🍴:

Mon – last Monday, we tested out some new steaks from TJ’s that were decidedly underwhelming. Their new bone-in ribeye worked out much better this Monday. We have had fun cooking massive ones from Smoke City Meats, but these smaller ones are definitely more convenient. Pan-roasted spuds and salad to go with.

Tues – brothy, lemony shrimp and kale over polenta with comté cheese.

Wed – we went out for an event (more on that below) and got food delivered to the bar from That Place in the West End, which was super easy and tasty.

Thurs – Asian-inspired glass noodle salad with shaved beef, green papaya, cucumber, and carrot.

Fri – Zaxby’s in the car on the way home from a murder mystery (more on that below, too!)

Sat – the other week, I suggested it was time for us to throw a party. Hampton came up with Elevenses for our 11th anniversary. We couldn’t do a brunch because he was already scheduled to work until 2, so we did a linner, starting nice and early to accommodate friends working that night. We did waffle, sausage, and bubble bars feat. TJ’s shelf-stable waffles, a variety of sausages, plus blanc de blancs and seltzers. I planned on doing a “super easy party” post just about this… and then, of course, took zero photos, so nevermind that. I never claimed to be a proper blogger.

Sun – This Steak Salad with Feta Dressing caught our eye in the new Bon Appétit and was a great way to use up beef from Monday, the buttermilk ranch we made last week, and already cut crudités from the party. We hadn’t bought pita and right before plating, had the genius idea to break up some of the not-as-air-fried-as-they-should-have-been hashbrowns a friend brought for Elevenses and crisped them up in a hot non-stick pan and I may never want a regular crouton again. [Narrator v.o.: that is a lie, she will always want croutons.]

🥃: I wanted to have plenty of N.A. bubbles options for Elevenses, and this Earl Grey Tea Cream Soda was a dang delight! It may be my new thing, so easy and fun.

🐶:

📚: It was a slow reading week, one meh book someone had recommended and two others I’ll be writing about later thanks to NetGalley.

🎭: Tuesday we headed out to Joymonger’s for an installation of Piedmont Opera’s HOPera series, this one starring my Man of La Mancha padre. It was a beautiful night with the rolltop doors open, Mason’s lovely baritone, and poke.

Friday night was Mystery Men show for a housing community in Charlotte. The crowd was small but they were all super into it, which was wonderful.

Also, we were home by 8:30, which is my kind of party.