Kevin and I packed our bags and headed west this weekend. Well, not too west, just out to the Midwest to see my parents. We had a fun weekend of good food, good beers, and great company.
I spent a bit of quality time with the fam (and their two adorable kittens) Friday night. We started the evening with pale ales and India pale ales from Boulevard Brewing Company. Both were great! I thoroughly recommend them.
Later that evening, Kevin got an IPA from 75th Street Brewing that tasted of hops and grapefruit. I had a Tallgrass Brewing Company brown ale. Both were quit tasty and went well with the fig, prosciutto, and caramelized onion pizza.
We shopped alllllll day Saturday. By the way, has anyone seen this sweet product – love it!
After a yummy BBQ dinner, we all had my mom’s awesome blackberry cobbler for dessert. It was my version of birthday cake.
Due to all these indulgences, I tried to make Sunday a little healthier. I cooked salmon for the first time, and it actually turned out pretty well. I served it atop a bed of black beans, spices, and veggies. Delish!
Kevin made the mistake of letting Leia try a mini bite of his salmon, and she quickly jumped in his lap with hopes for more. Can you see her tongue reaching for it??? What a goof!
If you could have any dessert for your birthday, what would it be?
August 22, 2011 at 6:37 am
Great job with the salmon it looks lovely!! Leia is so cute as well!! I always sneak bits of salmon and tuna to my kitty, in fact no matter where he is in the house as soon as I open the tin or take it out of the oven he magically appears at my side… strange that!
Dessert would have to be something chocolately… like a lava cake with ice cream… mmmm 
August 22, 2011 at 7:31 am
Bahaha Leia is adorable! Looks like you had a fantastic weekend!
Bday dessert would definitely be a huge brownie with ice cream and walnuts yum
August 22, 2011 at 8:35 am
I really like Boulevard Wheat. I guess my dessert of choice would be tiramisu.
August 22, 2011 at 8:47 am
I like how the cats are joining in on the fun!
August 22, 2011 at 9:11 am
Happy Birthday! I love the batter finger. I am going to have to be on the look out for that!
August 22, 2011 at 9:34 am
Haha that cake batter finger is hilarious! My dessert of choice would be chocolate cream pie
August 22, 2011 at 9:54 am
Cookie Cake!!!
August 22, 2011 at 10:55 am
Aww that picture of the kitty is too cute!
Pumpkin pie all the way — I do it every year for my bday!
August 22, 2011 at 11:16 am
Salmon is one of those things, well, fish in general, that I am terrified to cook! People say it’s easy, which gives me hope! One day…
August 22, 2011 at 11:35 am
Oh my goodness.. that photo of your cat is hilarious! How adorable! My cat freaks out whenever my husband opens a package of salmon. It’s so weird how she *knows* that’s the salmon package even though we open a million different things that sound the same.
I always get sushi on my birthday and never get dessert after (except my Mom gets me a cake on my actual bday). I think I’m gonna have to change that this year! I hope you had an awesome birthday weekend!
August 22, 2011 at 11:38 am
Happy Birthday! That kitten is darling! I have to admit that my cats will sit at the dinner table sometimes. It’s funny cause they look like they are all proper just joining me for dinner.
That batter finger looks awesome! Im gonna have to keep my eyes peeled for that.
If I could have any dessert..chocolate souffle! Yum!
August 22, 2011 at 11:45 am
Nothing better than good beer and good company
glad you had a great weekend! My bday dessert would have to be cheesecake… I love any kind of cheesecake!
August 22, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Mmmm – good cheesecake is hard to beat. I defnitely thought about going to the Cheesecake Factory!
August 22, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I think I’d have to go with a good old fashioned apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream! I usually only get to eat that during the holidays, but I could really go for one any time of year!
I’m new to your blog and I love it! I like how you still enjoy beer and are able to be healthy too! I have to admit, I love me some good beer!
But sometimes I feel guilty for wanting a beer when I’m trying to be “healthy”. Everything in moderation right?!
August 22, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Yup. Some food bloggers bake a batch of cookies for dessert – I have a beer. Trade-offs, right?
(Unless it’s bday weekend and I have both!!!)
August 22, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I love when cats beg for food. I dont know why, but I think its the cutest thing ever.
August 22, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Sounds like fun! My ideal birthday dessert would probably be banana cream pie or a hot Krispy Kreme donut off the belt. Classy, huh? I need that batter finger!
August 22, 2011 at 1:54 pm
HI Tiff. OMG….that picture of Leia is HILARIOUS!!!!!! Cats are the BEST!!! Favorite birthday dessert. Carrot cake with lots of gooey cream cheese icing!
Have a great day!!!!
August 22, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Mmm, you always seem to find the best-looking beer and food choices! I don’t know what dessert I’d choose–maybe a really good apple crisp. Or pumpkin pie. I like sweet but not too rich desserts.
August 22, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Haha – although I wish I had more productive skills, at least that one seems to be working for me!
August 22, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I can never pick one dessert! It would probably involve chocolate though
August 22, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I was so excited to see Boulevard Brewing Co.! I’m originally from Kansas City and it reminds me of home. I love the beers and they are a lot harder to find outside of the area. I would have to have something chocolate for dessert. Anything that is really rich. I’m not a beleiver that soemthing can be “too rich”, bring it on!
August 22, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I hadnt had it before but really enjoyed their beer. Good stuff! Oh, and I don’t get the “too rich” thing either. Go big or go home! Haha
August 22, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hahahah your cat is adorable! Mine totally gets like that around fish of any kind. Sounds like a great weekend
August 22, 2011 at 5:38 pm
OOooh that pizza sounded delicious (along with the beers!)
I love ice cream cake from Dairy Queen for Birthdays or a good cheesecake
August 22, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Any dessert would definitely be molten chocolate cake! Mmmm!
I so wish I liked salmon but I just can’t get down with the taste. It’s so healthy!
August 23, 2011 at 11:56 am
I would have some of the smores crack Jordan makes. That stuff is dangerous! And Leia is cracking me up! Scott made the mistake of letting Aki try some of his canned tuna and now she flips out every time he eats it. Silly kitties.
August 23, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Oh my gosh Leia is TOO adorable! Look at that little baby kitty tongue
August 23, 2011 at 10:14 pm
I can’t believe how awesome your salmon came out on the first try – that’s impressive!
nothing better than a good beer with thin crust pizza, that’s a true Friday night for me!