Down the Rabbit Hole...

What a busy weekend!  Friday night Chad and I headed up to the Wine Tap.  Haven't been there in quite a while.  We had a quick salad and pizza and then headed home to catch up on some TV.


Saturday we had to take the cats to the vet.  Yuck!  It's such an ordeal.  They have to be the worst cats there but the vet assures me they are not.  Even though, they definitely are not stellar vet-goers!  They actually "scream" when the vet is dealing with them even before they actually get their injection.  It's quite embarrassing to walk out of the exam room and have all the other pet owners staring at you.  : (  
I actually had Chad go with me this time.  It was his first vet experience for my cats...and those of you that know us, know how much Chad likes cats.  He was very helpful though.  It was good to have someone else there for moral support.  At least were good for another year...hopefully.


Saturday night we met Mom and John up at Olivia's for a little bit of birthday celebration for my Mom, whose birthday was earlier this month.  This was their first visit to Olivia's, and I believe they enjoyed themselves very much.  We went earlier in the day, so it wasn't as crowded, and we could converse with Rick quite a lot.  Then we headed off to STL to the Moolah Theater to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D.  It was a great movie.  I really liked how it was a bit darker than previous Alice movies, but exactly what one would expect from Tim Burton.  Johnny Depp was amazing!  Finally we headed down the street to Triumph Grill for some dinner.  This is one of mine and Chad's favorite places to eat in STL (outside of Sage).  We had some good grub and more good wine.  What a great night!  Happy Bday Mom!


Today Chad and I had a Skype wake-up call.  Chad got to converse with his mom in NY and his brother, Ryan, and Tanya in S. Africa!  This was quite a nice surprise!  Chad hadn't talked to his brother in quite some time.  Now if we could only get Ryan and Tanya over to the U.S.  : )   We should be receiving some more of the wedding pics from S. Africa soon.  I'll share them when we receive them.  The remainder of the day I just painted some doors & trim and changed out some door hinges and door knobs.  One of these days I'll get this house in order and ready to sell.  It seems to take forever though.


Hope everyone had a good weekend.  It's going to be a busy week for me.  I have to travel to KC at the end of the week for work.  

No cavities!

I had the day off today to visit the dentist...no cavities!  I was planning to take a half day off work, but what the heck?  Right?  A full day off it is!  It was actually quite productive...and expensive.  Ha!  Lots of errands, clothes & shoe shopping, home improvement and even got to have lunch with my mom and grandma.  Since I was off, I actually made it to the gym for the 5:30pm spinning class.  I can never make it when I'm working. 

To top off the day, we were able to book a condo in Ft. Lauderdale through my mom's timeshare.  Thanks Mom!  Chad and I will be heading down there at the end of May!  Woo hoo!!  Vacation here I come!!!  I think we're actually going to try to spend a day in Miami and a couple days in the Keys!   After this crazy year, I really need a RELAXING vacation...and for me that means lounging by a beach/pool.  We had an amazing vacation last year to S. Africa, but it wasn't "relaxing".  It was such a long flight followed by last minute wedding plans.  It was all worth it though.  We attended an amazing wedding which Chad was a part of.  I just need a different type of vacation this year.  So excited!!!  Now that the condo is booked we can get started on booking some other things.

Speaking of S. Africa...Ryan (Chad's brother) sent us a few pics from the photographer.  So I thought I'd share them with you.  Enjoy!

The happy couple with Ryan's (and Chad's) Mom

Chad and Ryan

The groomsmen

Irish I was drunk...

Wow!  I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged.  I always seem crazy busy but then cannot figure out what to say when people ask me what' I've been doing.  LOL!

Two weekends ago we ventured out to a new tap room and wine bar called The Bridge.  What a great place!  It's definitely not the cheapest place, but what a great selection of draught beer (in 4 different sizes), bottled beer, wine and a superb selection of cheeses.  You must try the Chimay Trappist cheese!  Yumm-o!!  This was the perfect place for a temporary vegetarian to eat.  Sorry for the fuzzy pic, but it was a bit dark inside.

So I'm still trying to psych myself up to eat some meat.  I've progressed to the place where I think that meat dishes sound good, but I still can't bring myself to actually consume beef, pork or chicken.  Needless to say that I've been eating a lot of seafood...and cheese.  I've found a new affinity to seafood risotto, which probably isn't the best for me.  This vegetarian diet might actually not be so healthy.  Ha!  My family is actually starting to take bets on how long it will be before I eat meat again.  It is seeming to average out to a year.  Better get your bets in soon!!!


