6 months down…

Can you believe it’s already been 6 months since the wedding?  I sure can’t!

To celebrate this milestone (and, yes, I consider it a full-fledged anniversary and have been running around all day screaming, “Happy 6 month-iversary!”  Stephen?  Notsomuch.), I decided to surprise my hubby by making him his favorite cookie on earth.  That’s right, the ridiculously famous PUMPKIN COOKIE!

GASP!  Yes, that’s right, I have the recipe!  My dearest MIL was kind enough to share her prized possession with me, and I have been holding onto it for weeks just waiting for the right occasion to bust these puppies out.

It goes without saying that I now have a happy husband on my hands.  Just the way I like it.

I love you, baby!  HAPPY 6 MONTH-IVERSARY!!!

Cocktail!

Last night, we had our first cocktail hour to break in the new bar.  Stephen was so excited that he even cleaned the whole house in preparation for the event (yes, you heard me correctly!).

A few of his friends from work showed up and good times were had by all.  Stephen demonstrated how to "float" rum on top of an Orangutan (or, as Joe pronounced it, "Orange-you-tan") and decided to make us all a "light after dinner shot" (whatever that means) with rum and pineapple juice.

The night ended with a spirited game of Catch Words (think Catchphrase) on the iPhone where Joe kept screaming out the word he was supposed to be describing...yes, just like the "Elizabeth Taylor!" incident.

A spoon full of sugar…

…is one of Julie Andrews’ favorite songs.  I know that because I got to see her tonight!

She appeared at the Tivoli tonight for a special tour in which she introduces her new book, “Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies.”  I know, I know…why is a woman in her 20’s going to a book tour about a book of poems and lullabies?

How could you not love Julie Andrews?!  I mean, the woman starred in one of my favorite childhood movies, Mary Poppins!  I dare you to say that you didn’t like that movie…or even The Sound of Music.

Either way, this awesome event featured an hour-long Q&A session with Julie herself followed by a special showing of Mary Poppins.  Not only that, you received an autographed copy of her new book, complete with audio CD.  Couple that with the fact that I got to spend the evening with Mrs. Chen, and it’s an unbeatable deal.

 

So off we went to the Tivoli (which, btw, is amazing in itself and only a few blocks from my house, AND only $4 for all shows).  As one of the longest-running, continually operating movie theatres in the Chicago area, it’s a treat just to visit the theatre.  You are always greeted by an organist playing on a podium that sinks into the stage when the feature starts, and tonight was no exception…unless you count the fact that he played all Julie Andrews songs!

Photography wasn’t allowed dur ing the event, so I was only able to sneak a few pictures before everything started.  If you want to see how beautiful the theatre is, definitely check out the link above for more info.

Julie was full of energy (definitely more energy than me!) and looked fabulous.  And of course, Mary Poppins was as awesome as ever.

Thanks for another great night, Mrs. Chen!

Falling for you

I may not be too thrilled that fall has come so quickly or so early, but I absolutely love autumn.  There is something about being able to wear sweatshirts and furry boots everywhere (instead of shorts and tank tops) that makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Another fantastic upside to fall is the food.  With warm, toasty flavors and comfort food galore, one can’t help but let out a deep sigh of content at the prospects of all that fall has to offer.

Today was one of those days that just felt and smelled like fall.  I had picked up 2 butternut squash at the farmer’s market this weekend and decided to make something I have never even tasted before – butternut squash soup.

 

I am sure you can tell where this is going.

Off to the Cook’s Illustrated website I went, in search of a delicious butternut squash soup recipe.  And letmetellyou, they did not disappoint.

This soup only has 6 ingredients, but you’d think it was made in some fancy restaurant served in tiny cups.  And since the main ingredients are simply squash and water, it’s pretty healthy (we’ll just ignore that 1/2 cup of cream, mmmkkaayy?).

The best part?  With all ingredients included, the whole pot of soup only cost $5 (I am not kidding here!) to make.  As Andrea would say, “Word.”

Obsessed

Hi, my name is Amanda, and I am obsessed.

With Cook's Illustrated.

When we first got to Musky Hunt, Theresa whipped out a magazine that I had never seen before called Cook's Illustrated. Not just any Cook's Illustrated...the "All-Time Best Recipes" edition. As I initially paged through it, I will fully admit that I was unimpressed. I was so used to the flashy, sensory-overloaded cooking magazines that this seemed about as interesting as stale bread to me. It was mostly text. What little pictures they did have were in black and white. It certainly wasn't the light vacation reading I was looking forward to.

But then I started reading...and really? Wow. This magazine is like the Consumer Reports for anyone who loves cooking. They test all sorts of things, from the best vanilla extract (plain old McCormick) to the best saran wrap. Not only that, all their recipes are tested and re-tested until they are just right.

