Celebrating 83 Years of the Mr.'s Mom

When I was little, I couldn't imagine living until the year 2000.  It seemed so far away and yet, I would only be in my 30's.  My mother-in-law was born in 1930.  Historically speaking, not a fabulous time for our country although the good or bad could be pointed out for each decade, don't you agree?

An informal surprise party was thrown when she turned 80.  Surrounded by friends and family (she has 8 living grandchildren, 1 great grand-daughter at the time and was predeceased by one grandson) and was overwhelmed and brought to tears when she took it all in.  Don't tell her, but I'm hoping we can hold a smaller but upgraded version for her 85th - some place nice perhaps on the Hudson River.

Meanwhile, for 83 I suggested the Mr. and I take her out for dinner.  The gathering grew to include the Mr.'s sister and her family.  Initially, I named a locally owned lobster restaurant, but my MIL was mildly confused and thought I meant the lobster restaurant chain and said, "I have a coupon."  Ok, we can do that instead.  

On the evening of her birthday, one granddaughter bought a beautiful corsage which the birthday girl wore with pride.

We were seated fairly quickly and 2 servers were provided to take care of our party of 9 which later grew to 10 when my younger son finsihed work for the evening.  We ordered 2 appetizers, one lobster pizza and one warm artichoke dip with nacho chips. 

Next were salads.  Yes, about 99% of the time I ask for my salad without dressing.  This has nothing to do with fats or calories, but everything to do with taste.  I want to taste the vegetables in my salad, not a big glop of dressing.  I notice the chain has fancied up their salads by dicing ingredients fairly small.  Neither like nor dislike - just an observation.

My meal.  Yes, it is a horrendous, heaping portion I will never finish in one sitting.  However, it also came at a fairly peak price for a chain dining meal.  This was no $9.95 special.

One family member ordered fish en papillion - fish prepared in parchment paper.  While it appears pretty, she was not happy with the scorched paper or many of the soggy vegetables.  

Notice the change in portion size in the salmon dish below.  While yes, this was less expensive than the first two dishes, it seems a bit less carefully plated and a lot less filling.  What about balance?

Many of the rest of the family ordered mix and match meals commonly referred to as Feasts.  Sort of the same idea as old school Chinese restaurants, selecting one dish from column a and one from b.  The portion size was a bit more fair and consistent.  Have to admit, I had a few of my son's fries.

Did we laugh, yes.  Were we happy to celebrate the Grand Dame's birthday?  Yes.  Did the server's come over with candle lit slice of cake and sing the obligatory song?  Yes.  Did our server take a group photo for me with my phone? Yes.

However, when the bill came, it did not seem to match the quality and amount of food we received.  This is a restaurant that nationally advertises to families and stresses their value.  Not every restaurant deserves a glowing recommendation on the blog and in kindness I will not name them in case ours was a unique bad experience.  We had a lovely time and felt Fed Well, but I for us we see value differently.

Sunday Night Round Up

It has come down to that one night a week when our family of four plus our older son's girlfriend (who is quickly becoming family) can gather for a meal together.  Yes, it happens to be Sunday.  Better for the cook - I can plan a little bit and have a bit of room before everything has to be on the table at the same time and temperature.

To begin, I season 5 chicken breasts with bones and skin. Yes, quite old school.  Salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme into a preheated 375 degree oven.  Walk away from it.

Corn on the cob.  Funny, since they had braces my sons always run a knife down the cob and make a pile of corn on their plate anyway but I can't stand the frozen or canned versions.  It was mere minutes in a stainless steel mixing bowl with a pot lid that perfectly matches so the ears stay steamy and toasty hot.

By request from my older son, a cucumber salad.  For us it means making fancy peel marks (skipping space in between) the cucumber then slicing almost paper thin.  I take the time to assemble the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and giving myself room to stir.  A pinch of salt, pepper and dill, and a conservative spoon of mayonnaise.  I know many are tempted to splash vinegar, but I do not.  Combine and transfer to a serving bowl.

Younger son loves bruschetta!  Loves it!  I diced four tomatoes, a fist full of parsley, a few garlic cloves, salt and pepper.  That's it.  Served with broiled Italian bread slices.

No fresh fruit in the house today, but a can of sliced pineapple rings were a nice sweet finish.

