Sleeping beauty woke up from his nap and convinced me to visit Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB in our household), which is a new brewery in Charlotte that makes traditional German beers. They just debuted the Dunkel lager last night and Matt was eager to try it out. Here’s when we went this summer for the first time!
We started with half pints of the Dunkel and the Yule Bock. Both were excellent!
I liked the sweetness of the Dunkel the best 🙂
Round II was supposed to just be the Mecktoberfest,which was also excellent, but somebody ordered TWO beers by accident!! Sneaky, sneaky
I was starting to feel the beers since they were my afternoon snack and all 
We debated for about 20 minutes going out to dinner. Matt said the "old us" would have gone. I am not sure what that means! But we discussed a handful of restaurants we could try ALL around town. We decided (since it was only 5:00) to wait on a decision and kill some time by getting a few more errands done.
Including going to Matt’s favorite specialty beer shop, Brawley’s Beverage, for an Xmas gift! He just LOVES it there!
After more debate – and U-turn to actually GO to a restaurant – we actually went back home. I just wasn’t feeling a big night and was really looking forward to our planned dinner, and Matt agreed with a vacation coming up we should save the money and go with or original menu.
Dinner turned out to be O-M-Gelicious!!!
2 Applegate Farms Spinach + Feta Organic Chicken and Turkey Sausages (from the pack I was sent for review) plus a crown of broccoli, and 1.5 cups or so of quartered brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano.
26 minutes of CHAR at 400*. These were unbelievably delicious!!!!!! The sausages were CRUNCHY and tasted like bacon, the broccoli was almost crispy and the brussels are just always divine roasted.
We cooked a small amount of whole wheat penne pasta and then tossed in a few brie chunks from this pack I got at the Foodbuzz Festival
Lastly, some Beemster cheese shredded on top!
With a little whole wheat sourdough from Great Harvest –
Totally rocked my socks.
We watched the movie The Brothers Bloom tonight. I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure I got it 100%. It’s one of those movies that should be watched and discussed and we’re too tired for discussion! I’d probably have to see it again to fully understand it. But I love Adrian Brody and it was beautifully made.
We had a few treats from Michelle + Ben’s party goody bags – an oreo truffle, buck-eye (or wanna-be buck-eye?) and a no-bake cookie. All shared, so only a bite each –
Dry Clean –> Wet Clean
Good news on the Endure top I reviewed this morning from the Endure team. While the label does say "dry clean" per the manufacturer, the staff at Endure uses a regular washing machine and the shirts hold up great. So no worries on that front!! Good to know 🙂
There is no sign of SNOW here 🙁 🙁 🙁 Maybe we’ll wake up to a white morning! [Hopefully with no power outages!]
Lindsay says
Your dinner looks awesome! I’d totally choose that over going out to eat 😀
Marianne says
Woo Hoo, my hubby will be excited and we will have to check out the beer store when we are visiting my parents in Matthews over Christmas. Although I might just send the hubby alone….he can spend many hours in a beer store but I guess I can spend many hours in the grocery store! He got into the whole home brewing a few years ago too. I can’t tell you how many bottles are stored throughout our house…grrrr!
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) says
Roasted dinners are the best. Yours looks utterly scrumptious.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
Your dinner bowls always look so yummy! I like going out to eat but most of the time I’d rather be home.
Meagan says
I HATE those nights when no one can decide on what to do for dinner… But I’m so glad it turned out delicious for you anyway!!! The method of charring the broccoli is my absolute favorite and now I’m excited to try it with chicken (or soy?) saucage too!
Have an awesome night Kath!
Erin says
Good to know about the shirt — that would definitely be a turn-off for me. Snow is falling steadily here — possibly 18 inches falling in DC! Wow!
Mama Pea says
You mean you don’t dry clean all of your athletic wear? Geesh, here I thought you had class.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
love those roasted dinners!
Ashley says
It snowed in Raleigh and stuck for a while but it’s mostly melted now. And raining.
Your dinner looks so good! Almost said except for the brussel sprouts until I realized I’ve never had one…
Penny says
Your Hubby sure likes his beer. 🙂
I LOVE how your dinners looks and sounds. I will definitely have to try something similar.
Madeline @ greensandjeans says
Your dinner looks seriously good kath!
Angelalovesfood says
Wow, I love your dinner, glad you didn’t go out and eat because this look delicious and perfect.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
What a fun way to spend the afternoon! And that dinner does look AMAZING! What a great Friday night meal.
Ashley says
Sometimes the simplest dinners are the best. Roasted veggies are so amazing, especially in the winter. People are always SO shocked at what putting veggies in an oven @400* can do! OMB rocks!! We went this summer…mmmm Chris is getting a home brew kit for xmas/chanukkah from my fam!!! I’m excited for him to start brewing =)
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i love it when a dinner at home turns out just as good as a dinner out.
