Weekend Gone to the Dogs
Matt and I spent Labour Day weekend visiting my sister Vicki and BIL Sean in Illinois. We get to spend more time together when we go visit them because when they come home to Windsor on the weekends there’s usually a lot of stuff crammed into a short couple of days. It’s always a fun time in Illinois.
We ate, we imbibed, we watched movies, and we shopped in the town centres of the nearby neighbourhoods.
Matt and I brought Bagigis with us to play her puppy cousin Ruxin so the weekend was all about the canines. It was Bagig’s first car trip since we brought her home from the breeder in Woodstock. She loves car rides so we weren’t too worried about her causing trouble for us.
…I think she got bored—a 6 hour car ride is a lot to handle.
We took Bagig’ and Ruxin into downtown Naperville for a little stroll. The towns in Illinois are so dog friendly, I love it! Everyone had their dogs out and about. We were able to sit and have a beer and with the dogs on a patio. Good times.
Bagigis is a big crying suck when Matt or I leave her alone so it was nice that we were able to bring the dogs into some stores.
Bagigis peed in lululemon. Naturally. I guess she has an aversion to overpriced yoga wear.
Given that I’m cheap and sorta hate shopping, I actually took advantage to the strong CDN dollar and cheap American prices and bought quite a bit this weekend. Naturally, all of it pertained to cooking.
I bought some loose leaf Earl Grey tea which smelled divine. I picked up some spices from the Spice House, and the best balsamic vinegar in the world from the Olive Mill.
I took advantage of the crazy going-out-of-business sale at Borders and bought 4 (four!!) cookbooks from which I’ve made 3 recipes already: ginger pecan pancakes, rosemary lemon squares, and roasted corn soup.
I have a recipe planned for tomorrow as well.
But the crowning jewel in my purchases was done at a store which is my version of heaven: Sur la Table. I finally caved and bought . . .
an ice cream maker!
Matt (mostly) and I have been wanting one for a while so I’m happy I finally gave in. But, since ice cream is singlehandedly responsible for my own childhood weight issues and acne, this contraption could have the makings of a health hazard. Only time and cold, creamy goodness will tell folks.
This baby is in the freezer and ready to go for the first batch. Any suggestions on recipes I should make? I’m thinking the inaugural pint should probably be something classic, like french vanilla.
Vicki and I let the boys make dinner on Sunday night while we watched TiVo’d episodes of The Millionaire Matchmaker. The meal?
Shrimp and Grit’s baby. This recipe come courtesy of Summer and it was really tasty. Gotta love Southern cooking.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend.
You can read about a prior visits to Illinois here.
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- e-mail: samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
- Samantha Menzies is a food and workout fanatic who loves pumping serious iron and baking loaves of bread.
Glad you had a good time!
1) I love Melissa Clark and own that cookbook. It’s great. The lentil soup is really good and I think the creme brulee French toast technique sounds cool. I’ve also made the chipotle chicken and sweet potato recipe, which was delicious.
2) Get The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz (!) and/or Jenni’s Splendid Ice Cream book (she owns the infamous Jenni’s ice cream in Ohio).
3) I also LOVE The Millionaire Matchmaker. I just finished How to be Your Own Matchmaker.
That recipe looks delicious.
1) I knew you liked that book which is why I bought it.
2) I’ve got my eye on Jeni’s book. The recipe sound more gourmet, if you will. I’ll probably just hunt down a few recipes online.
3) How was “How to be Your Own Matchmaker”?
The ice creams definitely sound gourmet. I’m pretty certain a couple of her recipes appeared online last year if you’re interested in trrying one out.
Personally, I loved Patti’s book. Some of the advice sounds a bit floofy and archaic, but at the same time it makes a lot of sense; she explains herself well. I also think she offers some good advice about how to properly identify your ideal mate. Now I’m going to try it out. I’ll let you know how it goes…
Oh, Bagigis. My heart melts when I see you. Why are you so darn cute?? I’m glad you had a fun weekend, Samantha! Congrats on the purchase of your new ice cream maker! I agree that a classic like vanilla is the perfect way to break in the new machine, but you should go for something crazy like avocado or chicken soup (!) ice cream next. And, don’t forget: you are an older and wiser gal now that you used to be
Enjoy!
Aaahhh your puppy is so cute!
And seriously there is an icecream adapter for the kitchen aid mixer? How did i not know this???
Looks like you had a great weekend, i want to read all those cookbooks
I’m so glad you enjoyed the shrimp and grits! We’re experiencing a bit of a cold snap right now, and I think I may just have to make some…
Ahh! This post makes me so happy. Homemade icecream. Adorable pups.
And your new cookbook by Melissa Clark, “In the Kitchen With A Good Appetite?” Her pistachio granola recipe is to DIE for. And I honestly don’t say this lightly.
A few things.
1. LOL at Bagigis peeing in lulu!!
2. NAPERVILLE?! I went to grad school in Naperville and lived there for 2 years!!! Small world.
3. Ice cream maker —> make Beer Cider Sorbet. OMGGG…so good.
4. Cutest picture of Bagigis ever. And Lily does the same thing – MELTDOWN if I leave her. She even accompanies me to the shower at night. I hop in and she snoozes in the closet until I’m done. My little shadow..
You know I love me some good puppy pictures and those were just too good! The one with the doggy drinking the beer made me crack up!
Oh and I bought a book from Borders recently too! One of Anthony Bourdain’s. Good quick read. But I won’t read it again so I might give it away on the blog!
Enjoy your weekend!
I bought a whole bunch of shit at Sur la Table in San Francisco!! It was awesome!!