Tasty Kitchen

So I like to read recipes on Tasty Kitchen. I usually don't bother to attempt anything, but always manage to salivate all over my keyboard.

Well today I made this. Oh my goodness, it was so tasty. No wonder they call the site "Tasty Kitchen"!

Of course I didn't have ALL the ingredients so I used lemon juice instead of lime and instead of the suggested hot sauce I used some leftover chili sauce that came with some awful Chinese take out I had not too long ago. I also added some veggies: broccoli, onion, mushrooms and green beans. That being said, I don't know if I could ever make this dish according to the recipe because I loved my version so much! If you kids get a chance to cook this week try this dish and do it any way you want, I'm sure it will be fabulous!

Oh and randomness for the day:

I am LOVING this song right now:


I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Happy November!

Pour vous...

I found this the other day. It made me laugh and I know it will give those of you who have studied abroad in France a good laugh too!

Bewitched

• I am so jealous that Toi is on her way to London. I'm kind of glad to know she has blisters from her cute heels.
• I found a new breakfast place: Tweet. It's pretty awesome. Their quiche is to die for.
• I work a normal work with this week and will have two normal weekends this month. I am so excited.
• This is how I feel right now.
• Festivals in this town drive me crazy, mainly because it brings an insane amount of tourists to the city.
  
• Bullet formatting is my friend when I'm being lazy.
• I'm slowly learning Spanish, why didn't I take Spanish in College along with French?
  

Through the Rabbit Hole

Today I treated myself to the movies.

I went to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland in 3-D. I don't really care for 3-D. It seems like such a gimmick, but I wanted to go to the 2 o'clock show so that is what I got. The movie was pretty and visually interesting and had all the classic signs of a Tim Burton film, but for some reason I really wasn't into it. I think it was the ending. Or the fact that the movie didn't surprise me in anyway.

I was happy to see Crispin Glover. You know, this guy. From Back to the Future!!! But he looks more like this now.

In sad news, I think I might be Lactose Intolerant. I am choosing to ignore it. I love cheese too much to think about it. Plus, wouldn't it be weird for a farmer's daughter to NOT drink milk?

Don't eat road kill....

Aussie and I did lunch today.

It was yummy.

I had turtle soup.

It was tasty.

But I feel bad for the turtle...

VEHBD has been crazy.

But Chicago has been very cool lately.

I almost feel like it's *my* city.

But if it doesn't last, there is always NYC, right?

Whoa, watch the pretzels!

The weekend has passed too fast.

And now I can't believe it's November. Before we know it snow will be on the ground. The only good thing about cold weather is the accessories. I look good in hats, but they leave hat hair. So I guess the bad cancels out the good?

At the Halloween party I attended I was a witness to Chex mix/pretzel abuse.

Seriously.

The Hostess of the party lost her ipod. She accused her multiple guests of taking it. When she realized she wasn't going to get answers she started cleaning. This cleaning involved consolidation of snack foods. Unfortunately, the pretzels reminded her of the ipod and she threw them into the Chex mix. It was quite dramatic.

And very comical.

But then I was scolded for laughing.

Gosh, some people are really attached to material possessions.

Look at the apple pie I made:


It is so yummy. I love making pies! I wish you all could partake in the cinnamony goodness.

Well, bite my butt and call me an apple!

Have you noticed the nip in the air?

It is lovely. I love fall. The scarves, hats, sweaters, hot drinks, football games and changing leaves.

Aaahhhhh!!!!!!

I have had so many things happened but I have been too lazy to relay them on to you. So to make a long story short:

My Aunt and Uncle came to visit. We found a fabulous French restaurant
.

This is what I had for dessert. It's the first time I've found it here in the U.S.!!

Chicago has Nutella commercials. Crazy, right?

I am still going to be in MI this weekend.

I'll be in Grap Friday evening until late Saturday or early Sunday. I hope to see some of you.

I have a funny/awful/awkward CTA story for you all, but no gumption to type it.

