Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Thinking about Egypt

Our honeymoon was a year ago, which has me thinking about Egypt, and vacations, and travelling, and sand, and heat, and spicy food, and outdoor showers, and the call to prayer, and pyramids, and bright fish, and afternoon naps, and road blocks, and adventure.




Deets was always firmly on team traditional-right-after-wedding honeymoon from the beginning while I was in team "we can take a vacation whenever and call it a honeymoon." I am happy I was wrong about this one!

Things That I'm Into: The Future

Omg I am LIVEblogging right from my favorite lunch locale, erie park. This is totally the future. The future says....there are a lot of geese here.
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Coffee & Tea Exchange

Since we've been back in Chicago I've been trying to buy our spices in bulk. They are way cheaper and that way you don't have the waste a glass or plastic container each time you get new spices.



It helps that we have this really cute spice/tea/coffee store right in our hood called the "Coffee & Tea Exchange." It smells amazing and the people who work there are really nice about crawling up to the top shelves to get you a spice.



Buying spices in bulk is also awesome because you can buy a small amount. You aren't supposed to keep spices for that long (< year), so if you are like me and know you will never use an entire jar of "mace" in a year, you can just get a little.





I have this sinking feeling that maybe the people at the shop don't follow the less than a year spice rule, but I'm  just going to live in a happy oblivion about that...

Anyway, into it.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Favorite Fall Recipes

I've been trying out lots of recipes to cook fall veggies from our CSA. There have been some serious hits and some serious misses. Here are some of the hits:



 Braised pumpkin with tomato sauce.  (Bittman, How to Cook Everything)
Butternut Squash Gratin w/ Rosemary Breadcrumbs. 

Then lots of pumpkin baked goods with the fresh pumpkin puree made from pie pumpkins. Did you know that Illinois is the pie pumpkin capital of the world? Now you know.

Fav Pumpkin Bread recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spiced-Pumpkin-Bread-840

And this DELICIOUS Butternut Squash soup recipe. It has cider and tart apples. We don't keep sour cream around these parts, but we used yogurt and it was really good. I make a lot of butternut squash soups, and I think this is my favorite I've ever made.  It's really similar to the vegetarian times recipe from this month, which is from the Greens in SF, but with less fancy ingredients.

I've also been making Duffy's Yuxiang Eggplant recipe which is amazing and I'm sure she'll share if you ask her nicely.

I love fall flavors!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Masked Lions

Only in boystown?

These dudes are totally ready for an Eyes Wide Shut party. 

These are a block away from my street.  My street is much more dignified. 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Fall Days

Apple picking + pumpkin picking + doughnuts + cider + pie + football + butternut squash soup.  As certain friends of mine would say, definitely a "cozure" (seizure of cozyness). 




I can't really think of a better way to spend a sunday.  

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Public Notice

This site-specific installation (Public Notice) is at the Art Institute on the grand stairs right now and it is really cool. Unfortunately, I went on free thursday which meant it was too busy to linger and take it all in. I'd love to be there on an uncrowded weekday and be able to read the whole thing.  Oh, funemployment, how I miss you!!



I thought Deets would be into it too because it is a transcript of a speech and he's into rhetoric and all. He wasn't that impressed. Guess you had to be an art history major to truly appreciate the finer things...

ps sorry for the absence. lost my computer cord.
pps just kidding, I was actually just being lazy.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Things That I'm Into: That Time Between Summer and Fall

A Pumpkin, Acorn Squash, and a WATERMELON (!?!) all from our CSA last week. Summer, Fall and Winter all in one produce box.  

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Coveting. These. Maps.

We want a vintage school map for our living room, so I've been diligently looking on ebay. Mission statement: 60-ish inches wide, pull-down, pre-1950.  I found MY DREAM set, and of course it sold for a gazillion dollars. If anyone sees anything like this at a garage sale, will you buy it for me? Kthx.





Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Renegade Craft Fair


I've wanted to go to this for a number of years, but this is the first year I actually made it. It was pretty awesome, and I could have spent a gazillion dollars.  

I was on the hunt for some prints for my new office, which currently has four bare walls with only a plant to cheer the place up. Office art is sort of a tricky thing- definitely not what you would put up in your house, but (hopefully) not too boring. I'm also trying to come off as mature and professional at my new job (which, if you know me, can be a stretch) since all the other attorneys are 10+ years older than me. Which meant that I kept having to skip over the hilarious screenprints that involved hot dogs.

Here's what I got:




The Chicago and Illinois screenprints are for my office, the bike one (which looks cooler close up, it has a hilarious story written in the green part) is for our sun room. The tote bag and the t-shirt I just had to get because they were awesome and cheap. I thought the prints were pretty cheap too- all $20 or $10. 

I think the t-shirt is kind of hilarious. 




So true!

Anyway, you should definitely go to the RCF if you have the chance! On the website it says that they have them in Austin, SF, LA, NY and Chicago. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Hancock Tower, Two Different Angles




Can you believe they are putting in an ICE SKATING RINK on the 94th Floor? Srsly.

photocredit: me! on my phone that is not a traditional flip phone.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Cats in Bathtubs

Liz Lemon is obsessed with our shower. She loves getting in right after one of us has showered. Sometimes I'll come home and she's just chillin there.


