An Italian Feast
Posted: December 12, 2010 at 3:24 pmWe had snow flurries here today!!! That calls for some excitement in Georgia. Especially before Christmas. And on our holiday filled weekend. I already told you all about my Christmas cookie exchange party on Friday night. Well, last night we had a holiday dinner with our friends from small group at church.
We all have kids in this group and decided that spending the evening out to dinner together sounded more appealing than any one person hosting a party. We all wanted to get out for an adults only evening and a nice dinner. I would say we succeeded.
For our dining venue we chose Maggianos to do the family style dining together. Plus, Italian tends to be a meal most everyone can agree on. I had never been to a Maggianos, but I was pleased with our meal. I was also pleased with my special beverage. I got a taste of an alcoholic drink! It was non-alcoholic, but tasted great – mint, lemon, raspberry sangria. Yes, I loved it that much.
We started with appetizers and salad – stuffed mushrooms, tomato caprese, and spinach salad. And of course, soft bread. I think I could have made a dinner out of the spinach mushrooms and spinach salad. Love.
The main course included traditional lasagna, a sausage angel hair pasta, mushroom ravioli, and a chicken dish. I put a sample of the sausage pasta, lasagna, and mushroom ravioli on my plate.
Last night was one of those times my stomach feels full very quickly, so I didn’t eat much of the main courses. I really only liked the mushroom ravioli anyways, so just ate the portion of that.
Dessert, though? I saved room. Cheesecake and tiramisu? Yes, please!
I could not have asked for a better evening. I was especially happy because Peter managed to make it to dinner. He flew up to New York and back yesterday. His grandmother’s health has started deteriorating even more and he decided it would be better to visit quickly to say his goodbyes rather than go up for the funeral, whenever that happens. I can’t travel at this stage, especially with all of my contractions, and he didn’t want to leave me for long, so he made a day trip of his visit. I hated not having the option or chance to go, but sometimes life just happens that way. I hope she knows that I care and have been praying for her. Prayers matter across any distance. I’m happy Peter got the chance to go, though.
Well, we will be heading out soon for another holiday evening. Part of which occurs outside. It should be interesting for this chick who hates the cold. Stay tuned for the fun, tomorrow!
- Do you like Italian food? What’s your favorite? I actually prefer my sauteed veggie bowls with a bit of pasta and lots of marinara over things you order at most Italian restaurants. I don’t like how heavy a lot of it tastes.
- A powerful quote to share - Prayer may not change things for you, but it for sure changes you for things. ~Samuel M. Shoemaker
Tags: Christmas, dining out, dinner, hanging out with friends
Peter must be one amazing guy. I can’t believe he made all that travelling work and still managed to not leave your side for too long. Your a lucky girl 🙂
I love Maggianos, but I always leave with that uncomfortable stuffed feeling. You know, the one that doesn’t go away until 2 days? Sounds like you have a wonderful small group!
Will be praying for Peter’s grandmother as well.
I managed to leave comfortably full somehow. My preggo stomach has limited capacity thankfully.
i adore italian food…SO good! and maggianos is one of my favorites. it’s where we ate for our first anniversary 🙂
You know, I’m actually not huge on pasta, so Italian isn’t my favorite. However, I can eat my way through a bread basket like a pro!
I hope Peter’s grandma is ok! What a great guy to make it to NY and to dinner.
The food looks delicious, especially the CHEESECAKKEE. I’m a sucker for that stuff. I used to make one and eat it for breakfast when I was in high school.
I feel like I’m the only person in the world who hates family-style dining…I just want my own meal!! Haha. That being said, the whole meal looks fantastic, especially the bread and the dessert!
Mmmm. I love lasagna…or spaghetti WITH my bread. I put a spoonful on my piece of bread and bite. Repeat. Probably not the prettiest thing to watch me do…but you have to love someone enjoying their food!
The snow was beautiful while it lasted. Sounds like a great night with adults! I love a lot of veggies in my Italian food and I love the bread with rosemary! Have a good time tonight and try to stay warm!
They closed down Stone Mtn for the weather. Boo!
I haven’t had Italian in ages, and now you have me craving it!
I’m sorry you and Peter are going through a rough time. Your words about prayer are really inspiring!
Who doesn’t love Italian? I agree it seems to be the easiest to agree upon and while I love it, I long for the general public to get equally as excited for other ethnic foods!
We’ve had a lot of snow this weekend. It started Friday night and stopped Saturday afternoon. We didn’t want to risk driving up north, so I missed the wedding that I was looking forward to. My sister left Friday night with friends, though, so some of our family (and church) were represented. 🙂
I’m eating lasagna tonight! Our youth are sponsoring a lasagna dinner after the kids’ Christmas program. Yum! I like lasagna. Like, a lot. 😀
Another quote about prayer that I found a couple years ago:
“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” ~Soren Kierkegaard
I really, really like that quote. I find that to be so true. I have always tried to think of prayers answered not in a way that changes circumstances right away, but powerful in that it gives you inner strength to deal with them.
