food, friends, and food - a beginning.

Hello, 2012 - I've been expecting you. 

Funny thing, really, as the beginning of this year has been different from anything I could have ever expected; it has been unique and full of adventures that have allowed me to build an excitement for things yet to come. I won't bore you with too many irrelevant details, but I've been a busy human being as of late. The first part of the adventure, and what I will hit upon solely for today's post, comes in the form of something very near and dear to my ... stomach. Yes. Food. Like any other sane human being, I very much adore food; but what I really adore is trying new types of foods. However, the absolute best thing about food (that I have come to recognize and treasure) is the experience of cooking and eating delicious new foods with friends.


So to begin this blog, I will introduce you to the little idea that started the tradition that I hope will carry on for the remainder of the year and the rest of my Vegas-living experience: Sunday Fundy. Or as we like to call it on BBM and Twitter, #SundayFunday.


Sunday Funday started out as a hang out between my best friend and roomie, Denise, and our friend Cesar. Cesar and I enjoy wine; Cesar and Denise enjoy cooking; and Cesar, Denise and I enjoy eating, so we arrived at the conclusion that hanging out together should consist of wine, laughter, Julia Child and a kitchen filled with delectably foreign smells to get our palates watering for something fresh. This enlightenment of culinary feats has also sparked the desire to find some relaxing hang-outs for different meal choices as well, especially with my personal want to find a place to sit down, people watch and enjoy something light - having been inspired by mine and Denise's summer escapades in France. Thankfully, we have been able to secure a few locations in our Las Vegas area that is far enough away from the lights and dazzle of the Strip to give us a vague re-connection with our time in France.


Okay, with all of that said, nothing is more stimulating than actually seeing what it is I'm talking about. Food lovers, travel enthusiasts and those who simply need an excuse to spend time doing something different, fun and generally economical with those you love, here are some highlights of our first three Sunday Fundays. There will be many more blogs to come about this topic and I anxiously await every week like a child anticipating Santa on Christmas Eve to know what kind of yummy shenanigans we will subject ourselves to.

Introducing: (with our sexiest cooking faces while preparing the cacio epepe and garlic and herb chicken)

     Denise, the Julia Child

Cesar, the wine-induced Cook

And your host, blogger and "professional eating and wine connoisseur": Me.

Here are some of the culinary feats thus created from our crazy, French-inspired way of "life":

Tarte Aux Pomme

Cacio epepe and cabernet sauvignon

Our other three best friends.

Denise takes a delicious stab at a caramel cake, inspired by the movie The Help.

What is our "French way of life"? This:

Pray no butts end up in the pan.

And this:

The burdens of being a penniless writer in Las Vegas.

This is the beginning of our Sunday Fundays. In the next post I will show you some of the yummy things we've consumed at some yummy new places, so stay tuned!

Staying hungry for life,

Rae.