You guessed it, we went to another garlic festival! This particular one is the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival. That's the festival that my parents have been making a yearly pilgrimage to, but this was our first taste. For a complete review of tastes, check out the end of this post for a list of Joe's culinary delights that day. All I will say is, chocolate covered garlic cloves....
....made everyone gag but me. Casey didn't seem to have a taste for garlic and chocolate, but there was plenty more to eat there. When first arriving, you're pretty much bombarded with stands that offer samples for whatever garlic-flavored food their selling and much more. Cheese, spreads, chocolate, sauces......most anything you can think of. Some standouts from these samples included some flavored honey and jam (not just garlic flavored either), a garlic-and-herb cheese spread that we purchased, and best of all a spicy sauce called "Bushwhackers" that was amazing to eat on the nachos they paired. It reminded me of the special sauce I used to get at the Texas Lunch in Port Jervis, NY........but so much better.
I will make special note of the dreaded "hot sauce" I tried there. Strangely named "Buried Alive" (guess there's a connection between the weird name and how hot the sauce is), I tried some on a nacho at the suggestion of my sister-in-law. And it damn near killed me! Honestly, as much as I burned my mouth and need an Italian ice to cool it off, the sauce was really good!
As for actual food to serve as my meal, I had a few different things. Casey and I had started with her standard garlic knots. Compared to the ones we had at the last Garlic Fest we went to, these were delicious. Perfectly cooked, right amount of spices and garlic, and nice and warm. I then had a garlic cheeseburger, and had the expectation that the meat would have garlic pieces cooked into it for the flavor. I was disappointed to find all it was was burger patties coated with garlic powder. I could've done that at home!
The star of the actual food I had was the garlic-flavored clams. Your standard steamed clams, but soaked in a garlic and herb sauce. Fantastic! I had several people who saw me eating them ask where to get them. Definitely the hit of the fest!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Autumn Take Over
It's that time of year again.
Football has taken over my Sunday afternoon TV, the crock-pot is emitting the wonderful smell of beef stew, and the husband is laying on the couch like a frog on a log. All the sights and sounds of Autumn are falling into place.
There, I just heard another acorn hit the roof and bounce to the ground.
Soon enough, the leaves will all be red and gold. Then Joe will be leaf blowing the driveway on his days off. I'll be shopping for pumpkins to decorate the front yard... all the while hoping the deer don't eat them before I get to take a pretty picture of our black cat with the aforementioned pumpkins. An extra blanket will make its way onto the bed as the heavier curtains go up on the windows. Short sleeve shirts will be replaced by long sleeve ones and even a hoodie on the more brisk days. If the trend of the past couple years continues there will be frost warning the first week of October and snow for the second.
Yep, it's that time of year again. *smiles*
Football has taken over my Sunday afternoon TV, the crock-pot is emitting the wonderful smell of beef stew, and the husband is laying on the couch like a frog on a log. All the sights and sounds of Autumn are falling into place.
There, I just heard another acorn hit the roof and bounce to the ground.
Soon enough, the leaves will all be red and gold. Then Joe will be leaf blowing the driveway on his days off. I'll be shopping for pumpkins to decorate the front yard... all the while hoping the deer don't eat them before I get to take a pretty picture of our black cat with the aforementioned pumpkins. An extra blanket will make its way onto the bed as the heavier curtains go up on the windows. Short sleeve shirts will be replaced by long sleeve ones and even a hoodie on the more brisk days. If the trend of the past couple years continues there will be frost warning the first week of October and snow for the second.
Yep, it's that time of year again. *smiles*
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Smuggling Lunch
As most of you know, I have such a crazy schedule between working overnights and school during the day, that I sleep very little and sometimes not at all for days a time. Well, I guess it caught up to me because after a nice 14 hour nap, it was time to get up at the crack of noon today.
Of course, I wake up panic stricken because I feel like I've lost half a day, which I have. I immediately hop out of bed and start feeding and watering all the pets, plug in the flat iron for my hair, and pick out my clothes to head out to what is supposed to be our anniversary lunch at Smuggler's Cove in Tannersville, PA. Where was Joe during all this fun.... well sleeping, of course.
Eventually, he did wake up after about a half hour and we headed out for a now late lunch. Our 3 year wedding anniversary was on September 8th, but since we couldn't go out in the middle of the week, we went today. Smuggler's Cove holds a special place in our hearts since it's where we had our rehersal dinner. The food was as good as ever and Joe's going to let you know all about it at the end of this post.
