Dervish

I had a huge taste for some Mediterranean food last weekend.

Feta and Dill, wrapped in Phyllo Dough, pan fried

Robb took me out to Dervish Grill, a Turkish restaurant, which easily became one of my new favorite places.

Red Lentil Soup with Zucchini Fritters

The restaurant was cute, we listened to Turkish music, and the wait staff was very friendly.  Not to mention the AWESOME food!

Sampler Platter of Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Yogurt-Walnut Herb Dip, Spicy Turkish "Salsa", and Roasted Peppers and Eggplant 

I think we ate most everything on the menu, but it was SO worth it.

Turkish Coffee with homemade Baklava and Rice Pudding for dessert

Got my taste, which after going to this place, makes me was to taste it all the time.

We even came home with some new Turkish Lights...

Hike

What started as a beautiful afternoon hike...

at Chapin Forest...

with Charley...

among beautiful rocks and moss...

a girl and her dog...

played ball in the woods...

UNTIL... 

a sudden downpour, complete with high winds, lightning, thunder, and hail, turned our leisurely afternoon walk into a sprint back to the car!

We were soaked to the bone!  Dripping wet. 

Not exactly the relaxing afternoon we had hoped for.

Taco Boats

Taco boat shells, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, leftover taco (veggie) filling, and cilantro.  What a good combo and a fast and easy lunch!

We Won!

Charley did AWESOME at his trial Sunday!  He won 1st place with a 198.5/200 score!

I'm so proud of my little boy!  He beat all the pure-breds!  

Charley has one more leg to go for his BN (Beginner Novice) title.  We'll be trying for that in a show this April.

Charley was quick to eat his "Good Boy" cookie I got him for after the show.  

We have out work cut out for us, lots of practice and training to prepare for the next level, Open, for his CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) title.  We hope to make our Open debut this December at the IX Show.  

1/3 Towards His Beginner Novice Title

God job today Charley! We got a 190.5/200 score at his obedience trial! Going for our second leg tomorrow! 

Pretty Yummy Lunch

Sometimes, I just create recipes with what i have in the house. It started with leftover zucchini, so I baked it with bread crumbs and parmesan. This itself turned out delicious enough, but I went further and decided I needed a dipping sauce. We are our of marinara, so I whipped up a creamy pesto sauce from a packet I had in my spice drawer forever. I put the pesto on top of some French bread ends (that I ended up throwing out from freezer burn), and drizzled the sauce over the zucchini. Yum! I'm glad I have one more zucchini left and extra sauce to make this again. 

Bread, Cheese, Cheese, Cheese, Bread

Over Christmas Vacation, I got to spend the day with some of my favorite little ones, Braden and Kayla. (And their mom, Jill)

We went to the Children's Museum in the morning, and then Melt for lunch.

My newest Melt Inductee, Braden

I was explaining the Macaroni Melt to Braden and Kayla on the ride, how it was basically Mac and Cheese surrounded by cheese on a sandwich.  Braden, quickly renamed the sandwich, Bread, Cheese, Cheese (meaning mac n cheese), Cheese, Bread.  Naturally!

Braden and his Bread, Cheese, Cheese, Cheese, Bread Sandwich!

So, we had to get the special sandwich, after gobbling up an order of the Tofu Wings.  I think I officially have a new Melt buddy, as Braden already wanted to come back and try some other sandwiches!

Braden, anytime you want to go eat cheesy sandwiches, I'm with you, my friend!