Dessert/ Dinner

Being Sporty

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!

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A little later I had a banana and peanut butter for a snack:

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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):

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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):

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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.

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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.

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And for dessert………….my surprise!

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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:

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Not to toot my own horn, but it was pretty darn good. My dad had two slices and my mom loved it!

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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:

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I don’t know why that came out blurry! Sad!

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  • Molly
    October 26, 2008 at 2:32 am

    Everything looks wonderful! Glad you had a great time!

  • Becca A
    October 26, 2008 at 2:33 am

    The cake looks lovely and yummy! What a nice surprise for your mom!

  • Krista
    October 26, 2008 at 2:36 am

    That 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 am

    jenna, you are sooooo pretty!!! that cake you made for your mom looks great 🙂

  • VeggieGirl
    October 26, 2008 at 2:42 am

    Fun day; delicious surprise for Mom; cute Dexter!! 😀

  • Melissa P.
    October 26, 2008 at 2:51 am

    Your 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 am

    spending time family is heaven in the earth! ^_^

  • Erin
    October 26, 2008 at 3:00 am

    Very 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 am

    Glad 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 am

    I am salivating over that cake. wow. I want some right now! 🙂

  • LadyLara
    October 26, 2008 at 5:35 am

    In 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 am

    Your 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 am

    That 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 pm

    You 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 pm

    I have that same sign except a different color in my kitchen!

  • Justy2003
    October 26, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    The 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 pm

    it really makes me happy to see you so happy 🙂

  • MOM
    October 26, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    Thank 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 pm

    awesome food & good times! you look so happy. im glad you had a great day 😀

  • Erica
    October 26, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    Shopping, 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 pm

    THERE’S SOMETHING WAITING FOR YOU ON MY BLOG!! 🙂

  • Kelsey
    October 26, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    I 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 pm

    omg that cake!! so glad you were able to spend some quality time w/Ryan 🙂

  • bobbi
    October 26, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    what a great evening, you are the cake master!

  • Kristie
    October 26, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    Aw. 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 pm

    It’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 am

    Mmm the maple blueberry sauce on that chicken looks amazing! Recipe?? Pretty please? 🙂

  • jenna
    October 27, 2008 at 3:06 am

    Betherann,

    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 pm

    This 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 pm

    The much awaited surprise – it looks so delicious!!! I absolutely LOVE Dexter by the way… such a cutie!!

  • Bev
    October 28, 2008 at 1:01 am

    Jenna it is so cute how you tip your head in most of your pictures.