Neglected

I have been neglectful. My "to-do" and "to-blog" lists are growing, not shrinking... yes, I honestly keep a list. I've had a Word document titled To Do for a little while (or a couple of years) :) My Mom & Dad pick on me about being a "lister". There are a good FOUR (or 5 even?) family updates/activities that haven't gone public yet! Coming soon: my cousin's beautiful SC beach wedding, Perry's 26th birthday events, our niece's 4th birthday party, and home improvements!!! All with lots of pictures!

With a multitude of projects big & small going on around the Whitaker house, my focus has temporarily shifted.

Rodizio

In celebration of [a] finally graduating from college, [b] passing the NCLEX and gaining licensure as a nurse, and [c] landing a (really good) job, my Mom & stepdad Paul treated me & Perry to a double-date at Brasa, a Brazilian steakhouse in Brier Creek. Oh. my. goodness. DELISH!

Definition, "Rodizio": an authentic style of serving fire-roasted meat that originates in Southern Brazil. Gauchos/herders mastered the art of slowly cooking savory cuts of meat on large skewers over the open flames of their bonfires.

We had a little more elegant experience :) Servers came by periodically throughout our meal with a giant knife and skewers, each time with a different cut of meat: filet mignon, bacon wrapped sirloin, the traditional picanha, chicken, lamb, sausages, pork loin, ribs... If your stone was green side up, they'd offer you more, and more, and more! As they cut a slice, we used pee-wee pocket-size tongs to get it on our plates. If all that meat wasn't enough, there was an abundance of cold salads (seriously, like 20), fruit (with coconut milk for dipping), shrimp cocktail, rice, beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, fried shrimp croquettes on a buffet and a few dessert items like chocolate-covered strawberries! It's ALL YOU CAN EAT (for a pretty penny) but I could not physically eat as much as I wanted to!!!

Paul and my Momma with their stop/go stones

                                                                       If you're wondering, that's grilled pineapple

                                                                            coated in cinnamon... sounded a bit

                                                                            strange at first, but- yummmmmm!

After nearly stuffing ourselves with all that yummy goodness,  Mom and I went crazy with the camera. Here's the highlights from our photo shoot!

Isn't she beautiful?

Waitin' on a woman!

Being cheesy, but we are both RNs now!

On our way home, we- uh, were up to no good ;) and although the GPS claimed we had "arrived at our destination on right", the address we were looking for was strangely non-existent!

And finally, Mom and I having a blast in the backseat!!

Summary: I HIGHLY recommend Brasa. Come hungry, leave happy! Oh wait, that's IHOP... I love breakfast food too.