Any evening spent with family that starts with this,
and ends with this,
is a perfect evening to me! As soon as Jay and I arrived at my parents’ house last night, we pulled up a couple rockers on the front porch, grabbed a couple frosty mugs, and spent some time relaxing and chatting.
I cozied up in my rocker with a Sam Adams Summer Ale, which totally hit the spot. Can you guys spot my little dribble down the front of my shirt?
I swear, it was just condensation from the mug this time, but I’m not denying the fact that I am quite often guilty of dribbling.
After about an hour of hanging out on the porch, dinner was served; and thank goodness it was, because I was a starvin’ Marvin!
I loaded my plate up with some garlic bread,
lots ‘o salad (with fresh tomatoes, YUM),
and the star of the evening: Mom’s homemade lasagna.
Everything, from start to finish, was so so so so good.
Dinner was followed up with a couple raspberry brownie bites, which were enjoyed by all except for my brother because he’s crazy and, for some reason, doesn’t always want sweets at every opportunity they’re presented to him…sometimes I wonder if we’re really related.
But then I realize, oh yes, we definitely are.
*****
Workout
Thursday mornings call for BodyPump, so I headed out for class this morning, luckily with no blocked roads in my way. Unfortunately, our instructor did the same release as last week which was sort of lame, but she did tell us that she’s planning on starting a new release next week, so I’m pretty pumped about that (<—pun intended).
I skipped my usual cardio in favor of coming home for some yoga, in the form of my 10lb. Slimdown Yoga video. It felt good to stretch it out.
Breakfast
This morning was definitely a protein pancakes kinda morning.
(recycled photo because I was lazy this morning)
And boy were they delicious!
Now, I’ve got some things to do. I know I left you guys hanging last night…I’m sorry! But I promise, I’ll be filling you in soon.
Questions for the Morning:
WOULD YOU RATHER…
- Eat a full Italian dinner -OR- a full Mexican dinner?
- Drink a beer on a front porch -OR- a glass of wine at a fancy wine bar?
Khushboo says
Your mom’s dinner looks excellent! Tough choice between Italian and Mexican but after seeing your dinner, I’m going with the latter…I could eat marinara sauce till the cows come home (yes I realise that last bit makes me sound like I’m 80)
Mallory @ It's Only Life says
Both of my grandparents are from Italy and my mom grew up in a veryyy traditional Italian household. My grandma is the best cook in the world, my mom a close second. I always love Italian food more than anything! Mexican hits the spot every once in a while. Your mom’s lasagna looks really delicious!
I’d rather have wine…i want to be more open to trying beers/drinking them too tho!
Chad @ thebreakupnote says
*droooools* aaaaaaaaalllllllllllleeee…. lasaagagnnnnaaaaa….. *droools*
Cait @ Cait hates Cake says
Full Italian meal! With lots of bread and olive oil!! Love my carbs, haha.
Beer on the front porch for sure. But really, wine on the front porch would be best ;)
Lindsay @ biking before bed says
You read my mind with the wine on the front porch! Maybe some sangria? I would pick an Italian feast… With dessert! Maybe tireamisu?
I love the picture of you and your brother Courtney! I remember when my room got painted when I was little and I had to sleep in bed with my brother for a week. Lots of shenanigans at bedtime:)
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
I do love myself some good Italian, but Mexican will always hold the key to my heart <3
Haha that picture of you & your brother is adorable! Oh how I miss the childhood days of making my face look crazy weird…
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
These are tough questions!! I’d have to say Mexican dinner…I LOVE my Mexican food. As for beer vs. wine… I am more of a wine kinda girl, but would rather be on the front porch with a glass of wine rather than a fancy wine bar. Can I combine the answers? ;)
Kelly says
Definitely Mexican Food…Fajitas!!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Your dinner looks amazing! I love both Italian and Mexican food, so that’s a tough choice. I’d have to go with Mexican though… I love me some Mexican food!!
Darcy says
I would rather do exactly what you did…………beer on the porch chatting with great company and a nice homemade Italian dinner! Sounds like the perfect way to round out the summer……..
And by the way, now I”m going to have to read your blog everyday in order to find out this new information…………….way to keep us reading! :-)
I”m looking forward to teaching with Jill, but I’ll miss our great conversations!
Courtney says
Hahaha :)
That’s cool that you’re teaching with Jill this year! Did she move up to 5th with you?
