Hannah's Bachelorette

This supermodel is getting married in less than a week! I'm beyond excited for her and her soon to be husband. As more and more of the people in my life get married, there is nothing better than when they end up with someone you love just about as much as them. I could not ask for better friends and I couldn't wait to celebrate Hannah at her Bachelorette Party. 

We packed into a rental car and headed north for the weekend. We stayed at the most incredible Bed & Breakfast, The Caldwell House. Talk about luxury, each guest room has its own fireplace! After dropping our belongings, we ventured to Brotherhood Winery for a fun wine tasting. 

Established in 1839, Brotherhood Winery refers to itself as America's Oldest Winery. The tasting room offers a variety of tasting flights and if you're interested, you can check out the historical cellar tour. 

Before dinner we headed back to the B&B to open some fancy treats and sip on some bubbly...

We quickly beautified ourselves and headed to Beacon for dinner at The Roundhouse. The location of this restaurant is what it is all about. The food and atmosphere were incredible, but it sits at the center of town on the famous Beacon Falls. The floor to ceiling windows face out toward the falls and the rest of town. 

The food was delicious. We shared a number of appetizers to start - Brussels & Bacon, Housemade Chips with Bacon Dip, Local Polenta and Macaroni & Cheese. 

Entrées included Braised Short Rib of Beef, Herb Roasted 1/2 Chicken, Housemade Gnocchi and North Atlantic Cod. 

And of course we shared a few desserts. This one here is the Chocolate Torte with pistachio and rose sorbet. 

Franship.

Congratulations Hannah & Bryan! I'm so excited for your marriage and the life that is to come! 

The Trouble with Making Friends

I recently met a girl in her mid-twenties who just moved to NYC. She had been living abroad for a number of years, but returned to the states to pursue her career. When I met her, she expressed how she was having trouble transitioning to NYC for numerous reasons, the main one being she felt like she did not have any friends.

After hearing this, it made me start to think about what life would be like moving to New York and not knowing anyone. And then I remembered that I did move to New York not really knowing anyone.

In a city that is so big and filled with so many people, it is actually really easy to feel all alone. We can get into a routine of waking up, going to work, coming home, watching TV, going to bed, and getting up the next day to do it all over again. It is easy to get caught up in the routine of doing life but not really living it.

So how do you make friends?

Gosh it can be awkward to make friends! I remember those moments of asking someone who you think seems pretty cool if they want to get lunch or a drink sometime; unsure if they think you are as cool as you think they are. It must be what I guy feels like when asking out a girl...sort of right?  

When I first moved to New York, I had a couple of college friends that I reconnected with and I was lucky to be attending grad school...both provided outlets for social outings and support. I eventually found my "Fran" group two years into my time in NYC. These are my forever friends who I often feature in blog posts (Family Dinner). I don't for a day discount the rarity in our relationship. To be perfectly transparent, I believe that our close bond is due to the fact that our relationships are center on Jesus. It's the best kind of friendship...one that encourages, challenges, laughs, cries, and calls you on your crap when you are being ridiculous. It is forgiving, grace-filled, and not easily offended.

These kinds of relationships involve risk. Risk in putting yourself out there and being vulnerable...showing the real you. That is TOUGH to do. I think it gets so tough for some people, that they end up leaving New York defeated and bitter. In the end, we get in the way of ourselves due to insecurity and fear. I hope you won't let your own stuff get in the way of deep meaningful relationships.

This blog is about encouraging and challenging people to live the fullest life possible. True friendships are a major component in living a joyful life. 

I found my friends in church. I know not everyone reading this is a Christian, so I'm not going to say the only way to make friends is at church.  But, I am going to suggest that you figure out what hobby or interest you have that you love, and dive in. Join a gym or running group, take some cooking classes, sign up for pottery or knitting lessons, attend a trivia night, meet up with other photographers and take pictures, watch football at a bar and actually talk to the people around you. There are endless ways to connect with people you just have to know yourself enough to do so. When you figure your "thing" out, ALWAYS BE YOU! Everything will crash and burn if you try to create a persona or put on an act of who you think people want you to be.

Speaking of friends...I grabbed lunch with some gorgeous ladies and couldn't help but document it. They care for each other well and I love catching up with them and hearing about their life.

I don't claim to be an expert at making friends, I can only speak from my own experience. I'd love to hear from you about making friends....funny stories, tough times, happy endings? Hope you'll share! 

xoxo

d.eileen

Meat and Potatoes and a whole lot of Family Dinner

Now I haven't always been a huge meat and potato person. I tend to lean toward fish and vegetable heavy meals as apposed to starches. But, life in NYC seems to have changed my palette a bit. We've had some hearty meals the last couple of weeks at Family Dinner. The theme seems to have been meat and potatoes. I'm assuming it was due to the arctic temperatures and massive amounts of snow; our bodies were unconsciously craving simple yet filling meals.  

Natalie cooked up a Mustard Rubbed Pork Chop complimented by Broccoli Rabe and Roasted Potatoes. The hint of mustard really added a nice flavor surprise. She only marinated for about 10 minutes, but if able, I'd suggest you try for a bit longer. Natalie sauteed the broccoli with garlic and olive oil, and baked the potatoes.

