Friday, April 12, 2013

Yes it's a holiday...National Grilled Day Day!

Today, April 12, is national grilled cheese day.  Yes, that wonderful cheesy, comforting deliciousness has its very own celebrations today and boy was I excited!


Lucky for me I work next to a yummy place called The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen so we knew we had to make a lunchtime visit there today.  I arranged a group of my coworkers to walk up there and celebrate.  Not only is their food delicious but they are so nice and accommodating as well.  There was an issue with their online ordering system canceling our orders without our knowledge yet the staff moved us to the front of the line and got our order together as fast as they could (despite a huge line.)  It prompted me to write my first Yelp review (it was a good one, don't worry.)


My lovely sister Jeannie was able to join us as she just flew back from Virginia.  It was so good to see her!  (she was gone for a month!)



We split the Mac'n'Cheese Grilled Cheese and to make it "healthier" I added arugula, roasted tomatoes and grilled onions.


I must say that this was a lot of carbs but it way really good!  I mostly wanted to try it because a) I've never had mac'n'cheese in a sandwich and b) how can you not love that winning comfort food combination?!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Easter Traditions

Ok, so I know Easter was now over a week ago but it's still the Easter season so this post is completely relevant!


When we were kids we used to go every year to my great-aunt Eileen's ranch for a big family Easter egg hunt.  It was a blast!  The tradition died for a few years in junior high and high school but then my cousin Natalie revived it a few years ago and now we have a whole new generation of kiddos enjoying the egg hunt!


She owns about 17 acres - fortunately we don't use the whole space for the egg hunt!


But it is tough to find all the eggs, especially among cow pies :)


Also, there is always a golden egg each year (and this year a silver.)  It is a BIG deal to find it and this year Little Buddy was the winner with Gavin getting the silver!


Another tradition is the piƱata.  We've been doing this since we were kids and I don't know what it is but everyone loves it.


The next generation in our family: Gavin, Elise, Ellie and Ethan going through their loot.


We also do games for the kids each year and it's fun to see them try and play.  They are trying to balance the egg on the end of a spoon here while trying not to touch it.  Key word: trying.


Always lots of fun cousin time!


And the whole group!  I'm very lucky to have such a great place to spend a wonderful holiday with most of my family!