Wishing you and your family the merriest of Christmas days!
A Pre-Christmas Treat
Late last week, Katie called all the girls to let us know that she scored us some sweet suite tickets to the Bucs/Rams game on Sunday. We packed in the car with her pops for a giggle-filled ride to the stadium. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, it was going to be a perfect day.
We plopped our late-twenties-selves on Santa’s lap, thankful for where life has taken us and thankful to be together again.
The suite was jam packed full of gameday snacks. Oh how I’ve missed legit Cuban bread!!
And Corona… Somehow Corona tastes so much better once you cross the Florida state line.
We Sunday Funday-ed in the greatest of company. And! I was even able to make my way to the other side of the stadium and say hello to my aunt, who just happened to be at the game too. And, and! My friend Jodie, a Floridian friend from Austin that recently moved to Hawaii, was at the game too.
Thank you again Katie for setting the scene for the most wonderful of Christmas Eve Eves!
I Know What Boys Like
I know what boys like. I know what guys want. Roasted chicken. Seriously, the boys loved this roasted chicken.
My roommate and I invited a slew of friends over to celebrate the birthdays of Billy, Tyler Dean, and Molly. And when we thought about what we’d make, a ‘Merican family dinner came to mind. I made a roasted chicken (using Jenna’s recipe) and chocolate cake. Kara made parmesan mashed red potatoes and soy glazed brussels sprouts. Perhaps I have a different level of trust when it comes to Jenna’s recipes because she went to culinary school, but I’ve had such huge successes with her recipes that I have a hard time veering from her site for the basics.
So back to the dinner. Who knew roasted chicken would be such an easy crowd pleaser. An easy, crispy, juicy, flavorful crowd pleaser. One of the boys even said this was one of the best meals he’s had in Austin… Austin!
A Quick Dallas Trip
I had a whirlwind of a Dallas trip last weekend. After Austin rush hour traffic died down on Friday, I hopped in the car and headed to Dallas for the CBS Baking Show open casting call. I woke up bright and early to the tune of Juliette squealing and laughing and got to work in the kitchen. I baked a mini pie for the casting call and a full sized pie for Ginnean for being a wonderful hostess.
After the casting call, Ginnean, Juliette and I met up with our friend Phil for lunch in my old neighborhood (Uptown). Bowery Tavern had some serious curb appeal and lured us in. We sat down and I immediately had an I-just-survived-another-audition-what-am-I-thinking-kind-of-excited glass of prosecco.
The incredibly adorable Juliette entertained us with napkin peek-a-boo and serious smiles while we waited for our food.
I ordered the buffalo chicken salad with grilled chicken in lieu of fried. And when the salad arrived I was beyond impressed by super green greens and an overall beautiful bar salad, especially since this salad only set me back 6 bucks. If I were still an Uptown resident, I’d definitely hit up the Bowery Tavern for lunch on the regular.