Stella's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be perfectly honest, I haven't blogged all week because every day was... well, rainy, gloomy, and slightly uneventful. During the day, Cece and I were back to the great indoors, coloring, sculpting play-doh, reading, getting some household organizing done, and watching the occasional Disney movie. Each night, after Cece went to bed, Joe and I hunkered down and watched several episodes of season three of The Walking Dead. (SO. GOOD.) The majority of our conversation this week has been about our zombie apocalypse survival strategies, which is a completely normal thing to do.

 

However, the sun finally showed itself yesterday. Even though it was still brisk, EVERYONE in the city was outside again. And since I was promised a date night, I insisted that we had to dine al fresco. So, we ended up in Uptown at Stella's Fish Cafe shivering sitting on the rooftop patio. Because of all the newly popped-up construction, instead of getting a great view of the Minneapolis skyline, we got a great view of cranes, cones, and partially competed buildings. Ah, well. The food was mighty tasty and the company wasn't so bad either. We ended the night with a little stroll around Lake Calhoun and even glimpsed a bit of a regatta happening. And, you guessed it, more Walking Dead when we got home.

 

And that, my friend, is how one gets dated.

Legen-wait for it-dary BBQ Chicken Pizza

 
Not to brag, but I think my brother and sister are both very impressive people for many reasons.
 
Lately, it's not uncommon for one, if not both, of my siblings to be making some sort of absolutely delicious meal. The last time I was home, I never cooked dinner once and I was kind of getting used to it. Now, every time I go back to Minnesota, I've been attempting to recreate some of the food they've made.
 
Last time I was in, my sister made this BBQ chicken flatbread which pretty much blew my mind and I would not stop talking about it. I'm sure I was annoying.
 
Anyways, I gave my own version a go this week and I think it was tasty enough to share here (if I can remember it all).
 
Legen-wait for it-dary BBQ Chicken Pizza
 
Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza crust (I used Archer Farms)
• 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. (My favorite is Famous Dave's Rich and Sassy)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, chopped
• 1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped
• 1 lb chicken breast, pan seared, seasoned with salt and pepper, and chopped
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (use as much or as little as you like.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to crust package.

2. Chop onions and peppers. Sautee in a pan with a teensy bit of butter until tender.

3. Chop chicken. Sautee in a pan until cooked through (with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray). Season with salt and pepper. Combine chicken, peppers, and onion into a single pan.

4. Once peppers, onion, and chicken are cooked, begin layering. (Layering is KEY!) Spread half of the BBQ sauce on the pizza crust. (Leave a bit of room on the edges). Next, add a layer of half of the chicken and pepper mixture. Top with half of the cheese and cilantro. Drizzle the rest of the BBQ sauce over the pizza. Add a remaining layer of the chicken and pepper mixture. Finish topping it with the rest of the cheese and cilantro.

5. Bake in the over according to the time on the crust package, probably no longer than 12-15 minutes. Slice, enjoy, and relish in being called the kitchen hero of the day.
 
I recommend saving all of the left over onion and pepper bits to go into eggs for breakfast the next day... just a suggestion. Enjoy!

Doodling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I honestly don't know much about photo-editing, I try to take the "less is more" approach. At least that's what I was doing until this week when A Beautiful Mess (one of my absolute favorite blogs) released their new photo app for the iPhone and iPad. And then I went crazy bananas with filters, fonts, and doodles. It's slightly addicting.

 

I also very much enjoyed my recent time with family and friends in Chicago. I felt like all of the photos from this week could use a little extra fanciness, so I think it all worked out nicely.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying what now truly seems to be spring!

And off goes my baby brother to prom...

Somehow, our baby bro just went off to prom this weekend. 

I got a little emotional taking pictures (even the ones by the piano that mom insisted on). Cece was actually stunned into silence by how beautiful Kelley looked. The only thing she could say was "pin-cess."

Love you lots, Michael! Even though you are growing up way too fast, I think you're becoming quite a good fella.

Mother's Day 2013

 

It was such a sweet Mother's Day. We spent the morning at my grandma's eating good food,  exchanging cards and flowers, letting Cece run around in the yard, and watching her chase the cats around the house ("KITTY CAT!!!"). After coming home to give Cece a chance to nap, we got to hang out with the Canzonas who have been friends with our family for a long, long time. They are easily some of the most wonderful people I've ever known in my life. I'm lucky to be back in Chicago now and in the company of such fantastic people.

 Although I know that every single day and every holiday will not be the same without Dad (who was always so thoughtful and completely on top of cards and flowers), I'm more grateful than ever to have such a fabulous mom.  Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!