She's a total weirdo.




(some of you know the awesome song I wrote while in istanbul, "cats on roman ruins." my new song I've been singing is "cats in boystown bathtubs").

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Padron Peppers

So you are supposed to eat Padron peppers by frying in olive oil then sprinkling with sea salt, and eating them whole.  SUPPOSEDLY they are generally pretty mild but wikipedia says that about 1 in 10 can be spicy.



I don't know if it is the climate here compared to spain, but our experience (and the friends we have subjected this painful experience to) is that maybe 1 in 10 of the ones growing in our garden is mild. The rest are painfully, painfully spicy. But still delicious. 


(C before she was in pain.)

(V in pain. Lots of pain.)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Katniss

Isn't she just the HANDSOMEST?!?!?


Habits so far: eating us out of house and home, wanting to be on my lap, head, chest at all times, spazzing out and running into walls, looking like an old man, trying to eat my hair ties, growling at Liz Lemon, trying not to be photographed.

Things That I'm Into: Liz Lemon

Isn't she JUST THE CUTEST????!?!?!?!?




Habits so far: hanging out in the bathtub, knocking earrings off of whatever random place I left them, rolling over on her back so you can pet her stomach, not wanting to be on my lap ever, purring her face off.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Apologizing for Slacking on Extracurriculars

I've been MIA! I'm sorry. Shit went down, as per usual.* But I'm back and better than ever. Promise.





* Out of town guests, end of summer business, medical issues, laziness, becoming a new pet parent, friends moving away, friends moving here, getting used to my new job, etcetera.

image found here. 




Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Things That I'm Into: The Kids are All Right




I loved this movie for a lot of different reasons. It reminded me of the good parts of living in LA. Mark Ruffalo is ADORABLE.  The Joni Mitchell sing-a-long is reminiscent of my family dinners growing up.  It has a smart script and interesting characters. Good soundtrack.  The teenagers are thoughtful instead of total dipshits, like they are usually portrayed in movies. Highly recommend!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Things That I'm Into: August Asian-Inspired Meal

So apparently this blog is on a food kick? Sorry about that. Will get back to other nonsense soon, promise.




We've been getting Kohlrabi in our CSA, and didn't even know enough about it (like, um, its name) to google it to find out about it. Luckily Chrystal used to work at a nursery and knows lots of smart things about plants, including what Kohlrabi is and how to prepare it. Especially when it is super hot out and you don't want to cook much. Turns out it tastes like Jicama (to me).  Delicious and refreshing. 





Menu:

Kohlrabi/Cucumber Salad with Soy Sauce Maple Dressing. 
Kohlrabi Greens Chips
Siracha Hummos (a revelation! definitely making this again)
No-knead bread


Monday, August 16, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Salt-and-Vinegar Potatoes on the Grill

Saw these on this food blog awhile ago, but I believe it is adapted from Martha Stewart (as many good things are). Matt and I are pretty obsessed with these now, having made them about three or four times on the grill in in the last month.




If you like salt and vinegar potato chips, I would STRONGLY recommend trying these out.  The first time we did it we used white wine vinegar, since we were kind of scared of using just plain white vinegar (since it kind of seems like a cleaning product sometimes instead of a food product).


Now we just use white vinegar, since it is cheaper, and it is still delicious.  The outsides get so crispy on the grill and the insides are tangy and delicious. SO into them.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Eggless Egg Salad

I'm not sure if this looks gross to those that don't eat tofu on a regular basis, but it was SO GOOD I had to share. Adopted via Vegetarian Times via Red Lentil restaurant in Watertown, Mass.



1 pkg Tofu, drained and cut into four slabs.
1.5 Tbsp Soy sauce
1 Tbsp Cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Rice vinegar
1 Tbsp Maple syrup
1 Clove garlic
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (I also added some spicy pepper)
1/4 cup mayo (I just made Mark Bittman's)
1/8 cup chopped red onion
1/8 cup chopped golden raisens
1/2 Tbsp tumeric
1/2 Tbsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp lemon
(p.s. the recipe said to add celery, but, um, gross in my opinion)


1. Preheat oven to 350. 
2. Whisk together soy sauce, vinegars, syrup and garlic in bowl. Pour soy sauce mixture over tofu in baking dish. Bake 15 minutes. Cool.
3. Crumble baked tofu. Stir in remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Eat all week long, on bread or plain.

(the pictures in vegetarian times are so much prettier. I could never be a food blogger, my pictures are dumps city). 

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Music + Skyline

Lollapalooza 2010 (Sunday): Mumford & Sons, Yeasayer, Frightened Rabbit, MGMT, The National, Arcade Fire

Hot, sweaty, too many people. But also so so fun. Arcade Fire was probably my best show of 2010 so far.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Things That I'm Into: Houseguests

Meet Lito, our houseguest for the week.*








We're babysitting this wirehaired dachshund for a couple days for some friends. He likes the couch.

* We actually also have a fantastic human house guest this week, but she's not as into posing for me on the couch.