All this every day.

Questions (v. important)

2012-02-24T12:21:00.000-06:00

If you had a $100 gift certificate to a salon/spa, how would you use it?

Which color says "I'm on a tropical vacation" without being too on-the-nose?

Coral?

Or jade?

Would your opinion of me change if I owned all the Twilight movies?

How would you spend a seven-hour layover in L.A.?

Am I a crazy cat lady if I buy this for my cat?

My Fifth Free TV

2012-02-22T15:56:00.000-06:00

Neighbors, man. Sometimes community just blows me away. Not to mention how giving and good the Lord is.

Let me fill you in:

My brother (visiting this last weekend) notices a TV box outside on the sidewalk in front of my apartment. He looks inside and finds a TV. He says, "Robin, there's a TV in here." We decide to bring it up into my apartment in case someone had forgotten to load it into their car somehow or whatever. I ask around among the girls in my building and eventually one of them fesses up that she got rid of it because it wouldn't turn on one day and she wanted an excuse to buy a new one. So, now I have a 32 inch flat screen TV in my apartment that doesn't work. I decide it's worth a try to find out what's wrong with it in case it can be fixed on the cheap. Later that night, the Shepherds suggest that rather than consulting a TV repair person, I talk to a friend from church who is an engineer and as such obviously knows about electronics. I tell him the situation on Sunday morning and he says he can come over and check it out. He walks the .3 miles from his house to mine that afternoon and begins to gleefully take apart the TV on my dining room table. After researching the common problems with the particular make and model, he surmises that the power supply is faulty. So that gets removed and taken back to his house where he diagnoses a couple capacitors that are in fact the problem. Capacitors that can be replaced for $12.

A tweet from my TV-repairing neighbor. Is he having too
much fun?

Now that you're all caught up, let me just tell you that this flat screen comes at a time when I could actually use an upgrade. My women's small group is meeting at my house and we're all crowding around my computer to watch the Beth Moore videos we're using to study James because my current tube TV doesn't have the right plugger thingies. I know - it's really not a dire problem. But you know, I think the Lord sometime blesses just to do it. Just because He loves us and it makes Him happy.

And, like, how cool is living in community? Someone can use his gifts for understanding electronic stuff to take apart his neighbor's broken TV and buy parts and fix it...just because? We're doing life together and helping each other and it just feels right.

We must have been made for this - community.

What a crock!

2012-02-16T11:30:00.000-06:00

(Ahem. Sorry for the pun.)

For my first ever foray into crock pot cooking, I chose Joy the Baker's Roasted and Shredded Beef Sandwiches from my YUM pin board.

I whipped out my new-to-me crock pot bestowed upon me by two lovely friends who recently got married and found themselves with an abundance of slow-cookers. Since I wanted to do this right, I bought a locally grown organic 1.5 lb hunk of beef chuck shoulder roast from Whole Foods (I halved the recipe because it serves 12 and I am...not able to eat for 12 before things go bad). I selected some fresh herbs from my local grocer (setting back my non-existent herb-buying budget by about $15). And I bought some mayonnaise.

Then it slowly simmered and spluttered away and made my apartment smell a.maz.ing. And luckily, when I tasted it, I could justify every dollar spent on those fine, fresh herbs - the blend of flavors was exactly right. Piled on a fancy bun slathered with a horseradishy mayo, the sandwich needed only ribbons of sweet-spicy red onion to be complete. YUM, indeed!

I think I need some more crock-pot recipes. What are your faves?

February Birchbox!

2012-02-15T14:35:00.001-06:00

So Birchbox. Have you heard of it? Basically, you pay $10 each month and get four to five deluxe beauty samples that are customized to your preferences sent to your mailbox. Who doesn't love getting packages in the mail? And what a fun way to try out the latest in beauty without having to buy full-priced bottles and tubes and packets and whatnot! Plus, sometimes Birchbox sneaks a full-sizer in there - like the time I got a Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Peacock, plus all the other sample-sized goodies. Some of my faves: Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil and Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo.

I've been a subscriber since November, so I've decided to do a little review of my February box!

First, a sample tube of Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum.

I've used this for a day, and so far my blemishes don't seem to be clearing any faster or better than they do with my stand-by Clean & Clear Persa-Gel. But - Juice Beauty doesn't have any chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, which can irritate and leave bleached spots on sheets and towels. So maybe this stuff will find its way into my medicine cabinet after all.

A vial of SHU UEMURA Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil.

This sounds a lot like my beloved Moroccan Oil that I use in my hair. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm a staunch believer that nothing is better than Moroccan Oil. NOTHING. I guess we shall see.

Eye Rock Designer Liner.

Yeah. So, these are like eye liner stickers that you put on in place of the real stuff. And apparently this is legit. I don't know. I tried it and it was the most uncomfortable thing - a giant sticker on my eyelid! I kind of want to be like, duh. Who thought this was a good idea?? Also these styles are so not me. So, um...thanks Birchbox.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution.

No picture. I gave it to my mom...

Two packets of Supersmile Powdered Mouthrinse and a digital download of seven songs by Green River Ordinance.

The mouthwash:

Just add water! Interesting...

Mid-swish. Please forgive the pre-makeup and morning hair...

Actually feels quite clean!

And the music is Birchbox's "lifestyle" freebie. It's pretty good; sort of a folksy rock and roll that doesn't sound too unique but is better than Rihanna.

Sadly for my first Birchbox review, I didn't really get a good one. But February's questionable samples aren't going to keep me from giving it another go next month. You just never know when that new beauty staple is going to walk into your life and change it for the better!

What are some of your beauty go-tos that have changed your life?

My Best Gril

2012-02-10T12:44:00.000-06:00

When I was younger and learning how to spell (so like, five years ago...ehhh), I used to get the "r" and the "i" mixed up in girl a lot. I also liked to draw pictures of my dog, Ruby. In variably, she always looked like a hot dog on stilts in my renderings.

These things don't have much to do with anything...but they're things my mom loved about me. Loves about me. My closest of close friends have only really known me for four, seven, maybe ten-ish years. But my mom - she's known and loved me since the day she found out about me 27 years ago. And all that I have been since that time I still am to her. She loves me year upon year, mistake upon mistake, success upon success.

And she's coming! In fact, according to Continental's flight tracker thing, she's right about....here:

Heading into the lovely mass of snow that's covering Ohio just in time for our trip back up to the farm. Doesn't matter - we'll be together. :)

Scrapbooking

2012-02-07T20:47:00.000-06:00

That’s me. I’m her. As my mom so derisively put it this summer when she came to visit, I’m “someone who decorates with wine bottles.”

And I’m not ashamed.

Last year I kept all of the bottles that were finished in my apartment and rowed them up along the top of my kitchen cabinets, an otherwise awkwardly barren expanse.

I didn’t necessarily have a plan in mind when I started this, besides that I enjoy wine and I think wine bottles and labels can be interesting to look at. But I’ve found that they also carry a memory with them.Was this bottle shared? Was that one savored and swished alone over the course of ~~two days~~ a week? Was it a “people are coming over for dinner” bottle, a “girls’ night” bottle, an “I’ve had a rotten day and am feeling lousy” bottle?

I collected bottles (and memories) from 2011 that marked the time one of my former roommates and her husband came to Cincy for a wedding and crashed on my couch (Little Black Dress Pinot Noir); the evening that I was jilted by a guy and needed a night of self-administered comforts – sushi, flowers and Castillo de Monseran Garnacha; the weekend one of my best friends came a-visiting from Chicago and she splurged on us with a bottle of La Crema Chardonnay.

By the end of December I had glass scrapbook of good, important memories encompassing an entire year. And, if you know me...you will know that this is just about the only kind of scrapbooking I can get behind.

Some stats from 2011, if you care:

27 bottles total

19 reds (most common was Cab)

8 whites (most common was Chardonnay)

8 screw tops

19 corks

So far in 2012:

1 rose champagne

1 Pinot noir

2 Chardonnays

All corks

What about you? Have you ever collected wine bottles? Corks? Matchbooks from restaurants? Little jars of sand from all the beaches you’ve visited?

Another goal?

2012-02-03T12:01:00.001-06:00

Remember when I talked about setting goals yesterday? Well.I’ve done it again! Actually, I did it before I set the blogging goal, but I’mtelling you about it after…so...moving on!

Beth, my wonderful co-worker and friend, got me into thisone. After reviewing my Goodreads profile and seeing that I read a mere measly12 books in 2011, I lamented to her that I should be reading more and would bereading more if I still had a 45 minute bus commute on either side of myworkday like I did in Chicago. So I checked 2010’s reading totals. 14.Obviously that commute added a lot to my reading time. 2009? 15. OOOOkkkkk…Idecided that as a self-professed lover of books and reading, an average of 13.5books a year would just not do. And that’s where Beth suggested the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge.

In the spirit of setting attainable goals, I chose 20 as mytotal for 2012. Really, I wanted to read two books a month (24 total), but Iworried about particularly busy months or longer books or books that take toolong to get into, and so I went with 20 officially. Unofficially, I still wantto try reading two a month, so that way I ensure I reach my goal andbecome an overachiever. But, we shall see. The evidence is pretty straightforwardthat even given an hour and a half of dedicated reading time a day, I stillmanage to crank out a little more than one a month.

So far, so good, though! It’s the beginning of February, andI’ve read three books!

Here’s what I thought:

"The Angel’s Game" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
This was thrilling! It was a hard one to put down. Definitely full ofsensationalism and gothic gloom but still an intriguing story. I agree withmost people I know who’ve read this prequel before me that it’s not as good asZafon’s first book, "The Shadow of the Wind" (if you haven’t read it, read it).Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it and give it four stars, for sure! (And! I justfound out that his third book, which picks up where “Shadow” leaves off, is setto release this summer!)

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I didn’t read this in high school or college, despite the plethora of litclasses I took. So, after reading a couple blogs posts in which the novel waspraised as the greatest in American literature, in the 20th centuryand of all time and place, I started to think that I should get in on this andfind out what the big deal is. It’s seriously good. Beautiful. Chilling. Crystallinein description. I reserve five stars for only the favorite of my faves, so I’dsay this gets a 4.5.

"Abba’s Child" by Brennan Manning
This book started out great. I think the firstthree or so chapters really could have stood on their own as a shorter pieceand gotten the same message across that the entire book did. It’s full ofwonderful revelations about who we are in Christ – His beloved – and what thoserevelations mean to the way we view ourselves and live our lives. Christiannon-fiction often wears a little long on me, so I’m not surprised by my reaction. Great stuff in here, though – three stars.

On Setting Goals

2012-02-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

Here’s the thing. I’m not a very good goal setter. I tend toadopt the philosophy that if I never set goals, then I’ll never not reach them,thus eliminating the chance to ever be disappointed in the unreached goals.(The backwardness of this line of thinking does not escape me.) But forwhatever reason, this year I’ve found myself with these tiny urges to setgoals. To admit to myself that I want to accomplish something more than I wantto face the chance of not accomplishing it.

To encourage myself in developing this new pattern ofpositive behavior, I am setting goals. Attainable goals. Goals I know I’ll beable to accomplish with a standard amount of effort – nothing more. Goals withlots of room for mistakes and missed opportunities. Wussy goals, but goalsnonetheless.

For instance, my lovely friend Liz and I share a proclivityto blog sporadically. We made a deal recently that we would blog at least 52times in 2012 – equal to the frequency of posting once a week without theentrapment of having to actually post once a week. Lovers of structure, we are.The deal was sweetened by the suggestion to see who reaches her goal thefastest, and then the loser will buy the winner dinner at Yoshi’s, a favoriteChicago eatery.

But, since this turned into a contest, we figured we shouldbend a little to the yoke of structure and create some ground rules.

1) Posts must be somewhat informative.
2) Posts must have at least 52 words. (Byline: Shorter posts can combine to equal one, i.e. two posts of 26 words willequal one legitimate post.)
3) No more than one post a day shall count toward the total.
4) Photo-only posts shall count only if there is a minimum of five photos thatshare a commonality and tell a story (sometimes there just are no words).

Our assessment after establishing ground rules (via Gchat):
Liz: I think that we should both post them on our blogs today. The world willkeep us accountable (or the 10 people who read our blogs).
me: yes!!
Liz: Plus, it will put us each one post closer to 52 (although it will be awash since we are both doing it…)
me: but I am one ahead!!
Liz: Oh, I’m not worried about that…
me: haha
ok
i am getting excited about this challenge
i can almost taste that delicious red snapper with the head still on
Liz: I’m looking forward to a nice steak prepared by Mr. Yoshi himself.
me: ooh he does real good steaks
real real good
Liz: indeed
This is going to be good.

Right?? It is going to be good! Hooray for attainable goals –I think you should join us!

Old Business

2012-02-01T15:31:00.000-06:00

This is it! My triumphant return to blogging after taking a month and a half off. You know....holiday stress. Whatever.

Anyways! Let's get you all caught up shall we?

This is how I spent my time in Houston over Christmas.

(lucky kitty)

That and wrapping presents.

And helping prepare this spread!

After seven days in the Lone Star State cramming in as much family time as possible, I headed back to Cincy, where one and a half days after my return, two of my favorite people showed up to help throw an epic NYE Martini Shake-Off!

Kelly, Liz and Robin - party planners extraordinaire!

The Chicago crew in Cincy...we just can't celebrate NYE without
each other.

The goodie table

The other goodie table

Happy party goers

More happy party goers

A shaker

More shakers!

Mixing and mingling

...con't.

A total of 37 people crammed into my one-bedroom and got their shake on while the clock counted down to midnight. There were people in the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and a few even stuck in the bathroom from time to time. It was so fun that I completely forgot about a conversation I had in which I adamantly advised against using my dirty broom to clean up the after-party mess. But. I think people had a good time. I've even heard rumors of plans to unseat the current champs (Team Peppermint Glory) next year.

That's all I've got by means of catching you up. I'll blog again soon on more current matters like how much I love my Dyson vacuum cleaner, the state of my barren pantry and whether or not I'll have lost 30 lbs by the time I leave for Hawaii(!).

How I Spent My Saturday Night

2011-12-19T11:15:00.000-06:00

Guys. I played this weekend.

The occasion:
Before my friends and I headed out to the ballet yesterday evening (it was my first-ever Nutcracker!), we had a cocktail hour at my house. And so, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon...I made food. And drinks.

Appetizers clockwise from top left:
Frisee Winter Salad
Potato and Onion Flatbread
Asian Meatballs
Risotto Torte (center)
Crostini with Brie, Figs and Honey

To drink:
Red
White
Ginger-Cranberry Cocktails

Mine may look like a war zone right now, but the kitchen is one of my favorite places to play. And the six-or-so weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year's are, like, filled with reasons to get in there and create delicious dishes, tantalizing apps, sugary confections, and pleasingly potent drinks!

