road and rain

I have been working with a client in Indianapolis for a while ( several years) and it's kind of become a joke that every time I'm in town, it rains... well, this week was no exception.  In fact, I drove through the most horrible rain storm I have ever driven  through - creeping 20mph down the road with hazard lights flashing, wipers on high, white knuckled on the wheel and barely able to see the lines on the road.  It was so bad that I didn't even feel like I could pull off to the side of the road... what if the car behind me didn't see me, you know?  But, you know I made it and got a couple of cool photos from the whole experience!

oatmeal pancake mix

A perfect Easter morning treat!  A repost from my old blog because this recipe is just too good not to share! ***

I stumbled across a recipe for oatmeal pancakes over on The Sisters Cafe blog that sounded amazing and healthy too!  What intrigued me about it was that you mix up a batch of the dry ingredients then just add the last couple of items and it's pancakes in minutes.  Kind of like a healthy bisquick, but way yummier!

I modified the recipe just a smidge - I mixed the dry ingredients as directed, but with my first batch added a tsp of vanilla, tsp of cinnamon and used applesauce rather than buttermilk.  These turned out so much better than I could have ever imagined!  I was full for hours with just two pancakes!!

Oatmeal Pancake Mix

from www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com

This will make 10 cups of dry mix

3 1/2 cups rolled (quick) oats

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 cup vegetable oil

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixer fitted with a paddle or you can do it by hand. With mixer on slow speed (or gently by hand), drizzle the vegetable oil into the bowl slowly while the mixer is running. When all the oil has been added, stop the mixer and squeeze a clump of mix in your hand. If it stays together, it is just right. If it is still crumbly, add another tablespoon of oil at a time until the consistency is correct). Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer.

To make the pancakes: whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup buttermilk (a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk will also work)(or 1 4oz container of applesauce + 1/2c fat free milk), and 1 egg. The mixture may seem thin at first but the oats will soak up the milk as it stands while the griddle preheats. Heat a griddle and drop the batter onto it. When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface and don't break, turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side.

*1 cup of mix will make about 6-7 4-inch pancakes

via oatmeal pancake mix - ... simply my life.

forty

Today I am forty.  Seems forty is an age where everyone asks you the big questions - Are you happy?  Are you freaking out about turning forty?  What will you do with the next forty?  I say fu*k forty!  It's just a number.  I have never been one to get all upset about turning another year older.  I mean, why do it?  You cannot stop it.  You cannot go back.  So, I say own it.

I have been incredibly fortunate in my forty years.  I have a small, but lovely family - I knew all four of my grandparents and one great grandmother. They provided me with a childhood that was simple and happy. They helped me become who I am today by giving me the power to make choices and supporting me weather they were right or wrong.

I have been able to fly.  Near and far ... The big apple. Stonehenge.  Paris. The canals of Venice. The Charles Bridge in Prague. Bourbon Street. Vegas. Hawaii ...  and so much more.

I have had fun.  A lot of fun!  I have amazing friends that have provided me with some of the best moments in my life. Final Fours. Spring Breaks. Weddings. Children. Festivals. Concerts.

I fell into a job that challenges me each and ever day and I don't know what could beat that!  Do I have bad days?  Sure.  But in the end, I make a difference.  I am helping people.

So how do I feel about the first forty?  Fabulous. Fun. Fortunate.

Here's to the next forty!

Almond & Yogurt Waffles with Orange Honey Syrup

Almond & Yogurt Waffles with Orange Honey Syrup - Roost - Roost: A Simple Life.

This blog has the most beautiful food photos and yummy gluten-free recipes!

sunrise to sunset

Spent the day in the city at a workshop for work. Snapped a few pics during my commute. Isn't Chicago beautiful?

10 on 10 { mar 2013 }

Ten on Ten Challenge : Dose MarketSo I know I am supposed to take a photo per hour, but I thought it would be much more interesting to capture the market.  I did throw in one photo of this dreary Chicago day ... rain + snow = beautiful fog!

Finally made it to Dose Market!!  It's a great selection of local vendors - food, fashion and artists of all types.  I bought a bunch of yummy food (mostly chocolate - oops) from Artisan Alfajores, Uptown Brownie, and Little Goat.  Had a brown butter sage gnocchi sample that was delicious from a tavola - they are starting to package their gnocchi to take home and cook - can't wait for that!!

Two completely awesome vendors we found were Field & Florist - she makes the most beautiful arrangements (can't really tell from my crap iPhone photo - but trust me!) you can buy single or do one per month deal.  I think it's just genius to sign up for a fresh arrangement to arrive at your front door each month!  And it's all locally grown too!

And the perfect Ravinia companion - wine in a bag from winestyr.com.  They partner with US wineries to get wine that is then packaged in a little bag with a spout (think boxed wine).  Each bag holds two bottles of wine and shipped to your door.  Perfect for wine on the go!

We loved the market.  Will be back again for sure!  Next time I will stay long enough to get a doodle from doodlebooth!

Pantone "Chicago Gray"

I call this Pantone "Chicago Gray" | Flickr - Photo Sharing!.

