Okay, here goes!
**FRIDAY**
We flew out of DFW at 6:30 Friday morning, connected in Memphis, then flew on to Chattanooga. Rented a car and drove from Chattanooga to Knoxville. Planes, Trains and Automobiles indeed. After whining for the entire 90 minute drive about how hungry I was, Brian kindly drove straight to one of my favorite places: Petro’s. A Petro is basically a frito pie in a cup (helpful diagram here), and they have both chicken and veggie chili. Genius!
The rest of Friday was spent rehearsing (Brian) and rehearsal dining (Both). Which leads us to…
**SATURDAY**
We met Brian’s parents, his brother, sister-in-law, and our niece at the Knoxville Zoo. We hadn’t seen Abby since last Thanksgiving, and now she’s walking (actually RUNNING), talking, and quite the independent little squirt. How cute is she??
Saturday night was the big wedding. It was lovely! And of course I had to get a shot of the cake:
Here’s Brian with Rhett (the groom) and another high school buddy, Brian 2:
You know what? TN is COLD!!! Texas girl was not dressed appropriately.
Congrats to Shelly and Rhett 
**SUNDAY**
We met the in-laws for breakfast and then headed back to Chattanooga. I had some great Memphis BBQ on our layover but forgot to take a photo amidst the travel chaos. We arrived in Dallas at 3:30 and then headed straight to Maggiano’s for my Grandparents’ 61st anniversary dinner:
61 YEARS!!!
And all of their kids:
It was a lot of fun. My family is both crazy and loud, but in a good way Here’s Brian and I pre-dinner:
**MONDAY**
I could put off the long run no longer. EIGHTEEN MILES. I’m not going to lie- it was painful. The last few miles were full of walk breaks and my legs felt like cement. It took just shy of 3 hours. I had to do this one alone, which may have been the worst part. When you have a running buddy, the conversation gives you something to think about other than how uncomfortable/nuts you are and how many miles you have left to go. I had some Sport Beans at 6 miles, Gatorade at 9, and Cliff Gu at 14. Blech.
I did a bad thing today… skipped class! Once I finished the run, stopped by the grocery store, started dinner and showered, it was cutting it really close. Plus my legs are SORE. So I decided to stay home and practice for Wednesday’s practical instead. I have to make blanched asparagus with hollandaise, and cream of broccoli soup. The only part I’m nervous about is the hollandaise. Here’s my mise en place:
And…. it turned out great!! The sauce didn’t break, so that’s a big sigh of relief. Woohoo!
Now, what to do with it. Eggs benedict, anyone?
Hey, hey- I didn’t forget SLOW COOKER MONDAY!
Tonight I tried one of the recipes from the new Food Network Magazine: Slow Cooker Moroccan Turkey Stew. It’s just turkey thighs (I used chicken), butternut squash, onions, carrots, dried apricots, golden raisins, tomatoes and chickpeas slow-cooked for about 5 hours with some allspice. Once it’s done, you make a pesto out of cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil and drizzle it on top.
It was delicious! Unfortunately they haven’t posted the recipe, but just go buy the mag. It’s worth the $3.50.
Phew, that was a long one! I’m off to make a photobucket album of all of the pastries I’ve baked thus far. Why, you ask? Because sadly my babysitting gig ended last week and now I begin the dreaded j-o-b hunt. I’m trying to find something in the food industry, but it’s hard to find anything when you don’t have experience. But I can’t gain experience until I have a job. So quite the catch 22, no? Anyway, wish me luck
SURVEY TIME!
Where do you live and what’s your favorite local dish/restaurant/food find?
Dallas has great Tex-Mex, so I’m going to say veggie fajitas at either Matt’s or Mi Cocina. And margaritas.
San Diego…and local dish? Hrm…veggie burritos or tostadas!
Oh my gosh, what a whirlwind weekend! Vegetarian Frito pie? Yes, please!
There’s a place near my house, Laughing Planet, that serves all organic healthy meals with lots of veggie and vegan options. The hubby likes to go there too, so I would say that it’s my restaurant “find.”
Sadly, when I’m in Texas, I have to fulfill my Sonic and Taco Bueno cravings.
Phew, i’m exhausted reading about all of your adventures this weekend!! Abby is a cutie
Happy anniversary to your grandparents, mine have their 60th coming up soon!!
Super post, Heather! Love all the photos – looks like a great time, even if you were a tad cold
I live in Washington, DC and my favorite restaurant is Rock Creek Restaurant because it has nutrition facts
Welcome back to Dallas! You were one busy girl. BIG CONGRATS on running the 18 miles…so impressive!!!! Enjoy your week.
Looks like such a great weekend. Abby is adorable and I love the wedding cake.
18 miles. WOOOO HOOO!
I live in Rhode Island, so if I liked sea food, I would definitely say that’s a good local thing. I would say we have GREAT food. All kinds! There are particulary good Italian restaurants though.
Heather, I adore your posts and think your weekend looks fantabulous! Your grandparents are too cute.
Any shots of the bride? Sorry, but for the last year my mind was pre-programmed to all things wedding – I had three of them to attend and one to co-plan (my sister’s)!
I live in Vancouver, B.C. and we have a ton of restaurants here, so it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one. But, I’d say that The Foundation is one of my favorites for quite a few reasons. The veggie/vegan food is unbeatable, the staff are a bit spacey but loveable (best to go somewhere else if you’re in a hurry – this isn’t fast food) and the decor is inspired and original. Damn, now I have a craving for some.
Andrea- I’m obsessed with Sonic ice!!
BCGirl- Sadly all of the photos with the bride were super blurry
But she looked beautiful! I’m with you on the wedding focus- we’ve been married for almost 4 years and I still want to buy the InStyle Wedding mag every time I see it.
Your niece is a cutie!! Awesome job on the run.
I am from MA – not sure what the specialty is – maybe seafood, which when I do get the chance to eat out, it is always my dish of choice. I love salmon. Thanks for such a great weekend recap. I hope you have recovered from the run. Did you find that you were extra hungry yesterday? How did you refuel after all those miles?
Oh yeah, How is Chloe?
Sammie- What about chowder??? I’ve never been to MA but I envision you having really good seafood. I wasn’t really extra hungry yesterday, which is weird. I always drive straight to our local juice place after runs and refuel with a smoothie with protein powder (my little reward), and then try to eat a large meal within an hour (veggie omelette with toast, etc.). Chloe is great! She stayed with her Granny all weekend
Now she’s passed out on the couch.
3 hours?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Wow Heather, I’m so impressed! TN sounds fun. I love BBQ. You and Brian are way cute. And I love the family pics where everyone is laughing!
I think you totes deserved the night off!
I live in Lubbock, and there’s no special cuisine here. BUT I hail from Portland and they have everything good. Especially Mediterranean and PacNW stuff like salmon, fresh/local produce, etc. The food scene up there is unreal!
Next time I’m in Dallas I’ll let you cook for me.
Hmm… I’m from CT originally, but now live in NYC. I suppose my favorite “local food” would be apple crisp thanks to all the apples in New England. Although my favorite dish that reminds me of home is something my mom made growing up called “Swiss Chard Pie”. It’s a whole wheat batter in a baking dish (becomes the crust), and then the top is a puree of swiss chard, feta cheese, cottage cheese, scallions, dill and eggs. It bakes up sort of like a souffle. We got all the ingredients from our garden so it is really “local cuisine”!!
http://stevianspice.wordpress.com/