Dandelion Jelly

Taste Test

2012-02-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

If you've always wanted to explore Etsy but are overwhelmed by where to start, try the Etsy Taste Test:
"It's a fun way to explore more than 8.9 million items from shops around the world. Choose the item you like best, Etsy does the rest."

Doug's valentine

2012-02-14T10:39:00.000-05:00

Kendall and Ben know the way to Doug's heart on Valentine's Day. What a happy coincidence that they had cases of beer left over from the wedding.

Weekly Meals

2012-02-10T15:21:00.004-05:00

FRI sriracha beef lettuce wraps, edamame, sweet potato fries
SAT lasagna (with meat sauce), garlic bread, asparagus, mousse
SUN stir fried honey ginger chicken with peppers, rice
MON grilled cheese, tomato soup
TUE flat iron steak, hearty winter vegetable pilaf
WED black bean, corn & monterey jack quesadillas with salsa, avocado
THR breakfast dinner

They aren't words

2012-02-08T15:19:00.000-05:00

My latest favorite speech development with Will: his unusual contractions. He seems to understand that two words can be shortened into one, but his choice of which words to combine is interesting. For example, I've heard this one several times this week:

Me: "Will, are you coloring with the markers?"
Will: "I amn't."
(translation: "I am not")

Donna's baby back ribs

2012-02-05T14:59:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday calls for super food, like Donna's famous ribs... or at least my version of them since I can never seem to follow a recipe exactly. Thanks, mom!

In a large roasting pan lined with foil, combine:

1 slab baby back ribs, seasoned liberally with salt, pepper, and whatever else sounds good (I added Tony's)
2 sliced onions
1-2 sliced bell peppers
a handful of smashed garlic cloves

Fold the foil closed and bake at 325 for about 5 hours. Optional: open the foil near the end of cooking, cover with BBQ sauce and broil for a caramelized coating, or finish on the grill.

Weekly meals

2012-02-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

FRI homemade whole wheat mozzarella, brussels sprouts, salami pizza
SAT winter vegetable soup
SUN ribs, sweet potatoes, green beans
MON grilled chicken, cranberries, pecans, goat cheese over greens
TUE ravioli with mushrooms & peas, cream cheese sauce
WED crock pot beef & broccoli, rice
THR breakfast dinner

Love and marriage

2012-01-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

Kendall & Ben tied the knot this weekend in one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever been a part of. Congrats to the happy couple!

Model children

2012-01-25T15:08:00.000-05:00

Occasionally the boys fill in as extra models for some of our photo shoots at work. I'd like to think the casting is based on their good looks and charm, but in reality, it's more about our affordability (free) and availability (a day's notice). Hey, it can be handy to have a few art directors with toddlers when you deal with baby publications.

This is one of my favorite outtakes from a recent job. Pros, I tell you.

Weekly meals

2012-01-20T15:29:00.000-05:00

FRI sriracha beef lettuce wraps, edamame, stir-fried noodles
SAT (dinner out)
SUN coconut lime chicken with chiles, rice
MON pasta bake with squash, cream cheese, cranberries, spinach, pecans
TUE tacos (tortillas, turkey, beans, cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, salsa)
WED garden vegetable soup
THR whole wheat homemade pizzas (salami, brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, goat cheese, pesto)

What spoon?

2012-01-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

To infinity... and the ER

2012-01-12T23:08:00.000-05:00

My little Buzz Lightyear was flying his regular routes through the house, when a stumble found his head meeting the the kitchen island at an unfortunate angle. Several hours and a dozen stitches later, we were home safe and sound. I haven't broken the news to him yet that his modeling career may be in jeopardy.

Goodbye

2012-01-09T15:08:00.000-05:00

The world is missing a good soul today. My beautiful cousin Keeley passed away yesterday after a brave battle with cancer. She was an amazing woman -- a world traveler, a daughter, a sister, a social worker in a public school system (need I say more?). Someone who left this place better than she found it and touched more lives than she will ever know along the way.

She was one of our 17 first cousins who grew up together in a tightly-knit family. Our pack spent numerous holidays and summer vacations together at our grandparents' home, creating a wealth of memories over the years. We've seen each other grow up, go to school, travel, fall in love, get jobs, change jobs, mourn loss, get married, mend broken hearts, and have children. It feels very strange that one of us was taken so soon. Too soon. I tossed and turned last night in the early hours of the morning, unable to sleep, thinking back across our shared history with a heavy heart... and I had the strange feeling that many of my cousins were likely doing the exact same thing at that very moment.

