Happy Monday to you all! I feel like today is officially the “back to normal” day for most of us; schools are back in session, most holiday gatherings are over, and reality is just…back. Ah well, we knew it was gonna happen soon enough!
So our weekend was fantastic. Lots of fun happenings and celebrating to share, starting with our anniversary date night on Friday night.
Since we’ve been venturing to many of the same places on our date nights lately, we decided to take a special trip up to Saratoga. It’s one of our favorite areas, and since there was no inclement weather in the forecast, we said it was worth the drive (about 40 minutes away for us). Our first stop of the night brought us to Druthers, a restaurant and brewery in downtown Saratoga that I’ve been dying to go to for ages now.
I have no idea how because the place was packed, but we somehow managed to find two seats right in the middle of the bar. Score! Our plan was just to sit for a drink and an app, and after checking out their beer menu, we decided to go with a sampler flight (it was too hard to decide!).
We had six beers to try and, out of all of them, my favorite by far was their Sour Brown. It was such a unique brew, somewhat fruity and tart, and I’m so glad that the bartender recommended it!
As for an app, we ordered the Beer Cheese Dip and, OH. MY. GOD…
Cheddar, gouda, gorgonzola dolce, cascade hop butter, Golden Rule Blonde, spicy cherry peppers, Bavarian-style pretzels
I could eat that stuff every single freakin day. Had we not had plans to continue the evening for an actual dinner, we absolutely would have polished that plate off. But I will say we came pretty darn close. So if you ever go to Druthers, please, get that stuff!
But like I said, since we didn’t want to stay in just one place, we decided to head over to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner, Olde Bryan Inn. It had been ages since we’d last been there (you can see some older visits from way back in 2010 and 2011 here and here), so since we’re not up in Saratoga too often these days, we knew we had to make a stop.
There was a short wait for a table, so we grabbed a couple of seats at the bar and had a round of drinks.
Jay and I seriously love sitting at a bar. We have some of our best conversations there!
Eventually, we got our table and ordered some dinner, including a steak for Jay and the Chicken Florentine dish for me.
Chicken strips sautéed in garlic butter and white wine with fresh spinach & mushrooms, with a pinch of oregano & basil; finished in a Parmesan & Romano cheese cream sauce & served over our spinach & ricotta cheese filled ravioli, served with garlic toast points.
Ummm, talk about delicious?! I can’t believe I hadn’t gotten that before…it was SO good!
Since it was a celebratory evening, we couldn’t leave without dessert, so we ordered a slice of their chocolate chip pie a la mode.
It was pretty good, but it had walnuts in it which was super lame…nuts do not belong in (most) cookies or brownies!
Date night was certainly an amazing, much-needed night out, but Saturday morning was equally as fun and exciting. I don’t think I told you guys this before, but we signed Lucas up for soccer camp.
Talk about hilarious and adorable! Lucas started his “Teddies” class at Afrims and while the class is supposed to start at 18 months, I called to see if we could squeeze him in a few weeks early (he’ll be 18 months on the 27th of this month) and they said it wasn’t a problem.
The class is about 50 minutes long and it will last for 8 weeks. It’s really just a bunch of kiddos running around throwing and kicking things, but they do attempt to show them some “skills,” and it was just so darn funny to watch.
By the end of class, Jay and I both decided that this class would not only be a great way for Lucas to run off some energy, but it also proved to be a pretty decent workout for the two of us as well. Lots of running around!
I’m pretty sure Jay took a video at some point during the class…I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on that!
Once soccer was over, we came home, Lucas crashed for his nap (just as we had hoped, woop woop!), I squeezed in a workout, we did a few things around the house, and then we were off to a birthday party.
Our pals Joey and Kate’s daughter, Samantha, turned one (man, time flies!), so we were excited to go and celebrate with them.
We snacked on some food…
We took silly selfies…
And we attempted (and failed) at taking a group photo of the six of us. Ahh well…you can’t win ‘em all, right?
