Kitchin's Kitchen: June 2013

Monday, June 24, 2013

Fab Four

Four things I'm loving this week:

1. Romeo and Juliet Couture Dress (snagged at TJ Maxx for $40)

2. Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka make a perfect beach drink

4. This teal nautical chips and dip platter

Summer Bucket List: Plant an Herb Garden

Since we love to cook, it only makes sense that we plant an herb garden! I went to Taylor Do It Center on Shore Drive to pick up some supplies: A large pot, soil, and seeds. Easy Peasy. I already had a basil plant started in my window-seal. I planted Basil, Cilantro and Oregano.

Can't wait for these little guys to sprout!

THREE WEEKS LATER:

Basil and Cilantro. Oregano is being stubborn.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Summer Bucket List: Go to a Wedding

The ceremony was located at the Groom's Grandparent's house in Virginia Beach.

On June 8th, we witnessed the marriage of Ben and Andrea. Ben is one of Joe's pledge brother's from Kappa Sigma at Hampden Sydney College. He met Andrea while teaching English in Venezuela. They fell in love and moved back to the United States, where they recently eloped to the court house. The nuptials on June 8th were witnessed with a minister and in front of 120 of their closest friends and family. After stating his vows to Andrea, she replied to Ben in Spanish. It was a charming wedding on the river in Virginia Beach. They served BBQ and had custom made beers for the guests to enjoy. Ben included the rest of the Kappa Sigma Pledge class, which could only mean that the reception would get wild.

Custom beers labeled "Senor~~ita~~IPA" for her, and "Ginger's Ale" for him.

Joe with Ben and some of their Frat Bros from Hampden Sydney College

Monday, June 17, 2013

Summer Bucket List: Eat at Pacifica

About four blocks from my house is the cutest little restaurant at the beach. Pacifica is known for it's delicious tapas and swanky cocktails. Every time you go, they post a different menu with new weekly specials. You never know what to expect on the menu. Friday night we decided to bike to Pacifica for a much needed and well deserved date night.

Our Menu:

Little Neck Clams with Andouille Sausage

Seared Pork Belly with Homemade Pimento Cheese and a Biscuit

She Crab Soup with Old Bay candied Bacon

Pork and Ginger Pot-stickers with a Sweet Chili Sauce

and of course:

Whiskey and Coke for Joe

Vodka and Soda for me

** Please ignore that Joe was eating his pot-stickers with the cocktail fork....

Pacifica

214 40th Street

Virginia Beach, VA

757.422.5770

Summer Bucket List: Beach Darty!

Saturday's weather couldn't have been better for a beach party with my closest friends! I was literally waiting by the door for my friends to arrive. I was so excited! Around 1:00 Taylor and Jillian arrived at the my house and we headed straight for the beach with a cooler of beer and lots of snacks. About an hour later, our friend Leslie arrived, followed by Britney, James and their little nugget brewing in Brit's belly. Some more friends were down the beach a little ways and walked over to hang out with us.

Living down at the ocean front has spoiled me rotten. We were able to sit and enjoy the beach for about 4 hours and head up to the house to start cooking. We probably drank a total of four cases of beer throughout the day. We cooked chicken kabobs, hot dogs, and peppers on the grill. And we had mac and cheese and potato salad on the side (and of course pimento cheese). After dinner we meandered onto the front porch and enjoyed the perfect weather with great friends by candle light. Our evening finished with a free firework show down the beach!! I really couldn't imagine a better summer day.

Nothing like a beach day with my friends!!

Jillian decided to bring Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka. It's so refreshing and light! We paired it with Perrier sparkling water for a perfect beach bevvy.

** If you were not already aware a "darty" is a day party. Hence the name!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Fab Four

1. This Lobster dress by J. Crew is too cute!

2. We always have a supply of Palmetto Jalapeno Pimento Cheese in our fridge. I can't wait to make my own!

3. "Lapiz of Luxury" by Essie is the great summer color.

4. Quick morning yoga routine to help start the day.

Summer Bucket List: Eat at Small's

A few month's ago a very close family friend opened an amazing barbecue joint, Small's Smokehouse and Oyster Bar in Norfolk near Old Dominion University. Joe and I had to try it. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures, so next time we go I'll be sure to take a few snapshots.

The location of the restaurant has been in the Small family for generations, as it was originally Small's Hardware Store, local to the ODU area. John Small and son Logan decided to open the place, and man am I glad they did!

I ordered the Pulled Smoked Chicken sandwich with a side of their Signature Baked Mac and Cheese. Joe ordered the Beef Brisket Sandwich, also with the Mac and Cheese. You can choose between a wrap or a deliciously toasted bun. We were in hog heaven! I highly recommend stopping in for some great home-cooking, or let Small's cater your next event!

Small's Smokehouse and Oyster Bar

2700 Hampton Blvd

Norfolk, VA 23517

757-626-3440

From Small's website: Applewood smoked bacon wrapped shrimp!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Belated Birthday Post

This year my 25th Birthday fell on a Saturday (May 11), so of course we needed to celebrate the fact that I was turning a quarter of a century old! With the help of my family, coworkers and amazing boyfriend I was able to throw the best birthday ever! My dad came over early Saturday to drop off the canopy tent, as well as bags and bags full of plates and platters from my parents house. We starting setting up immediately for our party with about 30 of my closest friends. Unfortunately I didn't take my pictures.

Table Seven Antiques provided a lot of the decorations. We used vintage milk bottles in the original crate with green striped paper straws to serve the punch. I labeled the punch by writing with chalk on an old piece of slate found in the backyard. The table runner is made of brown paper which made for a super easy clean up, also supplied from Table Seven. Vintage crates and buoys added a nautical theme to the party.

The birthday cake was made by my amazing coworker. She has such a talent. Everything you see is edible. She even made those white chocolate shells! It was strawberry flavored inside. INCREDIBLE! Probably the best cake I have ever had (sorry, Mom).

Birthday Menu:

Appetizers:

Clams

Pimento Cheese

Corn and Black Bean Dip

Dinner:

Burgers

Ramen Noodle Salad

Linda's Famous Mac and Cheese

Chips

Desserts:

Homemade Nutter Butters (original recipe)

Birthday Cake

Bevvys:

Whisky Sour Punch

Keg Beer

Wine

Vintage Milk Bottles with Paper Straws

Best 25th Birthday ever! How awesome is that cake??

Shout out to my sister, Margaret for making the Corn and Black Bean Dip and the Homemade Nutter Butters!!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Summer Bucket List: S'mores!

This past weekend my best friends hosted a pool party at their house in Chesafreak, VA. We grilled hot dogs and pork chops, drank way too much keg beer, played "Fumble-rooskie" in the pool and ended the night around the fire pit with S'mores!! It was honestly the most perfect summer day. If you don't know what S'mores are, I feel sorry for you. You toast a marshmallow on the stick (or wire coat hanger in our case) and then wedge the gooey deliciousness between two graham crackers and a piece of chocolate. AMAZING.

Here we are enjoying our Smores!

An attempted panoramic view of the party!

2013 Summer Bucket List

Clearly I have not posted on here in forever! I have been so busy with work and all my extra curricular activities that I have had almost no time to cook. So instead of posting just new recipes this summer, I was inspired by my friend Ashley at Fairview Place to make a Summer Bucket List. The idea is that I will blog about each activity, and hopefully remember to take some pictures. Here is my Bucket List so far, and I'm sure I will be adding new things as I come up with more inspiration. But for now, here is it! Please feel free to comment with your ideas (free is better!). Enjoy!