We talked about, scalloped potatoes among other things.  Do you make them?  How? 

Fed Well and together on a Sunday night.  What more could you ask for in life?

Spinach Stuffed Shells

At times a family meal in the middle of the week is a struggle.  Whether I have forgotten to plan ahead, defrost protein, think of a menu, or am simply too tired, it still generally falls to me to provide a yummy dinner.  Yes, yummy.

I love pasta.  Love it.  I could eat a different pasta dish most nights of the week.  My family does not share my enthusiasm and mostly simply tolerates pasta once in awhile and usually at least one member will sigh.  I ignore it.

A few exceptions are baked ziti or if pasta plays a small supporting role.  Since baked ziti is acceptable, I decided to try sneaking in stuffed shells.  The catch?  The shells in the pan to the farthest right are also stuffed with spinach.  Popeye approved!

While I understand many would prefer the shells be saturated with sauce, I offer additional sauce on the side.  I like my cheese on the white string side rather than broiled brown.

The skeptics were pleased.  My older son, the Paleo diet fan, would normally walk away from this meal, but admitted to having 6 cheesy shells.  My younger son, who limits lactose, watched as I mixed the ricotta, mozzarella with fresh parsley and chopped garlic in a large bowl before spooning it into the shells and he was happy with the results.  The Mr. was quietly happy.  The meal was served with crusty yet squishy Italian bread with soft butter.  We are Fed Well with pasta!

Chinese Food at Home + Art in Beacon = Colorful Date

Some weeks and weekends are simply jam packed with activities, places to go and people to see.  This past weekend was literally one thing after another with little room for down time.  Saturday was filled for me with two interviews, covering a local event and taking a quick photo to be included in a community news piece.  PLUS, I wanted to go to an art exhibit opening.  Take out is required for a bit of balance.

For me, the Shrimp Chop Suey is perfect.  I love the crisp veggies, a slightly garlic sauce and ordering dishes with shrimp has become a standard routine in Chinese fare for me.  I've never been a huge fan of fried rice, though this particular take out spot offers a flavorful variety of House Special fried rice which includes of course shrimp.

As readers know, for the Mr. it is all about chicken.  Tonight's choice is Sesame Chicken combination platter which includes fried rice and a crispy eggroll.  He is a happy man.

On to Dream in Plastic in Beacon, NY for Brain Bugs & Robot Hugs by Jessica Schrufer.  Here is a peek at her work:

I especially love her robots and when she creates pieces based on classic monsters like Frankenstein's bride.

A number of pieces were sold quite quickly including the one above.

I have commissioned this lovely young artist to create the Mr. and I as robots.  I adore the piece above and wonder how we will be represented?  How does she see us?  Can't wait.

Dream in Plastic is also going to be opening their own bakery.  As part of the art exhibit opening, a few sweet treats were offered to guests (fudge compliments of the artist, Jessica Schrufer).

When is Nutella ever wrong as an ingredient in confectionery perfection?

We shop the store and buy a few pairs of quirky socks for our sons and 2 nephews.  Of course a cheeseburger in profile is the perfect design for a pair of knee-high's - don't you agree?

Click here for the sock selection at Dream in Plastic

Some other inventory that caught our eyes:

and a greeting card that seems to have been written by me:

The crowd ebbs and flows and before we know it, we are on the sidewalk and heading off to other galleries including Hudson Beach Glass and River Winds Gallery.  I have set the River Winds Gallery link to the work of photographer Linda Hubbard which I most admired.  Here is an example:

The Gallery was also celebrating an opening night and had a few nibbles for guests:

and while we did not sample the offerings, we noticed a few other visitors had wandered over from Dream in Plastic and were enjoying the cheese and crackers.

Street musicians play for an eclectic blend of passersby from young families to hipsters to those of us sliding into middle age (is that really who I am?).

For me, it was the perfect date night.  Good food, art, a bit of walking around, and we are together.  We are Fed Well.

Spring Sprung at the Diner

My coworkers and I have limited culinary adventures during the week; bring in food, cafeteria, Chinese or Mexican restaurants and a classic diner.  The diner of course offers the widest selection and the most colorful people watching.  They also decorate seasonally and are in the middle of a strong spring celebration.

