tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86933872012-01-25T09:57:49.234-06:00<b>thoughts. reflections. recipes. photos. from the life of suz.</b>suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.comBlogger4221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-11809627810650010132012-01-12T12:34:00.000-06:002012-01-12T13:47:42.067-06:00

One of the things my sweet Hubs gave me for Christmas was the gift of organization, in the form of a new system for storing my spices. The more I've delved into cooking over the past few years, the more spices I've collected. The collection outgrew my previous system (if you could call half my spices on a stair-step thing in the cupboard and the other half jumbled in a basket in my pantry a "

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-81303902588033445862012-01-09T17:39:00.002-06:002012-01-09T17:40:23.823-06:00

When we got married, the Hubs and I set aside Friday evenings as our regular date night. Sometimes date night means we go out; sometimes it means we stay in and do something special together at home. For Christmas, I gave the Hubs a DVD set that I found at Costco: Jamie Oliver's Food Escapes. It's a 6-volume set in which Jamie Oliver (a.k.a. The Naked Chef) travels to various cities to experience

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-65671574005209614832011-12-19T17:15:00.000-06:002011-12-19T17:15:00.322-06:00

It hit me this morning that Christmas is now less than a week away. That means the window of opportunity in which to complete preparations is narrowing quickly. Preparations not just related to traditions and festivities, like shopping and wrapping the rest of the presents, addressing and mailing our Christmas cards, and thawing the turkey for Christmas dinner (all of which remain on my To-Do

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51808471841299253452011-12-15T18:09:00.000-06:002011-12-15T18:14:01.215-06:00

I don't remember exactly when I fell in love with bacon-wrapped dates, but I do know that from the moment I let that first scrumptious bite melt in my mouth with all of its warm, sweet and savory, fruity and bacony goodness, I have never been the same. In the early years of my love affair with bacon-wrapped dates, I limited my encounters to infrequent visits to tapas restaurants (such as Cafe

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-45519135648980637152011-12-15T17:55:00.000-06:002011-12-15T17:55:15.961-06:00

If you've been here before, I'm sure you've noticed I've changed the design and spruced things up a bit. What do you think of the new look?

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-45529283243713646972011-11-04T14:34:00.018-05:002011-12-15T18:14:15.588-06:00

Okay, you caught me. I am retroactively posting this pic as last week's Fall Foto Friday (on the following Wednesday). Does it cut me any slack that the photo depicts where I happened to be last Friday? Well, anyway, here's a pic from my time down at Taylor last week, recruiting for WV during their World Opportunities Week. Scattered around Taylor's campus were quite a few of these bright red

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-50791492143224879952011-10-29T20:13:00.001-05:002011-12-15T18:14:26.016-06:00

Ever since my friend and former co-worker Tirzah shared this recipe with me, these cookies have become a MUST every time autumn rolls back around. I was asked to bring a dessert to a church function last night, and I knew these would be perfect. True to form, my plate of cookies was one of the first ones empty. That's just how good these cookies are. Make them and you'll see! Ingredients:  2

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-12607525186201469102011-10-28T17:16:00.000-05:002011-10-28T17:16:26.806-05:00

Hello, dear readers! Thanks for sticking with me through another unpremeditated blogging drop-off. When I originally proposed Fall Foto Friday, I failed to factor in that my upcoming vacation would mean I'd be unplugged for the following two Fridays. And then after that I was simply busy/lazy. But now I am back, and I intend to make up for those missed Fridays! Because while I wasn't posting, I

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-60749858881378321512011-09-30T13:00:00.001-05:002011-09-30T13:02:10.921-05:00

As September melts into October, and the leaves are turning in earnest, and there's a new chill in the air, and I find myself with an insatiable appetite for all things pumpkin or apple, I've decided to celebrate the season (and goad myself into using my camera more) by instituting Fall Foto Friday. Enjoy! Disclosure: Today's photo was taken last fall on an unseasonably warm October afternoon at

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-21213400778035327632011-09-02T17:56:00.000-05:002011-09-02T17:56:18.997-05:00

V is for Vistas Colorado is full of them. But then, I suppose any state is. It's just that in Colorado, you find yourself wanting to just stand there and drink them in with your eyes. Whereas while driving through Nebraska, you find yourself looking out the window and wondering just how many more hours you have of driving through Nebraska. (My apologies to any readers in or from Nebraska.) W is

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-57788002649643011262011-08-24T16:20:00.000-05:002011-08-24T16:20:08.275-05:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51663876056911664922011-08-24T08:00:00.001-05:002011-08-24T08:00:10.181-05:00

P is for Pizza If you ever find yourself near Leadville, Colorado, stop in for a pizza (and some crazy good garlic bread) at High Mountain Pies. Trust me (and Travis, and all the 5-star Yelp reviews) on this one.  Travis and I shared "El Hidalgo," which featured a garlic oil base topped with thinly sliced beef sirloin, dried cherries, caramelized onions, blue cheese, and arugula--a delicious

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-80510836160938386282011-08-23T12:25:00.000-05:002011-08-23T12:25:50.490-05:00

M is for Maroon BellsAt Dave's suggestion, we took a day trip to the Maroon Bells, which are near Aspen. The Maroon Bells are touted to be the most photographed location in Colorado, and a visit there makes it easy to see why. It's absolutely gorgeous. Because we visited in the late afternoon, the sun position unfortunately wasn't the best for photos of the bells themselves. That didn't stop me

