Chastain Park Fun!

"All we truly need in this life is God, love, family, and food!" 

Seriously....could my quote not be anymore real/true? When I think about life this is seriously all I think about. Friday night I got all of these things into about 4 hours of fun! Allen and Diana (Chad's parents) got us tickets to see Idina Menzel tickets in one of the coolest and most intimate venues in Atlanta. We were joined by Lindley and Manning (Chad's sister and her husband). We all seriously had the BEST time! Of course the food, music, and laughs continued all night.

This particular venue is interesting in the fact that it has stadium seating but with long bench seats and tables spread through out. We just so happened to have gotten tickets that were seated at a table (purposely got the table seats). The open venue is picturesque after the sun has set and the stars come out and lay above your head. The place is relatively small for a nice intimate experience with the performer.

The food was spread out in a picnic style fashion and we all ate until we were stuffed. Of course, Allen brought champs that when popped went everywhere....including on the lady next to us! ;) However, she was cool with it....maybe.

The feast included the delicious pasta salad (recipe in previous post) and homemade crostinis!

Idina did an amazing job and sang all of the songs that she is most famous for singing in her famous Broadway shows. She even came into the audience and allowed other people to sing with her!! The grand finale was "Let it Go." The song that put her on the map outside of her Broadway stardom.

Chad and I seriously had the best time with everyone. The music, food, and company was fantastic!!!

Relishing the last days.....

Well folks......

The lazy days of summer are coming to a close for me. However, this summer has been anything but lazy for me. As someone put it yesterday....I need a vacation from my summer break.

It has been one of my most enjoyable/active summers except for the summer that I met my husband. I hold that one a little closer to my heart than most summers I have experienced in my lifetime. With all the exciting things that have happened this summer, I am excited to have a nice relaxing night at Chastain Park tonight watching Idina Menzel sing her tremendous lungs out (for those who do not know Idina Menzel: rose to fame by performing on Broadway, sings "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen, and was the one who got her name butchered by John Travolta at an awards ceremony.)

I actually have never been to Chastain Park to see a concert, so I am excited to see what all the fuss is about. We are going with Chad's parents and Chad's sister/her husband. Chad's parents have gotten us a table to sit at while we watch the performance. You are allowed to bring a picnic with you to the concert. I have made a little mozzarella, tomato, pesto, and pasta salad. It looks scrumptious and colorful enough to be enjoyed on a summer night at the park!

I used the recipe below to make my pesto. I tweaked it a little bit for my own taste profile (a little more Parmesan and pine nuts.) I am a little prideful about this pesto because I have been working hard to grow my basil plant that was OUT OF CONTROL! ( No picture evidence unfortunately) All of my basil came straight from my own basil plant which makes the pesto taste even better obviously!

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/how-to-make-pesto/

I used this recipe for the pasta salad but used tri- color Rotini pasta instead!

https://lexbake.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/mozzarella-and-tomato-penne-pasta-salad/

I will have to get back to you about all of my adventures tonight with some pictures. I have come to find that everyone that reads my blog is all about the pictures. Maybe I need to invest in a good camera Chad! ;)


Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday summer night!