Dizzy Kitty

They say bad news comes in three's. I've hit two today, so I sit here typing this...waiting. Hit me with your best shot bad news! I can take it. I'm a whole new woman these days. :-) My first bad news of the day, was about Birgit's mom. I won't go into details, but things don't look good for her mama health-wise, and I'm sending all my good thoughts and prayers her way. It feels good to let people know you care, even if there really isn't anything you can do (although I am a fabulous box of kleenex sometimes). Call me a voodoo believer or what have you, but I do think everything happens for a reason, and we just have yet to find the reason in this situation. I Love you Birg, and I hope you're dealing with everything the best you can. You know where to find me when you need me.
Next, as I sat down to read Seth's most fabulous essay (he's going to be published! Well sorta, the essay's from his class will be published in a book; you can bet I'll be one of the first in line to buy it when it's out, and I will indeed, make Seth autograph my copy) Brad let me know that my cat was acting rather odd. In fact, quite odd. So odd that he wanted me to call the vet immediately and make an appointment.
So after I stop freaking out a bit and tried to get a hold of the vet, they told me to bring Pepper (aka Roni, Roo, etc) in as soon as I could. They were concerned about some form of toxic ingestion based on the symptoms I was describing. Of course this naturally freaked me out more, I picked up and just left work, and I panicked all the way down US-23 doing 90 mph.
After we both got to the vet, and awesome Dr. Frye checked Pepper out, we at least got our bad news with a swift dose of good. Turns out he has Vestibular Disease. The good part of that, is that it goes away on it's own, the disease is totally random and entirely not contagious, and my Roo will live. The bad news, is that he looks so sad right now! Vestibular disease is kind of like having intensely bad vertigo, and my kitty's head tilts to the left, he's got crazy horizontal random eye movement, he can barely stand or walk, and he just looks miserable. Like he's having a seizure. It's also supposed to take almost an entire month for him to return to normal. Especially scary for an overprotective cat mom like myself! But we're both dealing the best we can, and we did get in a quick cat nap this afternoon all snuggly together. Here's to hoping my Roo is back on the road to recovery soon!

Ambivalence

Today I got to thinking about my love/hate relationship with food. I watched a documentary last night called Sandwiches You Will Like. It started off fair enough, descriptions of places, local lore about how certain sandwiches developed, interviews with people who eat them, etc. Some sounded delicious, like the muffaletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans and corned beef and pastrami from Katz's down on the lower east side in NYC (speaking of NYC, I'm dreaming of Gray's Papaya as I write this...I'll see you in October!!). But then there were some things that sounded just entirely unappealing to me. In fact, downright disgusting. For example, a loose meat sandwich called "the special" slapped on a white bun (essentially a sloppy joe without the sauce from what I can gather) and placed in a pie plate, where you are given a spoon with which to scoop up the leftovers. Gross. The other real winner was a sandwich (of sorts) from St. Louis called the "hot brown." If the name doesn't do enough to repel you, please, let me describe. It's toasted corners of white bread, piled high with severely thick slices of turkey, weighed down with tons of bechamel sauce, then topped with bacon and cheese. The whole thing is then thrown in the oven to bake until golden and bubbly.
I know some people may find these things appealing. Given my love of most things edible, I do understand that I have tastes for things that others might find less than stellar themselves. I really can't knock on other people for it; I mean after all, who am I to judge what you put in your mouth? But it did get me thinking about all the things that simply don't sit well with my umami, and I composed a list of my personal abhorrence's. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Creamed Spinach
2. Natto maki rolls
3. Any form of liver, especially foie gras and any form of liver sausage
   
4. Cheese filled sausages or hot dogs
5. Beets
6. Egg Nog
7. Fat on any part of cooked meat (just call me Jack sprat)
8. Ambrosia (that Jello salad with marshmallows and fruit in it)
9. Tapioca pudding
10. Bubble tea
11. Cooked peas
12. Broccoli salad (that one with broccoli and nuts and mayo and other random stuff)
13. Fava and kidney beans
14. Cream of Wheat and grits
15. Pulp in juice
16. Barley
17. Brussel sprouts

It's obviously not a complete list, and given more time, I'm sure I could come up with plenty of other foods that I simply do not find appealing (I also left off the most obvious things to me, including any sort of brain, testicle, tongue, and so forth). Mostly my issues with the foods above are texture related. There are just some textures that I can't seem to stomach. There's no rhyme or reason for it, especially considering my love for slimy things like eggs over easy and oysters. What foods make you crazy?
On a more positive note though, thinking about all these foods got me back in the kitchen. I've had a yellow squash Kristal gave me from her garden that I've been meaning to do something with for over a week now. I'm not typically a squash person, but I consulted Vegetable Love by Barbara Kafka, and settled on a pan cooked summer buttered zucchini and yellow squash dish. I sauteed the zucchini in ~1 Tbsp of butter for about 8 minutes (stirring pretty consistently) on medium heat, threw in some kosher salt near the end, and ta da!I do love some fresh local food.

