Wordless Wednesday

Winner, winner, fried fish dinner. And homemade cole slaw and cheese biscuits.

 With chocolate cream cheese pound cake and homemade ice cream on top.

Chicago - Day Two

On day two, the weather was forecasting CODE BLACK GRADE FIVE storms. I'm not kidding. There really was some kind of code black.  Which I only know from Grey's Anatomy, and I think it means bomb threat, but clearly not in this case.

All that to say, we were going to take the highly rated architectural tour, but didn't think CODE BLACK weather merited getting on a boat. So, we used our free time to try to squeeze in some of the sights before the storm came in.

Millennium Park, home of The Bean.

And some weird pig art that I made MS pose with.

There she is.

MS approached, camera in hand.

I was close behind so we could take some selfies. Because that's what you do at The Bean. I think.

We look really matchy matchy. I promise we are not that couple - despite evidence to the contrary.

After The Bean, we crossed the river and headed to the John Hancock building for the view and a cocktail.

The view.

 The cocktail.

 View from the women's bathroom. I talked the bathroom views up to MS, and turns out, the men's bathroom didn't even have windows.

 Notice the teeny tiny green spaces on top of the buildings. I bet those are bragged about in real estate listings. My zillow app came in handy  to do some price checking. Newsflash: we can't afford these condos.

 The great iPhone photographer at work.
 

 For dinner, it was time for Chicago's most famous dish - the deep dish pizza. It did not disappoint. We opted for pepperoni, sausage and peppers at Pizza Due.

We saved just enough room for after dinner cocktails. 

We toasted to the fact that the five alarm storm totally missed downtown.

 MS skipped out on the girly drinks and headed for bourbon on the rocks. Pizza and bourbon - I think it was his perfect night.

 I will leave you with some sage advice.

 Do with it what you will.

Chicago - Day One

Back in the day, pre-marriage, aka Spring 2010, I ventured to the Windy City to visit one of my dearest friends who was getting her masters at Northwestern. We ate our way through the city - cupcakes for breakfast and all - and had a blast. So, when the opportunity came about to take MS with me, I found my stretchy pants and signed us up. The following is a recap of eating my way through Chicago - the 2013 edition. Part One.
We took the early flight and were in Chicago by 8 a.m., but I couldn't pass up a pre-flight chicken biscuit and coffee.

Morning cocktails by the university.

 

Second breakfast at 10 at West Egg.  My omelette had guacamole on it. More things should have guacamole.

 We passed the famous Garrett popcorn. Full of guacamole, I had to pass. But fear not, we returned.

 We walked off some calories with a long stroll down Navy Pier. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for sitting outside and taking in the sights.

 Time to refuel. Came back here as well - they have a smores dessert that was to die for.

 Not a cloud in the sky.

Smiling through my POOR decision to wear wedges. I sort of wanted to throw myself in the river at this point.

For dinner, we headed to Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House. The Fillet Medallions Oscar - topped with crab meat, asparagus and hollaindaise - was everything I hoped it would be.

After dinner, we checked out The Drake for cocktails. Aren't the flowers and all the details so pretty?

MS said it looked like a place Don Draper would hang out. He was happy to toast him with an old fashion.

Day one in the books....

How to Sell a House

I have several friends with houses on the market - and I've been there before - when it just won't seem to budge.

Cue St. Joseph. 

Joe for short.

Order your St. Joseph home selling kit from Amazon, or the like. Hey, it's 2013. He's pretty small, and looks nice against the Cajun Shrimp nail polish.

Dig a hole. With a screwdriver, if you gave away your shovel. Hypothetically.

St. Joe will wait patiently while you dig.

So will MS. With a refreshment.

While you're waiting, read over the prayer. Yes, there's a small ceremony invovled.

Conduct said ceremony. Full instructions included. Bring your own passion for the reading.

 Bury St. Joe head down, facing the front of the house. The instructions are detailed.

Take pictures before eating cookie cake to celebrate the surefire sale of your home.

