Part 1: my weekend

So I forgot already that I was supposed to be sticking to a schedule and writing every Monday. I will get the hang of this. I'm sure of it. Today I am writing two though so that makes up for it, right?

On Saturday, Shay and Sherry took me to the Boise market. It happens every Saturday from April to October and takes up a good portion of 8th Street downtown Boise. It reminds me a little of Boston's Haymarket for my Bostonian readers. There are produce and flowers galore. Then there is a section for artisans...paintings, jewelry, wind chimes made out of spoons! I was in love with this place. Shay bought this fiery Huckleberry Jalapeno jam. I just had a taste (because I am still dieting), but it was delicious! Spicy and sweet. Great combination.

Now the first day I was in Boise, Jim and Sherry took Shay and I to this restaurant downtown called The Fork. I loved the atmosphere, and the food was even better. I had the Bogus Bosc salad. It was named after Bogus, the tallest mountain here. It had Bosc pear, gouda cheese, candied hazelnuts, and a champagne vinaigrette. Yum! Anyways, I digress...I fell in love with their glasses. I was sipping my water and fascinated by the glass when I felt the bottom and it hit me. I was drinking out of a recycled wine bottle! I was mesmerized and I wanted to take it home with me. So we asked about them and come to find out The Fork supports local vendors and bought them from the market.

So here I am at the market and what do I find? My glasses! This vendor makes glasses out of recycled bottles: vodka, beer, wine, etc. And they are beautiful. I've always thought wine bottles were so pretty.

After the market, Shay and I returned home to make some cupcakes for Trevor's birthday. We made German Chocolate, which I am told is his favorite. We made the German chocolate cake, the caramel/pecan/coconut filling, and chocolate frosting. We added toasted coconut and an espresso bean on top. I must say they turned out pretty good. Here's a pic of the final product.

We went to a Brazillian restaurant for his birthday dinner. The whole time Shay and I kept thinking about that scene in the movie Bridesmaids and hoping that wouldn't happen to us. It didn't. The food was great.

I took a walk yesterday with Riley. First of all when you go to put her leash on she gets so excited to be going on a walk that she hugs you. You read that right. The dog hugged me. She jumps up and puts one paw on each shoulder and pulls you in and wraps her paws around your neck while snuggling her face next to yours. She hugs you. She can't possibly get any cuter! Anyways, I walked around the block and was reading the street signs. I live on Silver Salmon, then there was Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Spoonbill. I'm not a nature girl, but I love the idea of nature. Does that make any sense? I love that there are freaking huge mountains that are visible from any point in this city. I love that there are horses across the street that I have taken it upon myself to name: Strawberry, Storm, and Zachyus (don't ask). I love that I can buy farm fresh eggs from someone down the street and that just about everyone grows their own tomatoes. But I also love that I can go downtown and indulge my city girl side. I love the fact that I don't have to hike up those freaking large mountains to fit in around here. Can I also mention that the small portion of Kentucky blood that I have loves the fact that there is a race track down the road and I can hear the cars roar on the weekends. Boise...you're an interesting place.