A Tapas Cooking Class!

Last Sunday I cashed in on a Christmas gift to take a class 

at The Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago 

with my girls.

The first recipe was quick and tasty - Bacon-Wrapped Dates -

with Cream of Balsamic.

Here we have Courtney - a friend of the girls - and Natalie 

getting ready to chop!!

Since I am an expert at rolling dough, 

I was the choice to roll the empanada dough.

And I even got a shout out from our chef!!

Here is Alison making them!

And here they are - Black Bean & Cilantro Empanadas!!

A group effort!!

And Baked Goat Cheese in Tomato Sauce with baguette slices.

This was served hot and was delish.

And the best for last - Chicken and Chorizio Paella!! 

Alison handled the stirring duties under the watchful eye of our chef.

And, yes, it was as good as it looks!!

In the room across the hall the cooking class was

Cupcake Boot Camp

and you should have seen the cupcakes they were making!!

Next time!!

Family Fun

I have been away from my post most of the spring so I thought it was time to post some family photos so you can see what we have been up to!

We celebrated an April birthday at Smoke Daddy's Bar-be-que - 

a favorite spot for all of us !

The big 60 for Dennis!  Time flies!!  Alison was on vacation in Puerto Rico.

Here is the place on Division in Chicago's West Loop.

And here is their famous bloody mary - complete with beef brisket!

The best thing for me is that Nina - my favorite yarn shop - 

is just up the street.

Here is what I bought and I am very happy to say 

I have already knitted these projects!!

Then it was time for Natalie's 25th birthday - 

Sunday brunch - complete with carrot cake pancakes!!

Happy Mother's Day!

A relaxing day for Webster!

A photo with the Bar-be-que Ninja 

who prepared fresh apple brats from The Beef Mart to perfection!

Now - Happy Father's Day!!  A great cookout at Alison's condo

complete with a necktie cake!!

And wood covers I knitted - jut in time for Father's Day giving!!

Wow - it feels really good to catch up!

Stay tuned for photos of the cooking class we took on Sunday!!

Lucky Little Lucy

We are all the lucky ones to have been blessed to have Lucy in our lives.

Almost 15 great years.....we will miss you!

Always tugging at my heart!!!