Why I Don't Bake: Reason 654

If you've been reading my blog for some time, you know I love cooking, but baking? Not so much. Regardless, every once in a while I crave something sweet and want to bake a treat. And then I'm reminded why it's not a good idea!

A few weeks ago, I bought these Guittard Green Mint Chips from Cost Plus World Market.

 I had this brilliant plan to make brownies and use the mint chips. Hello?! Chocolate mint? Yum. And since baking if not really my forte, I figured I may as well pick up this as well.

I made the brownie mix according to the directions and threw in a bunch of chips for delicious mint flavor. Um...that didn't work so well. Apparently I should have read the instructions on the bag indicating to melt the chips before using.

Instead, I was left with a pan of brownies with full on, non-melted mint chips that completely sank to the bottom. To top it off, it doesn't really even taste that great.

The next time I get the bright idea to bake something, (because it will happen again!) someone stop me! And for your reward, I'll make you a delicious, gourmet multi-course meal. As long as you bring the dessert.

Restaurant Deals

It's a little late to share this. Sorry, but I've been distracted. I still have yet to go shopping and find any cyber deals. There must be something wrong with me! But when my friend KO called me tonight and told me about the 80% off promo on restaurant.com via bradsdeals.com, I had to see what was out there!

I bought $50 worth of certificates for Fiorentino's. (You know it's my neighborhood fave!), $25 for Sola and $10 for Mayan Palace, a no frills Mexican joint with tasty margaritas.

That's $85 in cerficates for which I paid....$6.80. No joke! (Thanks, KO!)

I guess if you're still awake and come across this post, you can check out the deal here.

So Thankful

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Hopefully you all had a wonderful, plentiful Thanksgiving.

We spent yesterday with my family in Indiana. I'm so thankful to have such loving people around me who care for each other - no matter what. I'm grateful that I have such a wonderful husband who participates in whatever activities I happen to sign him up for, without complaint. Most of the time. I'm also delighted that my brother-in-law was able (and willing) to spend the holiday with us.

And here we are, another Thanksgiving come and gone. The entire year has flown by, really. Unfortuantely, I'm working today. The bright side of that though is that it's extremely quiet around here. I'm cranking out one of the first projects I've been assigned. Not to mention that I'm avoiding the craziness that is Black Friday.

My sister and I have been typical shoppers on this day in seasons past. We were those girls you'd find at the outlet mall at midnight starting our Christmas shopping, because, well, when do you normally shop in the middle of the night? One year, we left the outlet mall just in time for every other store to open at 4am, so we decided to keep going. We ended our excursion with breakfast at one of our hometown joints. It was so much fun! We weren't out necessarily looking for the best bargains, we were spending sisterly time together doing something we both love - shopping.

Since then, things have just gotten too crazy around Black Friday. There's media hype. People stampede other people to buy a television on sale. And the lines! Oh, the lines! How is that any fun or a way to ring in the most wonderful season of the year? And no, I'm not referring to the SHOPPING season! Simple, it's not. Frankly, I'll pay more for something any day if it means avoiding the nonsense and spending my time doing something other than waiting in a massive line for a $3.99 cheapo coffee maker at Target. (Which is likely not my style anyway! Ha!)

So today, I'm working on a project. Missing my husband who is lucky enough to be at home, probably still nestled in our bed. Meeting another poor soul friend of mine who is in the office for lunch. And day dreaming about something I'm going to do this weekend that makes me truly happy. Putting up our tree, decorating and listening to Christmas tunes. Hooray!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Safe travels!

Wonderful Windy City Weekend

A Christmas Carol at the Goodman
One word. AMAZING! Very entertaining. Great acting. Some Scrooge comedy thrown in for good measure. I loved every minute of it! I highly recommend seeing this production if you have the opportunity.

The Gage
Prior to the play, my mom, sis, hubby and I had dinner at The Gage on Michigan Avenue. The place was packed and loud, but thankfully, we got a table in the back dining room which was quieter. I loved the decor!

For starters, we had bison tartare which was served with a quail egg, cucumber, watermelon and radish. It sounds interesting, but when you mixed it all together and spread it on some toast, it was delicious! We also shared a pork belly with scallops appetizer special that was quite tasty too.

