Turkey-Cranberry Strudel

So I tried a new, YUMMY recipe tonight. It wasn't exactly healthy... but very yummy! Turkey -Cranberry Streudel. It was based on a recipe in this month's Rachel Ray Magazine! (Thanks Matt - it is a gift that keeps on giving)

7 tbl butter (5 melted)
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tbl thyme leaves
1/2 cup sliced almonds plus more for sprinkly
1/2 lb ground turkey
salt and pepper
1 tbl breadcrumbs
6 sheets phyllo dough, thawed

Note: I used canola oil instead of butter, and i didn't have any thyme leaves so I used rosemary. Still worked though! I also used the 1.2 lbs of turkey from my package. I don't think I used a whole 7 tbl of oil either - but it turned out well. In fact, I didn't measure a lot of stuff - so just use this as a guide and go with it.

1. In a large skillet heat up the onion with a tbl of oil. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cranberries, thyme leaves, and almonds. Cook for 2 minutes and transfer to a bowl.

2. In said skillet, heat turkey with a tbl of oil. Season with salt and pepper. After fully cooked add to the same bowl as onion mixutre, Add breadcrumbs and mix.

3. Meanwhile heat oven to 350 degrees. On a work surface lay out 1 sheet of phyllo dough and brush with butter/oil. Place another sheet on top and brush with butter/oil. Repeat until completed.

4. Mound the turkey mixture on the dough. Wrap up the exterior ends and roll in the sides to make strudel. Transfer and plac seem side down on a parchment paper lined baking dish. Bush top with butter, sprinkle with almonds, and bake for about 30 minutes, until top is browned.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another update from the kitchen - I'm already planning it!

Holy Cowww!!!!!

Gas prices are below $3.00 in the 'burg. I honestly never thought I would see this day again!

Gooooooaaaaaaaaaaaal!

Today was a busy day! This morning Kate and I got up and went to St. Bede’s, the church we attended growing up. It is amazing how much it has changed in the last few years. They have a new pastor, and the parish seems to be really vibrant relative to our younger days. Afterwards we stopped to grab breakfast at Dino’s Den. Breakfast at Dino’s after church is a total Fox Lake tradition. They go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Later, we headed down to Bridgeview to catch a MLS Chicago-Fire game! It was awesome. I hadn’t been to an MLS game yet, and I really enjoyed it. We were playing the Columbus Crew, and tied 2-2. The tie clinched Chicago’s berth in the playoffs. I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to attending more MLS games in the future.

The Stadium is pretty cool - Apparently it is a European Style Stadium - meaning it is actually a soccer stadium, not a converted football stadium.


Sparky the Fire Dog

That is some Chicago - FIRE

Those are some SPIRIT Flags!

Kate and I - another stadium picture for the books!

Blue or Bust

I hit the airways on Thursday evening, heading towards the Fox Lake Homestead. Kate and I caught up with one another in Detroit and met up with the parents in Chicago. It was pretty handy to schedule it so that we arrived on the same flight, keeping the family from having to come downtown twice to pick us up.

Friday we were supposed to hit downtown and head to the Architectural Boat Tour on the Chicago River. Unfortunately, genetics came into play, and we didn’t get downtown early enough to catch the tour, eat, and hit our Friday night activity. I really want to do this tour, and one day I will get to it. I’ve only been wanting to do it for a couple of years now. Instead we stopped by the Weber Grill for a very late lunch. I always enjoy the Weber Grill – how can you go wrong when the planters are actually kettle grills!!!! I enjoyed the tilapia – and Kate tried a bite of it for the first time and was fairly pleased.



After lunner we wandered over to one of the malls on Michigan Avenue. Dad wanted us to check out the Lego Store! It was amazing – I was both in touch with my inner child, and totally wowed by the sheer magnitude and cost of some of the sets. Winners in the price/size category included the Eiffel Tower, the Death Star, and the Taj Mahal. Check out some of our pics!









Eventually, we headed over to the Briar Street Theatre to check out the Blue Man Group. They were really fun!!! I hadn’t been yet, despite the fact that they’ve been here for at least a decade. One of my favorite facts has to be that the theatre itself was originally a carriage house for Marshall Fields, my favorite store.

Welcome Amariah Grace

I just want to put a quick shout out in here! Welcome Amariah Grace Young, my non-biologica niece! My good friend Amanda delivered Amariah yesterday morning. Mom and daughter are doing well, and their entire family is happy as can be! I went and visited yesterday evening, and they looked great. I'll post more details after I get a pic to share!

Weekend wrapup

The last (and upcomming) few weeks at work are pretty crazy. I think stressful might be a good word for them, among other things. I had considered taking a half day on Friday, but that didn't happen, what a surprise. After work I considered a trip to Jackson, but thought I was a little too tired out to hit it. Instead, I decided it would be a good idea to go grab a book from the bookstore and grab hit the couch at home. Well, once again the evening didn't work out as expected. I wound up stopping in at the bookstore and getting into a conversation with Laura and another customer. I couldn't turn down an offer of a glass of wine, that would be just rude, so we spent the early part of the evening chatting away. When I got ready to leave Laura realized I hadn't gotten a chance to find a book - my primary reason for going to the bookstore. She gave me a galley that she thought I might like, and sent me on my way. In all seriousness, it was probably better for me to have spent the evening hanging out instead of reading a book! This is what I love about Vicksburg.

Saturday was spent at the Fall Market on the square. Paws had a booth at the market, so I went to give Leigh and Alissa a hand. We passed out lots of goodies, met some new potential volunteers, and saw some old friends. I got to spend much of the day hanging out with one of our foster's, Landry. He is the sweetest dog, despite lots of energy! He is a 5 month old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix. Landry was pretty tired by the end of the day - it is hard to be cute all day long!

Wheeeeeeee

A few weeks ago we had a garage sale to raise funds for Paws Animal Rescue. While working it I was able to score a great find - a new bike! It was practically new - barely ever ridden. It was in need of a new tube for the back tire, but otherwise it looked good. Well, today I got some help and changed that tire. I had tried replacing the tube and it just wouldn't fill - I though I had broken the new tube. My friend Haley's husband, a big bike rider, came and gave me a hand this evening. Turned out I did it right, just needed a more powerful pump. Yay!!!

So, tonight I pulled out my mp3 player and rode around the lake. It was so fun! I hadn't been on a bike in years - but the saying is right, you never really forget how!!!I'm looking forward to many more long rides around the neighborhood, the military park, and tons of other places! I hear that there is a bike park over in Clinton too!

I leave you with this thought:



P.S. If anyone is looking for Christmas gifts for me... I'm thinking I need to go get msyelf a bike rack for my car!