Take, for example, pie crusts. Cook's Illustrated wasn't content with the status quo pie crust of shortening, butter, flower, salt, and water. You know the one...it breaks easily, is barely flaky, and so finicky that you're ready to throw it out the window by the time you've spent an hour and a half mixing, chilling, rolling, chilling... You get the point.

CI decided to put pie crusts to the test. They tried tons of combinations and explained why each one didn't work. And then they published the mother of all pie crust recipes...using vodka. (Yes, now you can justify your purchase of a jug of vodka! Rejoyce!)

Armed with a new subscription to CI and their recipe for pumpkin pie, I decided to put them to the test.

As promised, the crust came together like a charm. In fact, it came together better than any other pie crust I had ever made. Since there is so much more liquid in the crust and the alcohol cooks off while baking, the dough is quite a bit stickier than a traditional recipe would be...but you're allowed to use up to 1/4 cup of flour while rolling it out, thereby solving that problem.

The pie filling itself was pretty interesting. CI said they were out to solve the problem of pumpkin pies not actually tasting like pumpkins, so they added things like fresh ginger, candied yams, and maple syrup to bring out the pumpkin flavor. I was definitely skeptical, but these people obviously know what they are doing.

In the end, I think it was the best pumpkin pie I have ever tasted. The hubby thinks it needs more "pumpkin pie spice"...eh. That's easily fixed.


The point is, I am obsessed with Cook's Illustrated and that's not going to end any time soon.

Say it isn't so...

My Dearest DG Farmer's Market,

Say it isn't so. Please, please, please tell me that you're not gone until next year. I don't know where the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday that I spotted you from around the corner while sipping my Caribou iced latte on the first days of my DG residence.

I know I have been busy, and I know that's no excuse. You and I both know that given the chance, I often chose sleeping in on Saturday mornings instead of seeing you. But please understand that I never meant to take you for granted. I appreciate every little aspect of you.

I appreciate that I am able to get beautiful, delicious, and organic produce from you. This simple gift has yielded countless delectable dishes carefully prepared in my new home. I savored the fresh peach pie, devoured the delicious guacamole that only you made possible. Trust me, Jewel means nothing to me compared to you.


I appreciate that I am able to get my fill of fellow Dutchmen from you. You see, since I moved to this area, the Dutch are few and far between. But you? You provide the gift of wooden shoe fellowship, fresh flowers, and even flowering kale. We've had conversations about growing up around Lansing, relatives that attended Illiana, and how there is an insurance agent with my old last name that everyone seems to know.



The leaves are beginning to change colors and the air is crisp. I can feel that change is here...but yet, I find it so hard to say goodbye to you. I should have spent more time with you smelling the roses and learning about your friends. I can only promise to be better next year, when we meet again. Next year, I will make it up to you.

Until then, let's have one last meal together. There is a stand that makes the most amazing crepes right in front of your eyes. The butter and cinnamon one is to die for. So let's sit together with a hot cup of apple cider sprinkled with cinnamon, and dream about the day when we meet again and this bittersweet separation is a thing of the past.

Until next year...

Breaking the Silence

Apparently it has been an entire month since the last time I posted anything. That also means that it has been an entire month since I have been on vacation. While the realization of that tiny fact is enough to make me cry myself to sleep, I come bearing good news.

WE NOW HAVE A REFRIGERATOR WITH SHELVES!!!!! (In case the scrolling marquee is not working for you, it says, "WE NOW HAVE A REFRIGERATOR WITH SHELVES!!!!!")

Not only does it have shelves, it is BEAUTIFUL. As Mrs. Chen put it, it's my kitchen "bling."

We won't go into the details of how I managed this (which may or may not have included a standoff in Home Depot where I refused to move until we actually purchased the darn thing), but it was delivered last week right before I went to go babysit this little cutie pie.


But this acquisition was not without issues. There may have also been a moment (week) of panic where we weren't sure if it was going to fit. Of course we measured the width of the opening where it would stand, but we forgot to measure something else.

You see, as we were literally purchasing the refrigerator, I happened to notice a small sign saying something to the effect of, "don't forget to measure ALL entryways that the appliance will be going through." Hmm.

So when we got home, I quietly took out the tape measure and measured the opening to the kitchen. 30 inches.


Our refrigerator? 33 inches. At its smallest spot.

This led to a series of events that I am not too proud to admit, including Stephen cutting (more) holes in the wall to find out the construction of the interior wall and deciding to cut away 5 inches from the wall...and then a phone call to a certain father-in-law where they both determined to just "wait and see" what happened when it was delivered.

I? Was not too keen on that path forward. As soon as Stephen was out of town, Holly and I marched over to Home Depot to measure the thing sans doors. 27.5 inches. Phew.

When they finally arrived to deliver the fridge a week and a half later, they had some initial issues getting it to fit through the entryway...but eventually, it did.

And now nothing falls out when I open the door.

VICTORY!!!