Weekend Update

I know I left off at Thanksgiving but I'm not sure where to pick back up. Friday I went and got my hair done (I'm brunette again in case you are keeping track) and had did a (very) little shopping. No exercise other than walking around the shopping center.

First I ate this:



We were at the Americana in Manhasset. Prada doesn't exactly have doorbusters so it wasn't a madhouse. Of course we were at Banana Republic and The Gap so there were lines there.

Anyway - we stopped at Cippolini for lunch.

I had a shrimp salad dish - and I didn't quite understand the waiter when he mentioned there would be a ton of olives included. Blech. I picked them all out but the briney flavor was still there. I would only order again without the olives please, thanks. It had string beans, tomatoes, onions and fresh mozzarella in a baslamic vinaigrette.



I also had 2 pieces of bread and some tastes of my mom's risotto.

That night our old neighbors stopped by and they invited us to dinner. It was just supposed to be them and our parents but in the end my sister and I tagged along. We went to the Basil Leaf Cafe.



I am OBSESSED with goat cheese lately. I had the tomato and goat cheese soup to start.



and two slices of this pizza - shared with Jen.



And more Chocolate Chip Pie for dessert (unpictured).

Breakfast yesterday was an English.



Lunch was Thanksgiving leftovers - turkey on a sandwich roll with some Jarlsberg and a little mustard.



I "ralked" 2.5 miles. I guess you could call it running intervals as alternated walking and running. Dinner was take out when I went to help my mom babysit some munchkins. I had half an order of baked ravioli and 2 garlic knots.



and some Edy's Slow Churned Peanut Butter Cup for dessert.



Breakfast was at the diner this morning. I had an 'Egg McMuffin' and some hash browns on the side.



Also - I think someone stole my camera...





Lunch is unpictured. It was a sandwich thin with 2 slices of yellow American Cheese. I did the same walk/run as Saturday. I have rehearsal late on Monday and a performance on Tuesday so I don't know when I'll exercise again before Wednesday - which is weigh in day.

Eeek.

I also had a handful of Junior Mints and multiple handfuls of movie popcorn. We went to see The Blind Side this afternoon. Great feel good movie. I really liked it a lot.

I am now a Baltimore Ravens fan I think. ;) And other than Friday Night Lights I really have no interest in football.

Dinner was a baked chicken breast, Thanksgiving leftovers (sweet potatoes, asparagus and string beans) a spoonful of rice and some salad.



And whew. I think that's finally it. Hope you all had a lovely and restful holiday weekend. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled blogging soon.

Giving Thanks

We had a very low key Thanksgiving here - just me, my mom, dad and sister were here for dinner. Very unusual for us. It was nice though - if quiet.

There was no shortage of good food that's for sure.

2009 has not been particularly kind to us around these parts but there is still plenty to be thankful for. I'm thankful first and foremost for my amazing family and wonderful friends. I'm thankful that this year instead of worrying what on earth would fit me I went for a run. I'm thankful to still be gainfully employed. I'm thankful for singing - even though I complain about the endless practice. I'm thankful for this blog because I really do think it's helped keep me going with this whole healthy lifestyle thing. It's hard to lie to yourself when you're sharing (nearly) every morsel you eat.

Overall...as I mentioned on my birthday a few months ago...I don't have everything in the world that I want but I certainly have everything I need. And that is definitely something I'm thankful about.

I'm also thankful for home.











And I'm thankful for such an amazing meal.

We started with a little appetizer.



Extra Sharp Cheddar and Monteray Jack with Granny Smith's, Breadsticks, Pretzels and Pretzel Thins

and a little wine...




Mmmm. Turkey.



String Beans...



Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Shallots...



Stuffing and Garlic Mashed...



Turnip (ick!) and Asparagus (YUM!)...



And more wine...



My plate...




Jen made a delicious chocolate chip pie for dessert. She cut the recipe in half.







Half with walnuts - because I'm a PITA and like my chocolate chip pie plain...



we skipped Paula's suggested whipped cream topping and served it a la mode...



Delicious.

All in all a lovely day full of good food and the people I love. Not a bad way to spend a day. It's a definite reminder to just...

Talking Turkey

I'll be back with a full Thanksgiving recap - with yummy food and plenty of pics. Until then - check out this cute placemat we used for breakfast yesterday.



My mom makes the best scambled eggs. I had some with bacon, a potato latke, 1/2 a light English muffin.



Then my sister and I went on our 2.5 mile run. Hopefully it'll make up for all the eating I did later.

Stay tuned!!

Wednesday Wrap Up

My next post is all about what I'm thankful for - but a little break from all things computer related is surely one of them. Since I started working on more virtual and less face to face type meetings - staring at a computer screen has literally become my job.

So what I'm saying is the last thing I've wanted to do the last few days is come here and post.

But.

I also had the most amazing dinner on Wednesday night and wanted to tell you about it. Catch 22.

When we last 'spoke' I'd made some eggs for breakfast. I went to the gym and ran 2-ish miles and then rushed to the office to grab the library book I'd stashed in my desk and forgotten. I needed something to read on the train and it was due back on 12/1 so...

(btw - the book was Open by Andre Agassi. As you know - I like tennis - and while my sister was a Sampras fan I always had a soft spot for Andre. It was a very interesting read)

Anyway...I rushed there - then to the train station and 40 odd minutes later was out near my mom's office. I logged on to work some more and ate this salad that they so kindly ordered for me.



It was a grilled chicken salad with mozzarella cheese. I ate about half of it. I've really become a fan of darker greens I've realized. Romaine and iceberg do not cut it for me anymore.

After my mom's office closed my mom, sister and I went for manicures and pedicures. Then we headed home for our 7:30 reservations to The Brass Rail.

I have to tell you. It was one of the very best dinners I've had in a long time.



I'd only been there for brunch once before but dinner was a whole different story. One of the great things is that they feature small plates - which is just enough food for me these days.

I found a new favorite Pinot Grigio.



To start I had the Lobster Bisque:



And a taste of Short Rib Quesadillas:



My entree was small plate Goat Cheese Ravioli w/walnuts and apples. These were big fluffy pillows filled with goat cheese. Heavenly.



And here's what everyone else had - since we all were raving.

My dad had the Pork Chop



My mom had the small plate Lamb Chops



A side of shoestring fries



Jen had the Cappellini with Lobster and Shrimp and Mussels.



Everything was SO. GOOD.

And then there was dessert.

Peppermint Tea



Chocolate Creme Brulee



Profiteroles



We were talking over dinner about the best meals we've ever had. New Orleans wins for most of us. Mr B's Bistro is a big favorite if you are ever in New Orleans. Also The Grill Room at the Windsor Court. Gramercy Tavern might be the best meal I've had in recent memory though.

Good food was a theme the last few days. Coming up next...Thanksgiving.