I'm just not even sure where to begin. Where's the script for this one, Kell?
Almost one year ago today, on January 1st 2010 at 10:30am, I got in a fully packed Hannah Honda and drove across country with Big Toe from Los Angeles to Chicago. That sense of fearlessness and adventure was the highlight of my year and that same spirit, I know, will continue to help me create a lifetime of highlights and adventures I can't even begin to imagine. I've heard '2010 can suck it!' from so many people and while it's by far been the most emotional, most difficult of my life, there were also plenty of really beautiful moments and simple everyday memories that make me smile. It certainly has been the greatest adventure I've ever been on.
Having just re-labeled all of my blogs so recipes would be easier for people to find, I've had the opportunity to go back and really reflect on the past couple of years through those blogs. Knowing what was going on behind the scenes, what was going on in my heart, knowing 'what really happened during that visit'... Knowing how much joy and true girlish happiness I had experienced, and much later how much confusion and pain... I had forgotten so much.
While horribly bittersweet, as only the holidays can be, I was able to look back in hindsight with some clarity and love. I can barely recognize the girl who set off on her trip last year let alone the girl from two or three years ago. I LIVED this year. I risked, I bled, I loved. I gave everything I had. I gave up more than anyone should ever have to. I gave until there was literally nothing left but a new address. And in that nothingness, I found my myself again. I found a renewed spirit.
There were moments in these memories & backstories I wanted to stand up and applaud the adventurous girl who loved her heart out and did the best she could. And there were moments I wanted to lock away the monster, cloaked in desperation and despair, because the honest truths about her were too much to bare.
Last year New Year's was so much easier. Helloooo... A very real end in L.A. Roll the credits... And the truest of true beginnings in Chicago. This year, as the clock winds down, there have been no loose-end life experiences to tie up, no beautiful little surprise road trip packages to open. I still feel very much 'in it.' This transformation is still progressing onward and upward but definitely in its own sweet time.
What IS a recognizeable gift and fresh start to the New Year is the renewed hope and possibility I feel about the future. I'm ready. You can lose yourself pining for the past and lose your life waiting for the future. I choose instead to stay in the here and now, choosing joy and contentment in every momentary opportunity. I'm not sure what 2011 will hold in the 'life experiences' department. But I know if I continue to live in a fearless manner and continue to be really aware of who I am- my thoughts, my patterns, my behaviors, I will grow leaps and bounds in love, not to mention every other area of my life.
I can't look back in regret. I'm too freaking thankful for the good times. There was plenty of fun and laughter and wonderful memories in 2010- even the simple goofy moments shared that you take for granted. And I can't look back in sadness because of what this year is creating in me. I am sooo grateful for the opportunity to learn these lessons and for the choices that presented themselves, whether I chose wisely or poorly, that caused me to grow.
So my heart goes out in love... my glass is raised in joyful expectation. Here's to living fearlessly and to being the best versions of ourselves that we can be. Here's to loving others and ourselves without judgement, without pretense, forgiving those who were trying equally as hard to love and to do the right thing. Here's to letting go of our past hurts, habits and experiences, and forgiving ourselves for the harms that we've inflicted that have made us, or those around us, less than the dynamic individuals that God intended us to be. And here's to a New Year... where we get the opportunity and the choice to love ourselves, the shadows of our past, the angels of our future and the world around us with reckless abandon.
"A true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
And I do with all my heart.
Happy New Year, you crazy blog readers, you... Thanks for always letting me pour my heart out. And take naughty pictures of food.
Love & Magic Pennies,
Mandi
December 30, 2010
December 27, 2010
Christmas Week & Cheesecake Recipe
Despite the craziness of the season, it really was a beautiful Christmas. Knowing that I was again going to be away from my L.A. friends & family, knowing that V was going to Cali for nine days, knowing that I had no job to get to... I was very aware that I was going to be very alone this holiday season.
Now hold up, Argentina... I'm not looking for tears or pity here. I had a few offers of places to go and I knew BF was in town so its not like I was crying myself to sleep at night. I've actually been craving downtime like nobody's business and I just knew that God had me here for a reason.
