TGIF Ya'll!!!!!

OMG BLEEPS!

Were did the week go?? Seriously, I remember Monday, I remember thinking "wow, this week is going to be tough" and I remember Tuesday thinking "It should be Friday by now"  and then the rest is a blur. SO with that, I have almost nothing to write to you about.... So I wanted to share some random thoughts from the week:

1) If anyone ever types Friday three times consecutively do you automatically start singing the Black Eyed Peas in your head?  No? Just me?

2) In honor of Halloween, I've eaten a Reese's every day this week... just one... but could there be a more perfect taste than that?  Well, that or white chocolate covered pretzels....I need the molecular structure of these two things to change so they're as healthy as spinach.

3) Eating chocolate is good for you.  Apparently, I just skipped over the DARK chocolate part... Reeses needs to make DARK chocolate peanut butter cups


4) Did ya'll know milk has pus in it... so gross.  Raven did an awesome post on the benefits of being a vegetarian... I've been thinking about this for a long time, but this really makes me want to do a meatless day each week.... I wonder how that will go over with Husband.  Husband, are you reading? What do you think?


5) I've been in denial about the cold weather.  I feel like I was truly not ready for it this year... I want to fly away to someplace warm and sit on a beach and really take it all in... build a sand castle. You know, act like I'm 5, and on a beach, but not 5, because I'll be enjoying some cocktails.


6) My mom comes home next week from Argentina.  I'm SUPER pumped to see her... not so pumped to give her car back.  I took it again for one last round this week... I have to give it back this weekend ... bye bye SUV :-(

7) I have to run 11 miles this weekend on my training plan.  Do ya'll know how far 11 miles is?? It's a crazy long run!  Add in a sore hip and an ankle that's been just not right since last weeks run and I'm nervous.... ya'll I was not built as an athlete... I love the feeling when it's over... but going through it sometimes sucks. What do you do to break through your proverbial walls?

8) Would it be wrong to pin my own posts?  I totally want to pin some of my food posts b/c I think they taste so darn good!

9) We went to Blue Ridge a few weeks ago for family filled fun day.  Husband snapped these pics.  It was a beautiful day, if you're in the GA area, you really should go to Blue Ridge for a weekend!  They're the up and coming Highlands of Georgia.  You can rent a cabin here.  They are awesome and have the BEST cabins!!

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend!!!  I've got something super fun to tell you... but you'll have to stay tuned!


Love,
Susie Q

Chili

 Remember when I showed you these? 

And complained about the Hub's cooking hygiene?

I take it back.

I just finished the last of said chili for lunch today. 
I'm already sad.
When will we have it again??

Sorry folks, this is one recipe I cannot share, but if I could, you would swoon....

This is all I have left....

Would licking the bowl at work be wrong? 

I know, it looks like I already did.

My bad.

Love,
Susie Q

Review for Fado Irish Pub

I know what I want to tell all of you...

But I'm not quite prepared yet... maybe after tonight when I get my Mac back from the Mac doctor... it's face was broken

Sad Mac

So since I can't tell you that, but I REALLY want to, I am lacking in the motivation department to tell you anything else. 

SO, I will just tell you about the most delicious breakfast Hubs and I had the other day -- OK, maybe a month ago...

Husband and I went to Fado Irish Pub in Atlanta for breakfast on Sunday morning.  We were taking the morning off from our usual gig teaching small children about God and the Bible and instead going to a pub for breakfast (well when you put it that way Susie Q!!!). 

Opps.

But I promise, we are still family friendly folk... unless you count my addiction to coffee as something you don't want your kids knowing about, in which case, hide your children, because it's like crack to me!

I drink until I have the jitters... it's a sickness

But I digress

We went to Fado and had breakfast.   It was incredible, if you've not been you need to go NOW.  It was such a nice time, we arrived before the servers did so the bartender/possibly the owner served us, we had a lovely conversation with him where I only understood every fourth word or so because his accent was so thick and he talked so fast... I just loved it!

