Birthday Goals and Wishes!

So, today is my birthday! I'm a little late posting my goals for June, but they are quite simple. HAVE FUN!

I've let go of some of the extra jobs until the fall to enjoy my summer. Time with the family, friends, and just relaxing with the new BF.


Fun indeed!!!

Happy May Day- May 1- GOAL LIST

So, each month I always have a list of goals- goals that I can see and track.

Lose 5 pounds
Go to Bar Amp class
Get a full-time job and stop contracting
Get 4 new freelance clients
Run 10 miles
Go to yoga 5 times
See family weekly

Everything is always quite specific. This month, I'm getting away from specific.  I'm talking in general terms in hopes that generally speaking will make these items easier to do and make my good life great.

I tape up my goals in my dressing area in my closet.

Here goes...

May 2013 Goals

- Run More

- Eat Less

- Be happy with each day

- Be productive in each day

- Open your heart

- Be less annoyed

- Accept what is, change what isn't

engchik's May 2013 Goals- what are yours!?!?

Do you make a goal list?

What does it say?

Let me know your goals for May!

Don't Miss the Taste of Phoenixville Thursday Jan 17

Phoenixville has it all- history, great restaurants and bars, entertainment, good people and generations of families. This town helps each other out, and when you attend the annual Taste of Phoenixville event, you’ll be helping an amazing cause and have fun while doing it!

Phoenixville’s best restaurants bring together the area’s best food, wine, beer and desserts to offer a night you won’t forget! Proceeds from this event support the Good Samaritan Shelter. This excellent event will be held at the Phoenixville Foundry, a place of history and strength, and no better place to hold this.

The Good Samaritan Shelter helps men in the Phoenixville area to find work, save money and move into their own place as soon as possible. The Good Samaritan Shelter is a Christian ministry that provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless men, women and women with children in the communities we serve. There are shelters in both Phoenixville (serving men) and Ephrata (serving women and women with children). The shelters aim to help the residents help themselves, and this is the goal of the residents to get a helping hand and move on to create the next chapters in their lives. 

The event came about 11 years ago when supports wanted to create an event that brings people together, enjoy each other’s company and guests could sample foods in the area. The event has tremendously grown over that period of time. Each year the event keeps growing and lending support. Over 30 restaurants are lined up, says Nate Hoffer, Executive Director, “And they are ready for this great event!”

Thursday night will offer the best in the area’s foodstuffs to support an amazing cause. Plus, attendees will hear from two of the shelter’s residents sharing their stories at the Taste of Phoenixville. You will be able to hear directly how your support changes lives.

Taste of Phoenixville will be held Thursday January 17 from 6-10pm at the Phoenixville Foundry. Its proceeds will support the Good Samaritan Shelter and will feature over 30 area restaurants with delicious edibles.

Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 6pm - 10pm. Buy your tickets online at http://www.TasteOfPhoenixville.com/.

Special thanks to Nate Hoffer and his team for this amazing event! Stay tuned for more great events from the Good Samaritan Shelter.

Happy New Year!! marTini Tuesday!

To 2013- lucky 13!

Try the Movie Tavern's martini trio: Eggnog, Peppermint Icicle, and Cinnamon Apple. Creamy, sweet and delicious- you can't go wrong!!

The eggnog was my favorite - spicy and creamy, definitely a holiday favorite.

The peppermint martini was cool creamy and minty - with crushed peppermint candies on the rim.

The apple cinnamon had a bite! Wooo sharp apple spicy flavor!

I saw Les Mis. So amazing!

Happy New Year on marTini Tuesday!!

The Mussel Bar at Revel

So, I am sure you have heard the saying, DO AC. After Hurricane Sandy- the whole of the New Jersey and New York got hit pretty hard. Jersey and NY are rebuilding, slowly but surely, so go and give some love to those places you care about.

What better place to start than Atlantic City? AC got hit hard, with destruction of homes, businesses and a boardwalk. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Atlantic City has picked itself back up to let the world know that you can still DO AC.

So, I started with the Mussel Bar & Grille at Revel. revel is amazing, and the food there...well, you must go!

