Summer time in the city

Its funny how summer time keeps people busy and outside... I guess that is why I haven't been posting any new entries.  My sister told me I was being lazy.  lol

Anyhow, Casey and I have been enjoying the summer.  We went to Alexandria, VA this weekend for a bachelor and bachelorette party.  It was fun.  The party/gathering was at Dave and Busters.  We had never been to a Dave and Busters, but it is basically a Chucky Cheese for adults.  We had a good time.  

Casey and I did dinner at P.F. Changs which was right around the corner from Dave and Busters.  Casey loves P.F. Changs because it is the only Chinese food that Casey can eat that is gluten free (normal soy sauce is bad news).  We shared a bottle of riesling wine, some chicken lettuce wraps, and both of us had Ginger Chicken Broccoli entrees.  

After Dave and Busters, the group decided it was time to venture into the city for some fun.  We all headed to a little bar called the Madhatter.  It was a small bar, but a favorite of the bachelor and bachelorette.  Casey and I left the bar at around 1:30am and caught a ride on the Metro back to our hotel.  The Metro ride was interesting since neither of us had ever ridden the Metro by ourselves.  We managed to figure the ticket machine, hopped on the train, and made one switch to a different line, and finally got back to our hotel. woohoo.

I will try to post more frequently, or maybe not since it is summertime.

Dinner with Friends

This evening, I had the pleasure of cooking for my good friends from college; Chris, Jim, and John.  I prepared some excellent tenderloins and salmon on the grill for my guests.  Their taste buds were pleased and their bellies full after dinner.    I setup  my friend John (the mojito master) by buying some mint and limes.  I was hoping that he would show us his mojito skills and he sure did.  His mojito's were so delicious.  Thanks John and Dorota, Chris and Loretta, and Jim for the great evening!

Giant CFM-3 Tires

My co-worker and I ordered some WTB Timberwolf 2.3 tires from Nashbar.  These tires came in this past week and I installed them on my 1995 Giant CFM-3 mountain bike.  These tires are INSANE looking!  To quote Pat, "They look like truck tires."  

I got to try them out Thursday after work by taking ride up Shingletown Gap Lower Trail.  This trail is pretty rough (roots, stones, logs, etc), but these tires just rolled right over everything and didn't slip out from under me at all.  I think they were a wise choice and I look forward to hitting the Longberger Trail soon with these tires.

Schwinn s[9Five].1 Repaired

I got my 1995 Schwinn s[9five].1 mountain bike back from my local bike shop (LBS) today. Thanks to the LBS owners (Justin and Jordyn) for making some great recommendations for fixing this oldie but goodie.

It was in need of some upgrades: new supsension forks, v-brakes, and v-brake compatible levers/shifters. The Rock Shox Judy XC fork was replaced with a Rock Shox DART 2, since anything more extreme (too much travel) would probably affect the overall handling in a negative way. The LBS got me some used v-brake compatible levers/shifters, so that saved me some cash, but they are a little bulky.

I still need put on some new rubber, then this bike will be trail ready. I will also be keeping my eyes open for some new 7 speed Shimano STX rapid fire shifters to replace the used ones the LBS put on it.

Finger Lakes Trip

Casey and I had the opportunity to escape to the finger lake region (Seneca Lake) on Friday for an overnight.  The trip was a last minute one, because we realized if we didn't go now we might not get up there until late fall.

Casey and I have stayed at different places in the past; hotels and B&Bs.  This time we did something different, thanks to one of Casey's co-workers for letting us know about a wonderful place.  We stayed at Finger Lakes Cabins at Mill Creek near Valois, NY (East Side of Seneca Lake).  This place had two cabins that were fully loaded with everything we could possibly need (soap, shampoo, stove, fridge, microwave, tv, games, coffee, creamer, charcoal for the grill, wood for the fire pit... you get the idea).  

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

This past weekend I was woken up by my daughter Hailey telling me that mommy cooked a surprise for me.  When I entered the kitchen, I saw something that I haven't seen for breakfast since before Casey was diagnosed with Celiac disease... banana bread... and it looked and smelled wonderful.

Casey made the bread from a recipe on the back of a Pamela's Products Baking and Pancake Mix.  She said it was so  easy and the results were definitely the same as everything we have made with this mix, super yummy.  Below are some photos for you to enjoy.

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Gluten-Free Green Peppers and Pepperoni Pizza

I know that I have posted about my gluten free pizza before, but this time the photos are better.  Enjoy.  I think I have gotten this recipe down perfect now, I haven't made a less than perfect pizza in over 6 months.  Here are some photos of the yumminess.

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