Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 3

As soon as I finished posting "Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 2" I began "Part 3" of my day. (and please forgive the myriad of fonts I have going on here...I have no idea how I managed that).

I walked over to The Grassmarket to meet my friends at a cafe called, "The Lot." It was really nice and chill, and my friends were knitting! So I settled in with a very large bottle of Williams Black Ale...and a snack of olives. It was delicious!

After some wonderful conversation we headed for the bus and down to a bar and cafe called "Roseleaf."

I love this place! I was amusing my friend Christina because everything about it filled me with glee...from the home made Ginger Beer cocktail served in teapot and teacups...to the discovery of cake forks! I'd never seen such a thing! Needless to say the food blogger in me took over and my camera was out (if I looked like a silly tourist so be it!)

Ginger Beer w/Rum

Cullen Skink

Cake Fork!

Apple Cupcake

It was a wonderful penultimate day and evening in Edinburgh. Now, as I write this, it's Friday night and I'm extremely sad to be leaving early in the morning. My only consolation is that I know I'll be back...there's really no question about that because I love it too much.

Today we traveled over to The Sheep Heid Inn for lunch. I had wanted to go last visit but never made it. The Sheep Heid is the oldest Public House in Scotland (according to "The Local's Guide to Edinburgh"). It's very cozy and laid back. We enjoyed some beer and sausages and mustard mash with red wine gravy, then went down to the bar area for some tea. At one point a woman came in with her adorable West Highland Terrier and I was just delighted.

The Sheep Heid

After tea we walked back around and over the Arthur's Seat area...so I got to spend a few more moments out there which I cherish :)

I'm about to head back out to the cash machine and market for dinner fixings. I'm quite excited over cooking something while here...now...what to make???

I'll report back, of course.

XO

31 Going on 13

My dorm room of a cubicle wall at TV Guide Magazine

At the risk of looking like a total loon...I thought it would be fun to recount all the things that make me feel silly (in the best possible sense) these days.

~True Blood/Stephen Moyer/Alexander Skarsgard. Ah yes...it all brings me back to the days I'd go to the pharmacy in town to check out Bop! Magazine. The equivalent these days would be trips to the HBO store. Most recently it was when the Tru Blood soda came out. AWESOME.




~Our office's little girlie book club...mostly Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series...feeding into all things True Blood.

~My Black & Tan Turtle...now, this would be wrong if I was actually 13...thank goodness I'm not! Black & Tan's are so pretty!

~The Office's John Krasinski...Jim! And of course, "JAM"

~"The Silly Hour" at work. We inevitably crack up about something at around 4pm...give or take. One of my favorites was Sara saying she was "racist against Werewolves..." It set off a string of hilarity that we still pull from. Priceless.

~Paul McCartney in concert = Giggles and smiles all around

~David Tennant as Dr. Who...oh boy. To be honest though, it gets worse when he speaks in his normal (Scottish) voice that I basically jump up and down on the inside all a-twitter :)

~The Waterboys!!! Being introduced to their music has caused me to embark on an album buying spree the likes of which haven't been seen since I "discovered" Terrence Mann when I was 15 and then The Beatles shortly thereafter. Terrence Mann inspired my friend Melodie and I to save up for a bus trip into NYC to see "Beauty and the Beast" and The Waterboys have inspired me to buy tickets for a concert in Dublin in the Spring. Being 31 certainly expands your ability to travel for your fandom.

~The Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon, which inspired me to visit...

~Scotland.


This started out as a funny little whim of a blog...but I realized through writing out all my little "silly" interests that they have shaped me more or less. Even going back to when I was 15 or so because I was following my joy and in doing so found other things that kept me going in a certain direction.


I think we all need to keep a bit of 13 inside of us :)


XO

2009 Long Island Scottish Games

I had Brodies "Scottish Teatime" Tea with my Breakfast

Of course, I'd rather be in Scotland...but it was nice being surrounded by kilts, nature and the sound of bagpipes for a day. It always feels like something is missing when I "do Scotland" here in NY. There's a feeling in the air that I love over there...the history is palpable and the sky takes my breath away.

Deliciousness ensued with roasted corn and a Haggis Puff...then later a hot dog and fresh squeezed lemonade. It reminded me of going to the county fairs with my Dad as a kid. I also bought some adorable, tiny, silver thistle earrings and a black and tan turtle. I think my purchases accurately depict me...girly earrings and a beer tool ;)

I got all choked up as soon as the drums and pipes began to play...as I usually do...and really enjoyed the beautiful sights of Old Westbury Gardens.

So here, in photos, are the 2009 Long Island Scottish Games, held at Old Westbury Gardens:









































XOXO

Ah, Beer...

I'm typing this while enjoying the penultimate stout in my fridge (pretty soon I'll have to switch to something lighter for the summer...)

I never thought I would like beer, forget about how much I have come to love it...good beer, that is...

I basically have it in my fridge at all times these days (currently left? 1 bottle of Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate stout).

I have vivid memories of sitting on my Dad's lap as a kid while he gave me a little sip of whatever beer he was drinking and recoiling in horror at the flavor...and then in college, sitting on my friend Ron's lap at Bowlmore Lanes urging him to finish my Guinness because I couldn't take anymore (clearly, by that point, I'd had more than one sip...LOL).

Now a days I wouldn't dream of giving up one drop of my Guinness!

