Herb Garden

I love my little backyard herb garden.

Lizzard Loves this backyard herb garden

I am trying (somewhat desperately) to banish my brown thumb for good. I use the anthem "Brown thumb; be gone!" as I scramble to keep my plants alive. This is the first year I've tried to grow more than one thing....last year I had 1 pot of basil; things have progressed from there.

Lizzard Loves this dill flower

This year I have tried basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, parsley,  and chives in hanging pots in the backyard. No, I did not start them from seed.....as much as I'd love to do that- I don't have the confidence yet. So far, I have killed the dill (except 1 wonderful little plant that I have let flower. I didn't have the heart to harvest any of it- it was a survivor! The rest of the plant died off when the spring in Chicago called to mind our winter of the Polar Vortex).

Lizzard Loves the first lavender harvest

Lizzard Loves chopped cilantro and happy basil

Lizzard Loves crazy chives and lavender

I neglected the cilantro to the point that it went to flower & I chopped it all off. Unlike the dill who shares pot space with parsley (which is thriving), the cilantro shares with basil. I was willing to cut down the cilantro in favor of some delicious bruschetta and pesto in my future!! Chives & lavender cohabitate quite nicely, they are both getting along quite well.

I would LOVE any gardening tips or tricks you might be able to share in the comments! What do you grow? What works? A great friend told me to bring my herbs inside when the weather dipped below 55 degrees (this seems to have helped- except that poor dill!). I know I need to pick off the buds/flowers if I want the herbs to continue to produce deliciously. What else do you swear by for your herb garden? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Walnut, Date & Chocolate Scones

I love scones.

Lizzard Loves chocolate, dates & walnuts

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you already knew this about me. Scones are a perfect pastry that can be made 1,000 different ways. Sweet? Savory? Crunchy? Soft? Indulgent? Quasi healthy? A scone can wear all those hats. Who doesn't love something so versatile? Did I mention it is a pastry? I am a sucker for a delicious pastry. 

Since I am thoroughly obsessed with scones, it would make sense that I am constantly on the lookout for new scone recipes. A couple of weeks ago I tried the new bacon date scone at Blue Sky Bakery. Not shockingly, it was delectable. The mix of sweet and salty will get me every single time. Side note- Blue Sky Bakery is one of those places that deserves to be visited by every northsider. It has awesome food, offers catering, has a cute cafe for enjoying their baked goodness or for private events and has a larger mission to offer job training to homeless teens in Chicago. Honestly - what could be better than a delicious bakery? A delicious bakery that is doing its thing to support teens who truly need it. Check it out, you will not be sorry!

There I go again, getting sidetracked. Blue Sky Bakery's bacon & date scone was still on my mind last week, so I wanted to take a stab at it. I didn't have bacon though.........and I didn't have buttermilk, which I need for my "go to" scone recipe. The world wide webs to the rescue again.

I adapted the recipe I found at Vegan Baking Mama's blog to my tastes and to what I had in my kitchen. Check out her original recipe & other delicious offerings at her blog. These are far sweeter than most scones I make, including the ones linked above. The combination of  dates and milk chocolate make for a great combination, but it is also very sweet! If you would like to try these but don't love sweet pastries, swap in dark chocolate, reduce the dates to 1/3 cup and increase the walnuts to 1 cup. I am so happy with the crisp edges and chunky texture these scones have. They have an awesome chew to them as well. Sigh. I do really love scones.

Walnut Date & Chocolate Scones
Makes about a dozen scones

Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
3/4 cup pitted dates, roughly chopped
3/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
7oz milk chocolate, roughly chopped
3/4 cup soy milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
1. Line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mats.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, sugar, flax, salt & baking powder.
3. Cut in the butter using a knife in each hand, a pastry cutter, or your fingers. If you use your fingers- work fast do you don't melt the butter! You should have a crumbly mixture with small pieces of butter remaining.
4. Mix in the dates, walnuts and chocolate.
5. Add the soy milk and vanilla and gently mix until incorporated.
6. Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup, scoop out the dough and place it on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Put the baking sheets into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
8. While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and wash some dishes if you're feeling particularly motivated! 
9. Bake the scones for 20-22 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through cooking time. The scones will brown at the edges and on top when they're done!
10. Slide the scones onto a wire rack to cool, then enjoy.  

