Hi yall!
Today was just what I needed. Football, friends, family and even a little shopping thrown in there. 😉 We had another couple over for the game this afternoon but since the Gator game was, um, rather uneventful (which Ryan and Todd thought was great but for the rest of us it was a little boring…) Carly and I headed down the street to Anthropologie to do some shopping and left the boys to cheer on the Gators. I actually had quite the shopping trip today and got three new sweaters for my Chicago trip (that’s how I rationalized it to myself anyway). Too bad its still almost 80 degrees here and I can’t wear them yet! Even though I do love Florida winters, at this time of year I find myself really missing the seasons.
While we were out, Carly and I stopped at the candy store because we both agreed we needed a little “fix”. We shared this chocolate pretzel bark. It was exactly what I needed!
A little later I had a banana and peanut butter for a snack:
And then, Ryan, Dexter and I laid down and fell asleep! I NEVER fall asleep during the day but it sure felt wonderful except for the fact that I didn’t wake up until about 5:30 and I told my mom we were coming over at 5:00. So….we hurried up and got over there to make it in time to watch the Breeder’s Cup!
Of course, Ryan insisted we bring Dexter to my parents house so he could play with Mikan and refused to put him in his carrying case so he was roaming freely all about the car while we drove (I said this was silly and dangerous):
Buuuuuut he did surprise me by having hung my favorite piece in “our” kitchen (that feels weird to type!) so I had to forgive him (that and he’s just so cute):
When we arrived at my parent’s house, my mom had laid out a spread of appetizers—-some crackers, herbed goat cheese, shrimp and almonds.
I had one shrimp and a couple crackers with cheese. I also had a glass of pinot noir while watching the race.
And then there was dinner. Woahhhhhhh was it ever good. I miss my mom’s cooking!!! She made homemade mac & cheese (with reduced fat milk and cheese for a “healthier” version—recipe from the Magnolia Cookbook), chicken with maple blueberry sauce and salad with goat cheese, almonds, mandarin oranges and homemade dressing. I had another glass of wine with dinner.
And for dessert………….my surprise!
I made my mom a surprise late birthday cake at work! Its an angel food cake with key lime curd and an Italian buttercream icing. I LOVE angel food cake and it helps that its also fat free! Well, not when you combine it with buttery icing and key lime curd but its healthier than some!
Here’s my slice:
Not to toot my own horn, but it was pretty darn good. My dad had two slices and my mom loved it!
Erin, Ryan’s sister, just arrived and we are still over at my parent’s house and about to watch the way late 3rd game of the World Series. I can’t even believe they are actually starting the game at 10:00! It won’t be over until probably 2 or 3!
Here’s a somewhat blurry picture of the boy and I:
I don’t know why that came out blurry! Sad!
Molly
October 26, 2008 at 2:32 amEverything looks wonderful! Glad you had a great time!
Becca A
October 26, 2008 at 2:33 amThe cake looks lovely and yummy! What a nice surprise for your mom!
Krista
October 26, 2008 at 2:36 amThat cake looks marvelous! 🙂
And Dexter is too cute! My cats HATE the car. They yowl and pant like dogs whenever they have to go for a car ride!
Andrea
October 26, 2008 at 2:40 amjenna, you are sooooo pretty!!! that cake you made for your mom looks great 🙂
VeggieGirl
October 26, 2008 at 2:42 amFun day; delicious surprise for Mom; cute Dexter!! 😀
Melissa P.
October 26, 2008 at 2:51 amYour hair is so dang shiny. Looks great! I love the sweater too!
I hope that Dexter has a Halloween costume. He is the perfect Halloween cat… Oh, and about taking him in the car, I am with you about it being a little sketchy. Once I let my cat loose in my car and she had an accident in the back seat. Years later I still could never get the smell out. Gag…
coco
October 26, 2008 at 2:59 amspending time family is heaven in the earth! ^_^
Erin
October 26, 2008 at 3:00 amVery cute pics. You guys are a great couple.
I think after all your education you deserve to toot your horn!
Jenny
October 26, 2008 at 5:11 amGlad you are enjoying a nice weekend with your family! haha I love that picture of Dexter and Ryan in the car, my cat FREAKS out whenever we get her near a car, I can’t believe Dexter was so calm!
