twigs in a blanket

what’s cookin’

lucia — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:32:51 +0000

Cooking for two in a tiny apartment kitchen can often turn out quite delicious, even if it’s by accident and without any counter space. I do a lot of improvising and never measure. Eyeball. Guesstimate. Taste test.

Typically the week we go grocery shopping I end up cooking every day that week, minus a takeout here and there. The following week we eat like crap. All of these images must have come on a shopping week unless I had to fight off starvation with our slim, barely stocked pantry and got creative.

Omelet with heirloom tomatoes, ham and basil. / Baked eggs with cream, sun-dried tomatoes and chives.

Cheesy chicken tortilla soup. / Asian dumpling soup with mushrooms.

Roasted cod with lemon, chives and fingerling potatoes. / Pistachio-crusted scallops with white wine cream sauce.

Baked potato bar with all the fixings. / Quinoa stuffed squash.

Pasta carbonara with peas and chicken sausage. / Frontera Red Chile Mole Chicken with brown rice and asparagus.

Caprese skewers with prosciutto. / Clementine pound cake with vanilla ice cream and raspberries.

I should really stop taking photos with my iphone. I know. Thanks!

Holiday Getaway

lucia — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:31:43 +0000

Since last winter was like this:

The Kellers decided we need to get away. I wrapped presents and David made us a no-water tree and we spent a quick (but lovely) Christmas weekend with the Schroeders in Iowa.

Then David and I packed our bags and after a jaunt in a town car, two airplanes, a San Juan taxi, a missed ferry, a freezing cold ferry, and another taxi we met the rest of my family at Colina De las Brisas in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Wild horses in the yard / driveway.

Iguanas.

Fort Count Mirasol as seen from our balcony. And exploring the fort below.

The 375 year old Ceiba tree. And so many beaches!

In Esperanza.

New Years party in Isabel II town square.

Back on the main island in PR, we stayed one night where supposedly the pina colada was invented and Hunter S. Thompson wrote Rum Diaries.

It was and excellent break.

Happy Holidays

lucia — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:18:52 +0000

I stink at this whole posting thing. Anywhooo…
Merry Chirstmas and Happy New Year from David, Lucia and Winnie!

Pool Party

lucia — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:26:29 +0000

Splish. Splash.

Winnie welcoming the other Wheatens.

Upward Facing Dog

lucia — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:03:40 +0000

So I finally did it. I started going to yoga like the rest of the world. I secretly wanted to hate it because everyone and their mother is doing yoga these days. (Do only old people say “these days”? Why do I worry about these things?) Anyway, you know what? I love it! All those people who were like “yoga is so great” weren’t lying. It really seems to be pretty great. I think it may do wonders for my back and posture. Who knew?! Yoga.

(This was taken back in March when Winnie was sporting the cone of shame.)

long overdue haircut post

lucia — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 04:46:37 +0000

Almost a month and a half ago now Winnie spent her first day at the groomers. She got all cleaned up. Nails, ears, the works! You have to see the before shots to best appreciate the after. I don’t know how she could see before. We tried a little pony tail but what a mop! She looks like some Muppet creature or something.

BEFORE:

AFTER (shown with her fairy godmother Ellen):

And one glamor shot for good measure:

know your greens

lucia — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:58:56 +0000

This winter I signed up for a produce share from the adorable people at the Green Grocer right by my office. Its not a CSA, but it is all organic. For something like $15 a week I’d get enough fruits and veggies to last David and I all week, maybe more. Not only did it force us to really eat more fruits and vegetables, it has got us eating produce (and different recipes) we normally would not.

Recipes like: beautiful rainbow chard with roasted chickpeas.

Kale and White Bean Soup. I highly recommend baked Kale Chips as well. They are amazing!

Steamed artichokes have been a Keller favorite since childhood.

Beets. Beet greens. Arugula. Love it!

And shaved fennel, which I thought I hated but now is one of my new favorites thanks to this Shaved Fennel, Celery, McIntosh Apple and Bacon Salad recipe.

(I gotta apologize for the bad iphone photos. Does not do all the great produce justice.)

Easter

lucia — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 04:55:00 +0000

I hosted my first holiday! And despite my cold, I’d say Easter 2011 was a success.

It was Kellers only. The original four, plus one face-licking ball-o-fluff.

There was ham and a savory bread pudding (recipe here).

Showed the rents all my local favs. A late brunch at Toast. A good run around the dog park. People watching in Wicker Park. Sushi dinner at Coast. And drinks at the Charleston.

Have you ever had a Moscow Mule? Vodka, ginger beer, and lime. I’d say its my new favorite.

NOW DANCE!

Summer Dreamin’

lucia — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:41:26 +0000

A few of the many reasons summer can’t come soon enough…

Farmers markets.

Tomatoes.

Caprese salad.

BLTs.

Fish tacos and cold beers.

Are you ready?

winnie week

lucia — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:58:35 +0000

This past week has been all about little Miss Winnie Cooper. Monday was the big puppy graduation, complete with cap and gown.

So proud.

Wednesday was puppy party night at PetSmart where she got to run around and play with other little ones. She was the belle of the ball of course, stirring up all the action.

Thursday was a night of romping at the dog park. One last hurrah before Friday’s big operation. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was dropping her off to get fixed. I didn’t think I would get so SO attached. I mentioned she’s a dog right? Anyway, everything went well and we have been resting all weekend long. We didn’t leave the house. I don’t’ think I got dressed. Just hunkered down with takeout, Håaen-Dazs, movies, reality TV for me, computer games for Dave and the cone of shame for Winnie.

Oh yea, and she lost her first tooth?! …Man, how they grow up fast.