Elizabeth says
Hi, I’ve only recently started reading your blog. I found it thru a link on another blog. You’ve really inspired me, thank you. Taking the time to sit down to eat and make healthy meals is worth it! Looking forward to more great blog posts!
Kath says
Welcome!
Christy says
Haha “sleeping beauty”… He look super excited in all of this pictures. Too funny!
Gretchen says
hmmmmm… I have everything (except the brie… maybe some babybel?) for that kind of dinner here at home… I think I may have to give it a whirl! looks sooooo yummy!
Steph says
Mmm! Oh my gosh.. the brussel sprouts, broccoli and sausage mix sounds SO good. I am going to have to try this next week.
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Good call on skipping the restaurant — the pasta + cheese bowl looks perfecto! 🙂
Jenn
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says
Dinner looks delish. I woke up this morning with snow on the ground. We’re expected to get 8-10 inches today!
Lauren says
You two are so creative in the kitchen – a KERF cookbook should be in the works!
I’ll send you some snow from Boston… we’re supposed to get up to 6 inches tonight/tomorrow. I just hope it doesn’t impeded our travel plans down to CT for an early holiday celebration!
Have a wonderful weekend :).
Emily Eats and Exercises says
I second Lauren’s comment – please take some snow from Boston! I have lots of driving to do and I would be MUCH happier if there was no snow.
Dinner looks fabulous as usual. I’ve been finding more and more that I’d rather cook than go out to eat. At home I can make just what I’m in the mood for and I know exactly what goes in.
sarah (shep) says
i live in richmond, va and we’ve got about 7 inches with 4 more on the forecast for today! 🙂 i hope you wake up to some white stuff this morning
christie @ honoring health says
We got about three inches (south of Richmond) with more on the way. It is raining right now which is going to make for some messy messy driving. 🙁
skinnyrunner says
love all the beer pics of you guys and matt at the beer store!
MelanieF says
Lots of snow here in Quebec this morning and it’s -8F (-22C) on this beautiful sunny morning.
That totaly sounds like me and my BF too when we cannot decide on where to eat, we end up eating at home and saving money along the way. 🙂 That dinner looks delish !
MegaNerd says
No snow in Charlotte? 🙁
I’m in Winston-Salem (like an hour ish north i think) and we got like 6-8 inches last night!! I hope that you guys get some!!
Thanks for commenting on my blog and inviting me to your party 😀 You are such a sweetheart! If I could drive in snow… I would be there! I had plans to come hangout with Whit and Stacey, too. 🙁
Kath says
WOW – that’s a lot of snow!!! There is none here so if you can make it out, please do come!
Angie says
What an absolutely beautiful dinner!! Love all the different flavors!! Hope you get some snow…I’m still waiting for it in Knoxville. 🙂
Jenny says
I love those chicken sausages! I have about 4 different flavors/packs in the freezer right now 🙂 but I have never made them as you did so I will definitely be trying that in the future. thanks!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
You just gave me an idea for dinner next week…I love the combo of flavors you put together. And I never would have thought about roasting chicken sausages. Such a good idea! 😀
Hope you get a lil’ snow…but not too much!!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I woke up an we have lots of snow! Hopefully its coming your way. 🙂
Stacey says
🙁 No snow this morning…just ice that is melting! Booooo. Your dinner looks great by the way! Jas and I went out to eat last night for the second time in a row, after two times I start to feel sick of eating out!
Kristine @ Purple Pinky Toes says
Yay for a delcious home cooked dinner! All these buckeyes featured on blogs lately makes me really want to bake them! 🙂
Karla says
I really liked the Brothers Bloom but I agree I’m not sure I got it 100% but that was half the fun!
JessicaE says
I know this is vanity to the max… but i just love your hair up in that high pony-tail. So cute!
Kath says
Thanks 🙂
Christine says
Kath, you’ve totally turned me on to roasting things in the oven that I used to only think you could steam or microwave. The difference is truly amazing! Your dinner looks fabulous, and I plan to do the same with some veggies and chicken sausage I picked up from Costco.
How about that guy’s expression in the picture behind you where you give the thumbs up, and he’s giving both hands up. Hilarious!!
Danielle says
Your dinner looks AWESOME! Yum!
Sheila | Live Well 360° says
I instilled the “one bite” method last night at holiday party #2. It was great because I was able to taste a few of the treats, yet not overdo it. I love the picture of you when your beer snack started to set in. LOL.
Mia says
I love the shot where you got the two men in the background going crazy.
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen says
That dinner looks absolutely perfect…brussels sprouts and sausage? Yes please!
Elena says
Definitely marking this entry for the future! I finally found chicken sausage (though not that variety—looks delicious) at my supermarket and have been eager to try it for something other than brunch. Roasted? Sounds perfect!
Katy says
This is a recipe I will definitely be trying! I am currently addicted to roasted brussels sprouts and I never thought to roast broccoli too.