Lizzard Loves Walnut Date & Chocolate Scones

I love "springing forward" and spring food

I love the first signs of spring. 

Lizzard Loves signs of spring

Daylight Savings Time is one of those signs; the light in the evening has been such a mood booster for the past week. Our 50+ degree days with sunshine haven't hurt either. Admittedly these days have been interrupted with snow and overnight lows in the teens, but I am not letting that get me down!

It makes me laugh every time I see Chicagoans wearing shorts when the mercury rises above 50 degrees for the first time each spring. I tell myself "only in Chicago" but I wonder - do other Midwestern cities react with similarly misplaced joy?? Please note, I am as thrilled as the next person to have the sun shine on my bare face - but 52 degrees does not shorts weather make :)

Lizzard Loves signs of spring

Another sure sign of Spring? My favorite little monkeys busting out their bikes (while one was wearing snow pants- but that is not getting him down- so why would I worry about it?)

The running around the city without coats on is another surefire way of knowing warmer weather has arrived (see top of the post for that photo :). I love spending time outside with my nephews; but the polar vortexes made it pretty difficult to enjoy the outdoors in January & February. Thank goodness March has brought weather warm enough to play outside!

Lizzard Loves signs of spring

Perhaps the best indicator of impending springtime is seen in my kitchen. I am quick to look for recipes that are brightly colored and chock full of fresh veggies like peas and asparagus. Admittedly, my desire to celebrate the first signs of elusive springtime weather in Chicago precedes the availability of local asparagus and other delicious spring veggies at the farmers market. Sometimes I need to buy produce from California. There, I admitted it.

Last week's effort at a new recipe was a success. I adapted the recipe below from Veggie Num Num (find their delicious recipe here). Neither Chris nor I are vegetarian or vegan , so it wasn't important to me to follow the recipe exactly as it was written. The adjustments I made were both for flavor & our current eating habits. Feel free to omit the chicken for a vegan recipe! I know we will eat this dish in a meatless version at some point; whether for a Meatless Monday or a Friday during Lent, or just because we often make an effort to eat less meat.

Pasta with Spinach, Avocado & Pea Pesto
Makes 5-6 servings
 
Ingredients
Pesto:
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
2 cup English peas (I used the ones in Trader Joe's refrigerated case)
1.5 avocados 
3 cup baby spinach
4 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste

Pasta:
10 oz package penne, rotini, or pasta of your choice. I used buckwheat spaghetti because its what I had in the pantry.

12 oz fresh haricot verts (French green beans). I bought them at Trader Joe's, Costco also sells them. Feel free to substitute (or just add) peas, asparagus, or other veggies you like. Regular green beans would be just fine here- I like how thin the haricot verts are.

2 cups reserved cooking liquid from the pasta (just in case)

1/8 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped  (for garnish)

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves (for garnish)

8-10 oz cooked chicken breast (I didn't have time to prep the chicken the night I made this- so I bought the precooked chicken breast at Trader Joe's. I don't like it nearly as much as chicken cooked at home, but I was in a bind & used what was available. This recipe would be a great way to repurpose leftover chicken from another meal!)

 Directions
1. Set a large pasta pot with at least 6 quarts of water on the stove to boil.

2. While you wait for the pasta water to boil; bring 3 cups of water to boil in a small pot. Add the peas, cook for 1-2 minutes. Drain & set aside to cool.

3. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Scoop out your 2 cups of cooking water before you drain the pasta. Dump the pasta back into the cooking pot to keep it warm. Or use this kind of pot (I have it & love it).

4. Cut the haricot verts in half or thirds, depending on your preference. Place the beans in a steamer basket. Cover the bottom of a pan with an inch or 2 of water. Add the steamer basket to the pan, cover & turn the heat to medium high. Steam the beans for approximately 8 minutes, turn off the heat and leave the pan covered to allow the beans to finish cooking.

