Life in the Bristolwood

After our totally awesome experience eating at Aladdin’s the other day,  I have been thinking about goodies to make at home.  I get tired of making the same old stuff all the time, but ruts get rather comfortable sometimes!

I had placed some chicken and veggies in some Teriyaki sauce that I  I wanted to make into  some shish-kabobs. I tried to think about something that was “light” to eat with them and was having a tough time trying to come up with something.  Suddenly, I thought…pitas!  Not that I *had* any pitas.  Well, living in this great technological time,  I looked online and found a recipe to make your own pitas! Terrific!! Or, maybe….

I whipped the dough up in the magical Kitchen Aid food processor.  Ah, so lovely to have a machine that will knead dough on command!  There are times when kneading dough is therapeutic, but with my stomach growling and three others looking for something to eat,  I opted for fast!

As the dough was proofing in the oven,  I put together the shish-kabobs to grill outside.  When the dough was ready, I was truly amazed at how easy making the pitas was.  They bake for a grand total of only seven minutes, so they are quick once the mixing and proofing part is done.

So, using the camera on my cell phone yet again,  how do you think I did?

This is my Greek Salad with lettuce, onion, black olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese topped with my own dressing made with Balsamic Vinegar.  The salad was certainly a hit!

Yeah, my shish-kabobs got a tad charred and Mark said the chicken was overcooked.  I didn’t think mine was, but a little blackening on my food doesn’t bother me.   The chicken was less than dry, so Michelle and I gave it a thumbs-up!

The pitas?  They were fabulous!  Ben decided he loved them so much, he cut one in half and made a turkey sandwich with it.  He claims he doesn’t like shish-kabobs.  Well, I know he isn’t fond of peppers and mushrooms, so I guess that’s just Ben.  I made a total of ten pitas and now, there are three left.  I guess the pitas were indeed a hit!

We ate a late lunch and now that it is almost dinner time, I am far from hungry!  No one else seems too interested in eating either.  So, I guess this adventure would be rated a success!

Okay, after the last post, I promise this one will be short! 

Mark and I were clueless about what folks do when their kids are busy!  (Okay, so that is a slight exaggeration, as we had an agenda that included running to Henrietta for a quick trip to Sam’s Club.)  Mark decided to take the long way from Victor, which meant going through the picture-perfect town of Pittsford.

As Mark drove along the road,  a thought suddenly popped into my head!  I remembered Carly telling me about a charming restaurant she frequents with her mother-in-law and her kids that sits right on the Erie Canal.  As I explained to Mark, he listened and made the appropriate turns that lead to the unique “village” of shops located there.  Mark became a little frustrated, however, trying to figure out where one parks a pickup truck in a tight area.  Also, it seemed a bit of a challenge to spot handicapped parking.

After circling around a bit,  we finally found a place that wasn’t designated for a specific business and we were off and on our way to the restaurant.  (Now, I must explain that not wanting to feel like a total tourist on vacation,  I lovingly secured my Nikon camera in its bag and tucked it under the seat. This was a little unsettling, but I have been encouraging myself to learn to take “better than good” photos with my cell phone. ) Thus, my purse, containing my cell phone wnt with us to the restaurant.

We were seated on the lower level of the restaurant,  sitting only a few feet from the Erie Canal!  It was so beautiful and I can’t imagine how the scenery could have been any more pleasing! The next two photos are of Aladdin’s Natural Eatery at Schoen Place.

Mark and I ordered and while awaiting our food to arrive, I asked Mark if it would be rude for me to walk around for just a little bit.  Mark told me to go ahead, so I walked just a few yards along the canal.  This was so beautiful and I felt like I could have walked for miles! Of course, the abundant plantings hanging from the street lamps just added to the nearly magical atmosphere!

There are cute little packet boats leaving at designated times, taking tourists on a trip along the canal.

Feeling so pleased with our little find,  I retreated back to the table with Mark.  Shortly after arriving at the table,  our food was served.  As Mark and I sat eating our big and delicious Greek salads and appetizer plate,  the little boat Sam Patch made its way past us.  Delightful. 

Mark and I were totally pleased with our experiece at this restaurant.  The food was plentiful, delicious, and the price was astronomical!  I don’t know when Mark and I have enjoyed ourselves in a very long time!

After our meal, Mark and I went to the small kiosk where tickets are sold for the Sam Patch. We discovered that although that particular boat doesn’t have access for a wheelchair,  there is another boat near Rochester that does.  The name of the boat is the Mary Jemison.  Perhaps that name rings a bell, as that is the name of the “white woman of the Genesee” whom I mentioned when we last visited Letchworth State Park. 

I think I am feeling yet another adventure coming on in the not too distant future!