She Loves You, Yea, Yea, Yea! (Date Night)

My Hubbers & I live a very busy life. Even though we work together we have very different hobbies so often spend a lot of time with others in those pursuits (he just got home from a two week biking/camping adventure with his friends). We realize the importance of spending time together, re-connecting and having special date nights so, every now and then, we manage to fit one in!

Our most recent date night was a performance by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and a Beatles tribute band. The performance was billed as "Picnic at the Pops - Magical Mystery Tour" and was held on the beautiful grounds of the E & J Gallo Winery. Picnic basket in hand we were entertained with a band that looked and sounded like the original Fab Four, accompanied by our great Symphony.  Topping off the night was a fantastic fireworks display. We had beautiful weather, the sky was full of stars. We chatted, sang, people-watched, drank wine (probably too much!), I even got up and danced to the last song, "Twist and Shout"! It was a great evening!

On a side note, I find it amazing that a band that was only together for 10 years still keeps us entertained 50 years later! The majority of the concert-goers grew up during the 60's & 70's but even the younger crowd was singing and dancing along to the music.  The Beatles are truly timeless.

We kept our picnic pretty simple but with quality food offerings.  A few good cheeses (smoked gouda with bacon, habenero pepper jack & horseradish white cheddar), salami, gourmet crackers, grapes, apples (from our tree!), olives, prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe. No plastic or paper on this picnic, this was a picnic for a special man so the good wine glasses and dishware was used. I even brought a candle!

 Earlier in the day I baked some mini apple pies using the Williams Sonoma pocket pie presses. They made for a little more special presentation and were easy to do.

If you have some of the pie presses they are very easy to put together.  I made a basic apple pie filling but cooked it down a little so the apples were partially cooked before baking. Using the press, cut out the pastry.  Put one piece of pasty in the press, add 2-3 tablespoons of filling.  Using an egg wash, brush the edge of the crust to help seal the pastry.  Top with second layer and crimp the edges using the press.  Bake as you would any pie.