Last weekend the Hubs and I went to a “shell” party that our friends threw. You are probably thinking to yourself… What the hell is a shell party?!?! That’s okay, because I had the same reaction when I first heard of it. So here’s what it basically is. Our friends are building their dream house and before the house is completed they threw their first party. Just the shell of the house is up. It was really cool and exciting to get the tour and walk through the rooms and try to imagine what it will look like when completed. I can’t wait to see the finished product!!!
So being that my momma raised me right, I couldn’t go to this shin-dig empty handed. I didn’t want to do wine or champagne. Too generic for this occasion… I wanted to do something different. So like any other person scratching their head for an original idea I went to Pinterest to rip a craft idea off of someone else. Let’s face it. We all do it, some of us even call it our own, but for me I like to give credit where it’s due. Thanks Pinterest! These house warming/ shell party mugs were a big hit!!!!
All you need is:
Permanent markers (whatever brand or color you fancy).
An oven heated to 350 degrees.
A ceramic mug, plate, or bowl.
A clock or timer and 30 minutes of patients.
And possibly some sort of minimal artistic ability.
Luckily, I have all of the above. I was set to get my craft on!
Here is how the final product turned out!!
I think I know what everyone is getting for any special occasion this year!!! 😉
I think in total this little crafty project took me about 50minutes.
Now I want to monogram all my china!!!! The Hubs thinks that’s going too far!!!
Oh well!
Until next time,
xoxo
the tasti life
I trust that everyone enjoyed their Valentine’s, Gal-entine’s or Pal-entines day/weekend. Whether you were spending it with your past gal pals or the love of your life I hope you had an amazing time.
Valentine’s Day is one of those special nights that many restaurants go all out for. They usually offer a special menu, a rose for the ladies, or some sort of special ambiance to draw a swooning couple in… Don’t worry there was nothing over the top or cliché about the local restaurants we went to.
What was your favorite part about Valentine’s Day or what did you like or not like about the restaurant you went to?? Please share.
Here is my weekend in review:
I was lucky enough to wake up to a snow day on Friday so I was extremely happy that my weekend could start early!!!
I was blissfully surprised when I walked downstairs to the table set and a beautiful brunch waiting for me! The Hubs sure knows how to treat his lady right! 🙂
He had mimosas, chocolate covered strawberries, and white roses (my favorite) set out on the table! He dazzled me with my favorite Eggs Benedict and hash browns with onions and peppers! So good! I think I may keep him for awhile
Valentines night, we decided to keep it low key… but we did go to one of our favorite bars. Newberry’s Yard of Ale. The hubs had been patiently waiting and craving their newest beer on tap and a very scrumptious beer we have been on the hunt to find for many months. Finally, Duclaw Sweet Baby Jesus beer is on tap at Newberry’s Yard of Ale! This beer is lightly sweet and Jesus it’s insanely tasty! After your first sip, you will definitely want to EXCLAIM its NAME!!! Sweet Baby Jesus!!! It is a dark, rich, chocolate peanut butter porter that finishes smooth with hints of espresso, peanut butter, and roasty notes of chocolate. AMAZING!
We sat at the bar and got one of the many friendly and talented bartenders. We ordered off of their special Valentines Lovers Menu and listened to the smooth and soulful vocals of musician Regina Sayles. Check out her website to see where she is playing next in the area and to hear how talented she is! You can also check out a feature article on Regina Sayles through Local Flair Magazine online. Local Flair Magazine is a premier lifestyle magazine of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Check out Local Flairs website to see all the happening in our area by clicking here!
There was a great crowd and an awesome atmosphere. I went with three blackened to perfection Jumbo sea scallops over arugula, wild mushrooms, and grilled asparagus.
For desert we ordered chocolate cream stuffed zeppolis and a traditional Irish coffee that was made with homemade whip cream. The fresh and fluffy cream was whipped up by our very talented bartender Gary. It was a perfect way to end the night!