Keeley used to tell me she would read these entries and laughed about her 'blog stalking.' But that's exactly what it was always about in the first place, making us feel more connected as we all scattered across states and the world. And I hope wherever her spirit is now, that she is still laughing and that we'll be connected once again. She will be dearly missed by many.

My aunt passed along this beautiful post written by one of Keeley's closest friends who is in the midst of her own battle with cancer. Her words are a powerful and moving testament to Keeley's life.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

2012-01-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Over the past few years, the Van Dyke family has dabbled into the realm of homemade gifts. Last Christmas, I gave each family a bottle of homemade vanilla extract.

It's a fairly simple project that involves bottles, vodka, and vanilla beans. There are many tutorials online, but I followed something along these lines. I purchased the beans from Colonel De's at Findlay Market, the bottles from Sur La Table, and the vodka from a local grocer (just make sure it is at least 40% alcohol).

One year later, and my own bottle is still going strong, topped off once or twice with fresh liquor and a new bean or two. I remove older pods and combine with sugar for other uses, but I don't strain the liquid because I love the specks of vanilla beans.

Weekly meals

2011-12-30T15:18:00.000-05:00

FRI curried mango chicken, rice, broccoli
SAT salami & brussels sprout pizza on homemade whole wheat crust
SUN corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes
MON green minestrone
TUE quinoa with chickpeas & tomatoes, grilled chicken
WED black bean and cheese quesadillas, avocado
THR breakfast dinner

Cleaning

2011-12-28T12:28:00.000-05:00

Most people probably wouldn't appreciate the gift of cleaning products for the holidays... but Kendall knew that I would be delighted! Her choice of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Rosemary Collection almost makes me look forward to tackling the myriad of messes around the house.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

Weekly meals

2011-12-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

FRI (Christmas at Sears) veggie plate (carrots, broccoli, cucumber, red pepper, tomatoes) w/ hummus
SAT (Christmas with Van Dykes) pork tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, roast vegetables, chocolate eclair
SUN [breakfast] casserole, coffee cake, fresh fruit [dinner] leftovers
MON grilled chicken, black beans, cheese over salad greens
TUE sausage, asparagus, tomato, rice skillet
WED (dinner with friends)
THR breakfast dinner

Chicken nuggets

2011-12-21T12:47:00.000-05:00

Now that the boys are home during the day with our new sitter, I am responsible for planning out lunches and snacks once again. One of the staples I keep on hand: chicken nuggets. It's easy to make a large batch, portion them out into plastic bags and pop in the freezer.

Chicken Nuggetsparmesan cheese
whole wheat bread
garlic powder
onion powder
salt & pepper
panko breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
3-4 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks

Cut a piece of parmesan cheese (around 3 oz.) into smaller chunks and toss into the food processor until finely shredded. Next, add a few slices of toasted whole wheat bread, roughly torn, and process again (I tend to use the end pieces, which are often abandoned in this house). Add in garlic and onion powders, and salt & pepper to taste (go easy on the salt, as the cheese tends to be salty already). Pour into a medium-sized shallow container, and stir in a handful of panko. I add panko because they tend to keep a crunch better than the wheat crumbs, but they can certainly be omitted.

Beat an egg in another shallow container. Form a little assembly line where you can take a handful of chicken chunks, dip them in the egg, roll them around in the breadcrumb mixture, then place them on baking sheets. I like to use my silicone baking mats which don't require any additional oiling or spraying. Bake at 400 until cooked through, maybe 20 minutes for a properly functioning oven, but mine tend to take much longer (have I mentioned we need to start appliance shopping?).

Weekly meals

2011-12-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

FRI lasagna, grilled romaine with lemon & oil, bread
SAT enchiladas
SUN roast chicken, dijon-braised brussels sprouts, carrots
MON (dinner out) pizza for boys
TUE Indian take out with friends
WED kale and white bean soup
THR (dinner out) macaroni & cheese for boys

The smell of Christmas

2011-12-13T11:14:00.000-05:00

Simmering cinnamon sticks and cutie peels -- it may not look pretty, but it makes our home smell like the holidays.

Friendly

2011-12-11T21:48:00.000-05:00

The Sears household is rapidly expanding, and not in the way one might think. Will's imagination has produced not one, but four(!), make-believe friends recently.

