Blog Party

This post is to welcome anyone popping over from the Ultimate Blog Party- and a re-introduction to anyone who has recently started checking out my blog. I started blogging this year in October. I am a Midwestern girl who has settled in the Windy City. I was married last May in England and have enjoyed a fantastic first year of married life with my husband Big Guy (he is big...really big 6'5" and 265lbs) and our tiny preppy puppy who just turned 3 this year.


I really love living in the city, but since we are thinking about starting a family starting next fall, we are looking for a house in the burbs...but not too far in the burbs!!!! We are looking at the towns just outside the city limits, but Chi-town is expensive and I have always had champagne taste with out the matching budget, so I need to try to keep things in perspective. Thinking about the house I could have if someone gave me a million dollars is not productive. So if you are new to the blog I am glad to have you, and if you have been reading for a while then hi again! I am glad you're back. A few of my blog friends are recently back from vacation- so i would like to say welcome back to them. Today I wanted to do a montage of some of my favorite kinds of Posts.

J. Crew Coveted Outfit of the Day

5 Random things about me

1. I love Navy and White together- I think it is classic preppy and always looks chic- sort of like black and white with a preppy kick.

2. I love to cook. I am really excited about Top Chef Chicago and love trying new recipes and restaurants to get ideas. I also like cooking with exotic ingredients and food I have never tried before. I have a very supportive husband who loves my food and enjoys my culinary experiences

3. I don't have my ears pierced...or any other piercings or tattoos or anything like that. I have a fear of needles and never thought earrings fit my style. Now that I am nearing 30, I find myself longing for a pair pf pearl studs and diamond studs....wondering if I should reconsider....

4. My grandmother is one of the most chic women I know... or she was in her day... She is the one who told me about the Plaza in New York, and Burberry in London, I am the only person I know who routinely says-- I found this in my grandmother's closet...She has been generous enough to pass down her mink coat, her china and countless fantastic pairs of pants, blouses and coats that she doesn't wear anymore. She lives in Florida now on an Island called Longboat Key, and my parents bought a place right next door, so I have a free family vacation whenever I can get away for the weekend (which is sadly not often enough!!)

5. I am slightly nutty and have more than my fair share of quirks. I am afraid of lunch meats---especially ham...I don't like to touch them let alone eat them. I hate revolving doors and try to avoid them...I don't like touching the glass, they are heavy and just seem to take a lot of time. Plus one time I got nervous and like jump rope at the playground..I jumped in too early and ended up behind someone in the same compartment. I tried to act like I wasn't there but it was really embarrassing and I thing the girl was terrified I was a nutjob. I am also afraid of spiders, butterflies, sharks, mice, rats, cats that I don't know, random men walking on the street and clowns.

Fantastic Recipe

I made this up with some inspiration from similar recipes that I saw on the foodnetwork. I have made it a million times... It is insanely fast and easy and is a huge crowd pleaser! Plus you don't have to measure anything and it is really a rustic meal that you can customize to your own taste. I hope you enjoy! (the picture is courtesy of http://cookalmostanything.blogspot.com/2007/10/presto-pasta-night-35.html and isn't the recipe exactly but I wanted to show you what the pasta looked like)

Orecchiette with Greens and Tomatoes

Ingredients:

Orecchiette

Garlic salt (a few shakes)

1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Two handfuls of cherry or grape tomatoes

Half a bag or 4 large handfuls of arugula or spinach

2 ladles of reserved pasta water—can be set aside just before straining pasta


Cook orecchiette according to package instructions- make sure to add salt to the water at some point to season the pasta. (make sure to reserve about 2 ladles of the pasta water when draining)

Meanwhile, in a large serving dish, layer ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, two handfuls of halved cherry or grape tomatoes, garlic salt to taste, and about 4 large handfuls of spinach or arugula.

When the pasta is cooked al dente and you have reserved the two ladle-fuls of pasta water- drain the pasta and pour directly into the bowl that contains the greens, cheese and tomatoes. The pasta should rest directly on top of the greens layer. Then ladle the pasta water over the top and toss to incorporate. The heat of the pasta will wilt the greens and the water will combine with the cheese and garlic salt and tomatoes to make a light sauce. Add salt pepper and additional cheese to taste and enjoy! This is such an easy spur of the moment meal and it really tastes fantastic!

So that is kinda what my blog is usually about.... I also talk about stores I like, interior design, my house hunt, crafts, learning to sew, marriage, and anything else that comes across my mind. I hope you come back and I hope you enjoyed my mini introduction to Midwest Prep!