Yes, this is my birthday week, but last week we feted our darling Danny at McCormick and Schmick’s with some yummy seafood. There were 10 of us and we just gathered, drank, laughed and enjoyed our plates of seafood. I think the photos (snapped by our friend, Eric Rice) say it all.
A special menu with a special message for our birthday boy.
Our group
Holly, Eric and Me
My sweeties John and Danny
My boys and me sharing a giggle.
Patrick and Andrew.
Eric, Danny and Bruce
Bruce, Danny and Sweet Rose
It was a fabulous night with some of my most favorites!
Welp, today’s the day. The day we make those who are so special to us feel even more special. This does not mean you have to have a significant other – or more specifically, it means that a significant other can mean lots of different things.
It could be your best friend, your child, your dog. Doesn’t matter. Just give someone you love a big hug and enjoy the day together. And tonight, cook up something special.
Eric and I love to cook together and it’s a rare occasion on a weeknight. But tonight at our house it will be crab cakes and pasta with cream sauce, fresh green salad and lemon souffle for dessert. Crab cakes are one of those fab dishes that are super easy and impress everyone. Just add bubbly! Here is a great recipe from Miss Paula Deen, who knows what we southerners like. I would omit the bell peppers, but that’s just me. And I would let the cakes rest in the fridge before I dipped them in flour and fried them, just to make sure they keep their shape. And one more note: I like buying big king crab legs instead of the canned crab. This way I know where the meat came from and there is less chance of shells. You just cut them up the middle and pull out the crab meat. Easy peasy.
Paula Deen's Crab Cakes, Courtesy of Food Network.com
Ingredients
1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells
1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)
3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
Dash cayenne pepper
Flour, for dusting
1/2 cup peanut oil
Favorite dipping sauce, for serving
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce.
Don’t they sound good? See? Now go impress your loved ones. And don’t bother baking – let your neighborhood bakery do the work.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Ella Fitzgerald – That Old Black Magic
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day my angels! And if by chance you are getting engaged, you are going to have a ton to think about. How about two tickets to The Wedding Experience, being held on February 26, in downtown Atlanta? With Michelle and Byron’s engagement party last night to helping plan Valerie and Jay’s reception in September, I have had weddings on the brain.
The Wedding Experience is perfect for newly engaged couples to jump
start their journey down the aisle, featuring seminars geared toward
helping couples plan a successful wedding. The day will consist of
seminar sessions, table inspiration designs, and lunch.
Attending engaged couples will have the chance to win a weekend stay
at Watercolor Inn & Resort! The prize includes two night’s
accommodations for two PLUS dinner at Fish Out of Water($100 value)!
Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Brides who purchase their
tickets by February 18th will be entered in a drawing to win a set of
Tiffany & Co. champagne flutes.
Register to attend at http://studiowedexperience.eventbrite.com/
Wouldn’t it be great to have a group of professionals guide you in the right direction and give you some inspiration? Leave me a comment and we’ll pick our winner on Wednesday!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Shirelles – Going To The Chapel of Love
Ok, I’m all refreshed after taking the day after Super Bowl to tidy up and plan what I am going to do with the leftovers. I thought you might enjoy seeing how we celebrated. Join our party!
Today I am handing over the reins to my sweet friend, Arlynn, who loves giving parties as much as I do! She created a baby shower around a Dr. Seuss theme, which I think is just adorable.
Please help me welcome Arlynn! Take it away!
I have a confession to make here on Anatomy of a Dinner Party (ADP)… I am
a party-a-holic. Yes, there may not currently be a support group available for people
in my state of “distress,” and although my husband may wish otherwise, I’m totally
cool with it. In fact, I’m thrilled to have such an exciting addiction – I mean, who
doesn’t love a party?!? Oh yeah, back to the Hubs. I wouldn’t go so far as to grant
him the title of Party Pooper, but he certainly doesn’t appreciate my panache for all
of the excitement generated by a nicely organized party. Especially one in which
he’s kicked out and asked to leave our home for a few hours, ha! Lucky for you ADP
readers, sweet Patti does appreciate & that’s why she asked me to share my story of a recent Dr. Seuss themed baby shower I had the pleasure of co-hosting at my house! Lucky for me too, to be able to share with you – thanks a million P!!!
Well, this sordid tale of a Dr. Seuss baby shower fit for a soon-to-be precious
Princess all began when the Hubs and I purchased our first home. We’re OTP’ers
(out of the perimeter of Atlanta) – please don’t hold it against us – and found
ourselves to be living in the midst of lots of families with kids. Well, there was one
couple, right around our age who were, at the time, childless. Score one for crazy-
fun-young neighbors like us! Well, before long they wouldn’t find themselves
childless… Commence immediate party planning – and I’m talking before they even
have time to show us the first sonogram image.
I have been on a crusade to save money recently. And I bet you might be, too. Let’s help each other, shall we?
There are more than a few websites and blogs that specialize in just this thing. One site I found recently that I have fallen in love with is “Budget Bytes” written by an adorable blogger named Beth. So it is “Beth’s Budget Bytes”! She dissects each recipe and tells you how much each ingredient costs and it all looks mouthwatering. I am making one of her dishes tonight but I am surprising Eric so I will share it with you tomorrow.
My sweet friend Aimee is the author of the blog “The Coupon Diva“, another amazing way to watch your pennies. She works very hard to bring you the best deals, so go check her out.
For flat out fun and all out hilarity, visit my friend Susan at her blog “The Frugal Hostess” – she is a hoot and has some wonderful ideas to boot. Hey, that rhymes!
