This is How We Do! We sit ourselves in front of the TV for the majority of our meals (we got no shame, sometimes it’s just easier!)  Do you know what’s perfect for couch eating? Deep, comfortable bowls.  Plates just don’t work, am I right? So  One day I see Joe eating cereal out of a large pyrex measuring cup. “What the heck are you doing?!” – “It’s perfect! look, it has a handle.  I’ve always done this.” My eyebrow went up.. I liked what he was doing.  The next day I obviously, followed suit.

You guys, it’s so fun to eat out of a measuring cup.  Its microwave safe, and you can put cold & hot things in it and not have to worry about burning or freezing your hand while you hold the bowl.  You can cuddle up on the couch and not worry about splashing or spillage.  Soup, noodles, salad, cereal, ramen, ice cream, everything. Try it. You’ll dig it.

This afternoon, I was wandering around my apartment. Admiring my stuff. Re-arranging and straightening. I really love my “stuff”. I collect things. From family and friends, I take it all (and save it all.) Then, I display it all over my home. It’s getting time to start packing things up, and move on. I love the places that all my treasures have found within this apartment, I also know they will love their new home- but it’s still hard. It feels so wrong to place them in a box, or to see them wrapped in a sheet in the back of my car. I took some pictures of my favorite things in their current place. So I’ll always remember. Please take a look at some of what makes me, me – and why.

Can someone please explain to me how I didn’t know this video existed until today! Imagine for a second my excitement as I scrolled through photobooth and stumbled across this… ha ha ha what Joe and his friends do after I pass out. Make videos. Score! Because, I really, really love home videos.

Ben and Dave are two of Joe’s closest friends from college. They all played on the basketball team together, and whenever they get together there is serious bromance.

Watch as they discuss leaving the city to visit family, have a photo shoot, sing along to a classic song,  make fun of eachother and shotgun facebook default pictures.

Two weeks ago today I was reading the paper like I do every morning.  By reading,  I mean skimming and by paper I mean the New York Post –  gimme a break, I can’t keep up with real news everyday.  It just stresses me out too much.   I usually like to just read anything scandalous, check movie times for my local theatre (even though I never intend on seeing a movie there) and look at a picture of Lady GaGa or Sarah Jessica Parker doing whatever they are doing somewhere trendy in Manhattan.  Well, this particular morning I had more time and was actually reading the sections.  I saw that Anthony Bourdain was going to be signing books at Barnes and Noble that evening!  I think I actually jumped up and down a little bit.  This is not like me, ever.. makes me too tall, who wants to see the tall girl jumping around? no one.

Anyway, Anthony Bourdain is my favorite food personality out there.  I have never ever gotten into any other Food show (except the original Iron Chef – Hiroyuki Sakai was my MAN!)  I’ll also add, I am not a hardcore Bourdain-er.  I didn’t even know super fans of his existed until I reached the signing (I mean, why shouldn’t they exist, right?) But I really just DVR every single one of his shows and watch them everyday.  He cracks me up and I adore him, thats it.

I immediately texted Joe saying I was going (Bulls vs Heat, big game was on) and asked him to join me. He agreed, but I honestly think he only said yes because he thought I would flake out.  I almost did flake out. I planned on leaving my apartment at 5, yet by 5:15 I was still in a towel with big poofy pre-flat iron bangs. I had showered at 2.  I was feeling THAT lazy. BUT I ended up lugging my tired self all the way to Union Square and I am really so glad that I did.  Minus the fact that the train I was on got stuck for about 35 minutes and it was a manic scene down there.  I hate confined spaces with strangers.

I showed up as it was scheduled to begin (always late) and there was definitely about 500 people there!  Most of them had seats, but I had to get in one of those winding lines through the bookstore to wait my turn.  Should have been on time, Ashley!  Well, I was standing in the New Age section, Anthony was about 150 feet away but I couldn’t see him unless I was on my toes (not that desperate) and I couldn’t hear him at all because I had this chick a few people behind me who wouldn’t shut up.  She wouldn’t stop bitching to her boyfriend because they came at 4 and “someone” told them to “come back at 7” and she didn’t get a seat, and is now in a long line.  She even confronted an employee about the situation! Like, look around girl! we are all in this line.  She thought since she already “bought” the book she should be ahead of most of us? Must add- this signing was only for the release of the book in paperback, it wasn’t a new book or anything like that.  She even repeatedly make her boyfriend leave the line to go try to finagle her way into the seats.  She was not even cute! She seemed to be out of her mind on Bourdain Blood and was laughing maniacally at everything Tony said.   They ended up leaving and I watched them sneakily merge themselves about 10 people ahead of us in line, after all that.  The girl directly behind me shared my sympathy and we ended up going back and forth about this chick for quite a while.

