Food Friday - Moonie's BBQ and Saigon Cafe

It's a two for one this week on Food Friday! We had an amazing food week with the 4th of July and with Marvin being off work on Wednesday night it meant an extra date night eating out for this girl! I'm really proud of my "eating to lower my blood pressure" plan for this past week and I feel like I was probably 80/20 good to bad ratio with my food choices and that's a doable percentage for me. I stayed on task with fresh/healthy/clean/protein and veg, fewer processed foods, etc. Did it lower my blood pressure? Not really. I had one normal blood pressure reading on Saturday and otherwise it's stayed high. Have I seen the doctor? Nope. We'll talk about that later.

Fun things first! On Tuesday night Marvin and I went to Wild Wings Cafe with two guys from his softball team, their significant others and some of their friends. I think there were nine of us in the party and it was busy and slow. We got there at 6:30 and by the time we were seated and fed it was 8:30 but it was fun to hang out and chat with everybody. I'm not a big wings person. When I go to Wild Wings I get the shrimp skewers which you can have with the same sauces as the wings. I went for ginger flavor and thai flavored. I ate the celery that came with Marvin's wings and I had fries on the side.

On Wednesday morning we slept in because... you know, day off (for him)... then we went to Moonie's Texas BBQ in Flowery Branch for an early lunch. You can click the link if you want to check them out. I had the pulled pork basket which comes with a pulled pork sandwich and a side... I had creamed corn. My dad makes the best creamed corn and I have a very high standard for the dish... and Moonie's is a close second to my dad's. The pork is amazing... lots of burnt ends (my favorite!). They have a Georgia Sweet sauce that I really love and of course, I had sweet tea to drink. It felt like a very patriotic meal for the 4th of July. Marvin had the same as me except he gets their pulled pork sandwich with slaw on it. I'm not a huge fan of slaw so... not for me. At Moonie's you order at the counter and then seat yourself. They were busy on Wednesday, lots of people were getting large to-go orders, I'm guessing for picnics and cookouts and such but it didn't take long for us to get our food and tuck into it. And of course, the nice thing is that you're then not obligated to tip because you've served yourself. The restaurant is clean and the counter service is friendly and generous. Definitely recommend them in you're in or around Hall County.

Little addition to this bit on Moonie's... Marvin said I have to tell you about their other sauces because he is a huge fan of Moonie's. They also have a Texas Red sauce that is vinegar based, a Carolina Gold that is mustard based and a Spicy sauce. I'm a fan of the Georgia Sweet because I don't like spicy and honestly, the Georgia Sweet is a bit spicier than the sweet sauce that I get at Sonny's BBQ and at North Georgia BBQ, just for comparison sake. I haven't tried Moonie's beef brisket because I'm mostly a pork bbq girl but Marvin says it's amazing. Anyways...

We went home and had a nice nap... yep, slept in and then napped... that's my kind of holiday! Then we went to dinner at Saigon Cafe in Buford near the Mall of Georgia. It's a Vietnamese / Thai / Chinese / Malaysian restaurant. Here's the thing... I loved the food and would very much love to go back and try lots of things from their menu. The menu is colorful and descriptive with big pictures of the food so you had a great idea of what you were getting which is so helpful when it's a cuisine you're not used to. I'd love to go back but the service was terrible. I've linked the online menu for you above. As a starter I had the goi cuon - slivers of boiled pork and shrimp fixed with vermicelli rice noodle, lettuce, bean sprouts and wrapped in rice paper. Dipped in a mixture of peanut and hoisin sauce. Marvin had thit nuong cuon - slivers of bbq pork mixed with vermicelli rice noodles, lettuce, bean sprouts and wrapped in rice paper.

pad thai

I didn't try his roll but mine was awesome. I really love basil rolls when I get Thai food and this was comparable to that. The peanut sauce was thick and sweet. Honestly, I could make a meal out of the rolls and maybe a soup or something. They had pho - which I have never tried and really would like to but it was so steamy hot outside that I couldn't imagine eating soup. Marvin had me try panang curry recently at our favorite little Chinese restaurant close to his house and I loved it so instead of going with something I would normally order, I was a bit adventurous and ordered the panang curry with chicken. Marvin ordered chicken pad thai. We asked the waiter to make mine less spicy and his more spicy. Apparently that was lost in translation in the kitchen because the curry came out really spicy and the pad thai, not so much. I tried to soldier through it but Marvin was a real gentleman and offered to switch entrees with me. He likes spice... me, not so much... so I had his pad thai and he had my curry and we were both happy!

panang curry. 