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-52178566666486545392011-08-19T20:19:00.000-05:002011-08-19T20:19:54.446-05:00

J is for Journey Companion A long road trip can be a good test of just how well two people get along. Our drive to Colorado and back was the longest road trip Travis and I have taken together, and I just have to say, there's nothing quite as sweet as having the perfect companion for the journey. Not that either of us are perfect (far from it!), but our vacation this summer was just one more

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-80488009471600239112011-08-18T18:52:00.003-05:002011-08-18T18:53:44.737-05:00

G is for GrassOn our descent of Mt. Quandary, Travis celebrated when we reached tree line, because it signaled the end of the seemingly endless rocks. On the way down Mt. Sherman, my knees were protesting against the pressure of descending rock after rock after rock. (My feet weren't too happy about it, either.) Therefore, when we reached the grassy Iowa Gulch, I had to do a little celebrating of

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-15484402988576298472011-08-17T08:00:00.003-05:002011-08-17T09:48:09.972-05:00

D is for DessertI rarely need an excuse to order dessert, but "Hey, I'm on vacation!" is a great one if I find myself hesitating. Here's the Triple Berry Chocolate Mousse Torte that Travis and I shared at Dixie Quick's (see E below).  We were half-way through it before I thought to take a picture. Yeah, it was that good. E is for Eat Like a Local The hubs and I watch our fair share of Food

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-53806343134432424302011-08-16T10:40:00.002-05:002011-08-17T09:47:19.572-05:00

A couple posts back, I wrote about how preparing for a vacation gets me all stressed out, and how even once I'm actually ON vacation, I have a hard time relaxing. And so because I felt myself an abecedarian when it comes to knowing how to kick back and get away from it all, I charged myself with the task of creating a Vacation Alphabet. The intent was simply to challenge myself to take notice, to

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-4603980970271147262011-08-01T17:39:00.000-05:002011-08-01T17:39:38.873-05:00

...bake in your crock pot. Really! Whether you are skeptical or intrigued, read on... Here's the scenario that confronted me today: Two brown speckled bananas hanging on the banana tree. Ninety-one degrees outside. Eighty-four degrees inside, even after running the (ancient) living room AC unit and 3 fans all morning. Those bananas were just asking to be mashed and folded into some banana

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-18268809650812608252011-07-06T21:35:00.002-05:002011-07-06T21:36:03.348-05:00

Tomorrow morning at 8:00 the hubby and I intend to hit the open road in our sporty little black wagon, bound for adventure, grand vistas, and vacation with my parents in Vail. In between hiking to the tops of 14ers and visiting with friends flung across the front range, some relaxation is on the agenda. Yes, I said that relaxing is on the agenda, because that's how I roll. I am an J (for all you

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-65980329167262502112011-07-05T17:55:00.002-05:002011-07-05T17:55:00.126-05:00

Did you enjoy the holiday weekend? Hubby and I packed in some great times and made fun memories together and with friends. Saturday morning we headed out to Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago, to play the role of enthralled spectator at the town's annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. If you're not familiar with the concept of a cardboard boat regatta, here it is in a nutshell: teams of 2-8 people build

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-36026910445024376722011-06-22T12:10:00.000-05:002011-06-22T12:10:08.076-05:00

If your home is like mine and doesn't have central AC, you know that the best time to attempt any baking during the summer is in the early morning, after a cool night. This morning was an ideal occasion: I had four very ripe bananas hanging on the banana tree, and the rollicking storms that passed through the Chicago area last night cooled things off quite nicely after yesterday afternoon's humid

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-41702578116057802222011-06-14T18:24:00.000-05:002011-06-14T18:24:29.933-05:00

After an un-premeditated (would that make it post-meditated?) six month hiatus, I am gingerly climbing back up into the blogging saddle. Some of you have wondered what caused me to fall off the wagon back in December (if you'll allow me to mix metaphors). Some of you have pointed out (in person) that I stopped writing, which means you'd lost track of my comings and goings, cookings and musings,

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-84641396347923046552010-12-21T17:14:00.000-06:002010-12-21T17:14:18.605-06:00

With each passing year, I wonder more and more...what did we do before Google? My pre-Google life is fading from memory. Here's a sample of today's Googlings: how to machine wash a plastic shower curtainpheasant breast recipeshow to remove candle wax from fabricDremelColorado snow stormAripo's Oak Park

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-59331592041001892812010-12-21T00:10:00.003-06:002010-12-21T00:17:46.755-06:00

Tree Of Hope American Lung Association Holiday 5x7 folded cardCreate modern holiday cards at ShutterflyView the entire collection of cards. It took me a couple weeks, but I finally carved out some time to sit down and design our 2010 Christmas card, compliments of Shutterfly. By the time our friends and family receive them, Christmas (and possibly even New Year's) will have come and gone, but you

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-16450794068221057372010-12-14T19:59:00.000-06:002010-12-14T19:59:37.056-06:00

What happens when you marry this man?  Adorning the buck becomes an accepted (anticipated, even!) part of decorating the house for Christmas.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51729406852943625722010-12-14T10:39:00.001-06:002010-12-21T00:23:59.092-06:00

eat: a hot bowl of oatmeal (prepared using my homemade instant oatmeal mix), fortified with a tablespoon of flax seed meal and a handful of plump raisins. pray: for colleagues and the situation in Ivory Coast. love: making trifles. our last small group meeting for the year (tomorrow night) is a potluck. i'm on dessert duty, and couldn't be happier. can't wait to assemble my

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-68706209410829108412010-12-02T14:12:00.000-06:002010-12-02T14:12:10.659-06:00

In honor of the first flakes of the season, seen here in Chicagoland yesterday, here's a sweet little reminder of good times from my childhood...Mom coming into my room on snowy mornings and singing, "Here comes Suzy Snowflake, look at her tumbling down..."

