I'm a FOODIE that loves FIRSTIES!

I know blogs are blogs but I can't believe I left this blog in such a depressing mess. To connect, God took care of me. I have a wonderful job with a wonderful salary and benefits. I'm looking at getting promoted if I can polish my reputation a bit. So things are looking up and in that fashion...I urge you to look up two fantastic food places I had this weekend.

Saturday we participated in a QUASH Event to benefit Alzheimer's Disease. It included an exhaustive scavenger hunt all over downtown Indianapolis! It was like being on the Amazing Race! So exciting but again, exhausting! So glad to get to the after party at Flat12 Bierwerks for the free beer and, one of my favorite food trucks, WestCoastTacos (www.bestdamntacos.com).

Then, out of the corner of my weary eye, I see Byrne's Grilled Pizza. Grilled? Pizza? I watched him place a full pizza directly on the grill and close the cover. I must try this. After my tacos, of course. We decided to take a full pizza home. Well, they were so popular there that they ran out of dough and were only selling slices. Pasha! I will have a few more free beers and WAIT, mister.

Later, heated up the pizza in the oven at 425 for about 10 minutes. PERFECTION! Cracking, crumbling edges that you loved to munch. Soft dough bottom with a few puffs of the pastry in crispy goodness. It's a thin pizza for sure but easily folded and doesn't taste like a cracker. Handmade and hand rolled dough with no circular shape to boast. The pepperoni covered the whole pizza over a light tomato sauce that wasn't overpowering. Just a perfect compliment to the mozzarella and asiago cheese that connected the meat and sauce gently. Then to top, my personal preference, is always the Italian seasoning. I cannot wait to get another pizza!

You see, I've been on a pizza world tour most of my life and enjoy trying every kind of pizza. In fact, I was able to try the Thai Chicken Pie at McKenzie River Pizza Company for my birthday (June 3). I had never been there before and since I love to try to new places, we went.

Upscale, slightly gourmet pizza with everything else you can imagine on the menu. So no pin-holing this place. But, of course, I was there to try the pizza. Pizza World Tour? Then try the Thai Chicken Pie with mandarin oranges, peanuts and a Thai Sauce covering grilled chicken pieces. It was so different and so sweet and salty at once. Perfect pizza for those that want to get more than tomatoes and cheese. I was very pleased and hope to return to try more of their fine fare.

The final new place of my weekend was Rusty Buckets (1130 W. 86th St). This place needs a new marketing rep. Why have I never heard of this place? I suppose they are mainly based out of Ohio, but not even word of mouth brought this place to me! Why not? Quality food, Quality service! Top Notch!

I won a $25 gift card from the QUASH Event so we decided to find and try it today. What a great idea! Please don't judge me on what I ordered but I was so excited I had to try everything!

We were given complimentary fried pickles since it was our first visit. Didn't ask, Brock simply offered his sincerest welcome. Great start! These are not the typical pickle dill chips like Scotty's Brewhouse. These are quartered dill spears battered and deep fried and served with a ranch dressing that I KNOW has some dill seasoning as well. Excellent! Didn't want to fill up on pickles since I ordered their famous pork tenderloin sandwich that Brock recommended. But since I couldn't decide between that or the fish and chips, I asked Brock to please bring me one piece of their fish so I could try it. I am so glad I did. Atlantic Whitefish battered and deep fried! Malt vinegar on the table and lots of yummy tartar sauce. The pork tenderloin was not anything typical in its own right. Secret spices with special batter and a thick cut make this sandwich nothing like the huge flat cardboard that some bars offer. It was covered in crunchy batter and full of juices that oozed onto the sweet sesame bun it laid across. Open faced, it was topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles and a sprinkling of purple onions. The accompanying fries were a notch above McDonald's (good but not special) but I bet their onion rings are better.

My dining guest had the Daily Blue Plate special entitled Bucket Hot Brown: oven-roasted turkey breast laid over Texas toast with tomatoes and drizzled with parmasean sauce, then topped with two pieces of crisp bacon. She doesn't step out of her comfort zone much but she was very pleased.

I tried the Bucket Punch drink and she tried the pineapple soaked rum drink we couldn't really name. Both were great and had ample alcohol without going overboard. The rum soaked pineapples included were a special treat themselves. I believe Brock said the pineapples soaked in the rum for three weeks! I also had the Nutty Irishman coffee with Franjelica and Bailey's while she enjoyed their special version of Cookie's and Cream. This brownie-like chocolate cookie was covered in vanilla ice cream and whipped cream drizzled with caramel and chocolate. Couldn't leave without ordering it.

I also was so curious about the Texas Sirloin Chili. Brock offered to make me a sample. I just told him to get me a cup to go. Haven't tried it yet - still so full!

I think I've said enough but I will certify my ratings by telling you that I will be at Rusty Buckets this Wednesday to enjoy their whiskey specials and the Beef Stroganoff daily special. YUM!

In a better place and ready to talk about what makes me happy. Stay tuned for more insight into all the things that I enjoy and have to share with you!

Happy Father's Day to my father in heaven. I hope he gets to play a round of golf with Jesus today. Hope to make you proud, daddy, in everything I do.

I Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."