NYC's Summer 2012 Restaurant Week

 

Rejoice, my foodie friends — NYC has announced their dates for the 2012 Summer Restaurant Week, running from July 16 to August 10. For 20 days, bargain hunters, like myself , will have an opportunity to dine at some of the city's most popular restaurants at discounted prices. A three-course prix-fixe lunch is $27.04, while a three-course prix-fixe dinner will cost $35.

Restaurant Week began in 1992, when lunch was priced at $19.92. Since then, the average meal in New York has increased by $16, while the average price of a Restaurant Week lunch has only gone up $4.15. What a DEAL! NYC & Co., the agency in charge of  Restaurant Week, has already announced that a number of restaurants that were around at RW's inception will again be participating this year. NYC & Co. should be proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week. It provides New Yorkers and visitors the opportunity to sample some of the finest restaurants in the world at a fraction of the regular price.

The Mall, Central Park NYC....My favorite spot for romance!

                                                                                       

While the full participating list has not been released, NYC&co has verified that Barbetta, Brasserie, Capsouto Freres, Chin Chin, Delmonico’s, Gotham Bar and Grill, Mesa Grill, The Palm, Petrossian, Remi, The Russian Tea Room, Shun Lee Palace, Steak Frites, Tribeca Grill, Victor’s Café and Water’s Edge are among the select few. Check them out on the web and start your short list now.

Restaurant owners have the unique opportunity of reaching a wide audience of people that may not at this time be able to enjoy these exclusive eateries. Serving up their signature dishes gives restaurateurs a chance to create repeat customers. It's a win/win situation for all involved.

If you're curious about what to expect with a Restaurant Week meal, check out this photo gallery of meals from the 2012 Winter Season.

Reservations open July 9, at which time the full list of participating restaurants will be available. Don't worry; the second that the list becomes available, I will be sure to post it in a FLASH!In the hope that food lovers and friends alike can share in these culinary delights......start your engines NOW! Begin your hunt for inexpensive flights and hotels, you'll be glad you did!

Work in a few musicals or a Jazz Club while in NYC, you'll be glad you did!

Great link to all things NYC!

Tuesday Tranformations

Transforming Thrift Store Finds

Into Up-Cycled Treasures

 Inspired ideas that are sure to delight. Take overlooked items and turn them into beautiful and functional design and decor. It's called 'upscaling' and it's all the rage. What a wonderful way for young college students or married couples to take hand me downs and parlay them into hip new decor for a first home!

Chairs with Flair!

These salvaged chairs have apparently served several faithful years as cat scratching posts.Taking old, drab chairs and covering them in  cheery florals make for tremendously trendy pieces of furniture! I simply adore the outcome of these hand-me-down chairs. Anyone would be proud to place them in their home.

 

Get inspired and hunt for 'do-able up-dos' at your local Goodwill or any other thrift shop. Pop in at a few garage or estate sales, church bazaars and even in the trash or on the side of the road. Happy Hunting and Good Luck!

Have a wonderful week!

*Thanks goes out to Lindsey from Better After

for her daily inspiration!

Father's Day Gifts: Life Lessons From Dad!

RONNIE JARRELL CHESSER

 I have to start with a picture that includes mother. Ron and Gloria Chesser.....they rarely do anything or go anywhere without each other. 

Daddy is a rather enthusiastic fan of football.
He loves Texas Tech and the Dallas Cowboys.
He plans his fall weekends very carefully!

Riding and talking with Daddy. We love to talk.
I must have inherited the 'gift of gab' from him!

I added this just because I love it so much.
Elizabeth with Daddy. We were in Washington DC.
She loves her DeDe.

One of Daddy's favorite things.....napping.
He can fall asleep anywhere and in any position.
It's a gift!

Daddy loves to travel and experience new things. He and Mom have travelled
extensively. Here he is with Elizabeth waiting for their cruise punch before
the 'big' show! He took her on a date....so sweet.

