{derek’s b-day, atlanta style}

January has been an eventful month for us, especially on the birthday front. Not only do my dad and I celebrate our birthday this month, but Jesse’s brother Derek does as well. We January babies are a special kind as we are the first of each New Year. This year, Derek decided to spend his birthday down in Atlanta with us so we made sure it was extra special. Mom Ellis and her beau Jim came down as well and we had an incredibly great time! Almost every place we visited had long lines and tons of people, however, it must’ve been Derek’s birthday boy luck, because we always arrived right on time and we never had to wait very long.

{a special robotics demo @ jesse’s work}

On Saturday we started out our day with a visit to Jesse’s workplace where he demoed his welding robot for us. It was very cool to see him in action! He explained a lot of the logistics behind the technology and how the robot works---however I’m pretty sure I only understood a quarter of it all because it was very technical and well, I’m more of a right brained lady anyway.

{lunch @ the varsity}

                                         

After the demo we headed over to The Varsity (this very historic landmark in downtown Atlanta) for a delicious and greasy lunch. I have never seen a restaurant so packed in my life! Atlanta apparently had a lot going on that weekend because the lines and parking were ridiculous. The entire place was humongous and practically every table was full. The menu is very straightforward---burgers, fries, and dogs (not the furry kind…hehe), and almost immediately after you place your order, your food shows up, and they’re shooing you along so they can get to the next customer. I had chili dogs with onion rings which kept me pretty full for most of the day.

{sweetwater brewery}

From lunch we headed over to the Sweetwater Brewing Company for a fun tour around their facility and of course some sampling! The tour was free, but for $10 they give you a pint glass and six drink tickets to sample any of their brews. When we went, the place was packed to the brim with people—-which they mentioned was unusual for them—-and almost felt like a giant frat party. We hung out in the main lobby and sampled some brews while we waited for the tour to start. When they gave us the signal we filled up one last time and headed into the warehouse. Our tour guide Andy was fantastic and made our experience, climbing up and over kegs and pallets in order to get access to the whole group. The history of Sweetwater was pretty interesting and overall it seemed to be a pretty down to earth company on the brink of huge growth. We definitely will be returning for another tour and more samples!

{pre-show fun}

{our show in a nutshell}

That night we went back in time to Medieval Times in Northern Atlanta. Jesse, Derek, Mom Ellis, and Jim had never been to one of these and it had been years since my last visit to one. The tickets are usually a little pricey but, we got very lucky because it was our birthday month, (Derek and I both got in for free with two paid adult admissions)—-super birthday luck! The show was about 2 hours long and filled with action from start to finish. When you arrive they give you a crown with your knight’s colors (ours was the Red & Yellow knight) and you have to make sure to cheer for him throughout the entire show. You also had to “boo” the other knights in order to drown out their section’s cheers.

Our meal was incredible; it arrived quickly and was cooked perfectly. If you think they might jip you on portions (I mean there were about 900 people there), you would be terribly wrong! There was so much I had to take home a doggie bag---which they graciously offered to me before I could even think to ask.

Our knight didn’t end up winning, but it was still fun to watch him compete. We think he was new because he struggled on every challenge. I originally thought he was the underdog who would rise to the top in the last second of the show---I was wrong.

{sunday funday @ stone mountain}

On Sunday I made a lovely brunch for everyone then we decided to head over to Stone Mountain to ride the sky-lift up to the top and take in the fresh air. It was a nice ride up---even though they packed us like sardines in the car. Our sky-lift operator said he could pack about 40+ people in that car, which I felt would be stretching it and might be a little too close for comfort. Regardless, we enjoyed our short ride to the top and took in all the sights from up there. We could even see downtown Atlanta and Buckhead from where we were. Luckily Mom Ellis & Jim had their fancy cameras with them (they are excellent photographers) and were able to get some really nice shots. I’m sure it helped that it was such a beautiful day.

Next time we will take the trail up and down the mountain as we heard it is a pretty nice hike.

Before leaving for home, we stopped at The Village Corner (this cute German Bakery/Restaurant/Pub) for a late lunch. The food was very good—-I don’t think anyone got anything they didn’t like and of course we all shared. One of the most notable things we tried was the Frickadellen sausage---a first for all of us. It had an interesting taste and texture; hamburger consistency with hints of sage. We were on the pub side (as the restaurant was not yet open) and it had a very homey feel to it. It was decorated from inch to inch with trinkets, flags, and Oktoberfest memorabilia. We may have to head over there next October to see what their fest is like. After lunch we made sure to get some goods from their bakery before heading out. The cream horn was my favorite!

It was a wonderful weekend---probably our best yet in Atlanta! Thank you Derek, Mom Ellis, and Jim for spending some time with us in our new city.

