Life is moving forward.I felt like it was time for a change - to leave Refined Sugar in my Chicago world and move forward with a new adventure.I want to do photography. There I said it. I want to take pictures of people, moments that are real, and create images that cozy up to you. I'm afraid - I'm afraid that people will think I'm not good enough, that I'm just another "lady with a camera", that my art will be disqualified as a hobby.And I want to write. I have post upon post in my drafts that just didn't really feel right on here. In my last post, the wheels were turning in my head - keep it simple. Fresh. Real.So if you want to come along with me on this photography+blogging journey: join me over here.www.aliciasturdy.com or aliciasturdy.wordpress.com (for your RSS feed)And if you want to hire me: holla back.hello@aliciasturdy.com

Happy Valentines Day to all my favorite, faithful foodie readers out there! Muah!

New York....New. York.Ahhhh how a weekend in this city can re-energize my soul and tire my legs.Our anniversary is in October, so Andrew decided the perfect way to celebrate was with an east coast "stay-cation" to NY on one of the last beautiful "indian summer" weekends this past fall. We like to stay at this little brownstone on the Upper West Side where the streets are quiet, friendly, and Central Park is a mere 1/2 block to the east. So we packed our bags and rolled towards the city on Friday morning.The city was wonderful: "quiet" and 65 degrees cool as we took our morning walking down 3rd Avenue from Grand Central to SoHo (yes we walked from E 42nd street to below Houston...44 blocks). We explored for a bit, shopped, and headed north to the UWS. 20 minutes and a cat nap later we were walking down Columbus to our favorite West side lunchery: Nanoosh. They are a little Middle Eastern place between 68/69th on Broadway just north of Lincoln Center. We love their hummus, tabbouleh, and especially their mint iced tea. It's perfection. Plus, outdoor seating to people watch on a beautiful fall day.For dessert, another west side find...Levain Bakery.Um...ya. Only the best, warm, crumbly, delectable chocolate chip walnut cookie in New York City...truly the best cookie you'll ever eat. Not to be beat out by the laundry list of other delicious treats we had during our city-stay. I mean: we had crepes. we had beer. we had panini's. we had the best sweet potato fries i've ever had. The cookie was just a snack on our way back downtown. But oh so good.

apple pomegranate tabbouleh

One thing I have really missed about our neighborhood in Chicago, was you could get good middle eastern food at multiple places within a 3 block radius of our house. I have been making middle eastern food at home for a few years now...things like hummus, tabbouleh, taziki sauce, jerusalem salad; but I think this recipe always is my favorite. You can make it year round since most of these ingredients simple to find. My favorite part is the chopped fresh parsley, crisp apples, and tart pomegranates that pop in your mouth.

• 1 cup bulgur
• 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• 1 apple, chopped - any kind (preferably something crunchy but not tart)
• 1 cup of pomegranate seeds (you can buy these at the grocery store if you don't want to seed your own pom)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tbs paprika

Place bulgar in a pan (I use a longer pyrex glass dish) and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Soak for 30 minutes...the bulgar should soak up all the water. Fluff with a fork.Chop all the above ingredients and combine in a bowl.Toss everything in a bowl with bulgar. Sprinkle paprika and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to let flavors develop. Toss again before serving.

12 days til Christmas- are you freaking out?I am not freaking out...yet... :)I have bought ONE present for Christmas...and it's sitting in a Target bag closed shut waiting to be wrapped. I had bought some gifts for my mom & mother in law, but ended up returning them. So I am back at square one.Sunday I'm meeting some friends in NY for the day, so I'm hoping to just do one giant swoop (with the rest of those 50,000,000 tourists)...we'll see.I don't know why I'm not in the Christmas mood this year, and honestly you Connecticut folks might want to slap me, but this northerner desperately wants some snow on the ground (and NO I haven't forgotten our lovely Halloween snowfall!) Honestly, I am thinking more about Christmas food. Desserts, cookies, family traditions, appetizers for parties, anything Christmas+food equals.Gift giving is not my thing. Trust me, I have given you all gifts many times over in my mind. When I shop, I usually see something I would like to give... but I don't end up buying it because it doesn't seem like a good enough gift! It feels like I'm just buying "stuff"...and that's not how I want to show my love for those I'm buying for. As I have gotten older, I have started to make food for Christmas gifts...concentrating most on treats I'm guessing my gift recipients would never make themselves.Last year (and probably 15 pounds ago due to it!) I made these truffles for the gifts along with a few other things (to be revealed later!). It was days of testing different ganache, going through quite a bit of cream, and scooping/ dipping hundreds of tiny chocolate balls that resulted in a whole lot of love and chocolate.Hopefully these are gifts to you...special things you and I will only  (dare?) make this time of year. Hooray...the holiday's are here!Side note: Also, as you may have noticed I take pictures of everything...unfortunately, these are the only a few photos I could find from Christmas last year. See below, you'll understand my confusion...no truffles but a man in full snowsuit riding a bike and some potato chip sunglasses.

tuxedo truffles

The inside of these tiny bites of glory is a soft, delicious, smooth ganache. You can choose to "dress" them in a hard chocolate coating or roll them in powdery delicious dark chocolate cocoa powder. Mmm...enjoy.