One of those reasons being: The lesson of simplicity. In L.A. the holidays were always crazy. Feeding people, working 800 hours, being overwhelmed... It was a lot. I made it a lot. This year I've had no choice through Thanksgiving or Christmas to do anything but just be. BF and I had a really lovely Thanksgiving. We're both in the same 'life spot.' We bring zero stress to the table-- 'It's not allowed.' And it's been really, really lovely!!!
So here's how the week progressed... :)
Crust: (I usually just follow the recipe on any box of Graham Cracker Crumbs, but what I usually do is..)
1-1/2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 c sugar (I sometimes cut it to 2 T)
1/3 c melted butter
1 t Cinnamon
Combine until everything is moist, and then press this to cover the bottom and lower 1-1/2" of a 9" Greased Spring form pan. (I've taken to lining the pan with Aluminum foil just in case the pan leaks) I've had mixed results baking the crust before adding the filling, but usually just cook it enough to set it.
**Mandi's thoughts: I didn't prebake the crust for ten minutes like some cheesecake recipes call for. I just pressed it into the bottom & then added the filling on top. Turned out perfect!
Filling: (make sure all of the ingredients are room temp)
3- 8oz Pkgs Cream Cheese
1- 16 oz Sour Cream
1-1/4 c sugar
6- eggs, separated (you will only need 3 egg whites)
1 t Vanilla Extract
2 T Fresh Lemon Juice
1/3 c All Purpose Flour (sifted)
**Mandi's thoughts: It still tastes wonderful without the flour that you might forget to add... *cough*
(I've heard that over mixing can cause the cheesecake to "crack" (have faults in the surface) when it cools. For me it "cracks" either way, but it cracks less if I mix it at bare minimum, so you might want to experiment)
Mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time until combined. Add vanilla and lemon juice, and then the flour until everything is well mixed. Finally, beat the 3 egg whites into soft peaks and fold into the batter. (There is no need to be gentle folding the whites in. This isn't a souffle, you just want it to lighten up the cake so it doesn't become a brick.)
Pour the batter into Spring form pan with crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the oven off, crack the oven door, and let it sit in a cooling oven for another hour (minimum, although I usually let it sit for 2) then remove cake and put it in the refrigerator overnight. Viola!
Tips:
I usually place the spring form pan inside a roasting pan while it bakes, but NOT in a water bath. This catches anything that might leak out, but I find that it kind of buffers the cake as well. Also, you might try running a knife between the cake and pan after the initial 1 hour cooking, so that the walls don't stick, leaving you with a concave cake. I usually don't do the knife thing because I'm lazy and don't often have that problem with the cake, but I'll leave it up to you.)
**Mandi's thoughts: I did use a water bath and it turned out great. So either way works! :)
Now hold up, Argentina... I'm not looking for tears or pity here. I had a few offers of places to go and I knew BF was in town so its not like I was crying myself to sleep at night. I've actually been craving downtime like nobody's business and I just knew that God had me here for a reason.
One of those reasons being: The lesson of simplicity. In L.A. the holidays were always crazy. Feeding people, working 800 hours, being overwhelmed... It was a lot. I made it a lot. This year I've had no choice through Thanksgiving or Christmas to do anything but just be. BF and I had a really lovely Thanksgiving. We're both in the same 'life spot.' We bring zero stress to the table-- 'It's not allowed.' And it's been really, really lovely!!!
So here's how the week progressed... :)
It was my first 'White Christmas' in 12,000 years.
I could just die right now. :) :) :)
***Weird random factoid: 'Close Encounters' is playing on my computer right now. My Itunes music list is sooo random, lol... John Williams, though? Genius!!! Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaay...
I made a Chocolate Orange cake for Dr. Beth. Lots of December birthdays at the lab! Including Dr. Beth!!!
HAPPY DECEMBER 25TH BIRTHDAY TO DR. BETH!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU, MY FRIEND!!! :) :) :)
I had an interview Friday morning that got postponed to Monday (today) but only after I had arrived. (HA!) So instead I got to enjoy the city! I walked to Caribou Coffee, had some sugary delicious mint white chocolate coffee Christmas holiday in my mouth (I know, Sean- I know) and reflected on what I wanted to bring into 2011. It was PERFECT.