Lucky for me, I get a whole week of cooking with my mom, starting Wednesday! Then, Kelly and Liz and I will tear it up in preparation for the Great Martini Shake-Off this NYE! So rev up your KitchenAid mixers...it's the most wonderful time of the year!

You can call me the artisan bread maker.

2011-12-13T08:22:00.001-06:00

Look at that! My first loaves.

I used a recipe for artisan bread. I don't know what makes it artisan bread, but I made it and so am therefore an artisan bread maker, no? Ok, just go with it.

I'm taking the bread to my small group Christmas party tonight, so I haven't actually tried it. I'll let you know how it turns out once the things are sliced and slathered with butter - which usually rights all wrongs.

Anyways, hooray for homemade bread!

I got 99 blog posts...

2011-12-09T11:08:00.001-06:00

...And now I have 100! WooWoo! (What? What did you think I was going to finish that title with?)

There were times when I thought I'd never blog again. In fact, if you look down through the archives there on the right, you'll see I tend to hit it hard in November and then taper off in December...maybe one here or there in an early spring/summer month...usually averaging 33 posts per year. Who's to say that this year will be any different - but that won't keep me from throwing a mental party similar to the fete my beloved Gossip Girl threw when they reached 100 episodes last month. Chuck Bass included.

On a mostly unrelated note, I thought I'd share this gem, created by my coworker, office-mate and fellow carpooler, Beth.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/3JctkRbuG5qUchWD?cmpid=ey_url

Beth is just the best. She's one of those quiet types who, once you get to know them, are, like totally awesome. I feel like I have a knack for scoring coworkers like that. :) Beth and I laugh and make weird noises. We quote movies and British TV shows at each other. She lets me talk in funny voices to her and looks past all my other quirks. She helps keep the day moving for me - and then we download about everything on the way home.

But mostly, I'm so very thankful for her because she also loves Chuck Bass and knows exactly how this post title should be finished. :)

Chocolates and Cookbooks

2011-12-07T15:16:00.001-06:00

It seems the chocolate gods heard my plea for more sweet, sugary balls of goodness and sent a messenger bearing gifts in the form of a friend's out-of-town girlfriend coming and sleeping on my couch while she visited. That darling girl brought me a lovely box of chocolate treats all the way from Wheaton, IL.

Um. Yum.

And in other news, last week was our office Christmas party, and though I did not score the 50 inch flat screen TV, I did get to take home this giant:

A big, fat new cookbook, just for me! I am looking forward to the many culinary adventures we will share, Gourmet Today. We'll be good friends in no time!

Monday Morning Tactics

2011-12-05T09:17:00.000-06:00

This morning was one of those mornings. When getting out of bed just doesn't seem to be an option, until you check your phone and realize there's only half an hour to get out the door.

That may or may not have something to do with the two Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ales I had while listening to the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars last night. But! Nothing a small Dunkin Donuts drive-through coffee can't fix. (Except now I kind of feel like that small was too small, and that I should visit the office Keurig with my trusty travel mug.)

So, in an effort to combat today's rain-induced chill and gloom, I threw on my coziest, biggest green plaid scarf and brought some nourishing turkey and quinoa soup and two homemade buttermilk biscuits for lunch. Looking forward to that for sure. Plus, I've got my Christmas Pandora station going strong here in the office.

Here's hoping I can feel warm and snug even outside of my quilts and pillows and kitty.

What are your go-to tactics for fending off the winter chill and gloom when crawling back in bed isn't an option?

Can you believe it?

2011-11-30T20:21:00.001-06:00

Has anyone else noticed that I blogged every day in November? It feels pretty good. I might just keep this up!

I saw it!

2011-11-29T20:56:00.001-06:00

Tonight, while I was enjoying my delicious dinner at Dewey's, I chanced to look out the window and there it was in all its white, wet glory - snow. Big, clumpy flakes swirling amid the raindrops. Oh boy...here we go then!

It's back!

2011-11-28T22:06:00.001-06:00

The Great Martini Shake-Off lives! Coming to Cincinnati this NYE!

Advent

2011-11-27T20:05:00.001-06:00

Today marks the beginning of Advent, a time of year that's becoming more sacred to me as I grow in my faith and as a person, saved by grace. In 1998, my mom gave me a book for Christmas (I know what year because she inscribed it inside the front cover - love you Mom) by my favorite author, Madeleine L'Engle. It's a compilation of Christmas writings, thoughts, poems, short stories L'Engle had written across many years. I read it, I'm sure, that very Christmas vacation. But I haven't opened it up again until this year. With a cup of coffee after my nap this afternoon, just 14 pages in, I came across a short piece called "Time and Space Turned Upside Down." Here are some excerpts that I've been carrying with me today.

"Advent. That time of waiting....But what are we waiting for? Why? We're not waiting as we so often are taught as children, for Christmas, for the baby Jesus to be born in a stable in Bethlehem. We're waiting for something that has not happened yet, that has never happened before, something totally new. We only know what the end of this waiting has been called throughout the centuries: The Second Coming."

"God made the universe out of love; the Word shouted all things joyfully into being because of love. The Second Coming, whenever it happens and whatever it means, will also be because of love."

"That love manifested itself joyously in the creation of the universe because particular for us in Jesus, and will show itself most gloriously in the Second Coming. We need not fear."

"There are many tough questions for which we have no finite, cut and dried answers. Even Jesus did not answer all our questions! But He came, because of that love which casts out fear. He came, and He will come again."

Birthday time!

2011-11-26T19:53:00.001-06:00

Heading out to celebrate Leah at The Penguin Dueling Piano Bar tonight...looking forward to good times with some of my favorite people!

A Little Post-Thanksgiving Thankfulness

2011-11-25T21:32:00.001-06:00

I'm blessed. Here's why:

A family who prays for one another, and who loves me and misses me.
Old friends with whom I have a tenderness - that comfortable peace that comes when we're together.
New friends I didn't know even just a year ago, but are now so important to my life.
The two precious kiddos I get to love on, children of my best friends, watching them grow, laugh, play and love me back in their little ways.
An apartment that feels like home. I noticed this a few weeks ago after coming home from a trip. I came in, sat down on the couch, and for the first time since I moved here, really felt like I had come home.
A job that I love, and that allows me to pay for things like rent, utilities, cell phone, Internet, car payments, insurance, gas, groceries, and still have some left over for fun.
A city I'm growing into, and the surprising ways it endears itself to me.
A church home, full of people passionate about serving their city, connecting with each other, and discovering how deeply the love of God goes.
My Father in Heaven, my Abba, who is teaching me just who I am - His child. Created for Him, by Him. His beloved.
My merciful Savior, whose love is boundless and so great, that He would be obedient and lay down His life so that I can live freely in grace.

Tadaaaa!

2011-11-24T21:13:00.001-06:00

There it is. My spread :)

Clockwise from the head of the table: My turkey, gravy,
mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberry walnut cornbread,
crescent rolls, green beans, sauteed vegs, and stuffing!

I had so much fun...but I'm plum worn out!

Status Update

2011-11-23T17:41:00.001-06:00

I brought my turkey home today! All 9.9 free-range, vegetable-fed, locally grown in Harrison, OH lbs of him. Or her. I can't tell.

Oh, and...I managed to make my brine! Now I'm just waiting for John to get here so I can have him help me get everything poured into the bag and get the turkey in there.

Also I'm currently waiting for my pumpkin roll monkey bread dough to rise so I can assemble that; then it'll be all ready to pop in the oven tomorrow morning.

Let's see...the bread for the stuffing is sitting out, getting all nice and dry. The cat is sitting in a Sur La Table shopping bag. And that's about all that's going on around here. Just generally excited for the holiday!

Life is Funny

2011-11-22T21:09:00.001-06:00

You know, like when you meet or hear about certain people and you feel one way about them, and then you live life and your paths cross in interesting, sometimes bizarre ways and soon you know them and have a relationship and that stuff you thought about them at first seems so...funny?

Menu Planning

2011-11-21T17:10:00.001-06:00

Oh boy. I am really getting excited for my Thanksgiving ~~dinner~~ feast. Though it's just going to be John and me, we are going to eat well.

Here's what I'm planning. (Click on the photos for recipes, if you're so inclined.)

For breakfast on Thanksgiving morning, I want to have pumpkin roll monkey bread with my coffee. Um. Yum.

For lunch, I figured we'd eat some of the endless soup I've been making.

For The Dinner, I ordered a fresh, free-range turkey from Whole Foods - not really big, but big enough to feed the both of us plus provide plenty of leftovers for other yummy dishes and sandwiches.

My dream is to brine the turkey in this. Isn't this the prettiest brine you've ever seen? But we'll see. I might just throw the ol' bird in the oven and get on with life.

I'm also doing smashed red potatoes, turkey gravy (which I am actually the most nervous about - I have a hard time with gravy), and my mom's stuffing.

Then, instead of green bean casserole, which I love but always think is just SO heavy with all the other heavy food, I was thinking of doing wilted greens with apples and squash from a recipe for savory crepes. Obviously, I'm not going to make the crepes for dinner, but I feel like the insides would be a yummy, lighter way to get in some vegs.

To incorporate cranberries into the menu (besides this aperitif I mentioned the other day) without actually going full-on cranberry jello mold (alas, no mold), I think I might whip up this cranberry cornmeal quick bread.

But John requested crescent rolls or Hungry Jack biscuits, so I'll have those too, I guess. :)

For dessert, I'm making pumpkin pie (another special request from my brother, but...duh). I'm going to try out the recipe in my Williams-Sonoma cookbook. Slightly different from the one my mom always makes, but I think it'll be fine! With it, I'm considering forgoing traditional whipped cream and doing the whipped sour cream topping from this Smitten Kitchen recipe.

To drink we'll have milk, of course! And Friday - leftovers!

I'll let you know how it all goes down. I'm getting slightly nervous about the timing and whatnot, but this is my kind of challenge, and I am SO up for it. What are you making for your family Thanksgiving?

Step One

2011-11-20T20:47:00.001-06:00

It’s Sunday night confession time. Normally I wouldn’t think that this isthe place to come clean like I’m about to, but I feel that the majority ofpeople who read my blog are people who love me or who are at least not going tojudge me. So. Don’t judge. ;)

Ready? Here it is: I don’t tithe.

AH. I hate that about myself. When I was in high school andcollege I tithed regularly. And even when I first moved to Chicago I made sureI gave 10 percent. But then city living caught up to me, and my tithing becamemore and more infrequent. And then stopped. And that’s more or less where I still am today.

When it comes right down to it, the truth is I’m not a verygood steward of my money. I realize that my steady income throughout my entireworking life is a precious gift from God that many, MANY people don’t have, andit kills me inside with how carelessly I use it. I know plenty of people who areliving on less and who are living abundantly, and sometimes it seems like Imissed out on some secret. I think that secret is that they are faithfullyentrusting their finances to the Lord, being sure to give back in a small waywhat he’s given to them and making wise decisions with the money they earn.

It seems like at least once every month, I start to feel thecrunch that I’m going to have to be extra careful so that I don’t run out ofmoney until my next paycheck, and I hate that! It’s so obvious when I stop tothink about it, that in this one very big part of my life, I’m trying to maintain control and not allowing God to guide me andmy choices. And I’m not showing my gratitude and faith that he has and alwayswill provide me with exactly what I need.

Well, thanks for letting me air that dirty bit of laundry. Iwant to change, but I know it’s a sin in my life that has taken a deep root andwon’t go away easily. So – Step One – start tithing. And trusting.

Pinspiration

2011-11-19T20:58:00.001-06:00

So, obviously, I love all the stuff I pin on Pinterest, but these are a few things that are inspiring me lately - sartorially, gastronomically, aesthetically, imbibitionally.... I think I made that last one up. Take a look anyways.

A Made-It-Through-the-Week Reward

2011-11-18T21:55:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, spending Friday evening in your robe on the couch watching The West Wing is just the thing.

Zimpy Shrimp Dimp

2011-11-17T17:18:00.001-06:00

I just got an e-mail from one of my former roommates, asking me for a recipe of hers. You see, this particular recipe is a hit at parties, and even though we didn't feel like it after she moved, my friends in Chicago and I still wanted to party and enjoy this fabulous app while we did it. So I had her give it to me. But it seems she's lost her copy. So...does this now make the recipe actually mine?? You decide.

Here it is Emily!

Zippy Shrimp Dip
From the kitchen of Emily Jordan

Ingredients:
2 packages of cream cheese
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
12 oz bottle of cocktail sauce
1Tbs horseradish sauce
2 6 oz cans of tiny shrimp (rinsed
and drained)
Minced fresh parsley
Assorted crackers

In small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese. Add in seasoned salt, Worcestershire, and onion powder. Spread onto a 13 inch platter (or what have you). Combine cocktail sauce and horseradish. Spread over cream cheese layer. Sprinkle with shrimp and parsley. Cover and chill for at least one hour. Serve with crackers.

Red Letter Day

2011-11-16T20:13:00.001-06:00

I'm happy today. Got a song in my heart, a smile on my face. Want to know why? I am wearing a pair of jeans that used to fit, then didn't, and now fit again! (And we're talking comfortably...I am not squeezed in.)

I'm sure there were other good parts of the day. Let's see...got a fair amount of stuff done at work, that was good. Went to Whole Foods, always a treat. I made soup, enjoyed that. Now I'm lounging on the couch with a warm kitty on my feet. Yep. Pulling on these jeans this morning was definitely the best thing to happen to me today.

Big News

2011-11-15T21:09:00.001-06:00

So the other day I found out that I have eight cavities, need a crown and also need to have all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. Pray for me.

Now I can actually cross off having two of those cavities filled, so that means I only have six cavities, need a crown and also need to have all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. I wasn't kidding when I asked you to pray for me.

In a completely unrelated note, I am coming to the end of my birthday box of chocolates from Kelly and it's kind of bumming me out. While praying for my cavities, please also consider sending me Godiva.

I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico!

2011-11-14T20:16:00.001-06:00

No really. I did.

I knew I was overpaying with Farmers, but circumstances being what they were when I was buying my car, I went with them. Now, a year later, I'm tired of their lousy service. (Seriously, one time I called my agent's office, was told he'd call me back, and two days later when I still hadn't heard from him, I had to call again. I was then told by the receptionist that they didn't have me in the system yet ((1.5 mos. after I purchased my policy)), and that they'd have to check their paper files and get back to me. An hour later they called and said they couldn't find my paper files, either. Also, I still never talked to my actual agent.) And I'm more than tired of paying $$ for their lousy service and standard coverage.

