Heyyyyy, friends!
First things first since I promised my Periscope followers a recap of my meal plan for the week. Yesterday, I “scoped” our weekly grocery haul and meal plan, so I wanted to share what we’re eating this week.
- Sunday: Winged it/leftovers (I was at a wine tasting and then Mal was at a Fantasy Football draft)
- Monday: Moroccan Paleo Chicken with roasted broccoli
- Tuesday: Cobb salads with canned tuna (instead of chicken)
- Wednesday: Turkey Bolognese (from Trader Joe’s) over pasta
- Thursday: Lemon chicken with asparagus and rice
- Friday: Leftovers from the week
- Saturday: Out to dinner/date night
So we had kind of a weird weekend. Well, not weird, but it was a tad unusual for us, I suppose. It started out as a typical crazy-busy summer weekend, but then we all crashed and burned on Saturday afternoon. We were just exhausted. I guess the summer finally caught up to us. Quinn napped for 3+ hours, I fell asleep on the couch, and Mal just wanted to chill and watch soccer, so we decided to stay home and relax. We took Quinn and Murphy for a long walk around the neighborhood, ate an early dinner, and then went to bed. It was actually kind of amazing and definitely much-needed. Even though Saturday was pretty low-key, we still had a fun, semi-busy weekend. Here’s a recap!
Friday night was date night! Woohoo! Mal and I enjoyed a leisurely dinner at Scarlet Oak Tavern, which was a nice change from dining out with a toddler.
We shared the mussels to start, and they were awesome. The broth (it was almost like a sauce) was thick and flavorful with big chunks of pancetta and tomato mixed in. I really loved it.
I went with the Spicy Tuna Tartare + Maple Chipotle Steak Fries for my entree. I love ordering from the appetizers and side dishes, so I can try a couple of different things.
The live music at the restaurant was such a nice treat. Mal and I ate, drank, talked, and relaxed for hours. It was so wonderful. I missed Mal.
And, obviously, we needed to order dessert. Mal and I shared the Chocolate Hazelnut S’mores with toasted marshmallow ice cream. Mmm! The Chocolate Hazelnut S’mores was basically a thick, dark chocolate cake, which was heavenly. I liked it with the ice cream, but the big hunk of marshmallow was kind of weird. I almost wish there was melted marshmallow drizzled on top. Doesn’t that sound good?
Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early to join my friend Marisa for a long run. (We’re both training for the South Shore Half Marathon.)
After an indulgent evening that included a few adult beverages, I was not feeling 100%. I was feeling more like 50% and struggled through 9 miles. At mile 1, I knew it was going to be a rough run, but, thankfully, we had a pretty route to distract me! Haha!
I just kept trucking along and made it all 9.27 miles.
When I got home from my run, I was just plain exhausted. Like I mentioned above, I fell asleep on the couch and then I just couldn’t motivate myself to do anything else. We ended up having a low-key afternoon and evening, and I climbed into bed at 7:30 PM with a bunch of magazines and some Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I was sound asleep by 8:15 PM and slept straight through until 6:45 AM this morning. It was glorious.
This morning started with a delicious pancake breakfast (we introduced Quinn to maple syrup and he loved it) and a few hours of work. After that, I picked up Marisa and we drove to my sister’s house for a wine tasting. My sister recently started her own wine business, so I was excited to see what it was all about.
We tasted 5 different bottles, each with a food pairing, and it was a ton of fun. I learned a lot, and the food really brought out the flavors in each of the wines!
My sister did an amazing job selecting foods that would compliment the featured wines. Check out the spread!
Hello, dessert tray!
I had such a great time (Sunday Funday!) and enjoyed so many of the wines that we tried. I actually ended up buying a whole case, and I am pumped to receive them later this week!
If you’re local and would like to host your own wine tasting event, definitely reach out to my sister at uncorkedwithsteph@gmail.com. She would love to teach you about wine and you can get free wine for hosting an event!
Question of the Day
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being psyched), how excited are you for Fall?
P.S. Just in case you missed my LE TOTE post last Friday, you can get 20% off your first month when you sign up using this link. The code CARROTSNCAKE will automatically be applied to your order when you go through the sign-up process, so no need to re-enter it. Just be sure to use the link to get it.