Way to go, Lucas. I kid, I kid.
On Sunday, I had plans to meet up with some of my girlfriends for brunch but, due to the crappy weather we were getting, we decided to reschedule. So since those plans were nixed, I took advantage of the extra time to be a bit lazy, got in a good lower body workout, and took my time doing some grocery shopping.
I also did a little food prep for the week, including some salad bases for me and a few lunches and breakfasts prepped for Lucas.
I made a fresh batch of Chicken Parm meatballs the other day for him to have during the week. So easy and convenient (I just use my recipe for Chicken Parmesan burgers and roll them into meatballs – bake in a 9×13 dish at 350 degrees for about 18-20 mins!).
We finished off Sunday evening with another episode of Orange is the New Black (after watching 3 more on Saturday evening) and some cookies. Not a bad ending to a fabulous weekend at all!
So how about you guys? Did you have anything fun happening? Anyone else feeling like it’s finally “back to reality” today?
Tiff says
Thats just precious! I played soccer for 13 years, so I can’t wait to get Ethan put on the field. I hope there’s something like that near me.
Date night sounds perfect! Beer n’ pretzels, my kinda night.
Courtney says
Yes! Jay played for a bajillion years too, so he was just as excited to be out there ;)
CARLA says
oh the little soccer plays.
THEY KILL ME EVERY TIME.
<3 <3
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Nice way to celebrate!!! I am quite the nut in cookie and brownie lover I have to say, love a bit of crunch! Especially pecans! Lucas is so darn cute, every time I see a pic it makes me smile. Well done on the grocery suit and getting so well prepped!
Andrea @ Pencils and Pancakes says
Looks like such a fun weekend! Happy Anniversary!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
LOL – those soccer pictures kill me.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Ugh back to reality…let’s just say that waking up with my alarm clock this morning was rough! But, seeing pictures of Lucas playing soccer totally helped – how adorable!!
Brynn Guster says
My Sunday went the exact same way. The winter weather is rolling in, so I cancelled plans and stayed in to enjoy a lazy, cozy morning with the family. It was nice to finally see some snow!
Emily says
We are looking for a place for a first birthday party soon. Was the one you went to at a local place? If so, would you mind sharing where it was?
Courtney says
It was actually just a local Elks club – I think someone in the family may have been a member?
Bri says
Oh my,,, soccer classes??! I’m dying. What an awesome idea!! My Emery would LOVE THAT. He’s obsessed with all things ball-related, hehe. But throwing and kicking is all he wants to do all. day. long. Such a great idea,, one I’ll be looking into in Indy! Happy anniversary too!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
omg baby soccer is the cutest thing ever! they just all do what they want and follow the ball! i can’t wait for william to start!! we’ll work on walking first… lol
Erin says
Who makes those cute little to go containers you have Lucas’s lunch packed in? I have an almost 1 year old and I’m always on the look out for containers to pack his lunch and snacks in for the day.
Courtney says
They’re Dr. Brown’s! We have the bigger ones and the smaller ones, and love them both. I typically pack his main lunches in the bigger ones and fruit in the smaller ones. They’re both on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Designed-Nourish-Snack-A-Pillar/dp/B0052TT6GI/ref=pd_cp_ba_0
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Designed-Flexpods-Stackable/dp/B0052OTQZ4
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Playing soccer with my dad coaching my team was so much fun growing up! Love that you’re starting Lucas early :)
Every time you do a restaurant recap, I think that I would’ve ordered exactly the same thing. That ravioli and chicken, and then the chocolate chip pie? YUM!
Marielle says
Beer cheese dip, yummy! I think that little kid soccer is just the cutest thing in the world, so fun!
Christen says
AHHHH! Beer Cheese Dip from Druthers! There is nothing better :) Glad you had a nice anniversary celebration out in Saratoga.
