Call it Macaroni

I am back home (read NYC) after a weekend at home with family (read Long Island), dealing with LIRR service delays, and rainy chilly weather.

Let's get back to the updates. Saturday, after Zumba and buying my bus ticket I went out to LI. My mom, Jen and I went to Cippolini. We split the Fritto Misto and I had macaroni with shrimp, broccoli, garlic and oil. I saved half of the pasta and ate it for lunch on Monday. I'm getting back into that 'eat anything you want - just half' thing that worked so well for me in the past.




Sunday We went to visit my brother, sister in law and nieces this weekend - including a brand new one.

She's gorgeous.



My mom and I made macaroni and cheese.

It was made with whole milk and two kinds of cheddar - a mild yellow and a super sharp white.





We put it in individual tins.





We took the girls to lunch and left Matt and Mel with little Cooper. I had a very bad for me burger and they had mac and cheese...among other things.




Cocktail hour on Sunday - cheese, pretzels, hummus and strawberries.



Dinner on Sunday night - mac and cheese and chicken cutlet.



Breakfasts have been the usual - some form of peanut butter on bread.

Once I got home today I was trying to clean out my fridge - so my lunch was a real mish mosh. There is brown rice, fresh ricotta and mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, broccoli, yellow bell pepper and shrimp.



I volunteered for a 6 PM webcast tonight so I'll be working a little later than usual. Then I'm meeting Cort and KZ for a bite around 7.

Tomorrow I'm taking a sort of sketchy bus to PA where my boyfriend says he'll be waiting to pick me up.

I believe him - I'm just not sure I believe in the sketchy bus.

I have bus issues if you haven't guessed yet. :)

Life is good

Today life isn't half bad. Sure I'm tired and work is stressing me out more than I'd like but I have a great family, wonderful friends and a sweet boyfriend who - when I was saying I felt icky today - reminded me I wanted to book a massage.

So. I did.

If you are in NY or LA you might know of the amazing thing called Lifebooker. I got a gift certificate about a year ago and have not paid full retail value for a salon or spa service since.

I think they have them in other cities too. Check it out. It's SO worth it.

Lifebooker discounts your treatments and gives you $ back if you rate the salon/spa that you visit.

win/win

I know I owe you more food and fun pics from the weekend so here's my attempt at catching up.

(Note to Melissa - we were out on the North Fork at my aunt and uncle's house. I'll tell Jen you're mad she didn't invite you.)

BJ's has the best premade burgers. I had one for lunch on Sat.



Jen had some friends meet us out there. Saturday was a pool day for the most part. On Saturday night Jen, Marge, Mike, Colls, Dave and I went to The Grille at Fisherman's Rest and met the chef who was...interesting. The food, overall was good but you might want to take it to go. He was a little much.

We had some appetizers to start and then for my entree I had Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp. Dave took this home and is eating it for dinner tonight.



He had the Fisherman's Platter.



Sunday we had breakfast. I forgot to take pictures.

Dave and I went to Corey Creek to taste some wines.









Dave is suddenly my Director of Photography. He is composing all my shots now. :)



Then after a walk around Greenport we went to Claudio's for a bite.

Mussels, fries and shrimp cocktail.



Does anyone else almost always order a Diet Coke with a glass of wine? No? Just me?



On our walk in Greenport we bought 2 Mexican chocolate cake pops at a fancy pants bakery. I can't remember the name of the place and I didn't take a picture but they were really yummy.

Dinner was grilled chicken, grilled corn, rice, and tomatoes from Dave's garden with basil and fresh mozzarella.








My plate.



I'm still dragging a little. Gonna try and make it an early night. It's back to the office tomorrow.

See you then.

Friday to Saturday

After a very pleasant bus ride I arrived to the heart of LI Wine Country. I helped unload the car, had a hamburger (unpictured) then went and got a mani/pedi.



I love this color. It's called a Splash of Grenadine.

I had a slice Grandma pizza and salad for dinner.







And later I had a garlic knot.



And Pinot Grigio.