 

 

We sampled environmentally friendly mussels from PEI. The Mediterranean mussels were outstanding: cilantro, warm goat cheese in a smoky tomato broth. Accompanied by fresh crusty bread, this dish was both simple and filling, with lots of fresh flavor. I had no idea mussels could taste so good! There are many flavors you can try your mussels in too- white wine, wild mushroom Gruyère, among others. 

 

 

Along with chicken, ribs, scallops and other fresh seafood and fowl, specialty soups and cheeses, the Mussel Bar has great food and drinks in a warm atmosphere. The vibe is funky and fun, and the open kitchen makes for some interesting chef-watching.

 

We also sampled lobster rolls, falafel sliders, onion tartlets, hummus and oysters. Each selection of food was original and fresh, and I can't wait to go back!

 

 

 

 

Chef Robert Wiedmaier opened the Mussel Bar & Grille in April, 2012 at Revel. The first Mussel Bar is in the Washington metro area. The Mussel Bar & Grille at Revel includes live performances and fantastic open kitchen to showcase the delicious food prep. Paying homage to Wiedmaier’s roots, Mussel Bar & Grille calls upon inspiration from an old-world Belgian roadhouse serving beer, moules and frites along with simple grilled meats and seafood.  This menu serves up sophisticated comfort food accompanied by Belgian beers and fine wines, champagnes and cocktails.

Special thanks to Meg Meg Mendelsohn of simoneink and to Jennifer Lyon, Manager, Mussel Bar, Revel, Atlantic City, for their amazing help and hospitality pulling this together- I thank you!!

 

Merry Christmas - marTini Tuesday!!

Merry Christmas from Engchik Eats!! Very quick as I'm having a glorious day with family- you must try the Candy Cane martini from the Fenix on Bridge street in Phoenixville.

So warm and sweet! Made from peppermint schnapps, half n half, creme de mint and Absolut Vanilla, and garnished with crisp candy canes, this is a wonderful holiday treat.

Bartender extraordinaire Freddie whipped up this glorious connection for me while my gentleman friend M enjoyed some fine German beers, as Fenix is a full service bar with a very warm vibe and a mellow atmosphere.

Try it out. And have a very merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Wonder: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ again surprised and delighted me this weekend at the Academy of Music. The Pennsylvania Ballet has outdone themselves. This year I took a friend who has never been to the ballet and he quite enjoyed it. The setting, the music, the costumes, all melded perfectly to create a gorgeous night of music and art in motion.

Now in its 25^th year, the Pennsylvania Ballet’s performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is running until December 30, 2012 at the Academy of Music and  is presented by First Niagara.

“Pennsylvania Ballet first performed George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ back in 1987, and 25 years later it remains our most beloved production,” says Artistic Director Roy Kaiser. “The brilliance of Mr. B’s choreography, the timeless story and score, and spectacular sets and costumes make this ballet a must-see every year.”

I always love both acts, for different reasons. The first act always excites me because I love the feeling of family and friends at Christmas Eve, with a large house and the grand hall and beautiful costumes, and the children playing. You really feel the excitement of awaiting the gifts and the camaraderie of good friends around you. It reminds me of my Christmas Eve, and how lucky I am to have a good life with family and friends.

The second act is exciting because of the treats and the grandeur of the set that the artists perform on, and you really get to set the ballerinas dance their strong and graceful hearts out. This is a wonderful event for the family and friends, and really gets you into the Christmas spirit. It is a tradition, and I never miss it!

 

Plus, during intermission: two couples got engaged! Those ladies said YES!

Pennsylvania Ballet is proud to partner with The Salvation Army. At performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, audience members are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. Once collected at the theater, these toys will be distributed to families across the Delaware Valley throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Starting at just $20, tickets to all 23 performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ at the Academy of Music are on sale now. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ performances at the Academy of Music:
Thursday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 23 at noon and 5 p.m.
Monday, December 24 at noon
Wednesday, December 26 at noon and 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 27 at 2 p.m.
Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 30 at noon and 5 p.m.

Groups of 10 or more get discounts and great seats!

Ask about backstage tours, special talks with staff and dancers, and dining options near the theater for your group. For tickets and more information, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org.

Artists of Pennsylvania Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.
All photos by Alexander Iziliaev.

Special Thanks to Marissa Montenegro, Public Relations Manager, Pennsylvania Ballet.