Fright Nite

A quick update about Stephanie's surprise 30th birthday party last night. Since Stephanie loves horror films/halloween so much, she arrived to the party all dressed up to the nines, while the rest of us arrived as zombie-folk. It was an interesting party, considering it's the first time I've been part of a "theme." Kristal and I went as medical personnel (easy costume to create given my access to such things), and we had a great time getting ready.

Kristal made brains to go with her Zombie lookI practice my best dead face

Open chest cavity cakePrincess Stephanie and the Zombie crew

I think Steph enjoyed herself, and I know I certainly did. Rachel and Don threw a great party, complete with a projector playing horror films (including one specially made Birthday horror film just for Stephanie) and movie themed foods! Hot dogs, nachos with cheese and jalapeños, popcorn, candy, and of course beer. I can't wait until you turn 40 Steph!

Bowl-O-rama

Tonight I did something crazy. And scary. And totally out of character. I went bowling! Brad and I joined a bowling league that the Birgles so graciously put together. I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. What if it's not fun? What if Brad hates it? You see, Brad has never bowled before. That's right, never. Not when he was little at bumper bowling parties, nor in high school when there was nothing else to do. Not ever. Now granted, we do play a lot of Wii bowling. But this is the big leagues baby! Real heavy balls, sexy tri-colored shoes, and smoky alley's full of cheap beer and even cheaper furnishings. Up until tonight, Brad has gone 28 years without knowing firsthand about any of this. For so long he's been "that guy," the guy who hasn't been bowling. Was he ready to lose that title? Oh you can bet your bowling ball he was...

Brad tries on his sexy shoes,And sends the ball on an inaugural first throw!Steph and I have sexy shoes tooBowlers get ready to rumbleBirgles after a solid strikeKristal and I build our bowling muscles

I have to say, the night was a blast. Bowling league (or reserved lanes set on league play if you will) is one of those dorky, yet necessary things in your married life. It was a good time spend with friends, despite my terrible scores, and I'm really looking for forward to improvement over the next 12 weeks. And best of all, I think Brad's best score of the evening was a 116; much better than my 84! Till next time...

Awwww, the Zawacki's are bowlers!

Grampa, You Look Funny

I had a fun filled family weekend (say that three times fast). Brad and I headed up north Friday night to my grandma's place on Lake Huron, right off of US 23. It's a place I remember fondly from my childhood years. One of those places that never changes. Granted, the place has changed somewhat physically (new kitchen, new floors, new windows, etc), but in general, it feels the same way it's always felt since I was three years old. Even despite it now being ivory vinyl siding when it was painted red all those years (I still give my grandmother crap about this recent change..."but grandma, your house is RED!) This weekend, I got to experience grandma's house for the 2nd annual Olivia Birthday weekend. I was joined by my dad, sister, brother, his daughter Olivia, his girlfriend Janeen, and her son Chase.
Friday night was spent playing cards (Oh, Hell and Rummy) until all hours of the morning. I forgot that now that my brother and sister are all grown up, they kind of act like grown-ups too, and they can actually be fun to hang out with. Granted, I'm still having issues with the fact that I'm not really able to boss them around any longer like I used to, but I do try. :-) We had some beers, shared some old time stories, watched my brother jump in the lake after dark, and were generally merry after the kids went to bed.
Saturday morning we awoke to a particularly hazy day. The sky was overcast, the weather was impending thunderstorms, and it wasn't looking to be a friendly beach day. We made the best of it though, and after one of my dad's classic breakfasts with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast, and 4 lbs of room temperature butter, we all headed out on the deck to play with sand toys, blow up the trampoline/water slide, and spend the day being lazy. Olivia got to open all her presents for her 5th birthday outdoors, and she was enamored with most of them. We didn't have a cake or cupcakes for her to blow out candles, but it was still a birthday celebration all the same.

In the evening, after visits from the flying licorice fairy and classic Papa Frede (he sadly passed away almost 10 years ago now; still miss and love you Grandpa!) rock n' rye ice cream floats, I got Olivia and Chase to play with some glow in the dark bracelets I picked up for Olivia's Birthday. Who knew a $1 impulse purchase from Michael's would keep these kids entertained for hours? They even took them to bed to sleep with. Note to self; go buy more of these bracelets and keep on hand for kids!

