I’m very happy to say that today went great, or as good as it could possibly go. Of course we were all thinking about my brother but we managed to stay busy and have the best time possible. John wouldn’t want us sulking around and we did our best to honor him.
Here we are!
The accident, in a way, has made my entire family much closer. My dad and I will always share that (sad) bond of being the ones with John as he breathed his last breath. Was that not even two months ago? I feel like I’ve aged about 15 years in the past 50 days.
Anyways, I had my parents over to MY house for a change tonight and they welcomed it! We made really fun strawberry martinis and I cooked a fabulous dinner. The cocktails were my mom’s idea and all you really do is “marinate” strawberries with powdered sugar and then puree the mixture in the blender. Mix with a shot of vodka and top with club soda and a basil leaf. SO unbelievably tasty!
I had two of these because these glasses were so teeny-tiny. Each martini glass only held about 1/4-1/3 cup of cocktail!
Yummy!
And for dinner, I made one of our favorites— caramelized scallops with smoked chili cream sauce from The Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard cookbook (one of my favorites!).
My mom and dad got potato pancakes but I chose a sweet potato instead. This is the easiest recipe ever but so tasty! Pretty healthy, too, since I used only a bit of olive oil to caramelize these suckers and reduced fat sour cream in the sauce. I wasn’t stuffed afterwards, which is a good sign of a balanced healthy meal!
I SO wished I would have had time to make a fun Father’s Day dessert but since I didn’t, we each had a little ice cream instead 🙂
This is the last of the So Delicious mocha almond fudge coconut milk “ice cream” and, to be honest, I’m glad its gone! This still is like crack to me and I was constantly in the freezer for “just one little spoonful”. Very dangerous to keep on hand 😉
TOMORROW:
The Easy Weeknight Dinner E-Cookbook will be going on sale!!!!!!!!!!!! The price will be $10 and like last time, just donate the money into my Team in Training account and then email me at HelpJennaRun@gmail.com to just real quickly let me know you made the donation. In the response to the email you send, I will attach the e-cookbook. Trust me guys, this one is even BETTER than the dessert one—-its about 100 pages!! I definitely have my work cut out for me tonight (it might be a late one) but its so worth it. I do hope you all will make an effort to pitch forward the $10 and purchase one. Its for such a great cause and I don’t know anywhere else you can find 100 awesome dinner recipes for only $10. Really, now.
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
June 21, 2009 at 8:18 pmCan’t wait:)
Help Meghan Run
June 21, 2009 at 8:20 pmSo excited! 🙂 I know it’s going to be a good one.
HelpMeghanRun.com
Michaela
June 21, 2009 at 8:29 pmThose cocktails sound awesome! What were the proportions you used?
jenna
June 21, 2009 at 8:46 pmMichaela,
Honestly there was no real “recipe”…..my mom just blended up the stawberries and then for each person she poured some strawberry “slush” in, topped with a shot of vodka and a bit of club soda!
Angela
June 21, 2009 at 8:40 pmOh wow I so can’t wait to get my paws on that cookbook!!
Is it too late to submit an entry??
Now I know where yuo got your beautiful eyes- your dad!
jenna
June 21, 2009 at 8:45 pmAngela,
Send away! Just sometime tonight would be great! 🙂
Heather,
You have until October!! 🙂
Heather
June 21, 2009 at 8:40 pmHi Jenna,
How long can we buy the cookbook until. Payday is the 30th, and I’d really still like to buy one on that date?
Heather:)
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum
June 21, 2009 at 8:40 pmThe ice cream looks amazing 🙂 Can’t wait to see the wonderful recipes in the e-book!
Maria
June 21, 2009 at 8:48 pmLove scallops and sweet potatoes. That dish looks so yumm! The ice cream looks as good as you say it is :). Glad to hear that you had a great Father’s Day!
Joelle (Chasing Pavements)
June 21, 2009 at 9:06 pmHave you ever had the coconut milk mini ice cream bars? So good–and better than the soy ice cream, I think!
