Weekend Highlights

Great company and fun activities.

Dinner with Julie and Janeen at Thyme and Seasons and then some shopping and gelato from Bellissimo. Seeing "Duplicity" with Angel and Tracie ... they got me at Clive Owen (that man really should've been the next 007, not that I don't love Daniel Craig in the role). Frozen cocoa with Lori and Darci at Cocoa Caffe. Celebrating St. Patty's international style with the Smiths and new friends, Roger and Jael, Dow and Luncida, Sean and Sylvia.

Great food.

A generous portion (2 meals worth for me) of delicious chicken curry from Thyme and Seasons in Bountiful. If you've not had a chance to check out this place, do so soon. The owner, Hai, is a Vietnamese man who used to be a French chef. There is no set menu at his restaurant, his dishes changes daily and is made of the freshest in-season ingredients with the focus on the spices. The restaurant is also part store where he sells spices, kitchen gadgets, and coming soon a butcher counter.

Few things beat a delicious cold treat on a warm night. A two-scoop dark chocolate and banana combo gelato cone from Bellissimo definitely hits the spot after a night of shopping. If you think I'm promoting my friend's establishment, you're right. Kim Bangerter sure knows how to make gelatos. Check it out. Bellissimo is in Bountiful off of the 400 North I-15 exit right behind the Chevron station.

My favorite hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream from Cocoa Caffe. I tried their Frozen Cocoa with the homemade whipped cream while catching up with Lori and Darci. Pretty yummy, but I still love the hot chocolate more.

Buy local and support these small establishments.

Celebrated St. Patty's a few days late and as it turns out it was also Sylvia's birthday. Sean made a point to say that the Irish don't eat corned beef and cabbage -- that's an American thing, so this St. Patty's was done Indonesian style tonight ... well, for the most part anyway. Edna made daging balado, ayam kecap, chap chai, nasi kuning (colored green), es teler as well as a chicken noodle dish, a dutch-style ham pasta soup and a corned beef and potato dish. Sylvia made some delicious chicken enchiladas and fried rice. Jael brought some pork carnitas served with a salsa topping. My contribution to the dinner? From the non-cook, a double chocolate pie from Costco ... hey, it was actually a hit!

Did I mention that the nasi kuning was colored green? It actually matched the green sweater I had on. Okay, maybe you can't really see it in this picture since I forgot to turn on the flash ... but it was as green as my sweater ...