Then I walked all over the city. And look! It's Macy's. :)
I love that the big department stores still do stuff like this.
It's sooo pretty and just makes the city look so magical. :)
***Itunes update: 'That's When I'll Stop Loving You'- N'Sync. WOOOOOOW.
And loooook at these little shmoos in their red coats & black hats!!!
How adorable!! I want a red coat & black hat!!! :)
Then I did some holiday baking for my friend Sean's firestation.
TOTALLY made my Christmas to bake for these guys.
:) :) :)
Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Cupcakes
Mini pumpkin tarts.
At Susina Bakery they used to do these delicious tarts called 'Apple Fantes.' It was pastry dough, pastry cream and a few slice of apple. I basically did the same thing except I diced my apple and made mine with a crumble topping. Crumble topping girl right here! *raises hand*
And I'm always looking for ways to raise the ante and/or make it more fattening!
I made some Peanut Butter Marshmallow Brownies, Go Nuts Brownies and Oatmeal Carmelita Bars as well.
Then I think the favorite part of my YEAR happened:
Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones
The bakery I got fired from made Cheddar Chive Scones.
They were well and good but I knew how to make them better.
BACON, B*TCHES. ;)
I could take a bath in these.
It's a 'Bathtub Food,' if you will.
Then it was Christmas morning. I decided it was going to be all about 'Dolce Far Niente' as talked about in Eat, Pray, Love. The sweetness of doing nothing.
I woke up and lazily made myself a vanilla latte and some Doughnut Muffins.
There was no panic about dinner.
No set time BF was coming over.
No stress.Again, 'It's not allowed.'
***This is the part of the show where Ipod, Dingy Dongy and Tim laugh collectively at the stress I put myself under cooking for everyone at the holidays back in L.A and just HOW DIFFERENT this year was. In the words of John Connor, 'Are we learning yet?' :) ***
Then I opened my 'Christmas winnings.'
LOOK AT THIS FREAKING POSTCARD!!!
ARE THEY NOT THE FREAKIN' CUTEST PEOPLE
YOU'VE EVER SEEN!!!??? :) :) :)
Marie. Chris. Mess.
Merry Christmas.
They live thousands of miles away & they STILL make my day.
Chris is from Maine so OF COURSE they sent me this:
A FREAKIN' LOBSTER COOKIE CUTTER!!!!
Now I have no idea when the heck Lobster Day is but I tell you what...
I'LL BE READY.
(By the way, you flip that lobster around & it looks like... well, not like a lobster. It was a confusing 30 seconds of Bachelorette Party and 'Marie, what did you SEND me!!???' there for a moment. Lol... NICE.)
BF bought me some wonderful, delicious things to use as a way to pamper myself and just 'be with me.' We've been having discussions on self-esteem & what it means to really love yourself.
Right as I was thinking, 'How DO you fall in love with yourself? I'll have to ask BF what her thoughts are.' I opened Bf's gift. That Bf...
DAD. SLOW COOKER.
YEEEEEEEEES!!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSS!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!
WITH cookbook included.
AND it's a SOUTHERN LIVING cookbook.
Southern Living is THE SH*T of the online recipe world let me tell you.
EXCITED.
After skype-ing with my seesters (and making sure to annoy them as only I can with my annual rendition of 'Dominique the Donkey'), I made a cheesecake with my friend's recipe.
(YOU RULE, KURT! Thank you!!!) :)
Big Toe helped!
Not for too long, though. Once he realized there were snacks he totally petered out. We split the Christmas Heineken. (Green bottle= Christmas)
***Itunes Update: Oooh, Stereophonics 'Dakota' playing now... See? Random.
HEY, IT'S CHEESECAKE!!!
It's super light and delicious!
Makes you feel like you're eating dreamy cheese clouds.
I love dreamy cheese clouds.
And there is A LOT of dreamy cheese cloud left.
I need more friends!!!
