Rebecca Homecca

The other night Hubs and I went out to dinner for our anniversary (12 years!). We tried a new restaurant (actually we tried to go to a different new restaurant but they were quite busy and there are several new places in this area, so we just went up the road a few).

Anyway, I ordered one of my favorite things, Grilled Cheese.

Not THAT kind of grilled cheese, fancy grilled cheese.

This one was made with 3 kinds of cheeses (provolone, goat cheese, and something I can’t remember). It also had tomato, carmalized onions, and rosemary. It was delish.

I do love a good fancy grilled cheese. Preferably with tomato, fresh herbs of some kind and at least 2 cheeses.

I also love the regular kind, but you can make that at home.

Sometimes in the summer when tomatoes are good, I fancy up my standard fare at home with a slice on tomato and some fresh basil. If I am feeling really crazy I use Swiss or provolone cheese.

It’s probably not the healthiest option on the menu, but we were celebrating! We even got pie to go (and I may or may not have dropped hubs Lemon Meringue pie container on the ground and ruined all the meringue. Happy Anniversary Honey! Aren’t you glad you married a klutz??)

Tonight I had dinner with my friend Pam to celebrate her sorta new job!

She’s been working there since December, but as a contract employee. This meant no benefits and essentially they could let her go at the end of contract (which they had extended like a billion times).

So now she is a for real employee and that is worthy of a celebration! I got so excited I dumped my water all over the table.

Or maybe I was just trying to pass the rolls and am a total klutz.Whichever.

She ran up to the bar and got a towel from the bartender and then I had to explain to the waitress why I needed a new napkin and a new drink.

She brought me a couple of napkins, just in case.

I have been having knit-nite with some girls from work lately (even though I don’t actually knit) and we have a lot of fun hanging out. One of the other ladies at work wanted to hang out too, but she doesn’t craft. So she suggested we go to dinner and a movie. This is inspired some other non-crafty girls to come hang out too.

So Thursday night 7 of us met up and had dinner and it was so much fun! It was so great to sit around and laugh and talk about stupid things. One lady has a new boyfriend so there was much talk about that and you would have sworn we were all 15 again.

Then we went to a movie. Well, except the pregnant gal, she went home. Something about being all tired from creating a life or something.

We saw The Secret Life of Bees. I was little worried about seeing this movie because it is one of my favorite books of all time. I did not see how the movie could possibly hold up to that!

I could feel another White Oleander situation coming on. Awesome book, terrible re-telling of the story in movie form leaving me confused and unsatisfied.

But Bees did not disappoint. It was so good! It was very close to the book and was able to hit on all the important parts while maintaining good flow (unlike White Oleander). The actors were amazing.

Dakota Fanning plays the lead and I’m telling you, if she can stay off the smack, she is going to grow up to be an amazing actress. She is so good for her age, not like that kid that played Anakin Skywalker.

Queen Latifa plays the other main character. She is exactly like I pictured the character in my head when I read the book. She stole the show for me in Chicago and just keeps getting better I think.

The other two main characters were Alicia Keys (who is GORGEOUS) and Jennifer Hudson (who just broke my heart every time I saw her because all the personal stuff she has going on right now) and they were both so great.

It is a little sad in parts and some people (you know who you are) may have cried their faces off. But there also some really sweet moments. Whether you have read the book or not, I recommend seeing this movie.

Last week, pre-crud, I had a hankering for Chili. I am, in general, not a fan of chili. However, when the weather is right, I have a recipe that I rather enjoy.

And by recipe, I mean throw a bunch of stuff in pot and cook it up, with a couple of special ingredients.

So anyway, since I was jonesing for chili, I went and bought all the ingredients. Well, not all, but that comes later.

Then I got the crud and chili did not sound good. At All.

I was finally feeling better today. I know this because I was so hungry that by the time I got home my stomach had started eating my other organs. So I thought I would make that chili.

But I am really hungry and I am not sure if chili is going to cut it. I could really go for a grilled sandwich from the store. Our store has a grill and they make awesome sandwiches. They also deep fry things.

