Sunday Update

It's Sunday and I'm sad that the weekend is coming to a close. It's been a really good weekend mostly because it felt totally normal. Okay, so in the past, pre-baby, we probably would have slept a lot later than 7am. But, getting up early is unexpectedly nice. We've been going to the beach first thing, which is just lovely in the morning. Today we even met up with Laura and her son, Joaquin, for a little while. Of course, Damien had to leave us to go get a facial at the Delano's spa, Aqua. Fancy, right? I had given him a gift certificate for his birthday a couple of months ago so it's about time he took advantage of it. It's something he enjoyed when we were on a break from Iraq. We'd always hit the Dead Sea after a tour and pamper ourselves. So, this facial at the Delano was a way to remember what we were like before the baby.

We braved the unpredictable baby mood swings with an outing to Coconut Grove to meet up with some friends at Scotty's Landing. It's a wonderful dockside spot behind the Grove Harbor Marina. We shared some peel-n-eat shrimp and Damien had a burger. They have Newcastle on tap there, so I like it! And since it is outdoors and casual, it's a great spot for kids.

So, while it is sometime really difficult to get everyone out the door, both outing were well worth the effort. It's great to connect with friends, especially those going through similar things - like dealing with sometimes cranky, unpredictable babies.

I'd also like to update on the Chicken with Mango and Peach Salsa. You know, it was pretty good!! Really tasty. I marinated it for about an hour. When you sear it, or anything for that matter, make sure you get the pan really, really hot. I test it by sprinkling a bit of water on it. If the water immediately sizzles and evaporates, you are good to go. Also, before I put the chicken in the oven, I put a little bit more, spoonfuls of the chunky salsa on it for the texture. I also covered the baking dish with some aluminum foil until the last 5 minutes so that it would stay moist. It worked. The only thing I think I would change next time is to make it with beans and rice rather than the regular chicken flavored that I made. And again, I wonder if it would have been even better with a bone-in piece of chicken.

On Sunday's we have a tradition of ordering pizza. We usually order a half Hawaiian, half peperoni and mushroom large pie (ordered well done because, according to Damien, the pineapple on the Hawaiian half causes the whole pizza to undercook) and a Greek salad from Pizzafiore (on 71st Street in Miami Beach). Since we are from New York, we don't really think the pizza in Miami can compare, but Pizzafiore is not bad.

Tomorrow morning, look for a recipe prep for another dinner this week - Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass. Ooooh-la-la!