I kept overhearing Will engaging in earnest conversations (by himself), and finally asked who he was talking to.

"Right now I'm just talking to Bing and Balancho, Mommy."
"Of course. And where are they, Will?"
"Oh, they're right here." (holding out his arms towards me)

Apparently Bing and Balancho are his right and left hands, and Ping and Palancho are his left and right feet, respectively. I have no idea where he came up with the names. We are wondering if Balancho and Palancho possibly hail from European descent?

Bing is a bit of an instigator, often ignoring Balancho's requests to leave certain toys alone. Flailing finger fights and clapping can ensue. Ping and Palancho are relatively quiet, unless there is a dance party or light-up shoes involved. They are a lively group, often chatting, sometimes creating mischief, but always amusing.

Birdhouse

2011-12-06T12:45:00.000-05:00

You know you're getting older when, (1) you receive a birdhouse for your birthday, and (2) you are super-excited to use it! It took a day for the birds to scope out the new place, but now it's a regular hang out.

(I feel the need to defend this photo -- anytime I got close enough with my phone to snap a picture, the birds would scatter. Buggers!)

LBD

2011-12-01T13:57:00.000-05:00

Think I've finally settled on a little black (bridesmaid) dress for Kendall's wedding, which could also do double-duty as a holiday party dress.

Punch

2011-11-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

My friend Katie is a fantastic entertainer, so when I needed a good punch recipe for the shower, I knew just who to ask. Sure enough, she offered up a handful of great ideas, and we settled on the fruity little number below. She even lent me a great modern punch bowl for the day, and I liked it so much, my mom surprised me with my own identical set soon after the party (so sweet!).

Berry Sparking Punch
2 750 ml bottles of champagne, chilled
2 liters ginger ale, chilled
10 oz. package frozen strawberries or raspberries
1/2 gallon raspberry sherbet, scooped into small rounds

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and serve immediately.

Black Friday

2011-11-25T19:28:00.000-05:00

I think the boys are in some kind of ninja training for Black Friday, seeing that they were up at midnight, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am, and finally a 6am official get-the-day-started wake up. Right now, sleep is the only item on my Christmas list.

Menu for a shower

2011-11-20T16:43:00.001-05:00

With Kendall's wedding fast approaching in January, it was time for the showering to begin! On the menu for our bride-to-be:
Cheese tray with accompaniments
Vegetable tray
Chorizo and goat cheese stuffed dates
Caramelized onion & bacon tartlets
Chicken salad
Greek orzo salad
Fruit salad
Cupcakes with swiss buttercream
Iced wedding cake cookies
Punch

Weekly Meals

2011-11-11T16:38:00.000-05:00

FRI tortilla soup
SAT pecan crusted fish, brussels sprouts, rice
SUN roasted chicken and root vegetables
MON tofu, carrot, snap pea, pepper, cashew stir fry over rice
TUE North Woods bean soup
WED tomato, mozzarella, pesto paninis, cucumber salad
THR breakfast dinner

R.I.P. Mr. Dorothy

2011-11-06T16:18:00.000-05:00

Will brought home a goldfish from his cousin's birthday party a couple months ago, and Mr. Dorothy* had been growing steadily ever since in a bowl on top of Will's dresser.

The other night as we are putting Will to bed, Doug looks at me and whispers, "Where is the fish?"

What?! The bowl is just water and a few rocks. We look all around and finally find a lifeless Mr. Dorothy on the carpet. The water level is higher than normal, so my guess is that the fish somehow flipped himself out. Doug suspects foul play by Napoleon. Amazingly, Will doesn't seem to notice for a few days, and then happily accepts that Mr. Dorothy has joined fish heaven. I hope all our pet passings go this smoothly.

* The name has a few explanations. Dorothy is the goldfish on Elmo's world, which was also the theme of the party. And Will has a tendency to call all things "mister" (mr. sun, mr. worm, etc.), but his friend Alex also has a fish named Mr. Janet. Take your pick.

Look who's 3!

2011-11-05T16:43:00.000-04:00

Boy Story

2011-10-31T15:48:00.000-04:00

Last Halloween, we had to bribe Will into a costume. This Halloween, we had to bribe him out of it. I may be biased, but I think we had the cutest Buzz Lightyear & Woody around.