So today, I got online, switched over to Geico and am going to be paying about $40 less/month for the basically the same policy (and I can't believe I'll get worse service than I had before). A big Y.A.Y. for saving $480 in the next year!

Reading

2011-11-13T23:39:00.001-06:00

That's why I love it.

Coffee Walk

2011-11-12T17:25:00.001-06:00

Something interesting has been happening lately. I'm finding myself excited to get out of bed at 7:30 on a Saturday morning. In fact, I start looking forward to it on Friday, even Thursday! What could it be that has me rising so early and forsaking my beloved sleeping in/morning lounge? It's Coffee Walk.

I'm not sure when it was, but a new friend from church, Liz, asked me one day if I'd like to get coffee and maybe go on a walk the next Saturday. I said sure, but then something at work came up and I had to go into the office that weekend. But I was excited to get to know Liz better and also enjoy something fun on a Saturday when much of it would be taken up with work, so I asked if 8 a.m. was too early, that way I could still make it in to the office by 9:30. She was all about it, so we met up and had a great time.

In the coming weeks, it became a ritual. Whenever we're both in town, we make it a point to meet at Awakenings, grab coffee and head out to explore the neighborhood, never taking the same route twice. I've really come to love this early morning (for a Saturday) time with Liz. The streets are for the most part empty and the city is just waking up. And Liz is a wonderful friend and sounding board, and I love getting her take on things. Hearing about what's going on in her life and being able to walk alongside her (literally, ha) in that has been an unexpected gift.

This morning was no different. Here's hoping Coffee Walk continues as long as we're both in Cincinnati!

Adventures in Replacing Heads

2011-11-11T14:13:00.001-06:00

I mentioned yesterday that I am trying to get better at photo editing. I really like to do it, but mostly I feel like there's just so much to know and learn, and Photoshop, for as awesome as it is, is a pretty major deal to figure out. I know basics, but have completely forgotten all the cool tricks from my college class in the ol' Desktop Publishing garage on the far outskirts of campus (cue Aaron's Todd Giles impression).

Now the only way I am going to improve my skills, or learn anything worthwhile, is to just get to it. Luckily, I have a work laptop with Photoshop installed that I'm welcome to carry home whenever I want or need to.

So here's what I did. I took this not-so-great photo of my family from this last Fourth of July:

One of my cousins got a new camera and wanted to take
everyone's family portrait. Said cousin may need to work on
photo quality, but who am I to talk?

and I replaced John's, Mom's and Dad's heads with the ones from this one:

Obv. I am making THE most ridiculous face.

Then I tried to fudge around with the fill light/colors/warmth because we are all looking very gray sitting there on Grandma and Grandpa's porch. And because the photo was so grainy, I tried to mask it a little with some soft focus filter. Look:

I think I kind of over did it on the soft focus - John's looking a little "Back to the Future". Maybe there's too much yellow now, too. But I think it's better, for sure. And everyone's heads are on straight, so there's that.

Other than those things - I have a pretty great looking fam!

What I Ate For Dinner

2011-11-10T19:21:00.000-06:00

It is cold!

We've had some super-beautiful fall weather the last week or so, but today...today there is a chill in the air, that kind of chill that gets into your bones and stays there all winter. In fact, my Chicago and Northwest Ohio Facebook (and real-life) friends are reporting snow! I think Cincinnati actually reached a high of 50, so thankfully our weather situation isn't that dire. But still. Cold.

Anyways, in an effort to combat the impending colder weather, I made soup! It's a truly delish corn chowder recipe that I found on Pinterest, and only 200* calories per serving! Woohoo for yummy, warming soup that won't make you fat!

*My version is probably a smidge more than 200 calories. You'll see why.

So basically, you take these things:

Except the half & half (not actually an ingredient, I am just a
dingbat), and especially the wine (also not an ingredient,
but necessary for optimum cooking enjoyment).

Then you put some of the stuff into the pot:

I cut open the red pepper and found it moldy, so radishes!

And when it boils you add some more stuff:

Like the corn and potatoes.

After all that stuff's good and cooked, you add evaporated milk with cornstarch dissolved in it.

The secret weapon for creaminess without the cream!

Oh, and bacon.

Bacon is not in the original recipe.

Then season with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne!

Nail color: You Don't Know Jacques by OPI

And warm up!

With more wine of course. And yes, I am Pinterest-ing.

P.S. Thanks for indulging me through tedious photos of a pot of soup. I sometimes like to believe I am Pioneer Woman, and I'm also trying to develop some photo-editing skills. I have a long way to go.

Feeling Ambitious

2011-11-09T11:42:00.000-06:00

Guys.

I think I'm going to make bread. From scratch.

The most recent post on a foodie blog that I love, led me to this post on making French bread, and I just can't get the idea out of my head!

Can I do it? Have you ever done it? I tried once, and used old yeast. So that doesn't count, because I actually made a rock.

I think I'm just going to search for an easy, beginner recipe online, but if you know of one that is simple and doesn't require 12 hours, then please pass it on!

(Also, as a side note: I love Lucy's Kitchen Notebook. Someday when I have, like, time or something, I'm going to go through her archives and start reading from the beginning of her journey learning to live and cook as an American ex-pat in France. Her photos are delicious, her writing is elegant and the recipes and ingredients she uses inspire me to ~~move to France~~ shop more at the market, butcher, bakery, and the like! )

Rocking the Vote

2011-11-08T21:43:00.001-06:00

Today was the first time I voted on a non-presidential election day. I know. Suddenly I am all about fulfilling my civic duty. I even looked up the issues and candidates, read about them, talked to some friends. Then I searched my heart, walked down to the fire station, placed my votes and got my sticker.

Folks, frankly I'm a little surprised at myself. I abhor politics, and I'm not very hip to government goings-on. So though my opinion on politics hasn't changed, I've been trying to decide what spurred this sudden desire to rock the vote.

And here's what I think it is: I see so much potential here in Cincinnati for it to be a great city, full of life and history and character. And I know the city sees that potential, too, as it takes baby steps toward that dream of thriving. So I guess I'm excited to be a part of it all, and voting is one way I can have an impact.

I'm learning to love this city; that's why I voted today.

Thanksgiving Aspirations

2011-11-07T15:04:00.000-06:00

This year my brother John and I aren't going to Houston for Thanksgiving. It is, of course, not that we don't want to spend that time with the whole family together, it's just that two expensive holiday travels (Thanksgiving and Christmas) only a month apart can be a little much...$.

So, I talked to John today and we decided he should come to Cincinnati for the holiday. Which means I get to attempt my very first Thanksgiving dinner all by myself - including a turkey! He says he wants to help, and I suppose I'll enlist him for, like, mashing the potatoes and, like, carving the turkey, but let's be honest - it's going to be me in the kitchen and him in the living room watching football. And that's totally fine with me!

Ok. I am so excited to start planning the menu. Should I call my mom for her Thanksgiving Day standards, or should I browse ~~Pinterest~~ my cookbooks for recipes? Anyone have a must-eat Thanksgiving dish that needs to appear on my menu?Please do fill me in! And, for kicks, click on this link and get into the spirit with me!

http://www.thisisgrow.com/archive/officemax/roastaturkey/

Home Again

2011-11-06T19:43:00.001-06:00

Recovering from the drive with sushi and Sunday Night Football. It's good to be home!

The Good Life

2011-11-05T18:24:00.001-05:00

Today has been such a perfect day.

This morning Kelly and I had coffee and pumpkin bread, lounged around until her new fridge was delivered (hooray for a full-sized fridge!), and then went to our usual spot to get our nails done. Then it was off to Lincoln Park for some requisite shopping, but not before grabbing a burger and fries. It's important to be properly fueled before making purchases.

We finished the afternoon out with a sweet score at DSW for Kelly, came home and have been drinking wine and strategizing ever since. Later, we're going to Liz's for no doubt more wine and also fondue!

I MISS this city and these people so much sometimes. So today has been extra awesome because I've just fallen right back into our regular routine. Today could have been a beautiful day from Fall 2008, but not really. I think it's actually sweeter to spend time here and with my Chicago friends now that I've moved. But oh man... I wouldn't mind staying for a while!

Chicago-bound!

2011-11-04T10:33:00.000-05:00

I'm headed for my favorite city today at noon! Woo woo for a half-day and woo woo for Chicago! Ummm, that's about it. But, I'll leave you with this gorgeous wintertime photo of the Water Tower. Not exactly seasonal (Thanksgiving first, if you please), but those snowflakes and Christmas lights are right around the corner!

Almost Famous

2011-11-03T17:29:00.000-05:00

So the other day, I was on the radio!

I was acting in a radio segment for one of our stations at work, in which the morning show prank calls "random" people. But really, they aren't random, because that would be considered harassment. So they call people in the office and have them make up a name (I chose Beth) and pretend to be incredulous that they're being called at six in the morning (it was probably 9:30 a.m. when they called me). Then, they put it all together and air the "call" the next morning. So here's my bit that aired on Tuesday:

Simple Survey 11-1-11

What do you think? Was I believable as a disgruntled single woman being called early in the morning while still in my bathrobe and drinking my coffee? Cause that's the tone I was going for.

Photo Shoot

2011-11-02T17:53:00.001-05:00

I try to keep the fact that I have a cat under the radar. One of my greatest fears is to be thought of as a cat lady...single and alone with only my feline friends to give me the warmth of their company. Ok. I have one cat. I'm maintaining the acceptable cat/person ratio that allows me to still be desirable to men. At least that's what I've been telling myself ;)

But sometimes, I just want to let it all out. I love my cat. And tonight I want to gratuitously post photos of her lounging in the expensive thing I bought her that she never lays on/plays with/scratches instead of my couch.

And this concludes my blog about my cat. What was that about being desirable to men again? Oh man.

Annual Review

2011-11-01T11:58:00.000-05:00

Oh. Hi there...

ANYWAYS.

So just recently, I filled out the ol' annual self-evaluation form for work, which has gotten me thinking about the last year (work-wise). Friends and family ask me all the time about my job and if I like it, etc. And I tell them all the time that I love my job, am so happy to have it, so blessed to have waited on God's timing for something so great that I didn't know was even in my future, blah blah blah. ;)

But seriously. Sometimes I can't believe I get to come in, sit down, and write. And get paid! Plus there are perks...like the time I got to have lunch with the Plain White T's. And all these other famous recording artists:

Me and the Neon Trees

Me and Sara Bareilles (and my super-goofy smile)

Some co-workers, Sarah McLachlan, and me

Me, The Script, and some co-workers

So, let it be known - I love my job, even on the stressful, putting out fires, can't seem to get anything accomplished days. I love knowing that those years I put in at a ~~not-so-great~~ downright crappy company were perfectly ordered to prepare and lead me to this. (See here and here for how it all went down.) In church on Sunday, I heard this verse:

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

How wonderful that I have a loving, caring Father who is watching over me and answers my prayers better than I could ever imagine. Let me always run to Him first and only for every cry of my heart.

New Stuff

2010-12-08T20:58:00.004-06:00

So, today I got some new stuff. :)

We had our company Christmas party, - to give you a brief idea of the concept - there's a gift table and names are drawn and when you hear your name, you go up and get a gift off the table. Gifts range from awesome (like an iPad or a flat-screen TV), pretty darn good (a Kindle, iPod nano, spa packages), respectable (scrapbook kits, inexpensive-yet-nice jewelry) and the stuff that no one wants (CDs that have been lying around the studios, a giant Disney Christmas stocking with nothing inside). I, personally, had my eye on a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. But alas, my name wasn't called in time. Some jokester guy DJ took it - probably to sell it on eBay. Or maybe he likes to cook - I don't know his life!

Anyways, I came away with a pretty darn good/respectable (depending on your tastes) gift: the deluxe collection of all three of Steig Larsson's books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest). I've read the first two, loved them and have been waiting to read the third. And now I can! The books are definitely a little too fancy for what I need, but it's nice to have such a collectors' item, I suppose. (And I looked at the price on the bottom - the set goes for $99!)

After the party, which was at Maggiano's in the Kenwood Mall, we had the rest of the day free, so I went over to Williams Sonoma. I have a gift card there left over from my birthday, you see. Anyways. I walked in and what do I find? A sign informing me that all cookware is 20 percent off this week only - ALL cookware. That meant Le Creuset, which I have been pining after for years and which never goes on sale, was on sale!! And I had a gift card. SO. I picked up this little baby on the cheap. And I am truly in love.

Christmas Tunes

2010-12-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

Happy December everybody!

Yesterday, in honor of December 1st, it snowed. And I broke out the Christmas music. As I grew up, my mom amassed a serious collection of Christmas CDs that I eventually burned onto my computer so I could listen to them in my own home. Albums include Glenn Miller, tons of Mannheim Steamroller, Lorie Line, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, some beautiful instrumental CDs from The Nature Company (remember that store?), and other ones by Various Artists.

I love listening to this music. It reminds me of all the Christmas preparations that went on in my childhood home and all the anticipation and general good feelings that went along with those preparations. This music played when we decorated the Christmas tree, when we made gingerbread boys and other baked goods, when we wrapped presents, when we opened presents, really when we spent any kind of time together around the holidays, just hanging out and enjoying each other.

Anyways, I’m listening to it now and feeling all warm and fuzzy and Christmas-y.

Hope you’re feeling the same!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2010-11-30T15:33:00.004-06:00

Ok. So. I just got a little overwhelmed with life there for a few days. Sorry to leave you on such a sad note. And forsake NaBloPoMo, even though I was technically disqualified earlier in the month. In fact, I had every intention of posting each day for the rest of the month and finishing strong – and even twice in one day so I’d still have met the personal goal of 30 posts in 30 days. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

But what’s been going on behind the scenes has been pretty crazy. Like…I bought a car. After a long, drawn out process in which I realized that 1) I hate car shopping and 2) I really hate car shopping, I purchased a 2007 Toyota Corolla in a dark silver grey. It only has 44,000 miles on it. AND it has power windows. And a CD player. I’ve never had either of those things before.

On top of all that, Amy moved to the Virgin Islands, which leaves only two of the fourths stateside. Good thing we’re together here in Cincy. I also traveled to Houston for a long Thanksgiving weekend and work has been busy busy busy!!

It’s no secret to those who know me well that when faced with stress, I chose inertia. And then, when I finally can’t wait any longer to take care of a stressful issue I become like the starship Enterprise on Star Trek (The Next Generation, of course), when it’s under attack and the captain needs to divert all power to the shields, leaving only enough power for life support on all the other parts of the ship. Do you catch my geeky simile there?

Right so. That explains my absence my now renewed commitment to getting back in action. Here we go!

A long post about mostly me.

