Tri, Tri, Triathlon

Brad and I headed north Wednesday night for an extended four day weekend, and to enjoy some time off before Brad prepared for his 2nd ever triathlon at Crystal Lake on Sunday. I must admit, it was really, really nice to get some time away. As usual, I don't have the faintest idea how to write about everything we saw, did, and ate, but I'll try to cover the highlights. I am also thankful the weather was so beautiful the entire time, and only wish now that all 4 day weekends could be equally as awesome!
Our up north trip started off Thursday with much-needed together time. We slept-in until we couldn't sleep any more, then Brad and I spent the day shopping in Frankfort and Traverse City. I had never been shopping in "actual" downtown Traverse City, and boy was it cute! My head whipped around from store to store, trying to take it all in. Definitely someplace I want to go back to. On this particular trip though, Brad was on a mission to find some new golf wedges, so any hardcore shopping was left for next time. We did stumble upon a cute little place to eat some dinner though!

"Hamburgs" actually exist (The Shuberg's apparently didn't make them up)Typical diner lookDelicious root beer float for BradCrunchy and delicious burgers for the two of us

After dinner, we hit up North Bar Lake; someplace I've been bugging Brad to take me for quite a long time. North Bar is near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and has an outlet to Lake Michigan. It also means, because it's an inland lake, that it's much warmer than Lake Michigan. Which is good for my cold little toes!

North Bar Lake as seen from Pierce-Stocking overlookArtsy fartsy shadowsWarm water post-swimming faces

Friday was more relaxing time for me, as Brad trained a bit more for his tri, and Patty (Brad's mom) and I headed to Pierce Stocking for a nice hike and drive.

Shadowy hike

Beautiful blue lake Michigan and dunes

After the hike, we headed to Glen Arbor for some wine tasting at Cherry Republic and shopping.

Cherry RepublicApples schmapples (for you Steph!)Tasting deliciousness

To close out the evening, Patty and I headed to Dinghy's in Frankfort for the famous Friday night fish fry. I don't have any pictures from Dinghy's, but seriously, BEST dinner ever (even in spite of the 1 hour 20 minute wait). All you can eat perch or cod, with a roll, choice of potato, and cole slaw. And this cole slaw, let me tell you. I really don't like cole slaw that much, but this stuff is legendary. I don't know what kind of crack they're putting in it, but I'm always left wanting more. Why does Dinghy's not deliver to Ann Arbor?
Saturday was the big Frankfort art fair, book sale, and farmer's market. I woke up early, and managed to hit all three, but also managed to forget my camera. Doh! The rest of the day was spent quietly by the beach; swimming and reading (I finally finished the silly Twilight series!) before helping cook some tasty pre-tri dinner and polishing it off with some Dole-Whip. More on that tradition some other time.

Yummy fresh tomato salad

Finally, Sunday I woke up with Brad bright and early to go cheer him on for his Triathlon. Have I mentioned how proud of him I am? I can't wake my ass up early enough just to run, let alone swim 1/2 a mile, bike 16 miles, then run for another 4. My mister is seriously amazing, and even if he were the last person to finish (which he was not thankfully), I still would be impressed beyond belief. Just being able to cross that line is an accomplishment I'll never be able to reach!

Swimmers take your markTransitioningNearing the finish line

What the Jive?

Quick post from Northern Country:
So much is going on up here that I don't have time to write about it all, but I wanted to post about one quick funny thing. Yesterday while out shopping in Frankfort, Brad and I discovered these Reef "Dram" sandals. In case you can't tell, the sandals have a built-in flask in the foot. Seriously? Alcohol in your footwear? They won't make it past airport security, but I can't tell whether this is a silly idea, or quite possibly the best idea ever. Thoughts?

Taco Flavored Kisses

Taco's (or my and Brad's version; almost a chalupa) is a silly thing to write a recipe for. I actually debated about posting this for quite a while. Mostly because this seasoning recipe makes the best chicken tacos ever, and by sharing it, I can no longer wow guests with my awesome factor. Ah, well. I guess there's a price to pay for sharing my culinary secrets.
First, all fabulous taco "fix-in's" should be assembled and prepared. I use Old El Paso super stuffer corn shells, medium sized flour tortillas, veggie refried beans, Spanish-style rice, pickled jalapeños, sweet 100 grape tomatoes (halved), avocado, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. I usually cook the rice, the beans, and bake the taco shells while Brad ends up preparing the chicken. So onto the chicken and seasonings.