So this past weekend we headed out to the St. Pat's festivities in downtown STL.  Many of my friends ran in the 10K in the morning.  Chad, Vicky and I met everyone downtown to grab a bite to eat at TGIF's (not a vegetarian friendly place by the way) and have drinks after the race and watch (or not watch) the parade.  Here are some pics...

What the heck is Judy drinking?  Lush!

 

Cheers!

Gotta love self-portraits...

Judy cutting a rug...

Hope everyone had a great weekend and crazy St. Pat's day!!!

 

Vegetarian? Carnivore?

Yes, it's true folks.  I just might be turning into a vegetarian...at least short-term anyway.  I have not been able to consume any chicken, beef or pork since my bout of food poisoning last week.  I can't even think of eating any meat without making my stomach turn.  Seafood seems to be ok though.  I know it's completely psychological right now, but it's completely taking over me...whatever it is.  I'm sure I'll convert back to a carnivore in the future...just not sure how soon.  I was raised on steak and love it, but it's going to take a bit for the chicken.  The most unfortunate thing about all of this is I now must give up my precious Buffalo Chicken Salad at Jefferson's.  *sniff* *sniff*

As I may have mentioned before, I lost 3 lbs. last week during all of this.  So now my goal is to ramp up my exercise and keep it off...and lose some more.  Tonight was my first day back at the gym in a week and a half.  Last week took so much out of me that my stamina was so low.  Now I'm working on building it back up.  Took spinning tonight and it felt great.  The exercise isn't the problem though.  It's the appetite which I need to work on keeping at a reasonable level.  I haven't even had a drop of alcohol during all of this either.  However, that will change tomorrow.  I'm meeting Judy for drinks & looking forward to it!

Looks like bootcamp is starting up soon too...few weeks to go.  Ready to hang with my fellow bootcampers.  I haven't seen them in a bit.  Let's go girls!!!

Another crazy week!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  I really need to get better about this whole blogging thing.  Unfortunately I don't have anything to exciting to blog about.  My big event this week was getting food poisoning in Columbia, MO on Monday!  Phew!  I've heard it's supposed to be one of the worst experiences and I completely agree!  I was on a work business trip on Monday with my boss and another co-worker.  We headed to Columbia, MO for a meeting with one of the hospitals out there.  Prior to the meeting we headed to D. Rowe's for lunch...a restaurant that I had been to before...and liked.  I had a Southwest Chicken Salad, which was fairly tasting going down.  About an hour later I started feeling bad...and another hour later was getting sick on the ride home.  Man, I've never been on my hands and knees on the side of a highway (Hwy. 70 to be specific) throwing up...not even if I've been drinking all night.  Ha!  How embarrassing!  Thank goodness I have a good relationship with my boss.  We had to pull over so many times I lost count.  Needless to say after a long night of my stomach relieving itself of its contents, I was completely worn out and dehydrated.  I was finally able to keep down sips of water on Tuesday morning and some sips of broth that afternoon.  I made it back to work (or Disneyland as I prefer to call it) on Thursday.  I actually still think I'm a bit dehydrated by the state of my hair & skin.  Funny how it affects everything.  On a brighter note...I lost 3 lbs!!!!!

So I'm foregoing my favorite Saturday afternoon destination...Olivia's...and their wonderful tastings and fun conversations.  Boo!  I can barely eat full meals yet, so I doubt alcohol would be the proper thing to put into my body.  Although wine still sounds good.  Ha!  My portion sizes are quite small...and I cannot even fathom eating in a restaurant right now, which is another one of my favorite things.  Oh well.  I guess it's forcing me to cook.  I think I'll be converting to a short-term vegetarian, since I'm pretty sure it was the chicken that made me sick in the first place.  Meat is freaking me out right now.  

Instead, I'm laying low this weekend and working around the house.  My plans are to put a couple of coats of paint on the front door, paint the bathroom, and organize, organize, organize.  I've been watching too much HGTV lately, but I guess it's having a positive effect.  I love House Hunters but am completely stuck on the home staging shows.  My favorite is Get It Sold!  I heart Sabrina Soto!!  I think I like it most because she performs the simple repairs herself instead of bringing in contractors as the do on The Unsellables (also a good show) and Designed to Sell (don't like it at all).  So since the possibility is there that I could be moving in a year-ish or so, I feel the need to start repairing my home.  I wish Sabrina was with me!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

What a week!