makes 24 truffles depending on your scooper size..I use a smaller one

ingredients1/3 cup of cream1 bag white chocolate chips1 tablespoon unsalted butter1/2 bag of dark chocolate chips1. take a small sauce pan in heat the cream over very low heat2. put your white chocolate chips in a bowl (I prefer glass I don't know why)3. once the cream is hot, pour over chocolate chips & wisk until chocolate has melted.4. Add butter and wisk until it's smooth and beautiful.5. refrigerate your ganache for 1-2 hours or until firm.6. While you're waiting (or when your ready to scoop the truffles), put a silicone mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet to get ready for the next step.7. Use your favorite scooping tool (this is mine) and scoop out as many little ganache balls as you can get out of the white chocolate. If you don't have a scoop, you can use a spoon. Roll the ball between your palms to make them perfectly round. Do this quickly though, as the heat of your hands can melt the chocolate and then you have a mess (!) Refrigerate on the lined baking sheet one more hour to harden (or my favorite, stick the pan out on the porch or in the garage...hey..it's cold out there!)8. Put dark chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl, and microwave in 20 second increments (stirring inbetween) until melted. Stop microwaving when there are a few chunks left in the chocolate and stir until they melt along with it. It makes the chocolate look nicer in the end.9. Dip each ball in the melted chocolate (2 forks make it easier to fish out dipped chocolate balls). If you like to get fancy, immediately roll in cocoa powder after dipping in the melted chocolate (I prefer Hershey's dark chocolate cocoa powder...but any kind you'd like). OR you can roll in anything that sounds tasty! (coconut, chopped hazelnuts, sprinkles, rainbows)10. You can place them back on the parchment or on a cooling rack to harden.11. Wait 10 minutes before eating them all to regain your composure to devour them ALL. And to let the chocolate set. :)

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I am getting more excited every day....maybe about the three day work week, maybe about seeing my friends, maybe about the food...so much to look forward to this week!Times when we've been in Chicago, we have shared a thanksgiving table with some dear friends, Mabrie & Jason (and a few others!). This year we're heading to W. New York to the Burgetts to give thanks with a part of our "Chicago family".I can't really name any one reason why I really like thanksgiving...actually I'm more of a Christmas morning girl. That is the food holiday I have been dreaming about.Getting up early (more like being shook awake by my sisters), everyone in their pj's sitting around the tree waiting as each family member pulls themselves away from the covers and gets a cup of coffee before joining us. Our dog would have usually found her chew bone by now. Snow is falling, it's cloudy.Now fast forward to the Christmas I am dreaming up this year. Andrew and I will be home in Connecticut on Christmas morning. On our rustic dining table I have taper candles lit in my hurricane glasses, greenery on the table, braided cardamom bread (with pill sugar...very important in my dream for some reason!).  Coffee in our Swedish kettle, mimosa's, our colored lit tree & us sitting in the living room in Christmas pajamas, an egg dish, some sausage, and my warm brioche buns with honey butter for the morning & herb butter for the afternoon snacking.These buns...ahhhh are the buns you dream of. My sister growing up was the "bun" girl, at all holidays she ate buns (at times only buns?). I made these a few years ago, and I can't remember how many she ate (mostly because we were ALL eating them at record speed). But I hope that you enjoy these buns for thanksgiving this year, for parties in between, and your dream christmas morning.

warm brioche buns

from cooking light, november 10makes 24 rollsYou will need two things: a muffin tin, and about 45 minutes on november 23th.Ingredients1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons if you use the jar like me)1/3 cup warm 1% low-fat milk3 1/2 cups flour1/3 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon salt4 large eggs, lightly beaten8 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubesCooking spray1 tablespoon water1 large egg white

Preparation

Dissolve yeast in warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; let stand 5 minutes.Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.Add flour, sugar, salt, and eggs to milk mixture; beat with a stand mixer at low speed until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl with spatula as needed.Remove paddle attachment; insert dough hook.Mix dough at low speed 5 minutes or until soft and elastic and dough just begins to pull away from sides of bowl.Cut 6 1/2 tablespoons butter into large cubes; add half of butter to dough, mixing at medium speed to blend.Add remaining half of butter to dough; mix at medium speed until incorporated. Mix dough on medium speed 4 minutes or until smooth and elastic.Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)After dough has doubled, punch dough down; form into a ball.Return dough to bowl; cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.---The next day (or 8 hours later), uncover dough; let stand 90 minutes or until dough is at room temperature.Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Working with one portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), cut dough into 6 equal pieces.Roll each piece into a 1 1/2-inch ball.Repeat procedure with remaining 3 dough portions to make 24 rolls total.Place rolls in muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size.Preheat oven to 350°.Combine 1 tablespoon water and egg white; stir with a whisk. Gently brush rolls with egg mixture.Bake at 350° for 14 minutes or until golden.Place pans on wire racks.Place remaining butter in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 20 seconds or until butter melts. Brush butter onto rolls(please please please make these!! you will not regret it!)

Today is my mom's birthday. She didn't want me to post anything on facebook, so I thought I'd post it on my blog!My mom is a great lady: she has helped me pack more apartments then I care to count. She has been (happily) dragged to many breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner & dessert places around town...and is even willing to let me still drag her around to places on the East Coast! She is a listening ear, a comforting voice, and a strong wife and mother. She is the mom I want to be when we have some little Sturdlings of our own. She is fun, youthful, up for anything, and selfless.One of my mom's favorite things are my petite vanilla scones, and frankly, who wouldn't want to make these for breakfast and sit down and enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee and mom! I cannot wait to enjoy these with her in 16 days when she's here!

