It's that time of year again, dog sitting in suburbia, and this time I had two new adopted helpers

Oz & Tater

Clearly they weren't all that helpful.

Despite wanting to sit in the back yard and sip wine all day I needed to buck up and go grocery shopping.

And let me tell you, I was organized, I had my menu planned out, my lists made, and wine on the mind.

Mel and I were in and out in less than 45 minutes.

Now what to cook first...

Alright, so I know I am way behind on this but I wanted to share my Irene experience.

(It's a prequel to what the winter months in our apartment will look like.)

Hours leading up to the weekend of Hurricane Irene my friend Mel and I stood in line outside Trader Joe's Wine.

The wait was approximately 40 minutes, longer in fact than the line for Trader Joe's food.

We had our to go cups filled with vodka sodas (we anticipated a wait) and chatted with those other dedicated New Yorkers in line to drink away the lock down.

Clearly we were anticipating a real natural disaster.

A little rain on 1st Ave. Whelp best we just stay inside with our wine.

Alexis and Mel bunkered down with me for the weekend, and as per usual they needed to be fed.

(And if Irene wasn't going to get us my absent minded fire hazard behavior would - really ON the burner)

Brownies

Corn and black bean salsa

Salami Chips

Stuffed Mushrooms

Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Sometimes hunkering down for the weekend isn't all that bad

Out & About:

If at any time during any day of the week you start to miss the days of Frat basements, jungle juice, jello-shots and late night grilled cheeses, I have the solution for you. Okay, well I have 50% of the solution.

One of my favorite bars in the East Village, Destination, serves up 3 different flavored jello shots for $3 -

Jello-Rita

Lime Jello, tequilla, triple-sec, gummi worm

Jello Fuzzy Navel

Orange Jello, Vodka, peach schnappes, sour patch kid

Jello Cherry Coke

Black Cherry Jello, Coke, Rum, Whipped Cream

Who knew jello-shots could be so fancy - even the greatest of frat boys haven't come up with these yet. And after sucking down a few enjoy a grilled cheese, a true dairy delight!

Get your college on!! SENIORS RULE! (TRB)

I feel confident eating my way through the East Village, but when it comes to the West I often call upon my friend Kerry who knows her local restaurants/bars backwards and forwards.

For a little wine & apps with parents and friends Kerry suggested Kingswood

And she did not disappoint.

Prince Edward Island Mussels lemongrass, green curry, coconut, cilantro, jalapeño

This is a MUST try.