Cheers!

In celebration of my husband’s birthday, we decided to try out a relatively new establishment in the Lafayette Village shopping center:  the Village Grill.

The atmosphere is cozy although the main focus is the sports bar.  The bar is centrally located with booths surrounding the sides and equipped with large overhead TVs that gives good viewing from almost all vantage points; there is also a dining-table area off to the side.

Village Grill interior

We started off with an appetizer that had a spicy zing to it.  Adjust the spice level by telling the waiter to hold the jalapeno peppers.  The mixture of black beans, corn salsa, and pulled pork was an interesting combination.

San Antonio nachos

My husband ordered the steak and I ordered the shrimp and grits.  Both dishes were well-assembled.  Usually I’m not a huge fan of grits, but this southern comfort food was creamy and flavorful.  Definitely a must try for those who love grits (and even for the novice).

Kansas City skirt steak

Low Country Shrimp & Grits

Our waiter, who was attentive at first, became preoccupied once he acquired two more tables.  It became a chore to flag him down for our check.  All in all, the food and presentation was good, albeit the lackluster service.

{all photos by Sara}

Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) and Bon odori

Recently, I was invited to attend a summer festival – Natsu Matsuri at the NC Japan center on NCSU campus in Raleigh.  The celebration featured various foods, entertainment, and traditional dances in Japan.

The Bon dance, which is called “Bon Odori” in Japanese is performed outdoors and danced in a concentric circle.  People of all ages are invited to dance.

Bon dance

Colorful yukatas

I also tried out some of the grub.  Between my husband and myself,  we bought two yakitori sticks ($3), a dish of yakisoba ($4), two mitarashi dango sticks ($2), and a matcha-azuki-milk snow cone ($2).  The yakitori and yakisoba were good, but I was not particularly fond of the dango.  I think it’s an acquired taste.  However, I really liked the matcha snow cone.  The condensed milk and red beans are well paired together.  Yum!  I also wanted to try the gomoku inari sushi and kakesoba, but those items were sold out by the time hubby and I got there.

Perhaps next year, we will be able to partake different dishes and take part in the dance.

Hen-side the Beltline Tour d’Coop

I asked myself, why would I want to keep chickens?  Because I want to live a more sustainable life, chicken manure makes great compost, or organic eggs taste better.  The answer is all the above.  Now, all I need is to convince my husband of that.

Gardeners, parents, children, environmentalists and other potential chicken keepers such as I, trekked within the beltline today to tour the 5th Annual Tour D’Coop in Raleigh, “Henside the Beltline,” to see how families have integrated chickens into their lives in an urban environment.

I had a blast peeking and peppering chicken keepers with flock/coop questions at six diverse Raleigh roosts ranging from the palatial to the practical.  Chicken varieties on display across Raleigh include: Araucanas/Ameraucanas, Rhode Island Reds, Black Stars, Delawares, Barred Plymouth Rocks, buff Orpingtons, Redcaps, Black Australorps, silver-laced Wyandottes and more.

One day, I hope to join in the “Parade of Combs” and share my thoughts and exuberance for chicken keeping.  Til then, I will enjoy other’s backyard chicken stories and look forward to touring the many coops around me.

Silver laced Wyandottes and Buff Orpington

Heirloom Dorking and Redcap

Vintage Inspired Clothing

I’m loving these vintage inspired outfits by Ruche.

Mad Men Typography

Recently, I stumbled upon a website that compiled 30 fonts perfect for vintage and retro style design that ranges from a 1920′s to 1950′s retro typography style that somehow reminded me of  AMC’s MadMen show.

Listed below are a few of my favorites.  Check out the site for more free fonts.

Matchbook

Upper East Side

Lemon Chicken

Farmer’s Market

The weather was beautiful today at 75F and without the usual pollen that we decided to go to the local farmer’s market to pickup a few veggie plants to add to our garden.  After walking up and down the plant section, I finally decided on two bell pepper plants (Karma red and California green), Roma tomatoes,  and vine tomatoes.  I spotted several people with lemonade drinks in hand and knew I had to have one too.  We made a bee-line to the in-door produce area and bought a really good orangeade drink to quench our thirst.  Yum.  Overall, a successful day.

Greensboro Road Trip

Yesterday, I got an opportunity to visit Greensboro, NC for the second time with some friends.  We ate in a small Vietnamese restaurant called “Van Loi II.”  They specialize in roast duck and pork, pork intestines, etc.  Previously, when we were there, we didn’t eat in the restaurant side but ordered their roast duck and pork to-go.  This time, we ordered a few things off the menu.  I had the Bun Bo Hue and my husband ordered Mi Kho.  Their off the menu items failed to impress (although, still way better than in Raleigh), however their bbq is a definite must try for anyone visiting in the area.

Next, we stopped at Super G Mart on West Market St.  It’s an international store offering primarily Asian and Spanish foods.  The selection is absolutely amazing!  They have an array of fresh seafood and meats and fresh produce.  The dry goods, can goods, refrigerated and frozen foods, and household goods are equally impressive.  I stocked up on some Japanese goodies.  According to my friend, Super G Mart is planning to open a store in Charlotte in the former Bi-Lo at Independence Square.  Too bad they’re not opening one in Raleigh

Super G Mart

Super G Mart interior

Kanpai!

O-sake

This past week has been so cold, especially after the recent snowfall.  Hubby and I decided to break-out the sake that his sister gave us to try.  We warmed the sake in the tokkuri.  I’m not a huge sake fan, but it definitely hit the spot.  Yum.