Our first apple picking with Arianna!

On Saturday we went to Garwood on Indiana to pick some nice apples. The place was almost deserted it since it was a very chilly, windy, cold day, but the kids loved it. They kept saying "apples, lots of apples, where are apples? I don't see them (looking for the ones in the trees, not in the floor)". Overall, the place still have many types of apples to choose from: Cameo, Fuji, Golden delicious, granny smith, and two other that the names escaped me right now. The cost was good, 85 cents per pound and you can mix the apples. All were the same price. They also sold some pumpkins, had a small maze for the kids. Nice. Afterward, we stopped at their store where they sell even more stuff: bake goods (bought an apple pie with honey crisp apple and caramel - yummy), many preserves - blueberry, strawberry-rhubarb, peach, pineapple..., honey, many vegetables and fruits, frozen fruit, some pasta. Nice store. Here are some pictures of the adventure!

This is a super nice apple tree, look the yummy colors in the apples!

I love the next two pictures, what do you think?

After the store we stopped at a nearby antique store where we found a piggy and something for the Lionel O train so we bought those two things for mom and dad for their anniversary! The store was big and we looked around then we went to Culver's since Mike was very hungry and that pretty much was our day for today. We are thinking next year we are going to go blueberry picking when the days are not as cold!

Girls dinner out!

On Friday, my friends Tiffiney, Leigh Ann, and I went to a new restaurant in Chinatown. It is called Cafe Hoang (232 W Cermak - same block as the fire station) and it specializes in Vietnamese food with some Thai food as well (lesser amounts). I saw a Check, please episode and that is where I heard/saw about this restaurant the first time. So, we decided to give it a try.
I forgot to take some pictures of the crab Rangoon, but they were delicious and big. They were 4 for $4.95. The spring rolls (same price) were good, although I liked the crab Rangoon better (Can't compare with fry food I suppose, haha). The Thai Ice Tea was good as well (but 3.50 a piece). For the main entrees, we ordered a Vietnamese plate with beef and shrimp and an egg roll (7.95)- really really good, a shrimp and chicken stir fry (10.95)- good as well, and a ginger chicken cooked in a clay pot (9.95)- just yummy. So, at the end of the day, it was about 20dls (taking into account tips and taxes) but well worth it, we are definitely going back. And to top it off, we had an amazing server and great conversations. Thank you!

Kudos to the wonderful couple!

39th years of marriage is not an easy feat! and you two make a wonderful couple :)
Enjoy your day! Love your granddaughter and her parents!

Grandma's day + Praline-Apple Bread

We celebrated Grandma's birthday by going to Barraco's (Italian restaurant). We have ordered a lot from there, but it was always to go. This was the first time that we ate in their restaurant. I don't know how common it is, but their menu was different from their delivery/pick up area and so were the prices. A hamburger that we normally order costs 4 dollars, but at the restaurant was 8 dollars? Well, they did come with "normal" french fries, but you can order those for about 2 dollars and the portion is a lot bigger and they are their specialty fries (Italian fries, I think they are called - has olive oil, pepper flakes, and cheese). So, even though the price was different, they still have some good things. Mike's steak with vegetables and mashed potatoes were excellent. He said it was the best steak in awhile. I had the barbecue chicken and it was good although messy :). Ann said that the lobster ravioli was yummy. The salad that Tiffany ordered seemed equally delicious. Grandma and Grandpa ordered the burgers that we know are good. The biggest thing for me was the layout of the restaurant. It was noisy and hard to talk and our table seemed to be in the path from the kitchen to the rest of the tables, so I felt people on top of me quite often. But, for a especial occasion like this is a nice place (just try to ask for a table in the sides -not the middle front). For more often, their delivery/ pick up side is just perfect.
After the restaurant, we went to our house and have some desserts. They brought a chocolate cake, and we had sugar lime cookies, brownies, and a Praline-apple bread. I think everyone was quite full since they were able to eat the cake, but we had lots of leftover. Not that those will go to waste :) Here are some pictures!



The praline- Apple Bread that I made came in my Southern Living Magazine and it was not sweet. It was moist and the toasted pecans added a different taste to it. The glaze is what gave the sweetness to it (butter and brown sugar). It was really easy to make. I forgot to take a picture before I started killing it ;) If you are interested in it, let me know and I will send you the recipe!