I also loved that there was this background noise from about 5 or 6 men across the restaurant cheering for a
team playing some sort of game they play in Europe.  Fado is known to be quite packed on weekend mornings when there are Soccer (or football depending on where you're from) matches on. However, we were in the middle of the summer and soccer had hit a lull.  So there were just these 5 or 6 men in the other corner, watching their game with great intensity as if the whole Pub was filled and they were just one of many screaming....

The coffee was soooo good! The breakfast was as close to heaven as food can get. 

Husband had the Eggs Benedict with Potatoes

I had the French Toast with a Raspberry Sauce (you can't see it but there is a cream in the middle of the bread too) MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

 If that doesn't make your mouth water I just don't know what will! 

Happy Friday Eve!!!

Love,
Susie Q

What did YOU do at the office today???

I worked....

And then we did this!

That's right... Piece of Cake cupcakes (MY FAV!) and Beer in the office today!  Thank you Andrew for having a baby next week!  Any reason to have cupcakes is a-OKAY by me!

Good thing I went running this morning!

If only everyday was as exciting as today....

PS: yest that's our conference room table, we're an environmental website... everything is different.

PSx2: We cut the cupcakes in fourths so you can try more than one, which is why they all look funny (and the reason for multiple plastic knives)

Weekend Recap

Hello Friends

I’m sorry, I know, I was supposed to post a recap yesterday, but I was coming off a vacation high that was just too good to admit that I was back in the real world… I’m still a little sad, I do love vacations even when they’re staycations!

WELL

Recap:

Friday night after work we went to Dad and BB’s condo to cook them dinner and pick up keys to their place for Monday night.  I cooked a mean pork chop with shrooms, zucchini, and sweet potato chips (Body for Life style) dinner.  It was quite yummy, I won’t lie. 

While I was cooking Matt was periodically helping and watching the TV, not sure what was on, but him and Dad were talking about it.  BB was walking around doing something too, not really sure what.  She was pretty dosed on cold medicine as she didn’t want to be sick while they were in Hawaii.  I felt bad for her at dinner; she looked a bit stoned she was so tired. 

In the meantime, my sister came to pick up a set of keys because she was watering the plants all week while they were gone.  So as she’s about to take a set we realize that we can’t take one too otherwise Dad and BB would have no way of getting in when they get home. SO, after dinner as we’re leaving Husband and I are in the elevator chuckling at the fact that we came to get keys, somehow cooked them dinner and still didn’t get the keys… oh well, it was nice to spend time with them :-)

Saturday I woke up and went for what was supposed to be a quick 3 mile run.  I picked a new route and exhausted myself with hills on the first half so bad I couldn't help but walk most of the second half... note to self, look at the elevation when you're building a new route.

opps

SO, then we headed up to my favorite place in the summer.  Sara's parent's house.  It's such a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood with an incredible view and they have a great set of friends surrounding them... basically they're my heros, I want to be like them when I grow up... including boat ownership.

We stopped at Big D's BBQ on the way up for lunch.  It was really delicious BBQ, with some amazing hush puppies!  If you're on 400 N headed to the outlets, or to Dawsonville STOP, get some BBQ and thank me later.  They apparently have a sandwich called the Brownie, they only cook so much of it, and it is a "while supplies last" type of thing.  We came too early (at 1PM), they had not made it yet, but Hubs says it's amazing... I'm thinking they might want to call it something new because Brownie and BBQ Sandwich sound completely different... just a thought

We spent the rest of the day on the lake floating around and riding in the boat.  We watched quite a few people get pulled over be the DNR, they were stationed at a sort of "Lake Block" under the bridge that we needed to go under to get home... that's why it always pays to have a sober driver :-)

Then we had a really great dinner with Sara's parents before heading home.  Honestly, we were having so much fun we all lost track of time and headed home a bit late, but that's what happens when you're around good people!

Sunday we went to church and then Hubs and Luke went to play golf.  Sara brought me home where I got ready for the wedding.  The sweetest family in the whole world wedded off their daughter to an equally sweet man.  Seriously, I was sad at the end of the night to see them all go.  Really awesome people!