5. While the beans are cooking, you have time to make your sauce. (I used my VitaMix to make the sauce, but a regular blender should be able to do the trick too!) Toss the spinach, roughly chopped walnuts, peeled garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, avocados, and a generous pinch of kosher salt into the pitcher of your blender. Pulse until the mixture turns to liquid and then puree until it is smooth. If you are struggling to get it to blend, add more lemon juice & olive oil in small increments until it is loose enough to puree. Should you have a VitaMix, feel free to toss a 1/4 of a lemon in instead of just the juice. I removed the outer peel because I didn't feel like scrubbing it. I picked out the seeds I could see before adding it.

6. Add the beans, cooked chicken, and sauce to the pasta pot (where your cooked pasta should be patiently waiting). Turn the heat to low and toss the ingredients to combine them. If the sauce is too thick to coat the pasta well, add the reserved liquid 1/4 cup at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

7. If you are feeling fancy, pour the pasta into a serving dish & garnish with the walnuts & spinach leaves. If it is a regular weeknight; portion the pasta into bowls & garnish it there :) The walnuts do add a nice crunch - so don't skip this step!

8. Once you've enjoyed the fruits of your cooking labors & are cleaning up the kitchen - cover & refrigerate any leftover cooking liquid from the pasta. If you plan to eat this dish warm again; add a couple of tablespoons of the liquid before you warm it up to ensure it doesn't dry out! I assume this would be a delicious cold dish, but given the snowstorm that visited Chicago the day after I made this dish; I ate the leftovers warm.

Lizzard Loves the color, texture and taste of this pasta.

Running Into Frozen Lake Michigan

I love submerging myself into frigid water whilst dressed as a banana.

Lizzard Loves running into Lake Michigan in March!

OK, that is a lie. 

The actual act of dunking myself in the sandy, 32 degree water of Lake Michigan was relatively awful. 

Lizzard Loves being out of that frigid puddle of water

I do love the craziness of it. 

Lizzard Loves friends old & new dressed as bananas

I love the fundraising for Special Olympics Chicago. It is such a great cause. I love that 20 of our friends & family members helped us raise more than $900 for Special Olympians in our area.

I love dressing up like a banana with my husband, best friend & a bunch of new friends. 

Lizzard Loves friends old & new dressed as bananas

I love that my husband & I borrowed 2 yellow turtlenecks & old school ties from my Dad to do this Polar Plunge.

Lizzard Loves borrowed clothes

 I love that #SwimmyFallon was goaded into participating in this year's Polar Plunge by our mayor. I particularly love the expression on his face as he exited the water.

Lizzard Loves Jimmy Fallon

Long lunch on a rainy day

I love long lunches.

Lizzard Loves Homegrown Cafe

It is wonderful to luxuriate in a delicious midday meal with a great friend while the weather outside is positively frightful. I went to Homegrown Cafe * today and was sucked into their cozy atmosphere, great coffee and comfort food. My friend and I dined & chatted for over 2 hours. We shared the breakfast burrito & the short rib sandwich which were both prepared beautifully (and there was not a fried egg in sight, much to my delight!). The meal was the perfect way to warm up after a rainy walk over! It made me quite happy that the chef/owner of Homegrown waited on us and allowed us to overstay our "meal time" while continuing to provide excellent service. 

Did I mention the sugar cubes? They don't do sugar shakers or sugar packets. Brown and white sugar cubes. It's the little things, right? I don't usually put sugar in my coffee; but when offered sugar cubes- I gladly make an exception! I've said it before, but I'll say it again - make a point to visit this restaurant. You will be so happy you did.

*Note about this link; the owners of this wonderful place closed their previous venture, Chalkboard Restaurant, & opened Homegrown Cafe in the same physical space- so don't get thrown by the link's title :) You are heading to the right website!

When this is the weather situation, it is easy to want to stay inside!

Lizzard Loves Chicago. Even with this weather.

You know what I also love? My rain boots. They allowed me to walk about a mile to lunch & arrive with dry feet even though it was pouring rain. They allowed me to walk off my vague feelings of guilt after throwing back not 1, but 2 slices of King Cake 1 hour before I had lunch plans. I love that my friend sent us another King Cake this year; here is the post about it from last year.

Lizzard Loves these rain boots.