Our food came out quickly and despite the spice mix-up, both were really tasty, better than average for sure. But our waiter disappeared and we never saw him again. No refills, no "how is everything"... not even a bill. I found a pitcher of water and refilled our glasses - but there was no ice. Later I finally went and grabbed the first waiter I saw and said, "please, we have been abandoned, can you find our check so that we can leave?". The check came and there was no apology, no explanation... nothing. Honestly, if the service had been even fairly decent, this is a place I would ask to go back to frequently. There were lots of things on the menu that I would like to try, such as the pho. By the time we left the place was busier but by no means busy... there was no one seated anywhere around us. Maybe that was the problem? I don't know. I would just say... go there for the food because it was definitely a step above but be prepared to spend some time there, just in case.

When we left the Saigon Cafe we noticed that the Hot Fresh sign was lit up at Krispy Kreme and Marvin had a buy one dozen, get one dozen free coupon so... yes, please! Krispy Kreme was packed but it moved really quickly and everyone was in a friendly, chatty mood in line. We got two dozen glazed and it made for a nice dessert that night and breakfast in the morning. Marvin likes his donuts hot... I like mine a day old or so... so we both got exactly what we wanted.

On Thursday we slept in again (notice a pattern?) munched on donuts and then Marvin fixed hamburgers for our lunch. He used blackening spices and bacon bits with bleu cheese dressing and they were amazing! Then I was feeling out of sorts and thought I should go ahead and drive home while I felt well enough. It's not a bad drive - about 45 minutes.

When I got home Cosy was still here with her dad and she was so happy to see me! I held her and she laid her head on my shoulder and stayed there for like... five minutes. She's not really a big cuddler because she's an introvert so it was a special treat for me to just be able to hold her and get lots of love. She had been such a good girl for her dad all day. She seems to have turned the corner on the potty training thing and just all of a sudden is owning it. As long as we don't bug her about going, she will let us know when she has to go and she stayed dry all day for her dad. I'm super proud - and relieved. The trick seems to be putting her in undies instead of pullups and letting her decide when she needs to go. She had really gotten to the point that when we tried to put her on the potty on a schedule she would absolutely refuse and throw a fit and... just totally not cooperate. Letting her decide when she needs to go is working for her. Austin feels like she's totally potty trained now but I told him we still had to work on the whole poop situation. That's a whole 'nother issue!

Since I've gone from eating to pooping, I guess it's time to wrap this post up. I hope you are enjoying my Food Friday posts as they are definitely one of my favorite type posts to write! Have a great weekend! This is what I'll be doing... in the middle of this...

Reasons To Love Newman - I Mean, Monday

Sometimes do you feel like greeting Monday like they used to greet Newman on Seinfeld? Hello... Monday. You sorry worthless miserable day. (she says while still in her pajamas and in bed). For me... any day can feel like Monday because my view only changes when I'm down at Marvin's for our "weekend" which ends up being Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is his Monday and it's usually his longest day although they really worked him like a dog yesterday... something like 12 hours. I hear from him the least amount on Monday because he's working at the radio station and he can't like... just chat with me randomly throughout the day like he does on Saturday and Sunday.

But this blog is about me... so let's talk about my hatred for Monday. I only hate Monday in the context that I hate feeling how I feel today which has nothing to do with Monday and everything to do with pushing myself too hard and having a body that doesn't cooperate. I could feel as much contempt for any day I wake up feeling this way and it does happen on days besides Monday. However... this blog originated from the viewpoint of a working girl and no matter what's happening in your life, there are reasons to hate AND LOVE any day of the week... but I just happen to have focused on Reasons To Love Monday and so that is what we're going to do today... and I'm sorry it took me two long paragraphs to get to that point.

1. I think it's possibly not quite as hot as it has been around here. If you're suffering from the awful heatwave we've been having and you hate heat as much as I do... I'm so sorry! Hang in there! We're about to check off the 4th of July and then it's just a few more weeks of baking until Labor Day and we'll be well on our way to reasonable weather before you know it. Not wishing my life away... just wishing this heat away. I'm so tired of sticking to every surface I sit down on.

2. The best Reason To Love Monday for me today is that I have literally barely moved all day. The house has been blissfully quiet and what noise there was, I have drowned it out with my window a/c unit. I've stayed curled up like the Princess and the Pea on a stack of pillows and cushy blankets and I've just allowed my body to heal from the abuse it suffered over the weekend and from getting my sleep cycles and medicine cycles out of sync. Cosy is doing so great with going potty but when she announces "I have to teetee" I have about thirty seconds to get her to the ONLY POTTY she will use in our house which is on the top floor. It has the little ring insert so she doesn't fall in and it's the only potty she trusts. Twice on Saturday I had to take off running from outside and carry her (not so tiny) dripping wet swimsuit covered body up the stairs to the upstairs potty and get that wet swimsuit peeled off of her before she peed herself. Not good for my back.

