February

My February, in mobile phone pictures...

February 2.  Dad and Mom took me to Panera for lunch.  I have the best parents, not because they take me to lunch, but because they raised me well, and they call, and talk, and have fun with me.  I treasure our relationship!!

Then, a somewhat goofy selfie to text to Fernando, who was in some airport somewhere on a layover, waiting for his connecting flight to fly home to his sweetheart.

And then he came home!

February 4.  His-and-hers Andy's frozen custard.  Because it's amazing, and it was free, and Fernando was home.  Who cares how cold it is outside?  Not me.

February 5, Superbowl Sunday.  The only photo I took was of this maple-bacon brie, in puff pastry.  It was amazing.  I'll have to post a recipe soon, of course...

Oh, I also took this photo during the football game, of Danny with a huge blanket wrapped up on top of his head.  Goofy kid.

February 8.  Thomas spent three entire weekends repairing my Arabelle (BMW), and I felt like taking a picture once I arrived at work today.

February 11.  Free tickets to the Chicago Auto Show!!  Again, I left my big-girl camera at home, determined to simply enjoy the day.  I got to sit in cars I'll never own, and discuss with Fernando the pros and cons of other cars I'll also never own.

The Lego Batmobile!  We probably own enough Legos to recreate this at home...

We entered the drawing to win this Slingshot.  (We didn't win it.)

Our Saturday at the Auto Show ended with a drive to Navy Pier and a meal at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company.  Fernando and I, and Jake, Thomas, and Bryan (friend of the guys) all had a super fun day together.

February 12.  So, something else broke--our washing machine.  But, Fernando is amazing, figured out what was wrong, and provided a fix.  The washer won't shut off now if we open the lid--lost that safety feature--but it works, so no major expense there.

February 14.  Fernando was out of town for Valentine's Day, so my sister Lori and I spent the afternoon together, culminating in dessert at Le Chocolate in downtown Naperville.  Oh, my goodness!

February 16.  Thomas did some tweaking under the hood of my car.

February 17.  Another tea time with sweet Sarah, at my home this time.  I had Thomas run out to Cali Girl Cakes for some cupcakes and cookies, and Sarah showed up with sweets of her own!  Needless to say, we were stuffed, eating all afternoon, sharing tea, and talking and laughing our heads off!

February 23.  I tend to use my mobile for food pictures--and then I post them on Instagram or Facebook.  I finally made salsa verde (salsa de tomatillo) for Taco Night.  I need to make it more often; it's that awesome.

February 25.  After an incredibly warm week--of which I worked every day, of course--the weather turned c-c-cold, so here's me bundled up for a date with my hubby, home from Korea!  I ended up getting a tummy ache while we were out, so we just came home and lounged around.  So much for a special day together...

February 26.  The second Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Commendation Bar, a two-kilo chocolate bar.  I don't know what the commendation is for, but the dark Belgian chocolate is amazing so we broke open this beauty and started enjoying it.

February 27.  On the way home from work, it happened again.  I was driving along Lake Tampier, enjoying the sunset and thinking had I had my camera with me I would've stopped and taken a few photos, when I glanced down at the dashboard and saw my temperature gauge pegged out in the red zone.  I pulled over to the only place there is to pull over in any direction--a little parking lot across from the main lake.  I popped open the hood, gave Fernando a call, called Charlie the Streaker (our towing guy, we love him!), watched three guys get in their cars/trucks and drive off without even checking on my well-being, and sat in the car and waited.

Charlie found us, even though this little parking lot isn't on the Garmin/TomTom map, and got us towed.  Fernando and I drove back to my work in the Suburban, since I forgot a package I had there, and then we drove home.

Arabelle sits in my driveway today, under Thomas' care.  Since he was laid off a while ago, he has been so helpful with my car.  I'm glad he's working on it.  The expansion tank for the radiator will be a simple fix, according to Thomas, so I'll be able to drive the car this week.

The other damage--brake issues, which we think was caused the first time the car was towed--was too expensive to get done via the dealership.  So, Thomas will work on that and hopefully he'll get things figured out and fixed.  But that's a post for March.


Back to life,
Christine

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The Last Days of March in Photos

As March marched toward its last day (couldn't resist that), I waved goodbye to Fernando, who headed west to South Dakota, and I began a week full of activity.  It was good to be home for a solid length of time, to stay in one place, to be there, all there, as my guys came in and out and lived their lives and shared them with me.

Fernando left for South Dakota.

Right off the bat, in a raid on my freezer to figure out what to cook, I found the carcass from our Thanksgiving turkey--my mom had given it to me to throw in the freezer since we were leaving the next day for California to be with Fernando's family at his aunt's death.  The carcass came out, along with fixings for that day's meal.

Thanksgiving turkey carcass, simmering on the stove overnight.

I cut up the turkey and strained the broth, to be turned into turkey and gravy for Hawaiian haystacks (I think I'll post that recipe soon).

It has been invigorating to be in the kitchen cooking again, and I made another family favorite last week--Tortellini and Spinach Soup.

I spent a chilly, hand-numbing afternoon at the Morton Arboretum with a sweet young lady friend, walking, spotting signs of spring, stopping, taking pictures, talking.  I love that Miss S loves "going deep" in our conversations; we fall into it naturally, and even though we talk about lighthearted subjects too, we have some intense conversations--discussing, sharing opinions, being open and honest, affirming.

Soon this field will be covered with daffodils!

It snowed one afternoon.  I guess March is going out like a lion.

I tried taking a selfie to show off my new glasses.  I love my guys.

More baking ensued, with two new recipes to be blogged soon--Irish soda bread, and honey-cinnamon butter.  Comfort food, indeed!

