Don John

Dinner Party Time

31 Dec 2009 11:06:12 pm GMT +0

December 30, 2009. We used to through dinner parties all the time and now with Quinn and travel and life... we have been neglect in our entertaining ways. We ramped it up for New Year's Eve Eve and decided to invite our friends Danny/Molley, Jeff/Kerri, and my bro Greg and Donna over. Greg is ill mobilized with his recent ACL surgery and also a great cook. I took advantage of both of these events to plan a great menu. Greg happened to have a duck confit in his fridge (1 in a million chance) and those of you who know this French delicacy know... you never pass up a duck confit. Here is the menu.... Course 1: Baby spinach salad with red onion, roasted chestnuts, and a home made mustard vinaigrette with garlic cheese bread Course 2: Home made ravioli with duck confit, chestnuts, ricotta and parmesan cheeses, and fresh parsley serviced in a browned butter, sage and cream sauce (greg and I rolled the paste fresh just hours before) Course 3: Pheasant and Chucker Piccata (lemon, white wine, butter, and capers) with French beans in a pancetta and sweet onion sauce (birds from our annual Tweardy Hunt... alive just days before) Course 4: Chocolate and Peanut Butter pie with assorted after dinner drinks We accompanied the dinner with a Barolo and a Brunello, both 2003 and both brilliant. It was a great meal with friends and I wish I had the time and money to do it every week :-)...

Christmas Morning

31 Dec 2009 10:54:27 pm GMT +0

December 25, 2009: Christmas Eve is traditionally at the my parents home and this year's event was the usual mix of wonderful food, friends and family, and one too many scotches. The difference this year was that Quinn is now almost 2 yrs old and she is starting to get the drift of this present and Santa thing. She jumped and giggles with glee at the first presents from cousins on Christmas Eve and twirled around doing her now famous "happy dance". We all exchanged gifts after the guests departed and got home late to play Santa at our own house for the 1st time. Quinn was up early (as usual) and came downstairs to her new baby kitchen set (the big Santa gift of the year... and PINK!). She loved it! The grandparents and Sherrie and Matt all came for a Christmas brunch and she was in hog heaven. Center of attention and entertaining the troops! It was a great first Christmas in our new house on Stratton Lane and I look forward to many more and continuing "happy dances" from Quinn.

3rd Annual Chili Cook Off

13 Dec 2009 07:57:59 pm GMT +0

December 12, 2009: The defending champion (aka me) had to bring his A Game this year as my brother Greg, yet to get his name on the trophy, has been testing recipes for weeks. I stuck with the same formula that brought me the championship last year.... good meats, rich flavors, and a slow heat that come late and brings you back for more. The competition had 9 entries this year and the quality of the event is getting better each year. I tried all the chilis and all of them were good this year. The judges tested and smelled and deliberated and the results were in..... (drum roll please)..... 3rd Place! I am pleased to say that Greg finally got his championship and his chili was marvelous. The Tweardy's swept the winner's podium for the second straight year with Mom's vegan chili (yes... vegan) coming in second. I suggested that I could be a judge next year to give someone else a chance to win... LOL. Great fun and a little healthy competition with family and I will have to go back to the drawing board to get back the championship next year. Watch out Greg!

Weekend in LA

12 Dec 2009 03:29:31 pm GMT +0

Novermber 4-7, 2009: I have been working in LA for most of the year, although admittedly, have not seen much of the town. Lisa and Quinn decided to join me mid week and stay the weekend to enjoy the beach and a bit of the LA lifestyle. We started in Westwood right near UCLA at the Palomar Hotel. Work is within walking distance and the girls strolled through Westwood Village and relaxed in the pool. We also hit a great upscale Mexican resturant in Bevery Hills. Mole sampler was delicious. The weekend hit and we cruised Rodeo Drive for a bit to see how the 'other' half lives and then moved location to Manhattan Beach. Much more rool at the Mariott Residence Inn and closer to the beach. Saurday was family fun day and we got down to the 'strand' early and watched the surfers. Then we rented some bikes and cruised south past Hermosa Beach. Great lifestyle out there. From young to old were out walking, riding, and playing volleyball. Beach is wide and soft and perfect for sport. After a nice lunch we all took and nap and our friends the Glasses had us over for wine and a dinner. It was great catching up with new friends and spending time with the family. It was Lisa's first time to LA and I think she loved it. We will be back....

Back home for good!

10 Aug 2009 03:04:48 am GMT +0

August 2, 2009: more to come.......