My Weekend with Yoga Girl (a.k.a. my sister)

Monday, November 16, 2009.....

Although my sister didn't arrive till late Saturday afternoon, we managed to squeeze a whole lot of fun in.

I must admit, any guest who shows up with fun gifts gets a definite A in my book. She had just returned from Italy and I had asked if she could pick me up some spice bowls (my definition of a spice bowl is a very small bowl that holds the spices I use in a recipe - I'm a big believer in prepping BEFORE I cook and depending upon the recipe, I could need many little bowls). She brought me 2 cool ones.

They were simple, but beautiful. In addition to the bowls, she brought me a silver ring she got while at a street fair and a leather journal. Both which I love.

Once I was done ogling, it was off for a pedicure. Not just any pedicure, but one that lasted 90 minutes and included a back and shoulder rub. Can you say A-W-E-S-O-M-E?

With cute toes, I decided to take my sister to a new grocery store that opened by my house. Yes, you heard me. A grocery store.

Fresh Market is ......pretty. It is not a place I'd go for my everyday items, but fresh breads, black truffle oil or really unusual beer is a place that needs to be visited. They've managed to arrange the items in a place that doesn't feel like a grocery store -- a definite place you have to visit, but not too often because it is easy to drop $$$ you didn't plan on spending.

After our trip to the store, we came back to the house for a quick dinner and then back out the door to see the movie Precious.

Precious, is not a light or fluffy movie, but I guess if you've seen the previews you already know this. It is a dynamic movie with great performances and a story line that kicks you in the gut. I never looked at my watch or had a moment where I thought the movie was moving too slowly. If you like serious drama, go see this movie.

After getting back from the late show, we came back to the house, chatted and went to bed.

Yesterday was the cooking demonstration class. I'd recommend a demonstration class to anyone who has a fear of cooking because it demystifies cooking.

The class was taught by Rick Rodgers. He often writes for Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, appears on t.v. and has published numerous cookbooks over the years. Personally, I've been going to his classes for years, but this is the first time my sister went with me.

I knew a guy who has won Bon Appétit's Food and Entertaining Award for Outstanding Cooking Teacher would be someone my sister would like. Besides, he was cooking Thanksgiving dishes. What could be better than that.

He started with a sherried crab bisque and then for the main course had turkey, mulled wine cranberry sauce-- mortadella, walnut and rosemary stuffing--baby carrots with orange glaze --mashed potato casserole with smoked gouda and bacon (okay, gouda & bacon how could this not be yummy) and pumpkin cupcakes with ginger cream.

Everything was tasty and throughout the class we were fed great cooking tidbits about turkey (he worked for Perdue for 10 years and knows a lot about turkey from the farm to the table).

Although I hadn't been to one of his classes in 3 years, he recognized me and we chatted a bit after the class. I got his latest books Winter Gatherings, Autumn Gatherings and Summer Gatherings which he autographed for me (I should mention many of my cookbooks are signed by the author).

After a quick kiss goodbye and a snatching of another cupcake for hubby we were on way home. Yoga Girl dropped me off to begin her trek home to NJ. It was great to see her and nice to know I will be seeing her soon (wow, Thanksgiving is next week).

That was my weekend...how was yours?