Then BF came over later, we stuffed our pieholes with vegan fare and watched 'Love Actually.' (I HATE UNCLE JAMIE!!!) During which time, I went into sugar coma, felt 800% drunk and crashed on the couch while she did the dishes. I seriously could not move. SHE DID MY DISHES WHILE I PASSED OUT ON MY COUCH!!! She's the sh*t, I'm telling you what. Someone send her a lobster cutter!!!!
So, boys and girls... *sigh* It was a lovely, relaxing, wonderful and blessed day. :) I truly hope your Christmas was equally as joyful!!!
From Windy The Mixer, Big Toe and myself...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Love,
Mandi
Kurt's Amazing Fluffy Cloud Cheesecake
by: Amazing Kurt in his own words!
Crust: (I usually just follow the recipe on any box of Graham Cracker Crumbs, but what I usually do is..)
1-1/2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 c sugar (I sometimes cut it to 2 T)
1/3 c melted butter
1 t Cinnamon
Combine until everything is moist, and then press this to cover the bottom and lower 1-1/2" of a 9" Greased Spring form pan. (I've taken to lining the pan with Aluminum foil just in case the pan leaks) I've had mixed results baking the crust before adding the filling, but usually just cook it enough to set it.
**Mandi's thoughts: I didn't prebake the crust for ten minutes like some cheesecake recipes call for. I just pressed it into the bottom & then added the filling on top. Turned out perfect!
Filling: (make sure all of the ingredients are room temp)
3- 8oz Pkgs Cream Cheese
1- 16 oz Sour Cream
1-1/4 c sugar
6- eggs, separated (you will only need 3 egg whites)
1 t Vanilla Extract
2 T Fresh Lemon Juice
1/3 c All Purpose Flour (sifted)
**Mandi's thoughts: It still tastes wonderful without the flour that you might forget to add... *cough*
(I've heard that over mixing can cause the cheesecake to "crack" (have faults in the surface) when it cools. For me it "cracks" either way, but it cracks less if I mix it at bare minimum, so you might want to experiment)
Mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time until combined. Add vanilla and lemon juice, and then the flour until everything is well mixed. Finally, beat the 3 egg whites into soft peaks and fold into the batter. (There is no need to be gentle folding the whites in. This isn't a souffle, you just want it to lighten up the cake so it doesn't become a brick.)
Pour the batter into Spring form pan with crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the oven off, crack the oven door, and let it sit in a cooling oven for another hour (minimum, although I usually let it sit for 2) then remove cake and put it in the refrigerator overnight. Viola!
Tips:
I usually place the spring form pan inside a roasting pan while it bakes, but NOT in a water bath. This catches anything that might leak out, but I find that it kind of buffers the cake as well. Also, you might try running a knife between the cake and pan after the initial 1 hour cooking, so that the walls don't stick, leaving you with a concave cake. I usually don't do the knife thing because I'm lazy and don't often have that problem with the cake, but I'll leave it up to you.)
**Mandi's thoughts: I did use a water bath and it turned out great. So either way works! :)
December 26, 2010
Lessons In Commitment & Joy
I woke up this morning feeling horrendous. I had a headache, I was super dehydrated, I was in so much of a sugar hangover/coma I thought maybe I really had diabetes and I was dying. And I was panicked. My thought process:
"I have a list of things to do today-- I have to bake cookies for my mom, package & get brownies out to Ginny tomorrow, I have to shower and put on some make up because my face looks like someone put a pillow over it & sat on it all night. Oh yeah, FIND A JOB- right!! Balance your checkbook to see how long you have before sh*t hits the you know what, find a 2011 calendar, see if you can miraculously afford to send mom a birthday present, make New Year's Eve cards for friends & family, clean the bathroom before V gets back from California, research whether Chrome-6 is really in Chicago water because I DON'T want to have eight headed babies, fix your life, find peace, happiness and joy even if it KILLS YOU!!! AHHHH!!!!"
I drank a huge glass of water and took two Excedrin. And then... *breathe*... I remembered it was Sunday...
One of the many beautiful blessings about being fired (Oh yeah, I got fired last week!) is that I have my Sundays free again. When I made my list about what I'm bringing into my life a month ago- spirituality, knowing God and meditation were high on the list. So when I got fired, the first thing I thought is 'AWESOME!! Of course I did!! Now I can go to Bodhi Spiritual Center services.' While today didn't work out because the service had already started by the time I got up, it helped me to remember COMMITMENT.
