BOOTH 13

A couple years ago I found out that I have GERD. GERD is a fancy name for heartburn. Actually it's also a lot more than that, but this isn't a medical blog, it's about food, and today it's about a drink. My most favorite drink of all. No, I don't mean beer. Wait, do I!?! I do love beer, but an equal part of my heart belongs to coffee. And today- we're talking joe! It's the most popular consumed beverage in the world, aside from water. Ok, that's a lie, but that's what coffee lovers would have you think and I'll bet you wouldn't be surprised if I told you that that was true. Because coffee isn't just a drink. It's a way of life for many. (BTW- in case you're wondering. It's tea. Tea is the most popular drink in the world, aside from water, which has no equal.)  So why did I tell you that weird fact about having GERD? Because when I found that out, the number one thing I was told to cut out, aside from carbonated drinks,...

Through many of the most important times of my life, one name stands out above all... a name I knew I could always count on... the great love of my life... Benny. Or actually, it's called Benny's. Benny's Restaurant & Tequila Bar to be specific. (Don't worry, Jon knows.) I'm not sure words can describe my love for this place, but let's give it a whirl, shall we?!? Benny's was there during some of the most impactful moments and times in my life. After moving to Denver, Benny's was the first place that I researched, sought out and brought friends to on my own, instead of being along for the ride to places others were choosing. Jon and I had our first date there. Benny's was the backdrop of many nights during the time we were falling in love. Benny's is where we were when we decided we would officially be an "us." We went there for our anniversary every year we lived in Denver. We conceived our child after a night out at Benny...

Before we get started here, I just want to say thank you. I am truly overwhelmed by the thought that even one person would take the time to read these words and join me in this fun little escapade here, let alone so many!?! Thank you so much to everyone who in the last several months has asked, "when is your next blog?" "when will we hear from you again?" It's sometimes hard to find time to write, but I do very much enjoy sharing my, hopefully helpful and somewhat snarky, insights, so... let's continue, shall we?

Our week resumes with... Wednesday - We ate at home. Just when you were thinking, "man, I knew these two were fat, but..." We're not that crazy. We don't eat out EVERY night.  Thursday - 3B for  Metro Lutheran Ministry  at  Boulevard Brewing Co. Look, if you live here, you know how awesome Boulevard is. Even if you don't live here- if you've had Tank 7 and The Calling (and/or many of the others), you know how awesome Boulevard is. We went down early and went to the Beer Hall. Wow. What a GREAT spot. Thanks to D.J. and Lori for the great company too!  The advertising for this event went something like, "Basketball, BBQ and Beer, our second favorite trinity." How can you not love an event with that advertising! This is a really fun event that raises funds and awareness for MLM's emergency food pantries in KCMO, KCK and North KC. MLM is doing great things in Kansas City and we are honored to be a part of this great organization.  ...

I remember the first time Emery flew on his own. We walked him to the gate, gave him upwards of 90 somewhat nervous hugs and then watched him walk down the jetway until he was out of sight. At which time, I burst into tears. I remember there was a nice young man in a cast waiting to pre-board and he said, "oh wow, mom, you're like, legit crying." Well, as time has passed, the crying has stopped, the nervousness has declined a touch and the excitement... has grown. This is the week that Jon and I get to just be Jon and Jeanine, husband and wife, not mom and dad. We have date night every night and we reconnect. With food. And beer. Oh yeah- and with each other! This year, I was at work when Emery left. 4 hours and 20 minutes later: And so our week begins. :) Friday - Stockyards Brewing Co. tap takeover at The Lone Elm Taproom Stockyards is great. Highly recommend going to the brewery. Although a nearby tap takeover at one of our favorite spots is super c...

Now, what kind of KC girl would I be if I didn't weigh in with some thoughts about barbecue? Barbeque? BBQ? No matter how you spell it, if you live here, you'd better have an opinion on it. The amount of time between Jon finding out he was being transferred to Kansas City and the day the moving truck showed up was about 3 weeks. During that time of telling our fellow Coloradans we were moving to Kansas City, the response almost certainly was, "well, I hear they have good BBQ there." We must have heard this upwards of 30 times in those 3 weeks. We heard this so much that one day I overheard my 4 year old son say to my neighbor, "yeah, I hear they have good BBQ there." Within 48 hours though, we began to make the rounds. Our first stop was Arthur Bryants, where I first began to embarrass my family with professing my love for sausage. (I have been known in the past 7 years to say things like, "that's some good-looking sausage," "I LOVE sa...

Lone Elm Taproom is a place that Jon and I have spent many happy hours at, and a place we've sent many people to. For the longest time it had THE best happy hour in town- 1/2 off all beers and all the beers are local. Or mostly local. The furthest I think I've seen is maybe from as far away as Schlafly or Lucky Bucket, but mostly it's Boulevard, Torn Label, Martin City, KC Bier, Free State... you know, all the staples. And speaking of staples, they had pretty good food specials each day too. Then, a couple weeks ago, Jon and I plan a special pilgrimage to this little gem of a bar, tucked inside the Whole Foods on 119th in Olathe. We decided to also grab a bite to eat from the prepared, and will prepare for you, food area, conveniently located right next to the bar, then we'll do a little grocery shopping when we're done. We walked into the bar, checked the specials board and stood there like we just witnessed an accident. What the hell happened to the specials!?!...