20 Brix

2011-10-30T09:12:00.000-04:00

Doug treated me to a birthday dinner at 20 Brix, a wine bar in Milford. The Tanglewood Farms fried chicken with aged cheddar wild rice waffles, Ohio honey apple butter, braised local greens and rosemary chicken jus just might make this my new favorite restaurant.

Weekly meals

2011-10-21T14:32:00.000-04:00

FRI pasta bake with spinach, butternut squash, cream cheese, cranberries
SAT roast whole chicken, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes
SUN (family dinner)
MON white chicken chili
TUE sausage, asparagus, tomato, rice skillet
WED black bean and cheese quesadillas, fresh salsa
THR (birthday take out)

Orderly

2011-10-18T15:43:00.000-04:00

I left Will playing in his room one day and returned to find he had arranged the sticks from his tent toy to neatly balance across the knobs of his dresser. He beamed with pride at his accomplishment. My designer's heart skipped a beat to see he is already concocting symmetrical, even patterns. I may have beamed a little, too.

On the loose...

2011-10-15T15:36:00.000-04:00

Guess whose Halloween costume arrived early in the mail? Buzz Lightyear has been tearing through the house any chance he gets, heading to infinity and beyond.

Pumpkin bark

2011-10-11T15:31:00.000-04:00

My mom knows the way to my heart in October. Witness the pumpkin bark she brought on her last visit.

Fall

2011-10-09T15:33:00.000-04:00

It doesn't get any better than this... browsing the pumpkins at Pipkin's market on a beautiful fall morning with my favorite guys.

Weekly Meals

2011-10-07T15:22:00.000-04:00

FRI seared tuna*, rice, stir fried carrots and sugar snap peas
SAT roasted chicken and butternut squash soup
SUN (family dinner)
MON chicken sausage, asparagus, tomato, rice
TUE black bean burritos with fresh salsa
WED turkey meatloaf, sweet potatoes, brusssels sprouts
THR breakfast dinner

* This was the most delicious seafood we have had in recent memory. Doug's boss had large tuna steaks shipped back from a deep-sea fishing trip in Mexico and sent some along with us. Marinated with soy, ginger, garlic and lime, they were perfection. Even both boys gobbled it up!

Pumpkin spice

2011-10-06T14:51:00.000-04:00

The best limited-edition flavor of all time is back at the office! My morning coffee breaks just became a little sweeter.

Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

2011-10-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

My mom has a tradition of surprising us with little red items on Valentine's Day. Several years ago, our treat was a large can of organic fire-roasted tomatoes with a recipe for tomato soup attached. It's the recipe I have followed ever since.

Fire Roasted Tomato Soup
1 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14.5 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained (or, this summer, I've substituted fresh garden tomatoes)
1 can (14 oz) chicken or vegetable broth
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup whipping cream or whole milk

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until onion is crisp-tender.Stir in tomatoes, broth, 1 tablespoon of the basil, the sugar and pepper flakes. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat; blend until pureed. Stir in cream and remaining 1 tablespoon basil.

Weekly meals

2011-09-30T08:33:00.000-04:00

FRI roast chicken, green beans with pecans, acorn squash
SAT (Reggae Run)
SUN brussels sprouts and salami pizza
MON slow cooker roast with potatoes, carrots, cabbage
TUE black bean burritos
WED tomato soup and grilled cheese
THR breakfast dinner

Shirt skirt

2011-09-28T08:42:00.000-04:00

If Doug ever cleans out his side of the closet (hint, hint!), I may have to snag one of his old dress shirts to try this out.

Weekly meals

2011-09-23T08:18:00.000-04:00

FRI baked fish, mango salsa, brown rice
SAT sushi night
SUN turkey chili with cornbread muffins*
MON slow cooker split pea soup
TUE chicken sausage, asparagus, tomato, rice skillet
WED tomato, mozzarella and pesto paninis, cucumber salad
THR (work dinner) pizza for the boys

* Football season is back, which usually means hearty comfort food on Sundays!

Shrimp tacos

2011-09-21T08:27:00.000-04:00

We don't fry many foods around here, but maybe that should change based on the shrimp tacos we had this week.

Fried Shrimp
Coat uncooked peeled and deveined shrimp in beaten egg whites, then toss with a mixture of flour, corn meal, salt & pepper. Fry in small batches (I used canola oil in my cast iron skillet), drain on paper towels, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.We served ours in corn tortillas with fresh salsa from the garden, guacamole and a dollop of plain yogurt.

