The feet are ready for dancin’!
If you can’t tell in the sunshine, they’re metallic purple! Pedi was awesome!
Somebody was supposed to be reading at Barnes + Noble, but I found him at EarthFare with a beer instead!
Guilty as charged
At least it was organic – with a bison on the front!
Then we did our weekly grocery shopping. I’m proud to say I L.O.V.E. everything I put in my cart. Going grocery shopping with that mentality makes it so much more exciting. Organic, real foods and a few fun ones too!
We’re supposed to be moving in just a few months (if this house would sell!) and I decided we had to use up some of our wine rack tonight. Like opening a tin of sardines, we have a stigma against opening a bottle of wine. It must be a huuuuge commitment. I decided we’d open one regardless of how special it was and enjoy it. Just like the wedding china, ya know!?
We settled on a cab Kanz bought for me upon my return from Africa last year – but instead of being from Kenya it was from South Africa.
Screw tops are the BEST!!
Just get a load of that NOSE!
The wine – after breathing for a while – was awesome!
It was chewy!
Sadly I had to do some computer “paperwork” for my internship during cocktail hour. I could have saved it for the AM, but it has to be done this weekend, and I wanted to get it out of the way. Let’s just say the vino helped make the task more tolerable!
Dinner tonight was served on a Table In A Bag! We’ve had one of these for ages and got a lot of comments on it in the summers when we use it for picnics – both on the blog and real life. Here are some posts where we used it at the Summer Pops we go to every June (and can you believe how young we looked in 2008!?!?)
Anyways, Table In A Bag is now in my shop.
The model comes with two nice tablecloths
…that strap onto the table so there are no wrinkles!
And the legs screw off and the WHOLE thing rolls up into this bag!
It really is the best picnic companion ever. And why have we not thought to dine on it on our patio before!?
All dressed up
Dinner tonight featured lamb from the sample I received from the American Lamb Council. [Real all the details about the lamb I received in this post.]
First, we SPIRALED some sweet potatoes!!! Two sheets baked at 350* for about 25-30 minutes. Just tossed in cooking spray and cinnamon (well, we made two sheets – mine had cinnamon, his had cayenne pepper). We eat got one potatoes’ worth.
The spiralizer, which I did add to my shop as well, is really simple to use and makes something you totally couldn’t make by hand.
Ribbons coming out!
Wheeee!
Dinner is serrrrrrved…
I had a splash more wine with the meal –
Incredible feast!!
OMG I LOVE PEAS!!!
I never remember to get them because they mostly come frozen. And I have a thing against frozen veggies because they always get freezer burned on me. But a few weeks ago I decided I wanted some peas and got a bag. Totally forgot how unbelievably delicious they are! Garnished with tons of herbs. Matt loves herb garnishes!
The spirals turned out perfect!! A big pile of ribbons just like the state fair.
Afterthought
Lastly, the lamb was great. Nice and rosemary grilled by Matt. I ate the good bites off and gave the bone to Matt to chew.
Que romantico! Not sure if it was the fancy dinner, the wine or the fun day together, but we had Taylor Hicks playing in the background (Taylor and Zac Brown Band have the BEST evening music!!) and when Country Roads came on I was up on my feet dancing and we must have spent a good 20 minutes dancing to fun songs!
Tonight was so fun! I think Saturday nights in can be just as fun as nights out if you just jazz it up a bit to make up for the fact that you’re eating in your own kitchen.
Going to bed soon – need more water!!
Tomorrow – I think pancakes are in store!?
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks says
That looks like a GREAT dinner! And this post further confirms just how cute of a couple you two are. Congrats on being so adorable 😉
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
I looove peas and seriously, that spread looks amazing. Beautiful!! I’m jealous of your outdoor space…I’d been taking pictures outside if I could!
Kim says
Have you ever thought about “staging” your back patio when your house is being shown to buyers? Your back yard looks so inviting with the table and all the food, specifically the picture right below the photo of Matt holding the table bag. Maybe you could do something similar, without the food to help buyers visualize living there and enjoying a fun evening outside.
