That was a fun one!!
We kicked off the weekend on Friday night with a babysitter and a wine tasting party at a friend’s house. Check out this pot-luck spread! I dove into that apple pie : )
The wine tasting was all wines from Rioja. We tasted a dozen varieties and my favorite was actually not a Rioja – someone had snuck an Oregon win in the mix! Guess that confirms which parts of the wine world I like most : )
{Yes that is the word “Farty” in my bottle #9 description. Those Riojas were stinky!}
Saturday morning breakfast!
With some frothy coffee! I was craving it despite the hot temps we had all weekend. 90*? Give me a break!
We headed to the City Market shortly after and met Dada!
I came home with this gorgeous bunch from Twin Oaks
And these new flavors from Stephanie of Sweet Sandies! Maple Bacon, Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie Gingersnap ice cream sandwiches. Can’t wait to try them! Stephanie’s flavors always blow me away.
I spent some time on Saturday rearranging our dining room. We are turning into one of those families who needs play space more than eating space!
Luckily our dining room can fit both. I am thrilled to now have an “open kitchen” where I can watch Mazen play while I cook when it gets too cold to be on the porch. I don’t love the dining room table all smooshed in the corner, but it fits, and we don’t have more than 2 people dining more than a few times a month.
After house fun, I headed over to Opal Yoga for a great midday workout. Left my upper body sore!
Saturday lunch salad featured a No Bull Burger over greens with Caromont Goat Feta and local tomatoes.
After naps we snacked on yogurt…hands free!
And then walked over to Karen’s to play for a bit.
Back at home we seared trout and mixed zucchini with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives on the side for dinner. Spinach Feta rolls rounded out the meal.
Mazen surprised us by eating both broccoli and zucchini in one weekend! Go green or go home.
Saturday night I watched the two latest episodes of Nashville. Love that show! I have a girl crush on Hayden Panettiere.
I spent most of Sunday working. I created 5 recipes for an upcoming Smucker’s post most of the day. They served as breakfast, lunch and snack!
I also wore myself out at a soccer game. 90 minutes in the hot, hot sun sprinting, squinting and sweating.
Sunday night we joined Karen for dinner – she had leftover chicken marsala! Yum! With rice, buttery baguette, salad and a glass of wine.
We’ve been going over nearly daily to say hello and help with dishes and things. Today she said she had a turning point and was feeling MUCH better. It was a really rough and long surgery, so it wore her out for a long time. She’s doing well now though and says hello!
Happy Monday!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I LOVE the idea of a wine tasting party! I might have to steal that for my friends and I, we do a book club (aka winos anonymous) every month, but this would be fun!
Lauren @ The Highlands Life says
Karen looks good! And I know Mazen just lifts her spirits tremendously.
HeatherFromKC says
Glad to hear that Karen is doing better. Well wishes on her road to recovery.
Linda says
I laughed reading “juicy” as the next word in your wine description after “farty”. Hilarious!!!
Jess says
Family, friends, yoga, wine, and apple pie…sounds like my perfect weekend! So glad to hear that Karen’s doing better, it’s great that you guys live close by for support 🙂
Tiffany says
I agree, Jess! So comforted to hear Karen is better. Wishing you all positive thoughts and love during this time.
Ps the apply pie looks amazing! I want a bite! Mazen is looking more and more like a little man everyday! Too cute 🙂
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
Mmm, farty wine. Sounds lovely ;).
Awesome that Karen is doing well! She looks beautiful.
Jesse says
those ice cream sandwiches sound amazing! can’t wait to hear about them!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/cake-in-five-minutes.html
Livi says
looks like a great weekend :)!
Julie says
That maple bacon ice cream sandwich sounds interesting! Glad to see Karen’s doing well. Love Mazen’s morning hair- he’s adorable!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Glad to hear the update on Karen and that she’s doing well! Those ice cream sandwiches sound amazing!
Amy says
So glad Karen is doing well with recovery and that she is getting to spend so much time with Mazen and all of you! I imagine a grandson lifts spirits like nothing else 🙂
For the last dinner you said chicken masala- do you mean indian masala, or the italian dish with marsala wine and mushrooms called chicken marsala? Just curious because I don’t see you eat indian food ever!
KathEats says
Typo!! Yes, it was chicken marsala. I like Indian food a lot but just don’t get out to the restaurants that much.