Petite Vanilla Scones

From Pioneer WomenMakes 12 mini sconesIngredientsSCONES3 cups All-purpose Flour2/3 cups Sugar5 teaspoons Baking Powder1/4 teaspoon Salt2 sticks UNSALTED Butter, Chilled1 whole Large Egg3/4 cups milk+1 tablespoon lemon juice2 whole Vanilla Beans or 1 tsp vanilla extractGLAZE3 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted1/2 cup Milk1 whole Vanilla Bean mixed in ORif you do not want to buy a vanilla bean, 2 tablespoons of Lars Swedish Sugar will do...or nothing but the glaze would be just fine.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Split the vanilla beans down the middle lengthwise and scrape out all the vanilla "caviar" inside. Stir caviar into cream. Set aside for 15 minutes.Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.Cut cold butter into pats, then use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour. Keep going until mixture resembles crumbs.Mix vanilla cream with egg, then combine with flour mixture; stir gently with a fork just until it comes together.Turn dough onto a floured surface and lightly press it together until it forms a rough rectangle. (Mixture will be pretty crumbly.) Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Use your hands to help with the forming if necessary.Use a knife to trim into a symmetrical rectangle, then cut the rectangle into 12 symmetrical squares/rectangles. Next, cut each square/rectangle in half diagonally, to form two triangles.Transfer to a parchment or baking mat-lined cookie sheet and bake for 18 minutes, removing from the oven just before they start to turn golden. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.VANILLA GLAZETo make the icing, split one vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the caviar. Stir caviar into milk; allow to sit for awhile. Mix powdered sugar with the vanilla milk, adding more powdered sugar or milk if necessary to get the consistency the right thickness. Stir or whisk until completely smooth.One at a time, carefully dunk each cooled scone in the glaze, turning it over if necessary. Transfer to parchment paper or the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set completely, about an hour. Scones will keep several days if glazed.

Saturday- we prepared for Hurricane Irene.Part of me was all like "THIS IS MY FIRST HURRICANE!!"Part of me was like "ahhhh these is my first hurricane."As I started to write this post, I was anticipating the lights flickering off, our marathon of "50 best documentaries to see before you die" to end, and the rain to really pick up. I have to say, this little Yooper girl knows how to handle midwest thunderstorms and even a "Snonami"

 But a hurricane? No clue. We stayed up until 2:30am in anticipation. What we got wasn't a hurricane. It was a 500 mile wide thunderstorm and a Sunday morning free of church and responsibilities.And then Sunday morning, we went out and explored...while it was still raining with 50 mph wind gusts...but if you have ever walked between the Hancock Building and Watertower Place on a cold, windy, Chicago day...you have felt worst wind gusts then Irene produced...trust me!So what did I do instead of hide from Irene? I cooked (and cleaned a lot)!I made a giant pot of my potato leek chowder.I made banana bread.I made donuts.I made chocolate sauce to dip the donuts in.If you are Gluten Free, well then this is your lucky day! I'm going to share with you this absolutely delicious banana bread recipe from Babycakes NYC. And there is also a surprise...I dare you to make the chocolate dipping sauce and drizzle it over the banana bread to make it THE most decedent, home-style treat.

Erin's Favorite Banana Bread Recipe from Babycakes NYC

12 Servings | Weight Watchers Points + 5 points per slice.

1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour (gotta be Bob's, no sub)1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder3/4 teaspoons xanthan gum1/2 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/3 cup oil (I used canola)2/3 cup agave nectar1/2 cup rice milk2 tablespoons of good quality vanilla1 1/4 cups mashed bananas

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.2.Brush your loaf pan with oil and set aside.3. In a medium bowl, measure in flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon and whisk.4. Add oil, agave nectar, rice milk and vanilla and then mix again.5. Fold in bananas until nicely distributed.6. Pour batter into loaf pan (only halfway!) and set in the oven.7. After 20 minutes, check on the loaf and continue baking until it passes the toothpick test. (Mine got very brown staying in the oven so long because the center took the longest to bake).8. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes.*If you have extra batter, you can make them into muffins. I put mine in doughnut tins...but they turned out too moist to be a traditional doughnut texture, but it was still fun.

Sugar Sweetened Chocolate Drizzle Saucefrom Babycakes NYC

Makes enough to cover banana bread loaf. Weight Waters + Points: Add 1 point to each slice of bread.

4 tablespoons of your favorite chocolate chips (I use vegan chocolate chips because they are dairy free)1/2 tablespoon of oil (I used canola)pinch of salt

1. In a double boiler or the microwave, melt chocolate chips 85-90% of the way (you will see some unmelted pieces). Remove from heat and stir until smooth.2. Add oil & salt; stir until combined.3. Drizzle or dip. Let set for 3-4 hours to harden, or dig in immediately for dribbly chocolate.

About a month ago I was skyping with my lovely Chicago sista's, Mabrie & Rachael. Right before we hung up, we were talking about if we could do anything, what would we do? None of us really answered, as babies started crying, husbands got home from work, and we all decided we needed to hang up. Ever since then, this question has remained in my head...and I have been dreaming about what could be next in my life.Not that what is going on in my life isn't awesome right now, but I could see some big things on the horizon if I kept toying with the idea.Also, not that I have time to ponder these things right now, as we just moved into our new place on Saturday, I am in the middle of a few projects at work, and I am of course, have been busying myself with projects I don't have time for.I get in these moods sometimes when things feel uncertain or changing. Example: the last two times I thought about going to grad school were 1)before I graduated undergrad, and 2)as we were leaving seminary a few months ago.I honestly would love to...keep doing what I'm doing AND:keep designing and expand my business.maybe even start a creative design group with my friend Erikka.go to seminary or grad school (for what...I don't know)go to cooking school.open a bakery. (um, I have already found the perfect building in Middletown for a bakery or storefront/office)For the mean time, I need to concentrate on today...or this week. (aka settling our house!).Here is one of my favorite summer recipes for you to enjoy the last month of summer. I love it because it is so fancy tasting, and a very quick dinner. You just have to have everything ready (this is key!)Still unsure? Do you like pizza from those Neapolitan places where the crust is cooked in a wood-burning oven? Then you'll love this, I guarantee it. Bon Apetit.

