Smells like Smoke

Don't forget to enter the Simply Bishop's giveaway post? It's not too late!

Today, Thatboy and I went to the movies. Before the movie started Thatboy reached over and smelled my arm. Thinking he was about to say something sweet I turned expectantly. "You still smell like campfire" he whispered to me.

And probably I will continue to smell like campfire for days to come - because that's the nature of things.

But you're probably wondering why I smell like campfire, so let me back up a bit.

I always joke that my social calendar is feast or famine. I either having nothing planned, or multiple things all planned at the same time. That was my Saturday.

It began with H's baby shower.

Little H (h?) is coming at the end of July. Although it seemed like h might have been confused about dates, or eager to attend the shower, because there were threats there might be an early appearance. Luckily it was a false alarm.


So H was on chair-rest for the shower itself, but really, she should be waited upon hand and foot even if she wasn't! And between you and me, she looks fabulous for 33 weeks pregnant.

After the shower, I picked up Thatboy so we could head to a birthday bbq! At the shower, the sun was beating down. Of course, as soon as we got the bbq the sun went away and it got cold grey. Luckily our hosts had all situations covered and as soon as the sun set the fire pit was lit. As we all huddled around roasting smores I turned to the other guests and said something along the lines of 'You know we're all going to smell like a campfire all night." Someone should hire me for my prediction skills. Because upon arriving home EVERYTHING had to go in the wash. And even though we washed and shampooed and conditioned, that's a smell that just doesn't come out easily.

But that was the only con of the day. Otherwise, I have to say, the bbq had some amazing food. Sausages, homemade salsas, burgers, grilled veggies, lumpia, salads, and ribs that smelled so good I could tell the instant they hit the grill. And they disappeared in record time.

Maybe you don't have a firepit in your backyard, but this is definitely the time of year to invite some friends over and light the grill. The thing I love about barbecue is that everyone has a different definition, and a different preference. But me? I love all styles! I love wet drippy ribs, and sweet and smokey dry rubs. The only thing I'm partially too is charcoal over gas. You just can't replicate that flavor! This is a really easy dry rub I use for ribs and chickens. The brown sugar is key for the sweetness, but my special secret is the chipotle chili powder for a bit of smokey kick- a flavor Thatboy requests.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp chipotle chili powder
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Rub onto your meat of choice (we like it on chicken).
3. Allow the rub to sit on the meat 6-8 hours or overnight.
4. Grill as desired.

Not a kid anymore

"The benefit to working all day on a Saturday, is that you can take off a day in the middle of the week."

That was what Thatboy said to me when I returned from my morning run yesterday and my mouth dropped open to see him sitting in the living room in jeans and a t-shirt.

I was surprised for two reasons. The first is that, per schedule, Thatboy should have left for work 20 minutes earlier. (This happens when I go for runs longer than 2 miles now that my pace has slowed considerably)

The second reason was, yesterday was my birthday. And I had pretty much cancelled it. The whole "getting older" thing doesn't bother me, but my birthdays are notoriously awful and this one was turning out to be no different. My brilliant plan to share in celebration with Prez (like we do every year since our birthdays are so close) turned into me driving around our friends while they wine tasted. Not the best celebration for me. And since all our out-of-town friends came down for that weekend, they weren't planning on coming again a couple weeks later. So I started my pity party early. Then I got some really bad news last week and frankly just didn't feel like celebrating. "Let's celebrate my birthday December 9" I told family and friends. "In 6 months, I'm sure I'll be in a better mood."

So my surprise at seeing my husband waiting for me is a bit understandable. "Go take a shower while I make you breakfast." He told me. "Then we're heading to a spa for the day. Your bag is already packed. How do you want your eggs?"

So I did as I was told. I took a shower and ate my breakfast and we headed to the spa.

I had a couple of treatments set up, but we had a little time to kill so Thatboy and I changed into our robes and headed to the "Relaxation Room" for a bit.

The Relaxation Room was a pregnant woman's paradise. There were giant chairs and ottomans for me to prop my feet up. There was fresh fruit in baskets. There was hot tea, iced tea, and lots and lots of water.

I got comfy in a chair while Thatboy fixed me some tea.

We split up while I got my treatments and Thatboy headed to the sauna and the hot tub. And I was declared the most energetic pregnant woman ever based on my ability to both lie on my back during the body wrap AND sit up. Which is funny to me, because neither of those seem like especially difficult things to do.

After my treatments I headed to the pool to meet Thatboy who was doing some laps.

We had lunch by the pool. Can I just say that Rancho Bernardo Inn makes some killer lemonades? Thatboy had a blueberry honey while I had a strawberry lavender.

