Nadine's Gin Joint

Yesterday I went to Nadine's Gin Joint because it was my friend's birthday celebration and that's where she picked. It's in Soulard on 12th Street. You have to make a U-turn off of Gravois to get to it. It's better to get there via Russell. She picked this place because the website said they have Karaoke.  They don't have Karaoke.  Or dessert.  The food was good. One of their specials was a steak with a twice baked potato that was deep fried on the bottom. I didn't get it but I heard it was good. It was also only $10 which is a good price.

I ordered wings and french fries. Their french fries were homemade and were great. There was no added seasoning salt. The wings were good. Much better than Blueberry Hill. But they weren't great. The hot sauce was kind of watery.  There were only 9 of them in one order that cost $6.75. I don't know how much the wings were. My total with tax was $11.25. And I ordered an unsweet tea. They only have unsweet tea. A plus.



Overall the place was AAIIGHT. The patio was big but it was crappy. The clientele was awful. Just a bunch of backwards caps, Nike's, cargo shorts, and Polo's with the collar popped. Everyone was tripping on this ramp going up the patio. One lady actually fell and her husband had to pick her up. One of the cement blocks came off and someone just put it back on. It should have been removed for the rest of the night. Oh well. I'll probably never go there again. The food was good though.

Oh yeah, and this is what I wore there.  I like to blend into the crowd.  Dressing myself is becoming a challenge.  Sam stopped me from wearing bike shorts.  I think bike shorts is acceptable for wearing in public. 

I've had this dress since 10th grade.  I bought it at the vintage store in Chapel Hill, NC.  It was originally a romper but I turned it into a dress.  I wish it was still a romper.  But if it was then I couldn't wear it pregnant.  I miss rompers.  I bought two good ones last summer and I can't wear them till after July.  Breastfeeding will be difficult in them.

Small Things

I love the idea of living in an efficiency apartment and having to find interesting ways to save space.  In this dream EVERYTHING has a dual purpose.  My toilet would also have a sink on top.  My microwave (or toaster oven) would have burners on top.  I would use those little ketchup bottles you see on airplanes.  I would also have an awesome divider in my room to separate my bedroom from my living room.  My bed might even come down from the walls!  Also in this dream everything is super high design and expensive.  As if I have this great job and make lots of money and only live in a 250sqft apartment by choice. 

When I was younger I used to want to turn my bedroom into a mini apartment.  You know, because I didn't live under my parents but rather leased the space until I could get on my feet.  I paid for my room with dish duty and laundry folding (I don't understand how anyonce can enjoy folding laundry).  Once I even put an ice tray in my room and filled it with water.  That was going to be my sink.  That lasted minutes.  I used to tell my friends that when I moved to the next house (army brat) that I would be getting a mini fridge.  With what money and permission?  I never even asked for that.  I still don't have a minifridge.  My mom now lives in a town house in DC that is small in comparison to her past places and has 2 full size fridges AND a mini fridge.  She used to also have a freezer.  My mom is a "collector", not a hoarder. 

If my husband and I ever break up for some reason and we are still alive (because most likely it would be a double homicide), I will move into a super small place.  I'll look for the smallest place I can find.  Give me a 200sqft challenge.  I am trying to get my husband to make Russell a loft bed so we can maximize the space in the kid's room.  I want EVERYTHING to be able to fit under his bed.  Closet, dresser, bookcase, toy box.  Under a twin size bed.  If Russell asks me for a minifridge when he gets older I will probably buy one for him and be super jealous about it.  I feel like it all starts with the minifridge.  Maybe the minifridge will have an attached microwave on top with burners on the microwave. 

Here are some super cool space saving appliances

This one is still a possibility. (above)

14" and 7 1/2" deep

Griddle, toaster oven, AND coffee pot. 

This is a sink AND dishwasher.  The only reason I have a two sided sink is for washing dishes. 

This has a cooking top, oven and dishwasher.  BRILLIANT!

This is a washing machine that uses the old water to flush the toilet.  I don't think it's for sale yet.



Lately...

This is how Russell does homework. 

I made my first Lasgna using this recipe.  It's not too pretty but it sure tasted good. 

I was so excited to make it and so focused when I was at the grocery store that I forgot to buy anything else. 

Had to go back to the store two days later.  So it goes.

Today I made a couple door snakes using old fabric and grocery store bags. 

Last night we went to Olive Garden for dinner.  It was the first time since high school that I've eaten there. 

Sam said in a slightly louder than normal table voice that we only go to non-local restaurants every 3 years. 

Hah! 

 This is what I had and it was delicious.  No leftovers.

Happy Thanksgiving

This is what Russell told his teacher he's thankful for.

Russell helped me put up the x-mas tree.  It's one of those vintage aluminum ones. 

We also have a color wheel for it. 

Sam made EVERYTHING for our Thanksgiving dinner.  He's awesome.

  Pac Man



Tower Taco

I couple weeks ago I found a new favorite place.  I know it's been around a long time and I'm just slow on the uptake.  Tower Taco on Cherokee (same block as Peridot and STyLe House) has such a large menue of Tex Mex and European eats.  It's run by a husband and wife team.  The husband cooks while the wife waits on tables.  They're the only people that work there.  What I ordered was the Burrito Callifornia.  It's only about $8 and enough food for two people.  I used my hand and a salt shaker for comparison.  It's also topped with Mole. 

Tonight I'm making Hamburger Helper and I will pretend that I am eating the Burrito California.

The Shins

My husband makes fun of me for calling Ramen Noodles "Ramyun." 

Get with it!