After lunch we headed to that dreaded outlet mall so that I could go to buy some more scrubs for work (boring!)and going into a cooking store to get my anniversary presents (fun!). I found a whisk with a little piggie on the end and squeeled with delight. It's called the "piggie wiggie whisk" and the first warning it had on it was that it wasn't a toy. Joe broke out laughing and tried taking it away from me. Now, that's just not cool. So, I'll let him finish up this blog, while I go play with my piggie wiggie and make a cake in my bew bundt pan... or as I call it, the butt pan.
FYI, I was not sleeping that half hour while Casey was getting ready to go out for the day. I layed in bed for that half hour, but did not at any point fall asleep. Anyways, our meal at Smuggler's Cove was great. Casey started with her usual mozzerella sticks, and I had coconut shrimp with 3 kinds of sauces. Then for our main meals she had a veggie burger while I had a New England lobster roll. Our lunches were delicious of course.
After the forced stop at the Crossings for Casey, I got to drag her to Best Buy. Casey was nice enough to buy me a couple of video games as my anniversary gifts. We then headed to Wal-Mart to grocery shop before finally returning home to relax for the rest of the day. It's been a great day to just celebrate our anniversary and spend some time together.
Of course, I wake up panic stricken because I feel like I've lost half a day, which I have. I immediately hop out of bed and start feeding and watering all the pets, plug in the flat iron for my hair, and pick out my clothes to head out to what is supposed to be our anniversary lunch at Smuggler's Cove in Tannersville, PA. Where was Joe during all this fun.... well sleeping, of course.
Eventually, he did wake up after about a half hour and we headed out for a now late lunch. Our 3 year wedding anniversary was on September 8th, but since we couldn't go out in the middle of the week, we went today. Smuggler's Cove holds a special place in our hearts since it's where we had our rehersal dinner. The food was as good as ever and Joe's going to let you know all about it at the end of this post.
After lunch we headed to that dreaded outlet mall so that I could go to buy some more scrubs for work (boring!)and going into a cooking store to get my anniversary presents (fun!). I found a whisk with a little piggie on the end and squeeled with delight. It's called the "piggie wiggie whisk" and the first warning it had on it was that it wasn't a toy. Joe broke out laughing and tried taking it away from me. Now, that's just not cool. So, I'll let him finish up this blog, while I go play with my piggie wiggie and make a cake in my bew bundt pan... or as I call it, the butt pan.
FYI, I was not sleeping that half hour while Casey was getting ready to go out for the day. I layed in bed for that half hour, but did not at any point fall asleep. Anyways, our meal at Smuggler's Cove was great. Casey started with her usual mozzerella sticks, and I had coconut shrimp with 3 kinds of sauces. Then for our main meals she had a veggie burger while I had a New England lobster roll. Our lunches were delicious of course.
After the forced stop at the Crossings for Casey, I got to drag her to Best Buy. Casey was nice enough to buy me a couple of video games as my anniversary gifts. We then headed to Wal-Mart to grocery shop before finally returning home to relax for the rest of the day. It's been a great day to just celebrate our anniversary and spend some time together.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Young Pickler Rascal
This past weekend I heard that Rascal Flatts would be playing up at Bethel Woods (the original Woodstock site). I called my mom to see if she wanted to go, but then when I was talking to Sean, I realized that I would have to work that night. Bummer!!!!
But, I had a message the next day asking me if I wanted to call in sick and go anyway. I wrestled with the idea of calling in sick, I honestly did. I have only done it one time and it was because the nit-wit forgot to take me off the schedule after securing the day off for me. Truthfully, calling in sick this time would have been along the same lines. I had been told my request to work Mondays and Tuesdays after Sept 1 was authorized. But the nit-wit did schedual me for Thursday, Sept 2. Last I checked, 2 comes after 1. Anyway, if I worked I would have been up for 48 hours when my Thursday and Friday classes were factored in. I assessed that if I called in sick and went to the concert, at least I would be able to get some form of sleep that night and not be a raving, exhausted lunatic like I had been for most of the week. So, yeah, that Taco Bell really kicked my butt. =o)
After my class on Thursday, I headed right up to Pine Bush. Still drained from my earlier activities of the week, I tried to get some studying done until all appropriate family members were home and ready to go again. At about 5:30, we headed out to Bethel Woods. For those of you that are not aware, that's the original site of Woodstock.
Since the tickets were a last minute thing, we got lawn seats. I really can't complain about the view though, since it was great. The drunken fools next to me, however, I could complain about. I wish Joe could have been there because he would've shut them up, especially after 1 guy told my little sister to "shove it" after she asked him to sit down so she could see the concert.
