thanksgiving weekend

This past weekend our great friends, K&K were in town from Seattle.  We had a great mix of food, fun and football!  Check out K's blog in a few days for more pictures! 

On Sunday, we had brunch at our home with K&K and other close friends and family.  We prepared scrambled eggs, bagels, croissants, pancakes and fresh baked pear crisp with a healthy dose of bottomless mimosas :)  I forgot to take a picture of the pear crisp but it turned out great!  My only substitution was using asian pears instead of D'anjou pears.

The fabulous weekend ended with A and I decking our halls for our 1st Christmas in our home!

Housewarming Party!

Last week, A and I had our family over to celebrate our new home!  We moved in February but we took some time to decorate and travel over the summer before we had a chance to have a party.  Special thanks to both of our mom's for preparing most of the food.  Menu and recipes to follow pictures. 

the food spread

both mom's!

party punch!

Menu:

Bhel puri
Dahi puri

Greek 7 layer dip with Pita Chips

Party Punch

Oatmeal White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Chocolate Chip & Walnut Cupcakes
Gajar Halwo (Carrot Pudding) - mom's secret recipe

Moscow Mule

On Friday, A and I joined our friends at Anvil Bar & Refuge to indulge in a few specialty cocktails.  I asked the bartender to recreate the Moscow Mule I had in Chicago earlier this month.  He mixed together vodka, homemade ginger beer and lime juice.  It was fabulous!  It was a perfect way to beat the 100+ degree heat we have experienced the past few months.  A, had the sole porter on tap, but it was a bit too smoky for our liking.  I would not recommend it.  After going home to check on Shorty we reconvened with our friends at Block 7 Wine Co.  Our table ordered burgers and pizza, which was just OK but the best part of the meal was the delicious bread pudding with extra caramel sauce.  I would go back for that dessert!