It's going to be a pleasantly packed house this weekend. Jen has friends coming (Marjorie is already here) and Dave is on his way shortly. Jen and Marge went and got egg sandwiches this AM. I had bacon, egg and cheese on a roll.



Allie was hopeful my dad would share.



The bulk of today will be spent here. I cannot wait!!



What are you doing this fine Saturday???

The Rest of the Weekend

Jen and I had two perfect pool days - one on July 4th with the lovely Diane and 1 on the 5th with just us and the parents.

There was a pool and good reads.





There were burgers and dogs.





And chips.



WARNING. DO NOT EVER PUT A CAPE COD BRAND SOUR CREAM AND ONION CHIP IN YOUR MOUTH. IT WILL BE OVER!!!!

They are not even pictured here btw. They are that dangerous.

And wine.



(and wine...and wine...)

For 4th of July dinner I made BBQ chicken and Jen made salad and potatoes and onion on the grill. The pics aren't that good. :(




It tasted delish though if I do say so myself.

Last night I made dinner with the help of Jen and my dad. Jen roasted some grape tomatoes, my dad grilled some chicken. I added the garlic and butter to the asparagus and tossed some shrimp and the rest of the ingredients with the pasta, a little white wine and garlic and olive oil. Plus fresh basil and parsley from Jen's garden.





I'm going to have some leftovers tomorrow for lunch I think.

And then there were brownie sundaes.



Please note the brownies were made by me and Jen at around 8 PM on Sunday night after a vat of Pinot Grigio and the decision to watch Hot Tub Time Machine On Demand.

Yes. You heard me right. I believe the phrase I uttered was "Yeah. I'm drunk enough to watch this."

Classy.


Breakfast was a PB sandwich on whole wheat shared with Allie.

And here's my lunch from today, turkey, cheddar, spinach, and honey mustard with a pickle.



Dave is coming by after work and we're going to try our trivia skills at a bar here in NYC.

Wish us luck!!

I've got a 3 day week. On Friday I head out to Shelter Island with the City Girls for a weekend in LI Wine Country.

There will be stories for sure.

Weekend

I love hydrangeas. My mom has 3 of them growing in the front and back yard. I actually took a big bunch home with me today too. Yay for summer and flowers!!

I feel like I've been running around a lot lately. As a result - I have been unplugging a bit on the weekends. I apologize for the lack of posts but I'm thinking...particularly for the summer...this might be a growing trend.

Not that I don't love you - I do. I just love being out and about more than behind my computer. :)

Thursday I went for a 3 mile run - the first in ages.

Friday I went into the office and ate a turkey sandwich with fake french fries.





They were not very good.

Then I took my dad out to dinner at Wild Fig. He had lentil soup and a Greek salad. I had hummus and chicken and shrimp kabobs with rice.





Both delicious. I saved one of those pitas and the leftover hummus. Jen and I ate it last night.

Late Friday Dave came out to LI as well. I made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast both Saturday and Sunday.



And burgers and hot dogs for lunch (only the burgers got a picture - sorry!).



They were awesome - if I do say so myself.

Dinner was sausage and pepper heros from the Fire Dept Fair around the block from my parents. So delicious I forgot to photograph them!!

Sunday my mom and Jen came back from Florida. We went to the American Cafe for lunch to celebrate Father's Day. I had the Grilled Chicken + Goat Cheese + Pesto sandwich. I asked for potato salad - they gave me fries.



So I had to eat them. I ate the other half of this sandwich for lunch today.

Dinner was BBQ chicken over salad, corn on the cob and ice box cake for Jen's birthday. I set the table all pretty.









Did you ever make ice box cake?? You need to. All it is is fresh whipped cream and chocolate wafers. I may have eaten two covered in whipped cream while assembling. :)







I put two rows side by side because I didn't have a platter long enough. Works just fine!



This morning it was peanut butter on an EM and about a 2 mile walk with my mom.

UGH. This post took forever to upload today. Some of the pictures would not cooperate. I'm tired, headachy and a little bit grumpy tonight so I'll see you later.