meet our friend santa

something to celebrate

The end of finals. We never thought the day would come.

a small thanks

It is a cold and snowy night here in Chicago. The snow began falling midday and didn't slow until this evening. I adore the moment when the snow remains untouched and the air is still. It only lasts a moment before the sidewalks are full of footprints again, but the moment makes me savor winter.

After returning to an empty house from a very snowy walk this afternoon, I dug through the mail looking for anything good. Then, a small brown envelope addressed to me from Charlie. I opened the envelope to find what is likely the world's smallest envelope. As I peeled the wax from the back and opened it, I found a tiny and beautiful thank you note. Luckily a small magnifying glass was included so I could read his words. The small (quite literally) gesture warmed me up after the long walk. It was such a romantic and simple gift, one that I will treasure for a long time. I feel very lucky tonight.

my darling clementine

If you're like me, you've purchased a box of clementines or you will over the next few months. I can't seem to help myself when the charming wooden boxes appear in the store. However after arriving home, without fail I ask myself what I'm going to do with all of them. Sure, the clementines are wonderful for the first few days. They make an easy snack when breezing through the kitchen or pausing between wrapping the large stack of gifts beneath the Christmas tree. But by day five? The enticement of the clementine snack begins to dim ever so slightly.

Enter the quickest, most satisfying, crisp winter salad. This recipe is the perfect use for those leftover clementines and a wonderful accompaniment to a piece of fish. Good balance I think to the Christmas sweets that are plentiful this time of year.

Clementine Salad
Adapted from Gourmet, 2005

2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 3/4 pounds clementines (7 to 11)
2 pounds Belgian endives (6 to 8) or bibb lettuce
1/2 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and cut lengthwise into slivers
1 cup drained cocktail (pickled) onions (5 ounces), quartered
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves


Whisk together vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with pepper.

Peel clementines and separate segments.

Halve endives lengthwise, then cut out and discard cores. Cut endives diagonally into 1/2-inch-wide strips and put in a large salad bowl.

Add olives, onions, parsley, and clementine segments. Whisk dressing, then gently toss salad with enough dressing to coat.

merry and bright

On Saturday night, Dan hosted his annual Pre-Holiday Mixer. Charlie put studying on hold and we headed to Dan's with a large bottle of Campari in hand. The apartment filled up quickly but perhaps not as quickly as the bar itself. The table spilled over with every mixer and liquor imaginable. The walls were covered in cocktail recipes, and everyone began exploring their inner-bartender.

My favorite drink of the night? The St-Germain cocktail.

2 shots champagne
1.5 shots St-Germain
2 shots club soda

Stir ingredients in an ice filled glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!

step over martha

Today is my mom's birthday. If you're lucky enough to know her, you know a few things about her. You probably know that she's an amazing cook, one unafraid of any ingredient or daunting recipe. She is also an impeccable host and entertainer. Since childhood, the events and parties she has planned have stuck with me. For years she hosted a fall event in my grandparents backyard, complete with hayrides, food cooked over a large fire, and hot cider and cocoa. These days she cooks large impressive meals for her friends and our family and serves them on the terrace overlooking their property.

She's also not afraid to step out of the kitchen and to take up daunting projects on their farm. She's been know to chop impressive stacks of wood, mow acres and acres of land, and sweat it out all day in her garden. She's also always coming up with greener ways to live everyday life; she makes her own cleaning products, started a recycling program in her area, and recently set up a worm farm to work on the compost pile in the backyard. Genius! A worm farm! Who would have thought?

We are on the phone each week discussing new recipes or books, authors and what we're reading, and the current creative projects that are keeping our hands busy. She has taught me the importance of always making things with my hands and to always give to others. Always.

Mostly my mom inspires me as she opens herself up to new opportunities each day. She is unafraid and approaches life head first, with a drive and focus to take on new challenges unabashedly.

I recall an evening a few months ago when she called, hands full, her voice proudly proclaiming, "I'm making my own cheese!" She knew in that moment that I was the only person in the world that would understand the triumph and jubilation felt in such an accomplishment.

When she was here in August she gave me some lessons on the sewing machine. Her skills left me far behind as she focused in and produced perfectly sewn place mats, and miniature pillows.

If you're not lucky enough to know her yet, I hope the chance you have to meet her someday. Happy Birthday Mom! Love you much and can't wait to see all of you and the house over Christmas!

Snow

The same old tree, with snow.