Daddy married a pretty girl!

Married for 50 years and still crazy about each other.
Says a lot about Daddy as a husband.

Mom and Dad in the Cayman Islands. Doing that traveling thing
they do so well. Keeping cool in the shade.

Alright I will share with you this less than desirable photo to show
you what a handsome guy my daddy WAS and IS.
He loves the three women in his life!

Daddy with his first great-grandchild, David Suddreth.

This was taken about 2 months after our move to Dallas.
Look at that 70's chair and how young Daddy is!

Young? He's really young here, maybe 18.
He is bottom row, 5th from the left, dark hair and glasses.
Mom is second row, third from left. The JBC choir
is where they met and fell in love.

One happy man wouldn't you say? He's dancing!
Believe me this is NOT normal behavior, but we loved it!

Daddy spoke at our grandmother, Little Gran's Memorial Service.
Dad is second from the left. To the left and right of him
are some of his closest lifelong friends.
Mr.P is down on the right in the brown.

Daddy and Mother with Elizabeth, their last grandchild.
Love his knees!

 NOT sleeping but just waking up.
Right in time for Thanksgiving Dinner!

He's visiting the cooks in the kitchen.
Our family LOVES to spend time together and usually found eating!

 Mom and Daddy with LONG-time friends, Tony and Jerri Sue Cleaver.

Daddy has had the honor to baptized both
of his daughters and all four grandchildren.

He was bending over to kiss mom,
something they do quite often!

The three men in our family. {l-r}
Jared, Dad and Mr.P. Hoping to add a few more!

 For a man that didn't want children at all, Daddy looks
pretty content surrounded by his grandchildren.

Dad and Mom with Big Gran at the seminary in Jacksonville.
Dad was on the board of trustees here as well as JBC for a long time.

Remember that gift of gab? Dad is telling us something!

Daddy and Mr.P ALWAYS talk business, taxes and money!
Something that makes him happy, see that smile?!

The Chessers, Dad, me, Mom and Steph in front of the 
parsonage in Bryan/College Station, Tx.

He looks a little wild eyed, we were having a great time
celebrating mom's birthday.

Mom and Dad with the youngest two
grandchildren, Elizabeth and Kristin.

Being with mom and the kids makes him happy. Elizabeth
on a Friday night with the Poteet Band.

But, Daddy is more happy and content........

.....lighthearted and satisfied being alone with Mom....

.....just the two of them.

   This just makes my heart smile!

If you haven't been lucky enough to meet my Father, Ron Chesser, let me introduce you and tell you a bit about the man I know and love. My Dad is the most caring and generous man I have  ever known, besides Mr.P of course. He is WISE and discerning, a man with integrity and principles and most importantly, a Man with a heart that follows after God.

I have often said that growing up in our home was like growing up in a bubble. As kids we never worried, wanted or wished for anything different. Daddy gave us the gift of security and a peace of mind. I'm sure there were times when things weren't easy for him, but we never felt insecure. What a wonderful gift he gave his daughters. His son-in-law, Mr.P, has complained about this for years. Daddy is a hard act to follow for any man. Mr.P informed him early in our marriage that whenever there was a decision to be made he would suggest to me a perfectly  sane idea just to be told that I didn't think it was so hot! We would then call Daddy for advice upon which Dad would then suggest the very SAME idea. Then, and only then did I think it was a GRAND and WONDERFUL idea! Mr.P was NOT a fan of this mentality. But isn't a girl suppose to think her Daddy could never be wrong?

Dad is a Baptist Preacher and Financial Whiz, truly. He has a set of principles that he has always lived by. They are, in descending order, God, mom, family, church and then other activities. His friends that know him well understand that what Dad preaches on Sunday is how he lives his life. Some that have traveled with Dad have been surprised by this...a few people...which I find odd. Daddy is not a hypocrite! The man that they see preaching in the pulpit on Sunday morning is the very same down to earth guy you have a meeting with on Monday. No difference what so ever. He's the man who sat at our table for breakfast and dinner and drove us to school. We never saw him contradict himself during the week. What he preached about on Sunday was truly how he lived during the week. A gift that was taught purely by example. An extraordinary life lesson.