2010-11-15T18:10:00.004-06:00

So yeah...remember when I said I would be blogging this weekend? That didn't happen.

But, I did get some things done. I went to Target and the grocery store on Friday night and took my time just wandering the aisles. Mmmm....that's one of my favorite things to do. When I got home, I put everything away and did some laundry, and really the productivity ends there for the weekend. Boo.

Saturday I woke up and lounged in my robe and talked to my mom and dad for a long time. Then I got dressed and went on a GORGEOUS walk throughout the neighborhood. Seriously, it was 75 degrees out! I probably walked about five or so miles, but unfortunately, I wore new shoes without socks and now have gigante blisters on my heels. They are seriously so bad that I couldn't even walk yesterday. I can't wear shoes with backs on them - a problem when it comes to going to work in the fall. But I solved it today by folding down the backs of some flimsy flats I have. Ugh.

After my walk (and before the blisters reared their ugly heads), I drove over to an antique mall I'd seen on my way to church last week, which is great because I'm in the market for a cute, vintage kitchen table and guess what! I found one. But it's $180. So. Not this weekend.

Then it was home for zoning out with football. And then movies. I didn't even cook anything. I had leftover pizza.

Sunday morning I awoke bright and early for church, then limped directly to my car afterward, came home and took a long nap. After that, more movies and lazing. Bleh. I felt horrible by the end of the day. I didn't even shower.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good lazy weekend - when I plan for it. But I was feeling so productive last Wednesday, and then fzzzzz....

And I know exactly why. This weekend I got into a funk. You know, one of those moods where you feel kinda down about something or everything or nothing at all. You don't know. And since I didn't have any diversion or anyone to think about this weekend besides myself, I just mentally retreated and retreated until by Sunday night I wanted to just crawl into a hole.

I know this post is getting long and somewhat macabre and you probably don't even care...but I just want to type it out. Over the last week I've had a nagging feeling that something must be wrong with me, since I don't have a boyfriend and haven't had one in such a long, long time, though I meet guys all the time. (I know this isn't true, trust me. Most times I don't feel this way at all. But sometimes I just do.) And then I start thinking about how I long to be a wife and a mom and feel all the love and devotion that come with those roles. But how will I ever get there if I'm clearly unlovable? So then I get mad for feeling those feelings and try to tell myself all the good things I know about God, etc. But anyways. It's just a vicious cycle sometimes.

So, there you have it - my weekend date with narcissism. I look back on the weekend and can so easily see how I could have pulled myself out of it. A weekend with few responsibilities?? Why not spend some good, quality time with the Lord, reading His promises, meditating on them, praying to Him and not just complaining. Maybe it wouldn't have jump-started my productivity, but it probably would have been better than the mess I found myself in by Sunday night.

How blessed am I that I have a wonderful, merciful Savior! He offers hope when my heart has hopelessly lost the way.

Fellowship trumps blogging, I guess.

2010-11-12T09:10:00.000-06:00

Well. It happened.

I forgot to post yesterday. So I guess that means I'm out of the NaBloPoMo contest. Sad!!

On the other hand, the reason I forgot to post was probably because I had a busy, busy day yesterday. I woke up early to do some housework (and laundry) that I just couldn't leave until the weekend. Then work was busy. Then I raced to my neighborhood Kroger to get milk and chocolate chips (can you see where I'm going here?), and then raced home to make cookies that I could take to my Community Group which was starting at 7 p.m.

Community Group is wonderful, and I'm starting to really get to know and invest in the people there. So that's what my night was spent doing, instead of blogging. When the regular "Community Group" time was over, I stayed a little longer to finish a beer with the host/leader, his girlfriend and his roommate. I was there until past 10:30, just talking and laughing with new people who I actually really like.

When I got home, NaBloPoMo was the furthest thing from my mind - all I could think about was bed, and about the ways that God's taking care of me here in this new city.

So I guess it's ok that I disqualified myself. Fellowship trumps blogging. :)

What to do, what to do??

2010-11-10T20:37:00.001-06:00

So, this weekend I have no plans. I know it's only Wednesday, which might seem kind of early to be thinking of weekend plans, but to that I say, "No way!" I'm of the opinion that we should be thinking about the weekend as early as possible!

Anyways. Both of my go-to sets of friends are out of town this weekend which means that I'll have lots of time to do lots of useful things around the house. Or, I could make more friends...

My list includes:

Laundry (Some of which may have to be done earlier so as to avoid a shortage of something...)
Cooking (I have seriously been in a cooking rut and I hate it!)
Getting groceries (One can't cook if one has no food.)
Cleaning (Wow, this list makes it seem like I'm living in squalor. I'm not.)
General organizing of life (Occasionally I need to do this to remain sane. Usually involves list making.)
and maybe a little shopping (For some chairs! And maybe a cute little table for the kitchen!)

Oh! And of course blogging! :)

How about you? Got any plans for the weekend?

Something on my mind...

2010-11-09T21:26:00.001-06:00

I miss my home.

An Impromptu Movie Review

2010-11-08T21:34:00.001-06:00

Just got back from a free sneak peak of the new movie Morning Glory (yes, sneak peak movie passes come with the job :) It was good! It's only slightly a romantic comedy, so I was able to enjoy it without rolling my eyes every two minutes. Really, though...it's very cute and feel-goodish. A little long in some parts, but mostly a lovely movie! (Despite the what the reviews on that Rotten Tomatoes link up there say.)

But, what I really want to know is WHERE in this universe does a girl get asked out by an extremely attractive former rower on her second day on the job?? And of course he's charming and witty and tan and head-over-heels for her. AFTER THE SECOND DAY OF WORK. Seriously...wherever that is - I need to move there.

Weekend Update

2010-11-07T22:18:00.002-06:00

I'm a happy girl.

Today, I found myself in Leah and Jimmy's kitchen, helping Jimmy cook (it was Eggs Benedict Time!!), and I just felt so, so full of love and happiness and rainbows. ;)

No, really though - this weekend was just the best. Kelly and I spent Saturday morning lounging and then went shopping most of the day. That's like one of my favorite-est things to do with Kelly - we're really good at spending money, you see. Then we went and picked up Leah and brought her back to the city for Don Pablo's and other going-out-preparations. Once we were ready to go (and had each downed a cup of coffee), Jimmy picked us up and we headed downtown to explore the Cincinnati nightlife scene.

Our first stop was Mynt Martini, and it was lots of fun! I was kind of skeptical of what Cincinnati would hold in terms of actual nightlife, seeing as I was coming from Chicago and its myriad choices for expensive drinks and dancing. But Mynt was great. My martini was strong, the DJ was pretty darn good, and I was with my best friends. We danced most of the night at Mynt. And can I just say...there's something about just letting go amid all the people and the loud music and crazy lights. It's hard to explain - suddenly the music takes you and you just can't help but let your body move how it wants to. It fees so free. That might not make sense...but I think that's why I love going dancing.

Anyways, here are the only pics of the night - taken by Kelly's phone at Mynt.

After that we went to two other places to finish off the night, but they were slightly lame and we were tired, so we went home and were in bed by 2 a.m.

Then today after church, we decided to have Eggs Benedict Time at the Hoopers' house and Jath and Aaron came over and that's when my heart just kind of swelled. Five - or six, if you count Natalie, which I will, so - Six of my favorite people all together. Jimmy bossing me around the kitchen. Best friends getting to know one another. AH! It was wonderful. Happy girl.

If it's wrong, I don't want to be right...

2010-11-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

So, I don't know if this is going to be the worthwhile post I promised yesterday, but I'm posting - so deal. ;)

I just got back from Don Pablo's with Kelly and Leah. I know, I know. But before you begin to judge me for eating chain-Mexican and forsaking everything I learned in Chicago about being a food snob, I just want you to know that I love Don Pablo's. It holds lots of feel-good memories from my youth. I actually don't think I've been there since high school, when it was a favorite destination for pre-dance dinners and after-mall refuelings with my friends.

So tonight, we went. And it was glorious. I had a Dos Equis, plenty of chips, and salsa and a taco/enchilada meal that was tasty, tasty, tasty. I'm stuffed. And quite nostalgic, actually.

Blerrrrehhh!!

2010-11-05T22:33:00.000-05:00

Here's another nothing post just to remain eligible for NaBloPoMo!

Kelly's here (!) for the weekend, and I just ran out of time between work and picking up my apartment and then welcoming her.

Tomorrow there will be something worth reading here, I promise. :)

This one's gonna be quick.

2010-11-04T20:43:00.000-05:00

Cause I'm tired. I can hear my bed calling my name. Even though it's only 9:30 p.m.

So, the post tonight is on the fun fact that I will see my family in only 20 days!! When I got my ticket, if felt like I had to wait an eternity, and now poof! Here we are, 20 days out. :)

This makes my heart happy.

Also adding to the heart happiness is that while here in the Midwest, we're expecting SNOW tonight (unbelievable), in Houston, the average high for the next 10 days is 79 degrees. :) :)

And goodnight!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake!

2010-11-03T21:02:00.003-05:00

When I was planning for Jath's baby shower, I knew I wanted to have coffee cake. I love coffee cake. And one of the best excuses to have it is when one is hosting a bevy of grandmothers, aunts and other luncheon-type ladies who want to sip coffee and chat. I also knew I wanted to do a sort of autumn theme with the menu - and naturally, the best way to fall-up a coffee cake is to add pumpkin, right? So I decided to take a recipe from the Pioneer Woman and tweak it to include pumpkin.

So on the Wednesday nights of the two weeks before the shower, I had Baby Shower Test Kitchen. I figured if I couldn't get it right in that amount of time, I'd give up and make regular coffee cake.

The first Test Kitchen attempt was all guesswork and also all fail. The second Wednesday, I tried consulting different recipes with actual pumpkin to see how they incorporated it. And it turned out much better. Here's the recipe I came up with:

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Cake:
1/2 stick butter (room temp)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt

Filling:
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Topping:
1 1/2 stick butter (room temp)
3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 Tbs cinnamon

Combine topping ingredients, cutting with a pastry cutter to make streusel. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add pumpkin and vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Spoon 1/2 into greased 10" springform pan. Spread applesauce over batter. Sprinkle with half of the streusel. Spoon remaining batter evenly over streusel and then spread carefully. Top with remaining streusel. Bake at 350 for 50-55 mins., or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 mins. Remove outside ring. When completely cool, transfer to cake plate!

(I thought about drizzling a little glaze, but ultimately decided it didn’t need it. And I wouldn’t have added the apple filling, but I thought it needed something in the middle, and I had apples I needed to use up. Oh, and I forgot to add the streusel on top of the applesauce when I made it for the shower. Oops. It was still good.)

The erroneous apostrophe is not my fault.

2010-11-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I got to do something really cool. One of the radio stations I work for had a listener lunch with the Plain White T's and I got to go hang and take the video! True, this is not really a responsibility of the copywriter, but I was helping out in a pinch, and it wasn't even a little bit of a hardship. Not only did I get to leave the office for a few hours and enjoy free food, but I also got to meet the Plain White T's, who I love.

Here's me and Stephanie (the photographer to my videographer) with some of the Ts after the lunch.

They played their current hit, "Rhythm of Love," and then played their next single, "Boomerang." And after a question and answer time, they wrapped up by playing "1,2,3,4." It was great. I love this job. :)

One-Year-Old

2010-11-01T10:47:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to this blog!! It's one-year-old today!

In review, I think I had bigger plans for it initially than what my procrastinating tendencies could really handle. Hence, only 52 posts in the last 365 days. :)

But! Another year, another valiant effort to keep this blog alive. I've decided to do the NaBloPoMo Challenge again, to give myself a kick-start.

So today, just to round-off the season, here's me in my favorite Halloween costume from my youth:

I was determined to be a nun that year because in VBS the previous summer, we had made cross necklaces out of cinnamon sticks, and I thought mine looked just like the Reverend Mother's from The Sound of Music.

Even though playing dress-up was one of my favorite things to do as a little kid, I don't really get into costumes on Halloween anymore. I refuse to be a sexy mouse/nurse/firefighter/Sponge Bob. And, unless I'm suffering for fashion's sake, I'd rather be comfortable in my normal jeans than uncomfortable in a cheap polyester costume, scratchy wig, and flaky face paint. Also, I think after four Halloweens spent in Chicago, I've learned that it's best to stay in and avoid contact with all of the crazies that suddenly emerge to roam the streets at all hours and in all stages of undress.

That makes me sound like a Halloween Scrooge. Let it be known that I love carving pumpkins. And I love cute little trick-or-treaters. Someday, when I finally live in a house in a neighborhood that is conducive to trick-or-treating, I'll string faux cobwebs embedded with little plastic spiders around my porch and light candles in jack-o-lanterns. And I also love the fall season in general and all its associated decorations like Indian corn and beautiful leaves and gourds (seriously love gourds). And the food! Caramel apples and hot cider and popcorn balls and anything and everything with pumpkin in it!!

Ok, so I don't really know why I felt compelled to give that little diatribe, but there it is. Consider the first post of a new year (and new challenge) done!

A Shower for Baby Shep

2010-10-27T14:52:00.003-05:00

I just realized that the last two posts I did were lists. I must be feeling listy. But, in an effort to change things up, I'm going to post about Jath's baby shower which I helped throw the other weekend. Here we go!

So on Friday of last, last week (the 15th, rather), Aaron, Jath, Toby, and I packed up and headed to Marion, Aaron's hometown as well as the home to Indiana Wesleyan University, where the three of us went to college. We stayed with Aaron's parents, and - I just love this family. I know that's the general consensus among people who know them, so I know my opinion is nothing special. But seriously...I didn't even know how much I missed them. We spent a lot of time with them in college, since their place was such a nice escape from campus life and was so close. And Aaron's three younger brothers provided hours of entertainment. Being there just reminds me of lounging on the sectional, playing rock band, even camping in the living room!

Here's where we always end up - around the kitchen table, arms out, listening to Jordan talk.

This picture cracks me up. WHAT are these faces? And WHAT are we doing??

Anyways. First thing on Saturday morning, my fellow shower-throwers (Amy, the third roommate in our triple, and Lauren, Jath's sister-in-law) and I headed out for groceries and decorations. We got back right before noon and started right in! Here's the menu:

Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting (I substituted the banana in the recipe for mashed up apples. And I didn't garnish them with bananas either. Also this frosting recipe is insane, but SO worth it. Try having a partner help you...)
Pumpkin Coffee Cake (I created this recipe during some Baby Shower Test Kitchen nights I had prior to the shower. Maybe I'll throw it up here as its own post later on...)
Buckeyes (a big hit...wonder why ;))
Caramelized Onion Tartlets (tasted like a sour cream and onion chip turned into a pie...weird, but good!)
Garden Pizza (I used purple cauliflower! It was awesome!)
Smoked Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms (surprisingly also a big hit...maybe because they tasted like little pizzas without crust.)
Cheddar Cheese Popcorn (set around the room for munching)
Apple Cider Punch (just a gallon of apple cider, a 2 liter of ginger ale, and half a can of orange juice concentrate)

The party started the next day, Sunday, at 2 pm, and we were ready! It was wonderful and fun and went off without a hitch. Jath got some great gifts, we prayed for her and even Skyped in her mom and sister who live in PA!