3. This may take me a second to figure out how to make it a Reason To Love but... I got a call from the nurse at my doctor's office today. She was really angry at ME for saying my prescription didn't get called in on Friday when she specifically talked to the pharmacist at Walmart herself. I don't fill prescriptions at Walmart. Never have, never will. It's not in my file... and believe me, they ask me every single time I go in to see that doctor, "where do you get your prescriptions filled?" Rite Aid in Cleveland.  I didn't mention Walmart in any of the times I talked to her on Friday and... beyond that... I provided her with the phone number to MY PHARMACY about twelve times in the course of our conversations on Friday. I was really upset about the way things were handled on Friday and I'm still, honestly, not happy with what happened but it really made me want to curse and throw things when she said it was my fault for telling her to call it in to Walmart. I GAVE HER THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE CORRECT PHARMACY. She never would admit her fault and it's a touchy thing dealing with a pain doctor. They can drop you for any reason and once one doctor's office drops you, it's very difficult to find another who will prescribe pain meds for you. SO my Reason To Love Monday today is that I kept my cool on the phone with that lunatic who appears to have lost touch with reality and seems to forget that my insurance is helping to pay her salary.

Moving on.

4. I love Monday this week because on Friday I did a big food shop (previously mentioned) and prepared lots of good, healthy, fresh food that I have been able to enjoy all weekend and still have plenty for the next couple of days. Trying to figure out what to eat is never easy for me because ... tired ... pain ... no appetite... etc... so having food ready to eat already... it's like living at the Buffet! It makes me excited about putting together other healthy meals and eating fresh, whole food which is what I really prefer anyways!

5. That didn't stop me from sending money so that Austin can bring me home some fries from Creekside Deli because they literally have the best fries in all of White County. I know that's a bold statement but I'm prepared to stand behind it. Best fries in White County - Creekside Deli. Tell them Heather sent you.

6. On this day a year ago we had to take my mom to the hospital via ambulance and it was scary and sad and all those things. Two days later she was completely altered mentally and we never really got "her" back. I miss her so much. Last year this day was really hard and this year it's not and that's a great Reason to Love this day and any day you're not making life changing health decisions for someone you love.

7. I bought new shampoo and conditioner to try this week and I'm going to try it tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it. It's almost the time of year where I need to just give up on flat ironing my hair because it just really doesn't last long because the humidity makes a mess out of me. Marvin likes my hair, "big" but for me it's such a fine line between "big" and "messy"... we'll just see. But at least when I don't flat iron it, it smells better. The flat iron makes it really stink.

8. Austin had to miss work today on doctor's orders because of his staph infection but he's hoping to work tomorrow. I'm going to probably get Cosy tomorrow and let her hang out with me anyways. She gave her mama a hard time today but she's been really sweet for me. I do end up going up and down the stairs a gazillion times when she's here but she will also just sit forever and watch these weird toy opening / playing with toys videos on YouTube. Some of them are sort of educational - they teach colors and shapes and stuff. She's absolutely hooked on them. As long as she's still like that and not up and down the stairs all day, I can handle her. I enjoy her ALL of the time, no matter how tired I am or how bad I hurt but I have to be realistic about my limitations and it's not fair to Marvin for me to go down there already exhausted.

8 1/2 I ordered her a new pack of undies yesterday and they come tomorrow and there are so many little cute undies in it! She comes over in a pullup and I send her back in undies and they somehow never find their way back to my house so although I have probably bought three dozen pairs of little panties in the past year, I have zero left. Stocking up feels nice. And I'm glad we need to. And I'm glad I'm not buying diapers or pullups.

9. Reason to Love Monday number nine - tomorrow is DATE NIGHT! I have no idea what we're doing but Marvin isn't playing ball tomorrow night (he's taking the Summer off and maybe... a little longer) and he isn't working Wednesday night because of the 4th and so we're going to have lots of time together this week! As usual, I don't care if we stay in bed and watch tv for 48 hours straight as long as he feeds me once or twice a day. I sleep best at his house, I am most relaxed at his house and I miss him!

10. Anyone watching Big Brother this year? I was feeling a bit stressed because my favorite player is on the block this week but *spoiler alert* there's a thing that might save her and I'm really, really excited about it because it's too soon for her to go.

AND I guess that will have to do for this week. I hope you have a great week. It's a weird work week because some people are off all week and some are just off on Wednesday but... whatever you're doing, I hope it's a good week for you and that you're safe and cool and finding lots of Reasons to Love every day that comes your way! Love and hugs!