I think I may have seen your sister working in the wine section at BJ’s in Woburn about a month ago. I wasn’t entirely sure it was her so I didn’t say hello, but I wish I had! What a cool venture!
I’ve been waiting for falk ever since spring arrived!
TOTALLY ready for Fall! I hate to say that, because I know what comes after Fall but I’m ready for flannel shirts, chili and football!! 🙂
I’m really looking forward to fall! I’m having my first baby and I can’t wait for all of the fall things and to be at home with my little man!
Here’s my meal plan for the week, after some crazy summer weeks I’m ready to cook at home!
http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2015/08/30/meals-workouts-830-95/
Oh I would love to host a wine tasting! My girlfriends and I would love that! Something to keep in mind!
I’m not ready for fall quite yet…after the winter we had (and rumors that the farmers almanac is predicting the same winter again ) I could hold off on fall and everything pumpkin for another month. I love my flip flops and warm summer nights on the back deck!
I’m ready for fall for sure mostly for cooler weather. It’s still 110 in Phoenix!
10! I’m ready for pumpkin everything, and since I live in CA, the hope of rain is high….
A wine party sounds so much better than looking at cooking utensils or bags! What a fun idea and a cool way to learn about and try new wines!
What a beautiful spot for a long run.
I am a “10” excited for Fall!
10!
Iiii am pretty excited for fall. especially considering how HOT los angeles has been and how they keep saying we’re going to be getting “El Nino” which I guess is just a giant rain storm?? super pumped.
I love those afternoons that turn into lazy nothing days. sometimes they are just SO needed!
If I didn’t live in Illinois I would totally host a wine party! That sounds like so much fun!
I am a 10…I LOVE fall! I came close to buying candy corn today but told myself I had to wait until at least September (which I know is only a few days away). 🙂
I’ll say 2…seen as we’ve had no summer weather here I’m hoping for an Indian Summer!
A wine party sounds so nice specially in the fall and winter months when family is visiting for the holidays!
Your sister must have done a great job! Good for her! I am about a five on the scale for fall; excited but not ready for summer to end.
What a fun new business for your sister! I’m VERY excited for fall – it’s been cooler here lately and I’m LOVING it.
ehhhh i’m maybe a 6. i loooove summer since i’m a teacher and don’t have to work then haha but i do love fall temps.. so maybe a 7?
I’m about an 8 for fall! I gave in and had my first pumpkin iced coffee yesterday. I’m obsessed with all things pumpkin and fall so I’m ready for it. But summer is my absolute favorite season so I still want to get in a few more summery things and beach days before the season ends. And as a Connecticut native, I can’t help but be apprehensive about what’s to come this winter (noting last year…). But fall will be nice!
SO ready for the fall! It is my very favorite time of year.
PS did you ever pick a winner for the Celestials giveaway? Didn’t think I saw one but maybe I missed it. Have a good week!
I am definitely excited for Fall since I feel like this summer I have squeezed every ounce out of it possible. I’ve been looking forward to more low key weekends on the horizon. And wow – that scenery for your run was awesome! I want to come run there!
As much as I love summer, I’m pretty psyched for fall! I love pumpkin EVERYTHING, plus leggings and riding boots and cool weather for long runs. I’ll miss the beach, but I’m ready for fall!
how fun! does your sister have any wine training, per se, or is she just an enthusiast?
It looks like a really fun weekend! I am 100% ready for Fall! It is my favorite time of year!
I am super excited for Fall, but not looking forward to winter afterwards so I would say a 7 ha!
11!! 🙂
I am an 11 on the stoked-about-fall-scale. We’ve had a hot, dry summer in Washington state, and I’m sick of sweating through my uniform almost every day (I’m in the Army). I love cozy fall clothes and appropriate wine pairings!!
On a scale of 1-10 I’m at 0 excited for fall! It used to be my favorite season, but after the last few winters in Boston I just want summer all the time.
If winter never happened and the seasons went, like, Spring, Summer, Fall, two weeks of winter? Then I’d be at an 8 or 9! 😉
A big ole 10 for fall! My husband and I are moving into our first house and our first baby is due so there’s a lot of excitement!
Plus, it’s my favorite season in general. 🙂