Dispatch from the Kitchen

I made a loaf of bread today! Beer bread. It was delicious and really easy because there was no waiting for it to rise or anything. You should go make some. I used Bells Oberon for my beer, but I think you can use any kind you like. We used it to make amazing grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. I'll definitely be making this again!

(The recipe for the bread and the sandwiches is on this page.)

Groundbreaking new obsession...

picture from here

Great Danes! If they didn't grow to be almost twice my size, I would really want one of these buggers. They're just so loopy and zany looking.

I saw an adorable dog out on a walk tonight with huge paws. I thought it was a full grown Dalmation but when I got closer, I realized it was in fact a Great Dane PUPPY.

So of course I've been looking up pictures of the dogs (and Dave has been contributing some video research). I bring you my favorite video...

Birthday Week, pt. III

We're going to have to skip part II since I don't yet have the pictures. I have to get them from a few people...

On the day of my birth, April 21, I awoke to sunshine. Sunshine! (It had been, and continued to, rain all week. All. week.) I got some fun presents from my roommates, including a cast iron griddle that will take my pancakes up a notch. (I used it on Saturday and it was definitely an improvement! Not to mention I felt super official.) My parents had sent me a birthday package so I ripped it open (in 5 year old style... I can't help it! I love birthdays!) and found a gorgeous new blouse. Birthday outfit, donned.

After work I had planned to take the bus to Dave's house where we would have dinner together. As I walked out the door and started walking to the bus stop, I saw from behind a person sitting on a bench. I thought to myself, "The back of that person's head doesn't look like anyone I normally see here." And then, "That person's jacket looks a lot like Dave's jacket." And then, "Omigosh! It's Dave!" He surprised me and came to pick me up from work! (This is one of my highest luxuries. As a takes-public-transportation-everywhere person, getting a ride ranks up there with a bubble bath or a chocolate dessert. Seriously.)

Dave -- surprise in Hyde Park!

We made stir-fry for dinner (my favorite) and watched 30 Rock (my favorite!) and ate strawberry shortcake (my favorite!).

Vanilla Bean macaroons -- this one was my favorite

He gave me some fabulous gifts as well. A lovely bag from a vintage shop in Chicago (I've been on the bag hunt for a while!), macaroons (I've been itching to try them for months), an awesome ceramic travel mug (such bright colors!), and a bouquet of flowers that are brightening up a dreary last few weeks of April.

Modeling three of my birthday gifts -- blouse, bag, bouquet

It was a lovely birthday and I'm so thankful to my friends and family, near and far, for how special and loved they made me feel. I've got long thank you notes coming to all of you!

At work on Friday, feeling very colorful

Birthday Week, pt. I

Birthday week was so awesome that it's going to encompass several posts. I'm pretty lucky to get so much celebrating, no?


Tuesday evening, Paige took me to dinner to celebrate my birthday! She's currently on a week long adventure in North Dakota, so we celebrated early at Socca* in Lakeview.



It was a stormy evening and the lake looked particularly dreary and eerie. But it's okay, because we had wine and frites and Italian food to warm our bellies.

I got a goat cheese and roasted peppers pizzette and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted. I am definitely going back!

We had a grand time, even running through the rain to get home. I'm so blessed to have a friend like Paige! 

(Paige, I miss you; come back from the frozen North!)

*Can I just say that I find it terribly annoying when websites play music? I do. Beware, this one blasts music at you.

Weekend!

My roommates abandoned me this weekend... *tear* So I had to entertain myself without them. [Love you guys! You too, Kate, even though you don't read blogs.]


Dave and I had a lazy, rainy Saturday. (Remember how I said it was 80 degrees last weekend? We're back down to 30s-40s and raining! Sigh.) I made my famous pancakes, we played cribbage (I CAME BACK FROM BEHIND AND WON! I'm attempting to rub it in, but Dave doesn't read blogs either... too bad.), took naps, made some delicious white pizza, and wished for summer by eating some neighborhood ice cream.

I also played with my iPhone. I love this photobooth app!

Thankfully my roomies all returned from near and far today and we're having a movie night.

Happy Palm Sunday!

P.S. I'm writing this from my new computer! And it's starting to look like spring!!

SUNSHINE

On Sunday, Chicago was given the gift of SUN and WARMTH and BLUE SKY. Can you tell from all those caps that we had long been awaiting a day like that? Oh we had been waiting for weeks, months maybe. And the day didn't disappoint. It was in the 80s and glorious. I didn't know Chicago was home to so many babies and dogs! The beaches and the streets were alive with people all enjoying what was the first glorious summer day -- a summer day oddly in the beginning of April?

I spent as much time outside as possible: running, antiquing, walking instead of riding the train, and grilling for dinner. It was fabulous, fabulous!

And I found a vintage Hawaii-United Airlines sign!

We're back down to the 50s now, but oh Sunday.

Today I ran 3 miles.

It's more than I've run in several years. I ran 'em outside. And I'm really proud of myself. So I took a photobooth strip to celebrate.