Thoughts for strength for you and Peter and family through this hard time. God bless!
That drink looks yummy even alcohol-free! I love italian food, but I definitely feel overly full when I get done my meal ha! Prayers for Peter’s grandmom 🙁
Yummy sounding sangria. I love tiramisu. Yep, being Italian, I think it’s mandatory that I love Italian food 😉
So sorry to hear about Peter’s grandmother.
What a fun get together!! I love italian and lasagna is my favorite!! I am so sorry about Peter’s grandmother. Keep us updated.
YUM! Maggiano’s is so good!! I’m glad for your fun-filled festive weekend! I am, though, so sorry about Peter’s grandmother. How sad. I’m very sorry to hear it.
I love the quote. So true! 🙂
Peter’s grandmother is in my thoughts and prayers and I hope everything turns out ok. I’m very sorry to hear about her health.
Looks like you had a great night! We have Maggiano’s here in Jacksonville (actually one of my sorority sisters works there), but I have never tried it! I should one day! 🙂 Looks tasty!
i love italian food, but i like a real old school italian the best. i just learned how to make kick ass gravy and meatballs and i find them heavenly…..nothing is really healthy healthy but i like it all..
Maggiago’s is my all time favorite italian restaurant! We go there every year for Easter – always the family style! Last year was my first time there after finding out that I was gluten free, so the chef came out and personally designed a dish just for me. It was PERFECT! I love their spinach salad – it’s the best!
I love Maggiano’s!! We have one in walking distance from here — they are so gluten free friendly as well! I love the caprese salad that you had on you plate… sometimes I just order that with a salad for my whole dinner and it’s scumptioous!
oh I love a good italian feast. I usually don’t get it though, unless we’re at a gluten free pasta place. We have one here in Austin and we go there A LOT just for the GF pizza, ravioli, and more!!
What a merry time with great people.
LC
Maggiano’s is the BEST! So jealous of your yummy meal.
You are absolutely glowing in the photo!
p.s.
So glad the peter was able to visit his grandma during this time. I am in the same situation so I know how it feels.
That all looks so good. I think my favorite Italian food is ravioli … especially mushroom and cheese stuffed ravioli. Mmm.
But I’d never turn up my nose at those desserts!
Sounds like we have similar tastes. 😀
I am huge believer of the power of prayers, I really like that quote!
I love Italian food, love the marinara sauce and spaghetti. Eternal combination 🙂
I love Italian food. I just started eating gnocchi and it is super good. I try to stay away from pasta as much as I can, but I do like to eat it on occasion.
glad you enjoyed your drink. it’s the little things. Really, they make ALL the difference 🙂
My prayers are w/ peter’s g’ma!
Italian food..no, per the garlic/onion dislike i told you about the other day…not an italian food fan!
I do like Italian food, but I usually only choose to eat it if it’s at a special place, with homemade pasta or something. I don’t do Olive Garden or anything like that. I like eggplant rollatine & homemade raviolis, yum!
Fun! 🙂
Whenever I am pregnant, I’m sure I’ll enjoy mocktails all the time. I drink them now and hardly miss the liquor!
You look great, btw!!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family! I’m sure Peter’s grandmother can feel your love and prayers, even if you can’t travel to be right by her. HUGS!
I so agree that Italian is usually the best idea for big-group outings. Vegetarian? No big deal. Need to OD on carbs? Superb. In the mood for meat? It’s everywhere.
I do love Italian food, but I definitely prefer authentic Italian to American Italian…American Italian just feels…so heavy, like you said.
Sounds like fun. I am not a huge Italian food fan. I like it when Italian restaurants have mussels with marinara (Maggiano’s does!), that’s my favorite.
I love Italian food! I could alternate it and Mexican food every night 😀
I love minestrone soup and tiramisu! My favorites 🙂
I love italian food! The cheesecake and tiramisu look delicious. What a fun get together 🙂
I am italian, so yes, i do love it 🙂
so many christmas festivities!
sorry to hear about your husbands visit. You are so strong.
Oh man! Everything looked SO good!!!!!
Jen
Oh man I love Maggiano’s in a major way. My fav is their spinach salad with the bleu cheese and purple onions. It’s delicious!
I love Italian food — and you are so right, everyone can find at least ONE Italian dish that they like.
I love mounds of pasta covered in marinara sauce, but my favorite is ravioli — its a “fun” food to eat and they are so cute 🙂
I am so bummed I missed the snow.
Maggiano’s is divine. Great pics:) Glad you could be with friends and family:)
I adore Italian food. My mother is Italian so I always grew up with the best, homemade pasta sauce, homemade meatballs, chicken parm, ziti, etc. I could eat it all the time! Though I’m sure my waistline would disagree…Your dinner is making me hungry!