music, food trucks, and wine

I am going to have to break this past weekend up in a few parts. There is just too much goodness to share!

Our weekend started on Friday night, when Mike and I rushed home from work to change and head to Music on the Porch, an event that occurs twice a month during the summer in downtown Raleigh. I was pretty pumped about this event and knew it was considered family friendly, but boy were we surprised just how family friendly it really was! We were the ONLY people there without kids, which didn't really bother us, but it was kinda funny.

The sky was a little gnarly looking, but we actually didn't get any rain while we were out there. Here is the low-down... bring some chairs or a blanket, a bottle of wine or some beer, pack a picnic dinner (if you have time) or buy some food there, and relax while listening to some local music. Any event where I can bring my own wine and have an excuse to drink it out of a mason jar is a pure win in my book. :)

The event was close to a few restaurants, but they also had one food truck you could order from if you wanted. Mike and I definitely wanted to go that route, since I have an obsession with food trucks... and mason jars.

Klausie's Pizza

This isn't just regular pizza, either. It is deep dish, Chicago style pizza with some insane toppings and varieties. Of course I couldn't go with just a normal pepperoni pizza, I had to get something different, and I had to make Mike get something different too, 'cause that is how I roll.

The pizza on the left was called the Fire Belly, pineapple puree, ham, hot thai chili butter, sweet red onion, and sweet basil (grown on the dashboard of the truck). The pizza on the right had bbq sauce, red onion, and pulled pork. Both were amazeballs.

I think it is awesome that Raleigh has an event like this. It was cheap, it was fun, and it was really a great way to unwind after a long work week. I think we need to borrow some kids next time we go, but I would definitely go again.

Mike and I enjoyed the music for about 2 hours before heading out. The sky was freaking us out that we were going to get drenched.  Plus, we were out of wine. :)

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Saturday morning, we had planned on getting a long run in. Since we haven't been running much in the last few weeks, I don't know where we got the idea that we would be able to just get up and run 8-10 miles, but clearly we were mistaken. We didn't get started until almost 10 or 11 and it was pretty toasty out. I made it about 3 miles before I had to take a break. When Mike saw me walking, he decided he had had about enough as well, so we walked for 2 miles before calling it quits.

We did hit up a new trail, though, and I really liked it. This trail is actually part of the marathon that Mike will be running in November, so he wants to start running different pieces of it to get familiar with it. I loved all the rolling hills and pastures that we ran through, but boy was it hot out there.

Right when we got back to the car, Mike and I decided to do a sprint lap around a track that we came across.

Mike ran his lap in 1 minute and 30 seconds and I ran mine in 1 minute and 40 or 45 seconds, I can't remember. It was fun to end our work out with a sprint, but we were both about to die when we finished.

Sweaty, post run picture... check!

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We spent the rest of Saturday doing some things around the house and yard and making a ton of homemade foods for dinner and for the freezer. But, I will save that for the next post!

Before I forget, though, look what I saw on my run this morning!

Right as I turned a corner, I saw this guy just staring at me. He let me take a picture, but when I tried to get closer, he took off. I love seeing things like this while running! 

Monday Blues

Happy Monday... (said in my most monotone voice possible). Today is not happy. I am tired, cranky and ready to crawl back in bed. I woke up late, forgot my badge to get in my building, and realized I am on call tonight at the hospital. I really hope I don't get called in!

I would love to remain in my bad mood, but, that sucks. So, I might as well get positive!

This past weekend was so busy, but so fun. On Friday night, Mike had his holiday party for work and they are not allowed to bring spouses. Silly, if you ask me, but it gave me a chance to go to dinner with a dear friend. We ate some amazing food, drank some delicious wine, and caught up on life. It was magnificent. Later, the boys (her boyfriend and Mike are close friends and work together) met us for a drink before we all headed home.

We ate dinner at a great place downtown called Zely and Ritz. I had eaten there before, but Lindsay hadn't and it is totally food that is up both of our alleys. Most of their food is fresh and local and they have quite an impressive wine list.

We started with some bruschetta and wine. The bruschetta came with 3 topping options, a goat cheese spread, arugula pate, and a pear butter. I loved mixing the goat cheese and pear butter, it was so delicious.

This is the wine that we chose. It was a malbec blend and it was some of the best wine I have ever had. We were joking about how we could enjoy a $3 bottle of wine any day of the week, but then you put an actual nice bottle in front of me and I feel like I can't drink anything else. The difference is truly amazing. Unfortunately, my wallet does not agree with me, so I am sure I will be back to my $3 bottles in no time. :)

Next, we each ordered our entrees. Lindsay had the pork tenderloin stuffed with blue cheese and on top of a cherry glaze. The pork came from the restaurant's local, grass fed farm and it was amazing. I am not even a huge fan of blue cheese, but the flavors were so good.

I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi, butternut squash, and broccoli. I was really in the mood for meat, but those are some of my favorite vegetables. I just couldn't pass it up. It was made in a maple sauce and it almost could have been dessert, it was so good.

We decided to share some creamy risotto with pork. It was awesome. The pork flavor was really strong, but it was so wonderful. I was stuffed, but kept dipping my fork in the bowl for another taste. :)

We were too full for dessert, but their menu looked yummy. I will have to try to limit my bread intake next time so I can enjoy some dessert. It is really nice to get out to a nice dinner with friend's every once in a while. We are usually really good about not eating out or choosing relatively inexpensive places, but every once in a while, it is worth it to spend the extra money and enjoy a well made meal with great company.

The rest of our weekend included a lot of driving and spending time with family. Mike had tickets to go to the Redskins - Patriots game yesterday. So, we drove up on Saturday morning to see my sister and her family for the day. My sister and I did a lot of shopping around and playing with kids. I am really loving that we have seen them so often during this holiday season. They are also going to come to our house for New Years, which will be really fun. I just wish we could see them this often all year round.

Yesterday, Jaime (my sister), made a crock pot veggie lasagna. It was delicious. I am so glad I was able to stay and have dinner with them. I will definitely be making this meal at some point. I love crock pot meals and am always looking for new recipes to try. We had the lasagna with a side salad and garlic bread. So good!

Jaime - the cook and her little side kick.

I finished up my dinner right as Mike was walking in the door from the football game. We headed out pretty quickly after he arrived since we had a long drive ahead and had to get up for work this morning.

Along the way, we stopped at Caribou for a coffee for the boys, and a hot chocolate for me. Let me just tell you, I will be returning for their dark hot chocolate with peppermint. It was to die for! I love dark chocolate and this really tasted like dark chocolate. I had them add in a little peppermint and it was like the holidays having a party in my mouth. I really like Caribou. I feel like they have really great non-coffee options and a really cute gift shop. I even picked up a few things there as gifts for my friends. I am not sure why I haven't gone there in the past (probably because there is another coffee shop that is much more present in the area), but I will be seeking this one out a lot more. Plus, look how adorable their cups are?

I just got a call from the hospital and they are going to need me tonight. Whaaaa! I think I am going to get back into my bad mood now. :(

I hope everyone else has a great day!