Grilled Pizza

Weight Watchers Points+ 8 servings: 9 points depending on toppings+crust Serves 8 (1 mini pizza each)

Pizza Dough (Store bought or see my recipe below)Toppings of your liking: see below the recipe for ideas.Oil (any of these: canola/veg/olive) & pastry brush

1. Fire up the grill to medium high heat (if using charcoal, make sure your hotspot is off to the side and not right in the middle)2. Prep your toppings and roll out your dough. If using the recipe below, this makes 2 pizza's or 8 mini pizza's. Do not roll it out TOO thing or it will do one or both of these things: a. rip in half as you are putting it out on the grill or b. crisp up and you will have too crackery of a crust.3. Once grill is nice and hot, bring your dough out to the grill on a cookie sheet. Brush the top side of your dough with oil.5. Take pizza and put it on the grill OILED SIDE DOWN. The oil is so it will not stick to the rack.6. Cover and wait 90 seconds to 2 mins. Check underside of the crust. Cook until light golden brown.7. Oil top (raw) side of dough while bottom is cooking.8. When ready, flip the pizza so the raw side will cook.9. IMMEDIATELY get your sauce, cheese and toppings on the pizza. CLOSE grill to trap heat inside and melt your cheese.10. Cook until cheese is melted. Keep checking the underside of your crust to make sure it doesn't burn.Suggestions for toppingsAlicia's FavoriteMozzarella Cheese, Shredded or in my case: Rice Mozzarella Cheese (I can't remember the brand I like, but there are two at Whole Foods that are shredded and I do NOT like Daiya)Canned Pizza Sauce (if you want to drop some $, go with San Marzano pizza sauce, if you're looking for cheap and delicious, RAGU!)To be completely honest, I would do half just plain cheese and half with meat+mushrooms for Andrew.BBQ ChickenYour favorite BBQ sauce (any will work)1/2 red onion slices (I prefer slices to diced because diced almost "sneak attack" you when you bite in)Rotisserie Chicken (I just buy one, and shred the breasts and save the rest for Andrew's lunch the next day)Mozzarella Cheese (or Rice cheese if you're me)Chicken PestoRotisserie Chicken, shredded off the bone.Pesto SauceMozzarella CheeseTomatoes (choose sundried or sliced fresh)And last but not least; how about a little meat? This is the pizza that my dad makes me get him when we order takeout.Yooper Special (call your cardiologist tomorrow) :)Pizza SauceMozarella CheesePepperoni (I like to get fresh sliced from the deli because they are a lot bigger and you can use less...plus they are fresh and not all dried out)Crumbled Sausage, cooked on the stove first (remove the casing or buy it without)Crumbled Bacon (you can cook your own before or use the microwave kind)Mushrooms (saute them first on the stove so they brown)*What is a Yooper?

Alicia's Favorite Pizza Dough Recipe

Weight Watchers Points+ 8 servings-1 mini pizza each: 5 points for just the crustMakes 2 pizza's or 8 mini pizza's

I have used this recipe for years. While I have tried others, this one works every time. If you can, use my favorite flour: King Arthur Bread Flour. It gives the best rise & makes the best crust!

2 3/4 to 3-1/4 cups King Arthur Bread Flour (using all-purpose flour is not a problem either though!)1 pkg. active dry yeast1/2 tsp. salt1 cup warm water (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F)2 Tbsp. cooking oil or olive oil

1. In a large mixing bowl combine 1-1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt; add warm water and oil.2. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.3. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.4.Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total).**5. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 8 dough balls & roll them out!

** Sometimes I just take the paddle attachment off of my Kitchenaid and put the dough hook on for 5 minutes or so. Take the hook out, and let the dough rest for 10 minutes...you're good to go and you don't' have dough all over your hands!

ok: so I am 5 days over the date I wanted to blog. Woops. I wanted to blog 50 days after we left, but between work, church, my freelance gig, and exploring new england; my blog got lost somewhere in between.

Some of you may be wondering, why are you blogging here? I thought you moved to Tumblr.

Well, it was a fake out. I was trying out Tumblr, but after a few weeks of playing around on it, I am not loving it. So sticking with what I know, I'm staying on Wordpress and giving my blog a new, fresh feel. So stay tuned...things are going to get a little bit more lovely around here.

Some of you may also be wondering what I have been up to!

Let me give you a brief synopsis.

June: drove to New England, got a flat tire, day trip to New York City (cue Empire State of Mind playing in my head), Andrew starting his new job, Me starting my new job, our nice tidy space saver bags exploding in our 10x10 room at the Freemans.

July: 4th of July at Pilgrim Pines, Iowa for Matt & Molly Bauman's wedding, Chicago book-ending our trip (side note: i LOVE being a visitor in chicago...life as a visitor means no job and 24 hour acccess to fun, friends, shopping and delicious eats in a carefree manner), Friday night trip to Boston, HARRY POTTER!, Day trip of eating & shopping to New York with Lil' Erikka, skyping, skpying and more skyping with wonderful friends and family, weeknight trip to have dinner & cupcakes with Suz who is working in NYC through September, and finally last weekend we spent Friday & Saturday in Rhode Island at the Freeman's beach house. ahhhhhhhHHhhhhhh....so relaxing and I am delightfully tan for my upcoming trip to Chicago for wedding #2 of the summer.

So you are now up to speed with what we've been up to these past 55 days (yes, I know I go to New York too much but many of you know that I am a MAGNETIZED to big cities!)

Present day: we are moving into our new place next week!

Let me tell you a little bit about 31 Broad Street. :)

It's in wonderful Middletown, Connecticut; located right on the Connecticut River. It's a historic town that once was "destined" to be a large port city like Boston and New York. Long story short; it didn't. (boo).
We will be occupying the first floor of this house, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Exactly what we were looking for! It's one block from the main street that is filled with tons of independent coffee shops, local restaurants, and businesses. It. Is. Idyllic.

