a night out

It's not like a night out is so rare that I have to talk about it once we go. But a pilgrimage to Bacaro only happens every 2 years, give or take a few months so I just have to commemorate. 

I made my first trip there right after Wendy and I got done with a year of running our own little kitchen which was full of surprises and disasters and frustrations with working in a hot, ill equipped kitchen with 2 little boys...

I was on the cusp of heading to chef school, and Wendy on the cusp of becoming the mother of 3. We were feeling pretty much like we deserved a night at the best restaurant Champaign offered and fearlessly ordered the most expensive appetizer ever. It was beyond awesome. To this day, I don't think I've ever had anything that good - pate de foie gras over broiche with honey and shaved truffles. 

We sat there by the window, enjoying our food, the night to ourselves. I just knew I was doing the right thing by going to chef school. This night proved it - food & I were meant to be together.

Then Jeremy & I went there when we were engaged, and I discovered I had an adventurous eating out partner for life - it was a good night.

Bacaro is just a dear place to me.

However, if you are the type to get water and split a meal when you eat out, you could probably stop and find better ways to spend your time than reading this post. Double that if you get water and split a meal of say, chicken tenders or burgers and fries. Also we should probably never eat out together.

Baguette with olive oil

First course: Chilled corn soup with pickled pepper, green onions, herb oil

Second course: smoked sea scallop with summer vegetable ratatouille, tomato jus, pea tendrils

Third course: spaghetti with sss bacon, serrano peppers, heirloom tomatoes, basil

Fourth course: grouper with roasted green onions, chorizo, spaetzle, smoked paprika vinaigrette

Fifth course: grilled ribeye with chanterelle mushrooms, grilled shallots, potato pave, bourdelaise

Sixth course: Little Bloom on the Prairie cheese with melon jam and baguette

Seventh course: Lemon Beet Mousse, beet berry gellee, lemon glaze, fresh mint

Didn't your heart start beating just a little faster reading about all those amazing dishes? Don't you just love how they don't slap a huge, unimaginative pile of spaghetti/steak with baked potato/cheesecake/large quantity of half rate food in front of you...
I feel restored - Bacaro is like therapy for me. The world is still full of good food and clever chefs.
Jeremy's ready to go back for the spaghetti, and I'm ready for another 7 course feast of whatever they have to offer me. :)

summer 2013: in review

Although my kids aren't in school yet, it feels like summer is over. Must be this unseasonably cool weather we're having...
Anyway, since I haven't posted in a while :), thought I'd share what we've been up to in the last month or so. You are in for a long winded treat - ye be warned.

She loves soft things.

Paid several someones to put up a shed.

 Play date with some special little friends.

 Kitties, they love them very much. Alas, I don't think Spade is going to tolerate them here.

 Hit up the St. Louis zoo on a hot, busy Saturday.

 Enjoyed some Culvers.

 One of many batches of hot pretzels and cream cheese. Never gets old!

 Sandbox. Great investment for these kids!

 What can I say but that I love this picture greatly?

 She wishes she could get in the pen with the cows...

 First rodeo experience.

 Ferris wheel ride for the males.

 First tubing adventure for River on a rainy day at Clinton Lake.

 The best thing about grocery shopping is the availability of snacks...

 Keeping ourselves busy one rainy day.

 Enjoying a snack break while swimming.

 More fun at the pond. River was attempting to give me instructions. He isn't called the "little boss" for nothing.

 I think she shares my opinion about fishing. We have better things to do.

 But him? He likes it.

 Fairview Park with the cousins.

 Learning how to share.

 The highlight of shopping at County Market - the carts.

 Her first ear of corn - she liked. A lot.

 Got some awesome kites from a special friend.

 Painted little toes. She wasn't a fan of the process but liked the results. :)

 And her outfit for the second wedding of the summer.

 Enjoying a cake pop at Jeana & Kirk's reception. Missing the tie and suspenders already...

 Jeana & Kirk's reception

 Life is rough when you're one. And clearly ran into something.

 Enjoyed a vacation sans children. Note: we all survived the separation.

 Did some Target shopping. Never a bad thing.

 

 Teaching them the value of hard work. And a clean ride.

 One of a ridiculous number of popsicle breaks this summer.

 Made a huge mess while canning tomato stuff.

 What I said about popsicle breaks...

 Climbing onto the table is her thing.

 Kept looking up.

 

And that is somewhat what we've been up to the last month-ish. ;)
One of these days, I'm going to get a little more cerebral in a post. Just, obviously, not today.

the wedding

The wedding came and left...a month ago!! Time is flying.

Here are a few pictures of the events leading up the wedding and reception.

 

 

The ex-bride-to-be at the personal shower, by some of our favorite dishes. ;)

 Set up for the rehearsal supper at Brenda's.

A favorite picture from the weekend - look at all those cute little boys!

 Friday morning before reception set up - lots of panna cotta to make...

and cupcakes to frost...

I have to say, this chevron striped memory table of Wendy's turned out super, super cute.

 I think that face means he's eating something REALLY good.

Same for him.

 I always find it so amazing that hours after the reception is over, the hall is returned to its usual look, all the decor thrown/stashed away, gifts packed into vehicles, and life moves on again. All the months of planning and hours of labor done forever and the wedding just a memory. That isn't saying I wouldn't do everything the same all over again...
Because I am SO happy for my sister. I think Darwin is awesome - he is perfect for Jenna, perfect for our family. See how great it is when you let God order your life? I ended up with a brother-in-law that exceeded my expectations. :)
So thankful I got to be a part of their wedding!
(OK, so this was a super busy weekend for me and I got NO pictures of Dar + Jen so you will have to check out A Glimpse in Time Photography's facebook page or website to see more fabulous pictures of the wedding/couple.)