While I am not really much for holiday decorating myself, I appreciate the time and effort others take when creating displays.  In fact, my home is only really ever trimmed at Christmas time and  each year the look is more and more streamlined.  

I can't imagine what it is like for those parts of the country who do not embrace the diner.  The north east is flooded with diners and I love them for the size of the menu, the reasonable price and the choice to have anything at anytime of day or night.  Lists of specials often rival a traditional restaurants daily offerings.

For my boss, a turkey avocado wrap. I have enjoyed this dish a few times myself.  The avocado creaminess and richness plays nicely with the turkey.

What looks like a classic cheeseburger is in fact a classic cheesy deluxe veggie burger.  

Spring holidays include Easter and Passover and so chocolate covered Matzo is available at the counter when you pay your bill.  I appreciate the thoughtfulness but pass on the sample.

One of the tricks to eating with coworkers and your boss is to keep the conversation away from work related topics.  We instead discuss celebrities, movies, food, weekend plans, vacation plans and whatever issue is foremost on our minds.  Some of our coworkers consistently eat at their desks - working or just surfing the internet, but I always enjoy the days we get out and I return to my work feeling Fed Well.  

Just Grillin'

This past winter we stored the grill in our garage instead of just covered on the back deck.  The result, yes, I believe we have extended the life expectancy of the grill, but oh how I missed grilled foods.  On the first sunny and warm Sunday of the warmer season (sometimes we slide directly from winter to summer, but it does seem to be spring), I grilled.  And grilled.

For lunch, classic burgers with toasted buns.  Fresh spinach and tomato topped mine.  I like raw onion, pickles, lettuce but please, no cheese.

Dinner.  Grilled chicken of course!  Served with left-over garlic string beans, sauteed summer squash which I could have grilled if I thought about it, mashed potatoes and guacamole in place of a sauce or dip.  Fresh avocado mashed with some newly ripe diced tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and a pinch of salt.  

The patio furniture is in place.  The grill has been broken in for the season.  The Christmas snowman has been removed from the porch.  Time for being Fed Well and grillin'!

Wedding Dinner at the Estate at Florentine Gardens

A wedding ceremony with a personal touch; references to the bride and groom as people, a pinch of caring, a scoop of thoughtful and a dash of humor.  The officiant made the I Do's quite memorable.  Next a lavish and flavorful cocktail hour.  What else can possibly be on the menu?

The ballroom was bathed in lavender light, the chandeliers sparkled and tea lights glowed in cherry tree limb branches as centerpieces.  Candles flickered on the fireplace mantle and in the windows.  The trees twinkled outside and an enchanted evening began for all.

Ambiance.  Atmosphere.  The Estate at Florentine Gardens made sure it was provided.

How lovely and welcoming the bride and groom's table was with chilled champagne ready just for them.

Yes, I saw more than one guest touch the centerpiece to decide if it was real.  Was I among them?

At one point in the evening, the photographer did ask the newlyweds to pose for a few romantic shots in the evening light of the courtyard.  I have seen a few of the photos and yes, they are gorgeous.

The evening's menu waited on the charger plates for the guests to decide on their entree.  Choices included:  Chateaubriand of Beef with wild mushroom red wine demi glace or chicken breast including spinach, fontina cheese with a black truffle and a red wine demi or mahi mahi with pineapple relish and coconut cream - all were served with marinated grilled asparagus spears, and roasted shallot and garlic whipped potatoes.

To start, everyone received a dish with lobster ravioli bathed in a pool of yellow tomato and lobster sauce over sauteed spinach.

I - ate - every - bite.  It did not matter in the least that I was full to my chin from a decadent cocktail hour.  I found the space.

Dinner for most of us at my table was the Chateaubriand.  The culinary lessons continued as my son asked what the purple cabbage (Raddichio - not cabbage, but learning about food) was doing on the plate.  A pop of color.  Plates are designed like rooms to feature textures for mouth feel, colors for the eye, aroma (from the Rosemary) and this one was difficult to find fault.  When the server took my order, I did specify medium-rare and yes, I was quite pleased with the result.

In addition to a trendy and beautiful ombre tiered cake, guests were offered creme brulee or Oreo cheesecake.

Though the food has long since been cleared and the tastes have faded, the memory of a fairy tale wedding remain.  Guests, family and friends have all been Fed Well.

The link for the Estate at Florentine Gardens