Country Mustard Rubbed Pork Chops
Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee

Serving Size: 4

1/2 cup country Dijon mustard
2 tsp herd garden seasoning
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp honey
2 tbls parsley
1 1/2 lb thick-cut boneless pork loin chops

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the mustard, herb garden seasoning, garlic, honey, and parsley
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the rub for serving
• Transfer mustard mixture to a resealable plastic bag. Add pork chops and thoroughly coat with mustard mixture.
• Let the Pork Chops sit for a least 5 minutes, or as long as overnight in the refrigerator before grilling.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Grill chops for 6-7 minutes per side

Before Winter turned into Spring, I wanted to make sure I cooked up my favorite Individual Meatloaf recipe for the Family. Ina Garten has a great version I base them off of. I took a bag of small Yukon potatoes and baked them in tin foil with garlic and shallots for about 1 hour. I also chopped and sauteed brussel sprouts with olive oil. 

 

Individual Meat Loaves

Adapted from Ina Garten, Food Network

Serving Size: 6

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 yellow onions chopped

1 teaspoon chopped thyme

3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 lbs ground chuck

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 large eggs beaten

ketchup, salt, pepper.  

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in saute pan. Add onions, thyme, salt, pepper and cook over medium-low heat for about 8-10 minutes until onions are translucent but not brown.
• Off heat, add Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs...mix lightly with a fork. Make sure to not mash or the meatloaf will be dense. 
• Divide the mixture into 6 portions and shape into small loafs. Place on a sheet pan.
• Spread about tablespoon of ketchup on top of each.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until internal temperature is 155-160 degrees F. 

What are some of your favorite meat and potato combinations? Please comment...I'd love to hear and try at the next Family Dinner!

xoxo

d.eileen

Gifts of Love

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to do a blog about Valentine's Day Gifts. I've divided the gifts into 5 relationship type categories. I hope it spurs your imagination and inspires some loving ideas!

For the Frans in your life...

For the single ladies out there, I've always hated when people turn Valentine's Day into "Singles Awareness Day". LADIES...why do we do this to ourselves?! This only ends up drawing more attention to the fact that you are dateless on Valentine's...stop it! I try to come from the mindset that Valentine's Day is a celebration of the love in your life. Love does not just come from a boyfriend; friends are an amazing source of love and encouragement. Try your best to celebrate Valentine's Day with joy each year with or without a boyfriend, be grateful for the people around you.

That said, men and women, celebrate your friends! It isn't necessary to go all out, but everyone likes to feel remembered. My friend Lindsay is making custom cards for her friends this year. We actually had dinner and crafted some sweet notes to mail to people this week. It is a cheap and easy way to let those you are closest to know you care.

Pinterest has lots of great ideas, here are some I found! 

Sister Sister...

I have a younger sister. We usually don't exchange gifts at Valentine's Day, but this post got me thinking about what I would buy her if we decided to. Mer suggested a Birchbox.

A Birchbox is always a great gift! What girl doesn't love beauty products? The cool thing about Birchbox is it exposes you to things you might have never tried. They send samples and a few full sized beauty products once a month to your home. They also have a version for men which isn't a bad idea for the gentleman in your life. 

Will you go out with me? Can I have your number?

If you're in a dating relationship, or the "getting to know you" phase, you don't want to place too much emphasis on Valentine's Day. For some, it is a holiday that comes with a lot of pressure and baggage. My suggestion is don't do anything out of the ordinary. Go to dinner, have a laugh, see a movie, maybe even spring for some flowers.

Boyfriend/Girlfriend...i like you...a lot.

Now this is when you can get a little creative. At this stage of a relationship your expression of love on Valentine's Day is purely based off of each others personality. I'm trusting that you know the person you are dating and what they enjoy. Surprise flowers at work, tickets to a show, manicure and pedicure gift card, a fun day trip, a piece of clothing or an accessory your significant other has been lusting after are all excellent ideas.

If I currently had a boyfriend, I would want him to consider these items as gifts :)

My current obsession. Rose Gold Licorice Heels from Kate Spade.

BaubleBar is a great place to find affordable jewelry that is still fabulous.

Here are few pieces I'm lusting after. It was so hard to narrow it down.

Photos c/o BaubleBar - Pave Links Bracelet / Laquer Palm Drops / Tic Tac Drop Earrings

Here are some easy day getaways from NYC.

Visit a few wineries on the North or South Fork of Long Island. You can take the train, rent a car, or spring for a car service. Here are two of my favorites out in the Hamptons!

Channing Daughters Winery

Wolffer Estates Vineyard

Another great day gateway is Beacon, NY. The Metro-North can take you to so many wonderful quaint towns along the Hudson River. Pick one and have an adventure! 

Married...in it to win it. 

I think sometimes married people forget about Valentine's Day. They have been together for so long, the normalcy of life may have dimmed the passion flame. Use the Valentine's holiday to ignite it once again, remind each other of why you really love your life partner. I think you can be more sentimental when you are married...hand written notes, weekend getaways, sentimental jewelry pieces, his and hers massages. I love the idea of a man buying his wife a full glamorous head to toe outfit and then taking her to a show and dinner.

Gift or no gifts this Valentine's Day, I hope you all are able to spend it with people that you love. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30-31

Love & Blessings

d. eileen