Chelsea Morgan

Lately, I've been feeling like a bloated seacow and I've definitely been relying on sugar to get me through the last winter dregs. But now that spring is just around the corner (in theory), I think I need to start eating a little healthier. This summer, I'm headed to Croatia, and as a treat, I would really like a new bathing suit for the Adriatic.  (I have several options picked out already.) Mike and I have a deal where every time we do something healthy, like eat our vegetables, or exercise or skip a dessert, we reward ourselves with tourist money for Croatia. And since vegetables count as 10 Croatia dollars, I'm determined to see it through. 

This week, I bought a bunch of asparagus in the vain hope that I would actually cook it and not let it fester in our fridge until the stench became unbearable. And damnit, I decided to COOK it! Using this recipe from AllRecipes was fairly simple, and I am now 10 Croatia dollars richer. Huzzah!

You'll need:

Cutting board

Skillet

Baking pan

Knives for CHOPPING

Olive Oil

1 clove garlic, chopped

Prosciutto Crudo

2 eggs

1 bunch asparagus

Salt & Pep

First, preheat your oven to 425. Stick some olive oil (and butter if you're me) into your skillet and sautée your chopped garlic. Once it's sizzling nicely, add as much ripped up prosciutto as you like. Sautée until browned.

Rinse your asparagus and remove the ends. I now know that you have to snap the ends off at their weak point instead of cutting them, but whatevs, they turned out fine. Place the asparagus in your baking pan and drizzle/lightly coat with olive oil. Then add the olive oil mixture with the garlic and prosciutto and coat evenly. 

Pop that baby in the oven for 10 minutes. Sip your wine. Then take it out, rotate and flip the asparagus, and put it in for 5 more minutes. 

Once it's out, poach a couple eggs or cook over easy in your skillet. Salt, pepper, and serve the egg atop your tasty asparagus. 

This was such a simple dish to make, and it definitely tasted delicious. Especially while chugging a nice Montepulciano red. Maybe eating my veggies won't be so bad after all...

Spring is SO CLOSE. I can almost feel it. And while we're still dreaming of Spring, I've skipped ahead a season. I can't get this out of my head. Enjoy!

Summer's Gone by Aberfeldy

I'm in a really cool book club. Like REALLY COOL. And from time to time, I'd like to post some of our silly book club moments as well as the books we're reading and (possibly) discussion questions. Don't wanna post monthly, because I'll get behind myself for sure, but every once in a while I'll add a new book to the queue!

First up is The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner. Not one of my all-time favorites, but an interesting look at young artists and moto culture in the 1970's. I felt like it was a story about my mom in a way, and all the other ladies who were a part of the women's movement and who were newly independent in the 70's. The dive bars, the art, the European adventures and political protests. All in all, a good read, if a little random and haphazard at times. I rate a solid B. 

Assembling snacks

For our book club, we met at El's apartment and Andriana brought tasty Italian-themed snacks. We also have ample booze at these meetings, hence the wide variety of glassware. 

Tasty olives, cheese and bread

Emily and I, excited for BREAD

If you're feeling ambitious or have already read The Flamethrowers, feel free to leave comments below!

I love pie. Delicious, juicy, springy, tangy, buttery pie. I also enjoy any math-related holiday where I get to enjoy a slice. 

Though I did not make this particular pie by myself, I got it from First Slice Pie Café, on Ashland and Balmoral in Andersonville. Want to know something cool? They're a non-for-profit, so all their proceeds go to helping the homeless. And today for Pie Day, they had a BOGO deal for slices! What a sweet, sweet deal. 

For a future project, I'm hoping to make these. But for now, I'm just gonna be lazy and enjoy my easily-bought Michigan sour cherry pie. Happy Pie Day, everyone!

This is one of my favorite music videos of all time. I know the song is past its prime in terms of general popularity, but to me, it's one for the ages. I first heard it as a high school senior and thus began my love affair with Regina Spektor. There are many other favorite songs of hers that I love dearly, but this was the first. After hearing it on Veronica Mars this week (which I can't stop watching to save my life) I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the days of American Eagle Outfitters jeans and Lucky Brand hoodies. Ah, high school. I spent many a morning listening to Regina on the bus on my walkman. Until I got a car and then it was my very own CD player. I do miss those days, some would say happier times. At the very least, life was a little more simple in high school and as with "Fidelity," simple isn't always a bad thing. 

Have a good weekend! Here's to a hopeful Spring and fond high school memories.