Thatmom came down for dinner and brought with her some pretty good presents. My loot between her and Thatboy consisted of:

Some new reading material:

A new cookbook:

A new video camera:

And that big box underneath the new camera? Why that's my brand new neon green computer!

Which is absolutely fabulous because my current computer is definitely on its dying breaths. As some of you already know because as we're chatting I'll all of a sudden disappear because my computer has unplugged and if the battery is in the computer, it won't power on. And within the last month the computer has refused to connect to the printer or allow me to reinstall the drivers. Within the last week the onboard mouse has stopped working. It was about time for an upgrade considering the last new computer I got was the summer of the Bar!

But aside from the presents, Thatmom brought down something FAR more important. My all time favorite birthday treat. Strawberry Pie.

I've never been a huge sweets person, including cake and ice cream. So growing up I always requested my mom's strawberry pie for my birthday. The past couple of years I've gotten away from that, but this year I wanted to return. And Thatmom was more than happy to oblige!

It was delicious as always. In fact, Thatboy asked if he could have a second piece, given that it was "my pie" and all.

We had some again tonight.

I'm not an action photographer

Did you miss yesterday's giveaway post? It's not too late to enter!

One of Thatboy's favorite aspects of his job is that a couple of days a week he gets to leave the office and go work in the community. He works with the police department and gets to interact with community members in some pretty interesting ways. He's worked with elementary school kids and introducing them to the justice system. This past weekend was the big event he had been working on all year. A skate park exposition within the community.

Together with a local pro skateboarder and the police department, he organized a day at the skate park for the kids. There were demos, competitions, free food, SWAT vehicles and weapons, and of course, a ton of giveaways including skateboards, shoes, shirts, hats, games, pads, helmets... you get the idea.

I'm not much of a skateboarder (I know you're shocked). So I didn't recognize any of the big names that were there. Although they drew quite a few of the local boarders. These guys were OLD School. Some of the original Dogtown boys, if you're familiar. They began with a demo.

Kien Lieu is a jumper

While John Pope LOVES spinning on his board.

After the pros were done, they turned it over to the amateurs. It was time for competition. And competition was fierce. Just ask this 5 year old. He won ALL of us over. Even the hardcore older guys.

I'm not an action photographer, but Thatboy tried his hand at it, playing follow cam. According to him, this is what he and his friends used to do for each other back when he was younger and skatier.



Speaking of, is there anyone cuter than my husband in a yellow helmet?

All the kids who competed with the pros. There were even more who weren't competing. Just eating hotdogs and talking smack.

Thatboy, the pros, and his crew. BTW, the little munchkin in the front row, Dennis Martinez's daughter, kept me entertained almost the entire time I wasn't watching the scene. She hung out at Thatboy's booth getting more and more excited about the free stuff we were giving away.

I can't even begin to tell you how exhausted we were after the day. We had arrived before 9, and left close to 5. Thatboy spent the rest of the evening in a hot bath. There was no way I was going to cook, so we stopped and picked up food. Pictures of takeout are never as interesting, so back to the archives to share with you a super easy alternative to fast food. It's like a McNugget, but WAY better. And it stands still, so it's easier to take a picture of.

Breaded Veal Cutlets
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper
1/2 lb veal cutlets
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp oil

1. Put the flour, egg, and crumbs on three separate shallow bowls. Mix the salt and pepper into the crumbs.
2. Dip the cutlets in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Heat the butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cutlets 4 minutes per side.

Vancouver Eats and a Present for YOU!

Like the rest of our Vancouver trip, we blended our eating with old and new.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed back to Granville Island, since that was such a hit last time. We stocked up on bread, pastries, cookies, fruits, cheeses, and anything else that struck our eye. And because our trips tend to revolve around food, we headed back to the hotel to grab lunch across the street at Japadog - something I had missed out on during the last trip.

Japa dog is a Vancouver institution. It's not a huge menu, and if you couldn't tell by the name, they sell hotdogs.

But not just any hotdogs.

(Well the one on the left is a regular hot dog - that's Thatmom's) Thatboy had their brand new specialty - the spicy dog with lettuce and chili sauce.

I had the Oroshi - Bratwurst topped with grated radish, green onion, and cole slaw.

They were also debuting their new Shaken Fries. So we had to try those too.

For another new treat, we tried out Cin Cin. Although the food was delicious, we weren't won over by the atmosphere which made us feel like we were right back in Los Angeles. At one of those places where people go to be "seen" which isn't really our "scene."

