Another Fast Food Conquest

I can proudly say, I have eaten a McRib, and it as glorious. Ok ok ok, I ate half a McRib because it was midnight just didn't have it in me to chow down. Either way, it was pretty damn tasty. The pickles were a nice touch, but I would suggest holding the onions, they didn't add anything.

Girl Date!

My professor let us know a few weeks ago that our class this week would be canceled. She had suggested that everyone work on their group projects as everyone should now have 7-9:30 free. Well, two of the members of my group saw the free night as a way to earn more money and agreed to work late, which meant free night for me! I mean, it would have been rude to work on the project myself, I wouldn't want anyone to feel bad about not pulling their own weight.

So instead, I thought why not have a girl date with one of my best friends. We agreed to enjoy a feast at Redbones. Thanks to a groupon that I had burning in my pocket, we were able to enjoy three different types of meat (sausage, ribs, pulled pork), sweet potato fries, cold slaw, beans, and of course some pie. Once we got to the point that another bite could not even be considered, let alone executed, we saw that it was almost 9 pm and time to head over to the movie theater to see The Town.

Let me tell you, this movie was amazing. As you may know, many scenes we re shot here in the Boston area. My friend and I had a great time picking out areas that we frequent.

Early on, Ben Affleck's character eats lunch with Rebecca Hall's. They are sitting on the patio of Grendal's Den. How do I know that? Well, first if you have ever walked in the area, you can tell based on the surroundings. But the main reason is that I stood in the park area for my entire lunch hour the day it was filmed hoping to see someone famous. Sadly, no one came out and I had to return to my office sad.

Later on there is a large sequence that was shot in the northend right by Bacca's. We had eaten there during restaurant week together, so of course we made a little girly shrill of excitement when the location was on the screen. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say, it was disappointing after about 2 hours of awesome.

Even taking into account the ending, this movie gets my stamp of approval, and I urge you all to go out and see it. I mean, come on, it's a Ben Affleck movie.

Summer Yum

Everyone knows a bbq isn't complete without corn on the cob. This vegetable is the ultimate picnic table accessory, and brings joy to all ages, minus those currently sporting braces. It is crunchy, butter, salty, and sweet all in one bite. Yum!

Per usual, when I get cravings for a food item, such as these ears of corn, I cannot wait to pick one up and munch. Unfortunately, this often means I

attempt to pick up the food item as soon as it hits the table, aka the minute after it came off the grill/out of the pot. This results in an awkward game of hot potato between my hands and my mouth. I loved that at a child my parents would attach little corncob holders to the end so that my delicate fingers did not get subjected to butter burns.

As an adult the practice of using holders is looked down on. I should just woman up and deal. Up until now, I was going along with this. But then I saw these:

Who wouldn't be excited to use a unicorn as a corncob holder?? I was super bummed that they were sold out because lately I have been in a unicorn mood. Most likely this is because I am still totally loving Agnes (from Despicable Me) and all her enthusiasm. I mean, just try to hide your smile after watching this!

Sizzle Sizzle Sizzle

Fourth of July weekend is over. This was the best three day weekend ever. Now that I am back at work, life is just so ordinary, less magical, and hot as hell - well outside it is, inside our a/c makes it feel like I work in a meat locker which is definitely ok in my book! Let's recap all the sizzle...

Friday - I left work and drove straight home, well small detour to have a snack and a beer at a friend's, but home in time for dinner. Let me tell you, that dinner was perfect - swordfish steaks on the grill (sizzle sizzle sizzle), baked potatoes, and broccoli. Yummo. As a child I didn't like fish, as an adult, I still don't like most fish, but will admit that swordfish steaks on the grill have totally grown on me. Especially, when there is some lemon to squeeze on.

Saturday - I got up, went to the beach for a few hours (not yet ready to go all the way into the ocean, just made it to my thighs), and then came dinner. Regular steaks on the grill (sizzle sizzle sizzle), baked potatoes and fresh green beans. Oh man BBQ two days in a row! Can this weekend get any better???