Even though I was completely exhausted when it was over, I didn't really care; it was a *fabulous* weekend.

List for the day:

2010-10-21T17:36:00.016-05:00

✔Get up early to finish cleaning room, which was last night’s task that didn’t get finished as most of the night was spent shopping.

✔Struggle getting out of car for some reason, dump crumbs in passenger seat.

✔Continue clumsy streak by spilling coffee all over hand and sidewalk.

✔Drop iPod.

✔Consider just going back home.

✔Enter building and proceed to have issues with all the fiber I ate for breakfast in my Overnight Oats (no figs, unfortunately).

✔Really consider going home.

✔Make it through all issues – fiber-related and motivational (thanks in part to surprise e-mail from mother and a super-long article I wrote going live and looking great) – and on to lunchtime errand, the post office.

✔After post office, go to Potbelly’s for chicken salad on regular with provolone, lettuce, onions, and three hot peppers.

✔Only eat half of saltiest chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever had. Throw the rest away.

✔Back to work.

✔Write write write write write write write write write.

✔Go home and wait for Leah to come so we can eat dinner.

Go to Bosom Ball with Leah.

Meet Sara Bareilles.

Listen to Sara Bareilles.

Go home and to bed ASAP so I can wake up early tomorrow to pack for Chicago!!!

A Little Early Thanksgiving

2010-10-11T15:31:00.004-05:00

I don’t know why…but I’m just feeling kinda thankful lately. So, I’m gonna make a list and put it up here. Maybe I’ll do this on a regular basis. But let’s be honest – I’ve never been very good at doing things on a regular basis. Like, for example…blogging. ;)

So, without further ado – a shout-out to God for:

1) The opportunity to dog-sit for the first time this weekend (and also to make a little money).
2) The fact that the dog was THE most chill animal I have ever encountered.
3) Finding a neighbor family who let me use their phone to call a locksmith after I locked the dog and myself out of the house without a phone within the first 10 minutes of my being there.
4) How nice and welcoming the neighbor family was, even though I was interrupting their Shabbat dinner and 40th birthday celebration. They even gave me a piece of cake and I got to sing Happy Birthday with them.
5) The fact that the amount of money I made dog-sitting was the same amount the locksmith charged. So at least I didn’t lose any money...
6) Weekend playtime and naptime and eating time with Natalie, the little love who is still stealing my heart after a year.
7) The great time I had with her parents, Leah and Jimmy (and our friends Matt and Ashley!), at The Brazenhead – the first bar I’ve been to since moving here!
8) Beer being so cheap in Ohio! (Compared to Chicago.) (Um, can I thank God for beer being cheap?)
9) Leah giving me old, but still nice jeans she wasn't wearing just when I was thinking about having to go buy a new pair.
10) The fact that I didn’t get too lost in the ghetto this weekend. Only a little lost.
11) The beautiful rolling fall landscapes I get to see each day in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
12) Helping me realize it was silly to stress about finding a church home, and then blessing me with one on the first try.
13) Giving me the opportunity to lead worship in a new environment with a new church family.
14) The new people I’m meeting each week and the new relationships I’m building – I’m so excited to see what those relationships become!
15) Aaron and Jath letting me come over, do my laundry, and raid their fridge on lonely Sunday nights.
16) Their little baby boy coming at the end of December that I'm just dying to have in my arms already.
17) A job that frequently gives me free meals (pizza for lunch today!) and free things to do (tickets to an advanced screening of Red tonight!).
18) My grandpa celebrating his 84th birthday yesterday, and the fact that he's healthy.
19) My dad using his miles to buy a plane ticket for me to go to Houston for actual Thanksgiving.
20) The fact that there are only 45 days between now and the day I leave for Texas to see my family!

It’s true – these aren’t really deep, soul-searching, life-altering things…but they are tangible ways God’s showing me how He loves me – and for that I’ll never be thankful enough. I’m praying that I keep my eyes and heart open, so I don’t miss even the smallest ways He’s moving in my life.

Friends in the Nati

2010-10-06T14:49:00.002-05:00

The last couple nights I’ve been hanging out with Jath since Aaron’s been in New York on business. We haven’t done anything special – Sunday night I did my laundry at their place (it’s free and they love me), and we intermittently lounged and fell asleep on the couch while watching movies on TV (Runaway Jury and Marie Antoinette). And yesterday after work, I ran to the grocery store, came home, made some biscuits, and took them over to Jath’s house to eat with this amazing soup she made. Then we watched Sister Wives (DVRed from Sunday night and so interesting!) and Gossip Girl – quality TV, I know.

I remember what it was like to live so far apart, just longing to spend time together doing nothing. And it makes my heart all kinds of warm and happy to know that now we can.

And last night, the small group I've been attending got together for dinner. The women in our group are just lovely. Leah has been meeting with them since she moved back to Cincinnati in March, and Jath and I joined them in September. They welcomed us right in and made us feel like we've always been part of the group. I really love our time together every Tuesday night, just us girls. But last night we changed up the routine as we gathered for dinner at Jessie's house. Husbands and babies were welcome, which made our group eight adults, two toddlers, and an infant. It was one of the most fun nights I've had since I moved here: great food, loud laughing, kids crawling and running everywhere, and just general good times. I loved it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm humbled to be a part of these people's lives. And I'm so, SO excited to see how these friendships grow.

That’s all!

A Not-So-Minor Detail

2010-09-14T13:24:00.003-05:00

Now, when I told you that big story yesterday, I left out a very important detail – I thought it needed a whole post of its own.

I remember going to Chicago for the first time during the summer after my first year of college. Two high-school friends and I made a mad dash over there just for one day. Everything was new to me – I’m pretty sure I never closed my eyes once the whole day. That night, as we waited outside to be seated at Giordano’s, I looked up at all the enormous buildings and I could feel something stirring; I knew I wanted to live there some day.

Fast forward to the end of college, a.k.a. the big bad freak-out where Robin has NO clue what she should do with her life, doesn’t want to leave her friends and doesn’t have any plans post-graduation besides moving back in with her parents in Ohio. Cue the crying myself to sleep in the dorm room, pleading with my parents to let me stay at IWU one more year, wasting money by taking the GRE without a plan or even studying.

But move back to Ohio I did. And after applying for jobs in Indy or anywhere close to my friends back at school, and then applying for jobs all over the country when that didn’t work out, I eventually found myself employed in Downtown Chicago with an apartment in one of the best neighborhoods, and, after about a year of agonizing loneliness, a church to call home and some friends who became my family.

All that happened without any help from me. It’s so obvious that God was at work, pulling me in a direction I always wanted to go without my even noticing it. He blessed me abundantly and so completely accurately that every one of my needs was met, more perfectly than I could have imagined. During all the agonizing and desperate praying that things would work out, God was at work – even when it felt like nothing was happening and like I would stay in this quagmire of uncertainly forever.

And once again, I can see how God blessed me with this new opportunity at just the right moment. This transition has really been ridiculously easy (aside from inevitably missing Chicago, my “family,” and my church). My lease was up at the end of August so I didn’t need to find a sub-letter, my brother was able to come help me move, my parents lent me some money to offset the moving costs, my grandpa lent me his pick-up truck so I could just rent a trailer from U-haul instead of paying big bucks for a moving truck, some of my best friends had a spare room in their house in Cincinnati that I could live in as long as I needed and had time to take me to and pick me up from work….I could continue, actually, but you’d probably lose interest.

But I’m so, so thankful. So thankful that these crazy-generous people allowed God to use them. So thankful that while I was wallowing in my “I hate my job” woes, He was building a plan so wonderful and so right for me, that it would surpass anything earthly-me could have ever hoped for. So thankful that I serve a loving, kind, generous, omniscient, sovereign Lord who is patient with me when I despair and whine that I can’t see what lies ahead and who delights in my joy when it’s revealed. Love Him.

Big, Belated News

2010-09-13T16:00:00.001-05:00

(Oh my. I’m going to ignore all the previous posts about reviving this blog and just start right in, ok?)

So…I got a new job!

And, I moved.

Here’s how it all started: After coming home from an AMAZING 4th of July weekend in NW Ohio, Leah, one of my dearest friends from Chicago (who had only that early spring moved back to her hometown, Cincinnati), called me up to tell me about this seemingly perfect-for-me job opening she had heard of – a copywriter for a media group that owns four radio stations in Cincy.

Now, for a little background info: I had been pondering my time in Chicago and whether it was coming to a close for a while. It was no secret that I was unhappy with my current job and had been for a very long time. I wasn’t making much money, and certainly wasn’t saving any. Also, I felt very much like I was just spinning my wheels waiting for something to happen while all my friends were moving on to the next steps in their lives. So, I began to think of my options for when my lease was up at the end of August. Cincinnati was, in fact, one of my options since I have some very good friends who currently live there.

And here’s how it all went down: I decided to apply. The job really was perfect for me – it offered a significantly higher salary, it was in a city where the cost of living was much more manageable, and it seemed to require all of the skills I had learned in my four years at my previous job, plus all the natural qualities and talents I’ve always had. And, it seemed really cool.

My application was received, and I was called for a phone interview that went really well. Then they asked me to do a brief writing assignment. Once that had been received and looked over, they called me to set up a face-to-face interview, which meant making some travel plans. After a harrowing experience standing in a monsoon for HOURS waiting for the Mega Bus to get to the station in Chicago, as well as a fantastic night introducing some of my best friends to each other, I had an equally fantastic interview.

Back to Chicago and back to work, I eagerly anticipated a phone call from my prospective employers. Somewhere along the line I decided that if they were to offer me the position I would do it – pack it all up and move from my beloved city, friends and church and start a new adventure. Finally, after a week, I heard back – they were offering me the job! I accepted.

I was pretty elated to walk into my boss’s office the next day and hand over my two weeks’ notice. There were so many, many things I wanted to say – how under-appreciated I felt on a regular basis, how ridiculously and irrationally the company was run, how I was leaving this job to go be PAID (and paid MORE) for something they never thought I could do, write. Which is complete bunk because DUH. I’m an excellent writer. ;)

Two weeks and lots of moving-related stress and I was off to Cincinnati. I’ll never be able to express my gratitude and say exactly how loved I felt by all the people who said they’d miss me, who helped me move (specifically the hero-of-the-moving-extravaganza, my little bro John), who lent me money, who have been fostering my cat, and who have been housing me and driving me around since I arrived (no apartment and no car yet). It’s been a complete and utter whirlwind. Seriously, this whole business began on July 5th and by August 23rd I was sitting in the HR office on my first day. Whirlwind.

I’ll be posting more (hopefully tomorrow) on my exciting plans for the weekend and other tidbits of info on my new life here in Ohio. Check back if you’re interested!

Summertime Eats and Drinks!

2010-08-02T14:09:00.005-05:00

So, here's a funny thing. One of the food blogs I follow posted this on Wednesday. (Also, the blog is done by a couple in Chicago...so that's kind of cool, too!) And then, my friend Kim posted this on her blog on Friday. They both based their posts on the same recipe from Bon Appétit magazine, and the crazy thing is - no connection between the blogs except for me. Crazy!* So I decided this was a divine message that this recipe would change my life should I try my hand at it, so on Friday night, Kelly and I tried it out.

Listen, it's super good. We based ours off of the Lottie & Doof recipe; the original recipe doesn't list red pepper flakes, and while they made ours a little on the spicy side, I think they give it a little extra kick that I think makes the sweetness of the corn stand out even more. But, we used about three garlic cloves and didn't toast the pine nuts (forgot).

Also, just FYI - Kim altered the recipe for a vegetarian palate and also did a few other things a little differently. Next time I make this I think I'll try her method to see how I like blending everything together and not mixing it in with the pasta.

*Maybe I'm getting too excited about this since I'm up to my eyeballs in The Girl Who Played with Fire, in which one of the main characters is trying to discover, among other things, how two murders are linked, and so far they're linked by this one person who shouldn't have anything to do with either of the murdered parties and anyways, it's fantastic and I can't put it down.

And, if you can believe it, there's more to the story! Liz came over and, while looking through my old magazines, found a recipe for cucumber margaritas in the May issue of Martha Stewart Living. Duh - we made them.

Cucumber Margaritas
This drink takes a little time to make since the base has to chill for an hour.
Makes 9 6-oz margaritas

3 cups thinly sliced, peeled, seeded cucumber
1 1/2 cups silver tequila
1 cup fresh lime juice (definitely use fresh)
1 cup lime simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water and a tablespoon of fresh lime juice, simmered and stirred until sugar dissolves)
Lime half for rimming the glasses
Coarse salt
Ice cubes
Cucumber slices for garnish

Make the base: In a blender, combine the cucumber, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Blend until the mixture is as smooth as you can get it. Strain into a pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until chilled - about 1 hour.

Moisten the rims of martini glasses with the cut side of the lime half. Spread coarse salt on a small plate, then upend the glasses into the salt to curst the rims. Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice, then add 1 1/2 cups of the margarita base. Cover and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into the prepared glasses. Garnish with cucumber slices. Repeat as needed.

Counting Down to Cornfields

2010-07-02T12:03:00.001-05:00

What I'm looking forward to.

I'm headed home today. Home to Ohio! I haven't been home in over a year (since before my parents moved to Texas), and I cannot wait to get out of the city and into the cornfields. I'm going to see my parents, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We're going to chat, and play Trivial Pursuit, and barbeque, and eat, and sit outside, and listen only to the quiet farm noises and to each other. It's going to be a good weekend.

Happy 4th!

Robin Lately

2010-07-01T15:29:00.005-05:00

Well, hello there.

I suppose I must have subconsciously decided to take a blogging hiatus for 2.5 months. But here I am, back again – hopefully this time for good (or, at least, for a goodly amount of time)

So, what’s been shaking? Let’s see… April 9 was the last time we spoke. So a lot of things have happened since then.

I made a flying trip to Indy to get together with the four fourths before one of the fourths left for Spain. (But rumor has it, she will be Stateside for a few weeks this summer, and I plan to get some Sarah-time in).

