Lusting after...

or these:

Which do you like better?

*First image from titlenine.com and second from Piperlime

Weekend Plans

Ahh it's that magic time of the week again, the weekend is before us and planning it out (for those type A'ers, ahem) is well under way. What's on the docket for my weekend?
Having RJ (Husband's) parents over for dinner. Well just the dad and step-mom, who are also incidentally our neighbors...long story. We haven't seen them in awhile and it should be a good conversation. I need to figure out what to make...hm.
Saturday I'd like to head to a spin class, that triathlon I stupidly signed up for a few months ago is frighteningly only 3 weeks away...AGH...hopefully I can get a run, bike and swim in this weekend.
I'd like to clean and run errands, rent a movie and relax the rest of the night.
Sunday we talked about heading up to Muir Woods to look around and try one of the dishes featured on "the best thing I ever ate". I'd love to hit up a farmers market somewhere in there.

The biggest thing on the docket this weekend in cleaning and preparing for the big "date"! We have these "friends" in the neighborhood, they are parents to Fenway's best doggy friend Stella and we have been trying to invite them over and losing the guts for weeks now. FINALLY I got the nerve up last night and they were excited. So on Monday we are hosting them for drinks. Of course I am determined to make this the best drinks/pseudo couple-date they've ever been on. Brian and Tim aren't going to know what hit them...new couple friends here we come! I have thrown around ideas, do we eat inside or out...cocktails or beer and wine? What kind of appetizers. I don't want to look like that woman that slaved all day for a "stop by for a drink" encounter...however I want them to walk away thinking they love us and can't wait to see us again. I'm thinking Strawberry, Manchengo wrapped in Prosciutto on either Figs or toasts. I made them before and RJ loved them. Is that enough? What about a pie...I could make one Sunday and have leftovers? too much?

Weather

Summer has finally hit out here after a chilly and unusually cold summer. This week we'll have 3 days of 90+ heat. Just in time for school starting and fall clothes. Oh well, I guess we should soak it up before the rain and grey is back! In honor of it still being summer here is a list of things I can't wait to fill my end of the summer heat wave with: 

Olallieberry Pie: 

Sangria:

Grilling Outside: 

*Ok, so this isn't my yard but I'd really love for it to be. Even with just a regular ol' grill outdoor cooking is still a blast. 


So I'll try to enjoy these last few heat wave days and not complain about the heat and my desire for sweaters, boots and all things cozy. In a few months I'll be begging for this heat. 


Images from: Cook, Eat, Share.com*Gourmet Gal.com*KitchenRemodelideas.com

Traveling

I am not a good traveler. It may even be said I am a horrible traveler. It wasn't always this way, in my last job I was traveling for months at a time on flights from Russia to Germany to Canada to Hong Kong. I would fall asleep the minute the plane took off and wake up when we were about to touch down. No heavy breathing, clutching the arm rests or panicky looks. Now, is a different story. I'm not sure what caused this change in traveling anxiety levels but it is not fun. Recently on a trip back from Hawaii (my least favorite kind of traveling is in a plane over lots and lots of water) I watched this woman in first class sit down, take off her high heels and slip on some chic flats, unpack this amazing Hermes scarf and pull out a kindle. She looked so comfy and glamorous. I looked down at my hooded sweatshirt, sneakers and airplane blanket and sighed. I am trying as a resolution not to think "if only I had that, life would be so much easier/better/happier" BUT seriously if I only had this:

Or these:

with this in my arms:

and a few of these:

Maybe I could handle all the flights I have coming up?

Images from Luzury Scarves.com, Zappos.com, UX hero.com, best of LongIslandPress.com

Popovers?

After a trip back to DC in early August I have been dreaming of these popovers. So fluffy and cheesy, ah amazing. They served them at BLT Steakhouse in lieu of bringing bread to the table. Genius! My dreams have lead to planning out the perfect time to make them, it's been so chilly here this summer that on a lazy Sunday morning these would be the perfect snack with coffee.

Popovers~ Makes 12

Ingredients
4 cups milk, warmed
8 eggs
4 cups flour
1 1/2 heaping Tbsp salt
2 1/4 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Popover pan

Preparation
Place the popover pan in the over. Heat to 350. Gently warm the milk over low heat and set aside. Whisk the eggs until frothy and slowly whisk in the milk (so as not to cook the eggs). Set the mixture aside. Sift the flour with the salt. Slowly add this dry mixture and gently combine until mostly smooth. Once combined, remove the popover pan from the over and spray with non-stick vegetable spray. While the batter is still slightly warm or room temperature (definitely not cool) fill each popover cup 3/4 full. Top each popover with approximately 2 1/4 tbsp of the grated Gruyère. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes, rotating pan half a turn after 15 minutes of baking. Remove from oven, remove from pan and serve immediately.

Image from Dallas News.com

Welcome

Welcome to Jus of Life. This will be a spot for all things savory and luxurious. Craving some creativity and "sauce of life" action I decided it was time to look outside my comfort zone and take a risk. This blog will chronicle the task of finding my "zestiness". Stop in to see my attempts at trying new things and stepping outside my comfort zone. Welcome, I hope you'll come along for the zesty journey.