There's a quote either by Gerta or Goethe (both have been credited) that says, "At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you." Meaning... when we show the universe or God that we really mean business, it/He wants to help out. It's like searching for investors for a business. Who wants to hand over a check of money to a person who doesn't believe in themselves or in a person that has no vision? Who hasn't taken steps to break ground? You can't just have the idea. You can't just have the passion. You have to live and believe it. You have to say yes and take steps forward.
I guess for my more biblical friends it's the idea of 'God helps those that help themseves.' Or for Sylvester Stallone fans, his quote in 'Over the Top', "The world meets no one half way. If you want it, you've got to take it." Awww yeah. ;)
But the universe/God DOES meet us when it sees we've committed because we've begun to bring these things into our lives. Another quote about this process:
"Visioning is a process by which we train ourselves to be able to hear, feel, see, and catch God's plan for our life or for any particular project we're working on. An organic process that has evolved for me as I grow spiritually, it is based on the idea that we're not here to tell God what to do or to ask God for things but to absolutely be available for what God is already doing, to open ourselves up to catch what's already happening.” –Michael Bernard Beckwith
I was very much reminded of that today. Even making the effort to look up services for Bodhi, dissolved my panic into excitement and peace. Suddenly I remembered all of the homemade posters I have on my wall (It's like 'The Secret' barfed all over my room!) of what I'm bringing into my life: spirituality, yoga, a successful business, acting/comedy, poker, travel, singing, and a few others... I remember that 2011 (or the past three months or right now) is going to be an amazing year full of joy and transformation because I'm deciding on a momentary basis to take the steps to make that happen.
I saw the life I want to create for myself and was able to picture it and imagine it. I was able to believe it was going to happen because it IS happening. The headache is gone... the panic and desperation are gone...
I realized today is the day after Christmas. It shouldn't be ugly. It should be a lazy day full of beauty and gratitude. I didn't allow yesterday to be anything other than what I wanted it to be, so why would I make today into a firestorm of panic? Then I realized TODAY is Christmas. And so is tomorrow? EVERY day is Christmas!!! Christmas is RIGHT NOW!! Holy crap!!! :)
And it's amazing... when I got out of panic & desperation mode, my mind was clear and my heart was full. A friend texted me to wish me a belated Christmas and I was in such a state of peace and joy about my life I had the clarity of heart and mind to focus on her. It allowed me to remember how awesome SHE is and to encourage her in her pursuits. Because I was able to believe magical things for myself, I was able to believe them for her. I sent her some encouragment and apparently she really needed it. I didn't say anything I hadn't said to her before but again, after making the commitment to myself, God allowed me to catch on & be a part of the ride for her. It was just such a beautiful lightbulb moment. How magical a lesson... Had I stayed in that place of darkness and confusion, I wouldn't have thought to encourage my friend. What a tragedy that would have been had I missed it...
And I truly hope any of this makes sense & I'm not just babbling. :)
In the immortal words of the Muppets, "It's true wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas." So that's my encouragment to you today and the reminder to myself. Today is Christmas. (Unless it's Hanukkah...cause it could also be Hanukkah!!!) :) Stay committed to the good stuff of life: love, joy, gratitude, hope, commitment, belief, etc. It reaps amazing, beautiful things for yourself and for those around you.
Here's to saying yes to the highest vision we have for ourselves in 2011!!
Love,
MandiC.
"I have a list of things to do today-- I have to bake cookies for my mom, package & get brownies out to Ginny tomorrow, I have to shower and put on some make up because my face looks like someone put a pillow over it & sat on it all night. Oh yeah, FIND A JOB- right!! Balance your checkbook to see how long you have before sh*t hits the you know what, find a 2011 calendar, see if you can miraculously afford to send mom a birthday present, make New Year's Eve cards for friends & family, clean the bathroom before V gets back from California, research whether Chrome-6 is really in Chicago water because I DON'T want to have eight headed babies, fix your life, find peace, happiness and joy even if it KILLS YOU!!! AHHHH!!!!"
I drank a huge glass of water and took two Excedrin. And then... *breathe*... I remembered it was Sunday...
One of the many beautiful blessings about being fired (Oh yeah, I got fired last week!) is that I have my Sundays free again. When I made my list about what I'm bringing into my life a month ago- spirituality, knowing God and meditation were high on the list. So when I got fired, the first thing I thought is 'AWESOME!! Of course I did!! Now I can go to Bodhi Spiritual Center services.' While today didn't work out because the service had already started by the time I got up, it helped me to remember COMMITMENT.
There's a quote either by Gerta or Goethe (both have been credited) that says, "At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you." Meaning... when we show the universe or God that we really mean business, it/He wants to help out. It's like searching for investors for a business. Who wants to hand over a check of money to a person who doesn't believe in themselves or in a person that has no vision? Who hasn't taken steps to break ground? You can't just have the idea. You can't just have the passion. You have to live and believe it. You have to say yes and take steps forward.
I guess for my more biblical friends it's the idea of 'God helps those that help themseves.' Or for Sylvester Stallone fans, his quote in 'Over the Top', "The world meets no one half way. If you want it, you've got to take it." Awww yeah. ;)
But the universe/God DOES meet us when it sees we've committed because we've begun to bring these things into our lives. Another quote about this process:
"Visioning is a process by which we train ourselves to be able to hear, feel, see, and catch God's plan for our life or for any particular project we're working on. An organic process that has evolved for me as I grow spiritually, it is based on the idea that we're not here to tell God what to do or to ask God for things but to absolutely be available for what God is already doing, to open ourselves up to catch what's already happening.” –Michael Bernard Beckwith
I was very much reminded of that today. Even making the effort to look up services for Bodhi, dissolved my panic into excitement and peace. Suddenly I remembered all of the homemade posters I have on my wall (It's like 'The Secret' barfed all over my room!) of what I'm bringing into my life: spirituality, yoga, a successful business, acting/comedy, poker, travel, singing, and a few others... I remember that 2011 (or the past three months or right now) is going to be an amazing year full of joy and transformation because I'm deciding on a momentary basis to take the steps to make that happen.
I saw the life I want to create for myself and was able to picture it and imagine it. I was able to believe it was going to happen because it IS happening. The headache is gone... the panic and desperation are gone...
I realized today is the day after Christmas. It shouldn't be ugly. It should be a lazy day full of beauty and gratitude. I didn't allow yesterday to be anything other than what I wanted it to be, so why would I make today into a firestorm of panic? Then I realized TODAY is Christmas. And so is tomorrow? EVERY day is Christmas!!! Christmas is RIGHT NOW!! Holy crap!!! :)
And it's amazing... when I got out of panic & desperation mode, my mind was clear and my heart was full. A friend texted me to wish me a belated Christmas and I was in such a state of peace and joy about my life I had the clarity of heart and mind to focus on her. It allowed me to remember how awesome SHE is and to encourage her in her pursuits. Because I was able to believe magical things for myself, I was able to believe them for her. I sent her some encouragment and apparently she really needed it. I didn't say anything I hadn't said to her before but again, after making the commitment to myself, God allowed me to catch on & be a part of the ride for her. It was just such a beautiful lightbulb moment. How magical a lesson... Had I stayed in that place of darkness and confusion, I wouldn't have thought to encourage my friend. What a tragedy that would have been had I missed it...
And I truly hope any of this makes sense & I'm not just babbling. :)
In the immortal words of the Muppets, "It's true wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas." So that's my encouragment to you today and the reminder to myself. Today is Christmas. (Unless it's Hanukkah...cause it could also be Hanukkah!!!) :) Stay committed to the good stuff of life: love, joy, gratitude, hope, commitment, belief, etc. It reaps amazing, beautiful things for yourself and for those around you.
Here's to saying yes to the highest vision we have for ourselves in 2011!!
Love,
MandiC.
December 14, 2010
Christkindl Market and More Orders!
My friend Cole recently asked why on earth I'm staying in Chicago. And I can't remember what I said because I was ridiculously tired. It probably sounded something like, "Egggh, shicagos gravy for m'cakes biznass cause people eeee hurrr."
