertainment, so we will definitely be posting about all the thrifty thrills to come.