Weekend Recap

[I still can’t see the ‘new’ KERF!! Apparently it takes a while for all of your cache and IP addresses to transfer over to a new server. If you’ve seen the KERF Server Guest Post, you’re all moved. If you haven’t seen that one, you’re on the old! It should all move over soon. I’m not even sure if I’ll see this post or if it will go to the old blog! I’ll double post it if need be. – K]

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

1,000,000 thank yous to Jenn and Dustin, who basically spent their whole weekend in the KERF operating room. I owe them my first born child! (Wait, I think KERF is my first born child. Better watch out for Rumpelstiltskin too…Remember the Faerie Tale Theatre one?! So scary!!) LOVED Jenn’s server guest post – that was all her!

My how I have missed you guys!! Despite the fact that we had two parties at our house this weekend, I still felt a little lonely. Not blogging was just weird.

On Friday night Andrew arrived! He’s up visiting from New Orleans for the weekend, so we planned a family dinner over here around the grill.

After my stressful technological day, I went for an angry run. I just wanted to race out the door and never come back to my computer. I did about 4.5 miles just in time to shower and greet the guests.

I had a handful of Quaker Oatmeal Squares to tide me over to dinner

Check out these bugs!?

After my long day, I couldn’t wait for that glass of wine! Yum!

Dinner ROCKED!

 

Karen made caprese salads as a side dish

The beef tenderloin that Karen brought was so delicious, and Matt cooked it perfectly.

Grilled eggplant + corn

And half a Great Harvest Garlic Cheddar roll

Plus a bit more wine

For dessert Karen brought over a Bermuda Rum Cake we bought on Andrew’s graduation trip!!

3 months later, it was the best pound-like cake I’d ever had. Totally moist.

Saturday

I didn’t sleep very well on Sat. night because I kept waiting up to check my email to see if KERF was fixed yet! I woke up at 5:30 and had a message and then couldn’t go back to sleep so I got up.

I made some smoothie-in-a-bowl

And the day was right for coffee

• Frozen peach
• Frozen banana
• Soy milk (1 cupish?)
• Soaked chias

Gosh was that it?? The blender didn’t work very well and I had to add more liquid. And the bowl was very icy and I wasn’t in the mood. But it still tasted great, esp. topped with Nature’s Path granola and Almond Haze!

I opened up this Nature’s Path box that they sent to me in honor of their Organic Heroes campaign and partnership with Organic Valley milk. The program rewards both consumers and farmers for their roles in improving America’s food choices through organic production, and they are currently aiming to raise $50,000 for Rodale Institute’s Farmers Can Be Heroes Program.

I love that they are promoting the organic industry as heroic – it takes a good heart for a small farmer to choose organic over conventional. And it’s great to provide those who might not otherwise choose organic with additional incentives to support the industry. You can get a $2 off coupon on any Nature’s Path or Organic Valley product at www.organicheroes.com! You can also return the proof-of-purchase and get a year subscription to Organic Gardening magazine! 

 

(Speaking of Organic Farmers, check our latest Healthy Living Summit post on the speakers!!)

I flitted around the house in the AM and then went to the gym for a workout before lunch. Got in a great one on the Stairmaster and with weights. It had been a while since I’d lifted.

Once home, I put together this:

Romaine, Annie’s Woodstock, Cilantro Hummus, Cinnamon Almonds and an Akmak cracker!

 

+ corn

+ peach

=

After that I went shopping!! I hadn’t been shopping for myself in AGES but since our new budgeting system, I knew I had a little bit of allowance this month and really needed a new bra and a few cool shirts to wear at the Healthy Living Summit! The Limited is having major awesome sales this weekend!!!

Once home, I helped put together the finishing touches on our Great Harvest Staff Party!

Me +  Heather

I started with water at 4:30PM

 

Brewed especially for this event!

Then had a little Cherry Rye Homebrew!

Delicious onion-free guac made by Mike!!

x10!!!

My hand kept finding itself in these bags. I was hungry!

Some beer cricket was played

I found this amazing wine from Sebastopol, where we went on our honeymoon!

A taste

A refill. Overall I’m pretty pleased with my alcohol consumption. I didn’t really have that much and didn’t feel deprived either.

What would a GH cookout be without homemade buns in four flavors!!

Condiments

I contributed this Emeril’s Horseradish mustard that I got through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. I had it on my burger and it was awesome!

Tater Salad (we were lacking in the veggie dept. Matt was in charge of the sign ups and should have told me to make a salad!)

Chez

Tara made these awesome black bean + rice + beet veggie burgers (recipe pending)

My plate

Yum!

But I was actually pretty full, so I didn’t finish it all and shared with the grillmaster, who had been too busy to eat

A while later, my stomach had recovered and I did the majority of the damage on the dessert buffet. You know I have to try them all! My intention was to eat half of each, but they tasted too good.

Chocolate Raspberry Tarts

Texas Sheet Cake

The most amazing cookies with all kinds of chips

 

Add another cookie to that plate too!

You know it’s no big deal for me to enjoy myself at a party like this, but coming off of 5 weeks of vacation and finding that I had gone up a size in the dressing rooms today, I should have exhibited a bit more moderation on the dessert and chip front. I went to bed feeling stuffed in an uncomfortable way.

No worries – just sharing!!! And the party was a ton of fun 🙂

Sunday

This morning I was excited to see that KERF was all better – via email!!! But while I was getting comments from the new server, my IP address had not updated yet so I couldn’t see it yet!!

I was also devastated to read about the sudden passing of Meghann’s dog Abbie. I always loved reading about her adventures and I know she will be missed tremendously. Love to Meghann <3

We had to get up early this morning to meet Karen and the boys’ Aunt Becky and Uncle Cory for breakfast!

We went to Eddie’s Place, just across the street from Karen’s.

  

Pancakes were calling my name, but I wanted something balanced with a little more protein, so I got eggs with whole wheat toast and fruit.

Topped my toast with a little whipped butter and jam.

And a bite of Uncle Cory’s French Toast Croissant with Mango Sauce – incredible!

Plus lots of coffee

Creamed with my own little pot of milk

 

It’s a dreary day here in Charlotte, and a good day to go to the movies!

Triple Cinema:

First we watched Rumpelstiltskin mentioned above.

Then we went to see a noon-time showing of The Hangover, which I liked a lot.

Tonight we’re going to see Food Inc.!

Too many movies to see 🙂

Hope to be back to regular blogging ASAP!