Sunday - Whoa, it is getting hot up in here - wake up and again decide to get to the beach immediately out of fear that the parking lot will fill up. This time I go straight into the water and go under. It was cold at first and then I just didn't want to get out. The heat got to me (as did my fear of sunburning) and we went home. What was for dinner? Oh that would be hamburgers and saugies (sizzle sizzle sizzle), potato salad, and corn on the cob. LOVING THIS. I did not make it to fireworks, meh, I'll live.

Monday - I had to get up super early to drive my parents to the airport, but that meant that I was on the beach at 8:20 with my iced coffee and toasted bagel in hand. Great way to start the day. I was gone by noon which suited me just fine after 3 hours of swimming, walking, and reading. At this point the sun was super hot and my skin needed a break (sizzle sizzle sizzle).

I was home in MA in time for kickball, which sadly ended up getting canceled due to forfeiting. Oh well, the weekend couldn't be perfect. It was pretty sweet that my air conditioner was ready and waiting to be put on to deal with the heat. Hopefully I don't melt now that the temp is supposed to hit 100.

Bacon Anonymous Confession

Prior to today, I had never cooked bacon.

I said it. I feel better. Sometimes, you just have to come clean.

I didn't even realize that I was a bacon cooking virgin until I got ready to make the Bacon Pasta Salad for an afternoon BBQ. As I grabbed the product out of the fridge I paused.

What did I do last time? Wait - was there a last time? Oh My God! I have never made bacon!!!

Of course, my first response was to call my dad. He is in charge of bacon for any big breakfast in our household. His first response to me asking what to do - laugh. Then ask, "you really never made bacon before?"

I get it! This is a ridiculous situation to be in at 26 years old without bacon experience, but is it my fault I have been surrounding myself with prize bacon fryers? No. Clearly I keep good company and now I can proudly say I make some really good crispy bacon.

If anyone is unsure what to do, I'll give you the secret. Just put bacon in a frying pan and don't turn the heat up too high. Easiest recipe ever. Please remember to have a grease jar ready once the pan cools down as you don't want to pour that down the drain!

And yes, the pasta salad was a big hit!

mmmm meat

I never remember that three day weekends are coming up. I don't know why I can't handle this, but it is the sad truth, they surprise me every time. Memorial Day was no exception, but even though I had no plans going into the weekend, the day ended up being amazingly wonderful.

I got invited to a bbq that was co-hosted by a kickball teammate. There were 13 of us there and we went through 35 forks during the course of the afternoon as we continously stuffed our faces. Personally I ate 2 hotdogs, half a steak and half a burger. We had brats, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, chicken sausage, steak and veggie burgers. Many shared the same goal of having some of everything. I was not quite up for that challenge as I had also had brownies, cookie pie, chips, pasta salad, grilled pineapple and booze in addition to my 2 hotdogs, half a steak and half a burger. I was very full but very satisfied.



This was a picture of the first time we loaded up the grill. This was done one more time. We ate all but maybe 10%. We all clearly love eating meat!




Food was not the only thing that occupied our time, we also had a ton of outdoor activities such as football, whiffle ball, and bocce. Personal pride point - I won my first game of Bocce and then came in dead last the next round. Hey, its hard to be perfect! There may have also been bubbles, and I may have had a bit too much fun trying to blow a bubble inside a bubble. (Suds were not the right consistancy to do fancy math bubbles)

As much fun as I had at the event, I think the best part of the day happened when I got home. There is nothing like getting home after an afternoon bbq and noticing that your skin has been kissed by the sun. Just a little pink, you know, when it craves just a bit of aloe lotion. I just felt like I was home...I think we may have finally hit the warm season here. Time to be a bit more proactive about protecting the Irish half of me.

Keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be filled with bbqs. Hey I got 3 in one weekend this month - that has to be a good sign, right?