Sweet Summer Time

Every weekend during the summer entire year you can find us grilling. This summer's favorite was surf and turf. We've experimented with different steak cuts, different grocery stores and different recipes (I'll post this summer's favorites at the end of the post. While Lorie was here she caught this everyday routine for us. I really think it's the everyday "traditions" that you remember from your childhood. Sure special occasions stick out but when I think back to my childhood it's those small everyday moments that I look back on with the most fondness.

These pictures were taken over the course of two different dinners so you may notice we have on different outfits. By the way, why am I completely incapable of taking a normal picture? Always a goofy face, maybe that is my normal, ha.

Jack sometimes serenades us on the piano while we cook. Actually he runs back and forth from outside where Brian is manning the grill, he doesn't want to miss anything.

The girls entertain themselves at the bar. Today it was the laptops but usually it's some craft project.

Always a little bit of wine involved. Hilarious that it's next to Brian's wisdom tooth removal medication.

This is Lorie's way of ensuring a picture of me without a funny face.

The goods this night. Our favorite steaks are the filets from Fresh Market. FAR superior to any other cut or store that we've found. We also make shrimp using this recipe with a few modifications. I'm sure the shrimp would be delicious if you follow the recipe as is but if you're interested in my modifications let me know in the comment section.

Brian and his true love

His drink of choice is Bourbon on the rocks. 

My drinks of choice are Diet Dr Pepper and wine. White: Riesling and red I like either Malbec or the red Zinfandel. 

I love how Lorie takes tiny snapshots of the surroundings. This is my Nancy's Haute Affairs corner. Ha, not really but both the salt pig and the cute card came from there. If you're in Pensacola go there and get some cool stuff and I'll be jealous, then tell my sister that I miss her. Really recommend the salt pig though, I use it continually.

This night we served our "chewy beef" (as Kate calls it) with a slaw--we like slaw with a vinaigrette instead of a creamy dressing. To prepare the chewy beef ;) we put salt and freshly cracked black pepper on both sides. After grilling we allow it to sit (tented with aluminum foil) so that the juices can redistribute for five minutes or a little less because I'm impatient.

Sara's Crunchy Cabbage Recipe

Combine 1/3 c oil

3T white vinegar

1 pkg splenda or 2T sugar

1/4t salt

1/2t pepper and seasoning packet from Ramen

Brown Ramen noodles, 1/2c slivered almonds and 3T sesame seeds in toaster oven or regular oven (be careful it's ridiculously easy to burn this stuff). Combine with a bag of cabbage slaw mix.