Snowed/Iced In After Christmas

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  I have finally returned from my 4 month sabbatical from blogging!  It's about time, huh?!  Yes, I have been a total slacker when it comes to taking time to post about my dining/cooking experiences, but I can assure you that my absence certainly did not stem from any lack of eating out! (Sorry Mom! Hahaha :P).  Life has been super busy, but mostly a good kind of busy!  And now a snow/ice/wintry mix storm has forced me to cancel breakfast, lunch, and dinner plans with good friends today, so alas I am stuck inside with no place to go...so, what better time to catch up on my blogging?  There's no better time than the present, I suppose!

So, let's start with a recap of some of the awesome meals/restaurants that I've experienced over the past 4 months since my last post...

DECO Ristorante in the Fan, Richmond, VA
Sept. 17, 2012

Vegetarian lentil dish over injera - Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant, Harrisonburg, VA
October 12, 2012

Appetizer: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup w/ gingersnap
Julep's New Southern Cuisine, Richmond, VA
October 23, 2012

Entree: Pimiento Mac & Cheese w/ mushrooms, asparagus, & spinach
Julep's New Southern Cuisine, Richmond, VA
October 23, 2012

As if the soup and mac & cheese weren't already filling enough...delicious White and Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Bourbon Anglaise for dessert! :)
Julep's New Southern Cuisine, Richmond, VA
October 23, 2012

Penne a la Vodka - Portico Restaurant & Bar, Richmond, VA
November 2, 2012

Veggie Lasagna entree w/ Housemade Guacamole appetizer
Toast New American Gastropub, Richmond, VA
December 7, 2012

Local Wheatberry & Couscous Cakes w/ basil aioli, Sweet Potato Risotto, and the infamously delicious Chevre Mac & Cheese
LOCAL Chop & Grill House, Harrisonburg, VA
Belated Birthday Dinner with the Fam - December 8, 2012

Okay, I suppose that's enough torture for right now, seeing as how most of you are probably in the same boat as me...snowed in without the ability to go order these yummy meals after the photos likely made you want to take a bite out of your computer screen.  Of course, there's always the option of making them at home, but again, like me, you probably didn't think to go grocery shopping for ingredients beyond what you needed for Christmas dinner, right?  Or maybe you're much more prepared than I am and you're whipping up an amazing meal right now!  Props to you if that is indeed the case!

In the meantime, I'm off to browse through my new Vegetarian Pleasures cookbook (many thanks for such a fantastic and appropriate gift Aunt Suzanne! :)  Hopefully I will find time in the new year to try out lots of the awesome recipes, and then actually remember to take pics and post them here.  Maybe that should be one of my new year's resolutions, since my gym going ones usually seem to fizzle out by mid-February. Haha.

Take care and Happy New Year!!!