Ithaca, Oneonta, Sandy and Dee's

A lot has been going on in the past few weeks:

Michael and I went to Ithaca to bring Kaa to his new home.  Very successful endeavor. He's already shed and eaten in his new home!

While visiting with Margo and Mike we went to an Oktoberfest of sorts on the Commons.  There were vendors with local beer and wine and food.  We drank a bit from here and there, then walked over to the Bangwagon Pub (http://www.bandwagonbeer.com/index.html) for a late lunch/early dinner.  Their friend Doug joined us too.  We had:  Spanakopita, Ginger-scallion-pork dumplings, Shrimp bisque, Chipotle chicken sandwich and Beer battered catfish.  Two flights of beer and a raspberry-jalapeno beer too.  All was good and company better!

We strolled the Commons afterwards and found a new store:  F. Oliver's (http://folivers.com/). They sell oils and vinegars and none of the stuff that detracts from their products like soap and candles.  Wow!  The people that work there were wonderful.  Helpful, friendly, funny and kind.  They have more than 40 kinds of oils and vinegars and we tried many.  You can sample whatever you like.  We especially loved the Sweet Rich Cherry dark balsamic vinegar and the Fresh Pressed Meyer Lemon extra virgin olive oil.  Most bottles are $15 and there are also gift packages of 4 small bottles for $20.  We will be back!

We left Ithaca after a quick visit from Jesse :) and headed out early Sunday morning to Oneonta to visit with Sarah, Glenn, Eileen, Emily and Rich.  We had brunch at the Autumn Cafe (http://www.autumncafe.com/).  They have a great specials menu on a large blackboard.  We had:  Eggs Benedict, one with spinach and one with Canadian bacon; Blueberry pancakes; Challah french toast; tons of bacon, coffee and hot chocolate.  We had a great time with our closest friends!  We left soon afterwards hoping to avoid the beginning of Hurricane Sandy, and we were successful.

While we were home for the following week during and after Sandy, I cooked:  Chicken Cacciatore and turkey chili on Monday and Tuesday which we shared with Jill and Lenny.  Lamb chops on Wednesday and cutlets on Thursday.  We went out to dinner on Friday with Jill, Lenny and her sister Karen, who Michael referred to as "our sister in law" during introductions to Dee and Arman (very sweet).  We had brick oven pizza (yum), salad, fried calamari and artichoke-spinach dip, rosemary turkey burger, wine and cocktails and a big ass margarita for Michael.  So fun!

Saturday night we had Glenn and Eileen over for dinner.  They have been without electricity since Sandy.  They were so sick of pizza and take out so they were happy to eat:  Prime rib roast; rigatoni with pink sauce and peas and mesclun salad with goat cheese, beets and bacon in a Dijon vinaigrette.  More wine, beer and scotch.  Cherry cheesecake and Pizza Crumb for dessert.  It was a great evening.  The 4 of us rarely spend time together. 

Sunday I made Jill's grandma's Jewish wedding soup.  Last night Michael had leftovers and tonight is chicken and string beans sauteed with soy, garlic and ginger.

And that's all folks!!!