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 this 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 2:30 a.m. 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 Water Tower Place on a cold, windy Chicago day — you have felt worse wind gusts than 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 decadent, home-style treat.

🖨 Print Recipe

Erin's Favorite Banana Bread

A gluten-free, dairy-free banana bread inspired by Babycakes NYC — moist, sweetened with agave, and topped with a luscious vegan chocolate drizzle.

Yields: 12 servings | Weight Watchers Points+: 5 points per slice

Ingredients

Banana Bread

• 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour (no substitutions)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup rice milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups mashed bananas

Sugar-Sweetened Chocolate Drizzle Sauce

• 4 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
• 1/2 tablespoon canola oil
• Pinch of salt

Directions

Banana Bread

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Brush your loaf pan with oil and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Add oil, agave nectar, rice milk, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
5. Fold in mashed bananas until evenly distributed.
6. Pour batter into loaf pan, filling only halfway.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes, then check for doneness. Continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
9. *If you have extra batter, bake as muffins or doughnuts — texture will be moist but delicious.

Sugar-Sweetened Chocolate Drizzle Sauce

1. In a double boiler or microwave, melt chocolate chips until 85–90% melted, with some pieces remaining.
2. Remove from heat and stir until smooth.
3. Add oil and salt, stirring to combine.
4. Drizzle over banana bread and allow to set 3–4 hours for a firm glaze, or enjoy immediately for a soft, drippy texture.

Weight Watchers Points+: Add 1 point per slice when topped with drizzle.

Alicia Sturdy | www.aliciasturdy.com

About a month ago I was Skyping with my lovely Chicago sistas, 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, 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 see to the left).

For the meantime, 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 Appétit.

🖨 Print Recipe

Grilled Pizza

Serves: 8 mini pizzas (1 per person) | Weight Watchers Points+: about 9 per pizza (depending on toppings and crust)

Pizza Dough Recipe

Makes: 2 pizzas or 8 mini pizzas | Points+: 5 per mini crust

Ingredients

• 2¾ to 3¼ cups bread flour (King Arthur Bread Flour recommended)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water (120–130°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine 1¼ cups flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and oil.
2. Mix until smooth, then beat on high for 3 minutes.
3. Stir in remaining flour until a moderately stiff dough forms.
4. Knead 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
5. Divide into 8 balls, roll out, and prepare for grilling.

Tip: Use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes instead of kneading by hand.

Grilled Pizza

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, above)
• Toppings of your choice
• Oil (canola, vegetable, or olive)
• Pastry brush

Instructions

1. Heat grill to medium-high. If using charcoal, keep the hot spot off to the side.
2. Prep toppings and roll out dough (2 pizzas or 8 mini pizzas).
3. Don’t roll too thin — it can tear or get too crisp.
4. Brush the top side of the dough with oil.
5. Place dough on the grill, oiled side down. Cover and cook 1–2 minutes, until lightly golden underneath.
6. Brush the top (raw) side with oil, then flip.
7. Immediately add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Close grill to melt cheese.
8. Cook until cheese is melted and crust is golden. Check often to avoid burning.

Topping Ideas

Alicia’s Favorite

• Mozzarella (or rice-based mozzarella alternative)
• Canned pizza sauce (San Marzano or RAGU)
• Half plain cheese, half with meat and mushrooms

BBQ Chicken

• BBQ sauce
• ½ red onion, sliced
• Shredded rotisserie chicken
• Mozzarella

Chicken Pesto

• Pesto sauce
• Shredded rotisserie chicken
• Mozzarella
• Tomatoes (sun-dried or fresh)

Yooper Special

(My dad’s favorite — call your cardiologist tomorrow!)

• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella
• Pepperoni (fresh-sliced from the deli)
• Crumbled sausage (cooked)
• Crumbled bacon
• Sautéed mushrooms

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 return as the day we left it.

At the end of the day, I wouldn’t have wanted my day to be exciting 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’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 times, 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 fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that 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 liberation
in 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 difference
between 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.

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 in 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 relationally 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 have 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.

Chicago Tips & Secrets

• You can find “evening special” parking downtown for $10 (Van Buren/Wabash) — or there’s a lot across the street that’s $12–$14 for the whole day on weekends.

• 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 Williams Sonoma kitchen towels).

• You can find free neighborhood parking just about anywhere as long as you read signs and know what time it is.

• Sprinkles Cupcakes has a “secret word” of the day — whisper it to the cashier for a free cupcake! You can go every day, but it’s only for the first limited number of people.

• The best all-you-can-eat sushi place is Sushi Para II on Clark/Webster — $18.99 per person.

• You can get free museum passes from the library and go even if you don’t have kids.

• Craving Chicago-style pizza by the slice? Go to Art of Pizza in Lincoln Park — $3 a slice.

• The best Chicago-style hot dog is at George’s in Bucktown.

