Tuesday, February 28, 2012

BBQ & Beer, Babes & Boys, BOWLING!

CJ and I went to Ann Arbor on Saturday to have a fun send off for my dear friend Jess before she moves to Texas.  To study birds.  On an animal sanctuary.  In the middle of nowhere.  For six months.  In Texas!  That girl really loves her some nature, I'll tell you what.

Me, CJ, Jess & Jess' b.f. Joe went to the Blue Tractor.

From upper left: coasters (duh), beer sampler, fried pickles, angus sliders






It was pretty good, and I liked that it had kind of a Texas-y vibe, since that's where Jess is headed.  You know, cause there was beer and BBQ and it was called the Blue Tractor.  Sounds Texas-y to me, anyway!  Plus, there were fried pickles, so that was all I really needed to be sold on the place.

Jess: lover of nature and wildlife.  Also, owner of a super cool octopus bracelet that I want to steal!


THEN, we did this!


And lemme tell you, that sign speaks the truth.  It really is always a party at Colonial Lanes...especially on a Saturday night!  Even if you're not bowling, the people watching is worth checking out.


Neon, neon!


Action shot!  CJ goes for it.  Um, also in this shot you can see the TV above the lane, which I thought was totally weird and distracting.  I blame my super, SUPER low score on TV related distraction.


For those of you who did not go to middle school with Jess, one of her many nicknames is Sloth.  Draw your own conclusions...


Insert your favorite Big Lebowski quote here.  My favorite is "Dude, you're being very un-dude like."  Also, I love "Donnie, you're out of your element!"  So, basically any John Goodman line.


Action shot!  Joe throws one with intensity.  Apparently he wasn't distracted by the huge TV.



We didn't win any Angry Birds, BUT we still had fun!  We'll miss you Jess! xoxo

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

Truer words were never spoken, and by Homer Simpson no less!








I make no secret of the fact that I am totally, completely obsessed with donuts (or "cop vitamins", as a special Detective friend of mine calls them).

I'll take them however I can get them- I don't discriminate.  Plain, chocolate, cider mill style, paczki, glazed, peanut covered- whatever!
One of my fondest memories of my wedding is eating day old donuts leftover from our "donut cake" out of a garbage bag* the morning after our reception with my husband.  Ah, happiness.  May you all know such true bliss in your own marriages!
*For the record, it was a CLEAN garbage bag.  It was just the only receptacle available to store them in!

ANYWAY, given my obsession, this post is very serious, because it involves what I believe are the best donut holes in the Detroit metro area.  And notice I said donut HOLES people- we're not talking regular donuts.  If we were, we would be discussing Dutch Girl Donuts, but that is a subject for another post...

How much do you really love donuts holes?  Enough to go here?!




That's right people.  Detroit Donut.  Warren, Michigan.  Right off I-696, at the Hoover/Schoenherr exit.  You can get some donut holes AND gas up your car.  Yes, its also a gas station.









You have to order the cinnamon sugar!






Eating them on the back of a Chevy is optional, but strongly encouraged.


PS- Shout out to my Mom, who first introduced me to these awesome treats!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Long Weekend in the D: Food, Art, More Food

I had a three day weekend, thanks to George Washington!  I think all weekends should be three days long, don't you!?

FRIDAY: Started off the weekend by going to happy hour with some friends after work...


It was actually really fun, despite how skeptical some people look in this photo (Smith, I'm talking to you)!  The Irish lady in me really appreciated how bedazzeled the bar already was for St. Patty's, even though it's only February...


SATURDAY: CJ and I went to our friend Mark Heggie's art opening at the 323 East Gallery in Royal Oak.

Flyer for the show

Me and Kyle in the crowd.
A giraffe...in a boat...with heart shaped spots...sailing thru the sky.  LOVE!





























                          
Kyle, Mark and CJ



SUNDAY: We met up with our friend's Lauren and Ryan at Astro Coffee in Corktown.  Astro is one of my favorite places ever!  I plan on doing full post about them in the future, but I couldn't resist throwing in a few photos.  CJ and I absolutely love the place and have gotten in the habit of going there every Sunday for coffee and breakfast- they have delicious breakfast sandwiches, crossiants and homemade cake.  You'll die.