If you can find it in your area Buffalo Gold is a great beer with a Bison on it too!
BoulderBeer.com
Have a great weekend!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
What a fabulous dinner Kath! Seriously looks like a summer evening. 😀 And that table is so neat!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Awwww how romantic!!!!! Enough said 🙂
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Fancy cute little dinner for two. I just made some overnight oats. But the suggestion of pancakes makes me want that now. I guess there is always Monday.
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
That’s a beautiful table setting! I would love to eat my dinner there instead of my desk 🙂
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
Oh what a fun and wonderful evening….LOVE IT ALL 🙂
Camille says
Oooh, sweet potato spirals… I am dying.
Marilyn says
The best peas I ever had were made with mint butter.
mary ann says
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH date night!!! Im so in love with you two as a couple!! Can i live vicariously through your beautiful relationship? I am embarassed to admit i had a complete KERF blog reading sesh today and read the matt blogs when you were away last year… too friggin cute. Oh, and peas, mint, rosemary and lamb? I went through a lamb phase where i swore i wanted my last meal to be roasted lamb with fresh minted (and buttered hehe) english peas with rosemary mashed taters (extra butter, again). I dont think id complain if i had a big ole pile o your sweet taters though!!!
Kath, you and Kanz MUST come to VT. Tell Matt he just HAS to try both our Shed and Switchback. Switchback will absolutely change his life. GLORIOUS brews.
MA
lilpauladean.wordpress.com
Kath says
🙂
Claire says
I love love love peas and you just reminded me it has been way too long since I have had them. This must change soon. Maybe a pasta with cashew cream sauce and peas…
The date night looks amazing!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Those spiraled sweet taters are awesome!
Mastering Public Health says
Great idea by Kim. The backyard table-for-two looks quite inviting and romantic — a good reminder to take advantage of the season!
Ariffa says
what a beautiful dinner! I definitely want a spiralizer in my life
Sam says
I love (a lot of) chili powder on my yams/sweet pots.
You two are awfully cute! Thanks for sharing.
kate says
You guys are so cute!
leeana says
Kath, I didn’t know how else to say it, but…. THANK YOU FOR. BEING ALIVE AND BEING YOU! I never post, but I’ve been meaning to, and tonights dinner writing really put me through the (happy) roof! I love the way you and your husband matt are. I love your passion for food and its goodness. I suffered from an eating disorder for about 9-10 yrs, and everyday is a struggle, although I’ve been on the “get better” train for a long time and I happily continue to everyday. Blogs written by people about food that care about it on so many levels really penetrate me, but yours is especially beautiful. Its obvious that you see food as more than just “food” and that hits home hard for me. I have a much deeper relationship with what I put in my body, and I respect someone that also does. Its also fun to see what matts sipping on, as my boyfriend and I are beer snobs 🙂 we’ve either tried (and loved!) what he’s had that you’ve posted photos of or hope to!! I hope I can try a malted wheatberry soon 🙂 I know you get this all the time, but this blog is bigger than you and the food; its truly a blessing. I look forward to readin EACH AND EVERY POST! I saw you on a current tv network program first and have been hooked since. Please always stay this beautiful, and THANK YOU. Xo
Kath says
Thanks so much Leeana. Wish you the best too!
zoe says
SOUTH AFRICA!!! le sigh. i left my heart there. i hope the wine was great! i remember it being so 😉
aren’t sipralizers AWESOME! i just bought one and basically fell in love with it! those sweet potato chips looked all kinds of YUM.
Lizz @ leadingthegoodlife says
How fun! I love those spiral potatoes – I must check out the spiralizer!
Mama Pea says
I love Peas too 😉 Gigi and I painted her toes that same color today!
Jessica Lee says
Thats a gooood looking dinner. Those sweet potatoes end up looking like chips! That’s awesome. I definitely need to get a spiralizer soon. There are so many things to do with them!
