October randoms...

I can't believe October is almost over.  Actually, I can.  It's true...the older I get, the faster the time flies by.

Coffee.

A little comfort-in-a-cup to get me through some morning study time.

 I never thought I'd really become a coffee drinker.  Even though I really, really wanted one of those Keurig machines and my fabulous mother-in-law, Jody, got me one for Christmas last year...I never really wanted it to make coffee.  I was excited about the little hot cocoa and tea cups, but the coffee, not so much.  However, once Tim finally moved up to Chicago with me, coffee slowly made its way into my cup.  I'm loving the Pike Place brew from Starbucks.  They don't have K-cups yet for Starbucks, but they do make a neat, reusable filter basket so you can use any coffee your little heart desires - sans K-cup.  I'm not a caffeine freak by any means, it's not even really a daily thing for me.  I do mine with a splash of half & half, a bit of Stevia and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Yum!

Chocolate.

Chocolove.

I'm sure I've mentioned this chocolate before.  It is my favorite in the whole-wide-world...but I'm always open to any challengers!  The raspberry used to be my favorite - but the almonds & sea salt is currently in the lead.  Perfect combo of salty and sweet!  The orange peel is okay, but not one of my faves.  I can usually find this delicious treat at Whole Foods or World Market.

Patio weather.

I'm afraid these days are behind us - at least until next June...unless we travel somewhere warm!  Tim and I jumped at the chance one warm, October afternoon at the Duckfat Tavern.  Tim was in the mood for microbrews...I was in the mood for a good ol' PBR.   Damn you, you cold, dark, depressing Chicago winters...

Ice cream.

I don't think this picture needs any explanation.  It was good, but I've definitely had better Ben & Jerry's.  All I have to say is life is too short to take yourself so seriously....One Million Moms.

Friends.

I must say that Molly is one of my most favorite girlfriends.  She flew into Chicago last weekend for the Notre Dame/USC game in Southbend and she was so kind to squeeze an evening with me into her busy schedule!  We had a fun, yummy Italian dinner and then spent the rest of the evening drinking Skinnygirl white cranberry cosmos and watching part one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion.  We used to have a weekly girls night when we both lived in Wichita, which consisted of cooking/eating yummy food, drinking wine and watching whatever season of the Real Housewives was on Bravo.  Can't wait until our next girls night!

Bring on November!

Better late than never.

Last month, Pat, Melissa and Mark came to Chicago for a weekend full of decadence and debauchery.  We found that a Wrigley Field hot dog and an Old Style can almost cure any hangover (we're not 21 anymore!) and any business professional can act like a fool - and it's pretty much the funniest thing ever.  Guys - come back anytime!!!

Night #1 - 1 Pat - 0

Cubs game.

Bringing sexy back.  Almost.

Babes.

Hey-o!

Secret lovers.

Secret drunks - at Three Floyds Brewery.

Not so secret drunk. Aka Mark.

Do you know this guy?

Frisky cub.

The pictures of Mark "passed out" weren't a true depiction of his state of mind that night...he really wasn't passed out drunk.  But it was super funny watching people walk by thinking he was.  Guess you had to be there.

Veggie yum yums.

Hey everyone.  Yes, I know, it's been a few days since I've posted.  Okay, it's been a few weeks since I've posted.  Anywho, I've been busy getting back into the swing of things with my fall school schedule.  Nothing really new and exciting to share, I don't even have any fun pictures to post.

Tim and I got a gym membership yesterday.  I've been trying to mentally prepare Tim for how awful, cold, dark and depressing Chicago winters can be.  It gets dark at 4:30 p.m., there is always at least 3-5 inches of snow on the ground and well, it's just plum cold.  So last night I headed down the street to a Bally's (I'm sure you've all heard of those) because of course yesterday was the last day to sign up to get a special monthly rate/no joining fee thing.  It's actually a pretty sweet deal - we're paying about the same for what I paid for a single membership at the Y back in Wichita, and we get to use any Bally's location in the US...and I'm super excited because they have spin/cycle classes, which I love.  Plus, it will just be something fun Tim and I can do together, to get us out of the house during the long, dark - did I mention depressing? - winter months.

I'll sign off with a yummy meal Tim and I have been eating a lot of recently.  It's easy, healthy and super delish.  Roasted veggies!!!  Take any vegetable - preferably ones in season - slice 'em up (bite size is best) and throw 'em on a cookie sheet (I like to line it with foil, makes for an easy clean up).  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle any yummy herbs on top (I've been using dried herbs de Provence that we brought back from our honeymoon in France, but I'm sure you could try anything else - basil, parsley, etc.) along with salt and pepper of course.  I roast 'em in the oven at 400F for about 35-45 minutes.  But wait - it gets even better.  After I pull 'em out of the oven, I heat up a skillet with olive oil and fresh chopped garlic, and sit back and watch a little something I like to call the 'garlic dance'.  You know, when the garlic jumps around in the yummy oil on the skillet.  Add the roasted veggies in and let 'em soak up all that garlicky goodness.  I know I haven't created something amazing here, I'm just sharing with you in case you forgot how easy it was to roast veggies.  We've been using potatoes - the little red or gold ones - carrots, and red onion.  But my personal favorite so far has been a red onion mixture with butternut squash - probably the most amazing veggie in the whole world as far as I'm concerned.  Soon I'm going to get brave and try some other root veggies - parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, etc.  But whatever you do, do yourself a favor and saute the finished product in the garlic.