Until Next Time,
xoxo
the tasti life
Tomorrow is the official day of love and romance… with that said, all you procrastinators what are your BIG plans for Valentine’s Day?! Oh, and let’s not forget… This year, Valentine’s Day gets stretched out over the whole weekend. It’s a weekend worth of love and spending money to show how much you really care.
You might be a last minute gift giver (and that’s ok) but you are probably thinking what is there really to do around the Pocono’s.
Have no fear… here are some of my favorite places to Wine and Dine and that will help you celebrate in style and flavor with your someone special.
Love is in the air at these local gems!
Peppe’s Bistro– Call to reserve your table- You and your sweetheart are going to LOVE this special menu.
Newberry’s Yard of Ale- featuring a special menu and the sweet and sultry vocals of renowned local musician Regina Sayles. Entertainment starting at 5pm.
Desakis– LOVE GROWS in The Garden at desakis.
Stroudsmoor Country Inn reservations are required.
Marco Antonio’s– The tables are set for ROMANCE
There is so much deliciously delicately crafted FLAVOR and outstanding atmosphere at all these neighborhood restaurants it is certainly going to be hard to decide!
Get out there and celebrate with your MAIN SQUEEZE!
****All my local followers, let me know where you ended up dining out for Valentine’ Day and what menu option was worth raving about!****
Until Next Time,
xoxo
thetastilife
**Photo credit: from Skippyhaha on Etsy
You can buy these 1970’s/80’s vintage honeymoon souvenir goblets at Skippyhaha Etsy shop
Recently the Hubs and I took a weekend trip to one of my favorite places on Earth. New York City… For some reason being in the city always makes me feel alive! It also makes me very nostalgic for my college days and all the years I spent living on the Upper East Side. Now, let me tell you that you could always find a good little restaurant and the Upper East Side was filled with many of my favorites! I could go on and on about that, but I will save that for another time.
This weekend getaway was filled with your typical tourists visits. We stayed at the outstanding Hilton Millennium Hotel at Ground Zero (we had breathtaking views from our room). Visited the heart wrenchingly beautiful Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial. Ate lunch at the delicious and reasonably priced Umberto’s in Little Italy. Stopped in Ferrara’s for a sweet treat and a double espresso. Then we traveled up to Time Square to see Rock of Ages which definitely brought you back into an era of big hair, loud music, and many fashion dos and donts.
The trip was an all around success! I really wish I could stay forever. I did became a bit melancholy as we were packing our things to leave, but as we were driving through the tunnel I realized there is NO place like HOME!
Until Next Time
xoxo
thetastilife
Hello All!!!
Oh how I missed you!! ❤
I would like to say sorry for being MIA. I pretty much abandoned my blog for sometime… I have had a lot going on! I actually thought about deleting it… but then I remembered how much I enjoy writing and sharing and reading all the other blogs that I love to follow! So…now, I am back in action and excited and looking forward to sharing my happenings and outings with you!
I can’t wait! 🙂
Until Next Time,
thetastilife
xoxo
Now that I am on my summer break, I decided to treat myself to a day at the SPA. It was much needed and afterwards it put me in such an amazing mood that when the hubs got home from work I greeted him with a sparkling glass of wine with berries! Take THAT 1950’s housewives!!!!
Anyway, the spa was amazing! It was my second time going to The SPA at Mount Airy. Check out their site. If you are looking for a little getaway to explore the Pocono Mountains, gamble, eat at some really great restaurants, and get pampered like a queen at the spa, Mount Airy Casino and SPA is the place for you!!!
I was in such a good mood the hubs said I should go more often, and I will definitely take him up on that offer!! 😉
After my treatment, I took full advantage of the strawberry infused water, the sauna, steam room, and hot aromatherapy shower. I was engulfed by bliss and serenity that I completely lost track of time.
By the time I got home I threw together a quick rub to put on a London broil and fired up the grill to surprise the hubs with dinner! (Silly man- thinks grills are just for boys) 😛
Until next time,
xoxo
the tasti life
Last week the Hubs and I got in the car to drive down to Ocean City Maryland for a beautiful beach themed wedding. Since we were traveling we decided to make it a mini vacation. We spent a couple days in OCMD and it just so happened we were there for the DewTour this extreme sports tour has everything from BMX’ing to surfing and is sponsored by Mountain Dew. It was a lot of fun to watch the athletes compete and do some amazing tricks! We also, had some great 11:00 am cocktails at hey don’t judge we were on vacation! Shenanigan’s Irish Pub & Grille as we people watched on the boardwalk and listened to the waves hit the shore.