No, I need to make the chili. I bought the meat and I need to get a cooked up before it goes bad.

Got home, cooked the meat, started on the other stuff, and then came the time to add the spices.

What is that spice that gives chili it’s unique chili flavor? Could it be Chili Powder? yep.

That’s unfortunate because I had about 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder for a HUGE pot of chili.

I happened to have hubs on the phone at the time and asked him if he would have a problem with going back out after he got home so we could get something to eat.

“Weren’t you making dinner while I was talking to you” he asks.

I’m not anymore. I turned it off.

So the “chili” is in the fridge. I’ll give you the recipe tomorrow.

and don’t forget to stock up on chili powder.

This morning, still without power, I decided I should try and rescue some of the frozen food from it’s impending doom. I knew I could probably fit about 2 grocery bags in the freezer at work.

So what to take?

The Ice Cream Sandwiches and the Lean Cuisines.

I think these items show how balanced my life is.

Sure, most people would try and save meat, or dairy. Not me.

The $10 pork roast can fend for itself, but let $1 box of ice cream sandwiches go to waste?

I think not.

*

The power is back on. It appears to have returned about 10 am. However, when we got home there were dark clouds looming.

I figured I better not take any chances, so I jumped in the shower right away.

You don’t know how long that window will be open.

*

I took our camping water container to work today and filled it up and brought it home. It appears we won’t need it now, but I am not emptying it out just yet. There is still a chance of t-storms and I want to brush my teeth in the morning.

When we went out to eat tonight (because we figured there was no power, and you don’t want to drive back into town)  and our waitress was telling us how she always kept a jug of water on hand, for just such an occasion.

Sounds like a good plan,

We tried a new place that is kind of in our area. It’s about 15 minutes away (as is everything now), but it’s on the way home.

It’s a steakhouse type place. They had these loaded baked potatoes on the menu, not as a side dish, as your MEAL. It was awesome. Hubs and I each got one and a side salad. They come with sour cream and butter and then have like 15 or so toppings to choose from to put on your giant tater. Hubs got bacon (shocker) and pepper jack cheese. I got cheddar and scallions. They make their own Ceasar dressing and it was really good. Since we were new, the waitress gave us a basket of their homemade rolls also. Good Stuff.

Becky says: Ice Cream should always be made a priority.

We went out to eat at at new place tonight. A while ago they put in a new sports bar/restaurant on our side of town and we had not yet been there. The parking lot always looks busy though so it seemed like other people must like it. It was one of those nights where we were hungry, but not for anything in particular, so we were having trouble deciding where to go. Ultimately, we landed on The Score. I had the calzone, Hubs had chicken fingers. I often will order chicken tenders/fingers/whatever when we go out, but I am kind of particular about them. I am so glad I did not get them this time. They actually looked like breaded fingers. I was not on board with that. My calzone was not terrible, but I did not care for the sauce much. Hubs asked me how it was and I shrugged “ok”. He said he felt the same. We were also not much impressed with the atmosphere. No plans on a return visit.

It may be an alright place, but we are regular diners at the best sports bar EVER- Vitale’s (or vittles as my friend Jen calls it). They have the most variety on a menu I have ever seen. Whatever you are in the mood for, they have it. Some of my favorites are the quesadillas, wet burrito, Italian panino, and they have great pizza. They also have the best side salad. There are no weird things in it and it is always crisp. My absolute favorite dish ever at any restaurant is the six cheese ravioli with the alfredo sauce.

Six Cheese Ravioli

Cheese stuffed ravioli smothered in Vitale’s homemade tomato or meat sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. $8.99 Vitale’s homemade alfredo sauce $9.99

And no, I do not want to talk about how many calories may be in there. A girl at work was telling a story once that she and her husband wanted to “go all out”, so they went to McDonald’s and got Big Macs. The thought of it makes my stomach hurt. My big splurge is the Ravioli Alfredo. In my defense, I only eat 1/2 and 1/2 for lunch the next day. So I am spreading my calories out.