Gotta love my attempts at creative titles…
Hello, bloggies! How was your holiday? Are you enjoying the Winter Olympics so far? I absolutely love when the games are on. Something about Bob Costas screams comfort for me…
I’m glad you all took something away from Julie’s guest post. It was definitely an eye opener. I still remember being shaken up when I heard about Meghann’s sister Kelly’s accident last year. As I’m sure Meghann, Kelly and Julie will tell you over and over again — please wear a helmet. I can’t stress that enough, either!
We have a winner in the ICBINB! Giveaway! More on that at the end of the post…can you wait that long or will you scroll to the end? 😉
I wanted to share a few tidbits from my trip home this past weekend. As you can probably bet, Papa Bender was at it again with his delicious meals. The highlight…fajitas, of course!
You may or may not already know that this is my all-time favorite meal. My dad puts so much time and effort into them and they always come out perfect.
The flour tortillas are warmed briefly on the stove. They’re soft, but hold their own.
I always manage to stuff my tortilla to the gills — steak, chicken and shrimp all make an appearance, topped with all the veggies available — and add a dollop medium salsa for good measure. Somehow, I’m able to close it and wolf it all down — it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it 😉
A delicious dinner, indeed. But the best part about making a lot of food is the breakfast leftovers! The next morning, P. Bender made a batch of scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese, which we topped with the leftover meats and salsa and enjoyed in a corn tortilla this time around.
Last but not least, we have an Olympic-sized lunch.
The star of this show was the homemade Chicken & Bean soup.
But the homemade turkey burgers were amazing as well. Stuffed with chopped peppers!
For dessert we had a sample of what was ultimately decided will be our WEDDING CAKE!! The catering company is called Cathy’s Rum Cake and seriously, you must check out their site. Their secret is a rum extract that is absolutely PHENOMENAL. This was the strawberry-banana, with real fruit inside. Bobby had two huge slices and couldn’t get enough!
If you’d like, visit this page and tell us what flavor you think looks good. I’m having trouble choosing but know I definitely want the strawberry-banana as one of the layers 
Nom nom.
Finally, just because I think he’s adorable…
Somebody has a whipped cream mustache 😉 My brother is growing so old! He officially towers over me at 6′ tall and his voice has grown 10x deeper since I last saw him! Oh to be 16 again…
And that’s all she wrote! I hope you enjoyed my little weekend recap. As I mentioned in my last post, I can’t wait to share my engagement pictures with you. Hopefully later this week!
THE WINNER IS…
Now the moment of truth — the winner of the giveaway!
There were 213 comments and link backs in all. I used Random.org to generate the lucky number.
Using my math skillz, that makes our winner…
I tweeted this! username @josseatsfresh
Yeah, girl! Congrats on being the “chosen” one from the number generator! Please send your address to eatingbender@gmail.com and I’ll make sure your ICBINB! prize pack is shipped to you soon 🙂
I was thrilled by how much everyone enjoyed that giveaway.
Tomorrow is Tuesday, February 16. EIGHT MONTHS UNTIL THE WEDDING! 😯 Just in case there’s anyone out there who still hasn’t heard, it would be wonderful if you could vote for me and Bobby in the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest. Thanks in advance for your support!
Question: What’s your favorite Winter Olympic sport to watch?
I can’t decide what my favorite is, but I love watching Apolo Anton Ohno!
Abrazos!
Papa B sure does a good job. Looks delicious!
Thanks, John!!
Oh my god, get me a piece of that rum cake stat. All of your food looks awesome- love the use of leftovers, something I am always trying to be good about. I just bought ground turkey and was wondering how I wanted to use it, thanks for the turkey burger inspiration!
Aw, thank you ma’am! I’m trying to be better with my leftovers as well. My family is good at it but I’m still a work in progress. Let me know if you try the turkey burgers!
Ah, the wedding is so close, how exciting 🙂
I love watching figure skating! It’s so beautiful and graceful. Oh..and it makes me think of GC!
Ahh I always think of GC, too!! 🙂
So baby bro is drinking coffee cocoa, right? I love P. Bender’s fajita bar! I just realized P. Bender, Pea Daddy…the best dad’s in the world have rocking P/Pea nicknames, you know?!!!
Unfortunately, baby bro is still just drinking the regular hot cocoa — we need to get him on board, STAT. But I definitely agree that the best dad’s come in “P” form 🙂 I love that!
Congrats to the winner!
Would it be possible to share the recipe to that delicious looking Chicken and Bean soup?! It looks sooooo good!
You got it, girlfriend! I just emailed my dad and will post the recipe shortly 🙂
All of papa Benders food always looks amazing! I am really eying that soup though- I bet that was amazinggggggggg! Hooray on choosing the wedding cake. In terms of flavors- the coconut cream and peanut butter and chocolate sound awesome! I bet the plain banana cream is yummy too. SO exciting!
Thanks for the input on the cake — I totally agree, the coconut and PB & chocolate are the most enticing! So hard to choose, but I guess that’s a good thing, right?! 🙂
hey girl..your dad always makes the most delish food for when you are home! 🙂
I find when the olympics is on..it’s very comforting as well 🙂 My fave sport to watch is skating
Now if you will excuse me I am going to email you my addy ;):D
Woohoo! Congrats again, girly!
I love when there’s Papa Bender food on the blog 🙂 And you’re right, your bro IS adorable! I love watching Apolo too, but figure skating and curling have to be my favorites…and snowboarding. Heck, I like it all!
I like it all, too! Just got into curling and have to say, it’s pretty fascinating! I could never do that!
I loved Julie’s guest post!