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-50033695347627299902010-11-26T08:00:00.008-06:002010-11-26T08:00:09.546-06:00

Happy day after Thanksgiving dear readers! Are you relaxing after some hectic Black Friday shopping? Or are you hiding out at home to avoid the rush? Perhaps you are plotting how to best put all those leftovers to use (my favorite = turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce paninis!). In my opinion, the day after Thanksgiving is when Christmas music becomes a valid listening option. One of the

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-50915667214862484282010-11-22T18:58:00.007-06:002010-11-22T19:06:24.901-06:00

In recent years photo cards have become the popular way to send holiday greetings. I, for one, couldn't be happier about this development. Why? Because of the sheer delightfulness of sifting through the mail, setting aside bills and sorting out junk mail, only to find a sturdy envelope containing a card with the smiling faces and warm wishes of people you love. Whereas I am unlikely to keep a

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-77591544024375225182010-11-22T15:50:00.001-06:002010-11-22T17:50:05.868-06:00

One of my favorite comfort foods this season has been homemade applesauce, cooked up in my crockpot. It's easy. It's healthy. It fills my home with lovely autumnal aromas while cooking. And it's inexpensive, but feels fancy and tastes rich; in fact, we usually have it for dessert. It's also open to endless variations of spices and mix-ins. Here's the recipe for my favorite version: Slow-Cooker

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-3053178264914503132010-11-12T17:52:00.001-06:002010-11-12T18:00:08.685-06:00

It's not too often that I blog about things related to my job (I'm an administrative assistant with an international missionary sending agency), but on this occasion work intersects with friends and an incredible story, and I just have to share it. As my husband puts it (and it's true!), I value context in communication, so here's the context: I came to know Tom & Lisa Seward several years

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-4912423630072729012010-11-08T17:24:00.001-06:002010-11-09T09:14:13.993-06:00

Well, friends, we are coming to the end of both the year and the deer. Not including the pound of ground meet I used for today's recipe, I have one more pound of ground venison and about two pounds of chops left in my freezer from the doe Travis shot in Michigan last Thanksgiving. When it is gone, I think I will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction...which I will hug tight to my chest

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-69599575560485427672010-11-03T11:07:00.001-05:002010-11-05T14:02:49.071-05:00

Another Wednesday, another round of questions to reveal a wee bit o' me. {one} do you still use a checkbook? yes, but i rarely write checks. i mostly use the check ledger to keep track of money in, money out. {two} what size shoe do you wear?size 10. when you're six feet tall, it's pretty much a given to have big feet.  {three} scary movies or happy endings? oh definitely happy endings. i don't

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-34102830171178466832010-11-02T10:33:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:33:55.774-05:00

If you've been following my blog this fall, yes, I've been a bit obsessed with squash. Once I got past the intimidation factor, you see, there was no turning back - they're just too good! And there are so many different ways to prepare them! Last night I cooked my first spaghetti squash. Oh my! Spaghetti squash, where have you been all my life? I let this recipe be my guide (halved for one

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-41216032441589626252010-10-25T17:34:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:34:35.575-05:00

1. RetailMeNot.com  Do you shop online? Do you like to save money? Do you know about this website? If not, you should bookmark it right now. Before you make your next online purchase, check this site to see if there's a coupon code you can use for a discount or free shipping. I did a little early Christmas shopping this morning and saved 50% with a coupon code from RetailMeNot.com. I'd tell you

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-6582902921404378842010-10-12T18:33:00.000-05:002010-10-12T18:33:04.389-05:00

Beautiful day. Picturesque setting. Pleasant companions. What more could a girl ask for? Today I had the privilege of taking a "field trip" to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Here are a few pics from the excursion:       I don't know if it's the unusually warm autumn we've had so far, or my own ignorance (most likely the latter!), but I've never seen or known so many flowers to be in bloom during a

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-80409424085227304022010-10-11T14:54:00.000-05:002010-10-11T14:54:09.428-05:00

It's harvest time, and that means lots of yummy ingredients are in season. Ideally, we would have enjoyed the warmth and heartiness of this stew after coming in from a chilly autumn stroll, our cheeks flushed from the brisk wind. Instead, we ate this stew while sweating in our 84 degree apartment at the end of another unseasonably warm day here in Chicagoland, our faces red from the heat. Oh well

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-74418377381600346932010-10-11T10:10:00.000-05:002010-10-11T10:10:11.735-05:00

Monday mornings can be rough. Here's a video guaranteed to make you smile.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-61234793223307430912010-10-08T15:56:00.002-05:002010-10-08T16:03:06.741-05:00