Joe showed up somewhere during all of this, and he looked not amused with the amount of people there.  I was just praying in my head that this would go as quickly as possible.  It didn’t.    The Q&A  with the audience lasted quite a long time and people were asking questions about how he likes to roll his joints and what his favorite vegan dish is.  Do we really all need to know this? Once he started signing we got moved up to the front and then slowly gained admission to sit in folding chairs directly in front of the signing table and people watch everyone else meeting him. It was quite amusing, quite the turnout of different people who were all equally psyched to be there.  Also, we ended up directly behind that girl. The annoying one.  So we got to listen to her more. YAY.

This old man had him sign lots of old books, which weren’t Bourdain books.  Is that even allowed? that whole stack was his!
-The chairs. almost empty.

Fast Forward approximately  an hour and a half and we finally get ushered out of our seats and move to ANOTHER line, but this is the final line.  I was thinking about what to say to him – the scenario was just so awkward.  I’ve been to my fair share of CD signings back in the day, when I was a fan girl to the extreme.  But that’s when I was still a little wee-one, getting giddy.  For the most part, I’ve lost my adoration for “famous people” – I just get awkward.  I wrote down this blog (worth a shot, right?) and I was just going to say what was situational when I got up there.  Ideas – telling him Joe works for the Food Network (then he might have given Joe a hard time) and asking him when he’s going to bring No Reservations to the Jersey Shore.  The annoying girl, by the way- was very loud and told him that when he gives up his job that she is going to steal it.  She was shifting around and laughing like a maniac and of course, took a picture with him.  Looking crazy.  When we finally got up front I had him sign the book and a $2 bill.  He joked about signing money being illegal, then I panicked and asked him about a Jersey Shore episode and he brought up the show! Said they ruined NJ for him, although he spent summers in LBI as a child and also admitted that he does indeed still watch the show.    I said something back that I can’t remember and then we were shoo’ed away.    We got home, stayed up late to watch the Bulls game, they lost.  Joe was pretty bummed, so was I.   I was also exhausted and had to be at work in a few hours.  Not fun, this is why I don’t like doing anything on work nights.  I’m telling you, my job is taking over my life (schedule wise)

I have a love/hate relationship with wings.
Yummy/messy/I love the bleu cheese and celery.

Every time we make a trip to Costco, we usually get a rotisserie chicken, but this time we went with a package of wings. I had two containers of crumbled Gorgonzola in the fridge, so I decided to make the dressing.

What You Need:
4 cups of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
1 lemon (1 tbs juice + zest half of it)
Worcestershire sauce
Honey ( 1 tbs, slightly above room temperature)
Sriracha hot sauce  (1 tsp)
Pepper (1 tsp)
Salt (to taste)

What I Did:
In a large mixing bowl, combine  mayo, sour cream, lemon juice & zest. Whip it, good. Next, add about 5 dashes of worcestershire, pepepr, honey and sriracha.  Mix well.

After you have your base, throw in your cheese.   I love the clumps, so I added extra.  But if you aren’t a fan of that- I’d add slowly until you feel comfortable with the consistency.  Add salt to taste (the cheese is pretty salty to begin with).  I added a few pinches.

Cover and let sit for a few hours.  If you have time, I’d let it sit over night.  But if you are anything like me, you usually don’t know what you are making until you are ready to actually eat.. there is no “sitting” in this apartment.

I’d recommend making this dressing for anyone who isn’t quite the fan of the distinct flavor of bleu cheese (we all have those friends, right?).  It has the same consistency, you know.. when the chunks get caught on the wings. Ah, so good.   After chillin in the fridge for a few days, we used the rest on wedge salads- it was to die for.

Joe and I went out on dates, two nights in a row this weekend! What a lovely treat.  Last night it was still light out at 8 pm, so we left the restaurant and took a walk around the block.  Here’s what we saw. I hope everybody else is enjoying their Holiday Weekend!

[ our New Block, our laundromat, favorite deli & The Park Slope Armory YMCA ]

[ our current block,  we both wore loafers, garbage overload! ]

I couldn’t resist the loaf of Raisin Challah bread staring me in the face at Union Market.  I immediately tossed it in my basket, committing to French Toast in the morning.  I followed through. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever make my French Toast with anything else. Especially with the raisins and extra cinnamon.

What To Do:
Slice the Challah bread into thin, but not too thin slices.
Beat 4 eggs with dash of milk and 1 tbs cinnamon
Ready frying pan with butter, low heat.
Dip/DrenchChallah in egg mixture
Move to Pan, kept on low heat and flip after 2 minutes (I’d watch it, I like mine browned)
Remove from Pan and sprinkle cinnamon on top, Add Syrup.
devour.