Wow!  What a week!  I'm completely exhausted.  I cannot remember a time when I've been this stressed.  Crazy times!  Our company had a reduction in force this week, and we had to let go of 3 staff members that work under me.  It was horrible!  I felt sooooo guilty even though I couldn't do anything about it.  I don't mind letting people go for performance issues but not for no reason at all.  I'm so glad it's over with!!!!  I also feel very fortunate to still have a job!

Now on to better things...
This V-Day weekend should be fun!  I'm skipping the whole Mardi Gras thing this weekend.  I just can't get back into it after I bartended outside in the snow a few years ago.  It was pretty much miserable.  Maybe I'll attend again if it is ever semi-warm for the event.  Instead you'll find me at the gym Saturday morning for my 2 hour workout...busting out my new white-girl moves in Zumba!  Watch out girls!  Saturday night Chad and I will be dining at 1111 Mississippi.  I haven't been there in a long time but it never disappoints.  Chad hasn't ever been there, so it should be fun.  Still trying to decide if we're going to see the new Valentine's Day movie or not.

Sunday should be extra fun!  Valentine's Day brunch at Hidden Lake Winery and then wine tasting afterwards.  Woo hoo!  I need it!!

OK, ok. I'll stop rambling!  Hopefully I'll have some pics to post after this weekend!  Hope you all have a great V-Day with your S.O.'s!!!!

A Weekend of Wine...

Friday night Chad and I attended a 7-course wine-paired dinner at the Grafton Winery & Brewhouse.  Yummy...and very reasonable!  The place is fairly new and very cool.  It was up on the second floor of the building where the winery is located, so it overlooked the river.  (The brewhouse is down on the first floor.)  I wasn't sure how the seating was going to work out but we ended up sitting with 2 older couples who were quite friendly...and became funnier as the night went on...and the wine went down.  LOL!  The owner was in attendance and the chef came out to tell us about each course.  Surprisingly it wasn't stuff feeling at all.  The employees had a great sense of humor!
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any pictures but I listed the menu below. 

Course I

Four Artisan Cheeses 

~ Pinot Gris ~

Course II

Watermelon, Cucumber & Tsatsiki Salad

~ Apple Crisp ~

Course III

 Seared Scallops, Pomme Puree, & Roasted Red Pepper Coulis

~ White Cabernet ~

Course IV

Herb-Encruste French-Cut Lamb Chop, White Bean Cassoulet, Zucchini Strings & Balsamic Reduction

~ Harbor Red (dry red blend) ~

Course V

Pan-Roasted Halibut, Shrimp Chowder, Steamed Mussels & Crispy Pancetta Bacon

~ Chardonnay ~

Course VI

Peppered Tenderloin Medallion, Mushroom Ragout & a Trio of Asparagus

~ 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon ~

Course VII

Spiced Plum & Raspberry Turnovers

~ Raspberry Kiss~ 

Can you believe that this took 4 hours to get through???  The winery wasn't skimpy on the amount of wine (half a glass per course) or the food (sooooo full)!  I can't wait for Grafton Winery to schedule the next one.  I think in June they have a 4-course beer-paired dinner planned.  I'll be in attendance at that one too!

We decided at the last moment to reserve a room for the night, so we wouldn't have to drive the hour home after all that wine.  There are plenty of B&Bs in the area (very few hotels), but most of them were booked.  I think that was because of all the eagle watching going on in he beginning of the year.  Anyway, we ended up at the historic Reubel Hotel...not the best place...but adequate for what we needed given that we didn't get home until after 11pm!

On the way back home Saturday, we stopped at this little wine place in Fairview Heights that I had been wanting to visit for quite some time...Olivia's.  How cute is this place???  They specialize in all types of wines including hard to find wines...and wines of all prices.  They have free wine tasting on Saturdays from 12pm-6pm...2 white & 4 reds each week.  They post this on Saturday mornings.  We lucked into the wine tasting!  Rick, one of the owners, was quite knowledgeable about the wines and could answer every question we asked.  There's a little bar in the back where they do the tastings and everyone just converses with each other.  The owners, a husband and wife, are so personable!  They make you feel right at home.  The tastings aren't skimpy and they don't mind giving you a second taste of something you might like!  Woo hoo!  You can bet I'll be back again next weekend!