Pic taken at Devil's Lake in 2008 1. Pumpkin spice lattes 2. Scarves 3. Sweaters 4. The rustle of leaves 5. Maple trees in deep red and yellow 6. Apple picking (followed by apple cooking & eating!) 7. Hay rides 8. Corn mazes 9. Hot chocolate 10. Squash 11. Pumpkins & gourds 12. Spiced apple cider 13. Blue skies & brisk breezes 14. Caramel apples 15. Cinnamon & cloves 16. Candy corn 17.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-1232343965470513062010-10-06T12:44:00.001-05:002010-10-08T10:26:14.095-05:00

Last fall I had my first kitchen encounter with a squash. I came away from that side dish injured and wary. However, I'm determined not to be intimidated by squash and to have another go at it this season. Multiple varieties. Various preparations. All potentially yummy. And this time, hopefully no Band-Aids required. Caputos had squash on sale for 29 cents/pound this week, so I stocked up! First

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-84078855269232769832010-10-06T12:40:00.001-05:002010-10-06T12:40:00.276-05:00

{one} grilled or fried?grilled. fried food rarely appeals to me anymore.  {two} if you could change one thing about where you live, without worrying about money, what would you change?I'd hire a professional to clean all of the windows and blinds. better yet, I'd have new windows installed so that we could actually open them. then I'd hire a designer to add some window treatments. {three} what is

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-64985297555264797682010-10-05T12:00:00.001-05:002010-10-05T12:00:02.384-05:00

Now that I work out of a home office, days where I do not venture out of doors are more plentiful than I'd like to admit. It's far too easy to get comfortable...and lazy...indoors. Now that my favorite season has arrived, I want to be sure I get outside and enjoy it. Yesterday after work I gave myself an "assignment" as an incentive to get some fresh air: go for a walk with my camera, and capture

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-24011030396687373392010-10-04T11:31:00.000-05:002010-10-04T11:31:06.929-05:00

Yesterday was my one year wedding anniversary. Last week as I looked through our wedding photos again all of the excitement, joy, wonder, and elation of that day came rushing back to me. Our wedding day was glorious, indeed, but it was just one day. That one day, however, launched a lifetime of us, the first year of which has been the best year of my life so far.  Travis and I celebrated our

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-23663013224221216672010-09-29T12:36:00.000-05:002010-09-29T12:36:47.380-05:00

At the end of last week I spent a few days in Maine for work. The leaves there were a little ahead of the Chicago area in terms of changing, but still a couple weeks away from "peak" color. Nevertheless, it was beautiful to spend a few days in a place where the land undulates and the trees WAY outnumber the people. This shot was taken on a misty morning, looking down the road from the home where

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-68115601525237378112010-09-17T15:02:00.001-05:002010-09-17T15:09:51.317-05:00

I won't be posting the recipe for today's apple dish until later because, well, I made it up, and I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. A few hours ago I threw a bunch of stuff (including 3 apples) into my crockpot. When it's done cooking in a few hours, it will be Slow-Cooker Chicken, Apple, & Sweet Potato Curry. Right now it's creating lovely aromas in my kitchen. How it will taste at dinner

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-44141273487804765482010-09-16T10:28:00.000-05:002010-09-16T10:28:11.256-05:00

Today's apple recipe comes from Aarti, winner of the most recent season of The Next Food Network Star. Travis and I really enjoyed watching this show over the summer. I was pulling for Aarti all the way and was delighted when she won in the end, giving her a shot at her own show on Food Network, called Aarti Party. Her "angle" is adding an Indian touch to both familiar and new dishes, thereby

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-83340891476990552352010-09-15T18:07:00.003-05:002010-09-16T10:10:36.053-05:00

It's my turn to bring refreshments to our Wednesday evening small group meeting, which was a wonderful reason to bake my apple spice bundt cake. After a couple of harrowing entries into the RC 2010 Challenge, I am relieved to return to my familiar friend, the bundt cake. So much less fuss and stress. And way fewer dishes and things to wash. Happy all around! Apple Spice Bundt Cake Ingredients: 1

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-8077003930466189092010-09-14T10:22:00.007-05:002010-09-15T18:08:46.585-05:00

Today I'm cooking up a big batch of apple butter. Early this morning I peeled, cored, and cut into eighths a combination of Cortland, McIntosh, and Gala apples (15 in all) and set them to cook on low for 8 hours in my 6-quart crockpot, with a tablespoon of vanilla extract drizzled over the top. While I was peeling I had the idea to include a few of the long, curly peel pieces on top, thinking

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-89660201555511415482010-09-13T15:38:00.001-05:002010-09-13T15:39:32.324-05:00

Since I have a bushel of apples in my fridge from going apple-picking on Labor Day (see previous post), it's time to put them to good use. Each day this week (M-F) I'll be posting a recipe that uses apples...some of them are tried-and-true favorites, while others I'll be testing out for the first time this week. I hope you'll find one or two recipes intriguing enough to try yourself! Happy autumn

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-34813160412972258342010-09-12T14:10:00.008-05:002010-09-13T15:00:17.913-05:00

My husband and I spent Labor Day meandering our way home from Kalamazoo, MI where we'd spent the weekend helping friends get settled in their new home. With adventurous spirits and no agenda or time restraints, we ventured off the highway at several different exits, bent on exploring and celebrating the beginning of autumn. At our first stop we enjoyed free tastings at two different wineries (

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-24498768356874446732010-09-08T17:22:00.001-05:002010-09-09T09:40:22.940-05:00