We are so looking forward to moving in and hosting many dinner parties, movie nights, and weekend visits of friends.

Oh, and regarding this being a blog about food...that is in the works. I haven't been cooking that much this summer, but I have a few things up my sleeve and I cannot wait to share them with you!

I have to say, my last day in Chicago was not exciting.We got up, and started moving right away. Andrew and a few of our friends got the rest of the POD packed in an hour, and I did multiple rounds around the house to throw away trash, empty our fridge, organize what goes in the car, etc.We ate lunch with some friends.We came back and folded laundry and heard about some new adventures a friend has ahead of him.We went to dinner with Mabrie, Jack, and Marelen. And of course got gelato.We visited with some friends who are also in the transition from seminary to ministry process.Now we crash and go to sleep.Yes, this is not an exciting day...we didn't do out of the ordinary, bucket list kind of stuff. Our lives carried on as normal. As if this place will remain the same when we returned as the day we left it.At the end of the day, I wouldn't have wanted my day to be excited and whirlwind. It was absolutely perfect the way it was, I couldn't have imagined it any other way. It was Us.So Chicago, what If I never I'd never met you?I wouldn't be the lady I am today. (And I'm not talking about a street savvy, foodie who knows how to use her horn in traffic).I'm talking about the lady who has bumped up against amazing people, and found family.Who has seen the need for justice, mercy and grace and responded.Who has made her faith her own.Who has felt lost along the way at time, but has discovered who she is.I recently printed off this prayer that we received as a staff at Covenant Point Bible Camp when I worked there and kept it at my desk. It stirs up so many things inside me about the work we have done here, and the work to be done in Connecticut and wherever else we find ourselves. I hope you read it, enjoy it, and take time to reflect on whatever season you find yourself in today. The Prayer of Oscar Romero It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,it is even beyond our vision.We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fractionof the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of sayingthat the kingdom always lies beyond us.No statement says all that could be said.No prayer fully expresses our faith.No confession brings perfection.No pastoral visit brings wholeness.No program accomplishes the church's mission.No set of goals and objectives includes everything.This is what we are about.We plant the seeds that one day will grow.We water seeds already planted,knowing that they hold future promise.We lay foundations that will need further development.We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberationin realizing that. This enables us to do something,and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,but it is a beginning, a step along the way,an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.We may never see the end results, but that is the differencebetween the master builder and the worker.We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.Amen.  

photo by Erica Rose Photography

As a girl originally from the UP...I have a strange love for large cities. I have heard many times from people who are not "city folk" that being downtown makes them feel claustrophobic...that the pace is too fast, too much.

I on the other hand, thrive off the city.

I feel like I really am alone (in a good way), decompressed, relaxed, at rest when I'm sitting on the el or a coffee shop surrounded by people.

Last fall my girlfriends and I vacationed on the East Coast for a "get away" together, and on the front end Andrew and I took 2 days in New York. I know this sounds crazy, but our time in New Hampshire was relational refreshing...but our time in New York was physically refreshing. We felt more relaxed, more "in our element" staying in our little place on W 75th/Central Park W walking to Zabars for breakfast and Greenwich Village for dinner. I think God has used Chicago to mold me into a person who cares about urban spaces (I suppose that's why I have been working in Urban Outreach for the past 4 years!). I look forward to learning about and growing to love other cities in the years to come...but always remembering my first City love, Chicago.

Click here to listen to my chicago anthem.

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

holy crap, day 5. it's getting real in here.for day 5 I was going to write about something else...but then in bed this morning I just kept thinking about all the little things I've picked up in Chicago over the years that had made living here easier. I kept thinking I hope I meet those people in other cities who know all the little "secrets" of New York and Boston and wherever-else I might land.I keep thinking that I need to download all my Chicago thoughts someplace for someone to read, and benefit from. Some of these are really silly...but I don't care.You can find "evening special" parking downtown for $10 (Van Buren/Wabash) or that there is a lot across the street that is $12 or $14 for the whole day on the weekends.That you can park in the 900 N Michigan Ave building in the evening for $6 if you make a purchase in the mall (hello, this is why I have so many wonderful William Sonoma kitchen towels)That you can find free neighborhood parking just about anywhere as long as you read signs and know what time it is.That Sprinkles cupcakes does a "secret word" of the day that if you whisper it to the cashier they'll give you free cupcakes...and you can go everyday but it's only for the first x amount of people.That the best all you can eat sushi place is "Sushi Para II" on Clark/Webster...$18.99 a person.That you can get free museum passes from the library and go even if you don't have kids.If you are craving a slice of Chicago style pizza but don't want to order a whole one, Art of Pizza in Lincoln Park sells Chicago Style by the slice for $3.That the best Chicago Style Hotdog is "George's" in BucktownThat you can furnish an entire apartment (including your mattress if you're brave) on chicago.craigslist.orgThat IKEA is NOT really that far!The best place to go sit by yourself with coffee and toast is Julius Meinl on Southport.That George's ice cream has the best Rocky Road I've ever had.That you only need to get the 2 eggs special at Ann Sathers because it comes with ALL the sides you'll need (including cinnamon rolls!) and it's super cheap.Hunan Wok is the best Chinese you'll ever taste (Get the General Tso's Chicken and you'll see...)That Lawrence Fish market may not be the nicest storefront but you'll go back there for sushi when you're broke and craving it.There is a food court in Whole Foods on Kingsbury that you can eat on their beautiful outdoor deck.Take a food tour in Wicker Park!Go to iCream in Wicker Park.The best falafel is Sultan's Market, and remember the one in Wicker Park is cash only.The best time to go to a "nice" restaurant is lunch if they are open: my favorites is Blackbird or Province in the West Loop.Go to Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Bucktown...and skip the hot chocolate. Get any of their appetizers (I love the mini pretzels and the cheeseboard) and get a dessert. Go with a Restaurant.com certificate.Order Ala Cart from Mayan Palace...the Quesadilla+$4 margarita's on Tuesday/Thursday.Garcia's in Lincoln Square have the best Fajita's (yes, the chicken is orange, but that makes it better)Frasca Pizza is buy one get one free pizza's on Wednesdays.DMK is known for their burgers, but when we go we get ONE burger to split, and order half orders of all the different kinds of french fries on the menu.Big and Littles on Orleans/Oak. Just go and get one shrimp taco, one tilapia taco, and an order of truffle fries....! Don't be scared of the neighborhood.Pretty much any Bikram Yoga studio in the city has a $29/$30 special for the first month...so go try it.The best way to find an apartment here is padmapper.com.The best view of Chicago is from the Ladies Bathroom in the Hancock building.Ride the brownline from Kimball to the Loop and back...it's the best tour of the most neighborhoods in Chicago and it's only $2.25.Do not fear the Tamale Man...he has frequented the Maproom in Logan Square the few times we've been there...and yes he is selling Tamale's out of a cooler.My favorite Chicago beer is Half Acre Gossamer Ale.Best quick bite downtown right of Michigan Ave is M Burger on Huron right behind the Apple Store. It has a window inside that looks into the kitchen of Tru.The only place to get Stumptown Coffee in Chicago is Bagel on Damen (cash only!)I'm sure I'll think of more during the day...check back for updates.

