There's a New Restaurant in Town!

Let's celebrate the grand opening of Senor Bravo, located at 241 S. Marshall Street in Winston-Salem (former South By Southwest location).  Senor Bravo is owned and operated by the same folks who run Las Estrellas on Silas Creek Parkway.  I understand there is about a 60% overlap between the two menus, and the larger kitchen at Senor Bravo will allow a wider variety of authentic Mexican fare.

While I haven't had the chance to eat there yet, I've read good things about it, and I'm looking forward to checking it out.  To make it even more tempting, there is a coupon in today's Winston-Salem Journal good for 15% off on your next visit.  Please leave a note in the comment section if you go.  I'd love to pass the word!

Quote of the Week

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

- Mary Engelbreit

I think this is something we should all take to heart.  I know I should because no matter how much I know something is what it is, and I can't change it, I still waste way too much time and energy fighting it.  This is, in fact, not healthy either mentally or physically.  How we think about things can make a difference.

A Dreary Weekend

It is already November - can you believe it? I'm telling you the older I get the faster time seems to fly.  Now the years are shorter, and the days (and nights) never seem to have enough hours in them.  Alas, there is no formula for slowing down time.  If there were, some one of us would be richer for it.  Still, there are days we may not want to slow down.  

Anyway, I should get on with the point of this post.  I used to write poetry, or at least I dabbled at it from time to time.  Still do when the spirit moves me.  I wrote one a long time ago about a gray November day.  Now we rarely have snow here in November, but it can still put a chill in your bones.

November Gray

Cold and windy, bleak and gray
What more can you ask
Of a November day
Snow clouds and chickadees
Creep in and settle down
Ore the mountains and valleys alike
The last of the leaves
Crinkled with age
Are carelessly blown astray
Gentle flakes begin to fall
And blankets the earth in
Snowy white
To everyone, tall or small
It brings peals of laughter and delight
And adds some warmth to a
Dreary day dressed only in
November gray

Small Party - Big Fun

It was a smaller turnout than we had expected for Halloween.  I think we had about 15 people (sometimes we have more than 25), but it was fun just the same.  Our group is quite diverse, so you never know who'll show up.  There were four couples in costume including us.  I got my Black Widow costume together at almost the last minute.  I was sewing on the red "hour glass" at 5:00.  I rounded up some scrubs from the thrift shop for my hubby, who went as a "Urologist".  You should have seen his stethoscope!  Now we don't have a real one, and I couldn't find a good fake on such short notice, so I picked up a toy medic kit at Walmart for $1.  That was TOO fake...so he has this automotive stethoscope.  No, I'm not kidding, there really is such a thing.  You mechanics out there know what they are.  It has this long spike on the end where the cold flat part would be.  Look out guys!

Joining us among the "characters" were a vampiress & Jimmy Buffet, a pirate & a travel agent (she looked like a zip up garment bag), and a 1950s couple.  Our hostess with the mostess was wearing a black shirt with a Halloween design (forget what exactly - maybe ghosts), black pants and a cape.  She had some really cool glasses and a witchy hat. 

There were tons of good eats as always, including BBQ pork, black bean dip, several cheeses and crackers, biscuits, croissants, chips, fruit & desserts, not to mention plenty of wine.  Yum!  As with the people, we never know what food we'll have either.  No matter who or how many show up, or what we eat, it's all good.  Someday I'll tell how this all got started.  Yes, there is a story here so stay tuned.

Pasta alla Pancetta

Pasta is a quick go-to meal around our house, and the term covers anything from a simple goulash to baked ziti.

After spending most of the day away from home, and putting no thought into dinner I pondered what to fix. I know, pasta! I always have a number of dried pastas, tomato products and cheese. Add protein and/or veggies, and some herbs and spices and you've got a quick and easy dinner. Serve with garlic bread and some nice red wine and you're good to go. For the salad lovers out there, a side of greens is optional.

Here is what was for dinner last night.

Pasta alla Pancetta

8 oz. campanelle pasta
1 TB EVOO
4 oz. pancetta, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (please, use the real thing)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
S&P to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions (10-12 min.)

Sauté onion and garlic in EVOO, then add pancetta. Cook until browned. When pasta is done, drain and add the pancetta mixture and mix well. Add the cream and stir to coat. Add the parmesan and mix until melted.