Let them eat cake

2011-09-18T07:55:00.000-04:00

My uber-talented cousin Drew got married this weekend. You may recall, she provided the beautiful cake at my wedding. For her own nuptials, she created a unique cake for each table. Here are just a few of her beautiful (and tasty!) creations.

Weekly Meals

2011-09-16T08:12:00.000-04:00

FRI shrimp tacos with black beans
SAT (wedding)
SUN salami & brussels sprouts pizza*
MON tortellini with butternut squash, mushrooms and fontina
TUE quinnoa stuffed tomatoes
WED roast chicken thighs, brown rice, green beans
THR breakfast dinner

* It might sound like an odd combination, but this recipe adapted from Real Simple is our new favorite pizza. It is delicious!

Sweet

2011-09-10T15:51:00.000-04:00

So, maybe storing the powdered sugar in a jar on the lowest shelf of the pantry wasn't a great idea.

Cupcake Cones

2011-09-06T15:53:00.000-04:00

We celebrated August's 1st birthday with cupcakes baked into ice cream cones, a presentation my mom has used over the years for my brother Doug (his favorite!).To get the height I wanted with the buttercream, I sliced a large marshmallow in half, then placed it on top of the cake, piping around the edges. They were delicious!

Pumpkin Smoothie

2011-09-02T23:05:00.000-04:00

When the first cool air breaks through summer, my mind immediately shifts into fall mode... which generally involves pumpkins. And for breakfast, it can be nice to mix up my berry smoothies with something a little different.

Pumpkin Smoothie
plain or vanilla yogurt
frozen pumpkin cubes*
frozen banana chunks
oats
honey
pumpkin pie spice
milk

Combine in a blender and process until smooth. Couldn't be easier.

* I freeze canned pumpkin in ice trays, then store the cubes in a ziploc bag. And, by using frozen ingredients, I can avoid using ice cubes.

Birthday Boy

2011-08-30T06:38:00.003-04:00

We have two boys in this household with August birthdays... happy birthday, Doug!

Your quote from the other night still has me laughing: "Do you realize we're closer to 40 than we are to 25?"

Weekly meals

2011-08-26T06:33:00.004-04:00

FRI steak panzanella (yes, we still have that many tomatoes growing in the garden...)
SAT ricotta and spinach stuffed squash (yes, the squash is still growing, too!)
SUN penne with meat sauce (still working on sauce from the freezer; you've got to love big batch cooking sometimes), green beans
MON grilled chicken mediterranean plate
TUE meatloaf, brussels sprouts, redskin potatoes
WED black bean and tomato quinoa, chicken sausage
THR pizza

Tree of Life

2011-08-25T06:28:00.001-04:00

Amazing detail work in this Tree of Life print. Note to self: buy this, frame it beautifully and admire often.

Colorful carrots

2011-08-21T16:42:00.000-04:00

The rainbow assortment of carrot seeds we planted early this season did not disappoint.

Weekly Meals

2011-08-18T22:48:00.004-04:00

FRI steak, sweet potatoes, grilled romaine
SAT grilled chicken, quinoa with chickpeas and tomatoes
SUN penne with meat sauce, grilled squash & zucchini, leftover romaine
MON open-face roast vegetable sandwiches with provolone on foccacia
TUE rice, chicken sausage, asparagus, peas skillet
WED bean and cheese quesadillas, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream
THR breakfast dinner*

* Breakfast dinner is becoming our Thursday night go-to. It's the end of my work week and always seems to be the day I walk in the door the latest and most physically and mentally exhausted. Dinner could be as simple as scrambled eggs and toast, or slightly more complicated pancakes and bacon, but it's a relief to know it's a pre-planned and stress-free meal night. Plus, I drink smoothies nearly every morning, so enjoying a "real" breakfast is a treat.

Grilled Steak Panzanella

2011-08-15T22:19:00.000-04:00

We made the initial batch with shrimp, but substituted steak the second time around and loved it even more. It's a great recipe for using up the garden's bounty of tomatoes and basil.

Grilled Steak Panzanella With Basil
1-2 cloves garlic
3 Tbsp. olive oil
steak of choice
1 small baguette, split lengthwise
2 1/2 lbs. heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes, cut into wedges
2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
kosher salt and black pepper

Smash the garlic cloves and place in a small bowl; add olive oil. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill steak and set aside to rest. Brush the baguette with 1 Tbsp. of oil. Grill the baguette until golden and crisp, and cut into bite-size pieces. Thinly slice the steak. In a large bowl, toss the steak, baguette, tomatoes, and basil with the lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, and salt and pepper, to taste.

