Action Packed Weekend! — Patti Part Two

After a very rainy week we lucked out and have had a spectacularly beautiful weekend! The forecast is for another rainy week but if that's the case I will appreciate the nice weekend even more. I started Saturday morning running a 5K with Girls On The Run. Such a wonderful organization that hopefully is in your area as well. It is targeted to girls in elementary school grades 3 through 6, and organized by schools. They recruit volunteers to meet with the girls after school a few days a week and use running to teach great life lessons that improve self esteem and a feeling of accomplishment. Many of the schools are in the inner city where these skills are not always as available. My friend Laura coached the girls at her school and needed a few more people to help out at the big 5K event that the girls work toward all year. It's good to have each girl paired with someone to help them focus on finishing the race. I had a great time out at Arrowhead Stadium where the Chiefs play! Her "team" had made matching tutu's and hair ribbons and they were so excited to be a part of the BIG event. Seeing their smiling faces as they crossed the line and got their medals was awesome! I was thrilled to share in their joy.

My running buddy Kaylin! She did awesome!! Such a sweet girl.

Saturday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the Broadway musical Ragtime at the beautiful Kauffman Center. I have the same thought ever time I'm there - we are so fortunate to have that spectacular venue!! It was a good story and the music and singing was great - but a much more serious story then I had anticipated. It is set in the early 1900's and follows 3 very different family stories that all end up interacting. Definitely worth seeing.

Jim was a good sport to attend with me. He could have been playing golf!!

Then we were off for our dinner reservations at a new place in East Brookside that I have heard wonderful things about - but have been unable to get a reservation at because of calling too late. So this time I planned ahead and called at least 3 weeks ago and got us a table! It was worth the wait!! We both loved it! It's called Plate and is on Oak just north of 63rd St. In Brookside. A very cool modern atmosphere in a building that is over 100 years old - and looks like the Spanish architecture similar to the style of the Plaza. It's touted as Italian Modern cuisine but I would just call it delicious!!

It has a very cool bar area but it was crowded so I didn't get a photo. We got there early and it filled up fast!!

We started with an appetizer that was cannelloni bean purée with olives and rosemary cheese bread. Course #2 was a chicken ravioli we shared. For the main course I had a fantastic grilled salmon over cauliflower purée and asparagus - and Jim loved his pork tenderloin over risotto and new potatoes. I think there was spinach on top as well - so covering all the food groups. For dessert we shared a bit of heaven - a light caramel parfait with chocolate crumbs and whipped cream. A nice bottle of Pinot Grigio and we were happy!

If you are in the Brookside area the east end has some new cool places. In addition to Plate there is a wonderful bakery called Heirloom. Also running between Heirloom and Plate there are a couple of unique interesting shops. I just love seeing the revitalization of Kansas City proper!

Today - Sunday - I am volunteering at my favorite KC museum the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, so thought I would post one of my favorite paintings. Over the years this one has grown on me - I just love the colors and the activity. It is by Willem de Kooning who was born in the Netherlands. The title is Woman IV and was painted in 1952-53. As you would guess it is one of a series and I have only seen this one in person - but would like to go on a quest to see them all!

The debate is - is she smiling or grimacing??

Something new I have discovered this week and thought worth passing on is a website called Highbrow. I love learning about things - almost anything really - so this site is perfect for that! You sign up for the daily email service which is totally free, and choose a topic you are interested in learning more about. They send you an email every day for 10 days on that topic. They say learn more in just 5 minutes a day but it really only takes about a minute to read the email. Today was Day 5 for me and I selected The Impressionists as my first course. So while I have my morning beverage I am learning a little something new that I find interesting! Here is the website link if you want to check it out. Www.gohighbrow.com

And now for the Cheesecake Taste of the Week! It's getting harder and harder to pick something that is not too over the top - I wanted to just get another slice of Key Lime but I resisted. I took on this challenge and I intend to see it through! So I picked the Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake!!

Kind of in the same family as Key Lime - I feel like a cheater!

I really like the cheesecakes with the cake layer at the bottom I have discovered. This has a lemon cake layer on the bottom topped by a lemon cheesecake. Then a layer of lady fingers topped by a lemon mousse drizzled with a raspberry purée. I like all things lemon so I rate this a 3! Delicious but not quite a 4. But enjoyed every bite!! I think my next piece must be in the chocolate family.

Have a great week!