Lauren and Ryan deciding what to get.

Coffee- check.  Payday loan- check.




Later on, I went shopping with my Mom, and proceeded to have more coffee and more treats.

I have a problem, I know.  BUT, seriously!  If you've ever had a lemon cookie from Nordstrom's, you will understand that I was powerless to resist.


Later, we had dinner at our friend Dennis' house cause it was his b-day.



MONDAY: Visit to Mexican town.

Los Galanes






CJ makes a selection at La Gloria bakery.
Hanging out with my churro friends...

We ended the weekend with taking Pruitt for a walk, which was really necessary given the amount of food I consumed over the past three days.

AND, Pruitt made a friend!  I think it's meant to be, because they both have the same goofy different colors eyes.




Monday, February 20, 2012

Kids + Detroit Pistons = Crazy Fun

Hey All!  Below is guest post from my lovely Mom about her recent adventure accompanying some students and teachers from her school to trip to a Piston's game!  My Mom is a school psychologist at a center program for kids with disabilities in Warren, Michigan.  Check out her post about all the crazy fun the kids had watching Deee-troit Basketball!
-xo, Lauren

On Tuesday I helped chaperone some of our students at a Valentine’s Day Piston’s game – a first for me and for most of the kids. What a blast! There was music, a drum corp, cheerleaders, dancing ushers, the kiss cam, a giant disco ball, a cool R&B halftime show, a tumbling crew, lots of cotton candy, a marriage proposal – oh yeah, AND some great basketball! 

I was a little nervous because earlier in the day I had read something online that said “Streaking Spurs take on lowly Pistons” and was hoping for the kids’ sake that it wouldn’t be a complete blow out. We were not disappointed!!!  The Pistons played great and were even in the lead a minute or two before the final buzzer.  Ultimately, we lost, but it was a real nail biter and we were all hoarse the next morning from cheering and screaming our heads off!

Our seats were free – thanks Piston’s management (no one even got a nosebleed)!


Group shot of the kids!!


On the left, Michael and his Valentines - Miss Nicole and Miss Helen.
On the right, friends Christopher and Anna with some Humana swag.


Antonio (basketball fan extraordinaire) watches the game, while Austin watches everything else but!

On the left, Sean (in Piston’s colors) checking out the action.
On the right, the beautiful and sassy Elizabeth (who I at first alarmingly thought was sitting next to the scary stage hand from Letterman but who turned out to be our nice, go-with-the-flow bus driver).


                 
On the left, Miss Karen and on the right, Miss Andrea, who along with fellow teachers Miss Helen and Miss Nicole - skipped spending Valentine’s evening with their families so their students could go to the game.

*Note and shameless bragging – our teachers regularly go the extra mile by raising money and donating their time so our students can attend special events such as this game,  Special Olympics,  camp, etc.  Helen and Andrea both wrote and received grants this year for their classrooms (do you know how hard it is to write a stupid grant!).  This weekend, Helen and several of our other teachers will freeze their butts off by participating in the Polar Plunge on Belle Isle to raise money for Special Olympics. Our teachers are the best!


The boys make some noise!!!!!

After the game, the drum corp performed in the lobby and then graciously let our students make some music (and by that I mean really loud noise) using their drums sets and giant cymbals. The kids felt super cool and it was an awesome end to a great night.

The Piston’s are definitely on the rise (as evidenced by the fact that they beat a well rested, #2 in their division Celtics on their home court the very next night!...and I know this because of my NBA tutor, Antonio) - so get on out to a game if you have the chance!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Restorante El Barzon, I Love You!

For Valentine's Day dinner last night, CJ and I went to El Barzon, quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Detroit.

We decided to get dressed up, it being a holiday and all...


FYI, CJ did not wear his slippers to dinner.

Once we were sufficiently fancy, it was off to the restaurant!

For those of you who have not have the good fortune to dine at El Barzon, there are a couple of things you should know.

First, El Barzon serves Italian and Mexican food.  I know, I know!  Best combo ever, right!?  It's the only restaurant that I know of that serves you chips and salsa AND bread and butter when you sit down.  As a lover of carbs, I cannot stress enough the happiness this combination brings me...maybe a little to much happiness, but hey, it's the little things- am I right people?! 