Anyway, back on track... Chris Young was the opening act. He's new to the country music scene and I do believe, he will go very far. You might recognize his songs Gettin' You Home and The Man I Wanna Be. I got quite a few very good pictures of him. He was followed up by Kelly Pickler. I have to admit that I'm not her biggest fan and her voice doesn't project well, but her songs are cute and make you sing along. I got some pictures of her as well, but she wasn't wearing her red high heels that night.
Rascal Flatts wrapped up the show, as they should since it was their tour. Pure awesomeness is all I can say. I've waited so long to see them and they didn't disappoint! I would've taken lots of pictures of them, but the camera batteries chose that night at that time to die. Oh well, I've got this blog and the memories of that night. Hearing my favorite song, Fast Cars and Freedom live was thrilling. I blast that song over and over and over when I'm alone in my car and sing it at the top of my lungs.
Now I've got to figure out how to get into a Reba concert....
But, I had a message the next day asking me if I wanted to call in sick and go anyway. I wrestled with the idea of calling in sick, I honestly did. I have only done it one time and it was because the nit-wit forgot to take me off the schedule after securing the day off for me. Truthfully, calling in sick this time would have been along the same lines. I had been told my request to work Mondays and Tuesdays after Sept 1 was authorized. But the nit-wit did schedual me for Thursday, Sept 2. Last I checked, 2 comes after 1. Anyway, if I worked I would have been up for 48 hours when my Thursday and Friday classes were factored in. I assessed that if I called in sick and went to the concert, at least I would be able to get some form of sleep that night and not be a raving, exhausted lunatic like I had been for most of the week. So, yeah, that Taco Bell really kicked my butt. =o)
After my class on Thursday, I headed right up to Pine Bush. Still drained from my earlier activities of the week, I tried to get some studying done until all appropriate family members were home and ready to go again. At about 5:30, we headed out to Bethel Woods. For those of you that are not aware, that's the original site of Woodstock.
Since the tickets were a last minute thing, we got lawn seats. I really can't complain about the view though, since it was great. The drunken fools next to me, however, I could complain about. I wish Joe could have been there because he would've shut them up, especially after 1 guy told my little sister to "shove it" after she asked him to sit down so she could see the concert.
Anyway, back on track... Chris Young was the opening act. He's new to the country music scene and I do believe, he will go very far. You might recognize his songs Gettin' You Home and The Man I Wanna Be. I got quite a few very good pictures of him. He was followed up by Kelly Pickler. I have to admit that I'm not her biggest fan and her voice doesn't project well, but her songs are cute and make you sing along. I got some pictures of her as well, but she wasn't wearing her red high heels that night.
Rascal Flatts wrapped up the show, as they should since it was their tour. Pure awesomeness is all I can say. I've waited so long to see them and they didn't disappoint! I would've taken lots of pictures of them, but the camera batteries chose that night at that time to die. Oh well, I've got this blog and the memories of that night. Hearing my favorite song, Fast Cars and Freedom live was thrilling. I blast that song over and over and over when I'm alone in my car and sing it at the top of my lungs.
Now I've got to figure out how to get into a Reba concert....
Eat, Drink, & Stink
You can tell where we went based on that title. It was time for the annual pilgrimage to the Pocono Garlic Festival!
The plan for Labor Day weekend was supposed to be a nice BBQ to wrap up the summer. Plans changed when no one was going to be able to make it. This left me wondering what we could do around here. I had thought about the garlic fest, but it was small and expensive last year. So when I saw a chance to win free tickets, I hopped on it. That was Monday. Thursday I got a call saying I had won. For all I know I was the only person that entered to win them, but who cares.
This year the festival was bigger. There was a lot more food and a lot more vendors. I, of course, hit up the Dippin' Lady and the Strawberry Guys. Oh yeah, there was a petting zoo too, but Joe wouldn't let me in that alone. I can't figure out why. Anyway, back to the basics of the festival, this year the ticket prices also dropped by $5, which was a nice thing to see and I think it had an impact because there were a lot more people around this year.
We ate the normal garlic infused foods, such as garlic knots. However, I wasn't as open to trying some of the more bizarre garlic inspired foods, but Joe was. So here's his report on some his favorites...
After browsing for a short while, I started my experimentation with the foods at the festival. I started out with something non-garlic: a beef brisket sandwich with spicy BBQ sauce. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had! The meat was nice and juicy, and the sauce had just the right kick to it. Moving on, I kept it simple with garlic flavored shaved ice. It actually wasn't bad, until it started melting and all you basically had was a water-down garlic sauce.
