2 Toots

A few weeks ago, Ingy, Bar, and little J came to visit us in the DG.

The only logical place to go for dinner was 2 Toots Grill.

The cool thing about 2 Toots is that they serve your food on a train. Observe:

Obvs, J was incredibly excited.

But we were able to have some chocolate milk (with whipped cream!) in between the train visits.

And even a horse ride after dinner...

Thanks for heading out to the DG, Ing and Bar! We had a great time!

Kicking off the Christmas Season

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Christmas is my favorite holiday.  This is the time of year I start acting like a 2 year old on pixie sticks.


I refuse to celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  It was pure torture to sit through my 2 hour hair appointment at the beginning of November with nothing but Christmas music playing in the salon.  I am terrified of getting sick of Christmas before it even happens, so I avoid all Christmas-related activities like the plague.


...aside from venturing out to buy big, non-LED, lights.  It's a total LED-fueled conspiracy to get us to stop buying them, I'm telling you.  These things are nowhere to be found within 2 months of Christmas.


With Thanksgiving safely behind us, I was (finally) free to enjoy my favorite time of year.


Since the boys didn't have to work on Friday (must. be. nice), they were free to run errands and cook the women a seafood (and venison) feast.


These?  Are deer balls.

No, not that kind of balls...meatballs, made with bacon so they are moist.  (I crack myself up.)  Hubs made them, and they were delicious.


Once I finally got off work, I hiked the 2.5 blocks to Patti and Steve's condo, where I excitedly volunteered to set up their Christmas tree while the boys cooked and the DG Christmas Tree Lighting Parade went by.  Santa was in a fire truck.  That's how we roll in the DG.

Note to others: the best time to enlist my help for Christmas decorating is immediately after Thanksgiving while my deprivation levels are at an all-time high.  Once I decorate my own place, all bets are off.


After dinner, we watched my all-time favorite Christmas movie: ELF!!!!

"I like smiling.  Smiling's my favorite."

If you haven't seen Elf, I can no longer call you a friend and/or be related to you.  Sorry.


Hubs surprised me by offering to take me to the DG Christmas Tree.  This boy gets me.  He sure knows how to make me happy.

After one last wave to Theresa and Braddy on the way home, we settled in for a peaceful sleep, dreaming of the REAL Christmas tree I'll be getting this year.

CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!!! (5 points to whoever counted how many times I said 'Christmas' in this post!)

Pumpkin Carving 101

1. Acquire pumpkin

2. Grab a big, scary knife and cut a hole in the top

3. Stick your hand in and pull out all the seeds...and gunk (technical term) that goes along with it (also: this step is best left for Hubby or those of the male gender in order to not get unnecessarily messy)

4. Observe: beer and cigars

5. Draw classic face on pumpkin, and promptly forget to take a picture while you prance around in excitement
6. Hand camera to hubby (along with strict instructions to BE. CAREFUL. WITH. IT., and begin to cut out the face

7. Reclaim camera and take a break (this is hard work, after all)

8. Resume

9. Add finishing touch (who needs a tiny candle when you can add a LIGHT BAR disguised as an arrow!)

10. Step back and admire your handiwork

Calling Home Depot "Home"

It seems like we spend every weekend like this, at Home Depot.


It's beginning to feel more like home than home.


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Bacon Throwdown 2010

For the past 3 years, Hubby's family has held food competitions against the rest of the family.  (Except for me.  I went out in a blaze of glory last year, and I'm never competing again.)

This year's theme?

Bacon.

The competitors:

Steve

Patti

Stephen

Theresa

Braddy

The dishes:

Steve's Chocolate Bacon Truffles

Patti's Zippy Praline Bacon

Stephen's Bacon Sweet Rolls

Stephen's Pumpkin Bacon Donut Holes with Maple-infused Cream Cheese Icing

Theresa's Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread Sandwiches

Braddy's Bacon Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing

Two days of cooking, judging, and eating nothing but bacon:

The winning dish:

Stephen's Pumpkin Bacon Donut Holes with Maple-infused Cream Cheese Icing

The losing dish that should have won but didn't because someone wasn't judging fairly:

Patti's Zippy Praline Bacon

Link to gallery of full bacon-y goodness from the throwdown

Time to Say Goodbye

Well, it's time to say goodbye. (Don't get excited, I'm not leaving the blogging world yet...)


This puppy has finally kicked the bucket. Exactly 2 days after we purchased this puppy:


Looks like the kitchen will be done much sooner than we planned. Which stinks financially...

...but totally rocks in the way that I'll have more counter space and a rockin' new oven(s).

Yes, oven(s). You'll see what I mean. Have patience.

Someone's gotta.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone