Category: Food

General Update

I was just thinking yesterday that it had been a bit since I had blogged and wondered if the same was true for Jack.  When I was at my parents' house yesterday, my mom commented that she had been "thanking the troops" for a week now and was ready for a new blog.  Thanks for the prompting and reminder, Mom! :)

Jack and I really enjoyed our first Christmas together as husband and wife and had a wonderful time with our families.  We spent Christmas Eve with my family at my parents' house where there was tons of great food and lots of family all gathered together.  We were the first to arrive early on in the day to help set everything up and we were also the last to leave as we were trying to help clean up.  A good time was had by all!  Although Jack has always fit in with our family, this year it seemed like he had been there all along as he answered the door, got things for my mom, sat with my grandparents', etc.  I know he has been comfortable with them all for years now, but it seemed even more evident now that we are married.  It was a wonderful feeling for me.

On Christmas Day, we went to Mass at St. John Cantius together and then headed to his sister's condo for Christmas festivities with his family.  Once again, a great time was had by all with lots of food and good company.  Jack and I headed home and had our own little Christmas and exchanged our gifts for each other. 

We spent the Friday after Christmas furniture shopping, and although we saw a lot, nothing caught our eye enough to purchase just yet.  We did find some Christmas decorations and such on clearance, so I was happy about that.  The next day however, I had a miserable day dealing with what I think was food poisoning from our dinner out the night before, and unfortunately, it lingered for the next few days.  Yesterday was the first day where I seemed to eat some normal food, although my appetite still isn't totally back. 

Yesterday was also the day where my mom and I finally made "party mix", as I have had a taste for it for years now, but we never have been able to squeeze it in.  It is similar to Chex Mix, but is my mom's own version and boy is it good!!  Jack had never had it so I told him he was in for a real treat, and after trying it, he agreed.  YUM!

We wish all of you a happy new year and all the best in 2009!

Categories: Family | Food | Holidays
Posted on December 31, 2008 by Mary

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Circus, Baby Shower, Birthday, Condo and Cranberry Apple Crunch

This weekend, Mary and I were quite busy.  Saturday morning, we went to the circus with my sisters and their families.  The kids really seemed to love it, although I'm sure it was sensory overload for them! While I remember the circus being lots of fun as a kid, it didn't quite have the same effect as an adult, however, seeing Annalee and Rhys (and even Carys) smile and stare in amazement was more than enough to make it enjoyable!

After the circus, Mary went to a baby shower for our friend Anna, while I ran some errands for my parents.  We met back up at about 5:00pm to do some "quick" shoe shopping in Oak Brook before heading to Woodridge to celebrate Megan's birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings (Happy 28th Birthday!).

Sunday, after mass, we decided to dedicate the day to working around the condo.  Mary worked diligently all day long on finishing up wedding things (yes there is still plenty to do) while intermittenly doing laundry, making coffee, folding laundry, unpacking, etc.  I did a lot of overdue cleaning and a decent amount of unpacking and organizing.

Later in the evening, we both went to a few stores looking for dining room chairs, then ended up at Home Depot to return a few things and buy a few new things.  Who would have thought I'd get excited about closet organization?  On the way home, we stopped really quick to pick up some cranberries and when we got home I made the first batch of Cranberry Apple Crunch for the season!  Mary and I have decided we're going to try and come up with a slightly healthier version of it so we don't feel quite as guilty for making it :)

Categories: Family | Food | Condo | Friends
Posted on November 10, 2008 by Jack

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Dinner at Cafe Bionda

Last night,  Mary and I met her Dad, cousin Clare (in town from Seattle), and Clare's co-worker for dinner at Cafe Bionda.  We've been there a few times, quite often when Mary's Dad is working a show at McCormick Place.  Every time, the food has been fantastic, and it was no exception last night.  I had Veal Marsala, Mary had Nana's Gravy (pot roast, rigatoni and tomato sauce), and Mary's Dad got the Veal Francese.  We also each enjoyed a glass of wine.  I wish I could remember what Clare got and the specifics about the wine, but I don't which is too bad, because the wine there has also always been really good.  I'll have to try and be better about keeping track of that stuff!

We took a couple pictures, which I can post once we download them from Mary's camera!

Categories: Family | Food | Restaurants
Posted on October 21, 2008 by Jack

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