Planes, Trains, Taxis cabs, All the Choices Hip...

I've bought my train tickets back to MI! I look forward to seeing some of my MI friends!!!

Also, I am looking forward to driving my car.

Oh, how I've missed you my little automobile!! It's been a long time since we've taken a trip together! Remember that time we went through the hills of PA? Ah, good times, good times...

Today I am being really, really lazy. I have accomplished almost nothing, except marinating a flat iron steak which I intend to cook tonight for dinner with broccoli and some home fries.

Gosh, I need to be more productive, maybe I will get out the sewing machine and try to hem my pants...

He's snarkastic.

I've learned a few things over the weekend:

--You can buy Utz potato chip at World Market.

--If a restaurant breaks a plate on your dinner you get a free meal

--You aren't allowed to walk around the Hancock lounge

--The Onion can make me laugh even when I'm not in the mood to laugh

--Gargling aspirin water really makes a sore throat feel better, but it leaves a bitter taste in the back of your mouth

--Most old people are wise, but some aren't. Like 70 years who ride the "L" with their family.

--"The Time Traveler's Wife" is a great movie. I don't care what the critics say. Plus it's film in Chicago!

It's better to help people than garden gnomes.

The past few days I have been homesick. Not homesick for MI, but homesick for Paris. I really feel like it is my hometown and right about now all I want is to go home. Every time I see a plane loop over the lake and my apartment to land at O'Hare I feel a pang of jealously. I just think about all those people coming and going and wish I could too.

So, in my desperation I made Nutella and banana crepes from my Julia Child cooking book that Moi gave me for Christmas. They were very yummy and only made me miss Paris more.

Then of course there has been the craziness of Chicago. My co-workers are fighting amongst themselves and a couple of very creepy guys hoovered around me at the park today forcing me to leave early.OH, and let's not forget the Chicago birds that seem to hate me. They are pooping on me all the time. I have been cleaning my work suits left and right...

Ok, sorry for the complaining. In good news my apartment is almost completely clean and ready for my mom's visit this weekend!

Crawling Along

Tonight in my little neighborhood there is the dinner crawl, which is a really cute idea. All the little businesses open their doors for people who've paid for dinner tickets and "free samples". Unfortunately, I agreed to let my landlord show my apartment so I am homeless for a few hours. But on the bright side, I am getting paid $100 for the inconvenience!

Oh, well I guess my leek and potato soup can wait for tomorrow night, I guess I will just have to survive on coffee and chocolate!

What a tragic life I lead...

Just for Thanksgiving?

Recently I have decided that Sweet Potatoes are my new favorite food.

I have discovered the secret to the perfect sweet potato fry.

Cumin.

Preheat your oven to 375ish.
Slice sweet potatoes.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with Cinnamon, Salt, Pepper, Paprika and Cumin.
Toss until coated.
Spread the fries evenly on a cookie sheet.
Place in oven for about 25-30 minutes, flipping every 10.

Let cool slightly and enjoy!

The Spirit of 1776

Happy 4th of July!

I realized earlier today that is this the first 4th of July I have spent away from my family. Usually we don't do much, go the the parade, grill, hang around the pool and the past couple of years my mom and I have gone to a Public Library book sale in Hanover. One thing that never seems to change is that we have Strawberry Pretzel Dessert. Well, I maybe away from my family but I refuse to let go of the dessert so I am sharing my recipe with you. It is one of my family's "Pennsylvania Recipes". Our family friend, Faith, is from Pennsylvania so every time she shares a recipe that involves pretzels we call it a PA recipe.

What you will need:
10oz of Pretzels, crushed
1 stick of butter, melted
3 tblspn of sugar
8 oz of cream cheese
1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
2+ cups cool whip
1 cup mini marshmallows
6 oz of strawberry jello
2 cups of boiling water
1 quart crushed strawberries

Pre-heat oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the pretzels, butter and sugar in a 9 x 10 dish, spread evenly in the bottom lightly pressing in to the dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool.