Thatboy had the saddle of rabbit wrapped in prosciutto with sage, morel mushrooms, peas and
ricotta gnudi. It was amazing. Rich, tender and flavorful.



Thatmom debated between pizza and a pasta. She went with the buffalo mozzarella filled cappelletti with brown butter, prosciutto di parma and sage. She was so glad she decided on this. There is really not much better than buffalo mozzarella, am I right?



Surprise, surprise, I went with gnocchi! Specifically truffled gnocchi with peas, carrots, morel mushrooms, and pancetta. It was completely wonderful. I love the use of fresh seasonal veggies.

And speaking of fresh and seasonal, we returned to Bishops because it is one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. Last time we were there, I debated about buying one of John Bishop's cookbooks. I didn't, figuring I could always pick it up another time. I've been kicking myself almost two years! That book is hard to find here in the states. I'm no fool, I don't make the same mistake twice. This time I picked up a copy of "Simply Bishops."



AND I got a second copy for you! Because there's nothing I like better than sharing the love. And I seriously love John Bishop. I love how he makes guests at his restaurant feel like they are guests in his home. I love the fresh, seasonal, and local philosophy. In fact I was talking to one of the managers at the restaurant who recommended several of the recipes in this book and talked about how John is always quick with a seasonal substitute when necessary.

So how can you get your hands on my second copy? Just leave a comment. You can tell me about your favorite ingredient you're looking forward to using this summer. Your favorite vacation restaurant. Or you can just name one of the many reasons you are madly in love with me. I'll give you a week. Next Tuesday I'll pick a winner and announce it on Wednesday. Good luck to all!

Vacation in Vancouver

Well we're back from Vancouver. Actually, we've been back for a full week, but it's taken me about that long to get back into the semblance of not quite caught up that you've all come to know and love.

And although I missed last week, I'm back in time to share with all my Eat.Live.Be-ers. (Do-ers?)

This week we're looking back on our goals. Kind of a half way check in:

I feel like I've covered most of this before. My 3 goals were drink more water, drink less alcohol and add weight training into my routine. And the pregnancy has had me drinking more water, drinking no alcohol, and not being as good with weight training as I was anticipating. Nothing new to see here, so let's move it along.

Now check out how the other bloggers are faring:

• Sarah - www.sarahscucinabella.com
• Cate - www.sweetnicks.com
  
• Maris - www.ingoodtasteblog.net
• Chris - www.melecotte.com
• Faith - www.clickblogappetit.com/
• Kristen - www.dineanddish.net
• Emily - http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/
• Jenna - http://stopdropandblog.com/
• Joanne - http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/,
• Casey - http://www.thestarnesfam.com
• Patsy - http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com/
• Tri-Fit Mom - http://trifitmom.blogspot.com/
• Claire - http://cookiedoc.blogspot.com/
• Allison - http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/
• Jen - http://njepicurean.blogspot.com/
• Leslie - www.thehungryhousewife.com
• Rivki - http://www.healthyeatingforordinarypeople.com/
  
• Claudia from Journey of an Italian Cook
• Jennifer - http://lick-a-plate.blogspot.com/

So now back to Vancouver. Or back from Vancouver. Semantics. The last time we went, we hit up just about everything. So we used this trip to return to old favorites and try out something new.

We got in late Friday night and headed to the same hotel we stayed at last time. And were pleased to see they are still offering employment to the undesireables.

My big push for this trip was to spend more time in Stanley Park. So we got to spend almost an entire day there. Of course, it happened to be the day there was some massively crazy earth walk so I think it took us almost an hour to get there and park - and we probably stayed less than 10 miles away.

Our first stop was the aquarium.

They had a big frog exhibit going on with these giant toads, poison frogs, big frogs, little frogs, frogs with spots, stripes, and even talking frogs. (I might be exaggerating a bit on that last part)

Like all aquariums, this one had one of my all time favorite photography subject - jelly fish!

But unlike most aquariums, this one had a Costa Rican Rainforest inside. Complete with sloth:

And gorgeous birds.



There were sea turtles



And some of the biggest "buddies" I've ever seen. Such cuties!



The highlight however were the beluga whales. We have 2 belugas here in San Diego. In Vancouver, they have 4! (That's twice as many for you slow in math.)

I love our local belugas. Something so beautiful and majestic about their white bodies in the water.


And these were fancy trick doing Belugas. Ours are mostly just swimmers. They leave the shows to the Orcas.

After the aquarium we went for a hike around the park.

Ending at the seawall, with some beautiful views of the city.

Tomorrow I'll fill you in on everything we ate and clue you in to the special giveaway I have just because I love you all so much!