The Cooking Vent: July 2010

Yesterday, Archie and I went to San Francisco to spend the last day of our staycation having a little fun.

We had lunch at a quaint little restaurant with Ben and Mary Keel, the worship pastor at Epic Church, a church plant in San Francisco, and Southbay's first church we are supporting. It was a great time to be together with someone who is in the very beginning stages of what we've been through! What an encouragement it was.

After lunch, we headed over to Bi-Rite Market. I talked about this place once before when we had the AMAZING salted caramel ice cream. But, when we went, it was at night, and the market wasn't open. I just HAD to go back because it looked adorable. The quaintest little neighborhood market. We splurged and had a little ice cream too of course!

This was how we were welcomed to the shop! Beautiful, gorgeous, amazing bouquet's of flowers, they were breathtaking.

Fun little olive bar with some great choices

Look at all of these spices!

Better yet, look at all these cheeses!!!

We bought some from one of the samples. It was called valskaas, and it was super yummy!

I thought these old, vintage looking milk bottles were so fun

I thought all the wine bottles looked so pretty.

and of course... the ice cream!

We have really enjoyed doing nothing for the week. It was so very much needed, and I think we both feel refreshed! So does Capo.

I don't know about "ready to head back to work", but by Monday we will! ;)

I also drove the Mustang this week! For the second time... in a year and a half. For those of you who don't know, my husband drives a 67' mustang. It's a boat! And a manual! And it was made in 1967! All of these combined makes it for a quite an interesting ride. I named her "Sally" this weekend. I don't think Archie's convinced. I was just thankful to have made it home the 2.1 miles I drove in it! He had to park it. Ha. I do like riding in it though. I'll leave the driving to him.

I decided to take part in my friend Carissa's Miscellany Monday, because it would be a great way to get back in the swing of things. So here's Miscellany Monday on Tuesday!

I'm sorry that I have been completely absent for about the last month. It has been QUITE the month! I might not have any readers left due to this crazy absence! Is anyone there?? :)

1. We did in fact go to Vegas over July 4th weekend, and had the most spectacular time with some amazing friends! Since they are locals, they showed us everything from different hotels, how to get free tickets to awesome concerts at Mandalay Bay, going to where they film Pawn Stars, seeing a new Cirque De Soliel "Elvis" show, amazing restaurants, and of course some awesome home-cooked food as well. My friend Derek likes to cook as well, so him and I chatted, cooked, and recipe looked, and my husband and his girlfriend made fun of us and ate free samples! :)

Breakfast at Hash House a go-go! Yes, we did split it, and yes, that was still a lot of food!

At the Venetian. It's so gorgeous, it makes you feel like you actually might be in Venice!

I'm in heaven! A chocolate fountain from floor to ceiling!!!

Just a little fun, posing for the camera on our hike!

2. My aunt passed away 2 weeks ago on Saturday. It was very unexpected, and was very hard on the family. I made a very impromptu trip back to the East Coast to be with my family and remember my aunt. The circumstances were horrific and shocking, but the time together with my family was sweet and priceless. I was there for three days (was only supposed to be two, but I had a flight cancellation of course), and got some amazing one-on-one time with just my family and these cute patoots! :) I have the cutest nephews and niece alive!!! Just excuse the HORRIBLE picture quality. In the rush of things I forgot my camera, so this is just taken with my Blackberry camera.

This is Bryson. He's so sweet! And he got to show me his mad skateboarding skills!

This is Ava Marie, She's playing peek-a-boo and doesn't like having her picture taken! :)

This is Gavin - he's my cuddlebug! :) He likes to sit in my lap for a long time!

I don't have one of Landon... he was movin around too much. :)

3. While I was in Charleston I got to meet some of my good friend's Katie and Tron's new baby girl, Selah. She is exquisite!!! So precious, but just as precious was seeing some of my best friend's being parents! They are so awesome! Check out how beautiful she is.

4. I ran my first 10k yesterday! It felt so good. Something I've been wanting to do for a while, and I finished the whole thing. My biggest goal was to not stop and walk at all, and I did it. I even ran way faster than I had been training to run. I had a blast! Next up, a half marathon!

Forgive the horrible picture, once again, I forgot my camera, so I used the BB, and I had just finished a 10k for crying out loud! :)

5. I made these a long time ago, and saved the recipe/pictures for a rainy day. Well, today's my rainy day, because it's been so busy, that I haven't done hardly any cooking.

I always find it so hard to find a good recipe for a chocolate chip cookie. They are always too cakey or fall too flat, or taste too much like flour. But this recipe definitely beats them all. And surprisingly enough, it comes from Cooking Light. I wouldn't say the recipe is good for you, but it does a better job of cutting down the calories than most chocolate chip cookie recipes!

I always make the full batch, but only make about 4 at a time to bake, wrap the rest of the dough in plastic wrap, put it in the freezer, and then pull it out when we want some. It lasts for months this way, and I don't feel bad about eating a whole batch of cookie dough.