ok, ok - so I missed a day - let me explain...
..it's the summer!! I'm a teacher!! Life happens!! (huge smiling face)
Moving to the Peoria area two years ago, the only connection to the area I had was a job - no friends in the area, family to visit - for goodness sake I did not even know how to get to the local target or panera without looking up directions in google (which I had to do for the first months I lived there - one way streets can be crazy)
well - to get to my point - this week, my highest of high fives for friday is a celebration of all the great friends I have made and the awesome experiences I have had - just this week!
one. midnight showings - the Dark Knight Rises - no explanation necessary, but I have such a great group of people to preview movies with - it has become a little movie 'club', if you will - previouw the Oscar shorts, screening independent Iranian films, blockbusters at midnight (even during the school year)
Winner of the 2012 Oscar Animated Short - when my friends and I screened it at our local theater Normal Theater - we all agreed it was fantastic, enjoy!!
two. learning to cook - although my friends and co-workers might not think it is as great as I do but being a self proclaimed foodie, entertaining new friends and co-workers who come over usually includes a new dish - this week I made an amazing pasta dish (recipe will be shared next week) - this one is going in the recipe book for sure!
three. coffee - no surprise to my blog readers - I enjoy a good brewed cup of coffee and especially enjoy visiting local cafes! My friend Jaclyn and I spent some time studying at Leaves n Beans on Wednesday and I met a new co-worker for a cup of joe at Eli's on Thursday!! And my friend Tom had it right - Leaves n Beans is great for studying, Eli's is great for meeting with friends!
four. trivia night - soft kitties are victorious again! Let me explain, soft kitties (references The Big Bang Theory) is the name of my trivia night team! Every week a local restaurant (Mashie's Pub) hosts a trivia night, usually to raise money for different local charities or organizations and after a crushing defeat in the last round last week (who knew chickens lay an average of 260 eggs a year - 350 makes sense - on a day, right) - the Soft Kitties pulled through with a huge victory this week!!
five. the duck inn - I am a ham for scenic drives and taking in a great drive - last Friday a great group of friends (new and old) gathered at the Midway Duck Inn in Lowpoint, IL (yes this place exists) for some delicious fried chicken (have to splurge sometime) and corn fritters (my first). Not only was the food delicious and the dinner company great - but the drive along Route 26 was amazing!! This week the group is traveling to Tobin's - my favorite pizza place close to where I grew up!!
That pasta looks great- can't wait for you to post the recipe!
ReplyDelete