Ice cream--eaten from the carton--was also on the end-of-March agenda; a Friday night, missing Fernando but still comfortable and at peace at home.  The carton called my name, and I answered.  There wasn't much left, anyway.

Danny made an "appointment" to get his hair cut; I hope he pays me!

Yet another new recipe, thanks to Miss S and her family--beef stroganoff.  Hoo-boy, those mushrooms!  I loved it.  Half the guys picked them out, so this will be a meal for Fernando and me; they'll have to fend for themselves the next time I make it.

Thomas took my picture on Easter Sunday, and I texted it to Fernando, who was still covering NCAA women's basketball in South Dakota.  We shared a casual Easter afternoon with Dad and Mom, minus Fernando and Jake, who had to work, plus my brother Jeff.

The end of March turned into New Recipe Month, with the addition of these lemon cheesecake crumb bars for Easter dessert.  If you love lemon half as much as I do, you'll love these.  Yeah, the recipe will come soon!

Random picture of a trip to Trader Joe's for fruit, veggies, and a few other items...

Another random picture, this time of my parents' family room as I waited for them to return so I could act as Computer Tech Girl for them.  I love knowing just enough to be able to solve computer problems for them.  It makes me feel smart.

Finally, Danny and I brought the Suburban in to the shop to see if they could fix the driver's seat.  I hadn't driven it in months, because the seat got stuck in the far back position and wouldn't move forward.  Thus, I couldn't reach the pedals, and couldn't drive it.  #shortpeopleproblems

I had to drive the BMW exclusively.  Woo-hoo!

Lo and behold, the technician removed "items" from the track of the seat, and it miraculously works again.  We elected not to have the passenger airbag serviced, since the car is so old.  We like to call that warning light in the photo the Don't drive with beachballs warning light.  It's still lit, and I think of sun, sand, and waves crashing on the shore whenever I turn on the ignition.

That's our end of March, and we now wait for warmer weather (still not happening yet--how about 50s even?) and look ahead to what God has in store for us for April.  But that's a post for tomorrow.


Back to life,
Christine

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Debbie's Chocolate Sauce

Years and years ago, I tasted this chocolate sauce for the first time.  Our friends Gary and Debbie invited us over for dinner, dessert and fun.  And dessert was ice cream.  Debbie made the sauce right there while we all chatted and laughed, and her son pronounced it perfect after at least two official taste tests.

I promptly asked for, and received, the recipe, and it has been in my recipe binder ever since.  Without further ado--since I know you want to make this right away to put on something, anything--here it is.

Debbie's Chocolate Sauce
Yield:  ~3 1/2 cups

1/2 cup butter
2 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar (I use cane juice crystals)
1 cup evaporated milk (you'll have a little left over from the can)
1/2 cup light corn syrup (I use organic, crazy expensive but, you know...)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (homemade--recipe coming soon!)

In a saucepan, melt butter and chocolate.  Add sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup, and vanilla.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly (that's where kids come in handy).  Then, let it boil 1 1/2 minutes (not sure why that exact time, but I stick with it).  Remove from heat.

Serve warm or cold over ice cream or pound cake.  Or, you know, anything that needs chocolate sauce.  In other words, everything.  Refrigerate leftovers, if there is any.  I use a pint canning jar, which usually holds what's left after dessert.

Back to life,
Christine

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Guess Where I Went?

August 4-5.

I had a voucher for a plane ticket in my hands, and I planned to use it.  I could fly anywhere United Airlines flew!  An exotic destination, a quick trip to visit a cherished friend...these crossed my mind.  But I knew where I was going, and why.

Here is the first picture I took after a long day's travel and a good night's sleep.

The next clue is the tree bears!

And a parking sign out front near the driveway.  I've never seen a Lamborghini parked there.  :)

If you haven't guessed by now, the below picture tells you all you need to know.  I flew from Chicago to Syracuse, caught a bus to Watertown, and had my brother Jeff pick me up and bring me to...my beloved Lake Bonaparte!  Although I had a fantastic time up there, this trip wasn't about me.  It was for my mom's 75th birthday.  And I totally surprised her, and my dad, and pretty much everyone else up there since only Jeff, Matt and Char knew I was coming.  :)

Jeff pulled his car into the driveway at my parents' house, and I snuck into the hallway behind him.  Matt and Char were in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner, and I turned and looked into the living room.  There they were--both Mom and Dad, standing there sort of staring at me.  I yelled, "Surprise!  Happy birthday, happy happy birthday...!" at my mom, while trying not to laugh.  They both just looked at me funny, and my mom asked, "What are you doing here?"  And my dad asked, "How did you get here??"  I answered, "Jeff brought me!"  And my dad asked another one, "From Chicago???"  We all laughed, then the hugs ensued, and my week-long stay became a week-long party for my mom.

My dad's split tree, and my dad.

Beautiful temperatures!

I slept really well the first night (the 4th), since I had traveled literally the entire day to be there.  The next day was my mom's birthday, and she and my dad took me to Uncle Dave's and Aunt Bonnie's to visit and to go out to eat with them.

Aunt Bonnie's gardens.

Every Tuesday during summer, The Blue Heron in Chaumont has a special taco night.  A few years ago, I took a chance and ordered a fish sandwich, and I'm never going back to tacos.  It was phenomenal!  I love this little restaurant.

On the way back from the restaurant, I started receiving texts from Char, Matt and Jeff--we all decided to meet at the best ice cream shop east of the Mississippi!

Treats 'n 'Tiques!

Treats 'n 'Tiques, where the sizes start with a baby, then a kiddie, then an extra small and go on up from there.  And the prices are the best in the world!

It's worth a trip at least once a week!

What a fantastic birthday for Mom!  We all had such fun.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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