I've decided to participate in my first Wee Bit Wednesday, hosted by fellow blogger Leigh Ashley as a way for bloggers to connect with one another and share a little bit about themselves with their readers. Hope you enjoy learning a wee bit (more) about me! {one} what was your first pet and how did you come up with its name?My first (and only) pet (so far) was a white toy poodle named Frisky

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-65684376416720736092010-09-02T17:16:00.010-05:002010-09-03T10:26:27.751-05:00

Back in January, a conversation with one of my groups of girlfriends produced the Round Cake 2010 Challenge. It's pretty simple, really. We realized that most of us had never attempted to bake, assemble, and decorate a round layer cake. And so we challenged each other make at least one attempt during the year. Well, today I finally made my second attempt. I learned some things from my first

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-81186319546983016482010-08-31T13:51:00.000-05:002010-08-31T13:51:00.767-05:00

One thing that scares me. Everyday. That's a tall order, Eleanor. But today, I felt up to the challenge. At lunchtime I went to my first yoga class at the gym, alone. A small step for some, a much bigger deal for me. This morning I donned what I felt was a cute, yoga-friendly outfit (when approaching an intimidating activity, I find it helps if I know I'll at least look cute while making a fool

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-90448656613864344432010-08-30T18:02:00.001-05:002010-08-30T18:04:19.895-05:00

(1) autumn stirringsYesterday the hubby and I visited Morton Arboretum to get our nature fix with some hiking. While there we browsed the gift shop, which was bursting with new fall decor items. I get giddy just thinking about the ever increasing proximity of autumn. At present I am also quite pleased with our new dining room table, acquired via Craigslist, which came with a matching Lazy Susan.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-84810007552078879272010-08-23T11:35:00.001-05:002010-08-24T09:17:04.372-05:00

My niece Samantha is now two months old. Baby faces are home to a multitude of expressions. During our visit this weekend, I captured this one. My SIL tells me it makes a regular appearance on Sam's little mug. I think it's adorable, don't you?

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-16959741317544693412010-08-18T09:47:00.000-05:002010-08-18T09:47:48.859-05:00

After an unintentional hiatus from the realm of venison cookery, I am back with a new episode! Going into the preparation of this meal, I was both excited and skeptical. I've only made and/or eaten meatloaf a handful of times, but I'm familiar enough with the dish to know that cheese and fruit in meatloaf is not normal. However, when I found the recipe, something about the combination of

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-48746911951454379592010-08-17T10:45:00.000-05:002010-08-17T10:45:25.217-05:00

On Sunday our friends/small group leaders had people over to watch the Chicago Air & Water Show from their rooftop patio. Of course, from our vantage point we could only see the air portion of the show, but we had a great view of the city skyline as well. I also had plenty of opportunities to snap photos of their pug, Milo, whose bug eyes and perpetually protruding tongue put him in the "so ugly

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-29998735530462090662010-08-12T12:29:00.011-05:002010-08-12T13:14:18.569-05:00

I came across this poem today and loved it. BE GRATEFUL For every breath. For sunshine on your face. For a child's laughter. For God's grace. For peace of mind. For joy of heart. For love. For the gift of life. For good friends. For sweet memories. For pink bubblegum. For silliness. For red shoes. For blue skies. For the kindness of others. For family time. For understanding souls. For

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-83931447990603971212010-08-11T10:48:00.003-05:002010-08-11T10:50:11.202-05:00

One of the things I love about attending weddings is getting to watch the older couples dance - you know, the couples with wrinkled faces and gnarled hands who have weathered decades together as husband and wife, who may be a little stooped or whose once-smooth moves may be reduced to a shuffle, but who nevertheless move as one and portray in their shared gaze a depth of comfort and

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-70649608293247772172010-08-10T18:06:00.000-05:002010-08-10T18:06:11.490-05:00

I spent this past weekend in New York City, where I was joined by 6 of my dear sister-friends (of the 11 total) from college, who came in from Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to join Lynn, who lives there. The occasion was our annual girls weekend, the 8th since we graduated from Taylor. It "just so happened" (as in, God miraculously arranged) that girls weekend was also opening

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-7579299159433176012010-08-03T17:09:00.000-05:002010-08-03T17:09:11.443-05:00

A quick little glimpse into my life on a Tuesday afternoon:  What's done? A 288-piece mailing that went out today, the office expense report for June & July, plus some other little office odds and ends What's made? The bed What's for dinner? Zucchini and Basil Frittata What's playing on my Pandora? A station based on the Appalachian Picking Society What's in progress at the moment? Laundry,

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-75323988905244120742010-07-28T17:14:00.001-05:002010-07-28T17:14:39.374-05:00

good: The Help by Kathryn Stockett on audiobook. I'm totally engrossed. bad: 85 degrees and 70% humidity in my apartment when I woke up this morning. ugly: the knot above my right temple where I accidentally bashed my head into the corner of the printer in my office upon coming up from retrieving something that had fallen on the floor...and no husband around to kiss and make it better.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-5842274928188847762010-07-21T18:08:00.000-05:002010-07-21T18:08:09.902-05:00

Today was a very satisfying day in my kitchen. I kicked things off this morning by baking a batch of blueberry muffins, using some of the blueberries Travis and I picked a couple weekends ago in Michigan (which I'd frozen in the meantime) to make the blueberry muffin recipe from The New Best Recipe Cookbook (the heftiest and most helpful cookbook on my shelf). Both were a first for me (blueberry

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-66330690978476798622010-07-14T14:25:00.001-05:002010-07-20T17:01:59.751-05:00

ANJING'S FIRST ROAD TRIP: This series of photos documents the weekend I (hereafter Auntie Suz) took my nephew (aka best friend's dog) on a road trip to Michigan to visit my in-laws and meet my niece (aka sister-in-law's brand new baby). Narrated by Anjing (the dog).  On Friday afternoon, Auntie Suz was all over the place. I could tell something was up. Then Uncle Travis came home and they

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51668914558510284592010-06-30T18:12:00.000-05:002010-06-30T18:12:55.867-05:00

A bursary = a treasury. Bliss = extreme happiness, ecstasy, joy. Here, then, is my bursary of bliss: a treasury of things that bring my joy and delight to my soul! Datiles con tocino (tapas dish of dates wrapped in bacon) The uninhibited laughter (chortles, guffaws even!) that comes out in the company of dear friends Baking sweet treats to share with others Leisurely Sunday mornings at home

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-63723047055664176162010-06-11T17:13:00.000-05:002010-06-11T17:13:27.569-05:00

I have my friend Heather to thank for directing me to the recipe for this episode. I modified it a bit (what else is new?!) and decided to cut up the steaks for kabobs rather than keep them whole, since the size and shape of the venison steaks we received are rather inconsistent. The marinade ingredients:  The final product, plated (with thanks to Rachel for the bottle of wine! It did, in fact

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-71658823978783246672010-06-11T16:59:00.000-05:002010-06-11T16:59:54.799-05:00

I was perusing the blog of a high school friend today and learned about the Kindred Connection. I've decided to participate, since I could use a little encouragement and inspiration. My default of late has been chronicling the venison endeavor, but I would like to get back to blogging about other things as well, and one of the best ways to be inspired is to discover what other kindred spirits are

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-40327768900054786282010-06-02T17:08:00.002-05:002010-06-02T17:09:23.453-05:00

Memorial Day. The kick-off to summer. A time to gather with friends and grill some deer. Along with some brats and dogs and corn. Mix up some salads. Serve it all up to a hungry crowd. The dogs can only hope for scraps.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-72714234916429159722010-06-02T13:34:00.001-05:002010-06-02T13:36:21.595-05:00

Over Memorial Day Weekend I surprised Travis with an overnight getaway to Rockford, in celebration of the end of school and his birthday. We kicked things off Saturday morning with hiking at Rock Cut State Park, followed by a picnic lunch on the lawn overlooking one of the park's two lakes. We did a little more hiking after that, then drove into downtown Rockford to check things out. As it turns

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-71430372697092268712010-05-17T18:29:00.003-05:002010-05-27T19:01:55.944-05:00

Yesterday morning Travis and I were awakened at quarter to six by a brusque knock on the door of the guest bedroom at my sister-in-law's house. It was his dad, telling us it was time to get up and get ready to hit the road. What warranted such an early start? The Elkhorn Antique Flea Market in Elkhorn, WI. My in-laws came into town for the weekend ostensibly to visit their kids, but really to be

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-27455310431866475522010-05-14T17:12:00.005-05:002010-05-17T10:39:14.415-05:00

With all that ground venison in my freezer, it was about time to make another batch of chili. This time I modified a recipe from a Weight Watchers slow-cooker cookbook I've got on loan from Allison. The Ingredients: 1 lb ground venison (if you lack deer, you can use lean ground beef instead, of course) 1 orange pepper, diced (use any color pepper you like; I like orange) 1 onion, diced 1 small

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-35085427143470414342010-04-30T10:45:00.000-05:002010-04-30T10:45:32.639-05:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm getting more confident when it comes to modifying recipes--either to better suit my tastes, cater to what I have on hand, or aim for a healthier but still tasty version. This past week I took a recipe for bran muffins that I found on allrecipes.com and made all kinds of modifications to it out of a desire for a healthier muffin, and to deal with the fact

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-10358553209443247392010-04-29T18:31:00.000-05:002010-04-29T18:31:27.405-05:00

And with this post, I'm up to date! Hurrah! I prepared this meal on Tuesday of this week. Monday night found me on the couch, flipping through cookbooks to find a simple recipe in which I could use a pound of ground venison and other ingredients I already had in my pantry. My search ended when I found a recipe for a "Country-Style Skillet Dinner" in the Kitchen Keepsakes cookbook that had been

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51354121054493505782010-04-29T11:45:00.000-05:002010-04-29T11:45:02.117-05:00

This is the second meal I've made from the I'm Hooked, I'm Game cookbook. I fussed with the recipe a little, increasing the amount of various spices, but in the end I thought it was still a little too bland for it to rightly have "seasoned" in the recipe title. It was an easy dish to prepare, however, unlike anything we've had with venison so far, and the different colored peppers made for a

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-3924681609996884822010-04-27T20:03:00.001-05:002010-04-27T20:03:51.185-05:00

This turned out so well the first time (see Episode 2) I had to make it again. Take 2 was just as tasty as the first time around, and once again we relished the leftovers. Since posting this recipe on my blog and Facebook, several friends have made it also (though with beef or turkey instead of venison) and all I've heard are good reports of the results. If you have a slow cooker, why haven't you

