A Long Busy Week

I started and ended the week finishing my hair commitments. On Tuesday, I did hair for the mother of a bride whose wedding is on Saturday. We always talk about food. She told me about her grilling class she took with a friend at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill. This is an awesome gourmet store. If you can't find it here, it doesn't exist.( www.asouthernseason.com ) She said that during the class she found herself smiling the whole time. We both enjoy cooking and eating. I told her about a new recipe " creamy smoked fish spread." It was a good experiment, very tasty. I smoked the fish on a stove top smoker. The smoker was purchased at Sur La Table for $39.95.


Creamy Smoked Fish Spread

1 lb. Fish ( I used wild striped bass)
4 Tbs. Melted butter
2 Tbs. seafood seasoning ( I used Paul Prudhomme's seafood magic )
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 cup sour cream
Cover fish with seasoning and smoke for 20 minutes. I used alder chips. I have also just grilled the fish with liquid smoke. Not as good, but still good. When the fish is done, add all the ingredients to food processor. Mix til creamy. Refrigerate 2 hours. Serve with crackers or chips.

On Friday we left to go to the wedding. We arrived in Charlottesville, Va. at about 3:00. The downtown was rearranged by a tornado the night before. We set out on foot to explore the area. We had a romantic dinner planned at a place called Hamilton's, so we didn't want to eat too much. Steve suggested we stop to have a glass of wine. We got the cheese plate. OMG! A buttermilk blue cheese that melted in your mouth and a goats milk gouda that was extremely tasty. These cheeses were JUMP IN YOUR MOUTH GOOD. By the way my favorite Italian meal is veal saltimbocca. Saltimbocca means jumps in your mouth. On the plate was a section with dried apricots. This may not sound good to you. It sure didn't sound good to Steve, but honey drizzled over the apricots, YUM! Give it a try. Steve changed his mind about apricots.

For breakfast on Saturday we ate at the Blue Moon Cafe. Steve ordered the apple omelet. WOW, granny smith apples, sausage, and blue cheese, who would have thought to do that to eggs? Never be afraid to venture outside your confort zone when ordering.

Saturday, wedding hair all day. Had a good time with a great group of girls. It is hard not to make these girls look good.

Food at the wedding. Food is art.

Buono appetito

Two Weeks, Time is Short

I cannot believe I will be living in NY in just 11 days. Feelings to describe my state of mind: scared, excited, and clearly not ready. I know it will be ok once I get there, (or maybe not). Steve keeps telling me things to do to get ready. I want to ROLL MY EYES AND YELL SHUT UP. This hurts to say but HE IS RIGHT. Yes Steve, I said you were right. Copy it off the computer and keep it close to your heart. I may never admit it again.

My Italian is doing great, if I don't have to come up with sentences. I hope classes will put together all that I soaked up using rosetta stone.

We had a great beach weekend. It will be the last time my family will be together before I leave. We managed to get along for 2 and 1/2 days. We all must be getting older. A great time was had by all.

Caitlin, Steve, Lindsay, and Me