I have one of those tables too – or HAD I should say. I dont know where it is anymore but you’re right, it’s PERFECT for a picnic. I bring mine to the beach!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Pedis are one of my favorite indulgences!
I’m loving that pretty ‘picnic’ patio table. I see lunch photo shoots there in the future : )
Marina says
That really looks yummy! Those sweet potatoes…mhm.
Romantic dinners in such beautiful surroundings are the best!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i have purple polish on my tootsies too – they put me in such a great mood! i don’t know if i’ve ever made fresh peas – in fact, i know i haven’t!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Hooray for the spiralizer! I’m dying to get my hands on one of them, they look so fun 😛
‘Chewy win’? That’s something I’ve never heard of before….
Wei-Wei says
Awww you guys are too cute. Loving the pedi! I love purple 😀
The spirallizer is SO COOL! They look like they’d make those spiralized potato chips on a stick I had in Korea… here’s a review (scroll down): http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/05/snapshots-from-south-korea-fried-things-on-sticks.html
Dinner = totally yum… (and romantic! ;))
Have a great night!
Wei-Wei
Hannah says
How funny, I had peas for the first time in ages last night too! They really are super yummy. And it’s definitely a good idea to open and enjoy your wine – there’s no point hoarding things forever!
Simply Life says
What a great meal! We love eating in and making a “special” meal with wine on the weekends! It never gets old!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
Your dinner setting looks so cosy and romantic, love it 🙂
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Oh my gosh…cutest table setting ever! And the fact that you guys danced together after dinner makes it only more adorable.
I love frozen peas too. They’re so sweet and have a fun texture when they’re not overcooked. 😀
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
Seriously…who needs to go out? I love to actually do some living in my home, and I love that you do too!
I totally dig peas too! I mean I don’t actually DIG peas, I pick them, but I like them a lot!
Lovely post, lovely pictures, lovely couple. You should be proud of yourself!
Kath says
Thanks everyone!!
Sarah says
That dinner looks awesome. Summer is offically in full swing now!
P.S. Love those ribbons, very cute!
Emily says
Your dinner looks delicious! It never occurred to me to cook something I spiralize.
I love eating outside too ~ except where we are, ever since we bought a table and chairs for outside, it’s not stopped raining!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
I love your beautiful table setting- I love how you make the table look nice for all your meals, and not just when you have guests. It makes meal time even more special 🙂
rustique says
What a gourtmet dinner! I think anything with peas gets kicked up a notch (but I am an eternal fan).
rustique says
Wow, I can also totally not spell gourmet. Whoops.
jess says
I just bought this table from your open sky shop. It is THE perfect thing for the gyspy summer we’re planning. It will be great for the backyard, beach and our road trip to canyon country. The tablecloths are a nice touch. Just because your campin’ doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant. Thanks:)
Kath says
So glad you liked it!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
I love peas, too!! 😀
That spiralizer is cool, I need one.
Jenn
Veggielady4life says
What a wonderful, fun Saturday night in! Love that you had your own dance party!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i LOVE your picnic table all dressed up! so cute and definitely romantic 🙂 i’ll have to see about getting one of those table sets for this summer 🙂
Jenna says
Your patio dinner is adorable…and those spiraled sweet potatoes? WOW!
Tracy says
I think you still look young!! 😉
I love peas, too, and always forget about them!
I”m definitely spiralizing my next sweet potatoe cuz I recently purchased a spiralizer from OpenSky!
Lisa says
Looks like you guys had a nice, romantic dinner!
BroccoliHut says
I know EXACTLY what I’ll be making with my Spiralizer next…
Sarah says
What a romantic set-up. I may just need to get one of those tables for myself date nights :-).
Whit says
If your feet ever want to go to salsa, you and Matt should come out to Cosmos on Thursdays. It’s completely free! I go with a huge group and we have a really good time!
Kath says
Uptown? Sounds fun!
Anne P says
Awwwwww 🙂 You two are the cutest.
house garden says
Oooo, I want the steak!!! They look really nice. And your patio does the best place to have them.