She's So Lucky...

So a few weeks ago I received the extremely good news that I had been selected to attend a week long seminar in Massachusetts about John and Abigail Adams. The Gilder Lehrman Institute is an amazing nonprofit organization that promotes the study of American History through lectures, lesson plans, podcasts, access to numerous resources, and summer seminars for teachers.

I had applied for a seminar last year and was not chosen. You can't imagine how excited I am to have been selected for my first choice seminar. Not only is John Adams my favorite president, but this seminar is also being taught by the Pulitzer Prize winning author Joseph Ellis. He's a professor and the author of "Founding Brothers." He most recently wrote "His Excellency: George Washington," which my mom actually bought me for my birthday.



I am petrified of appearing to be a moron before this man, so you can bet what I'll be doing in the weeks leading up to this seminar. Since it ends a day before my anniversary, the husband is actually going to fly out the week after, and we're going to spend our anniversary driving up through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I am ecstatic!

And They Called It...Puppy Love

So I thought it was high time to share some pictures of the guys who have been taking up all of my free time: Emmett and Jasper. They are the new loves of my life. It's funny, I am so out numbered in the house now.



Look at that face.



Demon Dog











I forgot what free time is like with these two, and sleeping in for that matter. But the love they have brought into my life more than compensates.

What We Did

So you know I said that I was not going to be doing any more posts about bacon, but the husband decided to surprise me this weekend before we ran errands...and he ended up taking me to Slater's 50/50, one of the last places on my bacon restaurant list.

Now, my expectations were not high. Aside from the Bacon MANia truck, the other places I've been too have not been so hot. Fortunately, Slater's totally redeemed things.




We knew the portions were going to be huge at this place, so we decided to split a burger right away. As I was browsing the drink menu, I knew I had to order this right off the bat.



The Chocolate Bacontini



Now, this drink is definitely not for everyone. It has an acquired taste. It has Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and Bakon Voldka in it. I didn't like it too much at first, but it definitely grew on me.



Then the husband just had to order a combo appetizer plate: fried artichoke hearts and fried dill pickles; they were scrumptious.



Then the burger. You can actually order your burger any way you want at Slater's 50/50, which results in a ridiculous number of possible combinations. We decided to stick with their original and order the 50/50. Now, the burger patties at Slater's are made with half ground round and half bacon bits. The burger we had also came with a fried egg, avocado mash, and chipotle mayo on top. I am not lying when I say this was the best burger I have ever had. The flavor combination was just insane. The saltiness of the bacon, the spiciness of the mayo...my taste buds were in overload. I have tasted many burgers, and this tops them all.

After this, I knew I just couldn't eat the bacon brownie, even though I was told to make sure I saved room from this from someone who had visited this restaurant before. Alas, I settled for their bacon bloody mary. I just had to see if it was good as the one I ordered from Hash House.



This topped the one at Hash House. They both had the bakon vodka in them, but I believe they added olive juice to this one. It had just the right amount of spiciness, tartness, and saltiness. And the bacon sale around the rim: heaven.

I've informed the husband that we are laying off bacon for awhile now. He responded that he was just trying to make me happy. So cute, but we will definitely be laying off it for a bit.

The Bruery

Are you sick of me posting about bacon yet? How about if I throw in a little beer with it, would that help? I found out that a bacon food truck, Bacon MANia, was going to be making a stop at a brewery my husband and I were first introduced to a couple of years ago at the Mammoth Blues and Brews Fest, The Bruery, so we just had to go. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.





We got to sample their new beer, Salt of the Earth, which has truffle salt in it. It tasted a bit odd at first, but I quickly grew to love it. If you're a foodie, you must try this beer.



The husband had me pose differently than with the "stereotypical" smile I give. I think I look like a major dork.=)







After some tastings, we finally ordered some food. We got their bacon appetizer trio which consisted of three balls with different fillings wrapped in bacon. One was peanut butter and jelly, the next was macaroni and cheese, and the third had pastrami and blue cheese. They were to die for. We also ordered the pork/bacon sliders and bacon tacos. The tacos weren't so hot, but the sliders were absolutely scrumptious! Their pulled pork with bacon was phenomenal, and I love how spicy they were. We finished things off with these babies:



Bacon brownies. They were heaven. But I'm laying off bacon for a bit. The weight I had lost is now back. Boo!

Baconalia

I'm sure you have heard the ads. Dennys, of all places, is having a two month long celebration for bacon. When I mentioned this to the husband Monday night, he told me to forget my plans for dinner so that he could take me. Did I pick a winner or what? How lucky am I!

Bacon Flapjacks





And a Maple Bacon Sundae







Hope you're not bacon-ed out just yet. I'm going to have another bacon post coming up Monday.

What Went On

So a dear friend of mine, who took me under his wing during my first year of teaching, got married over the weekend. Nick and I drove out to Palm Springs for the occasion and managed to sneak in a quick visit at the Viceroy, which is absolutely gorgeous (the Parker is still my top choice though).





Congratulations, Sean!

I Wanna Rock!

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to go see the musical Rock of Ages at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Tickets were on sale in one of the deals emails I receive, and since I had read about this feature, I snapped them up immediately.

It tells the story of two people who fall in love on the Sunset Strip during the 1980s, and since it's all about rock I did my best Kate Hudson:



I honestly cannot say the last time I had so much fun. I was singing along to every 80s hair band song in the musical, and dancing in my seat. When they did a mash-up of two of my absolute, all time favorite songs: "More than Words" and "I'm the One"...I knew I was a fan for life.

I bought the cast recording, and every time I feel down driving to work I just pop it in and it instantly brightens my mood. If the tour comes to your city, I highly recommend going. It will not disappoint.

Here's the cast doing some of the songs at the Tony's: