Vacation Day

It's been a very busy month, and I've found myself desperately in need of a vacation day.  I decided to spend my day off at Mel's house for another foodie film fest.  We chose the movie Six Degrees of Separation and decided on high-society Hors d' Oeuvres and tea.  My two offerings consisted of Mini Crab Cakes on Endive with Caper and Lemon Sauce, and Bruschetta with Rosemary, Roasted Red Peppers, Goat Cheese and Prosciutto.  Mel's contribution: Sweet Potato and Bacon Filled Endive Leaves and Mini Raviolis on a Spoon.  The green tea pearls with jasmine from Todd & Holland (when Mel sipped the tea she remarked, "I feel like I'm drinking flowers") were the perfect complement.  This was certainly one of our more memorable F3 events, partly because we were both so in synch with each other from an ingredient perspective - we both used capers and endive in our Hors d'Oeuvres.

When I photographed our day, I didn't realize there were water marks on my lense, which rendered my photos a sloppy mess.  These pics of our day are brought to you by Mel.

We're watching Chocolat next, so our theme will be French food.  Stay tuned!

Winter Version

On my return trip from dropping Drew off at school this morning, there were forestry workers camped out by my garage.  Their mission was to trim the dead branches off my elm.

As if the rainstorms of 2010 weren't enough, my poor elm took a beating during the blizzard of 2011.  It is but a shadow of its former self.  Once again, I was told to enjoy this tree while I still can.

As I took a moment to capture the winter version of this old elm, I realized how much I'm going to miss this tree when it comes down.

Early Valentine's

Years ago, Baird and I went to a hip, popular restaurant on Valentine's Day without reservations.  The restaurant had strongly enouraged us to stop by without reservations, because they only set aside a third of their dining room for reservations on any given night.  We were young and stupid and figured, "why not?"  As soon as we opened the door to the restaurant, we knew we'd made a big mistake.  We also knew we were totally comimtted, as every other restaurant would be just as busy.  We settled into the bar to wait out the 90 minutes we were told it would take to get a table, only to have that hour-and-a-half turn into two...turn into two-and-a-half...

We were closing in on the three-hour mark when we were finally seated.  At that point I was so hungary I didn't even care what I ate.  While the conversation was good and the company was amazing, and when we finally did eat our food it was delicious, even tho it was going on 11pm, Baird and I looked at each other as we left the restaurant and said, "Never again."  We've stuck to that.  We've actually never eaten a meal out on Valentine's Day since then.  I've either cooked at home or we've eaten out very near the holiday, but never on.

This fall I scored a coupon for $40 off eating at Vermilion, and Baird and I thought that would be a lovely place to spend a pre-Valentine's meal.  This place has a hip, trendy vibe with Indian/Latin/South American fusion as its theme.  I know, it seems like an odd combination, but for the most part it works.  Our first course was blue corn crusted scallops on a kali mirch latin calabasa goat cheese puree.  The scallops were perfectly cooked, but the blue corn crust was a little stale.  And while the sauces were exotic and amazing, I thought the presentation was a little funky.  I couldn't help but see some dude with sunglasses and a funky ear ring staring back at me.

Next course:  artichoke pakoras on eggplant chili coconut sauce.  This one was quite good.  The fried artichokes actually reminded me a bit of the best bloomin' onion I've ever had.  The dipping sauce, however, was far, far better than anything I've had with a bloomin' onion!

Baird went with the chimichurri New York strip with Argentinean bife de lomo and “kadai” sweet potato.

Baird loved his steak, but when he gave me a bite, it was pretty spicy.  That's exactly why he loved it and I was happy with just one bite.  I loved my Tandoori skirtsteak with fried plantain chips, chorizo kale, and jicama citrus garnisih.

Celebrating a day early meant a quite, unhurried, on-time meal at a fun fusion restaurant, and we were back home at a very respectable 10:30.  We are such the old, married, suburbanite couple, and that's ok with me.  It's a good thing I've embraced this roll!

It's Starting Already

It's exactly one day after she turned 16, and Kelsey received this in the mail today:

her very first piece of mail from a college!  Drexel University has the distinction of being the first place of higher learning to send her mail.  Kelsey has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up.  She has no clue where she wants to go to school.  She's not worried, and neither am I.  But I think I was more excited about her mail than she was.

16 Candles

I usually post baby pics alongside current shots of the kids on their birthdays; however, I've been informed that when one is 16, one does not want a public display of one's baby photographs.  So, part of my gift to Kelsey is honoring her wish.

My Sweet 16 daughter has grown so much in the past year.  She's in a positive, happy place.  Her grades are good.  She's kind to those around her.  She practices her saxophone without being told.  She has a heart for social justice causes.

Kelsey really doesn't like the spotlight, and she begged us not to throw her a big, giant party.  Again, we listened and allowed her to have a low-key day.  Actually, her birthday celebration is being strung out over several days.  I made her two favorite desserts:  chocolate cream cheese pie, and poppyseed cake.  She's not a big fan of birthday cake, so we put her 16 candles in the poppyseed cake when we sang Happy Birthday.

Kelsey added another ear cartilage piercing (she's up to four now) as part of her birthday activities.  Tomorrow is her birthday dinner - we'll be enjoying chicken pockets.  Saturday Baird's taking her to get a mouthpiece for her newly-acquired tenor saxophone.  Next week, Baird, Kelsey and Erin will be going out for sushi.  On February 16th, Kelsey, Charlie and Baird will be heading down to Jazz Showcase to hear live jazz featuring the saxophone.  See?  I wasn't kidding when I said this celebration is being strung out over several days!

Happy birthday, Kelsey!  You're 16 and you're beautiful!

Ready to Move On

This is the view out my front porch:

This is how I feel about it:

'Nuf said.

Learning How to Huskie

Tonight Erin joined hundreds of incoming freshmen at Oak Park-River Forest High School for Open House Night.  Every extra-curricular and co-curricular activity at OPRF had a table or booth so the almost-high schoolers could get a feel for what types of activities they could join.  There was everything from Chemistry Club to Students for Peace and Justice to Cross County and Ping Pong.  With thousands of people threading their way around the cafeteria, gym, and surrounding hallways, it could have felt a bit overwhelming.  Actually, it was loads of fun.

Erin and I never walked for more than a minute without running into someone we knew.  Erin saw friends she played soccer with years ago.  Her old ice skating buddies who attend the other middle school were there.  We came across neighborhood friends and acquaintances.  There was an expectant feeling of excitement in the air, as the Class of 2015 took one more step toward becoming Huskies.

While we were at the Huskie logo wear booth, I saw these t-shirts, and I just had to get one for Erin:

The shirts are a nod to the video some students shot earlier this fall to boost school spirit:

Next on the agenda:  meeting with the guidance counsellor for final course selection tomorrow night.  Yea, Erin's learning how to Huskie, and she's loving every minute of it!