Love,

The Mrs.



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{go shorty! it’s your birthday!}

Hello Friendlies!

So I’m a lucky girl---not to brag or anything. I have so many great people in my life who are not only wonderful to me, but can always be counted on for a great time. My birthday this year was so much fun especially because it was filled with these lovely people and happy little celebrations left and right.    

 

{he always comes up with great surprises}

On my actual birthday, I relaxed all day and did absolutely nothing--well except a little online birthday shopping! Jesse told me to get dolled up for a nice evening, but wouldn’t tell me anything else! We got ready, took a few photos, and headed out. To my surprise, Jesse took me to a Persian restaurant (Mirage Persian Cuisine), for a very filling and delicious dinner. It was so good and I’m pretty sure Jesse had to roll me to the car when we were done.

{weekend shenanigans}

                                         

Flash forward to the weekend---we headed up to Charlotte for some fun celebrations with my parents and a few of our friends. Since my dad and I share the same birthday, Jesse and I took him out to dinner on Saturday night at Pio Pio, this wonderful Peruvian & Columbian restaurant. They had the most amazing sangria and their rotisserie chicken (which is their specialty) was amazing. We also had a unique appetizer of guacamole and tostones (fried and flattened green plantains) which was surprisingly a very yummy combo, especially when drizzled with their special garlic sauce. We most definitely will be returning there.

After dinner we met up with our friends for a fun night out on the town. We started out at our friends’ place for some pre-gaming (our friend Fergus made a special blueberry mojito), then we headed out to Whiskey Warehouse for a few drinks on their rooftop patio. Even though we had lived in Charlotte for the majority of our lives, we had never been there. They have my all-time favorite beer, Abita Purple Haze, and a gorgeous view of the Charlotte skyline. Good pick Fergus!

From Whiskey Warehouse, we headed over to Jackalope Jack’s to meet some other friends for some bad karaoke and of course more drinks! The evening ended with a late night run to Mickey D’s and a tour of Fergus’ office building---which was very cool!

{burst photo fun}

{i wanted to play too}

We had some fun with my iPhone. Burst photo anyone? I think Giselle and JonJon’s segment is pretty cool---just imagine it in fast forward.

{i’ve got my yum face on}

{fergie-ferg}

On Sunday, Jesse had drill for the army, so my wonderful friend Fergus took me out for the most amazing brunch at Bistro La Bon. It was beyond delicious and I highly recommend you make your way over there---just make sure you a)get there super early, or b)make a reservation on open table. The brunch consisted of a diverse buffet spread and three options on the menu from the kitchen (I suggest the French toast). The buffet had freshly baked breads, roasted veggies, Swedish meatballs, cheeses, and pastries galore. Of course brunch was not complete without bottomless mimosas! I ate way more than I could manage…yet I still wanted more!

{scene from Dawson’s Creek?}

After brunch we took a nice walk along the train tracks and luckily did not encounter any.

It was truly the best birthday weekend ever. I felt so special.

Thank you fam and friends!

Love,

The older and wiser Katie E.

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{ringing in the new year in style}

{jesse lighting his lantern}

To ring in this New Year, Jesse and I released these cool lanterns into the night sky along with some hopeful wishes for the New Year. It was our neighbors’ idea as they had done this before during a wedding they were in and had several left over. It was very fun and hopefully it’ll turn into a tradition we can repeat again next year. The lanterns were a little hard to light at first but once we got the hang of it, they worked wonderfully. We had to light them, sway them around in the air until the lantern filled with hot air and rose above our heads. Once they were filled we let them go and they flew far, far away. Happy new year…again…hehe.

{my lantern}

{jesse’s lantern}

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{blogcation}

{wasting away again…}

Hello again,

So I’ve been a little busy lately (although that’s quite the understatement). I’ve neglected the blog and most of my “to do” list. I couldn’t really help it though, we had birthday celebrations left and right, family in town, paint projects, and we finally tackled the mess that was our office/guestroom. It’s been a busy month, but now my blogcation is over and I’m very excited to share some of the fun stuff we’ve been up to. How has your January been? Fun I hope!

Love,

The Mrs.  

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{happy birthday to me!}

{woo!}

Today is my birthday and I can't help but to reflect on how lucky I am to have so many blessings and loving people in my life. I have supportive parents who have given me everything and always look out for my best interests, a loving partner who I have grown with and will continue to grow with as our marriage evolves, great family and friends who have been there and will continue to be there for me always. Puppies--enough said.

