Football Season/Birthday Catch-up

The season opener this year was versus Boise State (orange & blue, boo) in the GA dome. Many cocktails were needed to survive as the uniforms were not the worst part of the game as one may have expected. No recap necessary. But hey, Boise is ranked highly, right? May they win out.

We hung out with our favorite tailgaters.

Someone decided to wear the biggest sun-shade of a hat they could find to an indoor game.

We celebrated Aunt Karen's b-day in Carrollton with the family.

For my birthday and the Ole Miss game, we made the road trip to Oxford for some infamous tailgating at The Grove. Oxford had the cutest little downtown with so many cute dining and shopping places - loved it!

The Grove, which is acres upon acres of prime tailgating space, opens to set up Friday night before the game. This is before the madness begins.

Rows upon rows of canopies are set up and then massively decked out with tremendous decor and food spreads. From canopies with chandeliers to tailgaters in their finest wears definitely gave the best party award to Ole Miss.

And this surprise was waiting for me when we arrived home - love you Christen & Syd!!!

Lordy, Lordy Look Who's........95!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!

For Grandma's birthday, we went to the Marietta Diner which has been featured on many a food network program. They are famous for their cakes - which are ginormous and sit in a display case at the entrance just tempting you.

They also have an extensive menu so you can order something different every time you go, although I highly recommend the gyro (real lamb of course). They serve a delicous spanokapita for their appetizer - yum!

We are so blessed to have Grandma be able to celebrate 95 wonderful years!!! Love you Grandma!!

They Say It's Your Birthday (Day 2)

Day 2 of JD's birthday celebration involved a meal inspired by Pioneer Woman. I've been wanting to try her Braised Beef Brisket for a while but needed a reason to buy all that beef. So, I finally had the reason but then finding that similar cut of meat in the appropriate size proved to be a challenge. I'm not sure if beef cuts are seasonal but I traversed to every grocery store within a 5 mile radius of the Big Chicken, so it seemed.

shameless plug

The first place I found it available (in it's totally organic form) was Harry's. Needless to say, that was not within my budget. Jump to the last place I look, Wal-Mart. Not typically my first choice for meats but I found exactly what I was looking for and then some (a couple of pounds are still in my freezer).

For my review of the brisket, I would not make this again using the same recipe. I followed the recipe exactly and the soy + canned beef consumme makes it a little too salty. Now, the salt lovers of the family really enjoyed it and munched on leftovers all week long, but the saltiness really overpowered the taste of the beef. The beef itself came out perfect as far as tenderness is concerned. Here is PW's end result and a link. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/brisket_baby/



For the sweet end to our meal, I made these cupcakes http://katesshortandsweets.blogspot.com/2011/02/vegan-valentine-cupcakes-red-velvet.html. They are from a vegan recipe, but I used all animal products and they turned out just as great. It was my first experience at making my own icing and it was really kinda fun. Now, if I could just master the icing application process. Everyone enjoyed and the rasberry flavor was nice for a different touch.



Because we are coffee lovers, my gift to JD was a Bodum Chambord french press coffeemaker. I little more work for a cup of joe, but so worth the flavor!

Bodum Chambord

JD's 1st birthday high chair with his new coffee grinder

birthday barista

Duncan's and Salamone's

Mann's

birthday love

They Say It's (was) Your Birthday - Day 1

Happy birthday to my hubby (back on February 12)!! JD's selection for his birthday dinner was 5 Seasons Brewing in Sandy Springs. Their local brews were tasty I must add - wouldn't mind going back! And, that speaks volumes since I've mainly been in a cab sav state of mind lately. Our family joined us and JD was even able to try some GA rabbit off the menu. I'm pretty sure he said it tasted kinda of gamey - surprise, surprise! Of course, it was served with carrots.

Mr. & Mrs. JD

Hotties

Mom & Dad -in-law

Mom & Syd

Me & my Munich Helles

More Helles (great minds think alike)

If you would like a more detail post specifically about the beer and brewery, check out JD's blog here http://whatsinyourkoozie.blogspot.com/2011/02/birthdays-and-beer.html