Our friend Liz, she lives in Kansas City.   I’ve talked about our unique friendship before but a fast reminder: we started talking online in 1999, met in 2005 and will be living together Fall 2011.   She is a world traveler, and has always been the one to come East to visit me.  After we lost a very close mutual friend, it was time for me to step it up.    I couldn’t stand the fact that I hadn’t seen Liz’s home, met her friends and most importantly, seen her perform! She is a very talented actress and works so hard at her craft.   She had one of her biggest parts yet approaching,  I had to be there to see it.  I really wanted to surprise her, but that might have been too much on her plate, so I let her in on my pseudo-plans.  She was totally psyched! Of course! Icing on the cake, it fell on Joe’s Birthday weekend.  Perfect.  I convinced him to go (didn’t take much convincing) Then,  my tax return was deposited and I booked the tickets immediately.

Neither Joe or I  have spent much time in the Mid-West.  I was nervous, excited and ready for some fried chicken!  Our flights were painless. I think.. I slept through take off and landing (I usually want to barf through both)  Our layover in Detroit .. we were total zombies, we still hadnt slept! After picking us up, Liz brought us to coffee immediately  (it’s one of our shared obsessions) I finally got to meet her Mom, who I feel like I’ve always known.  I cuddled her kitty girl, Paris.  Saw the trinkets she kept throughout her home and I obviously raided her closet.  Joe! don’t let me pack at midnight when I have to leave for airport at 2 a.m. Bad News, nothing made sense- wardrobe wise.

Liz’s performances were flawless.  She blew me away! Joe was very hesitant to be attending the “Kansas City Women’s Playwrighting Festival” – but, he LOVED it.   The selection of pieces made us both laugh & cry.  In the Playbill, she dedicated her performances to Rachael.  Extremely fitting because not only was Rach into theatre, but the first performance was a story about young love. (Promises to Keep – video)

Earlier in the day, we had a meal at Jack Stack’s BBQ.  HOLY DELISH!  The Beans, Burnt Ends, Coleslaw, Ribs, Chicken, It was all delicious. Our meal was obviously paired with the Local Beer- Boulevard.  Very impressive, we enjoyed the Long Strange Tripel and a Spring Ale.  After the performances at Union Station a stop to a beer store was imperative.  Ended up choosing a  sample of Boulevard and went home to drink up.  It was nice, I got to know Liz’s boy, Bryce. We ate all of our leftovers and relaxed.   I’m pretty sure we passed out one by one, but it was probably just me- first. As always.

The next morning we decided to stop by Westport Flea Market . Joe’s friend Erik is not only well versed in food areas, but a native of the Kansas City area.  He recommended a few places- Westport was one of them.  Thank YOU Erik! Delish, grubby, greasy, burger.  Exactly what we needed.  It was a fun experience to boot, tables set up amongst a flea market with a cute tattooed chick behind bar that took your beer & food order, and  mean looking cooks behind the window. Growling your name out on a loud speaker to pick up your food while arguing with the waitresses.   Aaah, to work in a restaurant.  I miss that dynamic.  You fixed up your own burgers with every condiment and topping.  I chose pickles, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and BBQ sauce.  Heavenly!  After we stuffed ourselves silly we went back inside to shop.  I picked up a few items, and talked to the man who ran one of the shops.  He was so interesting and gave me a free Michael Jordan card and vintage Boy Scout pins!! He hooked Liz up with some Princess Diana Beanie Babies.  We also came away with a Spanish NBA card game, an ashtray and a set of brand new vintage champagne glasses.

Before closing night of the Festival, naps took place.  During closing night of the Festival, Liz rocked it! Go Liz! I took shaky videos of both this night (Promises to Keep was linked above) and the closing act, Eva’s Evolution.  Liz plays Eva! Afterward, Joe and I waited for Liz and the rest of the cast to clean up the stage and we joined them all at a local bar for drinks.

Without saying, the next morning brought a few lazy, slightly hungover folks.  The remedy?  Stroud’s BBQ.  I can say.. without hesitation- this is one of my favorite meals I’ve ever had.  It was Mother’s Day, so we were nervous about having to wait for a table- but! the bar was empty! I ordered a Bloody Mary- it might be the most delish one I’ve ever had.  The barkeep was amazing and let me ask a million questions.  I wanted their house specialities so he steered me in the direction of a Broiled Pork Chop, 3 pieces of Fried Chicken, side of Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Applesauce.  You guys, oh my.  I can’t even begin to describe the gravy they served with the meal.   I need to learn how to make that (and then eat it on it’s own!)  After the meal, they presented us with a basket of Cinnamon Bread.   Decadence. They were warm, heavy and full of perfect rich cinnamon flavor.  This place needs a cookbook! Pronto.   We were so full, there was serious strain involved in lifting ourselves from our seats.   Of course, we had an abundance of leftovers… more for later!  It was so good. I highly recommend/demand  going there if you are EVER in the area.