Taco Seasoning:
1 Tbsp Flour
1 tsp Chili powder
1 tsp Paprika
3/4 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Minced onion
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp Garlic powder
1/4 tsp Sugar
1/8 tsp Ground oregano

• Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
  
• Meanwhile, cook and prepare chicken breast meat to desired doneness, then shred. This part totally lends itself to buying a precooked chicken at the grocery store, and just shredding the meat once you get it home. And don't believe for a second that I don't do that almost everytime I make these.
• In large skillet, sautee about 1 pound of shredded chicken meat just until heated throughout.
• Add spices & seasonings and 2/3 cup water; mix thoroughly.
• Bring to a boil: reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  

This doesn't exactly look like the most appetizing thing (especially in this photograph) once it's done, but trust me, it tastes fab-u-lous.Then prepare your tacos like a lady:

Make a chalupa shellAdd chicken and cheeseNext add jalapeños, rice and sour cream

Then avocado and tomatoesLettuce is the final touch

Ben......oh Ben.
I need to make a run for the border.
Do you remember what I want to order?
Three tacos, two tostadas, and a soda pop.
(P.S. Watch the South Park episode, hilarious)

28 is GREAT

This one goes out toooooo the one I love....My dear Seth turns 28 today. I couldn't think of a more fitting roast of this milestone than to blog about him. So now each of you gets to read about the wonder that is one of my oldest and dearest friends.Seth and I met way back in the day, late August 1998. That means I've known him for 10 years this month. 10 years! It's weird to think that I've known Seth the same amount of time that I've known my husband (more than 1/3 of my life!). But then again, I can't imagine what it would be like without either of them in my life. In fact, I don't even want to.
Anyhow, back to how Seth and I met. By some resident hall miracle, we were privileged enough to live across the hall from each other in Alice Lloyd (4th floor Angell) at U of M. I quite honestly don't remember that much about him when he moved in (all I really recall is how awesome his bed was; he had soft jersey sheets and an egg crate mattress topper!), but I won't ever forget our friendship that developed. To think it all started with letters filled with cash from Mama Frankel! (Those letters were some of my fondest memories of my frosh year of college - seriously).
We have seen good times (there are too many to list: highlights might include drunken TEP and Delta Sigma frat parties, Absolut Vodka MIP night, living in Melrose Place squalor and breaking mirrors in the alley, anything Good Time Charley's, Millennium fireworks in NYC, graduation "ass" cake) we've seen bad times (crying after falling down the creepy crawler Colorado mountain, break-ups and separations galore), and we've certainly seen plenty of annoying times (SCORE!, enduring 500 rounds of Eminem on the car ride to NYC from Jersey, "Look Lis, it's the Empire State building," Crocodile Rock) but through it all, we've managed to maintain our friendship. Things got dicey at times and we didn't speak as often (mostly because I had a quarter-life crisis), but I'm so happy to consider Seth as one of my few and far between loyal friends. I heart you Seth!
So here's to you hot stuff, on your fabulous 28th. You're looking more and more like the stud muffin that you really are every day you get older, and I can't wait until we can celebrate another 10 years of flirting and friendship (oh yeah, and other important life stuff, like birthdays/promotions/marriages/babies and so forth).

How's that for a smushy ooshy gushy girly post? I know you love them so dearly.

Happy Birthday!!!P.S. Birthday brownies AND cookies?

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Things have been crazy around here lately. I'm moving from day to day, evening to evening, filled to the brim with things to do, people to see, and an ever-more increasing list of stuff to catch up on. It doesn't seem to be just me. Summer is busy! I can always use a reprieve from all the craziness though, and Birgit needed some cheering up due to some of life's bad Karma that's been thrown her way recently, so I decided we needed a break. A restful one! Sunday I employed the help of my pilot dad, and we up and left town to accomplish just that.