What am I doing to save? Well, I am certainly throwing more interactive parties. We really debated over having a Super Bowl party, and decided to invite everyone over to share their favorite football watching snack, bring their own beverages and we will rev up the Pop Corn Machine (did I tell you about the POP CORN MACHINE? We bought it for a song at a yard sale. In fact, when they told us the price, Eric and I just howled because it was exactly the amount of money we brought to the yard sale. To the penny. And it is the big kind – like at the movie theatre. So now my house always smells like pop corn. But that’s not a bad thing.) We will whip up another snack or two to share and we will open our home. Because that’s what matters – having everyone together. Not how much you spend. If you treat each guest like royalty and greet them with a huge smile and a hug, they will always be happy to contribute.
And if they don’t – well, you don’t want them in your home anyway, now do you?
Please share your money saving tips with me!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Ginger Rogers – We’re In The Money
Last weekend was such fun. Eric and I got all dolled up to attend “The Next Cool Thing” here in Atlanta. The event brought together designers with furnishing vendors to create the most amazing spaces based on movies. It truly was the most!
My beloved friend Kerry Howard of KMH Interiors teamed up with Mitchell Gold and our dear friends at Larson-Juhl to furnish an alcove centered around the film, “Mommie Dearest”. It was not the biggest space, but it packed a punch. The chic sitting room boasted not only room dividers made of wooden hangers but the showpiece was an enormous chandelier made entirely of wire hangers. It was one of the most exciting ideas I have ever seen. Kerry is full of wonderful surprises and this might have been the best to date.
Hope you all are having a splendid weekend filled with fun.
You know how I love The Ritz-Carlton. Not only are their properties to die for, but I have made some fabulous friends there, too. And they are always coming up with new and exciting things to delight visitors with. And with the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, they are planning the most divine scenarios imaginable. Take a look:
From way down south, my friend Paulina at The Ritz-Carlton Cancun shares a unique dining experience at Twelve. With seating for only twelve guests, you are welcome to step into the kitchen with Chef Rory and help prepare the night’s meal, if you would like. The Viking equipped kitchen overlooks the Caribbean Sea – Eric and I were so privileged to indulge in this gourmet fantasy over the Christmas holiday, so you can trust me when I say it is the ultimate foodie experience. Three set menus in Mexican, Southern and Mediterranean cuisine await you in this five course experience that you will never forget. How about that for whisking your darling away for Valentine’s Day? Perhaps to pop the question?
Cook with Chef Rory in this magical kitchen setting.
Our fab friend Caren West sent me this info on the equally fab Cafe Circa, which is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary with some fun events. Take a look!
CAFÉ CIRCA CELEBRATES ITS THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK
Specials and Tasting Experiences this Wednesday, January 19 through Saturday, January 22, 2011
Atlanta, Georgia (January 18, 2011) – Café Circa, a distinctly local restaurant and social destination located in the Old Fourth Ward of Atlanta, is celebrating its three-year anniversary by hosting four days of special events and offerings Wednesday, January 19 through Saturday, January 22, 2011. Owned by Randy Hazelton and Kevin Holt, Café Circa offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere that merges classic style and modern elements with scrumptious signature menu items and a premium bar offering classic and innovative cocktails, select spirits, and a full wine list for every taste. The culinary team led by executive chef Hopeton Hibbert prepares fresh, deliciously seasoned food with a Caribbean Latin twist including creative small plates, inspired entreés, and tempting desserts. Café Circa is open Monday through Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. Call (404) 477-0008 or visit www.cafecircaatl.com.
Thursday, January 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. – Three-Year Anniversary Happy Hour
Since Thursday is the new Friday, Café Circa is hosting a special celebratory happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. with sounds provided by DJ SugarCut and $5 Ciroc cocktails, $5 small plates and $10 entreés.
Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22 beginning at 5 p.m. – Three-Course Chef’s Special Menu
Executive chef Hopeton Hibbert has created a three-course dinner that includes a glass of champagne for $25 in honor of Café Circa’s three-year anniversary. From Australia to Belize, Amsterdam to Istanbul, tasting new cultural delicacies has been his passion of Hopeton’s, which clearly influences his flavorful cuisine. With a degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Whales, Hopeton has mastered his skills working with The Buckhead Life Group, Eclipise di Sol and Atmosphere – one of Atlnata’s finest French restaurants. In 2010, Hopeton joined Café Circa where he executes Caribbean and Latin cuisine at its finest.
Three Courses to Celebrate Three Years
Chef’s Menu
1st course:
Cuban spiced chicken and plantain spring roll with guava dipping sauce.
2nd course:
Curried goat with peas and a rice cake and buttered baby cabbage.
or
Jerked salmon fillet with tomato and spinach sauté.
3rd course:
Mini chocolate love dessert.
Coconut and rum cupcake w/plantain icing.
For more information on Café Circa visit www.cafecircaatl.com or call (404) 477-0008.
Like most women, I love to shop. But I tend to go to the same places again and again and then say I can’t find anything.
Have I got just the thing for you! The Chic Boutique Tour is the brainchild of the adorable and fashionable Rosalynn Wilson, who invited me to come along this past weekend as we toured a bevy of boutiques. In style. As in a luxury coach where we were served nibbles and libations as we moved from shop to shop with ease. It is something I could get very used to.
The way to travel...
We met up at The Pampered Nail Spa in Castleberry where we all got a chance to visit before we boarded the coach. And like all good students, I sat in front where I was rewarded with being seated next to the tour’s stylist, Kaira Akita, CEO of A Clothes Encounter (don’t you just love that name?) Kaira and I started talking and realize we had a few friends in common. A natural occurrence in Atlanta. This happens everywhere I go.