Elizabeth says
Love the open kitchen concept! Mazen is just so cute! Glad Karen is doing better! Can’t wait to read about the new recipes!
Justeen says
Those Sweet Sandies are SO good – the best ice cream sandwiches I’ve ever had! I had the pumpkin pie one a couple of weekends ago. Can’t wait to go back to Cville for more!
Elisabeth says
Glad to hear Karen is feeling a little more rested! She looks fantastic 🙂
Kristin says
I’m so glad to hear that Karen is doing well!!!!
Nicole says
Cheers to Karen for feeling better! Hope the road to recovery keeps improving! 🙂
Katie says
Oh how I love that picture of Karen & Mazen!!! So sweet <3
Erika @ fortheloveofpeanutbutter says
Pumpkin pie ice cream sandwich?! Doesn’t get much better than that.
Anna @ Fitness à la Anna says
I’ve never done this type of mystery wine tasting before with my friends, looks like so much fun!
Also, still sending lots of positive vibes Karen’s way 🙂
[email protected] says
Karen’s looking great! Hopefully she feels as well as she looks! Recipes look good…especially the banana chocolate combination…Random as always…my food processor just broke…any good recommendations?
Lindsey @ The Hungry Hydrologist says
A crush on Hayden Panettiere??! Her character is just so awful in the show- she makes me so mad! I have a crush on Deacon (when he’s not feeling all sorry for himself). Clearly, I’m addicted as well. 🙂 Glad Karen is doing better.
KathEats says
Yeah she is pretty awful. And deacon is quite hot!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Looks like a great weekend! Glad to hear that Karen is doing well!
kelsie says
So happy that Karen’s doing well!
robin says
Oh good to see you Miss Karen, hope youre doing well!
Chantal says
Love me some Oregon wines! I might be biased though 😉
I didn’t know you played soccer! Are you in a community league?
KathEats says
Yup!
Chantal says
Awesome! I played for years in Oregon and now I need to find a new team in Boston, I miss it a lot.
Heidi says
Yay Karen!! Rooting for ya. So happy your sweet mom inlaw is feeling better! I’m sure Mazen brings lots of joy, what a cutie pie 🙂
Lindsey, a vanguard vegan says
Woo-hoo go Karen! I wish I had a connoisseur like you to teach me about wine. Reds all kind of taste the same to me :p sacrilege, I know!
kyla says
SO glad to hear Karen is doing well, sending lots of love and prayers for her and your family.
Steph says
Maple bacon? Yes please!
Ashley R. says
As a wine-o from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, I have to know what Oregon wine you loved so much! Please share!
KathEats says
Unfortunately I didn’t catch the name!
Sandy says
I have been thinking of Karen and I’m glad she is on the road to feeling well. We were in Charlottesville a week ago and every time we walked by the UVA hospital I thought of her. We must have been in town a weekend you were away because we missed seeing Matt at the farmer’s market.
Nicole says
That wine tasting looks like so much fun!
And yay for the wonderful news about Karen! I’m so glad she is feeling better.
Jessica says
Looking forward to your Smuckers post. The sandwich looks really good. I think it’s awesome you take the time to visit Karen and have dinner with her. I can’t believe someone judged you for taking home leftovers. I’m sure she was thrilled to share some of the food. A mama always wants to take care of her children, no matter how sick they’re feeling. The gift of spending time with someone is the best gift of all.
Melissa says
Hi Kath, I love your blog! I have a topic request for you. Would you write a post about how to throw a tasting party – whether for beer or wine? I like that in this post, the tasting stuck to one varietal. I would be interested to know some good tips, food ideas, how to word the invitation, etc. Thanks! P.S. Baby Mazen is adorbs!
KathEats says
Thanks! We might do this with pumpkin beer so I’ll definitely consider a post
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
A wine tasting party sounds like so much fun! I love how you hid the bottles in numbered paper bags. Ontario has some great wines from both the Niagara and Point Edward County…would be great to compare the two…thanks for the idea! 🙂
Jen says
Still laughing out loud about the farty, juicy wine . . . 🙂
Hugs to Karen!
Jessica says
Hmmph. Never heard of someone who has a food blog describing wine as “alcoholic”. I really hope wine companies don’t pay you to do this, this is SO unfair to the bloggers that are good at this.
KathEats says
http://www.winespectator.com/glossary
marie vandevenne says
Hello Kath! First of all I love your blog! It makes me want to eat healthy food.