• You can furnish an entire apartment (including your mattress, if you’re brave) on chicago.craigslist.org.

• IKEA is not really that far!

• The best place to sit by yourself with coffee and toast: Julius Meinl on Southport.

• George’s Ice Cream has the best Rocky Road I’ve ever had.

• At Ann Sather’s, you only need to order the 2 Eggs Special — it comes with all the sides you’ll need (including cinnamon rolls!) and it’s super cheap.

• Hunan Wok has the best Chinese you’ll ever taste (get the General Tso’s Chicken and you’ll see...).

• Lawrence Fish Market may not look fancy, but you’ll go back there for sushi when you’re broke and craving it.

• There’s a food court in Whole Foods on Kingsbury where 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 at Sultan’s Market — remember, the Wicker Park location is cash only.

• The best time to go to a “nice” restaurant is lunch (if they’re open). My favorites: 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 a dessert. Go with a Restaurant.com certificate.

• Order à la carte from Mayan Palace — the quesadillas and $4 margaritas on Tuesdays/Thursdays are perfect.

• Garcia’s in Lincoln Square has the best fajitas (yes, the chicken is orange — that makes it better).

• Frasca Pizza is buy one, get one free on Wednesdays.

• DMK is known for their burgers, but when we go we split one burger and order half orders of all the different kinds of fries on the menu.

• Big & Littles on Orleans/Oak — just go! 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 first-month special — go try it.

• The best way to find an apartment here: padmapper.com.

• The best view of Chicago is from the Ladies’ Bathroom in the Hancock Building.

• Ride the Brown Line 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’s been at the Map Room in Logan Square the few times we’ve gone. Yes, he’s selling tamales out of a cooler.

• My favorite Chicago beer: Half Acre Gossamer Ale.

• Best quick bite downtown, right off Michigan Ave: 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!).

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 the CTA.

But I have also had the sweetest moments on there — riding back with friends, having quiet time, reading the newspaper. Listening to 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 Brown Line 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 third 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 free time 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, 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 7-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 7-miler, to the day of celebrating in the park.

The marathon makes me love Chicago more.

If it wouldn't have been for Chicago, I...

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 Goat’s 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 to 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 used to be the pickiest eater on the planet, I doubt they'd believe you.

Heck, I used 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 Chicago-style 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 wouldn'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 over 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.

"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 Mabrie.
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

Big News!

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 with amazing kids, parents, and volunteers that we are already so blessed by. We thank God for this opportunity and are excited to become New Englanders!

We are very sad to leave the Midwest, but we’re trying not to look at it as God taking us from the Midwest, but rather bringing us to Connecticut. Reverse psychology… smart, right?

Anyway, I wanted to post a shout-out to my soon-to-be home and tell you all about this new season in our lives!

Because we’ve been traveling so much lately — back and forth to Connecticut and home to Upper Michigan for my grandfather’s funeral — I haven’t really been able to cook all that much.

But I was reading the new Bon Appétit 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 was at Lenny & Joe’s near Hammonasset Beach — Connecticut-style: lightly sautéed 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.

🖨 Print Recipe

Lobster Roll – Connecticut Style

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

Ingredients

• 1 ½ Tbsp light butter, melted
• 4 reduced-calorie hot dog buns, split open (or New England style if you can find them)
• 1 lb uncooked lobster meat (about 2–3 tails, fresh or thawed)
• 2 Tbsp regular butter
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ medium lemon, quartered

Directions

1. Brush melted butter on the inside of each split bun; set aside.
2. To remove meat from lobster tails, turn tails upside down and slit the underside of the shell. Crack it open and pull out the meat in one piece.
3. Slice raw lobster into bite-sized pieces.
4. Heat a skillet over medium-low; add butter, salt, and pepper. Sauté lobster until pink, about 4 minutes. Remove lobster and deglaze pan with lemon juice; set sauce aside.
5. Wipe skillet clean; toast buns butter-side down until golden brown.
6. Fill buns with lobster, drizzle with deglazed sauce, and serve with lemon wedges.

🖨 Print Recipe

Lobster Roll – New England (Maine) Style

Weight Watchers Points+: 4 servings — 8 points

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked lobster meat, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 6 Tbsp mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip if you’re on WW)
• Kosher salt & pepper
• 2 Tbsp butter, room temperature (½ Tbsp per bun)
• 4 hot dog rolls (low-cal or New England style)
• 1 head butter lettuce, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Place 4 Tbsp mayo in a bowl with lobster; gently mash the meat (especially claw meat) into the mayo. Add remaining mayo, salt, and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
2. Butter the outside of the hot dog rolls. Toast in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
3. Fill with lettuce and lobster mixture; serve immediately.

Note: For all you Midwestern folks — New England–style hot dog buns are split at the top instead of the side. This lets you toast both sides and stand them upright when stuffed with lobster. Butter both sides 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!