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-69959919095104035902010-04-27T19:55:00.000-05:002010-04-27T19:55:57.993-05:00

Hello readers! After an unintended hiatus (from blogging, not from cooking with venison) I am back to bring this blog up to the present. Episode 12 featured venison in its most natural form to date: steaks, grilled with just a bit of seasoning. Travis expertly played the grill master while I prepared mashed potatoes with chives and green beans on the side. It was a simple, healthful, tasty and

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-9369377766143042452010-03-26T12:29:00.001-05:002010-03-26T12:30:43.977-05:00

For this meal I once again turned to my slow cooker, magnificent appliance that it is, and used another recipe from Stephanie O'Dea of A Year of Slow Cooking and Make it Fast, Cook it Slow. What initially made this recipe jump out at me as I flipped through my cookbook was Azorean in the name. My dad was stationed in the Azores while serving in the Air Force, so the word stood out to me and

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-56163489328111650002010-03-24T13:01:00.001-05:002010-03-24T13:02:58.582-05:00

Just when you thought I was about to post about venison again*, it's time for another installment of Suz's Rad Stuff! (You're on the edge of your seat, right?) When Travis and I were in Galena for Valentine's weekend, one of the many shops we wandered into as we strolled along Main Street was the storefront for Galena Garlic Company. I asked the young woman working there if the garlic is

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-85114591638610938252010-03-23T14:05:00.001-05:002010-03-23T14:07:38.682-05:00

"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are an imperishable... I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Cor. 9:25, 27 ESV "LENT

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51919635613640726412010-03-12T12:51:00.002-06:002010-03-12T12:53:06.093-06:00

Back in January I attended the wedding of my dear friends Eunice and Jon. Their ceremony was outside (yes, in Chicago, in January--it was quite lovely, actually) and their reception was an intimate affair with family and a few close friends in their home. At some point in the evening (I'm a little fuzzy on the details of exactly when and how it came up, but it was likely prompted by Eunice &

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-19570846185134687502010-03-05T11:03:00.000-06:002010-03-05T11:03:36.374-06:00

This past Wednesday we enjoyed venison burgers for the second time. Burgers are Travis' department, so he was in charge of the mixing, forming, cooking, etc. This time around he used the same seasoning mix (we bought a large shaker at Costco, so we'll be seasoning burgers with that stuff for a LONG time to come), but instead of the dried minced onions he added last time, I suggested he throw in

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-71623989321258322852010-03-02T11:49:00.000-06:002010-03-02T11:49:11.785-06:00

Although I am 29 years old, I rarely feel as "grown up" as my teenage self imagined I would when I got to this point in life. Back in my teens, I had this romantic notion that, simply as a bi-product of adding years to my life, I'd somehow absorb and possess all of the knowledge and know-how required for adulthood. Instead, I've discovered that life is something a person figures out as they go

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-15456609988782520432010-03-01T16:32:00.000-06:002010-03-01T16:32:37.387-06:00

Sunday evening we had Allison & Alex over after church for dinner and The Amazing Race. For this episode I fell back on one of my tried and true recipes (Three Bean Turkey Chili) and just substituted ground venison for the ground turkey. The venison tasted right at home among the tomatoes and spices. True to prior experiences with this recipe, the chili was incredibly tasty. (I think I mention

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-59127979977848617942010-03-01T12:40:00.002-06:002010-03-01T12:42:00.259-06:00

This past weekend we dipped into our venison stash twice for the purposes of entertaining. Saturday evening our good friends Nate & Bethany came over for dinner. They're newlyweds like us. For this episode, I prepared the last of the roasts by slow-cooking the meat with veggies and a host of flavorful accompaniments. The Ingredients: 1 venison roast (3 - 3 1/2 lbs)* 2 Tb flour 2 Tb butter or

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-85550903432908539482010-02-26T10:28:00.000-06:002010-02-26T10:28:10.910-06:00

eat: Curried Coconut Chicken pray: for unemployed friends who need jobs love: this video showing a couple with love and spunk and teamwork after 62 years of marriage

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-62067248852604388102010-02-22T12:44:00.000-06:002010-02-22T12:44:40.012-06:00

I wasn't sure about including yesterday's lunch in my year of deer endeavor, because it kind of feels like cheating. It wasn't from scratch (I made soup from a mix) and threw in some venison sausage (which meant no actual cooking of venison was involved). However, as Travis pointed out, "We just ate venison, didn't we? Why wouldn't that count?" And so, here we are. One of my favorite ways to

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-42507767786379420352010-02-19T13:33:00.000-06:002010-02-19T13:33:02.470-06:00

The recipe for this meal came from my sister-in-law, Jamie, who made the dish for us (albeit with beef) when we were over to their house for dinner a few weeks ago. Jamie is pregnant, and one of her strongest food cravings has been for tomatoes. With diced tomatoes, tomato juice, and ketchup, this recipe definitely hits the spot! If you're not pregnant, and just happen to love tomatoes (like me),

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-51873972356668964892010-02-19T13:11:00.001-06:002010-02-19T13:12:11.894-06:00

Let me count the ways. As are many of our shared activities, how we would spend Valentine's Day this year was a surprise (for me) and an event lovingly planned with great relish (for Travis). Going into it, all I *officially* knew was that we were going away for two nights, and that I should pack a couple casual outfits, a couple dressy outfits, and something warm for cross-country skiing. (

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-9393298337955790432010-02-03T15:53:00.001-06:002010-02-03T16:49:52.215-06:00

On Tuesday evenings Travis gets home late from counseling, so last night I seized the opportunity to make a recipe that called for 20 minutes of prep + 1 1/2 hours of cooking time. The recipe came from Bobby Flay, with a few modifications and adjustments by me. The ingredients:   (Yes, that's a bottle of beer. And honey. And lime juice. Three things I never thought I'd add to a pot of chili!)

