A Culinary Experience

Last week, while in New York, I was lucky enough to participate in the TIA holiday party. Typically, the holiday party is pretty awesome. My first year at TIA, we had a private party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. My second year we did a walking tour of Grand Central Station (awesome btw) followed by lunch at a great place that I no longer remember (Lindsay, help me out!) and last year we had a 50's-style diner lunch (again, the name of the place escapes me) followed by a matinee of Jersey Boys. Can we say AWESOME?!

Well, this year, the fabulous Holiday Party Planners (aka Robyn and Lindsay) of TIA were able to top all other years. This year, we all donned Chefs hats and went to cooking school at the Institute of Culinary Education. Yes, that's right, we got to learn how to make some amazing food from top chefs and then partake in one of the best meals I've had in a while.

Upon our arrival, we were treated to 3 delicious appetizers and some adult beverages (kid beverage for me, of course). The apps included Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with "Tomato Soup" Dip, Garlic-Grilled Shrimp with Almond Romesco Sauce on Toasted Pita Rounds and (my favorite) Mini "Beef Wellingtons" with Mushrooms, Truffle and Chives. Is your mouth watering yet? Just wait. :)

After receiving our aprons and chefs hats, we headed to the kitchen where we met our Chef leads. We split up into 3 groups and started preparing our lunch. On the menu:

• Fall "Panzanella" Bread Salad with Roasted Acorn Squash, Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers, Arugula, Hazelnuts served in a Parmesan Bowl with Champagne Vinaigrette
• Strip Loin of Beef with Truffled Demi-Glace, Twice Baked Stuffed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives, Sauteed Haricot Verts (aka string beans)
• Baked Apple Pancake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

Again, are you salivating? I headed over to help with the dessert where my main job was to butter the ramekins. And let me tell you, those ramekins were BUTTERED!! Everyone really got into it and seemed to have a really great time.


I also played a very central role in making the string beans...as in, I made them all on my own!! And they tasted DAMN good! :)

Once lunch was prepared, we were able to enjoy it. There is something very satisfying about eating a meal that you prepared and that tastes great. It was a truly great day and it just solidified my feelings that I work with a wonderful group of people.

P.S. Paul, our CFO, won last chef standing. He kept his Chefs hat on through the entire lunch and didn't even realize it was on until it was pointed out in a lovely toast made by my awesome boss. You can see him in the above photo. What a happy guy!!

A Hell of a Town

I am in NYC for my monthly work trip and so far, it's been pretty good. Not only do I get to see my work buddies and show off the ever growing belly, but I also get to eat all of my NY favorites. I've only been here for 36 hours, but I have managed to squeeze in the following:

• Dinner at Hill Country with good buddy Tulay. This place serves up some stellar BBQ and is highly recommended to all you NY and DC readers. I got 3 delicious pork spare ribs that I sucked dry along with some coleslaw and the best Mac n' cheese I have ever eaten. Seriously. Go hit this place up. YUM!
  
  
  
  
• Breakfast at Zaro's Bakery. Yes. I caved and got me an everything bagel with cream cheese. Don't judge. :). I personally think this place offers to most authentic NY style bagel. Some of you may disagree...but most New Yorkers have their favorite bagel spots.
  
  
  
  
• Lunch at Pret. This place was first introduced to me by Miss Susan Backus during a trip we took to London. They have opened many a location in the states (in NY, DC and Chicago) and it has slowly become a staple in my NY lunch time diet. Favorite sandwich: the Vietnamese Baguette. SO GOOD! Matched with their organic popcorn and a fresh lemonade it is one of the best lunch meals to speak of.
  
  
  
• Dinner at Tappo. This is a pizza joint, but not your typical NY pizza joint. They serve up specialty, thin crust pizza that happens to be delicious. I got my favorite - The Shroomtown - and enjoyed every single bite. This place is a sister location to a place called Vezzo located on the east side of town. My NY Mom, Dina, introduced me to this pizza family and I will forever be in her debt.
  