Second, the restaurant is pretty much in the middle of nowhere.  Now, full disclosure, I have never eaten there during the day, so I can't speak to what the area is like then.  BUT, I can tell you after 6:00 p.m., it is totally deserted.  Never fear though!  In order to find the restaurant, just look for a man dressed in an orange camouflaged jump suit directing traffic on a tiny side street (which seems very full of cars despite the area being so empty).  

Be nice to this man!  He will ensure you cross the street to the restaurant without getting run over, which is very helpful.  


Like all fancy schmancy type restaurants, the lighting at El Barzon is very low and moody, which is not condusive to photography, so my pictures aren't the greatest.

I almost always order the same two things...  


The Spaghetti Scampi El Barzon- pictured above!  Shrimp, tomato, basil, garlic, mozzarella cheese and fresh arugula.  So.  Good.  You'll die.

OR, I get...


The Cecina El Barzon- thin sliced steak with fresh arugula and tomatoes.  Which this is not a photo of!  This is a pic of CJ's dinner, which was a veal special.  BUT, I had to mention the Cecina El Barzon, because you should order it.  Trust me!

Sadly, I do have one negative thing to say about this restaurant, although I don't consider it a deal breaker: the service.  The servers are extremely nice, but when the restaurant gets busy, things kind of fall apart.  Be prepared to wait when you ask for another drink, dessert or your bill.  Just pretend you're in Europe, where everyone takes like, twelve hours to eat dinner!

That being said, it's still my favorite restaurant in Detroit.  

El Barzon, I heart you.


PS- SHOUT OUT TO OUR FRIENDS BRETT & MORGAN, WHO FIRST INTRODUCED US TO EL BARZON!  And, coincidentally, we ran into them there last night!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love, Love, Love!

Love, Starbucks style.
HAPPY...

Got this adorable card and undies in the mail from a good friend- so cute!  I think more people should send underwear in the mail, don't you?!
               VALENTINE'S...

I made these & CJ helped!
                    DAY!!!!!
                         XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Solid Dude's Kitchen Season Two Premiere Party!

A couple weeks ago was the season two premiere party for Solid Dudes Kitchen at the Belle Isle Casino, and it was a damn good party. Solid Dudes Kitchen is a cooking show that our talented friends Derek & Dave created.  CJ is the director of photography for the show.  I'm not even going to try and explain it, except to say if you like food, crude jokes, and profanity this show is for you.

You can watch episodes online here: http://soliddudeskitchen.com/, or buy the whole season  HERE.

And be advised, its full of bathroom humor and "swears", so warn your grandma beforehand if she is watching with you.
                           

They set up a huge screen at one end of the casino and played the entire season for everyone to view!
Crowd shot!
Also, shout out to Sara for sneaking in her "high five."


Screen shot!
This pic is of the title sequence of "The Over" episode about what to eat the morning after a late night...

Before the viewing, there was food: what I can only describe as a slider buffet (!) that included pulled pork, PB and J, mac & cheese, and other delicious stuff from Green Dot Stables (who are allegedly open again).  
There were also adult beverages: some smoky, alcohol-y punch from Sugar House, tons of mixed cocktails made with Hard Luck Candy Vodka, and beer from the Motor City Brewing Company.

Hard Luck Candy Vodka- made in MI!
I didn't get a pic of the punch, but it was being served from a giant Coleman thermos usually reserved for drinks like Gatorade, which made me happy, cause it was booze, not sports drink!
Drink recipe playing cards.
Pre-show crowd shot.
Erica and Betsey: newly converted Solid Dudes groupies.
MORE MERCH!

CJ makes an on screen appearance while eating a freshly made pretzel during the Germany episode where the Dudes traveled to Munich.

Sara throws in another high five with the gorgeous vintage floor of the casino as a backdrop.

Flyer for the party.
Outside shot of the casino.  I almost lost my right hand to hypothermia trying to take this photo.

All and all, it was an awesome night and the turnout was huge (which was especially exciting given the North Pole style temperatures).  Thanks to all our family and friends who risked freezing off their extremities in order to attend!  xo