What a great weekend! It went by way too fast, but there was a lot of fun and good food involved, so no complaints here. Backing up to Friday, I wanted to share the delicious result of a catch up lunch with my friend Becky. The two of us played on the golf team together in high school and hadn’t seen each other for several years. Needless to say, we were way overdue!
After tossing around a few lunch ideas we decided on Toni Patisserie & Cafe, a European inspired restaurant with a modern atmosphere.
Becky convinced me to try their pomegranate green tea, and I’m so glad I did. It was sweet all on its own – no extra sugar needed – and very refreshing.
For my entrée I decided on the tartine special, which was a French open-faced sandwich topped with asparagus and gruyère cheese. I quickly understood why it was one of their specialties – yum.
This dish was rich and savory, not to mention filling. I’d love to recreate it at home.
Becky chose the smoked salmon tartine, which also looked amazing.
We had a great time chatting and getting caught up on life since high school (and our disbelief at how long it really has been). Looking forward to seeing each other again soon – and checking out the Green City Market this summer!
The morning after National Donut Day, I drove Bobby to his CFA test bright and early. He was there from 8:00 to 4:30 (yes, it’s a long test!) and called me on his way home feeling good about everything. Now the wait begins until August, but I told him not to think about that as I prepped for his post-test fiesta back at our apartment.
I had on my new “fiesta approved” shirt (thanks, Melissa!) and was ready to welcome him home with a celebratory beer. I think the below picture exemplifies how happy he was to be done. Finally!
We quickly got to work on dinner: chicken and black bean fajitas! We threw the chicken in a pan with some fajita seasoning and had some black beans and red peppers cooking on the stove, too. Throw it all together in a tortilla with some spinach, salsa and Greek yogurt “sour cream,” and you have a Chipotle-inspired meal.
I’d argue that it’s even better than Chipotle, though.
We had a great rest of our night that involved getting caught up on all our DVR’ed shows. It’s amazing how many can accumulate when you’ve been studying nonstop for several months!
Bobby even promised to make Sunday brunch for me this morning. I think I’m going to like all this extra time he now has on his hands. 😉 It was a tough choice, but I decided on an old favorite.
Yes, the ebleskiver pancakes return! And just as they have many times before, they drove us crazy as we tried to flip them into perfect circles. This was Bobby’s first time working the pan, and we determined he needed a bit more oil…
Haha. 🙂 Still, a pancake is a pancake is a pancake. We put blueberries in the middle and they came out perfectly gooey. Topped with a bit of maple syrup and served with a side of organic Yukon potatoes, and you’ve got a great brunch! Plus, it’s the thought that counts.
A pancake is a pancake is a pancake. Thank you, Bobby.
Our brunch followed our last long run before the North Shore Half Marathon. I’m planning a separate post that discusses my feelings pre-race this week. For now let’s just say I’m a lot bit nervous, but am hopeful that everything will turn out well.
We capped off our celebratory weekend by seeing Snow White and the Huntsman.
I loved this movie. There are a lot of people who have mixed opinions of Kristen Stewart, but I really like her as an actress – and not just as Bella. She did Snow White justice and I enjoyed the fact that this movie was about a princess who kicks butt, rather than a prince who has to “save her.” It was a definite girl power storyline. Charlize Theron does an amazing job as the evil queen, too. The romance in the movie is understated, but I found that to be refreshing given that there wasn’t much time with the queen coming after Snow White and all. I’d definitely see it again.
Back to work tomorrow! Hope you all had a great weekend. What’s one highlight?
Abrazos,
Yayyyy for Bobby! Must feel so good to have that exam out of the way. The open faced sandwich looks great. The asparagus on there is a great touch. Glad y’all had a good time celebrating it up. Highlight of my weekend? We took Kay to visit Josh’s sister and her boyfriend in NC. The whole trip was a highlight!
Jenn I am drooling over the smoked salmon tartine picture.
Chris really wants to see Snow White and the Huntsman, so it’s good to hear you like it. He went with me to see Hunger Games so I owe him one ;).