I went to Houston to surprise my baby brother for his 11^th birthday. That was a great time – I took two days off work, used my free flight from Southwest, and got to see the look of sheer astonishment on Nick’s face when I walked in the door after Dad “went to check on some things at work” (really, he went to pick me up from the airport). I did get the flu while I was there, but it was at the end of my visit and my mom was there to take care of me – that sort of thing doesn’t happen often in adult life.

Two friends from church got married at the end of April and their wedding was beautiful: it was kind of a big wedding, but they made it seem so personal. I really got a glimpse into their relationship with Jesus as a couple. It really was beautiful. And I’ve never seen a bride and groom dance so much at the reception. That was awesome!

Then, in May, a bunch of people moved away. Evelyn moved back to England and Kat to Indiana (in preparation for her official move to The Ohio State University and grad school). So we had some going away parties. And it was sad when they were gone.

Liz had a big bash for her big 3-0 later that month and it was SO fun. And I met a pilot. Then, later on that same night, Kelly and Stacey and I went to Carol’s (which is this country music dive-bar that’s open after the other bars close), and I met ANOTHER pilot. I didn’t think it was possible to meet two pilots in one night, but it is my friends, it is.

Let’s see…that brings us to the beginning of June, which meant MINNESOTA for Amy and Scott’s nuptials. So fun. I love them. And it was just a fantastic weekend full of people I love and a very happy, happy occasion. Also, we were in Minnesota, which makes me inordinately happy on principal.

The next weekend my brother John came to visit and he tagged along with a bunch of my friends to Ribfest (which I’m pretty sure wasn’t a hardship for him) and then over to Mulligan’s, a dive-ish bar with dartboards lining the back wall. Here, John and Marissa’s friend Ted held dart school for Kelly and Marissa and me. I wish I could say we passed with flying colors…but I cannot.

And then it was off to TENNESSEE for another wedding – this time for Emily and Mark. Due to a bunch of technical difficulties revolving around vehicles, we ended up renting a car for this trip. And, I guess since we were so pretty, the Avis people gave us a free upgrade to a Lincoln Towncar. Yes. The same car my grandmother owns, albeit a much newer model. But let me tell you folks, if you must road-trip, the Lincoln is not a bad way to do it. It’s huge! The wedding was so fun (and SO hot – heat index of 107 degrees!), and Emily looked so happy and graceful. And Mark was very dapper. And when we weren’t celebrating those two, Kelly and Liz and Kat and Leah (!) and Jimmy (!) and I were all hanging out, enjoying being together in the old group again. Love them.

This brings us more or less to last weekend, which was another moving weekend, this time for my own roommate! Marissa headed off to Colorado to be closer to her new fiancé, which leaves me with an empty house (but not for long…).

So far this week I’ve been busy, busy. On Tuesday night Kelly and I tried out Yoga By the Lake (a class offered by our gym). I was nervous – it was my first time doing serious yoga. I’ve always just kind of goofed around with it (partner yoga, anyone?). But it was fun! I think I want to try to go to a basics class sometime soon so I can at least figure out how to get my bearings, but it was so wonderful to be outside, listening to the water and the birds. Good stuff.

Then last night I had fully planned on going home after work, making some stir-fry and cleaning the kitchen. But then Frances sent me a little G-chat asking me to go on an adventure with her: free Mat Kearney concert at the Taste of Chicago! Truthfully, though the adventure wasn't in my plans for the evening, I realized that if I went home I’d be wishing I would have gone with Frances, and if I went with Frances, I for sure wouldn’t be wishing I had gone home. So, we made it work, and I had a fantastic time. And, since I had ridden my bike to work, I rode home from Frances’s place, which is down town, after the Taste. It was a gorgeous night, and I left just when the sky was turning sapphire blue. I rode home along the lakefront trail with the glittering city lights on one side and the lake on the other. It was quiet, and warm, and so, so lovely.

And that’s the wrap up!

Well, it's here.

2010-04-06T21:34:00.003-05:00

Spring! This morning on my way to the bus, I got caught in a hail storm, and then by the time I got to work, it was practically sunny. Trees are budding, birds are chirping, the air is alternately clear with sunshine and thick with a bloomy glow. It's like the earth's pulse is just starting to come thrumming through the frozen layers of dirt and mud and dead stuff.

Chicago in the spring is great. Suddenly, the sidewalks are full of people and restaurants open their windows and put out their outdoor seating. And, while I always get excited when the first boats are put out in the harbor, in this particular short space of spring, the lake has a scrubbed-clean look, and I love it. I am excited, though, to go to Indiana this weekend and see what spring's doing to the fields and grasses outside of the city. I bet it smells so good!

Yes, I think it's official. I am thoroughly smitten with spring. And the best thing about it is that this season is just a herald of warmer and lovelier days ahead; as my mom would say, "it's all before us."

Kindred Spirits

2010-03-09T21:21:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite things to do is reread favorite books. Unfortunately, it's something I don't do very often, I guess, because the sheer number of books I haven't even read once presses down on me with the weight of missed opportunities to find more favorite books. But, there are a few that I do make time for--one (or, I should say, one series) being Anne of Green Gables. The first time I read Anne I was in the sixth grade, in the car on a family vacation down to Florida. It's about 20 hours from my house in northwest Ohio to Disney World, and I had gotten a number of books for Christmas in anticipation of all the backseat time I'd have coming up just after New Year's. I don't remember exactly how long it took, but I know by the time we were home again, I had finished and was clamoring for the next in the series.

While I loved those books, the attention span of an adolescent and teenager isn't that long, and I didn't actually come back to or reread the series until just a couple years ago.You see, its rare, but sometimes I get burnt out with living in the city. On any given day, I love it, but something inside me resonates with trees and fields and barns and snug houses and quiet, steady people. It's home for me. And, I don't know what inspired me to do it, but I picked up Anne of Green Gables and read it again, drinking in this time the descriptions of the countryside and the sweet conversations of the characters--really thinking out their relationships with each other and their land. L.M. Montgomery's writing sort of filled up that resonating hole that sometimes gets a little too big with missing my home.

So, a couple weeks ago, I bought the new anniversary edition of Anne of Green Gables, since I had loaned out my other copy. And I'm reading it again.

Here's a little excerpt from Anne's House of Dreams (the fifth book in the series) that I love:

"Silence and twilight fell over the garden. Far away the sea was lapping gently and monotonously on the bar. The wind of evening in the poplars sounded like some sad, weird, old rune--some broken dream of old memories. A slender shapely young aspen rose up before them against the fine maize and emerald and paling rose of the western sky, which brought out every leaf and twig in dark, tremulous, elfin loveliness.

"'Isn't that beautiful?' said Owen, pointing to it with the air of a man who puts a certain conversation behind him.

"'It's so beautiful that it hurts me,' said Anne softly. 'Perfect things like that always did hurt me--I remember I called it 'the queer ache' when I was a child. What is the reason that pain like this seems inseparable from perfection? Is it the pain of finality--when we realise that there can be nothing beyond but retrogression?'

"'Perhaps,' said Owen dreamily, 'it is the prisoned infinite in us calling out to its kindred infinite as expressed in that visible perfection.'"

A Recent Obsession

2010-03-02T22:41:00.008-06:00

Tonight I made lemon poppy seed bread. I've always really liked lemon poppy seed, but I guess you could say that lately I've been a little obsessed. So tonight, to stem my cravings, I decided to make some following the recipe below. I found this online, and the author of the recipe gave some really good explanations for why she breaks the steps up as she does:

"This recipe uses a slightly different method to mix the batter. Instead of simply creaming the butter and sugar, then adding the eggs, followed by the flour and milk, this recipe uses what is called the 'one bowl' or 'quick method.' That means the dry ingredients are first put into a mixing bowl, and then room temperature butter, along with a little of the wet ingredients, are added. These ingredients are beaten together and then the remaining wet ingredients are added. The reason for mixing the batter in this way is to reduce the gluten formation in the flour, which produces a quick bread with a moist, dense, and velvety texture. This can only happen if the butter has had the chance to coat the flour before all the wet ingredients are added which can have a toughening effect."

How interesting, right? I never really think about baking/cooking as being science-y, but it totally is! The order that things are mixed in matters in a kind of chemistry-like way.

Anyways. Here's my bread, still in the bundt pan, because it's my mom's old one and I think its pretty.

And here's the recipe!

Lemon poppy seed bread:
3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cups flour, sifted

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

13 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Lemon syrup:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a loaf pan, bundt pan or muffin tin.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk.

Beat the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and poppy seeds until combined. Add the softened butter and half the egg mixture and mix on low speed until moistened. Increase the speed to medium and beat for about one minute. (This aerates and develops the cake's structure.) Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the remaining egg mixture in two batches, beating about 30 seconds after each addition. (This will strengthen the structure of the batter.)

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 55 to 65 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You may have to cover the bread with buttered foil after about 30 minutes if you find the bread over-browning.

When the bread is done, remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and lemon juice to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Pierce the hot loaf all over with a wooden skewer or toothpick and then brush the top of the loaf with about half the hot lemon syrup. Cool the loaf in the pan for about 10 minutes then invert onto a greased wire rack. Brush the remaining syrup onto the bottom and the sides of the loaf. Re-invert the bread so it is right side up and then cool the bread completely before wrapping. Store at least overnight before serving to allow the lemon syrup to distribute throughout the loaf.

Makes 1 loaf.

Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/breakfast/LemonPoppyseedBread.html#ixzz0h54LMqEK

Today is a good day.

2010-02-19T14:14:00.000-06:00

The reasons:

It's Friday.
My boss is out for the day.
My inbox was empty when I came in.
My mom is coming for the weekend.
I just finished a v. delicious strawberry shake from Potbelly's.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a super grain!!

2010-02-17T21:45:00.003-06:00

The other night I was inspired to make something with quinoa - the super grain! Basically, quinoa has been around for a looong time, originating in the Andes where they've been using it for at least 6,000 years. And truly, when I was hiking through the Andes along the Inca trail, quinoa was a staple in just about every meal we were served. You can do all sorts of things with it and put it in almost everything, but I had some leftover mushrooms from another recipe I tried recently, so I thought I'd see if I could make a "risotto," substituting the über-good-for-you quinoa for the not-so-healthy-white-rice. And, in the style of The Pioneer Woman, here's what I did (recipe at the end):

I diced the garlic and shallot.

And then rinsed off the mushrooms (I used some white button mushrooms and a portabella I had leftover from another recipe, but I think any kind and combination will do!)

I chopped them.

Then, I sauteed the garlic and shallots (seasoned with salt and pepper) in butter.

And threw in the mushrooms.

When the mushrooms started to cook down, I added the wine and quinoa.

The last step is to add the cheese and the rest of the butter, once all the liquid has been absorbed.

And enjoy!

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
1 cup quinoa
2 cups white wine or vegetable broth
Parmesan cheese, grated

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter. When the butter has melted, stir in the shallot and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
2. Add the olive oil and mushrooms, season again, and cook for another five minutes, or until mushrooms have begun giving off their water.
3. Add the quinoa and the wine/broth, stir, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook at a bare simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the cheese to taste until both have melted, season to taste, and serve hot.

Snowmageddon 2010

2010-02-09T22:18:00.000-06:00

It is, inexplicably, still snowing. I know it's nothing like Washington, D.C. and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic, but this is the most snow Chicago's seen all winter. And the winter storm warning isn't even up until tomorrow! I mean, Ziggy, my building manager is outside right now running the snow-blower. It's 10 pm!

Oh well.

Nothing big to post tonight...I just didn't want to forget how to blog. Our Internet's been down for the last couple days, and it has been HARD. I never realize just how tied I am to my e-mail and Facebook and Google until it's taken away from me. Instead, I've been filling my time with my new obsession: The West Wing. So good! I'm about half-way through the first season and I'm completely hooked. So, I think, it's time for an episode or two before I fall asleep...good night!

The 5 Best Places to Get Lunch in the Loop

2010-01-20T10:36:00.004-06:00

Borrowing ideas from some friends’ blogs, I’ve decided to compile some 5 best (in my own opinion, of course) lists. I have a few list ideas already, but I'll space them out so you don't feel too bombarded. So, in no particular order:

The 5 Best Places to Get Lunch in the Loop

Mezza

(on Wells, between Madison and Monroe)

Some co-workers tipped me off on this little Mediterranean joint. I love their Chicken Kebab Pita, which is basically a chicken kebab with onions and peppers, taken off the stick, and put in a warm pita with lettuce and tahini sauce (and tomatoes, which I don't get on mine). Oh my - the chicken is so juicy and has this really good Mediterranean marinade/sauce stuff on it. Their menu is really big, and everything is really, really fresh.

Potbelly’s

(on LaSalle, between Washington and Madison)
Ok, well, there are like a million Potbellys in Chicago - specifically in the Loop, but I love it, love it, love it. There's just something about a sandwich made on toasted bread and cheese. My favorite is the Chicken Salad Sandwich on regular bread with lettuce, onions, and 3 hot peppers (I have a sensitive mouth). You see, I have a thing for chicken salad, and I'm very particular. And Potbelly's has the best, so far, that I've found. Also, their oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are divine.

Goodwin’s

(on Franklin, between Couch and Randolph)

Truth be told, I've only been there once (it's not all that close to my office, and the weather has been fairly yucky since I was there last). But! I think it says something that this place is on my list, even though I've only had one Goodwin's experience, which was fabulous. Let me tell you why: The atmosphere and the huge menu. The restaurant is kind of like a maze and is on two levels of an old building downtown. It's not over-produced either. They concentrate on good food there, and the ambiance just takes care of itself. It's very cool. When I was there, I had the Santa Clara Wrap (mesquite chicken breast, Provolone cheese, and red onions - no tomatoes for me - served hot in a flour tortilla). But there were tons and tons of options.

Panda Express

(on Monroe, between Clark and LaSalle)
Nothing special here - I just really, really love the Orange Chicken. Really.
Pastoral

(on Lake, between Wabash and Dearborn)
This is slightly a ways from my office, but so, so, so good! In the nice weather it's not a hardship at all to hike over there for a sandwich made from artisan cheese, bread, meats. This is often my go-to place in the summer when I head over to Millennium Park for a concert and picnic supper with friends.....ahhh. Anyways, my fave sandwich they make is the Panino Di Prosciutto, which is "San Danielle Prosciutto, Podda cheese, field greens, olive oil, and black pepper." Walking in the store always makes me feel like such a foodie (huge cheese counter with tons of cheeses whose names I can't pronounce, large wine selection, an extensive cured meat selection, olive oils, tapenades, breads, and spreads), but I really have no idea what the difference is between San Danielle and regular prosciutto - I just know that whatever they sell in the store is GOOD.

