killian

Entries Tagged as 'killian'

Surprise!

September 8th, 2009 · 4 Comments

On Sunday Dallas and I planned to spend the day together. In the morning we didn’t really do anything. Just hung around the house, picked up a little bit. At about noon we left. He was going to help me get an iPhone for my birthday so we went to the AT&T store and then to a few other store in the shopping center.. Game Stop, Bath & Body Works.. nothing crazy. We stopped for a quick bite at Taco Bell (secretly love!) and then bought some groceries at Dominick’s. I was having a good time just doing nothing and hanging out with Dallas. We don’t often run these kinds of errands together or go shopping together. I remember commenting about it and how it was nice. Little did I know, we were just killing time while people assembled at our house. I thought the plan was to run these errands, go home and chill for a while, then go to a movie. But when we got home I opened the door, and SURPRISE!

There were about 15 people standing in our living room when I opened the door. I remember being so in shock. Dallas and I were just discussing what movie to see as we pulled into the garage! I couldn’t even take it all in. Everyone yelling “SURPRISE!,” Cory was standing on a chair taking my photo. A few people had never been to our place and I remember thinking that I hadn’t cleaned. And there was a cake with candles on the counter. This was running through my head instantly that first second. I didn’t even know what to do. SHOCK. 30 minutes later my hands were still a little shaky, my heart beating a little fast. Get me a beer – STAT!

Dallas is pretty laid back and “no nonsense” about birthdays and holidays. He doesn’t really care if a gift is given or a celebration is held right on the day. He doesn’t really plan ahead, what he wants to get or do. When it’s my birthday or Christmas, I’ll tell him what I want and he’ll go buy it, or we’ll go together and he’ll pay for it. With restaurants or parties, I usually say where I want to go, or what I want to do, then we do it. I’ve gotten pretty used to this over the last 5 years. I think this was half the shock. How did he manage to actually PLAN something, prepare everything ahead of time, and not only that, pull it off. I honestly had NO IDEA anything was going on. Of course, in hindsight I put two and two together on a lot of things…. why are you texting so much while driving? Why do we have to buy all this cream at Dominick’s? Things that didn’t seem odd when they happened but when you added them all up…

To plan for this, Dallas had secret lunches with Jess to talk about details and to give her keys. That Friday when he was just hanging out with Danny? They slow cooked 14 pounds of pork in the smoker to make pulled pork for the party. Danny also made a cold corn soup that was to die for. That pulled pork was gone lickity split. 14 pounds! It was soooo delicious. And Jess made me a birthday cake. Probably the first birthday cake that I’ve had in … I don’t know? A decade? Did I mention the cake was double chocolate Kahlua? The bar has been knocked up so high, I don’t know how we’re ever going to top this dinner!

Killian took these nice photos of me blowing out my candles. I was so happy I’d taken a shower that day. And dried my hair. And put on a trace of makeup. I didn’t get to jewelry or a nice outfit, but it could have been worse.

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The party was great. We hung around inside. We hung out on the roof deck. It was nice out, not too hot, not too cold. We played cornhole all night. Our upstairs neighbors came down and made me do shots at their house. We played Rock Band later in the night. I hadn’t played Rock Band for so long and was having a great time doing it. Such an overwhelming day. Honestly, it felt like 3 am, but it was only 11 pm. Here’s a video of me dancing around holding a bottle of champagne and singing along to the song “Buddy Holly,” by Weezer. The video is kind of messed up because Danny was laying on the ground messing with my iPhone. Maybe also because we were all taking swigs directly from that bottle of champagne.

I had the best time and most of all it felt really great that everyone went through the extra trouble. For me! For my birthday. And I didn’t really lift a finger. I’m not used to that! It was so nice. I have the best friends and the best boyfriend! Thanks everyone for such a great day!

(Cory took more photos of the party. I’ll have to get them from her and post them later. It felt really weird that I was not the photographer for once!)

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Update (11/09): Here are the photos Cory sent me.

Surprise!

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Killian, Jessica, Kate, Emily, Alden, Paul

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Kate, Emily, Alden, Paul, Chris, Jill, Cousin

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Brian & Limey

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Geoff & Christina

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Brian & Jill (& Halle!)

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Cory & Chris got me this pimp cup

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Liz & Killian

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Jessica, Paul, Kate

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Steve trying to kill a bee with Liz’s shoe

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Cousin & Malachy

Martha Stewart’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

August 12th, 2009 · 1 Comment

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When Dallas, Billy, Josh and Killian went to the Bulls/Celtics game I decided to do a little baking. I like to bake when we have company because then I don’t have to eat everything myself. Plus, I thought they’d like a snack when they got back. Killian always says he loves my baking, so I thought the other guys would too.

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I made this recipe from the Martha Stewart Cookies cookbook, of course. I’ve made a lot of recipes from that book this year. They always turn out great and this time was no exception. Returning from the game, the guys plowed into those bars. Especially Killian, who must have downed at least half the pan himself. Not that I am complaining, It’s the best compliment when you can’t stop eating something I made!

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Martha Stewart’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

This version of a well-loved combination from childhood concentrates the flavors into a sweet dessert that appeals to all ages. We like strawberry jam, but feel free to substitute any flavor you prefer. Makes about 3 dozen.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups strawberry jam, or other flavor (I used black raspberry)
2/3 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with butter, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the parchment, and coat inside of pan with flour; set aside. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add eggs and peanut butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes.

Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Add to bowl of mixer on low speed; combine. Add vanilla. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan; spread evenly with offset spatula. Using offset spatula, spread jam on top of peanut-butter mixture. Dollop remaining third of peanut-butter mixture on top of jam. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool; cut into about thirty-six 1 1/2-by-2-inch pieces.

I’m on a Boat!

August 10th, 2009 · 5 Comments

Killian grew up sailing on Lake Michigan with his dad and brothers. Remember last year? He even got married at the Columbia Yacht Club, where they dock their boat. Killian and his family do the big races, like the race from Chicago to Mackinac Island, but also do smaller Beer Can Regattas every Wednesday night.

For years Killian has invited me to go out with them on a Wednesday night and I never did. Dallas got really sick once when he went and I was afraid I would too. I’ve gotten sick on a zodiac in Hawaii and on a sailboat in the Caribbean and whale watching in San Diego, so I had a history. At Tour de Fat Jess and Killian got to talking and Killian told her about sailing and Jess was interested in going some time. Then about a week ago I saw Killian’s brother Malachy on the train and we started talking about it. Finally, I decided “enough talking!” and made plans for Jess and I to join them for sailing.

I took Dramamine ahead of time and I didn’t get sick. I had a fun time and so did Jess. I don’t know that we could tell you much about sailing.. we were just trying to stay out of the way of the action.. but I did get some great photos.

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