My dad picked Birgit and I up at the Ann Arbor Airport Sunday morning for a day trip to Oscoda, MI. The plan was to leave A^2 early, fly to Oscoda-Wurtsmith, grab a quick ride to my grandma's place, spend the day relaxing and lying beachside, then return after a pizza dinner. The plan would have been great; had the weather cooperated! I didn't anticipate 68 degree F overcast weather, and furthermore didn't anticipate what sporadic rain would mean for my flight! Thankfully my dad is a good pilot, and I trust him with my life, because otherwise there were a few points where I would have been rather scared.

Dad readies the plane

Birgit readies herself for her first small aircraft flightSunflower field from above. Crazy.We've arrived alive to Oscoda

Even though the weather was crappy, I decided the water was just simply going to have to be warm enough, because I had to go swimming. Especially with the waves on Lake Huron being better than I had remembered in something like the last 10 years (the one benefit of silly weather). There was no way I was missing out on that! Birgit enjoyed the comfort of the couch (and some naps) while I embarked upon my crazy swimming adventure.

Giant waves wash me ashoreHappy Beach faces despite the crazy weatherOminous clouds won't ruin our return flightWe might even see a rainbow after a rainy landing!

The time we spent on the beach (albeit missing the sun) and in the cottage was cozy and relaxing. It was a much needed break, and an extremely nice adventure. Thank you dad, for such a wonderful time. I'm sure neither of us could turn down the promise of a return visit. :-)

Smiling faces after a successful return flight home

In the Kitchen again...

I've been so busy lately, and frankly, haven't felt much like cooking when it's been so humid the last few days in MI. But tonight after a swim cooled me down, I decided I was just too hungry not to cook. My garden was also in need of thinning it's bounty, so I tried to incorporate fresh things I had on hand. Turns out I ended up with two dishes: Herb potatoes (to go along with my Talapia from the freezer) and Ditalini ala Capri. I think I've talked about Ditalini ala Capri before (I practically live on it), but thought tonight I would actually post instructions. Lucky you!
First, the herb potatoes. There's not really that much of a recipe per say. I take medium red potatoes (8-10) and cut them into about 1/2-1" dice. Then I chop up whatever herbs I can find in my garden. Tonight that included thyme (thanks Kristal!), oregano, parsley, and chives. I would say after all the herbs are chopped it's about 1/2 cup total. Then I just get a big bowl, put in the potatoes, herbs, 1/4 cup olive oil (I just guess on this), kosher salt, pepper, and mix it all up. Then I lay it out flat on a sheet pan.I bake the mess in a 425F oven for 45 minutes. Somehow, it manages to turn out perfect every time. It's especially good the next day for breakfast. And don't forget the ketsup.Now on to the Ditalini. My recipe is actually a variant of the one I found here after watching Everyday Italian (which I'm a die hard fan of; I heart you Giada). I use Ditalini noodles instead of Fusilli (I just can't seem to get on board with fusilli) and I add onion, just because I like it. Anywho, first I boil the pasta water (seriously people make sure you REALLY salt your pasta water; I can't stress enough what an important cooking tip this is for delicious tasting pasta), while I'm chopping up all the goods. I use one really small sweet-type onion (got mine at the farmer's market), 3 cloves of garlic minced, about 20 big basil leaves, and I didn't have enough mozzarella and tomatoes (my tomato's are just now getting ripe), but just guess based on what you have on hand.So here's where things get cooking. Saute the onions and garlic with 3 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Probably two minutes.Then add the halfed tomatoes, and cook for another 2-3 minutes (mostly until they look like they might start to squish easily)Now mash your tomatoes up with a potato smasher. This part is fun! Keep stirring occasionally.Next dump in the cooked pasta* and the chopped basil. *Drain the pasta, but make sure to reserve the pasta water; you need it in the next step. Stir and remove from the heat. Add in about 1/4 cup of pasta water at a time, until the dish is kinda moist looking. Not wet, but like there is a light sauce.
Finally, once the pasta is mostly cool, add the chopped mozzarella and stir to combine.I'm fairly impatient, and I never wait long enough for my pasta to cool, so my mozza ends up getting all melty. I happen to like it that way, but not everyone does.Enjoy, and don't forget to cook how you want (like while drinking a bottle of vinho verde like I do)!