Weekly Meals

2011-08-12T22:10:00.011-04:00

FRI pasta bake with spinach, butternut squash, cream cheese, cranberries
SAT August's birthday party BBQ
SUN grilled steak panzanella
MON grilled chicken mediterranean plate
TUE vegetable pizza, spicy cucumber salad
WED grilled mozzarella, tomato, basil and garden pesto sandwiches
THR breakfast dinner

One

2011-08-11T09:02:00.000-04:00

One year ago today, sweet August entered our lives. Happy birthday to our jolly little buddy.

Hemming jeans

2011-08-08T08:06:00.000-04:00

A nice tutorial for those of us on the short side.

Weekly Meals

2011-08-05T07:58:00.018-04:00

FRI meat, cheese & homemade pesto lasagna
SAT rice, chicken sausage and asparagus skillet
SUN homemade pizza (garden tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil, mushroom)
MON turkey burgers with grilled squash & sweet potato coins
TUE lemon chicken, squash & zucchini over cous cous
WED pasta with julienned zucchini and roasted tomatoes
THR breakfast dinner

Benched

2011-08-02T07:54:00.000-04:00

We're still a ways off from replacing the family room furniture, but often need extra seating when entertaining guests. In the meantime, I'm eyeing the addition of a bench for the seating group in the 'upper' family room. A low profile to maintain the sight lines, and room for two... could be a solution?

Weekly Meals

2011-07-31T21:02:00.006-04:00

It's a short week for meal planning since we spent a summer weekend where they should be spent -- at a lake!

SUN grilled shrimp panzanella with basil*
MON grilled chicken, quinoa with chickpeas and tomatoes
TUE thai pork salad with chiles and mint
WED spicy BLT soup (from Everday Food, no recipe online yet)
THR grilled corn, zucchini, cheese quesadillas with sour cream & salsa

* This is a perfect summer recipe: tomatoes and basil fresh from the garden, mixed with smoky grilled bread and shrimp. Will kept sneaking off with cubes of bread as I cooked, and even Doug -- who generally doesn't like uncooked tomatoes -- called it delicious.

Egg-change

2011-07-30T19:45:00.000-04:00

One of my coworkers lives on a farm and raises chickens. Kendall was my invite into the system -- if you simply bring empty containers to him, he returns them full of colorful, organic eggs. The vibrant yellow yolks are amazing, and I swear they taste twice as good as anything I buy at the grocery. In exchange, I drop off homemade cookies or squash from the garden. It works beautifully.

Anniversary

2011-07-21T09:16:00.002-04:00

You can't go wrong with a big bouquet of flowers delivered to the office. Well played, Mr. Sears. Well played.

Four

2011-07-20T06:40:00.000-04:00

Four years ago today we said "I Do." Turns out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Summer score

2011-07-18T17:33:00.000-04:00

My mother-in-law dropped off a bounty of fresh, delicious blackberries. I see cobbler in our future.

Ruffled

2011-07-15T08:26:00.005-04:00

Anyone throwing a summer wedding and need the perfect bridesmaid dress?

Accessorized

2011-07-12T22:11:00.001-04:00

When Doug gets a bike, this will be the first addition.

Double up

2011-07-09T06:23:00.000-04:00

In the double stroller, August insists on sitting forward and clasping the back of Will's seat, getting as close to his brother as possible. Depending on Will's mood, either laughing or multiple swats ensue.

The salad bar

2011-07-07T06:10:00.000-04:00

I couldn't figure out why my hanging planters weren't flourishing,
despite healthy plants, abundant sunshine and frequent
waterings...until I caught our friendly neighborhood baby deer
snacking away each morning.

Staycation: Parade

2011-07-04T14:18:00.000-04:00

Topping off the long week with the Montgomery 4th of July parade.

Staycation: Silver Spring House

2011-06-30T12:22:00.000-04:00

This time, an early casual dinner with lots of giggles. Will, of course, was mostly enamoured with the large amount of fans in the restaurant.

Staycation: Skyline

2011-06-27T12:21:00.002-04:00

Enjoying "special lunch" at Daddy's favorite place, Skyline. These trips are usually reserved just for the boys, but they allowed me to crash this time.

