Date Night

I hate to admit it, but it's true. We often get so busy we don't take time out for just the two of us. Some days this worries me as we don't have kids yet. This seems to be a problem those with kids always talk about but it seems to be just as hard if not harder for us to make time that time. We both work more than full time most weeks and strive to stay connected to friends and reach out to others often at the expense of time together. This week I was really convicted to make sure we had time together—no TV, laptops, distractions.

 

Thanks to Pioneer Woman, I made this delicious roast. I also made mashed potatoes, Bob Evans rolls (you can get them in the freezer section of your local grocer), and lemonade. We ate at the table *gasp* not in front of the TV or our laptops, facing each other over a tablecloth, candlelight and I even pulled out the chargers for under the plates. It's sad to me that this isn't our norm. We don't have kids, we've been eating at home more, and it didn't take that much effort. The whole effect was so relaxing and conducive to conversation. I think I spend so much time making sure others feel comfortable in our home that I forget to do it for us.

 

My husband is truly my favorite person to be with. I enjoy his company more than anyone else's. We just need to not take each other for granted and make that one-on-one time a priority. That is a new goal for me for this coming year—more time set aside for us without distractions.

Dinner for 6

As many of you know, there is nothing more dear to my heart than throwing a dinner party. So, when my cousin announced her engagement on Christmas Eve I began thinking, "THIS calls for a dinner party." The best part is that my bro and sis-in-law have this great apartment that just screams "Throw dinner parties here!" So we did. I planned the meal, Tif and I went shopping and then we cooked the meal together (while Bobby and Ralph played Xbox 360-with occasional pauses to help us out). We invited Holly and Adam (the cousin and fiancé) and tried to get Heidi (other cousin) to come but all those serious couples are very intimidating to an unattached college student apparently. We had a fine menu planned it consisted of :

• Tomato, Basil and Bacon Crostini's and Pomegranate Mocktinis
  
• Caesar Salad with Pizzetta's with Olive Tamponade and Provolone Cheese
  
• Carbonara
  
• Cheesy Garlic Bread
  
• Smores Pizza with homemade vanilla ice cream and hot fudge
  

 

The crostini recipe comes from this wonderful cookbook I found my first year living in Dayton. We love the cookbook and the crostini's! The Caesar dressing in that particular recipe was disappointing, no one liked the flavor. The presentation was a lot of fun, though! Carbonara, specifically Racheal Ray's is an old stand-by for Ralph and I, it's our go-to meal. The garlic bread recipe came from my mom and is a family favorite (as well as super easy). My bro and Tiff make really good homemade ice cream so obviously we had to have some of that!

It was a great night of food, conversation and fun! Bobby and Tiffany have such a great place for hosting and are great hosts themselves. Thanks for a wonderful night all!