moments

Reason 999,999,999 why I love Radiolab. This is one of the most stunning four minutes I've ever seen in my life. It makes me happy to be alive. Bravo William Hoffman.

Friday Edition: Six for Six

- This week Anthropologie launched a new website, the anthropologist. The website is a new "online space for inspiring works and inspiring individuals." Really great stuff. I recommend you check it out.

- The first red lipstick that doesn't make me feel like I'm playing dress up. The color adjusts to your ph level to reach your perfect shade of red. I've also heard great things about Bobbi's red. (Thanks for the recommendation Kristin!)

- I am coveting Marc and Sean's farmhouse. Please let us move in. I promise we won't make a mess. (Photos credited to Tony Cenicola of the NY Times)
































































































- It was time for new running shoes this summer and after much research, I decided on the Nike Lunar Glides. Now that I've had a few months to test them out, I can recommend them without reservations. Great shoes and made even better with the Nike + iPod. I love the feedback it provides during my workouts, the power song option, and being able to track my runs afterwards.

- All natural homemade cleaners and 50 ways to never waste food again.

- I'd really like to see An Education. Maybe a Sunday movie outing? It looks beautiful.

Happy weekends!

around the city

Public transportation is a funny thing. Most days I hop on the bus or el and think, "Man, city living is great. I am so glad I don't have to rely on a car." I listen to my perfectly assembled public transportation playlists, read, and daydream. Of course then there are the days when despite 70 degree temperatures, the bus continues to crank out dragon breath heat at full blast, or days when the el car smells like hot garbage and dirty diapers. My least favorite train rides are the packed ones when I have nothing to hold on to and have to assume a football stance in order to keep my balance.

But I recently experienced my favorite public transportation moment ever. One evening we entered a crowded el car and I instantly did a double take. The man in front of me was wearing the very same Le Tigre track jacket as my fellow passenger Charlie. I nudged him and nodded in front of me. His mouth dropped open in surprise. After all, it's not everyday you see a passenger wearing the exact same obscure track jacket as yourself.

So of course we had to strike up conversation with this stylish man. Liam was a very affable fellow with a thick Irish accent. As soon as he turned around he knew exactly why we tapped him on the shoulder and proclaimed Charlie and himself the best dressed men in Chicago. Or at least on our el car.

breakfast

I know what you're going to say.

I don't like prunes.
Prunes are gross.
Prunes are for old people.
Stewed prunes sound even worse than plain prunes themselves.

But I urge you to put all of those thoughts aside, buy yourself some prunes, a stick of cinnamon, an orange, and make this recipe. I didn't grow up loving prunes, but I love this recipe.

This is a breakfast staple in our house. Typically I'll make up a batch on Sunday and then we have them throughout the week. In warmer weather they pair perfectly with scoop of Greek yogurt and a slice of toast. In cooler months, they go great on top of some oatmeal. I've also been known to eat a little snack of cold stewed prunes alongside a cup of tea on chilly, fall afternoons. Not only are they delicious, they are healthy and filling. And your digestive system will thank you.

Stewed Prunes With Citrus and Cinnamon
A Homemade Life, Molly Wizenberg
Makes 10 servings

1 small orange or tangerine, preferably seedless
1 pound best-quality pitted prunes
1 cinnamon stick

Cut the orange in half and then slice it very thinly.
Put the orange slices in a medium saucepan with the prunes and cinnamon stick and add water just to cover.
Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer and cook, adjusting heat as needed so that the liquid barely trembles. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the prunes are tender, the orange slices are soft and glassy, and the liquid in the pan is slightly syrupy.
Remove the cinnamon stick, cool slightly, and serve. Or let the prunes cool to room temperature and then store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week.

Stewed prunes improve with rest, so try to make them a day or so before you want to eat them.

Halloween, 2009

We had a great Halloween although I regret that we didn't carve pumpkins this year. I totally want to carve a pumpkin like this next year.

Signs

My only disappointment leaving Branson, Missouri last month was not getting the chance to see Yakov.

blue moon

I love impromptu day trips. Yesterday we took a short drive up to Wisconsin to visit the town where I grew up. I hadn't been back since our move many years ago, so I was anxious to get back and see it. We took a driving tour of the little town. I showed Charlie the two houses I lived in. Then we drove past the elementary and middle schools and a few of my favorite parks. It is such an idyllic town, I couldn't help but feel tiny pangs to move back, buy a house, and begin raising a large family.

Later we parked downtown and spent the afternoon checking out the shops. I had a chance to eat a scoop of my favorite, favorite, Wisconsin ice cream, blue moon (Chicago readers, any clue if you can get blue moon in the city?). You can see Charlie's regret in ordering his coffee ice cream below.

After our ice cream, we continued our walk up the street. We stopped in the winery for a tasting and bought a few bottles of wine to take home. We rounded out the day with an early dinner at the corner pub. Enjoyed some some cheese curds, spotted cows, and brat burgers with sauerkraut before getting back on the road and heading home. It was a great Saturday getaway and the perfect way to celebrate Halloween.