But when I'm not punch drunk there are real, live legitimate reasons why I adore this city. Since I left upstate New York, Chicago is the first place that's felt like home. Aside from, of course, the feeling of home found in my amazing friends and family in L.A. But truth is, L.A. just didn't feed my soul. Chicago, on the other hand, feeds me lots! ;)
Here's a few reasons off the top of my head as to why Chicago & I are bossom buddies. Hopefully this will allow for the anger to dissiapate and the acceptance to begin... ;)
Chicago has changing seasons. People eat here and there are 126,000,000 amazing restaurants. Public transportation is AWESOME. Hellooo, While You Were Sleeping was filmed here? I loooove the romanticism of winter-- twinkly lights on Michigan Avenue, grabbing hot chocolate in scarves, hats and mittens. We have White Christmases here-- you don't even have to dream about them, Rosemary & Bing! The lake which is a cold, icy, spray-thrashing monster these days is powerful and gorgeous. Giordano's Pizza. Garrett's Popcorn. It's a large city broken up into communities so it never feels overwhelming to me. There's a pub on every corner and for whatever reason I'm encouraged by that. Guys appreciate normal girls here (L.A. is a total herpes induced meat market). Speaking of, there are GUYS here! They don't wear fedoras and carry little dogs. They dress like men. And finally, though I could go on forever about my love for this city, there are soooo many free things to do such as...
It's in Daley Plaza for the month of December from 11am-8pm. German vendors come on over to the States and sell nutcrackers and ornaments and delicious German fare! See all the white tents & shops? :)
But when I'm not punch drunk there are real, live legitimate reasons why I adore this city. Since I left upstate New York, Chicago is the first place that's felt like home. Aside from, of course, the feeling of home found in my amazing friends and family in L.A. But truth is, L.A. just didn't feed my soul. Chicago, on the other hand, feeds me lots! ;)
Here's a few reasons off the top of my head as to why Chicago & I are bossom buddies. Hopefully this will allow for the anger to dissiapate and the acceptance to begin... ;)
Chicago has changing seasons. People eat here and there are 126,000,000 amazing restaurants. Public transportation is AWESOME. Hellooo, While You Were Sleeping was filmed here? I loooove the romanticism of winter-- twinkly lights on Michigan Avenue, grabbing hot chocolate in scarves, hats and mittens. We have White Christmases here-- you don't even have to dream about them, Rosemary & Bing! The lake which is a cold, icy, spray-thrashing monster these days is powerful and gorgeous. Giordano's Pizza. Garrett's Popcorn. It's a large city broken up into communities so it never feels overwhelming to me. There's a pub on every corner and for whatever reason I'm encouraged by that. Guys appreciate normal girls here (L.A. is a total herpes induced meat market). Speaking of, there are GUYS here! They don't wear fedoras and carry little dogs. They dress like men. And finally, though I could go on forever about my love for this city, there are soooo many free things to do such as...
THE CHRISTKINDLMARKET!!! :) :) :)
It's in Daley Plaza for the month of December from 11am-8pm. German vendors come on over to the States and sell nutcrackers and ornaments and delicious German fare! See all the white tents & shops? :)
And there's the TREE!!! :) :) :)
It's like Solvang! Except German! And without windmills and Paul Giamatti!!!
It's little Christmas 'willages!!'
I didn't partake of the DELICIOUS smelling baked apples though they looked covered in donut batter!!
But I did eat a Brat with sauerkraut.
And then I got German Potatoes.
After the brat, the german guy at the counter laughed & said, "Oh, you came back!" And I said, "YEAH, I DID!!!"
And for the love of small children in Uganda... warm candied nuts.
CARAMEL CASHEWS! AMARETTO CASHEWS!!!
I took some for the road. I did.
I'm not gonna lie.
Oink, oink, folks.
Oink, oink!
And then I got some mulled grape cider.
GRAPE CIDER IS WARM & DELICIOUS.
:) :) :)
And look at the freakin' cute boot it comes in!!!!
Blurry picture... But ain't it MAGICAL!!??? :)
And they had a nativity for da baby Jesus.