This post will be short, and sweet.On Driving:While driving the other day, I honestly had this thought:"Thank you Mike Hanson, for teaching me how to parallel park in the parking lot of Holy Name."I'm glad Chicago has made me the driver I am, honking and all.The El:I commuted via the el and bus for 2 years. I have seen the weirdest things on CTA. But I have also had the sweetest moments on their, riding back with friends, having quite time, reading the news paper, listening for my iPod for the first time on the el felt magical (everyone does it!)Andrew and I had our first "dates" on the el. We would ride the brownline at night from Kimball down to the Loop and back. We'd always stop at the Starbucks in Lincoln Square and run back to the train to make our transfer for free. See told you short and sweet :)

Today was our major beginning of packing. My awesome Mommy is here, and she has taken on the kitchen as her target. We were in there ALL DAY (Mom started at 9am or so...we went to bed at MIDNIGHT). I cannot believe this! Note to self: when you live with 3 other women, you only own a 1/3 of the stuff...so you only pack that much. We own EVERYTHING in this apartment...and it ALL has to go!For my 7 day mark, I decided to reflect on something that has dominated most of my freetime the past two summers: The Chicago Marathon.Training for the marathon starts in June and concludes in October...which means you are running all over Chicago during the BEST months. This is good and bad...good because it's beautiful here during the summer...bad because it's beautiful here during the summer and you'd rather be at the beach than RUNNING for 4 hours.My favorite street to run down the first year I trained for the marathon was Damen. From Foster to Chicago, Damen cuts through Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center, Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Wicker Park, and West Town. It's one of those streets that can be quiet and residential and then all of a sudden can be bustling with restaurants, boutiques, and people.Last year when I ran the marathon, I spent a lot of time on Lake Shore Drive. I love running from Foster Beach down to Navy Pier...closing in on the city until you get to the Oak Street curve where you're right in the middle of it.I also enjoyed running after work a lot, leaving my office in Cabrini and running down the Chicago River...and I always take a moment and stop on the Franklin Street bridge. It is one of my favorite views of Chicago.Now, the marathon itself is the best tour you could take of Chicago. I love that it's a loop all around the city, I love that I can see random people I know throughout the route...I love that it's like the biggest holiday in Chicago, I love that last year when it was 90 degrees that people were outside with their yard hoses spraying it onto the runners to cool them down, handing out homemade ice packs, or even getting buckets of ice from Seven Eleven to hand out. The marathon really brings our city together...from the beginning of training when you see other marathoners on Lake Shore Drive chugging out the first weekend 7miler, to the day of celebrating in the park. The marathon makes me love Chicago more.

If it wouldn't have been for Chicago, I...wouldn't have learned how glorious food is.I also wouldn't be contently running marathons to burn it all off, but that's not important in this moment.Can I tell you a little story?I am 18 years old, the freshest you can get as a freshman, and I am downtown at Billy Goats Tavern with a group of friends. If you have watched this SNL skit...this is the "Cheezbourger Cheezbourger Cheezbourger" place..."Chips, no fries."My friends are telling me they've been to this place before, and you cannot order anything else but a cheeseburger (I have learned this is not quite true depending on who's working). Do not ask for any substitutions. No questions. Just a double cheeseburger.I. Am. Horrified.I have never had a cheeseburger!! (Dun dun dunnn)So I suck it up (being the naive 18 year old Yooper I am) and order a Double Cheeseburger, Vitners Chips and a Root beer. No hesitation, no questions. I sit down with my meal and confess to my friends I've never had a cheeseburger. I take a bite. It is GLORIOUS. Who would have thought that cheese on a hamburger could be such a great idea!?Flash forward today: my meals today consisted of Salmon Dill Quiche from Tre Kroner for breakfast and Crunch Shrimp, Crunchy Spicy Tuna, and Cucumber Salad from my favorite sushi place, Dib. Things that I have tried that I hadn't tried then are: mustard, peanut butter and jelly, and pretty much any Mexican food.If you were to tell anyone these days that I use to be the pickiest eater on the planet, I doubt they'd believe you.Heck, I use to eat plain spaghetti noodles with salt on them for dinner because I was "tired" of spaghetti sauce.Chicago, if it wasn't for you...this blog wouldn't exist. I wouldn't be so eager to try to recreate my favorite dishes in my kitchen. Hummus, Falafel, Sushi, Vegan dishes, homemade pizzas, cookies, cupcakes, pastas, sushi, even Chicagostyle Hotdogs wouldn't be on my personal menu of creations if it wasn't for Chicago. I wouldn't know what a Sprinkles cupcake tastes like, I wouldn't know what it's like to dine in a four star restaurant. I wouldn't know what GOOD food tastes like. I wouldln't know how to appreciate exploring other cities for tiny "special" places like the ones I have found here.Chicago--thank you for your restaurants. Echoing my post from yesterday, if it wasn't for the variety and bounty of eateries in this city, I wouldn't know half the people I'm friends with. I wouldn't share meals with them at our favorite places. I wouldn't have dared try anything new if it wasn't for the people I've eaten out with in the years.A toast to you, Chicago. I promise I will bring my "foodiness" to the East Coast to teach it a thing or two.*Also, please check out my 'Chicago' page for a small portion of my "Favorite Restaurants in Chicago" list!