Jodi says
The lasagna dinner is making me hungry. I would definitely go Italian all the way. And I’d also have to take the beer option most of the time, since it’s more laid back.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Italian food all the way!!! And I don’t know if I’d choose the beer or wine. Maybe beer on a weekday and wine/bar on weekend? Am I even allowed to do that?? lol
Courtney says
I suppose I’ll allow it ;)
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Mom’s lasagna looks delish. Glad you had a fun night with the fam!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
As much as I love both Italian AND Mexican food, I think I’d have to go with Mexican! Chips, salsa, enchiladas, margaritas… :)
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Haha… now there’s like three of my comments on here. Stupid spam folder, that’s so weird. Sorry ’bout that!
Lindsey says
Mexican but I will say I did have the most amazing Chicago deep dish pizza last night!
And wine, but only because I don’t drink beer :)
Sara @ The Foodie Diaries says
Even though I just ate breakfast, all I can think about is eating lasagna and garlic bread… YUM!! :) Ahhhh I’m dying to hear your news! I hope you post it soon, I’m dying over here at work today! ;)
Shayla @ The Good Life says
Can’t wait to hear what the news is!
And your mama’s food looks insanely delish, nothing ever compares to my mama’s food either ;)
And I love the way she’s smiling at you in that pic, too cute :)
katie Carso says
Yum on your pancakes girl! It is a pancake day I suppose ; )
Ahhhhh homemade lasagna , makes me miss my grams, she made the best, that and eggplant parmesan, so good!
Your mom and dad are too cute! I can’t wait to move and get to do family dinners with my parents again!
Have a great day! Can’t wait to hear your news!
xoxo
Marijke says
Oh gosh that lasagna looks delicious!!!
I’d take Italian food & a glass of wine any day! That’s my pick :)
Ruthie Hart says
your moms lasagna looks delish!! I normally dont like lasagna unless it is homemade!! I would love to find a good recipe!
Shanna, Like Banana says
Oh this WYR is EASY!
Mexi all the way! Italian is a close second, but Mexi wins my heart.
And I’m a VINO girl…heck to the no on beer. Yick. And I love wine bars…swwwoooon.
Courtney says
Haha, I definitely could have answered those two WYR’s for you, too! I love it :)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Darn, I was hoping you’d fill us in. Oh well, your Itailin meal look like it will hold me over, SOOOOO great looking!
Your parents seem like they are two of the sweetest people! Awww!
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers says
Oooh girl, you’re dribbling more than a point guard! (well, not really, but it felt sassy to say that.)
I’m sure it’s obvious that I’d choose beer on a front porch. I’d also choose it on a house, I’d even drink it with a mouse. I’ll drink it with a wocket from my pocket, I love it so much, I’ll give it a locket. It’s true that Horton heard a who, but I’ve only got ears for the crack-opening of a brew!
And Mexican. Without question. Taco night is my favorite night.
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Hmm I love both Italian and Mexican, but I’ll have to say Mexican. I could eat it every day! And definitely wine because I’m a wino and hate beer. But I’d like to enjoy it on a porch…that just seems lovely :)
nicole @ simply-nicole says
I’d be mexican over italian. Not really a huge pasta fan. I know! I know! I’m crazy.
Lyndsie @ highcottonlivin.com says
It doesn’t get much better than that…sounds like a awesome evening! Sam Adams Summer Ale is my favorite and that lasagna – oh my! :)
I would much rather have a beer on the front porch. I will take the relaxed atmosphere over a fancy wine place any day. :)
Sweet and Savvy says
Italian vs. Mexican is too tough of a choice ! I live in an area with a strong Italian influence, so Im picky about my italian food. I now what is good! :)
And porch any time!
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.) says
The shutters on your parent’s house look stunning :) and you look super pretty in that picture too!
Eat a full Italian dinner -OR- a full Mexican dinner? Definitely the full italian meal
Drink a beer on a front porch -OR- a glass of wine at a fancy wine bar? I don’t drink beer or wine (don’t judge) but I’d love a cooler or a belini on a front porch :)
Ari @ Skinnified says
Mexican with a beer on the porch! That sounds like the perfect night, but I agree–that lasagna and especially the garlic bread looked pretty delicious!
Bianca @A Healthy Gourmet Lifestyle says
Even though I’m Mexican, I would go with Italian because I am obsessed with their cuisine. I could have pasta every day and never get tired of it, and I can make it a bit healthier with modifications.
Emmarie @ Bananas and Beer says
That dinner looks delicious. I think some italian might be in order for tonight.
Brooke @ BittersweetBrooke says
Mexican vs. Italian?! Ahh I just don’t know. I love both. I think I might have to choose Mexican. I do love me a good burrito and guacamole…nothing compares!