And then I left cause it was FREAKIN' COLD! :)
On my way home, teeth chattering, I passed a McDonald's with this sign in the window. Just a thought... but they maaaay want to change their marketing campaign.
Then I got home and remembered my warm nuts.
(Heh heh).
What's with the wrapping!?
Is it a Nutty Buddy ice cream bar!!???
IS IT, Charlie Brown!!???
No!! It's freaking warm, crunchy & delicious nuts.
Yeah, I said it!
Such a treat this Chicagoland place...
*sigh*
And then I had another order!
Snowflake sugar cookies...
More Christmas sugar cookies...
(Not pictured here: Coconut Chocolates & Mexican Wedding Cookies).
A ginormous half-sheet brick of Butterscotch Blondies.
They're gooey deliciousness.
Dingy Dongy's favorite!!! :) :) :)
And finally... I just learned that Christmas is NEXT WEEK.
Holy mistletoe, Batman!!! When did THAT happen!!???
*sigh*
Ah, well. At least I'm enjoying the festivities!
Like family members need presents anyway... psssh.
Dreamy Christmas wishes in ceramic boots,
MandiCrocker
December 10, 2010
Dawn's Christmas Order
This is my friend Dawn.
Dawn is the SH*T.
She's hilarious and she's one of the most unique people that I know. Her dad is a butcher + She runs programming for a kids cartoon show + Her second job is at a mortuary = DAWN.
And she's HILARIOUS.
Dawn ordered some cookies from me for a work party on Wednesday night. I shipped them out Priority Mail first thing Monday morning. They arrived on Thursday.
NOT A WIN.
I was devastated. Absolutely.
Not only did I work so hard on the order but I just felt horrid that my friend didn't have anything to bring to her party. Huuuuah. She talked me down from my "I'VE FAILED YOU!! I'M A FAILURE!! I HATE MY LIFE!! WHY IS EVERYTHING WRONG!!? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!? WHY DOES NO ONE ELSE UNDERSTAND MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH TAYLOR SWIFT-- WHY!!????????" ledge and was just an amazing sport about it. Because she's Dawn. And she's the sh*t.
AND DAWN IS HILARIOUS.
(I love Dawn).
I also love chocolate chip cookies. Big honkin' cookies, too. None of that bitesize crap for my friend!
Here's a 'classic' size chocolate chip cookie.
Now here's a GINORMOUS DAWN Cookie.
BAM- IN YO FACE!!!
WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT!!??
WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT!!??
I once had a reader tell me she thought my use of caplocks and exclamation points was a little much. I said, "Hey lady, your use of opinions is a little much. IN YO FACE!"
No I didn't. I cried but kept writing.
Anywhoozle, I would make these cookies 150 times a day for my Dawn.
No one else.
JUST DAWN.
EXCLAMATION POINT.
Then I made some pretty linzer cookies.
*swoon, swoon*
Raspberry linzers you are so pretty.
You're the 'veela' of the cookie world!
Christmas cookies are pretty special, too...
Pretty Christmas...
For whatever reason, the cookie below reminds me of something you'd find at Old Navy. HA!
Another purty cookie. Pay no attention to the smurf I accidentally roasted in my oven. (He had it comin').
My seesters 'Jo Dianne' and 'Darci Farci Ding Dong' taught me how to do this though they don't remember. They don't remember anything.
J: Hey, how'd you do that design!?
M: Ugh... you taught me, Nimrod!
J: I did!?
M: Yeah. You also taught me how to do my hair and make-up.
J: Yeah, I don't even wash my hair anymore.
M: I know. Still single?
J: Shut up & go make your sister a martini.
D: What's going on?
M: Jodi doesn't remember that she taught me to decorate sugar cookies.
D: That's because IIIII taught you how to decorate sugar cookies!!!
M: You did?
D: YES! Why does no one remember that I used to bake all the time with Karen Newby?
*crickets*
And that's the Smith sisters, folks.
*applause, applause*
This one is for mice.
Like a little game!
I love to decorate Christmas cookies. :)
This one's ma fave.
Love & beauty & blessings to you all this Christmas!
Love (see the heart!?),
MandiCrocker
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