I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING!

Sound the horns!  Ring the bells!  Bang the pots!  Whistle Dixey!  Dance the jig! Ding the cash registers!  Throw me a bag of pistachios! 

Although I have ventured into grocery stores to pick up perishable items during my self imposed grocery shopping hiatus to take on my Pantry Challenge, I don't really call that grocery shopping. 
 In my world, grocery shopping is an experience.  Picking up perishable items while trying to avoid roaming up and down all of the aisles and not perusing shelves and not making a few impulse purchases here and there is NOT GROCERY SHOPPING.  It just isn't.  Period. That's it.  
So......
You can imagine my total delight when a dear friend called late yesterday morning to tell me that she and her husband had popped into town for a business function and by some complete fluke, they got the date wrong and found themselves 2 hours from home, in a not-so-great hotel with nothing at all to do last night.  Oh poor them.  Oh lucky  me!  I just hated to benefit from their blunder but I saw it as a perfect excuse to throw together a little dinner party....just for them!  So, I rounded up two fun couples who I knew would love to see them and I set my mind to dinner party planning mode.  And, you know me....I just love to make myself  a whole lotta crazy just a wee bit crazy with the details.....
Since I didn't have a "theme" in mind, I dug through my very impressive supply of cocktail napkins in the hopes of getting some inspiration.   Once I had an idea in place, I consulted my entertaining log to check on a few things that I had done in the past that might fit the bill.  Then,I visited some of my favorite go-to recipe and party sites for a little more inspiration.
Woo-hoo!
After several zany, downright maniacle hours  Before I knew it, I had a plan in place
Retro dinner party here we come.....
Then.....
Oh dear, I'd have to go grocery shopping....

Yes, friends, it was luxurious.  
In a span of just two hours, I had fed my need to GROCERY SHOP at 3 of my favorite local places......
Trader Joes
Uncommon Market
Williams Sonoma

 

After a delightful happy hour of martinis and manhattans and this great Baked Brie recipe (I used apricot preserves)......we sat down and chatted and laughed and yummed and yummed and smacked our lips  through this amazing recipe....

Recipe: Pistachio Lime Baked Salmon {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Summary: Easy entertaining recipe. Adapted from Taste of Home 5 Ingredient Recipes.

Ingredients

• 6 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 1 cup pistachios, chopped
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3 T. lime juice
• 1 1/2 tsp. dill weed
• 1 1/2 tsp. pepper

Instructions

1. Place the salmon in a 9×13 sprayed baking dish. (Usually I rinse the fillets first.)
2. Pat salmon fillets with paper towel to remove any excess water.
3. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon over the salmon.
4. Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes or until the fish is done.
5. Don’t overcook the salmon. Use the back of a spatula to press down on the salmon to feel if it’s cooked. If the spongy feeling is gone, and the salmon is firm, then it is cooked!
6. Remove from the oven immediately and serve.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Ahhhhh......everything is so right with the world. 
Today, I am meeting two fab friends for a ladies-do-lunch-and-shop day.
Maybe I will stop at The Market District on my way to meet them......
DOUBLE Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!