Monday Husband ran the Peachtree Road Race in one hour and two minutes.  He did an awesome job and I am very proud of him!  I was handing out t-shirts and strategically handed out Hubby's size so I could see him when he was done. 

Aren't we cute?

I know :-) 

Here's me "working"

and here's KB and I before it all started :-D

Once the excitement of the race was over we headed home to hang out at the pool for the day, a few rainstorms brought us in for an hour or so, but all in all I'd say it was a successful pool day.  That night we went to see fireworks from Dad and BB's condo.  They have a panoramic view of the city from Dunwoody all the way to west GA... so one would assume you'd see multiple shows at once.  Well the rain made it somewhat challenging, but we did see quite a few shows and it was a neat experience... one we probably won't repeat because Hubby missed the

of being up close, but we had a yummy dinner and good company so it was worth it to me!

Tuesday we had a StayCation!  I needed it!  after 4 hours of sleep on Sunday night I was wiped and slept longer than I had in quite some time!  We went to Breakfast together, watched Transformers in 3D on IMAX, and ran some errands before rounding out our food fest of a weekend with some Tin Lizzy's tacos... all worth it :-) happy belly!

I was very happy yesterday to wake up, go for a run, and eat like a bird again... Body For Life, we're back on!

Happy Friday Everyone!

It's going to be such a great weekend I can hardly stand it!  What are your 4th of July plans?

I'll be doing a little of this, 

A lot of this, 

 (That's hanging out with friend... or watching the show or both at the same time, I do have all the seasons)

Hopefully not any of this 

a little handing out t-shirts at this, 

While Husband does this

 I'll help with one of these

And eat this

and drink these

While Husband eats these

Until after he finishes this

Then he'll probably have a few of these

(Responsibly of course!)

Then we'll watch some of these

And do some of this 

And I will be back on Wednesday to tell you all about it! 

Ta ta for now loves!

Best Meal E.V.E.R.

Heyyyyyyy

Since I had a rare Saturday off last weekend, Husband and I planned a date night.

Naturally, I spent the day shopping for a dress.  I found this:

 

and two more, but I can't find pictures of them

Anywho, the really important part is that this was the BEST DINNER EVER.  All Fifth Group restaurants are pretty amazing, but this one was over the top.  I'm still new to the blogging, so I completely forgot to take pictures of our food.  Sorry friends.  However, you must trust me.  Husband must have told everyone the next day how great it was.  

EVERYONE.

SO, if you're a native or just visiting our fine city you want to know where you must go right?

La Tavola Trattoria is the place to go.

It was so lovely, with a comfortable atmosphere, a beautiful view from the balcony tables and a light cool mist to keep you cool in the summer heat.  

We had impeccable service, including some great suggestions from the server, that we ate devoured.   

 In short, if you live in Atlanta, you MUST go here on your next date night.  We had a $50 bottle of wine and our bill was still right at $115.  With appetizer, dinner for two, and dessert.  So on top of everything else, it is very reasonable. 

That's all for today Folks! 

Love, 

Susie Q

Happy Friday! Randomness

Dear Cheat Day,

When you arrive I would like to let you know what you should expect this week…  (Or a list of foods I’m dreaming of… sigh)

I've had this coupon forever... I plan to use it on you, Cheat Day.

 Via

UpStreet  gives us bagels... I plan for a blueberry one with hazelnut icing cream cheese

 Via

I don't care if no one comes with me... I've gotta get my fix

 Via

Oh Menchies, how I love you! But mine will look much more peanut butter chips and pomegranate yogurt

 Via

Don't they all look so yummy!?

In OTHER news my husband left me yesterday... he went on a jet plane to the Windy City... I miss him already.  I am very proud of him though.  He is emceeing an event for work.  

Because he's HOT

and Smart

and they want to show that off...

Never fear, he'll return Saturday night... LATE 

And we will celebrate with cheat day :-) 

Although, I'm pretty sure his Cheat "Day" is all weekend... 

In the meantime, I'll be helping Sara move to her new home in the "ghetto" of Grant Park... for realz, the house is adorable and she's moving in with her hubby so what could be bad? 

Happy Friday everybody!  What are your plans?  What fun things will you be up to?