Jun 21st, 2009 by jenna

I’m very happy to say that today went great, or as good as it could possibly go. Of course we were all thinking about my brother but we managed to stay busy and have the best time possible. John wouldn’t want us sulking around and we did our best to honor him.

Here we are!

The accident, in a way, has made my entire family much closer. My dad and I will always share that (sad) bond of being the ones with John as he breathed his last breath. Was that not even two months ago? I feel like I’ve aged about 15 years in the past 50 days.

Anyways, I had my parents over to MY house for a change tonight and they welcomed it! We made really fun strawberry martinis and I cooked a fabulous dinner. The cocktails were my mom’s idea and all you really do is “marinate” strawberries with powdered sugar and then puree the mixture in the blender. Mix with a shot of vodka and top with club soda and a basil leaf. SO unbelievably tasty!

I had two of these because these glasses were so teeny-tiny. Each martini glass only held about 1/4-1/3 cup of cocktail!

Yummy!

And for dinner, I made one of our favorites— caramelized scallops with smoked chili cream sauce from The Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard cookbook (one of my favorites!).

My mom and dad got potato pancakes but I chose a sweet potato instead. This is the easiest recipe ever but so tasty! Pretty healthy, too, since I used only a bit of olive oil to caramelize these suckers and reduced fat sour cream in the sauce. I wasn’t stuffed afterwards, which is a good sign of a balanced healthy meal!

I SO wished I would have had time to make a fun Father’s Day dessert but since I didn’t, we each had a little ice cream instead

This is the last of the So Delicious mocha almond fudge coconut milk “ice cream” and, to be honest, I’m glad its gone! This still is like crack to me and I was constantly in the freezer for “just one little spoonful”. Very dangerous to keep on hand

TOMORROW:

The Easy Weeknight Dinner E-Cookbook will be going on sale!!!!!!!!!!!! The price will be $10 and like last time, just donate the money into my Team in Training account and then email me at HelpJennaRun@gmail.com to just real quickly let me know you made the donation. In the response to the email you send, I will attach the e-cookbook. Trust me guys, this one is even BETTER than the dessert one—-its about 100 pages!! I definitely have my work cut out for me tonight (it might be a late one) but its so worth it. I do hope you all will make an effort to pitch forward the $10 and purchase one. Its for such a great cause and I don’t know anywhere else you can find 100 awesome dinner recipes for only $10. Really, now.

Tags: cocktails, dessert, Dinner, musings

Posted in Dinner, dessert

35 Responses to “Dad’s Day: Part II”

on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:18 pm1Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope

Can’t wait:)
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:20 pm2Help Meghan Run

So excited! I know it’s going to be a good one.

HelpMeghanRun.com
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:29 pm3Michaela

Those cocktails sound awesome! What were the proportions you used?
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:40 pm4Angela

Oh wow I so can’t wait to get my paws on that cookbook!!

Is it too late to submit an entry??

Now I know where yuo got your beautiful eyes- your dad!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:40 pm5Heather

Hi Jenna,

How long can we buy the cookbook until. Payday is the 30th, and I’d really still like to buy one on that date?

Heather:)
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:40 pm6Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum

The ice cream looks amazing Can’t wait to see the wonderful recipes in the e-book!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:45 pm7jenna

Angela,

Send away! Just sometime tonight would be great!

Heather,

You have until October!!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:46 pm8jenna

Michaela,

Honestly there was no real “recipe”…..my mom just blended up the stawberries and then for each person she poured some strawberry “slush” in, topped with a shot of vodka and a bit of club soda!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:48 pm9Maria

Love scallops and sweet potatoes. That dish looks so yumm! The ice cream looks as good as you say it is . Glad to hear that you had a great Father’s Day!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 9:06 pm10Joelle (Chasing Pavements)

Have you ever had the coconut milk mini ice cream bars? So good–and better than the soy ice cream, I think!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 9:14 pm11Erica

FABULOUS daddy’s day dinner! I just made my donation- good luck reaching your goal
on 21 Jun 2009 at 9:38 pm12Bec

wow what a great meal, I am sure your dad loved it!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 9:50 pm13Jess

What a wonderful Father’s Day! Congrats to you and your family for celebrating a happy day!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 9:58 pm14Danielle

Happy Father’s Day to your dad! I’m glad that you were able to enjoy it, I’m sure John was smiling down on you all
on 21 Jun 2009 at 10:00 pm15Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now

That martini sounds delicious. I may have to see if a virgin version would taste good.
on 21 Jun 2009 at 10:17 pm16Katrina (gluten free gidget)

YAY!!!!!!! I’m so totally buying one!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 10:24 pm17Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope

I’m so glad to hear that you had a great day with your dad!

That martini sounds so good and perfect for a summer drink. And awesome job on dinner!!! Your parents will be coming over more often!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 10:49 pm18Melissa @ For the Love of Health

That’s wonderful you had a great Father’s Day.

The strawberry martini looks fabulous! And your dinner looks better than anything you can get in the fanciest restaurants!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:02 pm19Becky@I Heart Running & Food

The dinner and cocktail look scrumptious! I will have to try that martini
I’m excited about the e-cookbook….thanks for doing all the work, you rock!!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:10 pm20Still Life in South America

What a thoughtful dinner, Jenna. I’m glad that everything turned out so well. It’s been forever since I’ve had potato pancakes. (I may just have to make them now.)

Have an awesome week!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:46 pm21TorontoGirloutWest

I’m proud of you for getting through the last 50 days with such grace!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:47 pm22Whitney

Glad you could enjoy father’s day, I can’t wait for the cookbook!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:57 pm23emily

those cocktails look delish, thanks for sharing the recipe/idea!
on 21 Jun 2009 at 11:57 pm24Danielle C.

I’m most def going to have to try that martini YUM! And your dinner looks amazing too.

Can’t wait to get my hands on the cookbook tomorrow. YAY!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 12:06 am25Tammy (Defining Wellness)

Good luck with the e-cookbook! I can’t wait to see it!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 12:20 am26Annie

The conference sounds awesome! I have lived in Boston and I can tell you is is an amazing city! Lots of history, character, and pride
on 22 Jun 2009 at 12:40 am27Terrormisu

Okay, I just have to say this.

Your dad looks exactly like a slightly older Chris Cornel (of Soundgarden and Audioslave), and Ryan bears a striking resemblance to Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails).

Believe me, those are hardcore complements.

Okay, I’m gonna go to bed and stop bein’ creepy now.

Goodnight!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 6:05 am28Ada

You are so sweet to make such an incredible meal for your dad!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 7:00 am29Christie @ Find My Weigh

I am glad you had such a wonderful time with your dad.

I can’t wait for the e-cookbook!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 7:26 am30leslie

such a wonderful day with your family! exactly how these holidays should be.

everything – food and cocktails included – looks delicious! i can’t wait to be able to cook for my parents.
on 22 Jun 2009 at 9:05 am31Susan

Love the martinis! I like the idea of smaller glasses, feels like you’re drinking more
Can’t wait for the cookbook! Hope you weren’t up to late!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 1:10 pm32Paula

Silly Q: Do I need a coupon for the amazing grass?
on 22 Jun 2009 at 1:15 pm33Raya

Can’t wait to get the cookbook! And btw those scallops look AMAZING!
on 22 Jun 2009 at 2:11 pm34Justine

Yum! The cocktails and food look great!

~Justine
on 23 Jun 2009 at 12:41 am35valerie

The dinner looks wonderful!