Oh friends ... this is what Chicago looks like most of the winter.  It's this very dull gray.  Completely makes me long for Spring and Summer!

oh snow

Oh snow, you are so pretty ... I think today's snow finally got us to our normal snow total in Chicago for the year.  Let's hope it's the last one of the season!  I worked from home today and took a quick trip to Starbucks up the block and snapped this little gem with SmugMug's Camera Awesome. It's by far my favorite camera app for taking photos. It gives great DOF!

Liebster

The super sweet Angela over at Please mommy no more daddies nominated me for a Liebster.  Like her, I had no idea what it was!  So glad she found an explanation!! "What is a liebster award you say? It's basically a generic award passed all around the blogosphere from blogger to blogger. It’s a sign of appreciation that one blogger bestows upon another blogger with less than 200 followers...."

THE RULES:

- Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.- They must also answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for them.- They must then choose 11 bloggers to tag & award with the Liebster award (nominees must have less than 200 followers). These lucky bloggers must be told in a comment on their blog.- They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.

So .. here are eleven things about me.  You've been dying to know ... I know you have!

[1]  I hate endings

[2]  I am addicted to tea.  Black tea.  Give it to me!

[3]  College was the BEST time of my life.

[4]  I love cinnamon.

[5]  I am allergic to cats and dust … I have both.

[6]  I horde chocolate - I want to try every kind of amazing chocolate there is, but never finish it.

[7]  I am a planner.  But, also able to go with the flow … seems odd, but I really am.

[8]  I need to travel.  It's my fuel.

[9]  I read tons of blogs, but rarely comment.

[10]  I believe in something greater than me.

[11]  I have been blogging since 2004.  That's a lot of nonsense I have added to the inter webs!

And .. now Angela's eleven questions …

[1]  favorite color

Navy blue - it's a classic!  Not only does it look great on me, but looks great in my house too!  I tend to always come back to navy …

[2]  where were you born

Leavenworth, Kansas.  Yes, there is a prison there.  No, I don't click my red heels to get home.  But, seriously, I loved growing up in LV.  It is a beautiful blend of city and country -  Kansas City on one side and farms on the other.  And… I met my very best friends there and love them to this very day.

[3]  number of places you have lived

Two states - Kansas and Illinois Four towns - Leavenworth and Lawrence, KS - Chicago and Evanston, IL

Lame, I know … but I like living in the midwest.  It's got a great pace, friendly vibe and easy access to travel anywhere in the world.

[4]  oldest friend

That would be Mrs. Hollister Shehorn Pittman.  We met in kindergarten!  We are both only children and have adopted each other as sisters.  She and her family are truly my second family.  We have traveled near and far and I love that she lives only an hour away now!!

[5]  tv show you can't miss

This has changed so many times over the years.  Right now … I would say Project Runway.  I love the creative process and love seeing how they respond to the challenges.  I am consistently amazed at the outfits they pull out.  LOVE that show!

[6]  e-reader or real book

I am all e-reader for books that I want to read.  But I still love a design coffee table book!

[7]  pc or mac

100% Mac since 2007!  Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

[8]  favorite store

The Apple Store!  *giggle*

[9]  favorite girl scout cookie

All time fav has to be the thin mint.  And I like them frozen best!  Have you ever tried to suck milk through one?  Take a small bite from two sides of the cookie, dip into milk and suck like a straw, then eat the cooke with milk inside .. sooooo good!

[10]  best memory

I have been really blessed with some incredible moments in my life.  I don't know how I could pick a best.  But, since it's college basketball season and March Madness is upon us, I will say in 2008 when I managed to convince my friend Carla to join me at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, TX to watch Kansas play for the national championship.  And they WON!  It is a moment I will never forget.  Never.

[11]  are you happy

Wow… she throws a doozie here at the end.  Am I happy?  I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  I am only days away from forty and, like many people,I have kind of taken a little inward check as I approach life's midpoint.  I have so many things to be happy about.  I have a successful career, which was a huge goal of mine growing up.  I never wanted to be dependent on anyone else for financial stability and I accomplished that.  I have great friends.  Weather we are near or far, we make time for each other.  We love each other.  But when speaking of love, I am pretty unlucky.  I feel it's the one thing that is missing in my life.  It's my own fault, having focused my efforts on things other than dating and finding my soul mate.  I think that may be the one thing keeping me from being able to say, definitively, yes I am happy.  But, I don't let it get me down.  I am happy.  But, I think I have it in me to be happier.  Does that make sense?   *wink*

Now for tagging … I will tag these folks, but no idea how many followers they have … And honestly have no idea who reads my blog.

Natasha

Selika

Paige

Allison

My eleven questions for you ...

[1]  why did you start blogging and when? [2] what are you most passionate about? [3] plays or musicals? [4] what is your single biggest accomplishment? [5] do you print the photos or keep them digital? [6] do you smartphone? [7] right brain or left? [8] what is your favorite movie and why? [9] sweet or savory? [10] fashion risk taker or go with the flow? [11] share a little about your best friend

The 10 Best

The 10 Best Chocolatiers in the World – Intelligent Travel.

The 10 Best Chocolatiers in the World!!

I will consider myself extremely lucky... I have been to three of the ten!!  Vosges Haut-Chocolate, Jacques Torres Chocolate and Puccini Bomboni!  Not bad ehh?  I made my friends crazy the last time I was in Amsterdam getting to Puccini - the previous visit they had been closed - so glad I did too, it was so good.  Give me dark chocolate anything and I am pretty darn happy!