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-55070259276915083402010-02-01T13:52:00.001-06:002010-02-01T13:56:39.355-06:00

Ever since I chose a new template for my blog, there've been those 4 links up there in the purple swatch. Except, until today, only the first (Home) was actually a link. The other 3 were simply a tease that went nowhere. Well, I'm out to change that, one at a time. This post shall be the linked-to page for the third one over. The person who created this template designed it to have an FAQ page.

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-18260549957353503362010-02-01T11:59:00.002-06:002010-02-01T12:01:12.097-06:00

Saturday evening was my first experience preparing venison for others: we had our friends Erin and Peter over for dinner and conversation. It was their first encounter with venison and my first attempt at a venison roast, so I was a little nervous. I shouldn't have worried, though, because (a) my slow cooker is my hero (aka, favorite kitchen appliance), (b) I used a recipe from Stephanie O'Dea,

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-20806241977278285852010-01-29T10:06:00.000-06:002010-01-29T10:06:44.495-06:00

Wednesday evening's commute home was, in three words: long, tense, tiring. So, imagine my relief and delight when, after spending nearly two hours in the car, I arrived home to my husband, who'd prepared a cozy, candlelit apartment and 4 venison cheeseburgers, with all the fixin's, ready to be consumed as dinner. Here's a pic of the burgers and the handsome man who prepared them: The Verdict:

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-76628242389755289232010-01-26T11:09:00.000-06:002010-01-26T11:09:13.950-06:00

Now, Travis and I had both tried Irish food before, so Friday's date night dinner at Molly Malone's Irish Pub in Forest Park wasn't to check another country off the list so much as it was to enjoy some good food, give us a chance to talk, and use a gift certificate I'd purchased from Restaurant.com. Travis had the corned beef and cabbage, pictured below. I had the cobb salad, which, not being

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-78197132762070233722010-01-18T09:46:00.000-06:002010-01-18T09:46:21.520-06:00

My second foray into cooking with venison happened yesterday. The absolutely delicious end product increased my affinity for both venison and my crock pot. The meal was Slow Cooker Lasagna (a big thanks to Allison for giving me the recipe) and I simply substituted a pound of ground venison for the ground beef the recipe calls for. The ingredients: ground venison, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes,

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-8309648207581046522010-01-15T11:35:00.000-06:002010-01-15T11:35:46.568-06:00

I'm standing at the kitchen counter in my PJs, putting together a PB&J waffle sandwich for Travis' breakfast, having just rolled out of bed moments earlier. Travis comes up behind me and wraps me in a hug. He asks, "Was this a dream, or were we awake for a while really early this morning, telling 'What do you call a man with no arms and no legs...' jokes in bed?" Giggling, I respond, "Yes, that

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-50490744003530375702010-01-12T17:26:00.001-06:002010-01-12T17:27:12.805-06:00

Thanks to The Nester (who posted a giveaway contest today about this very thing) I've discovered the Danielson Design Studio by DaySpring.com.  Their tagline is "Custom Design So Simple It's Stunning." And it's true! They have all different kinds of layouts and designs for plaques, frames, signs, etc., and you can choose whichever format and design you like, fill in your own names, quotes, dates,

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-50086293541096940822010-01-12T10:31:00.001-06:002010-01-12T10:32:24.549-06:00

For date night this past Friday Travis surprised me (he loves planning surprises) with dinner at The Depot: An American Diner (located at 5840 W Roosevelt Rd in Chicago, just minutes from where we live). We learned about the place a while ago from Travis' dad, who called to tell us about it after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (or "Triple D," as I've learned fans refer to it)

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-41004019711134940452010-01-06T10:50:00.048-06:002010-01-06T10:50:00.415-06:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Travis went hunting while we were in Michigan for Thanksgiving and shot a good-sized doe. We dropped the deer off to be processed before we left for home at the end of that weekend, and Travis' parents collected it from the butcher and kept it for us until last week, when we were able to take it with us at the end of our brief post-Christmas visit. So, my

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-66849593198862851352010-01-05T15:02:00.001-06:002010-01-12T15:36:38.214-06:00

Getting married in October ushered in a whole new era of firsts. While last Christmas was our first as a couple, this was our first Christmas as husband and wife--sharing a home, establishing new traditions, and reveling in being our own little family unit. Here's our home, decorated for the holidays: Travis was a really good sport about letting me deck out Brutus for the holidays. He even

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693387.post-33116377511521288602009-12-16T17:06:00.001-06:002010-01-04T11:12:07.151-06:00

Tonight marks the end of an era in my life. After nine years as a Barnes & Noble bookseller (seasonal during college, then full-time, then part-time), tonight I'll work my final shift. And after 18 years of operation in Wheaton's Town Square shopping center, my B&N store will close its doors for good on December 31st. Sniff. Though I look forward to having my Wednesday nights back (especially

suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727617899514861462noreply@blogger.com1