The weather today is quite insane, even though my boots are knee high, I waded through a puddle that almost flooded them. Yikes. Though it may also be insane, somehow I still love this city. I love that when I was walking up Lincoln Ave on the way to lunch - it was bustling. In a foggy, flooded, rainstorm kind of day; people were out & about, just doing their thing. Only 1 person I passed was scowling & that may have had

more to do with the shouting match she was having on her cell phone than with the weather. It makes me so pleased to live in a place where people are so grateful for a 50 degree day in the midst of multiple polar vortexes that they are walking around outside despite of the torrential downpour of rain which accompanied the "heat wave".

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day.

Lizzard Loves Valentine's Day cards

I love the excuse to make & write cards to people I love. Although, who am I kidding, I really don't need an excuse for that!

I love the reminder to tell Chris I love him all day long.

Lizzard Loves Vday dinner at home

I love that our main tradition for this day is to order Thai takeout from our favorite Thai place and eat at home. I love that Chris & I agree heartily on avoiding the crowds on this holiday. I appreciate that we were both too burnt out on Thai food to want anymore this week; so I cooked for us instead. I love mixing up our fancy china & crystal with our funky new placemats from Thailand and our everyday silverware. I love that the flower on the table was a gift from my sister in law (I'm sure it was from my brother too :)


I love receiving Valentines (I usually get them from Chris, my little monkey nephews, my sister & my parents which is just great. This year was a total bonus because we got one from our niece too! That one featured dinosaurs, which was a double bonus). I encourage you to send Valentine's Day cards. I get it, we are days past actual Valentine's Day. But, it doesn't matter! Write a belated card. The cards are probably all on sale now anyway (bonus!). Can you think of a friend or family member or loved one who could use a pick me up? I am guessing you can............and I would guess they would love to receive a Valentine from you. Its just a thought, but it is the little things, right??

Lizzard Loves heart decorated bread

I love heart shaped things, because making things into heart shapes makes them more fun. I wish I could say I baked the bread with the heart shape, but alas & alack - it is from the delicious Simple Bakery. Check it out; I promise you won't be disappointed (although don't get confused- they changed their name from Sweet House of Madness to Simple Bakery - I don't want anyone to think it is a misdirected link). 

Lizzard Loves heart shaped pancakes

The pancakes turned out really well, I got the idea from this video, compliments of Food & Wine (which is a magazine I absolutely love!) Chris liked the pancakes, as did my nephews. I really liked them, but how can you not like something with cake in the name that is served as breakfast?? Riddle me that.





I hope you & yours had a good Valentine's Day. I hope you take me up on my belated Valentine's Day card challange. Let me know in the comments if you send (or receive!) any cards! Remember what Ghandi said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world"

Elephants

I love elephants.

Lizzard Loves feeding "my" elephant a basket of bananas

After a recent visit to Thailand, this love was reignited at Patara Elephant Farm located just outside the city of Chiang Mai.

Chris getting to know "his" elephant

A few fun facts we learned while at the farm:

-Elephants only sweat in one place. Can you guess where? Their cuticles!

Lizzard Loves elephant feet and facts

-If an elephant is healthy, it will sleep laying down on one side for about 35 minutes, stand up for about 10 minutes, then shift and sleep laying down on the other side for about 35 minutes. It doesn't sound particularly restful to me...but it seems to work for them.

Lizzard Loves elephant wet nurses

-Elephant babies (calves) will nurse from their own mother, but also other mothers in their herd. Other mothers will function like wet nurses if a calf's mother is not immediately available. Talk about teamwork.

Lizzard Loves Chris riding "his" elephant!

Chris & I thought this farm was incredibly well run, it was working on conservation/increasing the elephant population, education and FUN. Well, maybe fun isn't in their mission statement- but spending an afternoon at the farm was easily one of the highlights of our trip! How could feeding, washing, and riding on elephants be considered anything short of awesome?

Lizzard Loves getting a shower from elephants

Oh, and a shower. I forgot to mention that the elephants got a chance for payback! We had spent sometime scrubbing & rinsing them off in the river, then the staff told us to line up for family photos. Which was their excuse to have the elephants spray water all over us. I couldn't stop laughing, it was such a silly thing really. To have a river water shower from the trunks of elephants?? Likely a once in a lifetime thing for me :)