Beer, Bread, and Dessert-Loving Family

I had such a fun weekend visiting my grandmother in Baltimore!

And, when Kath and Kanz are around, we always eat lots of fantastic bread…

Everyone took it very seriously and we all had different opinions. I thought each stout had unique characteristics, but I didn’t necessarily like one better than the other. They were both awesome! Southern Tier still has my heart for the best chocolate stout though.

We headed to the Peppermill for dinner with lots of family members.

I started with a perfect, hot roll

and a malbec from Argentina that magically was refilled with Shiraz later in the evening…

and an iceberg-y blue cheese salad.

Crab cakes are mandatory in Maryland.

This one had generous chunks of fresh crab and was perfectly browned. I always get the home-made applesauce too because it reminds me of my childhood.

Dessert is always a tough decision in my family, so Kath, Matt, and I decided to split three!

A blueberry bread pudding with a generous amount of buttery icing,

a banana cream pie,

and a nutty, Irish cream cake! The bread pudding was my favorite. I think the whole family went home stuffed and I loved it. The young people were all up and at the hotel gym by 8:30 this morning though, attempting to balance out all the fun:)

I’m in the airport now, about to board my plane back to Boston. Today is my Mom’s birthday, so Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

It was sad to say goodbye, but so exciting to think that my family and Matt’s will be visiting in 6 weeks to celebrate my graduation….it’s sooo close!