It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Now bring on the eggnog and gingerbread man cookies!

thankful.

turkey & dressing from easter sunday, 2010

thankful to be the person i am today. although things may not have turned out the way i "planned," i'm certainly happy with the results of me thus far.

thankful to be living back in my hometown, chicago. yeah yeah yeah- sometimes I dislike it but deep down I'm happy to be home with the people who love me best.

thankful for my mother who listens to everything I talk about, from rants to whatever else. thankful she comes shopping or eating with me whenever possible. thankful she's always there for me. without fail. i love you more than words.

thankful for my father who raised me with the motto "the world doesn't owe you anything cuz you're here." thankful for his lectures about growing up and the ways of the world. "don't you hear me talking to you," he would always add. yep, i was listening, dad. and it has certainly paid off.

thankful my mom and dad are a true example of marriage and what it should be.

thankful for my sister who is my best friend. i can literally tell her anything and not feel like i'm being judged. thankful for her loyalty and commitment to all that she does. to watch how she raises my niece and is a wife to my brother in law wows me as she always gives not 100%, but beyond the call of measure. not to mention, she's pretty successful too. she inspires me everyday.

thankful overall for a close knit extended family. we've certainly had our ups and downs- instances that i'm not proud of. all and all, we've managed, learned, and hey, life goes on.

thankful for loving friends who i can talk to in the wee hours of the nite or just hold the phone in silence.

thankful for peace of mind

thankful to have faith and know the best is yet to come.

Best.Gelato.Ever.

To purchase in the grocery store, that is. Enough said.

Jessica Ashley Desserts

Back in October, our family celebrated our Grandmother's 75th birthday. She's really into hats. [has been since forever] I mean she has a hat for every suit she wears to church and every occasion. Nonetheless, we ordered the perfect cake for her special day:

cake prepared by alliance bakery

Since myself, sister, and cousins were responsible for presenting a fantastic cake for this momentous occasion, I can't help but to look at the work of what other bakers/bakeries showcase. It was a fun process putting this together and maybe in the the near future, I'll have the pleasure of doing so once again!

Here are a few pictures taken from Jessica Ashley Desserts. If you're in Chicago, or your event will be held in the windy city, don't hesitate to hit her up. I hear her cream cheese pound cake is to die!!!!

visit her facebook or website for addt'l takes of her work or to place an order

Lovely Eats = Lovely Days

via this site

Veggies on the Go

all photos in this entry are courtesy of Ste Martaen

Ste Martaen has teamed up with Soul Vegetarian to bring you a 100% veggies on the go. The Soul Vegetarian Express Truck is pretty exciting being that the food looks very appetizing and fresh! They hit the streets from Tuesday - Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays! Here's a look at a sample menu along with a few shots of their cuisine so you can get an idea:

Menu (All menu items are 100% vegan.)

Shredded Chicken Tacos $6

Italian Beef Sub $6

BBQ Beef Sub $6

Bean Curd Soup $4

Garden Salad $4

Baklava Pie $5

Nutty Choco Sticks $4

Soul Veg Daily Special: Rice and Gravy, Greens, Country Fried Steak $10

Vegan Shredded Chicken Tacos

Vegan BBQ Beef Sub

Be on the look out for the Soul Vegetarian Express on a street corner near you by checking their facebook status or simply request them to come to your area!

Got Goat?

Girl and the Goat, that is. Okay, out of every restaurant list I've come across in the past few days, this restaurant is without a shadow of a doubt within those listings. Executive Chef Stephanie Izard is the mastermind behind this catchy, get your attention name of a dining spot. I kept wondering what is this place? I finally took the time to dig a little deeper and just click the link and read away. Impressive it is. I of course have not been here yet [it's now on my to do list] but this place offers a ton of enticing and curious courses that fall nothing short of a goat appetite. Some that caught my eye:

*smoked goat pizza: apple soffritto, black kale, ricotta, & cipollini

*pan roasted chicken: fermented black bean, nicoise olives, celery, watermelon, & mint

*seared scallops: pumpkin brandade, pecans, fried brussels sprouts (yum), tarragon & pomegranate

*bavaroise: fluffy goat cheese, blueberry, brown sugar cake

*potato dumplings (think donuts) and lemon-poached eggplant

Believe me, there is plenty more where this came from. Check out a sample below and a more extensive menu here.

that goat pizza:

Girl & the Goat

809 West Randolph

(Between Halsted Street & Green Street)

Chicago; 312.492.6262