December 29-January 12

2010-01-12T19:33:00.002-06:00

(To catch up in chronological order, see here first, and then here.)

Which brings us to the last week in December, which was a short one due to my traveling and then New Year’s. My friends John and Sara have hosted a NYE bash for the last three years, and this year they did it again, promising fun in EPIC proportions. Kelly and I agreed to make all the food for the soiree, with the hosts providing the beverages. As soon as I got home (at 1 pm!) on Thursday, we got started cooking. We were powerhouses in the kitchen right up until it was time to leave for the party, cranking out delectables such as

a potato and onion flatbread;

baked brie in a puff pastry served with apple cranberry chutney;

smoked salmon and dill with crème fraîche;

spicy seasoned pretzels; chips with salsa, guac, and a spicy queso/meat dip; Emily Martens's Famous Zimpy Shrimp Dimp; and gingersnaps and snickerdoodles. It was a lot of food – I think we still may be eating it. But! The party was indeed epic (I didn’t get home and in my bed until 4 am!), and the rest of the long weekend was spent in my robe, reading on the couch and snuggling with the kitty.

And so, Monday arrived, and I made it through the first week back. Nothing noteworthy. (Well, I went to the symphony...that was fun!) This week though, there's the promise of an exciting trip to Indy at the end of it, so I'm definitely looking forward to that.

December 19-28

2010-01-07T13:56:00.000-06:00

(To catch up in chronological order, see yesterday's post first.)

Still, though – no date with the doctor.

We continued to text throughout the week trying to make it happen, but he worked late on every night I could meet up. In order not to overwhelm you with too many details, suffice it to say we ended up at a neighborhood bar, late-late on that Saturday night. And he was boring – barely asking me anything, one-word answers to all my questions, and boring one-word answers at that! Also, he kept asking me if I wanted to get breakfast with him. I’m still not quite sure what all that implied – regardless, I was ready to go home and go to bed and so declined the offer.

So we leave. And, as we’re leaving, he takes out a pack of cigarettes, tells me he smokes when he drinks, and lights up. I tell him that’s too bad, and, as I’m talking, he tosses the now empty cigarette carton on the sidewalk. I stand there, staring at this blatant display of laziness and littering, and ask, “Aren’t you going to pick that up?” I get nothing but a puzzled expression in reply. Maybe he misunderstood. “You just littered – there’s a trash can right up there,” I point it out. Still no signs of life. So, I walk around him through his smoke haze, pick up the empty carton, and throw it away. That’s when you know the night is over – when you find yourself picking up your date’s trash off the ground and throwing it away for him. Needless to say, there have been no further dates with the doctor.

The next week I headed to Houston to spend six days lounging with my parents and brothers, eating amazing food, watching movies, going on walks in the warm weather, gazing at palm trees, and just generally having a fabulous time with my favorite people.

December 10-18

2010-01-06T12:55:00.008-06:00

Kelly’s grad party on Dec. 12 was a huge success and very, very fun! We had drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the Mid-America Club, which is on the 80th floor of one of the tallest buildings in Chicago. I’ve never been that high in a building before – so it was definitely exhilarating to look out the window down on my city, and I think we all had fun imagining we were Very Important People for a while. After that portion of the evening, my Chicago family headed to Aria, the restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel. Thanks to Jimmy (who is a big daddy chef there), we were able to crash at the sushi bar while Kelly took her family out to dinner elsewhere. Our perks included some awesome sushi created especially for us – specifically the Green Serpent, which was a vegetarian roll, and was amazing – all for, like, practically free. After Aria, we met up with Kelly and the younger portion of her family at Martini Park, which is a favorite. Fun and revelry (and dancing) ensued, as well as the promise of a date with an attractive doctor for me! (More on that later.)

The following week was spent in anticipation of the aforementioned date, with much texting back and forth between the doctor and myself. Then, to make me even antsier, I happened upon the VP of my company in the break room one morning, only to hear him tell me that he’s quitting, moving with his family to Breckenridge, CO, and starting his own business there. And then he proceeded to ask me if I’d design his print and advertising material on a freelance basis. Of course I said yes! So that night we met and discussed the new company and the particulars of what he needs me to do. It’s all very exciting.

New Year, New Post

2010-01-05T14:03:00.006-06:00

Well, this blog has certainly gotten away from me, huh? I suppose I can blame the holiday season as keeping me so busy and away from my computer that I couldn’t even eke out a short little post here and there. Which I don’t have a problem with – blaming the season. I’ve spent the days like I’ve had a million, loving on my family and friends and just soaking in the blessings they bring to my life. So, to recap the portion of my life missing from this blog, I’ll be posting the next couple of days on old, but still very good, news. So stay tuned.

In more recent news, I joined a gym(!) this last weekend. I know. One of my goals for this year is to just be healthier. I’m not setting a weight goal or going on a diet, but I do want to be more conscious of what I’m putting into my body, as well as how I’m using it. A couple of my friends belong to the FFC in our neighborhood, and I thought – hey! Maybe they’ll have some promotional deal going on so it wouldn’t be such a financial burden to have a membership. So I went, and they did, so I joined. Yesterday I had my fitness assessment with a trainer. I got weighed and measured all over, and then I stepped up and down on a box and reached really far over my toes and climbed into all these scary weight contraptions and lifted and pressed and pulled. The results are that I need improvement in all areas except flexibility, in which I’m in the 95th percentile; so, you know…that’s good.

Today Kelly and I went to a FitFlex class that started at 6 am! Oh geez. It was 45 minutes of arms with weights and lunges with weights and squats with weights and then all three at once and it was actually kind of fun. I’m fascinated with how I felt a couple times that I’d like to stop, but then kept pushing myself because there were only a few more to do in the set and I could make it four more reps (or what have you), and then when we finished I was like – yesssss! I did it! And it wasn’t because I physically could, because that was obvious since I didn’t stop. It was like a mental thing that I powered through.

Anyway. This is all very new to me. I’ve never been someone who works out regularly, and I whenever I do work out, I rarely think myself through. Instead I just stop when I’m feeling too pushed. I guess I’m surprised that I’m actually excited to see what I’m capable of. So. Good things!

Baby, it's cold outside!

2009-12-09T22:39:00.000-06:00

I woke up to find this out my window.

It's officially winter! I don't know if I was exactly ready for it - kind of snuck up on me. But here it is. Chicago's gearing up for the first big winter storm of the season. Supposedly it's going to feel like -20 degrees outside tomorrow morning. I even fell tonight on the sidewalk. Don't worry, it was of course a very Robin-like fall - arms and legs everywhere, still trying to talk on the phone and not spill the entire contents of my bag.

Anyways, I've got some good things I want to blog about swimming around in my head. The goal this week is to try to get at least one up here. So far it's almost the end of the week and all I've posted about is snow and my graceful coordination while on my way down to the ice-covered sidewalk...but I haven't given up hope. And neither should you. ;)

Cookin'

2009-12-02T22:50:00.003-06:00

Wednesday's over! And I'm sitting here in my bed, clean sheets and clean me. Tonight it's supposed to snow for the first time this season, so I'm feeling extra cozy all bundled up with the windows shut and the radiators clanging away.

This week's been going at a steady pace - not too slow, not overly fast. One of my goals for this week is to not buy lunch or dinner, but to eat food I already have and can make at home. I made a big batch of chicken salad on Monday which has been getting me through the week's lunches. Today I had it in a pita pocket with sprouts and provolone. Yum. And last night I experimented....

You see, I hate wasting food that I buy and don't eat before it goes bad. Last week, I bought this big bag of whole wheat chicken-prosciutto ravioli. And I cooked them and hated them. But I had a ton left over! So I thought, "What stuff can I put on these to make them taste better so they all don't go to waste?" I figured the more stuff the better, and Ravioli Lasagna was born.

I layered the cooked ravioli in rows like lasagna noodles with pasta sauce, cheese (mainly mozz, but I had a little cottage cheese and grated pecorino and romano left, so I threw all that in there, too), and vegetables (I went to Whole Foods and got some amazing produce: zucchini, green beans, sugar snap peas, a big portobello mushroom, and even okra!) that were sauteed in olive oil, chopped garlic and onion, and some fresh rosemary and thyme. Anyways, after everything was all layered, I baked it and, barring a little spillover in the oven resulting in a, um, slightly smoky kitchen, it turned out pretty darn good.

So...my experiment was a success, and I think with all the leftovers, I should have no trouble reaching my goal for the week!

I did it!

2009-11-30T14:14:00.000-06:00

30 posts in 30 days - Mission complete!

I can't say that my posts were all that thought-provoking and insightful to read, but I have enjoyed writing everyday, such that it was. And the discipline it took has certainly taken hold; I'm beginning to think the day is just not complete unless I've blogged. So, maybe I'll take a little more time in between posts now, but I think the blog bug has bitten, and it's something I'll keep up - hopefully with posts a little more interesting than my plans for the weekend (but I can't promise there won't be the occasional "What I Made for Dinner" post). In any case, thanks for reading.

The Next 23 Days

2009-11-29T23:39:00.001-06:00

Well, I got six things (mostly) done of the ten I wanted to accomplish this weekend. Which is pretty good for a staycation. I really, really don't want to go to work tomorrow, but I keep reminding myself that all I have to do is put in the hours until it's time for my next vacation - which is in only 23 days! And there are lots of fun things that are going to happen between now and then: our new Bible study on Daniel starting up this week, the church Christmas party next weekend, Kelly's party on the 12th, Christkindlmarket, cookie baking, present buying, card writing, apartment decorating, and all the other advent preparations. Ok. Bring it on - there's plenty to look forward to besides just going back to work.

Reading List

2009-11-28T14:55:00.002-06:00

I should be finishing up my current book in the next day or so, and it's time to think about what to dive into next. I've narrowed it down to three:

Three Cups of Tea
This has been on my reading list for a while. A couple of my friends have read it and loved it. It's about a man's journey through Afghanistan and Pakistan, establishing schools in the countries' most remote areas and promoting peace through education. It's not a novel, but sometimes I need to remember that just because it isn't fiction doesn't mean I won't enjoy it.

The Art Thief
I saw this in the window of a book shop around the corner and it immediately drew my eye; for some reason I think it would be very cool to be an art thief (you know, if I had no scruples or anything). The book was marked way down so I went in a bought it, but when I looked it up on Goodreads, it had terrible reviews. I think I still want to read it, but I'm afraid the longer it sits on my shelf, the bigger the chance I'll forget about it.

The English Patient
I've read a couple other Booker Prize winners and nominees and have really enjoyed them. This was the winner in 1992 and was, of course, made into a movie (which I loved), so I know it's going to be good. But, I already know the gist of the story since I've seen the movie.

What to read??

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

2009-11-27T22:37:00.003-06:00

Posting live from the Weis household. John's mixing up our second dessert for Kelly's birthday. This one comes in liquid form - frozen mudslides (with chocolate syrup of course)!! For the first round I had some excellent double chocolate torte at Tilli's which followed some of the best tortellini I've had in a long time. After Tilli's we went to see The Blind Side, which was really good! I recommend it as a feel-good Thanksgiving movie, definitely. Well, a mean game of Scrabble is starting - gotta go!

Thankful

2009-11-26T13:14:00.009-06:00

I'm so, so thankful for:

My job. Even though I’m frustrated and discouraged on a daily basis, the fact that I managed to stay on despite the company cutting over half of its staff is nothing but God keeping watch over me.
For my mom and brother being safely moved to Houston and together with my dad finally. It was not fun while they were apart - for anyone.
For my beautiful friend Amy’s (one of the fourths) wonderful news that came yesterday regarding her engagement to a great guy!!
For old friendships that find new ways to grow and deepen despite distance and for the friends here with me in the city who make me feel loved daily.
For my church and the leadership there who take their role as shepherds seriously. I’ve been blessed to be able to get to know all of them better over this last year and am so encouraged by their humility and their passion for serving MissioDei daily.
For my grandparents’ continued good health, despite some scares.
For my kitty who meets me at the door every day after work, who keeps me company wherever I go in the apartment, and who makes a room so much cozier just by being in it.
For my wonderful Thanksgiving memories with my family of cooking and cleaning and decorating and watching football and shopping and loving each other. Even though I’m not with them this year, I’m thankful that I have these memories to make it seem like we’re not so far away.
That I have good friends to spend this Thanksgiving with instead, and this amazingly delicious apple cake cooling in the kitchen that I’m going to take with me to our little feast. (Seriously, guys, this cake will blow your mind. Make it.)
For my upcoming trip to Texas this Christmas to hang out with my brothers and parents for 6 days in the (very) mild winter weather.
That even though the summer was fairly chilly and not summer-like, the fall weather has been fabulous all the way into late November.
For the spiritual growth and deepening that took place in our Bible study as we studied Esther and Ruth. And for the new faces that already feel like they’ve been with us from the start.
For Leah’s safe pregnancy and delivery of the very beautifulest of baby girls, Natalie Jane.
That I’ve had the opportunity to help lead worship on Sundays every now and then, and that God’s given me a gift that’s so easy (and fun) to give back to Him.
For grace I most certainly can’t earn, but that God gives me abundantly and freely every moment of every day.

A Thanksgiving Surprise

2009-11-25T13:42:00.000-06:00

I came in to work today to find a memo saying we could leave at 3:00! So, I'm planning on going straight home, taking a nap, grocery shopping for tomorrow, and hanging out with Kelly. Sounds like a perfect start to the vacation weekend!

Vacationing at Home

2009-11-24T21:58:00.000-06:00

So this year I'm staying in Chicago for Thanksgiving. It makes me sad to think I won't be with my family and also extra-nostalgic for all the good, Ohio-holiday traditions that I'll be missing this year, but I am excited to spend four days hanging out in Chicago. I don't think I've ever had that many days in a row off and not gone anywhere to visit anyone. And, in order to commemorate this unprecedented event, I've decided to share with you my list of things I'm dreaming of accomplishing (in no particular order) during this four-day staycation:

1. Deep-clean the apartment (I know it doesn't sound like a vacation, but sometimes a good deep-clean just feels, well, good. And, my place needs it.)
2. Get the new TV all hooked up and in place and take the old one down to the storage unit
3. Take Kelly out for her birthday (it's on Friday!)
4. Help her with graduation party things (so excited!!)
5. Take my dress for the party to the tailor's.
6. Make a delicious apple cake for the Thanksgiving feast at Paige's (recipe coming soon!)
7. Make more food for the next week's lunches.
8. Watch football.
9. Efficiently search and actually apply for, um, better opportunities (if you know what I mean)
10. Get a head start on Christmas cards (so this year I'm not staying up until 1 a.m. a day before I leave for Christmas)

It sounds like a lot - but I love doing all (well, most) of those things, and they're things I never really have time to do or don't feel like doing on any normal weekend. So it should hopefully be a fun and productive four days. And I'll be in my robe and p.j.'s everyday until I absolutely have to change, so it will be a comfy four days, for sure.