I have developed a deep love for all things earthy...and to me, beer is just that (Whisky too...but that deserves it's own blog).

When I was in Edinburgh this past August I discovered the delight of the half pint. By the end of my first week I worked up the courage to have dinner alone in a few pubs on the Royal Mile...one of my favorites being the Steak and Guinness Pie at the Toll Booth Tavern...and a half pint of Deuchers. Sigh. My good friend Krissy and I spent a lovely dinner with some friends there just learning how to properly pronounce it! ("It's like a Duke and your bottom" [arse] or so said the waitress at the Tollbooth, LOL). The thought that I will be back in Edinburgh enjoying it's beer and becoming one with Arthur's Seat again in the fall sends me over the moon. Seriously...tears come to my eyes as I think about it.

Waiting out some rain with a pint in Edinburgh

I wish everyone that amount of bliss.

The last few weeks have been stressful here in NYC, but I look forward with joy and gratitude for all the gifts and opportunities I'm being gifted with. And, of course for (good) beer.

XO

Anatomy of a Muppet Party...

Saturday I held my third annual Muppet Party.

I had the idea (3 years ago) to get some friends together for an adult kid's party...where we would eat food we loved as kids (but in a healthier form), have some drinks, watch The Muppet Show, and maybe play some games...basically be silly and childlike for an evening.

Reflecting on my parties over the past years, I realize how far I've come with relaxing while entertaining...I used to get pretty stressed out.

The most important thing to remember? These are you friends, and all is well.

Be yourself in every aspect of planning...meaning, have fun yourself and all else will fall deliciously into place! Create a party you would want to attend...

I started the day by getting up and having a leisurely breakfast and waiting for my fresh direct order (freshdirect.com). Ordering groceries cuts down on my stress (whether I'm throwing a party or not)...it's fabulous! Oh, and paper cups and plates get a huge thumbs up from me too. I'm not a big supporter of plastic, but I had some leftover plastic utensils that also came in super handy.


After a little cleaning and putting away the groceries, I pre-chopped veggies, grated cheese, and made pizza dough for later. I even had time (or rather, made time) to do a little yoga and reiki before I hopped in the shower!



My Beautiful pizza dough:



The Menu (this year was by far my favorite):

*Ale Cheeseburger Pizza

*Spicy Veggie Pizza

*Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

*Black Chocolate Stout Ice Cream


Menu Items supplied by friends:

*PB & J appetizers




*Bailey's Chocolate cake



*The AWESOME Muppet Cupcakes pictured at the beginning of this blog, supplied by my über talented Cousin, Elana (Sweet E's Bakery)

Beverages consisted of copious amounts of Red Wine, Grape Vodka (smelled like bubble gum!) Prosecco, and Scottish Ale ;)


Friends started arriving around 7 (except for Elana who had come to hang out earlier :) and the party got under way! The mac and cheese was done and I started assembling the cheeseburger pizza...when my veggie friend Kim arrived, I was assembling the veggie pizza, put it in the oven...and then, BAM! "Disaster Struck!!"


The spicy veggie pizza was too top heavy and it slid backwards and off the pizza stone...ending up on the back wall and floor of my oven! I quietly shrieked a slow motion "OH NO" as I saw it go. But I wasn't going to give up that easily...I pulled the racks out and salvaged what I could of my creation...it might have looked a mess, but it sure was tasty.

Remember the motto?

All is well.

And all was more than well...it was Muppet-tastic....

We watched some old clips of the Muppets on the Ed Sullivan Show and The Muppets Take Manhatten...all the while fabulous silliness and friendship abounded...



XOXO


And to finish it all up, I did goodie bags in the form of a packed lunch. This included a tiny PB &J and cup of mac and cheese with a sprinkle of M&Ms....








And now, the recipes:

For the pizza toppings I used one large onion, 1 can of Muir Glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, 1 can Muir glen tomato paste...split in half (for the two pizzas)...I browned the onion and then:

Veggie Pizza:



1 small zucchini, chopped
1 cup chopped broccoli
Handful Fennel Seeds
A Sprinkle of crushed red pepper, Chili Powder, sea salt, Worcestershire pepper blend (to taste)
Shredded cheese blend (I used Organic Valley Italian Blend)

Spread on pizza (you can make your own crust or buy frozen), top with bake for 15 minutes @ 400 degrees.

Ale Cheeseburger Pizza:



1 pound antibiotic free ground beef
1/2 Cup Ale (I used Bellhaven Scottish Ale...and then drank the rest :)
1 Teaspoon organic Worcestershire sauce
Season to taste with salt, Worcestershire pepper, Chipotle Tabasco
Shredded Sharp Cheddar (Organic Valley Raw Cheddar)

Brown the beef with the onions and then add all other ingredients...let simmer and then assemble pizza and bake just like above.

Put all ingredients in pan and simmer



I used a Martha Stewart recipe (and used canned squash and vegetable stock) for the amazing:

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
(click title for recipe)




and last, but certainly not least:

Black Chocolate Stout Ice Cream


1 pint heavy cream
1 tin sweetened condensed milk
12 tablespoons chocolate stout (I used Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate Stout)

Make sure all ingredients are well chilled.

Whip cream with mixer until it stands up in peaks...then fold in condensed milk and stout. Pour into a container and put in freezer. No ice cream maker needed! Serve right from freezer...it will melt rather quickly.