I hope you like it if you see it, too! You’ll have to report back. 🙂
What a great weekend Jenn! Bobby looks so relieved in that picture! He more than deserved that beer (I totally just typed bear…nature girl at her finest; lol) for sure! The shirt looks gorgeous on you!!!
And I totally should have gone and seen that move this weekend; next weekend with Whit for sure! My highlight, catching up with friends and movies! And having some great food and R&R time with the parents at home!
Thanks again for the shirt – I absolutely love it! I am excited to hear what you think of the movie if you see it!
That sounds like a great weekend! Congrats to Bobby for being done with the test, I’m sure it is such a good feeling!
We had a great weekend, the highlight was definitely going on a taco crawl – lots of delicious tacos were consumed!
Jenn, that special just looks fabulous. I am literally imagining all the different textures and flavors together as I sit here resenting my hard-boiled egg 😉 I have to say, Mrs. Bobby, that your life appears to be really satisfying and multifaceted. I’m pretty inspired to get out of my routine and get out in general when I read your posts 🙂 Thanks for the motivation and role modeling…
One highlight of my weekend: I laid on a blanket with my puppies on a rare cloudy (still hot) evening 🙂 I don’t know how long we were out there but it was just yummy all around.
xo Erin
You are so sweet. Thank you for the kind words, Erin! (See me, accepting compliments? Haha.) 😉 I could say the same about you. Love and be loved.
Laying on a blanket with the pups sounds like a moment of zen!
Mmmm…gruyère. Man, do I love cheese. 🙂 You look super cute in the “fiesta-approved” shirt, btw. Tell Uncle Bobby that we’re excited he’s all done! We’ll look forward to receiving his new business card, featuring a fancy CFA designation. 🙂
I love me some cheese, too! Thank you re: the shirt. It’s definitely a new favorite! I can’t wait to have Bobby’s new card, too. 🙂
That smoked salmon tartine looks amazing!!
One highlight of my weekend was going berry-picking 🙂
Love this blog!!
Thank you for your post daily. I enjoying reading it for healthy tips of fitness and food. You inspired me to write my own daily blog.
Please check me out!
sweatandasundress.blogspot.com
Congrats on your new blog, Ali! I will definitely check it out!
I LOVE THAT SHIRT!! so, so cute.
glad to hear the review about the movie. i’ve been wondering about it.
Thank you, Brandi!! Let me know if you end up seeing the movie. 🙂
omg BARF i hate kristin stewart. like legitimately cannot STAND herrrrrrrrrr hahahaha so we can agree to disagree on her. but i do LOVE the huntsman! <3 wouldn't he make a perfect christen grey?!
you and bobby are ADORABLE! can't wait to hear how the test went! xoxo
1) love your red top! adorable!
2) those pancakes are still adorable! I have decided blueberries are fantastic in practically everything!
3) that lunch looks amazing! smoked salmon and melty cheese are two of my fav foods!
4) that definitely looks better than Chipotle!
LOVE YOU! happy day, Bender!
1) Thank you!!
2) I couldn’t agree more!
3) Ditto!
4) I’m glad you agree!
Love YOU! Hope you have a wonderful Thursday, GC!
How have I never heard of Toni? Your meals look incredible! Also, I love the shirt! Congrats to Bobby for being done with the exam. 🙂
I would love to go back to Toni so just name the time. 🙂 Thanks re: the shirt and Bobby’s exam!
What a great recap!! I’m definitely looking forward to another lunch/dinner/drinks/farmers market with you soon! Your pics are so great that I’ll have to link back to it on my blog! Mmmm those tartines…
Hope Bobby’s test went well! Good luck on the half marathon!!
I could really go for another tartine today! Perhaps I’ll have to start making them at home…
Can’t wait for our next get together! I’ll send you a note after the race this weekend to start figuring out times that could work!
That tartine looks especially yummy. It oozes with cheese and it really seems like one of the perfect ways to make our kids eat asparagus without an ounce of whining at all.