After being a beach bum in Ocean City, MD. We took a short drive to Assateague Island, Maryland. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE everything about Assateague, and as a little girl we had plenty of vacations to Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Love, love, LOVE that place. While we were there I was on a mission to spot the wild ponies!!! They are so beautiful and it is amazing to see! I definitely recommend this vacation/sightseeing spot!
After, I got to see the wild ponies, we jumped back into the car and started to make the trip to Delawares, Dewey Beach. We hit the beach for the day and enjoyed the sun, sand, and fresh salty air, and then at night we hit up The Rusty Rudder for some dancing and drinks! We had a great time, and it just so happened that we had some friends vacationing there at the same time so we all got to enjoy each others company!
The next day, and to end our mini vacation before heading home we decided to head to the Cape May- Lewes Ferry and take a trip into Cape May for lunch to eat at one of my favorite places… The Lobster House, at Fisherman’s Wharf at Cape May Harbor!! 🙂 Oh My GOODNESS! The food there is ALWAYS amazing and delicious!
We started out with some warm homemade everything bread with butter. Then for an appetizer we ordered the fried calamari. Next, the Hubs ordered the broiled sea scallops and I had the broiled soft-shell crab. Both the scallops and crab were broiled in a lemon, garlic, parsley butter sauce and they were OUT OF THIS WORLD DELISH!
We had such a great time just driving and winging this mini vacation. We had no plans or agenda, we just relaxed and rolled with the flow and had an amazing time and a mini adventure!
Until next time,
xoxo
the tasti life
A long time friend of mine had a BEAUTIFUL destination beach wedding at Ocean City Maryland! The Hubs and I were so excited to be a part of the celebration! We also decided to make it a mini vacation. (More on that to come).
Everything was perfect from the ceremony on the water to the beach themed cake.
Here are some photos from that special day. 🙂
until next time,
the tasti life
xoxo
Tonight’s weather was rainy, gray, and dreary. Booo!!!
Hello?!? Where the hell is Summer???Listen here weather in the North East- if I wanted misty and gray I would of moved to Ireland!!!
Anyway here is a quick post on what my thoughts are tonight:
Wine is part of the major food groups… right????
The soft glow and soothing aroma of a coconut candle and a nice glass of chianti and a date with the DVR!
How romantic!!!
Story of my life 😛
Until next time,
xoxo
the tasti life
Last week I had bought some ground turkey to either make tacos or burgers. All day at work I had planned in my head and was craving a grilled turkey burger. Unfortunately, the weather was not completely agreeing with my grilling plans. It was pouring!!! I definitely was tempted to say screw this cooking business lets order in, but I decided to be a good wife and have dinner ready for the hubs when he got home. I know he would react with either “who are you, and what did you do with my wife.” Or he would just drop dead with astonishment. Well, luckily for me he did not drop dead, but was surprised!!!
Since the rain kept me away from grilling I decided to pan fry the turkey burgers. Here is the slight recipe for the preparation.
Ground Turkey
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Chopped onion
BBQ sauce
Mustard
And a splash of pickle juice… Yes, pickle juice. Not sure why but I went for it and the results were amazing!!
Of course we washed it all down with a beer or two.
I decided to add lettuce, pickles, and a dab of BBQ sauce on a onion poppyseed bun.
After dinner we took a ride to Lowes and Home Depot, because I think that’s what married couples are supposed to do. We browsed through the tile isle and looked into lumber for our upcoming deck project. Then to end the night on the right note we did what any newlywed couple does on a dreary night. We went for ice cream!!! what did you think I was going to say?!? Jeez people!!!
Now that’s my kind of Happy Ending!!!
xoxo
the tasti life
thetastilife 