"If I wouldn't have lived in Chicago..."I wouldn't have any of these amazing people in my life!I just have a few memories I'd like to post-I can't post them all for everyone...but these are the ones on my heart right now.I wouldn't have my sweet MTOS friends.I wouldn't have eaten breakfast with these women every Monday morning my last semester of college.Had pillow talk with Erikka at night.Been roommates with Carri, Suz, and Krista.I wouldn't know what Evergreen Saturday is.I wouldn't be so close with Carri if we both hadn't stayed in Chicago after graduation.I wouldn't have any friends on the East Coast if Erikka didn't live there.Would know I share the same birthday with someone like Suz.Would have had totally different friends in college if I wouldn't have known Krista.Would have commuted home in silence if I didn't have Esther to call.I wouldn't know the Jasmers.Would have never had endless Facebook messages with Molly through out the day at work.I would have never watched half the movies I've watched if it wasn't for Ben.I wouldn't know one of my husbands best friends.I wouldn't have gotten to know Molly via a 12 hour car ride from Minneapolis to Chicago.I wouldn't have gotten to be in Henry's life every day.I wouldn't know Mabrie & Jason.I would have never eaten sushi.I wouldn't know all the cool funny things on SNL and YouTube.I wouldn't eat as much Mexican food as I do.I would have never known fake mustaches could be so fun.I would have never watched Star Wars Episode IV.I would have never eaten at half the restaurants in Chicago that I have.I wouldn't have met Rachael Judd.I wouldn't have had anyone to go to spin class with (You're freaking out right now).I wouldn't have spent 40 hours a week for the past 4 1/2 years with Mabs.I wouldn't have anybody to celebrate with after Andrew proposed if she wasn't hiding on the roof taking pictures.I have so many things I wouldn't have done if it wasn't for all of you, my friends. Thank you for being in my life, being my friend, and loving me.

Well...technically day 10 of my countdown would be Sunday, May 29th. But it's 12:19am on Monday, May 30th...but whatever. It's still Sunday in my book.The weather here the past few days has been all over the place. If it's not beautiful sunshine, it's down pouring rain and flash flood warnings.Saturday night I was driving down the 90/94 to meet some girlfriends at The Boundary, and it was one of those "Gotham City" nights in Chicago. If you live here, you know what I'm talking about. The clouds are low and grey, but the lights from the city still seem to shine bright through the fog..it's eerie, creepy, and beautiful.It got me thinking about the first time I'd ever really noticed the skyline like that. Grey & intriguing.It was the night my sophomore year of college when we had a brilliant idea to pitch a tent on the roof of our dorm and sleep out there for the evening. Our version of "urban camping".I woke up early before everyone...which is really weird because I can't even wake up early enough to get to work on time but I managed to get up before dawn. I crawled out of the tent and sat facing the lake, waiting for the sun to come up.This sunrise was gorgeous. Orange, pink, yellow....warm. The clouds and colors changed every minute.But there was the city off in the distance, feeling totally separate from the gorgeous sunrise happening right next to it. And all I could think of was how dirty it looked. How quiet it felt. I was intrigued. It felt like nobody else was awake...just me and the Hancock building. I felt like Chicago belonged to me. This was my city. Where I was growing up in that season of my life.I just sat there for a long time taking it in. I took pictures of the sun coming up--I don't know why I didn't take any of the skyline. I actually think I might have, but then deleted them because it was one of those beautiful things in your mind but is a terrible picture...a picture wouldn't do it justice for my memories and feelings. Then I crawled back into the tent and went back to sleep.I'm pretty sure that's the only sunrise I've watched in years-and that moment by myself is so special to me.

For my last 10 days in Chicago, I have decided to do quick blog posts of my favorite memories in Chicago.Everything that I have done in the past few weeks have brought on thoughts like, "if it wouldn't have been for chicago, i would have never ____" or "____ was one of my favorite moments in Chicago"No recipes. No food. No cooking for almost the past two weeks. All I have is this for right now. Until I have a kitchen of my own, until I start waking up that part of my creativity again...I need space to reflect on an amazing 8 years here. So here it is.