Courtney says
OMG I’m obsessed! It was SO GOOD
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
There’s always something kind of fun and exciting happening around here while being on the road but somehow we managed a quieter weekend and quite honestly, I NEEDED that to catch up! Now we’ve got an event all day today before we head to Asheville and I’m SO.FREAKING.EXCITED!
Bethany says
Looks like an exciting & fun filled weekend!! How cute that Lucas starts soccer :)
Patty says
Wow, your weekend was really similar to mine. Friends and I stopped in at the Olde Saratoga Brewery for a few samples on Saturday. They had some tasty beer on tap, including a Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Stout. Then we headed over to the Olde Bryan Inn which was the first time I’ve been there. Food was great. Sunday evening we watched way more episodes then I’m going to admit of Orange is the New Black.
Courtney says
Oh, how fun! I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Olde Saratoga Brewery…I’ll have to check that out. PB&J Oatmeal Stout?! I’m intrigued!!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I’m so glad you guys had a wonderful anniversary celebrating together! Looks like a delicious meal. I’m totally with you on the no nuts in cookies/brownies!
Ahhh, so stinkin’ cute to see little Lucas playing soccer! That’s a great way to wear him out! ;)
Monica says
I have that argument with people all the time! Nuts do NOT belong in desserts! Not in brownies, ice cream, cookies… yuck!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I had no idea there was soccer for kids so young, I imagine it’s one of the cutest things ever! It sounds adorable and I bet every one of those toddlers slept hard afterward.
Glad you had such a great weekend!
Shawna says
ahhh, love the Olde Bryan Inn. such a quaint spot (like almost everything in Saratoga! i swear, if i ever move back upstate, that’s my first choice of a town). i haven’t been to Druthers but ppl love it, so i’ll have to check that out next time i’m up there. sounds like a fab night for you two. i love sitting at the bar, too, and almost always choose that. :)
Courtney says
How fun! Do you think you ever will move back upstate??
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I’m with you on the no nuts in brownies or cookies thing…that just takes up room that could be better used for more chocolate! :-p
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Court! My hubby and I sit at the bar for dinner a lot — we love to do that! I attended my last holiday party last night, thank goodness. Back to normal now!! :)
Laura Donahue says
Hi Courtney, Love the chicken parm MB idea! Need to try for my kids!
I want to make the easy cheesy pasta for my kiddos..any idea how much frozen spinach to use in place of fresh?? I found organic frozen at Target!
Would love for you to share more of what Lucas eats as this working momma is always looking for ideas for my 9 month and 2 year olds!!
Courtney says
Hmmm, I’m not sure. I’d say you’d probably be okay starting out with about 1/3 of a block of it? You can always add more, if needed!
I’ve been meaning to share some of his eats…I need to get on that soon!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Orange is the New Black is so addciting! Love that Lucas started soccer – he’s such a cute little player on the team.
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
Definitely feeling back to reality! I had four very eager babysitters around for the holidays but now it’s just us! :) I can’t believe Lucas is in soccer. That is so cute and what a great idea!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
The chicken florentine you ordered looks delicious.
I had a friend sign up her daughter for soccer when she was 3 years old. She said it was organized chaos with the kids wanting to just run around.
Courtney says
Hahaha, organized chaos is a great way to describe it!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says
I love sitting and eating at the bar too! I feel like you can have great conversations with the people you are with but also talk with others and the bartenders. My parents love doing this :)
Katy says
I’m a teacher, so today was especially hard to get out of bed! I had been loving my vacations, but back to reality today! Happy New Year!
Lauren @ Fun, Fit, and Fabulous! says
What a fun weekend! We have’t been on a date night since Belle was born (6 months ago), and I feel like it is much over due! We were gone most of the holiday so we spent this week recovering and getting ready for a reality check today!
Clara says
That looks like a great weekend! :) And those soccer pictures are too cute. Lucas looks like such a little man now. And like a complete mix of the two of you!!! :)
Courtney says
Thanks, Clara!
JEnn@Mark My Miles! says
Sounds like an amazing weekend. I need to find a soccer league for my 18 month old. He’d love it!