A Wonderful, Stupendous, Splendid, Amazing, Spectacular, Marvelous, Truly Fantastic Weekend

2009-11-23T20:55:00.005-06:00

Sarah, Amy, Jath, and Robin - together again. Cleveland, fall 2009

Well, the long awaited reunion weekend has come and gone. It seemed to go by so fast! But I think we spent our time well. We shopped (I bought four pairs of shoes!), talked, stayed up late-late (practically 4 a.m. one night!), hugged, giggled, ate at the Cheesecake Factory (I hadn't been there in forever!), tried our hand at homemade Singapore Slings (very successful), talked some more, hugged some more, laughed really hard, played games, went to church, sat around, reminisced, and hugged and talked and laughed until we were just about to burst.

It was amazing to hear and share our stories with each other - we're all doing such different things and in such different places. Each of these extraordinary girls is on the cusp of something thrillingly new, and I'm so excited to watch it all unfold and to be there for each of them no matter what.

My Story

2009-11-22T12:53:00.006-06:00

I've mentioned before that I love my church (see the little MissioDei link over on the sidebar if you want to know more). Recently, we went through a church-wide partnership process. It was a renewal for some, and for others, like me, a chance to come alongside other members of the body of Christ in a covenant relationship for the first time. One of the steps in the process was to write about your "story" or your journey to life in Christ. So, I thought I'd post mine below.

My Story

I remember being six years old and sitting on my parents' bed one spring afternoon with my mom, sunlight streaming in through the curtained window and spilling across the flowered bedspread and our legs. We were talking about Jesus, and that He loves me and died for me. I don’t exactly remember all the words, but I remember she prayed with me, and I knew even then that something very important and very special had taken place.

That, I guess, is my conversion story. I’ll admit – it’s not very dramatic. In fact, “conversion” doesn’t quite seem like an accurate description. I was six, and, while I don’t doubt for a minute that God recognized a small heart wanting nothing more in that moment than to be His, I don’t think I was aware of the promise I was making. That realization has been something that has grown out of the last 19 years as I’ve stumbled on and off the path He’s laid out for me.

Growing up, I lived in a home with two parents who loved each other and who loved the Lord, which is probably the greatest earthly gift God’s given me. I’ve never been someone who’s doubted God’s love for me or struggled with accepting it, and probably the main reason is that I’ve constantly known my parents' unwavering love in my life. Even through those rocky adolescent years, I knew that there was nothing I could do that would make them stop loving me – something they often told me when I’d come apologizing after the many times I disobeyed, thinking I knew better than they did. I’m so abundantly thankful for my mom and dad dedicating their “parenthood” to mirroring the love Christ has for His church and specifically for me. I know my journey with the Lord has been largely shaped by their influence and love.

There are times when I can tell that God and I are working in sync and that the choices I’m making are honoring Him. But, of course, I’ve often felt far away from Him, mostly during situations where I couldn’t see how He was working and have taken things into my own hands, and there have been plenty of times when I’ve even chosen to ignore His will. He eventually reveals my sin; sometimes gently, other times in harsh realities. I guess this ebb and flow has in more ways been the story of my salvation than that day in the spring 19 years ago. But as difficult as it is to be refined and die to myself again and again, that’s when I’m discovering and learning just how needful I am and just how deeply He loves.

The Easiest, Yummiest Homemade Pizza Crust

2009-11-21T13:54:00.049-06:00

I saw a link to this on a friend's blog, clicked on it, and was taken to Enlightened Cooking, where I met this recipe. I love making homemade pizza, especially as a quick, last minute meal to use up stuff I already have. The problem is - I don't usually have pizza crust dough lying around or in the freezer. And I certainly don't have time to go the whole fermenting and punching-down route. So when I tried this recipe and was astounded at the simplicity and the fact that I already had all the ingredients in my house, I was sold. Please do try it!

Scone Crust:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2/3 cup nonfat milk

1 large egg

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Whisk the flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in Parmesan. Whisk the milk and egg in a small bowl, then add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Turn dough out onto a floured surface; pat to 1-inch-thick circle. Lift onto a non-stick baking sheet or pizza stone, then press out to a circle about 10 inches across to make the pizza base.

Top with your favorite pizza toppings. (We used LaRosa's sauce, Italian sausage, diced green peppers caramelized onions, and lots of cheese) for the one up top - very tasty.)

Bake for 15-18 minutes until crust is golden and cooked through. Makes 6 servings.

I'm going to be Will Smith!

2009-11-20T21:47:00.000-06:00

Not really. But isn't he the one who put Ray-Bans back on the map in Men in Black? Well, anyways. It's high time I got some new glasses (haven't had any since I was a senior in high school), and so after careful searching, I think I'm going to get these.

I know...they're not black. But I think the black ones look too severe on me. And these match my hair. Mostly, I only wear my current glasses from my bed to the bathroom and vice versa every morning and night because they're quite out of date prescription-wise and style-wise. I think these will be a nice update and a fun accessory to wear out of the house every now and then.

Going strong!

2009-11-19T16:19:00.001-06:00

Off to Cleveland today! But never fear - thanks to Blogger's fancy scheduled posts feature, I'll be "posting" all weekend. Hopefully my time away from day-of posting won't cause me to forget once I get back home. But, I've made it this far - already over half-way through the month and still in the running for all the NaBloPoMo fame and glory!

A Jonah Day

2009-11-18T21:53:00.000-06:00

Today was a Jonah day (a term from one of my fave books, Anne of Avonlea). Basically, things started out sour with a not so great note on my desk from my boss and just progressed from that point on. I messed up (nothing big), and had to swallow my pride and admit that I dropped the ball. Boo. But, tomorrow's another day. So, I'm off to pack and then get to bed.

Next Door Baby

2009-11-17T21:53:00.005-06:00

This little girl has just captured my heart. Natalie is the first baby of two of my best friends here in Chicago. Ever since they announced they were pregnant in January, my city family couldn't wait to meet her. Now, she's been here almost two whole months, and I am just as smitten as I thought I would be.

I've lived across the street from the Hoopers for over a year, which is awesome because living so close to your friends is just like being in college - we're back and forth between each others' places constantly, we know where everyone keeps their glasses and if they keep their Britta pitcher full ;). We're comfortable and like each other enough that we can just lounge around, not even really talking, and still have a good time. But now, I also have such a sweet little baby to visit every time I go to see Leah and Jimmy.

Take tonight: I went over to make some pizza and watch SYTYCD. Natalie was awake when I got there and once the pizza was done Leah and I got down on the floor with her while she flailed and looked around. After a bit she found my face and just looked at me and smiled. Smiled! A little later I held her until she fell asleep and she stayed in my arms until it was time to leave.

Needless to say, I'm one of Natalie's biggest fans. I've loved watching her grow more beautiful every time I've seen her over these past two months. And I've loved watching Leah and Jimmy grow, too - into careful, loving parents who die to themselves everyday as their little one needs them constantly. I'm so blessed to have the Hoopers in my life, and I'm honored that because of that, Natalie's there, too.

*Photo credit to Leah, whose Facebook album I stole it from.

For Today

2009-11-16T23:41:00.005-06:00

I can't quite settle on what to write about tonight. I've been thinking all day and nothing's struck me. So, after poking around on some blogs I frequent, I found this little fill-in thingy called The Simple Woman's Day Book. It seems like a good thing to get my mind out of the rut of thinking of, like, the same three things over and over again.

Outside my window...
the city is quiet. It's close to 11 p.m., and I can hear a car starting, a dog barking down the street, some people walking by, talking softly. The chilly fall wind is shaking the old panes against the window frames and slipping crisply in through one I've cracked open.

I am thinking...
that I wish I was more inspired to write better things, that I wish the cat would sit on my feet because they're a little cold, that I need to schedule a dentist appointment - and a doctor's appointment, that I want to join a gym but don't know how cost-effective it's going to be, that I miss walking around IWU's campus at twilight on brisk fall evenings, that I should get to sleep soon, that I should try not to hit the snooze so much tomorrow morning, that God is good.

I am thankful for...
my warm bed and fluffy pillows and the two quilts that will cover me up to my nose when I'm done writing this post.

From the kitchen...
nothing really exciting tonight, although tomorrow, I'm planning on making stuffed pumpkin. Basically it's just a roasted pie pumpkin covered in cheese and garlic. The recipe's received rave reviews around my office, so I'm excited to try it out.

I am wearing...
a 2004 Bear Lake Camp Staff t-shirt I got when I was serving on a traveling ministry team one summer in college and the most comfy flannel pajama pants ever with red and white snowflakes on them. I believe they were a Christmas present a couple years ago.

I am creating...
nothing, I guess. I'm not a very crafty person - I think I get my "creativity" fulfillment from trying new recipes, and pulling together a classy outfit, and planting things, and writing the occasional sparkling piece of prose. So it's hard to think of something I'm actively creating that's taking more than the short amount of time the things above take. But I'm going to think about this one and get back to you on it. Suddenly I'm wondering why. Hmmm.

I am going...
to Cleveland on Thursday!!

I am reading...
Mansfield Park. After I finished my last book, I picked it up again and am actually starting to get interested in it. I wasn't sure if that would ever happen, but those scheming Crawfords are just too conniving to ignore.

I am hoping...
that tomorrow's work day will go by quickly and with little drama, just like today.

I am hearing...
the radiators clank on throughout the apartment. It seriously sounds sometimes like 8 extremely noisy tea pots.

Around the house...
my roommate's gone to bed, and I've gone to mine, too. The lights are all off and my kitty is across my feet, keeping them warm. I love it when she's useful like that.

One of my favorite things...
gathering friends together on a Sunday night for a homemade dinner and some games. The good feelings from that tend to last me at least through Tuesday.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
of course, there's Cleveland. But more immediately, there's cooking my pumpking tomorrow night and then heading over to the Hoopers' for a So You Think You Can Dance viewing. And then on Wednesday, probably some packing and last minute cleaning so my place isn't a wreck when I get back from the weekend.

A picture I am sharing...
is of Stella keeping warm tonight.

Four Fourths

2009-11-15T22:54:00.001-06:00

As much as I'm sad to see the weekend go, I'm still really, really excited - because this week is a four-day work week for me! I'm leaving on Thursday after work for Cleveland and a long weekend with my best friends from college. These three girls are people who know me - really know me - and love me despite it. We've been there for each other through break-ups and first dates, weddings and personal tragedies, spring break road trips and late-night Taco Bell runs. I was immeasurably blessed to have them in my life on a daily basis for three years in college, and am continually blessed as our friendships go on growing even though we're all so far apart now. This is going to be the first time we've all been together since Jathniel (one of the fourths) got married over two years ago. And even then, it was her wedding extravaganza, so we had to share her. This weekend it's just the four fourths of us, so basically, it's a big deal. Can't wait!

Jath, Sarah, me, and Amy - Spring Break in Florida, 2005

The Gift Card Goods

2009-11-14T19:39:00.002-06:00

Successful shopping day today - Kelly and I went because I had some gift cards to spend and she had some products to buy. We started off at Target, where I found some awesome earrings for a certain soiree I'll be attending in December. Then we headed downtown to Williams-Sonoma so I could get my knife. Best story of the day: The knife I got was, like, $30 off which I didn't know until I went up to the register and found I had $20 left on my gift card. Awesome! Then we went to J.Crew to ooh and ahh over all the loveliness, and then headed up to Banana Republic (which is where my second card is from). After trying on multiple things and dithering over whether to put the $$ towards a new bag instead of clothes (I wasn't a big fan of any of the purses they had there), I ended up buying one sweater and saving the rest of the gift card for a rainy day.

Then we finished up at Macy's after going through some of the stores in the Water Tower Place (including Sephora). Kelly bought a bunch of Origins goodies, and the dude who was helping her was very cute, but very, um, well kept. I suppose that happens when one works at the Origins counter. All in all - a success! (The only fail: I wasn't able to find a new TV stand at Target for the new, HUGE TV I inherited (seriously, the TV is epic - it's like a story in itself.).)

Now it's off to Caesar's for some yummy margs and then to a friend's house for more Saturday night fun and revelry!

Here's a strange shot of me in my new sweater holding my new knife...this is for you, Mom! Thanks!

Next Steps

2009-11-13T23:19:00.003-06:00

These last two days I've had a lot on my mind regarding what's next for me. A couple opportunities have presented themselves, got me thinking through some things - and I guess what I need right now to pursue them further is courage.

I like my life in Chicago - I love my church, my friends, my city. It feels like home to me. I mean, I've even gotten used to falling asleep to the sound of sirens in the distance (or sometimes very close) and people talking and laughing as they walk down the sidewalk outside my window. And, as much as I struggle with finding joy and purpose in my job, it's like home to me too. I'm good at what I do, and I don't have that "I don't know what to do" panic if a crisis comes up.

So it's easy for me to be complacent here in my present circumstances. I know there's something next for me - something great - but I can see myself just letting these opportunities slip away because of the unrest I feel when I think about all the unknowns.

I'm praying that I don't lose courage and motivation because of complacency and apprehension. I'm asking God to be with me in all my decision making. And I'm thanking Him for always going before me, making my paths straight and blessing me no matter where I go or what I do.

Chicken in Riesling

2009-11-12T23:30:00.000-06:00

Made this tonight - so absolutely good. It's kind of like the white wine version of coq au vin. Definitely French, but not what you'd expect. The leeks and the crème fraîche make the sauce the best part of the whole dish - the perfect thing to soak up with bread after the rest of the food is gone. Mmmmm....

1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 lb), cut up into pieces

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 tablespoons beurre Français (French butter), divided

4 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), finely chopped (2 cups)

2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot

4 medium carrots, halved diagonally

1 cup Riesling

1 1/2 lb small (2-inch) red potatoes

2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup crème fraîche

Fresh lemon juice to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and a rounded 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil with 1 tablespoon butter in a wide 3 1/2- to 5-quart heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then brown chicken in 2 batches, turning once, about 10 minutes total per batch. Transfer to a plate.
Meanwhile, wash leeks and pat dry.
Pour off fat from pot, then cook leeks, shallot, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, covered, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until leeks are pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add chicken, skin sides up, with any juices from plate, carrots, and wine and boil until liquid is reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover pot and braise chicken in oven until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
While chicken braises, peel potatoes, then generously cover with cold water in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, then return to saucepan. Add parsley and shake to coat.
Stir crème fraîche into chicken mixture and season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, then add potatoes.

Serve with a sliced baguette and a green salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.