This was just the weekend I needed after such a crappy work week!  I'm hoping for a better week this week...and get back to the gym.  I totally blew the diet this past week.  Have a good one! 

Weekend Project Unveiled

So here it is...the results of an extremely expensive shopping trip and 3 days of manual labor....new window treatments.  I know, I know.  It's actually pathetic that it's taken me 4 years to get these up, but I've just had so much more to do around here.  

So the living room had these "cottage-like" shutters.  The style of the person who sold me my house was completely country...not like me at all.  I've tried to make these work in a more modern decor, but I just got completely tired of them.  Plus, the window frame was so badly painted, that I just couldn't take it anymore.  I spent Saturday taking down the shutters, filling multiple holes in the window frame, sanding it, priming it and finally painting it.  It looks great now, but you can't see it.  See the before pic below...

The next two pics are of the bedroom...before.  I'm just getting around to decorating this room.  I finally purchased a matching set of furniture last year...pathetic again.  I know!  Now it's time to decorate!!

Wait for it...wait for it...

Ta Da!!!!!  The living room after....

...and the bedroom...

It was difficult work...hanging the curtains...but soooo worth it.  Everything looks so much nicer now.  Hope you like it!  Now on to the next project...

 

Day 12...

Wow!  I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd written.  I'm on Day 12 of "Lisa's Healthier Lifestyle"...and I've lost 2 lbs.  Woo hoo!  It's so hard for me to lose weight.  I'm so happy that I've lost 2 lbs in just under two weeks.  This should be slow enough of a weight loss to keep it off.  I've done this while continuing to have a few drinks a week...and some of my favorite food...just less of everything.  I'm also trying to up my gym workouts from a sad once per week to at least 3-4 times per week.  Work is not helping me keep to this routine though.

We're heading out to Hanley's Grille & Tap tonight.  Yum!  It never seems to disappoint.  I'm looking forward to a nice glass of wine after a long day.  I'm working on a new project at home...nothing too big but still work.   More to come on this later...

  

Update...healthier lifestyle day #2

Phew!  I forgot how tough this was!  I've really been off my game the last 6 mos...Africa trip, bronchitis, rib issues, car accidents!  Is someone trying to keep me from the gym???  Can't be!  So I've made the typical, cliche' resolution...get healthier!  Much to Chad's dismay...I'm taking him on the calorie-cutting train with me.  Ha!


So I downloaded this new app for my iPhone...Lose It!  It assists you in tracking your weight, calorie intake, nutrients...and even comes up with a daily calorie intake max after you enter in how much weight you want to lose.  My goal...10 lbs in 2 months, which is probably quite unrealistic for me.  I lose weight ever so slow...even when I diet and exercise.  Blah!  I'm going to get close to that goal though.

So today is Day #2 of the calorie tracking and decreased calorie intake.  Yesterday wasn't bad...half of a fruit smoothie for breakfast, turkey lettuce roll-ups with cheese for lunch, clementines for a snack and then left-over pork fried rice for dinner.  Today was more difficult.  I'm much more hungry...and quite crabby because of it.   To top it off I had a crappy, crappy afternoon and left work quite late.  I really wanted a glass of wine...my evening standard after bad work days.  BUT I didn't!  I retrained myself!  Yay!  I figured no wine since I didn't work out!  I'm saving the alcohol for weekends...or girl's nights.  Ha!


I hope you all are doing well with your New Year's resolutions!  Keep it up!

Today is the first day of a healthier lifestyle...

...or so I hope.  I really want to cut back on the unhealthy things in my life.  I just hope I can stick with it.  If I can, I will hopefully lose the extra pounds that I packed on in the last part of 2009...and get back to where I was physically.  So since I was off work on the first business day of the year...and banned from the gym for one last day...I thought I would spend the extra time cooking up a fresh & healthy meal for Chad & I.  Here's what I came up with.  Yummy just the way it is but also with lots of room to add your own flair.  I added some hot sauce & hot Chinese mustard to the stir-fry.

