In Search of Dessert

This past weekend began with a visit from relatives whom I don’t know very well at all – My mom’s Aunt and cousin from her father’s side of the family. I believe we met once, when I was very young. They happened to be coming to Austin for a visit so we got together at Central Market for lunch so that we could meet. I had the most fantastic time. My great Aunt must be in her eighties, but she was witty and sharp. The whole afternoon was a really cool surprise, meeting relatives I don’t know, and enjoying them so much. Plus, I found myself instantly trusting the woman who came along and I literally sat Liam on the cafe table, and then pushed him feet first towards where she was sitting, without asking. She instantly took him, played with him the whole meal, and refused to let me take him back until I was done eating. Yes, I liked her.

Since Friday was Jon’s last day traveling for a few weeks, I decided to make a big dinner. This time of year – early February – always, always reminds me of Hawaii, and being on the Big Island with Jonathan when we first met, so that is what inspired this meal. I think I’ll blog the recipes soon, but in the meantime, the menu was:

Canteloupe Salsa and Tortilla Chips

Miniature Crab-Cakes (bought, not made!)

Wasabi Crusted Seabass

Jicama Salad with Avocado Dressing

Fruit Salad for dessert.

Saturday was a very unproductive day for Jon. You know those days when you start a million projects and don’t finish a one. I hate that. So glad it wasn’t me! I told Jon just to give up and be a potato-couch for the day, since clearly that is what the universe wanted. I for one ran my ten miler that day, which I felt was enough production for the whole weekend. I ran six on my own, then shed my ipod and top layer and picked up Jon and Liam for the next four. I felt pretty dead at six, and not so great at seven, so when we got to the end of the ninth mile I was shocked to feel that I had a sudden second wind and energy to keep going. That was a great boost to my running confidence. Officially, I have done what I need to do for the half marathon training. However, since there is still one more weekend before the taper weekend, I think I’d better run another long one again next weekend.

The rest of the day was spent juggling Liam while I cooked another big dinner, this time specifically for Jon’s birthday. He loves meat, he loves Austin and so this meal was inspired by that. I’ll post these recipes over the next few days. The menu was:

Greek Salsa and Chips

Green Beans with Walnut-Lemon Vinaigrette

Cajun Mac and Cheese

Coffee Rubbed Brisket

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I’ll call this second meal a success because Jonathan said he doesn’t want to eat anything but leftovers for the next three days. Unfortunately, he’d forgotten that he proposed we do a veggie-fruit cleansing diet this whole week. So, I guess it’ll be more green beans tonight!

We also made the obligatory trip to Home Depot; cleaned the pool; spent a half a day rearranging the completely mixed up and non-functioning telephone wires in the house; drank hot chocolate and ate BBQ chips for lunch; tried out the Austin Diner (awesome!) had a dance party with Liam using Pandora on our television and the handy baby bouncer; took a covert trip to Ligne Rosette to take mental snapshots of table that Jon is going to recreate for us; continued to work on super long project of making own cured ham; worked on bedroom decor project to avoid paying 140 dollars at a store for it; made my first batch of sweet-potato fries; watched the Superbowl and painted a tiny monkey neon pink.