Diptic

I know I have been so absent on my blog lately and I am sorry! I have been zipping here, zipping there, downing cups of Dunkin' Donuts, and craigs-listing my little hiney off because...as of Sunday, my husband Andrew has been offered the position of Youth Pastor at Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin, Connecticut!It is a wonderful church, which amazing kids, parents, volunteers, etc that we are so blessed by already. We thank God for this opportunity, and we are excited to become New Englanders! We are very sad to leave the midwest, but we are trying not to look at it in the way of God is taking us from the midwest, but He is bringing us to Connecticut. Reverse psychology...smart.Anyways: I wanted to post a SHOUT OUT to my soon to be home and tell you all about the news in our lives!Because we've been traveling so much lately back and forth to Connecticut and home to Upper Michigan for my grandfathers funeral, I haven't really been able to cook all that much. But I was reading the new Bon Appetit on the plane a few weeks ago, and they had an entire section on the Lobster Roll. Being new to the idea of fresh lobster, the only one I've had has been at Lenny & Joes near Hammonasset Beach...Connecticut style lightly sauteed in butter and served warm (unlike traditional New England style...served chilled in mayo)I think I might prefer New England style...but you decide.

Lobster Roll

Connecticut Style

Weight Watchers Points+ 4 servings: 7 points (with the low cal bun option)

1 1/2 Tbsp light butter, melted4 roll(s) reduced-calorie hot dog bun(s), split open or if you're on the east coast, use New England Style...see my note below.1 lbs uncooked lobster meat (about 2-3 tails fresh or frozen&thawed)2 Tbsp regular butter¼ tsp salt¼ black pepper, freshly ground2 tsp fresh lemon juice½ medium lemon, quartered

1. Brush melted butter on inside of each split hot dog bun; set aside.2. To remove meat from lobster tails, turn tails upside down and make a slit with a sharp knife in the underside of shell from top to tail. Hold shell with both hands and crack shell backwards so you can pull lobster meat out of shell in one piece, starting at top and working it out of the tail.3. Slice raw lobster into bite-sized pieces.4. Heat skillet over a medium-low heat; add butter, salt and pepper. When butter has melted, sauté lobster until pink, about 4 minutes. Remove lobster to a plate and deglaze pan with lemon juice; remove sauce from skillet and set aside.5. Carefully wipe skillet clean; set over medium heat. Toast hot dog buns, buttered-side down, until golden brown.6. Lay each toasted bun open on a plate and fill with lobster. Pour deglazed sauce over rolls and serve with lemon wedges. Yields 1 lobster roll per serving.New England/Maine Style

Weight Watchers Points+ 4 servings: 8 points

1 pound cooked lobster meat, torn into bite-size pieces6 tablespoons mayonnaise (or miracle whip if you're on WW)Kosher salt & pepper2 tablespoon butter, room temperature (1/2 tbs per bun)4 hot dog rolls (again, if you're on WW you should use low cal, but New England style is fun too)1 head of butter lettuce, thinly sliced

1. Place 4 tbs of mayo in a bowl with the lobster...slowly mash the meat (especially the claw meat) into the mayo...this will give it a nice moist and smooth consistency. Mix in remaining tablespoon of mayo, salt & pepper to taste...chill until ready to serve.2. Butter outside surfaces of hot dog rolls. Heat medium skillet over medium-high heat. Place rolls, 1 buttered side down, in skillet; cook until browned slightly, about 2 minutes per side. Open rolls. Fill with lettuce, then lobster mixture, and serve.*For all you Midwestern folks like me...New England style hotdog buns (seen in the picture above): It’s basically a hot dog bun with white sides that’s split at the top, instead of the side. This way you can toast both sides and have it stand perfectly upright when stuffed with lobster. You’ll want to butter both sides of each bun and grill for 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.

I am a person who enjoys comfort. Security. Knowing what to expect.These are some things that bring me comfort...the feeling of the weight of uncertainty being lifted (some may seem silly to you). Andrew and I have made a theme for this year, no expectations. There is a funny thing that happens when you are so confident in yourself to NAME your year...God totally says "okay, so this is what we're going to do" and he ROCKS you. 2010 was a year of un-comfort in so many ways. It was as if we were in our first storm as a family...people we loved died, we lost our passion for things we use to love, and we were forced into a time of surrender. I feel like the ultimate stubborn streak overcame me! I was confronted by the fact that when I have expectations, I cannot grow, I cannot see what is best for me, and I cannot love those around me well.So the simple phrase that I've kept in my back pocket these past 70 days is no expectations (sometimes when I type it it makes me think of the old jean company "no boundaries" haha)Anyways, I cannot wait to share with you the rumblings of this revolution in our life...but I can't just  yet.

Potato Leek Chowder

Weight Watchers Points+ 8 servings: 4 points

adapted from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan

In the mean time, curl up with this delicious, comfortable soup adapted from the book "Around my French Table". My addition of corn & roasted garlic make it not as French, not as traditional, but extra delicious.1 head of garlic1 tsp of olive oil2 tbs unsalted butter1 large Spanish Onion, diced3 medium leeks, sliced into half moons (only use the white and light green part)Salt and Pepper2 russet potatoes, diced (save one to add in after you've pureed the soup)4 cups chicken broth3 cups water1/2 cup corn6 thyme sprigs1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.2. Take one head of garlic and slice the top off. (see notes at bottom for guidance)3. Drizzle the top with oil, and place in a baking pan (put foil down on the bottom, and cover the top of the bulb with foil...I like to just use a ramekin if I'm roasting one head)4. Roast for 1 hour, removing foil the last 10 minutes.5. Melt butter in Dutch oven or soup pot over low heat. Add onion and stir until they glisten with butter, then season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, until onion is soft but not colored6. Add remaining ingredients (except the corn & 1 of the diced potatoes), along with a little more salt, increase heat, and bring to a boil. As soon as soup bubbles, turn heat to low, mostly cover pot, and simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are mashably soft. Taste soup and season generously with salt and white pepper.7. With an immersion blender, carefully blend soup until pureed (careful not to splash)8. Add in remaining diced potatoes & corn, simmer on low for 15 more minutes or until the diced potatoes are softer.Enjoy!