Veggie Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork

From Every Day with Rachael Ray

2 c. chicken broth

1 1/2 c. long-grain white rice 

5 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 lb. thin pork loin chops, thinly sliced

Salt/pepper

2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 lb. shiitake mushrooms, stemmed & thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded & thinly sliced

2 small carrots, shredded (a couple of handfuls)

1 scallion, thinly sliced

1 c. fresh or thawed frozen peas

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1  2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled & grated or minced

1/3 to 1/2 c. tamari

• In a medium saucepan, bring the broth and 3/4 c. water to a boil.  Stir in the rice, cover and cook over low heat for 18 minutes.  Fluff with a fork & spread on a baking sheet to cool.
• In a large, deep nonstick skillet or wok, heat 2 Tbsp. oil over high heat.  Season the pork with salt, pepper & the five-spice powder.  Add the pork to the pan & stir-fry for 3 min.  Transfer to a plate.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in the skillet, then add the eggs and scramble for 2 min.  Push the eggs to the side of the pan, add the remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and lower the heat to medium.  Add the mushrooms, red bell pepper and carrots; stir-fry for 2 min.  Add the scallion, peas, garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 1 min.  Add the cooked rice and crisp it for a couple of min.  Stir in the tamari & reserved pork.     
  

Green Beans with Carmelized Onions

Courtesy of Rachael Ray

1 Tbsp. EVOO                            1 Tbsp. butter

1 large onion, sliced                  1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed

Salt & pepper 

• In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the EVOO & butter.  Add the onion to the pan.  Cook until light brown & carmelized (about 20 min.)
• Meanwhile, cook the green beans for for 5 min. in 1 inch of boiling water, covered.  Drain the beans & toss them in the skillet with the onions.  Season with salt & pepper. 
  

Bon Appetit!

The Ups and Downs of the holidays...

Well as I mentioned in my previous posting, I hosted Xmas Eve at my place. Here's a few of the pics from that night. My dining room...

The Fillback Fam...

Mom & John...

OK, so I must apologize for the picture following this recipe. I forgot to take it prior to everyone digging in. Ha! It was quite yummy & a great finger food. I made this new recipe as an appetizer to the Xmas Eve meal...

Pesto Tortellini
Courtesy of Taste of Home

• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  
• 2 Tbsp. oil, divided
• 10 oz. pkg. refrigerated tortellini
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/4 c. prepared pesto
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• Frilled toothpicks

Directions:

• Place garlic cloves on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil. Wrap foil around garlic. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 min. or until tender. Cool for 10-15 min.
• Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain & rinse in cold water. Toss with remaining oil & set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, milk, pesto & pepper. Mash garlic into pesto mixture; stir until combined.
• Alternatively thread tortellini and tomatoes onto toothpicks. Serve with pesto dip. Refrigerate any leftovers. Yum!!!!
  

I also made a yummy glaze for the ham. Sorry, there's no pic of this one. I forgot to take it in all the hustle and bustle prior to serving the meal.

• 6-8 lb. ham
• 1 c. honey
  
• 1/2 c. molasses
• 1/2 c. bourbon
• 1/4 c. orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard

Directions:

• Combine the honey, molasses & bourbon & in a small pot on the stove over medium heat. Then stir in the last 2 ingredients.
• Bake the ham at 325 degrees for 1.5 hours. Baste occasionally.
  

And the bad news of the holidays...

So, I was rear-ended on New Year's Eve Eve. Blah! I was just sitting at a stop light minding my own business and then...Bam! Actually the damage to my car isn't anywhere near as bad as the other driver's car...and no one was injured! Now it's more of a hassle than anything else. Here's a pic of the damage...

Happy Christmas!!!

Happy Christmas, everyone!!! I had a fun, exciting but very busy Christmas holiday!! I hosted Christmas Eve for the Fillback clan at my house, which went quite smoothly. Entertaining has never been my strong suit, but it seems to get better each time I do it. Now I just need to do it a little bit more. Ha!! I was even comfortable enough to try out a couple of new recipes, which I was a bit nervous about. The Fillback clan can be a tough crowd! I made a new tortellini pesto appetizer and a new bourbon ham glaze. Both turned out well and were a big hit. (I'll post the recipes soon!)

I received some great gifts that evening...a Hanley's gift certificate, wine, a running shirt & a nice Craftsman 16 gallon Wet/Dry vac with a detachable blower. Oh my! I never thought I'd be excited about such a manly toy!! I actually had to try it out that evening due to the crazy rain we received for the prior 48 hours! Thanks, Dad!