Silly kids with a funny looking GrampaGlow sticks in the dark!Chase has rock n' rye float all over his face

Finally, Sunday found half the house sleeping-in like bums, and the other half up almost early enough for sunrise. Brad woke up early to go golfing, so I spent the morning chatting with my dad and grandma until the rest of the house finally got up around 10:30. We had another big breakfast (this time pancakes and sausage for the young ones; much loved and remembered Grandma Frede eggs and muffins for me!), and then spent most of the morning indoors being silly, as the weather was once again, not cooperating. We went for one last walk on the beach before everyone had to pack up and go home. Luckily for me, I also got to finish a book in the morning while Brad was still at Lakewood Shores, and by the time he got back at 2:30 when everyone was getting ready to leave, the skies had cleared, the sun was out, and we got in one final swim. Woohoo for not having to leave early!I can't wait until next time. Thanks again grandma for all your hospitality, we love coming north to visit you!
P.S. It was seriously hot at the Art Fair this year; check out Stephanie's recount of our good times here.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Things just keep getting more and more exciting lately. I'm loving life, loving my friends, loving Ann Arbor, and smiling all the time! And why you ask? Well, I seem to be finally hitting a groove. I've got a great support network, good friends who care about my well being, and I'm finally doing all those things I've talked about doing forever! A few developments of note:

1. I'm joining a bowling league. It starts next Thursday, and man am I geeked. Sexy shoes, cheap beer specials, and meeting new people? What more can a girl ask for?
2. Birg and I decided on a Labor Day camping trip. The location is yet to be determined, but we're going camping. Yeah! I'm so excited to start playing with all my camping gear that's been hidden away since last year. Suggestions for awesome camping locations will be accepted.
3. Kristal helped me make flower arrangements, and they are gorgeous! That girl has some green thumbs I tell you. GREEN.
4. It's Fart Air week (that's Ann Arbor Art Fair to all you non-townies), and I'll be taking in the local madness by volunteering with Stephanie at the HSHV booth on Thursday from 6:30-9. Despite the sweltering heat that always accompanies art fair, it should be a good time. Come on out and say hello (our booth is right in front of Seva) if you're in the area!

I'm sure there is plenty more that I'm forgetting, but my calendar is filling up, I'm losing sleep, and I'm not at all upset about it. Yeah for 2008 and turning over a new leaf.

Celebration: Part Deux

Oy. I've got some catching up to do. Like most of my fellow bloggers out there, July posts are a difficult bunch. Between all the trips and nice weather (finally!) that Michigan has to offer, it seems super hard to find the time to do it all, then write about it on top of it. I might also be facing a wee bit of writers blog. Alas, I push forward.
This last weekend I helped Brad celebrate his birthday by throwing him a party. While our family and friends had a fun time with good food and good drinks alike, I forgot to take pictures once again! It's impossible to clean, and prepare, and host, and be camera person all at once. There's a reason you don't take pictures at your own wedding. :-) One funny thing I did happen to capture, was a certain foursome's (you know who you are) clever rearrangement of mini birthday cupcakes I made. I cannot seem to stop laughing about it. Good work guys.Once Birthday celebrations were over late into the morning hours on Sunday, I spent a totally lazy day catching up on reading, sleeping, eating leftovers, and watching movies. Wall-E was cute in that "man I do love Pixar" way, but I will admit I didn't think it was as funny or as spectacular as their movies past. What happened to the genius that was Monsters, Inc? I hope you Pixar people haven't lost all your creative freedom now that you're back with Disney.
Finally, Brad's actual birthday took place today, with a busy schedule of golfing for him, volunteering for me, then meeting up with Jay, Molly and Sylvie for some delicious La Fuente for dinner. Sylvie was pretty excited that there was "no rain, Aunt Isa" (last time she and I went to Fuente it poured, and she's not particularly fond of storms) and was even more excited about bouncing in Uncle Beez's truck afterward. I think Brad found it to be a pretty low key birthday, with no cake and candles pomp and circumstance, but after Saturday's celebration, I'm not sure he would have it any other way. Now we're headed up north to my grandma's this weekend for more celebrations of my niece Olivia's 5th birthday (which also happens to be today...Happy Birthday small fry!) with my family. Should be an interesting time, and I hope I can find some hours once I return to blog about it.

I've got my mind set on....currants

Just a quick post, to let you know about my bounty of goodness at the farmer's market this week. It was a doozy. Berries and cherries galore, beans, peas, potatoes, fresh onions, broccoli, early tomatoes, and breads all filled up my basket so that it was almost too heavy to drag back to work! The surprise purchase of the trip, was red currants. I did my "one thing that scares me per day" by buying them, because I've never eaten currants before. The lady only had one carton left on her stand, so they were calling my name right?I grabbed em up, having no idea what I would do with them. Turns out, I ran across a recipe for red currant and orange peel muffins on Steph's friend Sara's blog. They actually turned out pretty well.While the muffins were tasty, I think I've discovered that I just don't love currants all that much. I wished they were a bit less tart. Sort of like eating rhubarb, but without all the sugar that I put in my rhubarb cake. Next time I think I'll try the same recipe with blueberries and lemon peel.