We each chose something different for our entrees. (I try to make that rule so you can try a bite of everything.) Sean had tuna - tasty. Mom had the roasted amish chicken that she loved (I didn't try it. I never order chicken while dining out. You can make chicken at home.). My sis had the fish and chips which were extremely disappointing. The batter completely lacked flavor and definitely wasn't worth $17. I chose the pork chop which was very good, but I didn't understand the fancy gastro bacon powder that was thrown on top. It didn't taste like anything and added no value to the dish. I guess it was simply meant to be an element that screamed "look what I can do to bacon". Yawn.

Overall, I liked the restaurant, but I don't think it's going on my list of Chicago faves.

New Moon
I saw New Moon on Saturday afternoon with my friend and strangely, my husband. When I was buying the tickets he said he'd go. I have no clue why. Apparently he was thinking Underworld instead of teeny bopper novels. After the film ended, he turned to me and said, "Thank God. I wanted to stab my eyeballs out." Whatever!

De Cero
Saturday night, I went with the girls to De Cero in the West Loop. It's described as a modern day taqueria. You order your tacos a la carte and the list of options seems endless! I tried the ahi tuna, al pastor, black bean and chorizo. Check out the list for yourself here. I'm always a fan of any joint that serves Mexican food and margaritas! Yum.

Third Rail
After dinner, we headed over to the Third Rail to help celebrate their third anniversary with $5 martinis. I was out way too late. I'm so old, I'm still recovering. We'll just leave it at that.

Da Bears
I did not attend the game. I chose to stay home and dogsit Murphy (Sean's bro's dog) instead. Wise decision on my part. I think I'm going to have a grumpy husband every Sunday. Boo to you Chicago Bears.

A great weekend all around that included good food, good drinks and most importantly, great family and friends!

Christmastime Is Here...

Okay I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I'm officially declaring the holiday season upon us. Why? Because my mom, sis and I are going to see A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater on Friday night.

I've never seen this show, but a former co-worker (and friend) of mine who used to, as they say, work in the (entertainment) biz, said it's a great production. I'm really looking forward to it and think it's going to fully throw me into the Christmas spirit. (BTW - Grey's is playing Christmas tunes in tonight's episode. Love it!)

Before the show, we're having dinner at The Gage which serves upscale comfort food. Sounds like a perfect night to spend with my two favorite gals.

One more work day friends and the weekend will be upon us. What are you up to? Whatever it is, enjoy!

Exhausted!

I started my new gig (job) this week and I've just been exhausted! Not that I'm already working like mad, but who would have thought that being off for two weeks would help you quickly forget what it's like to wake up by 6am. (Complain, complain.) Nah, I am seriously grateful for the opportunity. I just don't have so much time on my hands for blogging during the day anymore. Hehe!

Now that I'm back into work mode, I need to get myself back into the gym routine. I have been a total slacker the past few weeks and I'm pretty sure that's contributing to my exhaustion. As well as the fact that it's starting to get dark at 4:30pm. Sigh. Winter is just around the corner, isn't it?

I wasn't sure if I even wanted to blog today. I'm still fuming about a comment I rejected in response to the Sugar Doll blog award  post from "Anonymous". (Rude postings from "Anonymous" never get published. Unless I choose to talk about them. Like right now.)

Apparently when I said I was a food snob but I'd drink crappy beer, this person decided to call me out and say that a food snob would never say that. Frankly, I beg to differ. When I choose to go out to a bar with friends for the sole purpose of drinking, I'll drink Miller Lite. Because at a typical price of $4-$5 each, I'd rather not spend the money on "better" drinks that are more expensive. I'll stash away the extra money for shopping or a night on the town with great food and wine. Or maybe I'll just put that money in my savings account. It's about priorities, right?

I dunno. Maybe this person thought I was drinking Busch Light. Heck, some of you probably don't even think Miller Lite is crappy. Ha! Perhaps I should have just called myself a "food aficionado" (a person who really likes and appreciates food.) Would that have saved me from allowing someone to get me worked up in the first place? Probably not. Grrr...

Hope you're all having a wonderful week.