Staycation: Bowling

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000-04:00

With the event of my Grandma's funeral, my sister's family moved up their scheduled summer visit to the midwest from Louisiana and even extended it to a couple weeks. So, we bounced around between Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, soaking up as much time as we could together, calling it all the Great Staycation.

One of the first outings: old-school bowling on a cloudy day.

Homemade ricotta

2011-06-23T13:11:00.001-04:00

Smitten kitchen has hooked me again -- now I feel the need to make ricotta. Guess I should stop making fun of Kendall for owning a candy thermometer and sheepishly ask her to borrow it.

Sweet peas

2011-06-20T12:04:00.002-04:00

More snacking delights, courtesy of the garden.

Goodbye

2011-06-15T13:52:00.000-04:00

We said goodbye to our beloved "Louisville Grandma" this week (shown here in 2009 with Will). She leaves a family of five children, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and a lifetime of memories between them. I will miss her dearly.

Summer sammich

2011-06-13T16:57:00.001-04:00

Running through the fountains at Sharon Woods can make a boy hungry.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

2011-06-11T16:53:00.002-04:00

I'm working my way through Mad Hungry (one of the best cookbooks I have read -- thanks, Kendall!) and had to stop in the middle of the dessert chapter to make the strawberry rhubarb pie. It tastes just like summer and the pies I remember Mom baking. Keeper.

Weekly Meals

2011-06-09T10:04:00.001-04:00

FRI bean & cheese quesadillas with enchilada sauce, rice with cilantro lime

SAT dinner out

SUN shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce

MON pasta primavera

TUE roast chicken, butternut squash, sauteed swiss chard, garlic & golden raisins

WED breakfast dinner

THR grilled steak*, warm bean salad

* On the drive home from daycare, Will routinely pipes up from the backseat, "I want steak for dinner! Steak! Steak!"

Pho Lang Thang

2011-06-02T13:36:00.002-04:00

Goodies from our lunch run to Findlay Market. I am determined to recreate these spring rolls for dinner.

Necklaced

2011-05-28T23:10:00.000-04:00

Browsing the necklaces at gorjana, especially this three-ringed version. The charity section features this charming piece benefitting Big Brothers and sisters.

Heaven on earth

2011-05-25T09:50:00.001-04:00

I imagine Will's happy place is filled with lots and lots of fans. I joked with Doug that Will's birthday treat should be a two-hour trip to the fan aisle in Home Depot. We both laughed...then sighed as we realized it would likely be the best gift we could present.

Summer Entertaining

2011-05-23T09:52:00.000-04:00

These Crate&Barrel beverage jars are just begging for a summer barbeque party. Or a casual outdoor wedding. I'd settle for either.

Chambray Dress

2011-05-20T09:29:00.003-04:00

I enjoy the Mom Uniform posts on momfilter. But, when I agreed that the featured dress was sassy and tried to track it down for myself, I was met with a sad "out of stock" message. It just wasn't meant to be.

Weekly Meals

2011-05-19T09:56:00.004-04:00

It's a light menu-planning week with Doug traveling for business. I have a feeling that just getting the boys home each night, fed, bathed and put to bed will be a minor miracle, nevermind trying to cook an 'adult meal' each night. I'm relying on make-aheads and freezer items... and possibly cereal when all else fails.

FRI pizza and salad*

SAT slow cooker creamy chicken with biscuits

SUN shredded pork tacos

MON grilled chicken mediterranean plate

TUE swiss chard with chickpeas and cous cous*

WED breakfast dinner

THR huevos rancheros

* Now that the garden has kicked in, I have plenty of lettuce and swiss chard to use up!

The one that got away

2011-05-18T13:04:00.001-04:00

I hate it when I don't pull the shopping trigger sometimes. I came upon this beauty searching for round mirror options, but instead of snatching it up, I decided to snap a photo and think about it instead. Sure enough, it was never to be found again. Lesson learned.

Early crops

2011-05-13T16:45:00.001-04:00

The radishes are growing strong this spring.

Weekly Meals

2011-05-12T21:31:00.002-04:00

FRI chicken with lemon, squash and feta

SAT baked beef stew

SUN pizza & salad

MON open-face roast vegetable sandwiches with provolone on foccacia

TUE grilled chicken over greens with goat cheese, cranberries, nuts

WED black been and sweet potato enchiladas

THR spaghetti and meat sauce (freezer), sugar snap peas

Sunday's To Do List...

