Friday, January 01, 2010

Well, Hello 2010!

We ended 2009 with a big food bang at the new Brasserie by Niche. Porkchop and I agreed that it was the best meal we've had in a long time. I can't say enough how perfect it was!

We started with an order of gougeres, which were addictively cheesy and warm and yummy. I went the 3-courses-for-$30 route and shared my small plate of seared sea scallops and roasted beets with Porkchop. Also perfectly done and super tasty.

But, the stars were our main courses. Porkchop had a well-done New York strip with pommes frites. The steak was tasty (even though I'm not a big steak fan), but the fries were out-of-this-world delightful. Next time, we'll order a big plate of those.

Before I write about my entree, I want to preface by saying that, since I started eating meat again over three years ago, I've only ordered beef at a restaurant once (and it was a burger that I totally regretted ordering). So, it was a bit of character for me to order the braised short ribs, but I'm so glad I did! The meat totally fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. The accompanying pureed potatoes and roasted carrots were also perfect. I didn't even need to season my potatoes.

For dessert, I went with the profiteroles, and Porkchop ordered the lemon tart. Again, perfect. For drinks, I had a glass of Riesling, and Porkchop had the Duchesse de Bourgogne (Flemish red ale! Yum!).

So, I definitely recommend Gerard Craft's latest venture!

After stuffing ourselves and changing into pajama pants when we came home, we made new goals for the new year. But first, here's how I did on last year's goals:
  • Plant my own vegetable garden! CHECK.
  • Can my own food! CHECK.
  • Figure out my career. WORKING ON IT. I started a Masters program, which counts for something.
  • House maintenance: paint inside, paint the foundation, finish the drylocking in the basement, put up that additional downspout, fix up the backyard.... NEEDS WORK. We only painted downstairs; the rest of the items still need to be done.
  • Learn how to knit Fair Isle-style. INCOMPLETE.
  • Do more baking! SORT OF.
  • Secret project with Porkchop. STILL IN PROGRESS.
I'm okay with my progress on last year's goals. I'm not going to beat myself up for not taking up stranded knitting or not drylocking the basement.

Here are this year's goals:
  • Be more flexible and less controlling. I'm working on being more open to others' ideas about how to do things. And I'm trying to not let things like slightly open drawers and cabinet doors bother me (But I still can't stop closing Porkchop's dresser drawers! Open drawers drive me crazy!).
  • Do more neighborhood things. I'm secretary of our neighborhood association, but I want to do even more and meet more area residents.
  • More regular exercise. I started the ball rolling today with joining the local Y! Porkchop and I even signed up for a step class together! I'm looking forward to swimming regularly again and taking advantage of the hot tub, sauna, and steamroom.
  • Bake more with whole grains. Yeah, I need to cut back on the white flour.
  • Stranded knitting! See last year's goal.
  • Practice Spanish. This will be the hardest goal for me to accomplish, I think, especially since I remember more French than Spanish.
  • Save for trips and a new computer.
  • Be more positive at work. This past year, I gave into some negativity, and I want to kick that in the ass.
  • Be better with house maintenance. See last year's goals.
Finally and most importantly, I want to spend more time like this with my family:



Okay, time to start working on things!

Have a great 2010!

5 comments:

Donna said...

One of my goals for the new year is to comment on blog posts that I like. So, de-lurking to say that I follow your blog, really enjoy it, and wish you and P-chop much happiness and goal-fulfillment in 2010! And I'm totally with you on the work attitude adjustment thing. Dang! I need to work on that.

cj said...

LOVE tha photo! I'm knitting Wicked (did I already tell you this?) and will send pics later...

Bianca said...

Happy New Year girls! Your meal at Brasserie sounded just wonderful. Although I read the name really fast and it sounded like you were talking about bras... hehehe
But the reason I really wanted to post a comment is because your photo is super cool. So freaking cute. How did you pull of the whole set up? Magic I guess. See you Tuesday. Beijos, Ale

Carrie said...

Donna - Thanks for reading and for your new year wishes! I like your comment goal! I should do that too.

cj - I checked out your Wicked on Ravelry - looks great!

Ale - I love this photo too. It's one that Amanda took with her phone...somehow she stretched out her arm to take it.

cj said...

magic arm photo! I'm eating soup tonight and going to felt like mad in the next few days!!! Yay felting!