Entries from January 22nd, 2011

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

January 25th, 2011 · 1 Comment

For part of our Thanksgiving dinner Dallas requested pumpkin pie. Plain pumpkin pie. No bars, nothing fancy, not cookies, just a classic pumpkin pie. SO, I made Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie. And he loved it!

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie
From: All Recipes

1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.

Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. (Do not freeze as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.)

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Erin’s Baby Shower

January 24th, 2011 · 3 Comments

On Saturday I went down to Tinley Park for Erin‘s baby shower. I’d never been to Tinley Park before and honestly? It was pretty easy to get to and only took about 40 minutes tops, no traffic! Erin’s shower was at an Italian restaurant called Gatto’s and her mom, sisters and friends reserved a space for us to celebrate. When I walked in, I had a tiny socially awkward panic thinking I didn’t know anyone, but very quickly I saw Blagica and Claire. We sat together and chatted, enjoying a nice Italian lunch of salad, calamari, penne, and chicken vesuvio.

Erin mingled around at each table and she looked so adorable. The last time I saw her was September. She was about 3 months along, I think? Honestly, she wasn’t looking too pregnant. She’s looking pregnant now! The baby is due three days before our wedding February. Erin introduced me to some people I didn’t know and told them I was getting married in a month. She went on to say how she and Scott had totally planned on attending and were even looking at rental properties, when they found out they were expecting. She said she was so bummed. Joyous. But bummed. Erin & Scott, I know I’ll have a lot going on when we’re on Kauai, but I will for sure be thinking of you guys. Can’t wait to meet your baby girl!

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Oh. P.S. I wanted to note the gift I got, since it was made by local crafty ladies. Since I worked with Erin and Scott on Chicagoist and that is where Erin and Scott met, I got them two Chicago-themed onesies.

The onesie on the left has the Chicago flag and was made by the talented Anne Holub, who we are all friends with. This gift got a small applause.. so .. winner! On the right, the Bean Baby onesie reminded me so much of our old Chicagoist bean tshirts that I couldn’t resist. Erin and Scott “got it” immediately, so that was awesome too. The Bean tshirt was made by Leigh Kelsey, who has an Etsy shop called Rhymes With Twee, and once applied to be a Chicagoist contributor… so it was all so perfect!

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Superbowl Bound!

January 23rd, 2011 · 2 Comments

I bunkered down in my living room with my fellow Packers fan Caroline today and watched the Packers beat the Bears to win the NFC Championship and earn the right to play a Superbowl XLV. Caroline brought over all of the Wisconsin necessities: A port wine cheese ball made in Kaukauna, WI (where I lived for a few years); cheddar from Weyauwega, WI; summer sausage from Oshkosh, WI; and Packer-themed cupcakes (not from WI, but fun anyway). She also brought over some Leinenkugel’s beer from Chippewa Falls, WI and a microbrew from Horny Goat, out of Stevens Point, WI. And I had some Shine On beer from Central Waters Brewing in Amherst, WI and a variety of beers from Sand Creek Brewing in Black River Falls, WI. It was awesome!

Later on Jess came by and watched the end of the game with us. It was fun to have a girls football party where in between plays we could ponder important things like “Who is cuter? Matthews or Rodgers?” and “Did you hear that Cutler is dating Kristin Cavallari?” and rewind BJ Raji’s touchdown play 5 times so we could giggle at his dance. Fun day. AND!!!! PACKERS IN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!

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Faithful Place by Tana French

January 22nd, 2011 · No Comments


finished 01.21.11

I liked this book enough, but I loved Tana French’s first two books (In The Woods, The Likeness) so this one paled in comparison a bit. It’s still a murder mystery, but concentrates a ton more on one character’s family relationships. I listened to the audio version of the book and loved the narrator’s Irish accent.

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Crepes a Latte

January 22nd, 2011 · 2 Comments

While waiting for my car to get serviced at Nal’s, I decided to check out this place just across the street and down a bit called Crepes a Latte. I got the marshmallow latte and a dark chocolate raspberry crepe. I thought both were delicious.

The cafe is really cute inside. Very whimsical. The storefront is really wide and all along the front window they have a counter. On the counter they have built in iPhone charging stations, which I thought was pretty cool.

Check it out next time you’re on Irving Park Road there, or heading to the Irving Park Brown Line.

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