Nothing like good home cooking, and congrats on a successful cake for mom! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 🙂
Julia
October 26, 2008 at 5:32 amI am salivating over that cake. wow. I want some right now! 🙂
LadyLara
October 26, 2008 at 5:35 amIn honor of Jenna’s upcoming Chicago trip, some of us readers were going to get together some time… shoot me your email at laramann@gmail.com if you’re interested!
Jenna that key lime cake looks amazing! Your mother is so lucky. =)
Lauren
October 26, 2008 at 9:11 amYour dexter looks a lot like my Suki. only, you know, he looks friendlier. Suki is a bit of a loner. Check out my blog for a recent picture of her.
Sammie
October 26, 2008 at 11:19 amThat is a beautiful cake – I bet it was delish. Your mom made quite a meal, I can see why you miss her cooking. Enjoy the rest of your weekend with the family.
HangryPants
October 26, 2008 at 12:23 pmYou look just like your mom – both beautiful of course!
Love the pretzel bark and macaroni and cheese. Cute sign Ryan hung. You must be so excited to actually be in one place with him! My boyfriend lives 3.5 hours away in NJ and it’s the worst right now!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Beadie
October 26, 2008 at 12:24 pmI have that same sign except a different color in my kitchen!
Justy2003
October 26, 2008 at 12:53 pmThe cake looks delicious! Haven’t had angel food cake for a while…I always forget how yummy it is!
I could never let my cat run around in the car…she gets carsick (pukes AND poops!) so that would not be good.
caitlin
October 26, 2008 at 1:01 pmit really makes me happy to see you so happy 🙂
MOM
October 26, 2008 at 1:53 pmThank you for the delicious and beautiful cake honey!!!! It was wonderful, as usual,having you with us last night!
Amy
October 26, 2008 at 2:06 pmawesome food & good times! you look so happy. im glad you had a great day 😀
Erica
October 26, 2008 at 2:08 pmShopping, food, family…what better way to spend a day at HOME! I bet your mom was excited about her birthday cake…it was beautiful and looked delicious! “Happy Birthday to Jenna’s Mom!”
Good thing you got some sweaters, it’s not supposed to be out of the 50s here tomorrow, and it’s even colder in Chi-town! Brrrrr!
Jenny
October 26, 2008 at 2:24 pmTHERE’S SOMETHING WAITING FOR YOU ON MY BLOG!! 🙂
Kelsey
October 26, 2008 at 2:26 pmI want to be adopted into your family since I’d love a birthday party like this!! Looks like such a fun time!
ttfn300
October 26, 2008 at 3:15 pmomg that cake!! so glad you were able to spend some quality time w/Ryan 🙂
bobbi
October 26, 2008 at 4:24 pmwhat a great evening, you are the cake master!
Kristie
October 26, 2008 at 4:25 pmAw. Cute sign. Good saying.
Everything about that dinner sounds amazing. I can’t get over how GOOD that mac and cheese looks.
Your cake sounds amazing too.
And that last picture is adorable 🙂
runjess
October 26, 2008 at 6:04 pmIt’s too hot for sweaters here in Texas too, but my office is always freezing so that’s how I justify buying them anyway.
Betherann
October 27, 2008 at 2:56 amMmm the maple blueberry sauce on that chicken looks amazing! Recipe?? Pretty please? 🙂
jenna
October 27, 2008 at 3:06 amBetherann,
The recipe is from a cookbook called “The Maple Syrup Cookbook”. I can’t copy it on the blog for legal reasons! Sorry!!
Amanda
October 27, 2008 at 3:11 pmThis is so funny, but I know Ryan!! You guys make a cute couple. I just started reading your blog a month ago. Ryan and I were in the same MBA class at UF. Anyway, just wanted to say I approve. He is a great guy!
Catherine
October 27, 2008 at 7:17 pmThe much awaited surprise – it looks so delicious!!! I absolutely LOVE Dexter by the way… such a cutie!!
Bev
October 28, 2008 at 1:01 amJenna it is so cute how you tip your head in most of your pictures.