I used to adore figure skating, but I don’t like it as much any more. The skiing events are probably my favorites right now.
I have to agree — I think I just really miss the big named figure skaters. We don’t really have one for the U.S. this year, do we? (I may be completely dense by asking that question!) I love the skiing events, too!
Congrats to the winner and Blessings for your wedding!
Enjoy!
Aw, thanks Pam! I really appreciate it 🙂
I love fajitas! They look good.
How cool that you found a cake you like. It certainly looks scrumptious 😉
Thanks, Tina!!
I love fajitas!! I should make some of those from the left over steak from VDAY!!
Oooh, do it, do it!!
Pairs figure skating is my favorite – but I really love watching them all 🙂 And all those cake flavors are incredible-sounding; it’s no wonder you’re having a hard time deciding! I would probably be trying the coconut, raspberry lemon, and peanut butter chocolate to decide the other flavors, but dang, they all sound like winners.
All the flavors should receive gold medals, no? 😉 I owe you an email — yours was too sweet. Thank you!
Oh my yum! Anytime that Papa Bender wants to cook for a bloggie, I’ll welcome that dish with open arms! Your wedding cakes sounds delicious. All of the tastings are one of the things that I’m looking forward to when I get married 😉
On that topic, one of my friends is getting married and had already secured her cake when someone approached her about wedding cakes. They asked if she had decided on a bakery yet and if not, they would be willing to send her home with a few samples. She totally lied to them just so she could get more samples, haha! Tricky girl!
Haha, that’s AWESOME. I totally would have done the same if I was in her shoes. I love hearing about your friend!
my hubby and i love to share fajitas when we go out to mexican food. of course, yours look way better than anything we get!
There’s just something about making them at home that makes them extra delicious! But I love ordering them out, too 🙂 Especially with guacamole!
Aw. Your brother looks like he’s a lot of fun.
Can’t wait to see engagement photos!
He sure is 🙂 I can’t wait to show you! We must catch up soon, lady!
Congrats to the contest winner! Your fajita night looks fun and delicious! 🙂
Thanks, Jessie!!
Your fajita night looks like a lot of fun. Your brother is a cutie!
My fave event is mens figure skating, yes, I said mens. Johnny is awesome!
I love it! The men are always super fun to watch.
That soup looks great! Dad’s always make the best meals…mine whips up his speciality burgers when I visit.
Scary how little brothers grow up so fast!
All the cakes sound incredible… I think I would want the coconut cream or peach cream. Or chocolate peanut butter. Or chocolate raspberry 😛
Haha, I can see you’re having just as much trouble deciding as I was! That’s a good thing 🙂 And hurray for dads and their awesome meals!
Jenn, your weekend at home looks like a blast! Your brother is adorable with his whipped cream mustache 😀 So glad you were able to make it to some warm weather and enjoy some fabulous food and family time.
SO exciting about the wedding eight months away and the engagement pictures complete! You know I cannot wait to see the pictures 🙂
All of the cakes look beautiful and sound very tasty. Besides strawberry banana, strawberry lemon sounds great too!
Have a great week my dear!!
PS: I love me some Apolo Ohno! I’ve heard it without the Anton lately–did he drop that? (Skiing and figure skating aren’t too bad either). The Olympics are so fun!
Hey girl! Thanks for the sweet comments, as always 🙂 Writing you back soon (again, AS ALWAYS), but wanted you to know how much I appreciate you!
All of those cakes look excellent. I bet she makes an amazing chocolate cake, though, so it might be worth checking that out. Other than that, get the poriginal rum cake. Wow, apparently I am boring. But usually good caterers do the original and classic flavors very very well!
Very good point! I don’t think you’re boring at all — original and classic flavors are always my favorites!
Everything in this post looks amazing!!
Love the pic of your bro:)
Thanks, Caroline!! 🙂
gah both my “little” bros are way taller than me now too! so strange how that happens overnight (or at least so it seems.) yum that cake with real fruit inside? delicious!
Crazy, right?! Also, been meaning to tell you that I’m SO glad you’re enjoying the Knock, Knock supplies! I love that “All Out Of” pad, it’s my favorite!
Those fajitas look amazing! That is one of my boyfriends favorite meals! Love the little bro picture and the mustache! Too cute 🙂 Love all the winter sports!
Fajitas are definitely one of my favorites, too! You know what else is my favorite? Treats from the twins! I can’t wait to post all about you ladies next week 🙂
Mmm made fajitas for Sunday night dinner! I love ’em 🙂
Yeeeeah, Jenny!! Perhaps some wine is also involved? Can’t go wrong! 🙂
thank you chica!!
Yum yum! Papa Bender sure puts up a good spread!
I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t say Chocolate Chocolate Rum, but Coconut Cream and Rum Marble look good, too.
I remember the day my LITTLE sister grew taller than me — agonies!! 😛
i still think that next time i go to az i need to make a stop at your parentals and pretend to be you 😉 then they will feed me glorious meals.. i love fajitas 😉
had to do a double-take when i saw your bros shirt, though. um, GO CATS!
xoxo
I think I win for being super slacker! lol I’m soooooooo far behind but am doing a little catch up! I have voted for the Crate & Barrel & am now stalking your registry 😀 It’s so fun, isn’t it??
I’m going to stalk your cake person in a second too! We did our tasting a couple weeks ago & have decided on a banana cake for one flavor. The other will be a white cake with fresh strawberries. Soooo incredibly good! The place we are using has amazing cakes & are well known for their italian buttercream. I swear it’s like eating butter. So tasty!!!
Thinking of you & hope you guys are doing fab! My apologies for being such a bad follower lately!
Just 9 days left for me 🙂
Hugs Jenn!