This year was filled with many great things and some very trying experiences as well. I got married, moved to a new city, gritted my teeth at a job that I loathed until I could make my exit, and began re-evaluating my life goals. I realized that whatever I do next and wherever I go, I need to make sure that it is a good fit for me. Luckily I’m at a place in life where I don't have to settle (and shouldn't), but can take my time and find what drives me. I’ve learned that some friends will come and go; those that stay are true and find the value in you, those that make their exit, probably had no real investment in the friendship to begin with and you don't have to worry about them because they aren't worried about you! I’ve gotten closer to learning how to better forgive and have realized how important apologies are. My favorite quote this year--"Apologizing does not mean that I’m right and you're wrong, it means that I value our relationship more than my ego." Missing out on the opportunity to say “I’m sorry” can damage a relationship. It just sucks when someone thinks they are too good to apologize for hurting you; at the end of the day, you can't control them so you shouldn't let their pridefulness influence you. I’ve learned that assuming is a dangerous game--it leads to misunderstanding. If you think that something is wrong, be upfront and ask for clarification. I’ve learned to listen to my elders. They are right. And if you trust them, you'll see they really do have your best interests at heart.

My glass is one quarter century full...I can't wait to see what else is in store.

Love,

Katieface

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{recipe: pumpkin ravioli w/cream sage sauce}

I first made this recipe last year around this time and while I was a bit nervous about my results (it was my first time ever making pasta), I ended up being very pleased. The pasta turned out a little thicker than I would have preferred (I did use an empty wine bottle as my rolling pin after all) but the filling was perfect---light and fluffy. This time around I had the assistance of not only my Kitchenaid, but the pasta rolling attachment. It definitely made a difference as it allowed me to roll my pasta to the perfect thickness. My arms also weren’t as tired afterwards. As before, the filling was super light and fluffy (making it a great recipe for those on track to a healthier 2012), and overall ended up being a perfectly filling little dinner.

{delish!}

Pumpkin Ravioli:

Servings: 4
Source: Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

·         1 cup of ricotta cheese

·         ½ cup of pumpkin puree

·         ½ teaspoon of salt

·         ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg

·         2 cups of all-purpose flour

·         Another ½ teaspoon of salt

·         ¼ cup of tomato paste

·         1 tablespoon of olive oil

·         2 eggs

·         2 tablespoons of water

How To:

Step 1: Mix the cheese, pumpkin, ½ teaspoon of salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the flour and ½ teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Then, make a well in the center of the flour.

Step 3: Beat the tomato paste, olive oil, and eggs, until well blended. This step will not look pretty at first, but it gets a little better.

Step 4: Pour the tomato paste mix into the well you made in the flour. Stir with a fork, gradually bringing the flour mixture to the center of the bowl until the dough make a ball. If your dough is a little dry, mix in 2 tablespoons of water.

Step 5: Knead lightly on a floured cloth cover surface (or in your Kitchenaid with the dough hook), adding flour if the dough is sticky, until smooth and elastic. Do this for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Cover and let the dough rest for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll the dough, one part at a time, into four rectangles of about the same size. Keep the rest of the dough covered while working.

Step 8: Drop 2 level teaspoons of filling onto two of the rectangles, about 1 1/2 inches apart in 2 rows.

Step 9: Moisten the edges of the dough, and the dough between the rows of pumpkin mixture with water. Place the other 2 rectangles on top of the rectangles with filling, pressing the dough down around the pumpkin.

Step 10: Cut between the rows of filling to make ravioli (I used a pizza cutter); press the edges together with a fork. Seal the edges well.

Step 11: Place ravioli on towel; let stand, turning once, until dry, about 30 minutes. I let my little raviolis dry on a towel for about 15 minutes, but then placed them on a plate and let them dry in the fridge for another 15 minutes.

Step 12: After they’ve dried, cook ravioli in 4 quarts of boiling salted water until tender; drain carefully. You may lose a couple raviolis if they weren’t sealed tight enough, but the rest should turn out perfect.

Step 13: After you’ve drained them, place them in your bowl and pour the cream sage sauce over them (recipe to follow).

Cream Sage Sauce:

Servings: 4
Source: Me (I eyeballed a few things adding more or less depending on flavor)

Ingredients:

·         ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream

·         1 tablespoon of butter

·         1 teaspoon of garlic salt

·         6 fresh sage leaves

How To:

Step 1: Combine the cream, butter, garlic salt, and sage leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2: Stir occasionally and keep watch to make sure that it doesn’t boil over.

Step 3: Once you see a slight boil begin, remove from heat.

Step 4: Remove the sage leaves (or leave for a little embellishment) and pour the sauce over your pasta. Voila!

I hope you all enjoy these recipes. This dish goes great paired with a nice glass of cabernet and olive garden breadsticks (I’ll share that recipe later).

Love,

Mrs. E.

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{happy new year!}

{2012 baby!}

 

We hope your new year is filled with joy, happiness, and lots of lovin!

Love,

The Ellises

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