BIRTHDAY DINNER

We went to Vingenzo's restaurant in Woodstock tonight for my birthday dinner.  It was spectacular, as usual!

We started off by splitting a Caprese salad.  Isn't it beautiful?  See that mozzarella?  It's made right there in the restaurant!

Tonight the special was homemade fettucini.  Yes, they make their pastas right there too!   I chose the Alla Sorrento.

And here it is.  I can't even describe how delicious it was!  The perfect blend of cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and cheeses.

Here is Michael, the owner and chef who designs the menus each night.  I ordered Pistachio gelato for dessert.  They were completely out but Michael went into the deep freeze to get some for me.  I am so glad he did.  He makes all of his own gelato and he even roasts the pistachios.  It was to die for!  If you are near Woodstock stop in for a wonderful meal at Vingenzo's behind the downtown gazebo.  You will be glad you did!

FINISHED LISETTE PORTFOLIO TOP

I just finished my Lisette Portfolio top I made from Simplicity pattern #2245.  It was just the easy breezy summer top that I was looking for!  It was really easy to make, the instructions were very clear and I love the little details, even though it's hard to see on the patterned fabric.

LISETTE PORTFOLIO TOP

I've been in the mood to do a little sewing lately.  I want to make a few cut summer tops so I scoured the internet to see what people liked and what was EASY.  I came across a MADE BY WENDY top that I really wanted but it is no longer available.  Then, I found this Simplicity Lisette pattern.  I stopped by Joann's and picked up the pattern and this batik fabric.  

I cut it out this afternoon.

And started sewing.  I still need to add the sleeve cuffs and neck trim.  Stay tuned and I'll post the finished top tomorrow.  So far I really like the way it is coming together.  Although the fabric I chose doesn't show off the details, it is constructed nicely with a little gather in the front and just one button in the back.

MOSAIC

CLEANING OUT THE FRIG

Today is the perfect gray, cloudy day to do a little cleaning in the kitchen. Like........clean out the frig!  Not one of my favorite things to do but I sure do love it when it's finished.  So I go about emptying everything on the shelves, throwing away leftovers and empty containers.  Then I come across this....

I know it's been a long time since I cleaned out my frig, but really, I'm not that bad.  Am I?  Surely someone brought this package of cream cheese over for Easter or Thanksgiving and just left it in my refrigerator.  It was hard enough to patch the stucco on the front of my house or maybe the cracked driveway.  Guess I should throw it in with the spackle box in the garage.  Well, the garage will be next.  For now I have a clean refrigerator.........and I found a bottle of Italian Pinot Grigio that I didn't know I had.  Guess it's 5:00 somewhere!

I *GEEK* BARBIE

BARBIE & KEN REUNITE

COMMUNITY GARDEN

I drive by Woodstock's Community Garden everyday and I keep meaning to stop by and take a few photos.  Each February city residents can sign up for a 20' x 20' plot for $25 per year.  I heard that there is a waiting list and all of this year's plots are taken.  I'm lusting over the fresh tomato and bean plants, the squash and corn.  I saw trailing cucumbers, tomato cages and beans tied to lattice.  It looked just like a spread out of Southern Living.  A little oasis in the middle of the city of Woodstock among the highrise condos, restaurants around the corner and railroad tracks.  Go see it......it's just down the street from Dobbs Road and Hwy 5.

2011 Summer Reading Kick-Off

2011 Summer Reading Kick-Of, a set on Flickr.

Photos from our summer reading kick-off party for One World Many Stories at the Woodstock Public Library today. The puppet show was great and everyone had a wonderful time! We had close to 200 people a the show, and afterwards in the children's department!

ANOTHER NECKLACE

I can't get enough of these necklaces!  I took beads, string and "pirate compasses" to my library so all 11 of us could make a "Novel Destinations" necklace to promote our summer reading program.  We just hired a new employee who will start the end of the week.  I had one pirate compass left so I went ahead and made her a necklace from the "left-over" beads.  I love how it turned out and the color combination. It may just be my favorite!