Sundays with Steven

Lately I’ve been spending some lovely Sundays with Steven, the man I call my gay husband. He’s a guidance counselor at my school and he is just FABULOUS. One of my favorite things about him is that he’s like the paparazzi. Always taking pictures. We took over 200 at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens two Sundays ago at the cherry blossom festival (pictures can be viewed here). Yesterday he met me at Fish, a restaurant that I love for their Red White and Blue deal - 6 blue point oysters or clams on the half shell plus a glass of house wine or a PBR for $8! Can’t be beat. We each had two rounds. And Steven photographed along the way.

With a glass of white and an oyster in hand.

YUM!

Clams.

Fish has a delicious bowl of peanuts for you to munch while you’re waiting for your oysters to be shucked.

Um yeah, don’t ask.

Afterwards we went to the Blind Tiger Ale House across the street where they have many craft beers.

I had a tough time choosing one.

And scene.

:)

I’d never had a real valentine’s day before.  Not that it was a  big deal, cheesy hallmark holiday and whatnot, but of course I’ve always wanted to do something.  One year when in a relationship, my boyfriend came over in the pouring rain for pizza and basketball.  He passingly said “oh, happy valentine’s day, I would have brought flowers but it’s raining.”  Meh.  Last year, I was deathly ill.  Justin came over with soup and we watched “Jesus Camp.”  Two days later I came to his apartment and he cooked me a lovely dinner that I still felt too sick to eat.  I finally had my first real Valentine’s Day this past Thursday.  Justin came over early to make me bacon wrapped shrimp and a lasagna - from scratch!  Sauce and everything.  Soooo delicious.  Then he surprised me with tickets to Fuerzabruta.  Oh my god.  I was agape for most of the show.  I’ve never done psychedelic drugs, but this felt close!  It was a really fun and lovely evening, the boy done good.

Then yesterday marked the last day of school before a much deserved February break!  Happy hour drinks with my co-workers, then Justin’s co-workers, and I am a spent girl today.  Very spent, but happy.

Tis the season

There is a part of me that enjoys this season. Mostly because I’m in NYC and I get to experience (in moderation) Rockefeller Center, the various holiday markets and other such holiday nonsense. I also like snuggling under the covers while the snow falls outside and drinking hot cider with bourbon. But after the holidays, the whole “winter” thing gets old and I grow weary. I definitely think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, so when I don’t get warmth and sunlight, I start to get depressed. February is the worst. At least in December, the holiday cheer might be enough to get through the cold. So, speaking of holidays, here are some pictures from my Thanksgiving in Maryland.

sad and empty champagne flutes

hot turkey

(most of) the spread

full plate for a full belly!

PS - It also tis the season for giving presents. If you love me, check out my amazon wishlist or these websites for inspiration: www.charmedanddangerous.net, www.ericaweiner.com Channukah begins on Tuesday night!

What’s been going down

A lot of cooking. In the past few weeks, I think all I’ve done is eat (and sometimes cook, but usually that’s Justin’s domain). Here’s some things we’ve cooked lately:

bacon-wrapped shrimp and steak balls (Justin) served with almond asparagus (me)

butter-poached scallops in a cream sauce (recipe courtesy of pinknest) with sauteed asparagus (both dishes all me)

Then last night we had the first annual Iron Chef battle! It was Justin vs. my friend Tricia, and it was epic.

Check my food blog for more!

I started a food blog…

http://food-in-the-city.blogspot.com/

I know, you’re thinking “but you rarely write as it is!”  But I think I will, I’m writing with a purpose.  So far only one review, so check it out

What I did this weekend

Mmm, BBQ brisket w/sausage, pickles, and cheese!!!

Big Apple BBQ was great.

There was also a beer garden and a bourbon bar.  Why can’t this be every weekend?