Erica
June 21, 2009 at 9:14 pmFABULOUS daddy’s day dinner! I just made my donation- good luck reaching your goal 🙂
Bec
June 21, 2009 at 9:38 pmwow what a great meal, I am sure your dad loved it!
Jess
June 21, 2009 at 9:50 pmWhat a wonderful Father’s Day! Congrats to you and your family for celebrating a happy day!
Danielle
June 21, 2009 at 9:58 pmHappy Father’s Day to your dad! I’m glad that you were able to enjoy it, I’m sure John was smiling down on you all 🙂
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
June 21, 2009 at 10:00 pmThat martini sounds delicious. I may have to see if a virgin version would taste good.
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
June 21, 2009 at 10:17 pmYAY!!!!!!! I’m so totally buying one!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
June 21, 2009 at 10:24 pmI’m so glad to hear that you had a great day with your dad!
That martini sounds so good and perfect for a summer drink. And awesome job on dinner!!! Your parents will be coming over more often! 😉
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
June 21, 2009 at 10:49 pmThat’s wonderful you had a great Father’s Day.
The strawberry martini looks fabulous! And your dinner looks better than anything you can get in the fanciest restaurants!
Becky@I Heart Running & Food
June 21, 2009 at 11:02 pmThe dinner and cocktail look scrumptious! I will have to try that martini 🙂
I’m excited about the e-cookbook….thanks for doing all the work, you rock!!
Still Life in South America
June 21, 2009 at 11:10 pmWhat a thoughtful dinner, Jenna. I’m glad that everything turned out so well. It’s been forever since I’ve had potato pancakes. (I may just have to make them now.)
Have an awesome week!
TorontoGirloutWest
June 21, 2009 at 11:46 pmI’m proud of you for getting through the last 50 days with such grace!
Whitney
June 21, 2009 at 11:47 pmGlad you could enjoy father’s day, I can’t wait for the cookbook!
emily
June 21, 2009 at 11:57 pmthose cocktails look delish, thanks for sharing the recipe/idea!
Danielle C.
June 21, 2009 at 11:57 pmI’m most def going to have to try that martini YUM! And your dinner looks amazing too.
Can’t wait to get my hands on the cookbook tomorrow. YAY!
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 22, 2009 at 12:06 amGood luck with the e-cookbook! I can’t wait to see it!
Annie
June 22, 2009 at 12:20 amThe conference sounds awesome! I have lived in Boston and I can tell you is is an amazing city! Lots of history, character, and pride 🙂
Terrormisu
June 22, 2009 at 12:40 amOkay, I just have to say this.
Your dad looks exactly like a slightly older Chris Cornel (of Soundgarden and Audioslave), and Ryan bears a striking resemblance to Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails).
Believe me, those are hardcore complements.
Okay, I’m gonna go to bed and stop bein’ creepy now. 🙂
Goodnight!
Ada
June 22, 2009 at 6:05 amYou are so sweet to make such an incredible meal for your dad!
Christie @ Find My Weigh
June 22, 2009 at 7:00 amI am glad you had such a wonderful time with your dad.
I can’t wait for the e-cookbook!
leslie
June 22, 2009 at 7:26 amsuch a wonderful day with your family! exactly how these holidays should be.
everything – food and cocktails included – looks delicious! i can’t wait to be able to cook for my parents.
Susan
June 22, 2009 at 9:05 amLove the martinis! I like the idea of smaller glasses, feels like you’re drinking more 😉
Can’t wait for the cookbook! Hope you weren’t up to late!
Paula
June 22, 2009 at 1:10 pmSilly Q: Do I need a coupon for the amazing grass?
Raya
June 22, 2009 at 1:15 pmCan’t wait to get the cookbook! And btw those scallops look AMAZING!
Justine
June 22, 2009 at 2:11 pmYum! The cocktails and food look great!
~Justine
valerie
June 23, 2009 at 12:41 amThe dinner looks wonderful!