  
  

So there you go. I still have 2 more days in the city and I plan to eat a little healthier for the sake of my little man. But I can't guarantee that I won't indulge in a soft pretzel from the cart while in town. :)

The Nursery: Take Three

We have had some changes to the little guy's room and wanted to share. We are in the home stretch and I'm happy to say that it is looking good. Not to pat our own backs, but it seems we have been able to create a comfortable space without compromising on style. Very happy indeed. Enjoy! :)

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas

It's that time of year again and we couldn't be happier. This is our second Christmas in the new house so we have some traditions in place when it comes to decorating, with some slight modifications. This year, we have our beautiful china cabinet in place making for a great place to hang the stockings. We also have the new built in window seat so Mr. Tree had to come away from the window a few feet. Other than that, we have it down to a science.

We headed out Friday night to pick our our fresh Fraser Fir. After a quick stop at Home Depot, where the selection was disappointing (sorry, but it was), we headed to the Trader Joe's parking lot where the good people of the Virginia Christmas Tree Grower Association had their goods on display. This is where we picked up our tree last year, and I have to say, I'm glad we came back because the trees this year were gorgeous! It didn't take long to find the perfect one. :)


You gotta love a tree lot that sports an industrial sized RV! After the tree was loaded up on the car, we hit our traditional "get the tree" dinner location: Pho Bistro. Doesn't everyone get a warm bowl of Pho after picking out their Christmas tree? :)


After our delicious dinner, it was time to head home to put the tree in place. And it turns out, it is the PERFECT tree. We have never had a nice one!


We let it sit over night and just settle into it's new home and then got to decorating on Saturday night with Mom and Dad Q. on hand to assist. We pulled all the decorations out of the basement and got to work. Mom Q. helped Ed with the lights while Dad, Lucy and I watched and critiqued. :)


Once the lights were in place, it was time to load up the tree. Now, our household does not have a "theme" tree. We don't have a certain color scheme and we don't use traditional white lights. Our tree is what you call "ghetto". The colored lights highlight the variety of ornaments that we've collected individually over the years since we were kids as well as some that we have gotten since we've been together. I guess the theme of our tree is "memories" because each ornament has a special story or meaning behind it. Here are some of this year's newest additions:


You HAD to know that there would be an owl on the tree this year! We are very pleased with the final outcome along with all the great holiday decor that now surrounds us.


We were so proud of the transformation in the house that we decided to take a family photo. Lucy wasn't too keen on it, but out of what felt like 25 takes, we finally got one where she is sorta, kinda looking forward. Happy holidays!!

Gestational Diabetes Free in '03!

Okay, I know it is 2011, but '03 sounded better. :)

My OB just called and shared the news that I passed my 3-hour glucose screening test with flying colors. Hooray!!

I am very relieved that there is one less thing to worry about because I seem to be a worry wort about everything lately. I also got the news that even though I have a negative blood type, I apparently have not developed the Rh Negative anitbodies which is a good thing. I get to have another shot in 3 weeks to make sure they don't develop and that both myself and Baby Boy Mangiaracina stay healthy. I just love good news on a Thursday morning. :)

An Early Christmas Treat

So as you all know, I have had a gloomy few days dealing with the emotions of pregnancy. Well, it was Suzy Q. to the rescue and boy did she deliver. :) After seeing this AWESOME Jib Jab video that she put together, I couldn't stop smiling so I had to share it with everyone.

I especially love Ed's dance moves in the video and I have to say that I have always wanted to play the standing bass. Mom and Dad Q. entertained but I think Elf Suzy was the star of the show!

Thanks Sue Q. for making me smile. This one is a keeper.

P.S. We are very fun girls. :)

Sunshine Day

Do you remember this from way back in the day?

Gotta love the moves! I think my favorite part is at the end when the Brady kids take a bow, yet they are still singing in the background. :)

Well, it is a rainy day here in the DC area, but I'm having a sunshine day because this was delivered:


What is it you ask? Well, it is something for the baby's room and it is something that is going to become my best friend once the baby is born. Stay tuned for the big reveal!