I’m waiting in anticipation about your new changes!
Kait @ One Love Run says
I love that you can visit your parents so easily! There are many times I am craving a home-cooked parents meal and then I realize I need to fly all the way across the country to get that!
In California … definitely a full Mexican dinner … back on the east coast … a full Italian dinner for sure!
The next question is a toughie! Both sound great to me. But I’m a wine girl so I have to go with that one!
Sarah Cook says
Hey Courtney, I have been reading your blog for a little while now and really enjoy it. I just haven’t commented until now because I don’t have my own blog as of yet.
But, I wanted to ask you if you dye your hair? I think your color is very pretty and am thinking of going darker. If you do, do you know what color it is?
Courtney says
Thank you, Sarah!
Yes, I do dye my hair, but I actually haven’t done it in a few months. I was just talking about it with my mom last night (she’s a hairdresser and does mine!) and I think I’m going to do it again next week.
We usually mix a couple Redken EQ Shades colors together…I’m not positive on what colors we used the last time we did it, but I know that I’ve used Caramel and Sun Tea.
Here’s a link to their color chart! :)
http://www.stuff4beauty.com/catalog.php?maincat=Redken%20Shades%20EQ%20Hair%20Color
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
That lasagna looks so good! And yummy garlic bread! Perfect dinner.
I love Italian food so much, but I think I’d marginally prefer the Mexican dinner. There’s just something about chips and guacamole followed by enchiladas and tacos.
Tracy @ Tracy's Treats says
That lasagna made me drool. Now I’m hungry!
I would 100% eat a huge Italian dinner. I’m a little torn between the beer and wine b/c I love laid-back days, but I also like to get dressed up to go out! :-)
Courtney's friend Joey says
While it is a tough choice between Mexican and Italian, I think in this case I would prefer BBQ pulled Chicken…. Come to think of it, I think you should do BBQ pulled chicken this upcoming Tuesday night!!
Yes, I think that would be a great idea!!
Courtney says
LOL! Joeyyyyy!!!
You know what? I think BBQ Pulled Chicken sounds like a GREAT idea for next Tuesday! Wanna come over? ;)
Courtney's friend Joey says
I will be there! wooooooooooooooooooooo BBQ Pulled Chicken!!
Corey @ Family Fresh Meals says
Such a difficult question!!!! hehe I am going to have to say Mexican & wine!
And I love your protein pancake idea! I have put PB2 on waffles, but I will have to try it on pancakes! Yum!
Samantha @ Running and Cupcakes says
Question #1 is NOT FAIR COURTNEY! ;)
But I suppose I’d choose italian, because my mommy is a fabulous italian cook.
And definitely drink a beer on a front porch – I’ll take relaxed over fancy schmancy any day!
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
I think I’d have to go mexican. But beer 100%
Angela @ MyPinkyToes says
I’d rather eat a HUGE plate of mexican for sure (my italian mom would disown me for that), and I’d rather drink a mug of beer on the front porch (or back deck in my case!) That really does seem like to perfect day!!!
Emily says
Mexican for sure! Love love love all Mexican food.
But I have to cheat and say a glass of wine on the porch. =)
I can’t wait to hear your news….
sarah@spinach and spice says
Awh, I love family nights like your evening!
A good Italian meal trumps Mexican in my book :)
And I’m neither a beer nor wine person, but a mojito on the beach doesn’t sound so bad ;)
Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life says
I’d go with wine at a fancy bar….and I don’t think I can chose between a Mexican meal or Italian meal. They both rock my world!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Health says
In a non creepy (ok, maybe slightly creepy) way, I am excited to find out your news! Its weird how you get to know people through reading about them online and it feel like you are friends… but then you close your browser and go back to real life.
1. Mexican!
2. Wine!
Diana says
1. Mexican por favor!
2. Beer on a porch, hands down! No fancy pantsy for this gal.
So excited to hear your news! I already have a few guesses…
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Oh dinner looks fantastic!!! Seriously, I would kill for someone to make me lasagna.
I did a modified version of your 5-4-3-2-1 workout today because I only had 30 minutes to run. I did a 4-3-2-1 combo 3 times. It was awesome!
Brittany @ Life of a Bama Girl says
I love Mexican! And would have to say beer on a porch but it would be something like a Wood Chuck or Wild Blue.
Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats says
I would much rather eat a full Italian meal! :) Yum! Wine would be my other choice. I just have never been a huge fan of beer. The acquired taste just hasn’t ever made its way into my world. lol.
Lizzie says
Looks like such a good time! and all the food looks delish!