This is not Daddy's Bible. I wish I had a photo to share with you. The Bible's that he uses to preach out of are literally unreadable. Read, reread and written in until you can hardly see the print. He has notes written ALL over them. I LOVE looking at his Bibles, his hand writing is extremely small and indiscernible to other people. His calendar is even worse. He is a DETAIL guy! He loves details, and he misses nothing! Dad stays on top of everything at all times. He reminds us of things all of  the time. Again giving us security!

My Dad has had a major influence on many people including his daughters. He has helped to create the determined, assertive, thoughtful and confident woman that I am today. No shrinking violet, I have strong opinions and share them with the world.  Well my world at least. I also have a belief in myself that I deserve the best that life has to offer. I believe this is the legacy, a remarkable gift that our supportive father gave to his daughters. If Daddy had said one thing and lived another life entirely we would never have learned these life lessons that we cherish so much.

Daddy is a loyal and true friend who is valued by many lucky people. He was a wonderful son to his parents, as a child and adult, dedicated to taking care of them fully. He has been an outstanding son-in-law. He loves my mother's parents as his own. Dad has been a care-free and fun brother-in-law. He has been such a blessing to my aunt upon the death of her husband. He has advised her wisely. Daddy has been an unparalleled husband, truly! He LOVES Mom! She is his best friend and he treats her like a queen. And if that's all he was, that alone would be enough for me! He's a wonderful father, ALWAYS there for Steph and me if we should ever need him. We are truly Blessed Children and fortunate to call him Dad.

I heard someone say once, 'As a Father, the choices that you make will either BLESS your family or hurt them'. That IS MY FATHER!That is HIS LIFE. HE MAKES GOOD CHOICES! {He chose MOM!} He has spent almost 70 years on this earth and He is a living testament to this simple statement. He has been such a blessing to our family and God has Blessed Him in return. Love you Dad.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Proverbs 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely...

Proverbs 17:24

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view....

Wonderful Life-long Gifts From Dad.

Ina's Coconut Macaroons

These macaroons have been placed in one
of my reproduction lemon colored pottery bowls.
I love this pottery collection for summer.

It's the middle of the week and I am in need of a slight pick me up. Seeing as how I don't drink or do drugs......I guess I could take a vitamin.....but what I really want is something sweet to eat. There you have it, I do love to cook and of course eat. I am NOT a huge sweet eater, I do love my kosher salt, but on occasion I do crave a bit of sugar. Mr.P LOVES Little Debbie snacks, sorry lil' D no offense but I do NOT enjoy your snacks. If I am in the mood for 'sweets' I usually have to whip it up myself. So what will it be? I think light and airy Coconut Macaroons just might be the ticket.

I have used Ina's Macaroon recipe for YEARS. It is by far the easiest, lightest and yummiest Coconut Macaroon recipe I have ever baked or eaten. If you are a lover of coconut and need a slight middle of the week pick me up as well give 'em a try. You'll be glad you did, they can be addictive. Wonder if that is my 'drug' of choice? Don't answer that!

I use a 1 and 3/4 inch ice cream scoop to measure out this macaroon dough. If by chance you are counting WW points, these Coconut Macaroons are 2 points each if using this small scoop. They make a good size macaroon. Not too shabby for a 'middle of the week' pick me up treat.

COCONUT MACAROONS

Ingredients

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl.

Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.

These macaroons are wonderful in this simple state but if you want to take them up a notch you can dip the bottom, top or one half in a really good quality chocolate......Now THAT'S SINFUL! LOOK OUT!
No longer 2 points.......

Be sure to put these on a parchment lined baking sheet in the freezer to set the chocolate. They are delicious and a huge hit for dessert.

ENJOY!!