Celebrating hubby’s Birthday

I’m thrilled to say the last few days have had some ups and downs but nothing can make your day better if you have two planned dinners celebrating life.


You just have to put your troubles aside and focus on these days of pure celebrations.  Life is so precious and we as a couple are more than ever appreciating what we are truly blessed to have right at this moment for tomorrow we do not know.

  Capone’s Pasta house

Dinner #1. Italian 

Dinner #2 steak house

Dinner # 1 was delicious from start to finish. Price within a special night worthy.

Dinner# 2 pricy and not worthy of what we expected. Fair to say the least.

I hope you enjoyed our special OUT TO DINNER CELEBRATIONS!

As always,

 

I Like to Bake and Cook! I have a GROUP Facebook Page

I have a GROUP Facebook Page: Hi everyone: As of today I have a new Facebook group Page.   It's called "WE LIKE TO BAKE AND COOK GROUP". 

I few of my foodie ladies joined me for lunch at Bravo in Cranberry where the head chef explained some of the great meals being served.

One of the ladies came as far as the state of New York.  

Great time was had by everyone.  
Hopefully some day we’ll be able to do it again.

Fondly,

Cooks Day Off!!

 I'd like to share some of my first blog posts with you.  My family is going through some tough times and my mind is not on baking or cooking.  I am preparing a lot of my old recipes and also getting out and enjoying a few small meals. 

Once I can focus a little better I'll be back to my passion of baking and cooking. I promise!

Love, M.j.




I've surpassed my expectations of what I thought my blog would be.. It has taken me on a journey of  my family recipes but also new ideas to make this blog what my fellow foodies seem to enjoy.  It seems my waking hours are spent thinking of what I am going to post the next day!  I have become somewhat obsessed with it!    My son tells me that is because it is my passion, and that it is a good thing! I agree!!!

Since I am not cooking today we are searching out that quick but tasty something to satisfy both my hubby and grandson.who is visiting us...  We are searching out a place to satisfy their love for that perfect quick satisfying meal?  A hoagie or a sub?   My hubby likes Philly cheese steak hoagies.  My grandson loves Italian subs.   So depending on your locale it is a hoagie or a sub?  I grew up calling this crispy long roll , piled with lots of different meat, cheese and lots of toppings a hoagie . Today where we ate they called them subs.  Whatever you want to call them..it really doesn't matter as long as they are Yummy!!!

9/5/2011 original

Dinner at Nonna's/ Our Second

It looks as though going to Maria's /Nonna's is going to be a yearly gathering with our  friends. Last year I shared our afternoon at Maria's and photos of the wonderful menu we were served. If you have forgotten please check out the link below.   A true feast.

http://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2011/12/eating-in-nonnas-kitchen-wonderful.html



Our second visit to Nonna's our menu was slightly different and not as traditional as our last year meal.  We had selected some new dishes that we hadn't tried before. Equally delicious but different.

Please enjoy my mouth watering photos!  My camera was a little off so I'm hoping the presentation is good.

 
Enjoy!

Maria cooks comfortably with her guests seated at the dining room table.  On the menu today was white bean pasta fagioli, butternut squash ravioli in a light sage cream sauce with chopped walnuts, beef brisket slowed cooked for approximately 5 hours that was seasoned with oranges and mushrooms, cauliflower pie with Gruyere and provolone, tossed salad garnished with mint, 5 apple galette topped with vanilla bean ice cream. Expresso and homemade Lemoncello!

Homemade Lemoncello after dinner!

Mozzarella and marinated veggies

Stuffed mini tomatoes

Artichokes marinated

Maria aka Nonna has a quaint gift shop that we have been to before.  Lots and lots of Italian goods and gifts. Her shop is located in Bloomfield, Pa.  A short distance from the city of Pittsburgh.

The Famous Maria

Her Kitchen

The group!

Butternut squash ravioli

White bean pasta fagioli

Beef Brisket and a little vino too!

Italian salad Garnished with fresh mint

Cauliflower pie with Gruyere

Finocchio

      Fresh fennel to cleanse the pallet(slight anise flavor)  check link:http://italianfood.about.com/od/vegetablesandsidedishes/ig/Frutta-e-Verdura/Bulb-Fennel.htm

5 Apple Galette

Maria and Linda

Linda, Al and Maria!

Lunch at Rose Haven with the gals!

Today I was invited to share an afternoon lunch with 34 women from our small village.  The food was wonderful, the conversation was great and it was a terrific way to spend a few hours with friends. 

Rose Haven is a beautiful "Victorian House" from the 1800's that has been recently restored int the Butler Area.  Butler, PA is approximately 30 miles north of the city of Pittsburgh.  The owners originally are from California where the hostess had two antique stores.  They moved to this area, carefully measured and planned where each piece she would bring to her new home would be placed. Every detail was carefully orchestrated to make you feel as though you were back in time.  I loved it!!

The home is gorgeous with rose adornments scattered over various rooms.  Tastefully decorated with period items spread through out this beautiful home.  Here are a few photos I would like to share with you.

Story has it that the top knob would not be placed until the home no longer had a mortgage.