Lessons in Locavorism

I spent a lot of the 4th of July weekend doing local stuff. Brad and I were at his parents summer home in Beulah, MI on Crystal Lake. We kicked off the weekend right, with Mexican food, guitar songs on the patio (striking renditions of Cheeseburger In Paradise and Blackbird) and delicious drinks at the bar Thursday night at The Roadhouse. I tried out something called the Sangria Swirl, which if I can figure out how to make it, will be my new favorite drink. It's basically Sangria (red wine stewed with citrus fruits, juices, brandy, and schnapps) poured over a frozen margarita. Here it is in all it's glory. I wish the picture captured more of the swirl.I didn't take many pictures of the festivities over the weekend (Brad's aunts and mom do all that for me), but there were highlights like the annual church lunch of a hot dog, chips, and a pop for $1, the downtown Beulah 4th of July parade, fireworks over the lake (a bit disappointing this year compared to years' past), the Beulah art fair, bike rides and morning runs around the lake, LOTS of beach time, dinner at Hungry Tummy, a visit to Empire and the Platte River, and various other things "up north." I think I'll avoid a daily play-by-play for fear of boring you, but will highlight local points of interest.
Although I say to myself every year that I'm going to go to the annual Cherry Festival in Traverse City, I somehow never seem to end up making it. The prospect of walking around in the hot sun in crowds of slow moving people reminds me a lot of the Ann Arbor Art Fair, and is generally not all too appealing and something I try to avoid (the slow people and sun, not the art). Anyhow, this year I got something close. At the smaller, quaint art fair in Beulah, I came across a photographer (Michael Thomas Impellizzeri) who takes nature photos, one of which included cherries in his own back yard! Of course I had a nice chat with him and snapped up a few of his featured works. Here's the cherries I'll hang in my kitchen (future "wall of deliciousness" project - stay tuned) and a picture of macaw feathers he took in Florida. I'm such a sucker for color.Sunday I took a visit to Empire, MI with my mother-in-law. The road trip came about as I was reading a book called From the Vine about local Michigan wineries in preparation for my wine tour in September. I came across a page about a chocolate shop in the heart of Empire, which I knew to be only about 15 minutes from Beulah. Since I seem to be in chocolate mode lately, what with the exhibit at Henry Ford and reading The Girl with No Shadow (sequel to Chocolat), I found it a must to check out, and Patty was happy to join me. And boy am I glad we visited. We spent a fair bit of time talking to Mimi, the owner of Grocer's Daughter Chocolates, and her chocolates are divine! I had a really hard time choosing which truffles to buy, and ended up with about a baker's dozen, which wasn't nearly as many as I wanted to try (Mimi had a lot of business over the weekend and was fresh out of a lot of things). I haven't eaten many yet, but the list of chocolates waiting in my fridge includes Basil, Thyme, rosemary, lavender, honey, pomegranate ginger, sea salt caramel, cardemom, mayan, arriba, raspberry, grand marnier, and espresso. Yummy. I can't wait to gobble them up with a nice glass of red wine.Finally, at a stop to two cute shops in Empire, I indulged in local culinary art and fulfilled my mini craving. I fell in love with this cute little painted bowl made by a local artist at the Secret Garden, and of course, had to have it to accompany my many white serving platters.Next we crossed the street to Imagine That, where I found some mini crayons. Here they are posed with the mini markers Brad gave me for Christmas last year, and an Oscar Meyer whistle I picked up recently at the Henry Ford.How cute is that? Extra point of note; Empire has a yearly asparagus festival in mid May. I simply MUST check this out next year; I love asparagus!

Meat in loaf form

I wanted to get in one evening of cooking before I head up north for the Forth of July weekend. Tonight's meal was Italian Meatloaf with roasted herb potatoes, steamed broccoli, and cherry mandarin salad with blush wine vinaigrette. I started off by preparing the meatloaf. You can find the recipe for it here at food network. I used happy meat that I got from the farmer's market, pecorino romano in place of the parmesean, and all fresh herbs from my garden! That part was very exciting. Here's a picture of the shaped loaf before the marinara sauce and baking. I shaped the loaf by hand; awesome right?The salad was a quick one I threw together of mixed romaine, sunflower shoots and fresh Michigan black cherries from the market, and mandarin orange segments. The blush vinaigrette was purchased, but is one of my favorites. You can find it here. It's also fantastic on a mixed green salad with fresh strawberries.The roasted herb potatoes were probably the crowning achievement of the evening. I scrubbed the mini potatoes clean, coated them with olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper, and then mixed in some chopped thyme, chives, oregano, and just a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. I placed them on a baking sheet and in a 375 F degree oven for about 30 minutes. They were righteous (even though Brad did coin them "goat turds").Yummy dinner!