Christmas Day I headed to my mom's for fun, food, drink and loads of Hand-and-Foot (a card game that is popular with this side of the fam.) We had an yummy dinner which included chicken spedini and some great red wine shipped in from Napa (courtesy of John's sister, Laurie) that was left over from Turkey Day! I received another round of wonderful gifts...a subscription to SELF magazine, Saw V, and two of my favorites...Super Mario Bros Wii and wait for it...wait for it...my own Guide to Homebrewing. I also received some cash to purchase some of my homebrewing supplies. Yes, folks! You got it! I'll be homebrewing before you know it! John used to homebrew with his friends and is going to teach me how! I'm stoked! Now if I could only find the time to read the book.

This coming weekend we are exchanging gifts with John's daugther, Calyn...her husband, Ben and Lehni-girl! They couldn't make it on Christmas day because Ben's sister and her family were in from Paris, France. So were celebrating a bit late...but who cares!

Hope you all had some happy holidays! I'll post recipes and pics soon!

Another yummy recipe...

Well, I took a small hiatus from cooking, but I'm baaaaaack! Sunday night Chad and I celebrated our Xmas together (since he goes home to NY for the holiday.) I thought it would be nice if I threw something together instead of going out to eat. Here's what I came up with. Pretty yummy...and not too bad for my first attempt at risotto!!!! Enjoy!





Drunken Risotto with Sausage and Spinach
Courtesy of Rachel Ray

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dry red wine
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 Tbsp. EVOO
• 3/4 lb. bulk Italian sweet or hot sausage
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1.5 cups arborio rice
• 1/3 lb. spinach leaves, stemmed & chopped
• 1/8 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup grated pecorino-romano cheese
• Salt & pepper
  

Directions:

• In a large saucepan, combine the wine & chicken stock. Keep warm over a low flame.
• In a large, heavy pot, heat the EVOO over medium-high head. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling the meat, until browned (about 2 min.)
• Add the onion & garlic. Cook until softened (about 2 min.) Stir in the rice and season with salt & pepper.
• Add the warm wine-stock mixture a couple of ladlefuls at a time...stirring vigorously after each addition and letting the liquid evaporate before adding more...cooking the risotto for 18 min.
• In the last 5 min of cooking, stir in the spinach, a handful at a time, to wilt. Stir in the nutmeg.
• In the last minute of cooking, stir in the butter and then the cheese.
  

Busy, busy weekend

Phew! This weekend was a blur but very fun...and a good release! Something I really needed after the last couple of weeks!!!

Friday night Judy and I hit up Jefferson's for some grub before heading over to Nick's Pub for a grade school friend's bday party. I'd never been to Nick's before Friday. It looks like a complete dive, but I'd have to say it's substantial. It has a great selection of beers on tap...especially for a smaller place. The drinks are well mixed. The food looked good too...even though I just snacked off of everyone else's plates. Ha! Bad habit of mine. There was even a little one-man band kind of thing with fairly good music.
Check 'em out. http://stlouis.citysearch.com/profile/5739206/st_louis_mo/nick_s_pub.html

Birthday girl...Jennifer!

Another good friend...Cari

Saturday night was Vicki's Ugly Sweater Xmas Party. This was another first of mine. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a lot of fun...good childish-adult fun! : )

It was a chore finding an ugly sweater though. I searched all over Fairview and Belleville...retail stores, Goodwill, etc. I ended up with a Kmart/Gordman's combo. I think Vicki bought up all the snazzy attire at Goodwill!! : )
Chad's attire was another story! I couldn't find anything good holiday clothing for men. Check out the pics below to see what he ended up with.

I had to drag Chad kicking and screaming to dinner in his studly attire! Just kidding...but I did have to coax him a bit. I think it was the promise of yummy Mexican food that got him to agree finally. For those of you that don't know Chad well...he hates Halloween and loves Xmas. So this was quite a confusing party for him...like a Halloween Xmas. Ha!

Check out this hot couple! Hilarious!
Chad's tie was musical and quite sensitive. It kept playing all night.

Chad was first to pick his White Elephant gift? However, once he chose it, he couldn't open it! Ha!

How many men does it take to open a White Elephant gift? Two?

Three?

Phew! Finally! It's a Schlitz beer lava lamp! Kick ass!

Can you believe the lava lamp was stolen from him??? I think Judy ended up with it.
This is what Chad ended up with!? A Miller Lite t-shirt & hat.

I had my hands on a nice bottle of Captain Morgan run at one point during the gift exchange...but that didn't last long. I ended up with 3 pairs of men's socks. Ha! No point in taking pics of that!