2011-05-01T21:35:00.000-04:00

Run the Cincinnati Flying Pig half marathon with my girlfriends from work: Check.
Take a monster nap: Check.
That's about it for the day.

Look what I found

2011-04-25T22:11:00.002-04:00

Weekly Meals

2011-04-20T20:42:00.005-04:00

FRI homemade pizza with spinach, mushrooms, red peppers

SAT (appetizer, dessert for Easter dinner) pepper jelly over cream cheese w/ wheat crackers, cake

SUN (appetizer, potatoes for Easter dinner) block cheese in crescent roll; potato gratin

MON mushroom, tomato, chicken, zucchini pasta bake

TUE tacos

WED steak, quinoa with chickpeas & tomatoes

THR breakfast dinner

The little things

2011-04-13T20:37:00.001-04:00

Some people have all kinds of perks associated with their jobs, like big bonuses, all-expenses-paid vacations for hitting sales numbers, or getting wined and dined by vendors. For me, maybe not so much.

But, one quirky little perk of the art director's business is the random props that are sometimes sent home with me from photo shoots. From a stack of fluffy white bath towels, to pints of blueberries, to dog toys, I never know what's in store. Case in point, this week a beautiful orchid needed a home once we broke down the set, and I was happy to oblige. So, while I may not be going to Hawaii on the company dime anytime soon, at least I can daydream by my tropical flowers.

Weekly Meals

2011-04-07T09:39:00.001-04:00

FRI black eyed pea soup, grilled cheese

SAT (dinner with friends) penne with meat sauce and mozzarella, grilled zucchini, garlic bread

SUN grilled chicken, quinoa with chickpeas & tomatoes

MON open-face roast vegetable sandwiches with provolone on foccacia

TUE (book club) s'mores brownies*, baked cheese in crescent dough, meatballs

WED black bean, corn & monterey jack quesadillas with salsa, avocado, sour cream

THR steak, sweet potatoes, green beans

* I remember bookmarking this recipe in the height of my gestational diabetes, when I was collecting all the goodies I couldn't wait to eat once I could have sugar again. I can't believe it's taken me so long to try this pan of deliciousness...

Swiss Chard with Chickpeas and Couscous

2011-04-05T15:35:00.000-04:00

This might be my new favorite dish. Doug asked where the rest of dinner was, but he ate it nonetheless. The original recipe is from Real Simple, and my adaptation is below.

Swiss Chard with Chickpeas and Couscous
1 1/4 cups Israeli couscous
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can chickpeas, rinsed
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 large bunch Swiss chard, stems trimmed
salt and pepper, to taste

Bring the couscous and water to a boil, then cover and simmer until tender and the water has been absorbed, about 15 min.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, and heat for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chickpeas, raisins, chard, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chard is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

To serve, scoop couscous into a shallow bowl. Top with the chard and sprinkle with the pine nuts. Serves about 4.

Giggles

2011-04-02T14:52:00.000-04:00

Snooze

2011-03-31T16:57:00.001-04:00

Spring break wears a guy out. August has a way of convincing people to snuggle him during naps instead of toughing it out in a lonely crib. Exhibit A: Grandpa.

Green tea

2011-03-27T20:16:00.000-04:00

Just finished the last bag of Trader Joe's Candy Cane Green Tea... do I really have to wait until the holidays for more?

Niagara

2011-03-20T08:18:00.002-04:00

The ice and mist on the Falls are beautiful. And chilly!

Weekly Meals

2011-03-10T21:23:00.003-05:00

FRI spinach manicotti in creamy tomato sauce, vegetables

SAT (dinner out)

SUN slow cooker creamy chicken with biscuits

MON red lentil soup, grilled cheese

TUE pork chops, mac n cheese or cous cous, brussels sprouts

WED broiled parmesan tilapia, quinoa with black beans

THR pizza

Shredded Pork

2011-03-05T09:56:00.002-05:00

As a regular reader of Dinner, A Love Story, I was particularly interested when the author asked readers to contribute their tried-and-true go-to weeknight family dinner recipes. Tucked between all the predictable pasta dishes, I found this gem. How has it taken me so long to try this ridiculously easy recipe?

Shredded Pork
Put a 5-ish lb. pork loin in the slow cooker. Dump a jar of salsa verde and 3 tbsp. lime juice on top. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Shred with 2 forks when done and stir in some chopped onion and cilantro.Serve as tacos, bbq sandwiches, in a hash, or anything else your heart desires.