Then I followed that up with what I would consider the stupidest thing I've ever eaten. I happened upon a stand that had various hot sauces. Last year I had tried what was called Armageddon sauce, and that burned pretty good. At this stand I saw a sauce called Zombie Apocalypse. It was the hottest sauce they had. Obviously with Casey's encouragement, I had no problem putting probably 5 drops of it on a nacho. I payed for it. My tongue was on fire, I had sweat on my nose within seconds, and I started sucking down what was left of my shaved ice to try and stop it. Wow.........and even stupider was I considered actually buying a bottle of it.
After recovering, I tried what was probably the weirdest garlic-flavored food there: chocolate chip cookies. It wasn't bad, but then again I was so infused with garlic that I might not have noticed the garlic beyond the flavor of the cookie. So we waited for my palette to clear before moving on. So I tried what I thought would be the best choice for a meal there. One restaurant had a stand where they served the following dish: a vegetable chili burrito with a "vampire slayer" sour cream sauce. I'll tell you what, that was pretty damn good. And very filling, as I finally hit my wall, and could go no further. Which was OK since there wasn't much else I was interested in trying (the garlic-flavored crab cakes were too expensive, and they had a stand with just different flavored pickles that I was interested in), but there's always next year to give it another go. I'll definitely be revisiting that beef brisket sandwich, and who knows what else I'll find.
Also of note was a stand that sold jewelry made of two different things: fossils and old coins. The dealer was a miner and excavator who found most of what he was selling. What interested me were the carcheradon megaladon shark teeth, and the old Roman coin charms. Would've been cool to have either, so there's a good suggestion for a gift for myself down the road.........hint, hint.
The plan for Labor Day weekend was supposed to be a nice BBQ to wrap up the summer. Plans changed when no one was going to be able to make it. This left me wondering what we could do around here. I had thought about the garlic fest, but it was small and expensive last year. So when I saw a chance to win free tickets, I hopped on it. That was Monday. Thursday I got a call saying I had won. For all I know I was the only person that entered to win them, but who cares.
This year the festival was bigger. There was a lot more food and a lot more vendors. I, of course, hit up the Dippin' Lady and the Strawberry Guys. Oh yeah, there was a petting zoo too, but Joe wouldn't let me in that alone. I can't figure out why. Anyway, back to the basics of the festival, this year the ticket prices also dropped by $5, which was a nice thing to see and I think it had an impact because there were a lot more people around this year.
We ate the normal garlic infused foods, such as garlic knots. However, I wasn't as open to trying some of the more bizarre garlic inspired foods, but Joe was. So here's his report on some his favorites...
After browsing for a short while, I started my experimentation with the foods at the festival. I started out with something non-garlic: a beef brisket sandwich with spicy BBQ sauce. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had! The meat was nice and juicy, and the sauce had just the right kick to it. Moving on, I kept it simple with garlic flavored shaved ice. It actually wasn't bad, until it started melting and all you basically had was a water-down garlic sauce.
Then I followed that up with what I would consider the stupidest thing I've ever eaten. I happened upon a stand that had various hot sauces. Last year I had tried what was called Armageddon sauce, and that burned pretty good. At this stand I saw a sauce called Zombie Apocalypse. It was the hottest sauce they had. Obviously with Casey's encouragement, I had no problem putting probably 5 drops of it on a nacho. I payed for it. My tongue was on fire, I had sweat on my nose within seconds, and I started sucking down what was left of my shaved ice to try and stop it. Wow.........and even stupider was I considered actually buying a bottle of it.
After recovering, I tried what was probably the weirdest garlic-flavored food there: chocolate chip cookies. It wasn't bad, but then again I was so infused with garlic that I might not have noticed the garlic beyond the flavor of the cookie. So we waited for my palette to clear before moving on. So I tried what I thought would be the best choice for a meal there. One restaurant had a stand where they served the following dish: a vegetable chili burrito with a "vampire slayer" sour cream sauce. I'll tell you what, that was pretty damn good. And very filling, as I finally hit my wall, and could go no further. Which was OK since there wasn't much else I was interested in trying (the garlic-flavored crab cakes were too expensive, and they had a stand with just different flavored pickles that I was interested in), but there's always next year to give it another go. I'll definitely be revisiting that beef brisket sandwich, and who knows what else I'll find.
Also of note was a stand that sold jewelry made of two different things: fossils and old coins. The dealer was a miner and excavator who found most of what he was selling. What interested me were the carcheradon megaladon shark teeth, and the old Roman coin charms. Would've been cool to have either, so there's a good suggestion for a gift for myself down the road.........hint, hint.
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