#FridayFinds - Carmel's

You would think that MBB and I have been to enough Mexican restaurants to satisfy us for YEARS.  Nope - we keep trying more.

And it is no longer that we want to go to a specific restaurant to eat, but now we have a specific dish that we want... So, we have about five Mexican restaurants now on the repeat list (and that is just around where we live)...

Overall Carmel's is a repeat for us.  The location is very convenient and we both have a dish that we really like... I have noticed that how the good the restaurant is depends on your server.  Some times it is great and others - not so much (we have now been three times).

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the restaurant... But google it - I'm sure you'll find it in Toledo.

Funky Dip - without the beans

This is not on their menu... And I have to keep this picture in my phone to help us order.

The first waitress who came up with it based on hearing what MBB likes was great... The others - need the picture.

This is a Chicken and Chorizo Burrito with no Beans.

Fajita Quesadilla with no green peppers

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Velvet Taco (Dallas area)

Yep - lots of traveling for work and minimal posting toward the end of 2019...
So, I have some catch-up to do.

My December trip to Dallas found me at Velvet Taco.
The food was good and the margarita was amazing!

This is a definitely on my repeat list for my Texas trips!

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - The Saffron House (Dallas area)

While traveling for work, I was able to try a new (to me) Indian place.
I always go for my standby of Butter Chicken and Naan to gauge how they compare to others.
I also had a bite of another dish (at the top of my plate in the picture), but I can't remember what it was called...
They were both pretty good!

Namaste.

Rethinking My Kitchen

We have been updating the kitchen over the last year with different appliances...
About two months ago, a big appliance switch took us from updating to rethinking.

We now have two new appliances that we use ALL THE TIME:

#1 TOVALA 
(they don't know that I am writing about them)

MBB talked me into the Tovala oven over the summer and we committed to a year of their meal program. It is really nice to have something that takes about 2 minutes of effort and 20 minutes later - dinner!  It also has the great factor that we could eat different things (like a restaurant).

The extra nice thing is when cooking other things (not their meals), you can save the cooking times in the app (if they aren't already there) using the barcodes on boxes. This helps with tweaking the cooking times/styles and saving for future ease. 

It has replaced our toaster oven (which previously replaced our toaster) and some things that used to go in the oven or microwave now get cooked here.


#2 NINJA 4-IN-1 AUTO IQ
(they don't know that I am writing about them)

When my large crockpot cracked over Thanksgiving, the "investigation" of the replacement began.
There was a big instapot vs crockpot discussion  in our house that evolved into watching a YouTube video of instapot vs crockpot vs multi-cooker.
I had never considered a multi-cooker before, but being able to make my crock pot recipes while dirtying up less dishes was a huge bonus in my book.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the IQ.
The IQ Cookbook is extremely helpful and has got me back into cooking WAY MORE.  MBB also picked a bunch of recipes that he was willing to try that were things I NEVER thought he would try.  Score!

I am now starting to look into using my IQ for some other non-crockpot recipes that are not in the super convenient cookbook. This may take a bit as the IQ does cook extremely hot, so my cooking temps and times may need to be adjusted slightly.

It has replaced all of our large crockpots (I still have some small ones for dips).  It also has the capability to kick my steamer to the curb, but still working on that one.


SO...
We are still looking to see if any other new great appliances would help reduce the amount of older appliances taking up space in our cabinets and will help with my goal to reduce our restaurant spend this year.

Any suggestions (no, I don't want an instapot!).

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - River's Edge

MBB is always searching for Chicago style pizza.

I'm not a huge fan, but I can eat it every now and then if it makes MBB happy.

We "heard about" a place up in Dundee that was a possibility...

And though I don't think it is Chicago style - it is close enough that it satisfies MBB's craving!

Tator Tot Appetizer... Good, just needed some more cheese

Chicken and Bacon Pizza - Wasn't bad.  

The difference between the traditional Chicago style and theirs actually made me like it more.

Namaste.

Goodbye 2019... Hello 2020

I have to say that I am very much happy to bid 2019 a farewell.
It was a rough year with saying goodbye to MommyMarie and being so far from the boys.
But, we made it and I even did decent on the one goal (I think) that I made for the year.

I will not lie - I went down to the wire...
My goal for 2019 was to complete six scrapbooks.
On December 30th, I finished the sixth!
There were four digital books and two done the old fashion - paper way.

I have to say that I get more fulfillment and have more flexibility with the paper way, but the digital way is so much faster, though the cost is a one time thing rather than spread out with the paper!
In the end, they are probably comparable if you get the high quality books/paper. But with the digital, I can make them and hold onto them for a sale (just don't try this on Amazon - they will delete your book!!!).

So, what is a girl like me to do?  Do it again!

I do not think that six is the right number and our server is down, so I can't get to the file to see what I have left to do. I do know that I have two paper books to finish this year and can do at least two digital easily... so what the heck - let's go with SIX again...

And...
I am going to try to get four quilts made this year...

I am going to finish reading the pile of inspirational books (3) on my night stand...
I am going to try to eat out less (by 50%) and cook at home more...
I am going to try to drink more water at work...
I am going to cross quite a few things off of the bucket list...

Granted the vacation to help with those bucket list items is already planned.  :)

Here's to a great 2020.

Namaste.