Random Quotes, Topics and Photos

I am honestly beginning to think that Cosy will never be potty trained. She is so completely resistant to it right now. Oliver picked it up in about a week or two but I've been working with Cosy for over a year. Girls are supposed to be the easy ones. Of course, she's with me maybe six hours a week. When her dad has her by himself he doesn't force the issue as much. Her mom and other grandparents are keeping her in pull ups - I think. Maybe that's just when she's going somewhere, I'm not sure. When I have her I put big girl undies on her and take her to the potty frequently. She doesn't like the interruption in her schedule but she does get proud when she goes. She has accidents but I never make a big deal of it. I just help her clean up and we go about our business.

I had the best nap today... and also yesterday. I don't have the easiest time going to sleep at night or staying asleep and lately I'm waking up too darn early. I used to never be able to nap during the day but lately I'm using this specific formula of the hum of the a/c window unit, my muscle relaxer (that I'm supposed to take three times a day but don't because it makes me sleepy) and something sort of boring on tv. I can sleep for two hours plus with that formula provided no one disturbs me. The bonus of being in the guest room is that nobody wants to come all the way up here most of the time. As Cosy says, "Pribe-acy".

Does anyone else put salt on their watermelon? Marvin says it's weird. He has sort of been hammering the Fried Shrimp Theory on me over the past few days. Basically... when going out for seafood I would always order fried shrimp because I knew I liked it until he had me try fried crawfish and I realized that I like it SOOOO much more than fried shrimp! The Fried Shrimp Theory is about trying things outside of your comfort zone and... it's true, I have spent most of my adult life - at least the past two decades - as a single woman and as a single woman I have eaten exactly what I wanted and watched what I wanted to on tv and only seen movies that appealed to me. Sure, I've missed some good ones along the way. Whenever Marvin has suggested that I watch something that the rest of the world has already seen, Silence of the Lambs, for example, I have been willing. There are probably a solid dozen movies I've watched in order to catch up with the rest of the world. But I've had to point out to him that I'm the one in our relationship who has gone outside of their comfort zone the most since we've been hanging out. For instance, Mamma Mia collected dust on his dresser for several months and he never ended up watching it. I picked it specifically for him because yes, it is a musical but it's a musical with ABBA music. Not exactly Oklahoma or The Music Man.... ROCK music. Well, pop music anyways.  He will say that he watched Sweeney Todd with me but really, he put it on so I would be entertained while he took a nap. He slept through most of it. I think it should work both ways... he needs to expand his horizons to some of the things that, as a man (single or otherwise) he might not have been as willing to do. Eat something besides fried shrimp!!  Although, truly, I'd rather keep some things sacred rather than have to experience them in the eyes of someone who doesn't love Musical Theater like I do. But salt on watermelon... that's just good eatin'.

Honestly, I think it's ok for us not to be clones of each other. Some of the music he likes... I'm just never going to get into. Some of the movies we've watched... eh, not my thing. Pulp Fiction - no thanks. It was too confusing since it's presented out of order. But I really loved Sling Blade and Shawshank Redemption and several other that we've watched.

I'm a hardcore creature of habit. I find something I like to eat and I'll eat it every day for four years (Luigi's Mango Italian Ice). I hear music I particularly like and I'll listen to it every time I'm in the car (Butch Walker... Les Miserables...). I don't think it's always a matter of teaching old dogs new tricks. I think sometimes, going back to something that you know is going to tickle your fancy is exactly what you need. Especially when things are not going well. I tend to control the things that I can control when other things are out of control.

I've been struggling for the past day or three with really bad back pain. With me, it's always something. My worst headache days this week were Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. My back started bothering me Wednesday night and has been better and worse off and on since then. It's definitely worse after I wake up from sleeping but I'm just so tired from not sleeping well because my back hurts. Same for me is just easier than having to mentally process different when all I can think about is what hurts. My blood pressure today was 140/95 so... borderline.

Poor Austin has this sore... we aren't sure if it started out as a pimple or ingrown hair or spider bite or what... but that thing is terribly infected and painful for him. He doesn't have health insurance but he may end up having to go to the ER to get an antibiotic for it. He's doing warm compresses and peroxide and neosporin and keeping it clean but ... ew. It's rough.

Oliver got to go to the Braves Game yesterday. I tried to catch a picture Friday night of him with his foam tomahawk doing the chop but he moves too fast for me! Here are two pictures where I missed...

 

And the cheesy picture his dad sent me from the game yesterday...


























A few quotes I collected over the past few days that I wanted to share with you... and also keep for my own remembering.

And I guess that's all I have for today. Hope you've had a great weekend! I have barely moved from my nest since Thursday afternoon and it may continue that way tomorrow, too.