In a medium bowl mix together cream cheese, powder sugar and 2 cups of cool whip. Once smooth add marshmallows. Spread on cooled crust.

Mix together two cups of boiling water and the 6 oz of jello. Let set until thick, but not solid. Add the crushed berries. Pour on top of the cream cheese mixture. Let set.

Once set frost with remaining cool whip.

Enjoy!

Boom Sha Boom

My apartment looks like a bomb when off in it. The dryer in my building does a less than stellar job at drying. So all of my clothes are damp and hanging over chairs and my bed trying to dry. Plus, all the things I need to unpack are everywhere but in my closet.

I hate unpacking.

I also hate that I burnt my dinner.

Friends, I am looking for a new phone. What companies and plans do you guys use?

P.S.
I just finished the newest episode of Dr. Who. I wasn't that impressed. I expected more. More of what I'm not sure, but it wasn't as interesting as I was hoping for.

Call of the Wild...

Last night I had dinner at the Library, a funky, cute little restaurant that uses old books for their menus. It was very fun, and the food was pretty good, but I made a mistake in the drink order. I ordered a "Call of the Wild" named after the classic book. Why I order that when I don't particulary like the book I don't know. Anyhow, that was the beginning of the night and the rest of the evening was much better. We went to a concert then to two different bars, one of which we closed down. Ahh, what fun...



I guess it is time for State of the Day:







OHIO!!!
...is kind of the most boring state in the U.S. It was the 17th to join the union and has the 7th largest population. Famous "Buckeyes" include Paul Newman, Halle Barry, Toni Morrison, and Thomas Edison. Go here to check out more.

Kinder Bars...

I am really craving a Kinder Bar right now, anyone up for a trip to Europe to pick some up?

I am *trying* to shop for my brother's 21st birthday and I am having no luck. At first I was going to get these books he really wanted but the set cost over $100 and I don't have that so now I need new ideas. What should I get him?

The other day I hit a snow bank really hard and I spun all around and I was so sure I had hurt my car, but my dad looked at it and said it was ok. I didn't really believe him, but I got brave today and took it out for a spin and I *think* I was was just over reacting. Hopefully it's ok, I can't afford a new car right now!

Oh, I thought of another classmate who has twins...I wonder if he has anymore kids?

Warning, Danger!

So I still get emails from the french embassy. They are always warning me about things, here's an example:


U.S. EMBASSY PARIS, FRANCE
SECURITY UPDATE

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to a large demonstration in Paris scheduled for this Thursday, January 29, 2009.

According to local police, there will be a large demonstration organized by the major French trade unions this Thursday, January 29, 2009, beginning at 1:00 p.m. A march will begin at Place de la Bastille and end at Place de l’Opéra. Areas affected will be Place de la Bastille, boulevard Beaumarchais, boulevard Filles du Calvaire, boulevard du Temple, Place de la République, boulevard Saint Martin, boulevard Saint Denis, boulevard Poissonnière, boulevard Montmartre, boulevard des Italiens, boulevard des Capucines, and Place de l’Opéra. Local police estimate the demonstration should end around 8:00 p.m.

French police expect at least 40,000-50,000 participants. Public transportation will be heavily disrupted. Automobile traffic is expected to be disrupted in various areas throughout Paris; routes should be planned accordingly.

We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid these areas, if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

I love it!

Yesterday I made the most awesome tomato sauce! I started with onions and garlic, deglazed the pan with red wine, added herbs and spices and a can of tomato sauce and put it on crunchy bow tie noodles. It was so yummy!!! I was so proud of it I plated it nicely and took a picture!

Scattered

Ok, so I wrote a post yesterday, but I saved it somewhere funny so when I eventually find it I will post it. It maybe out of date by then but it was long so I will post it anyway!

In review, my parents were here this past weekend, we had a good time, I played tour guide, I ate here (and it was fabulous), then I went back to work and skipped the building fire drill by going to starbucks. Sometimes I love DC!