Belated Recap

Although the holiday weekend seems like ages ago, We had such an amazing time I just have to share! 

This was my first 4th of July that wasn't spent home in Chicago, and although I missed it terribly, there was something so powerful about being in Philadelphia for this holiday.  This is where it all started! 

And we did go to the all-you-can-eat ice cream fest...which was so yummy!

We also spent some time in Chinatown, at a Philly Pops concert, and of course at the parade and fireworks!

We spent time with good friends and ate lots of good food, so it was clearly a fabulous weekend.

Festive pedicure & picnic while waiting for the Philly Pops in front of Independence Hall



A red white and blue breakfast made by the hubs



Celebrating in Chinatown with my friend Grace and her +1





Not quite sure how they got this giant truck through the city for the parade





A bit of history



A rootbeer float from Capo Giro





Fireworks as seen from University City



St. Patty's Day Recap

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!
I will be using random.org to choose the winner and posting it tonight!


So although I mostly identify as being Italian, I do have some Irish in me as evidenced by my freckles upon freckles that show up in the summer time.  Plus, any holiday where the whole deal is to wear kitschy green outfits and drink a bunch can't be all bad right?  So this year my St. Patrick's Day included my first EVER Shamrock Shake...apparently I just haven't lived until now.

And they do taste like Mylanta if you don't drink them right away...yum?

St. Patty's Day was also Resident Assistant Selection Day (which is one of the LOOOONNGEST and most tedious days of the year) and so in order to dull the pain a little and motivate my colleagues to keep plugging I made a Guinness Chocolate Cake using the recipe from THIS POST. 

I made some icing using Bailey's instead of milk (Start with about half a cup of powdered sugar and add the Bailey's/Milk/Cream SLOOOOWLY stirring constantly until the icing is runny enough to pour onto your cake, but sticky enough to stay on the cake).

Rave reviews from my co-workers so I vote a yumtastic success.  The gold sprinkles on top were a nice touch too if I do say so myself.  *Pats self on back*

We also went out for some Irish Car Bombs (the drink, don't worry).  And so it was a good night had by all.  Sean has been corning his own beef....no, seriously you can actually do that....yeah, I didn't know either.  And that turned out delicious!

But do you know what the best part of St. Patrick's Day is?  The fact that St. JOSEPH'S DAY is right around the corner, so wear some red and pass me a zeppole!  Yum!