Clearly this is all in fun, but it worked for me. Just saying....

Weekend Rewind

It was the best of weather, it was the worst of weather.

The hurricane force downpours stopped just in time for the engagement party Friday night. The courtyard was beautiful, and I rediscovered an old favorite dip: pimento cheese covered in jelly. Friday night win.

Until Saturday night - Date Night did not dissapoint. And I think the beef and brocolli dish might have won a spot over the Thai Noodle. This is breaking news in my world of Thai food love.

Just in time for Sunday, the rain came - perfect for afternoon reading and some resting of the eyes. I'm officially over halfway through Revenge Wears Prada, and I can recommend it as a mindless summer read. You can thank me with a big bowl of beef and broccoli.

Five on Friday

Today I'm linking up my normal Friday Favorites to Hello Happiness' "Five on Friday". I love hearing about things other people love, and love to share my own as well - especially when it comes to food.

(1) Palmetto Cheese Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Spread - This came recommended by two different people, so I knew it would be good. Continuing yesterday's theme of snacks that are good by the lake or pool (or maybe not, since you're in a bathing suit...) this tasted like homemade. The Jalapeno version had a nice kick. I found it at Costco, but I believe it's also sold at Publix, Wal-Mart and other fine retailers.

 (2) Summer Reading - I did so well reading when I was off over Christmas, but I've kind of dropped the ball and spent more time with Parenthood and the Real Housewives. Shameful. It's not like I'm making a jump to the classics, but I think reading always wins over TV. I was so excited when I saw this sequel promoted on the Today show this week. Perfect to download for a pool read...while I eat my pimento cheese.

 (3) Date Night - I. Love. Date. Night. It's such a good chance to eat some good food, and talk with no distractions. I requested Surin this week, and the Thai Noodle and coconut soup are already calling my name. Don't worry...I'll be there shortly!

(4) Summer Nails - I've let me Thursday night manicure habit go the past couple of months, and it shows. I bought one of my favorites, OPI Cajun Shrimp, to motivate me to paint my toes. The fingernails might need some professional treatment this weekend.

And if you have a huge sapphire and diamond ring, and drive a tractor, this is what Cajun Shrimp would look like on you. Thanks, Google Images.

(5) National Running Day - Apparently Wednesday was National Running Day. By some stroke of luck, I actually ran on Wednesday - albeit a 3 miler around the neighborhood. In recognition, one of my favorite running pictures, post marathon. In related news, today is National Donut Day.

Anything else that should be on my reading list, or in my pantry? Hope you have a weekend of sunny skies!

Get This Party Started

I was put in charge of snack food for our lake trip a few weekends ago. Snack foods and appetizers just happen to be my favorite food group so I was more than happy to search the great wide internet for a good recipe.

MS has been eyeing the party mix at Costco recently, so I had a feeling these party pretzels from Life in the Green House would be right up his alley.

I decided to add a few things to make it more party mix.

Here’s the recipe:

• 1 lb pretzel twists
• 1  cup of oil
• 1 pack Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 1 box Cheez Its - I used the mixed box - I think it was regular and parmesan
• Salted peanuts - I used almost a jar - these are my favorite part of the mix.

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Mix the Ranch seasoning, oil, garlic salt and Cayenne pepper in a large bowl and then add the pretzels to the mixture.
3. Mix the seasoning mix and pretzels until all pretzels are coated. I mixed everything in a large bowl.
4. Pour the pretzels onto baking sheets, evenly. I had to use two sheets. It was quite the party....mix. Bake for 1.5 hours, stirring every 20 minutes.

Voila.

My friend Jennifer was kind enough to take a picture of her mix when I insisted she make it for her lake weekend. I'm demanding when it comes to good snack food. And was too busy taste tasting to take pictures when I made my own.

This stuff is so addictive - I think it's the cayenne pepper that keeps you coming back for more. Whatever it is, this is great by the pool, on the couch or in your lunch. It's a winner!