The Lady Lisa Book of Awesomeness

This weekend I spent a whole lot of time working on a project I've talked about doing for years. It's a simple thing, but took a lot on my part to conceptualize, and all these years I'd get started, not like where I was headed, stop working on it, and the project would eventually be put on permanent hold. Well this weekend it was hold no longer. I was getting this baby done.
The project started with a pile of magazines. I heart magazines. I find them full of useful information, (especially my Food & Wine) but I also find them full of increasingly annoying ads, and I hate having piles of magazines laying around my house. So I decided that every time I got a magazine (or catalog) in the mail, I would read it, immediately cut out articles or things I found interesting, then recycle the magazine. That way my house doesn't end up cluttered. Well the problem was obviously, now what do I do with all these scraps of articles I've saved forever? I needed some way to organize them.
At first I had purchased blank sketch books, and just rubber cemented the articles in. I found I didn't like this method though, because the articles were never in an order I could find them, and I'd skip from a page about what jeans to buy for my body shape to a recipe for peanut butter cup brownies. Not exactly successful unless the jeans article catered to the increasing size of my rear end due to all the brownies I was eating. Next I tried those picture albums with the sticky stuff on one side and the clear cover on top. I tried arranging my articles in these, but found that the sticky looses it's stick over time, and frankly, they just weren't big enough pages because of the holes punched in the side. I had several articles that wouldn't fit unless I cut them to shreds, and that didn't exactly fit my purpose for quick and easy indexing.
So this weekend I think I finally got a plan. I bought a giant stack of black cardstock from Michael's, a huge box of clear 8 1/2 x 11 page protectors, 4 roles of double-stick tape, and went to work. I decided to paste the articles onto sheets of the cardstock, slide them into the page protectors, then divide them up according to sections with page dividers. The page dividers ended up causing me a problem that I still haven't solved, but I think the organization of the sections was much more important and the missing piece I really needed. I picked two major categories, and here they are.

For the Cooking/Recipe Category:

1. Appetizers
2. Beverages
3. Baked Goods
   
4. Soups/Salads/Sandwiches
5. Side Dishes
6. Pastas
7. Sauces and Salsa's
   
8. Main Dishes
9. Desserts
10. Food Knowledge
    

For the "Other Stuff" Category:

1. Style
2. Beauty
3. Organization/Cleaning
4. Decorating
5. Life Advice
6. Exercise
7. Medical/Health
8. Gift Ideas
9. Travel
   
10. Seasonal
11. Stuff for Kids
    

I might have to add new sections as I go, but for now, everything I've saved over the years seems to be fitting into one of these arenas. I still can't believe how long it took to finally get this done, but I'm really proud of what I ended up with. It's a book fit for a Lady!

Parisian Dreams

I seem to be full of posts lately. I actually didn't have any intention of posting anything today, but I had such a great evening, that I decided I needed to write about it. I got home from work today rather grumpy and with a fairly large headache after a long lunchtime walk in the heat with Kristal. I just wanted to snuggle up and take a nap with my Roni Roo, who is starting to recover slightly (a little less random eye movement today) but who still can barely walk to save his life. It's been a struggle. Anyway, I was feeling a bit down in the dumps, and I definately was in need of some love, or I knew I would end up in tears before the evening was over. Brad had to head to an appointment in Ann Arbor, so I spent the time he was gone lying around on the couch, trying to will myself better.
Upon Brad's return, I got a wonderful surprise!Somehow the man just always seems to know how to make me feel better. Smooches to you Mister, and your loving reactions to my many moods.
After smiles returned to my face, we decided to make pizza for dinner, drink some beers and watch one of my favorite movies, Ratatouille (since the Tigers were playing terrible). Pizza making with Brad is always fun, and we ended up with a delicious before and after.Then we sat down to watch the movie with some sleepy kitties.I know it sounds simple, but it was just an all around great evening, and was an important reminder of how I often need to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. So here's to taking it easy, and counting my blessings one day at a time.