Happy Belated Valentine's Day

I can't say I have the best track record when it comes to getting Andy amazing gifts for Valentine's Day.  In my defense, I think the boys have it easier when it comes to this holiday.  Andy seems to get it right every year.  Roses, roses, and more roses.  How can he go wrong? And this year, he even topped it off with a set of champagne glasses.  

Let's recap my Valentine's Day history just a little bit here.  In 2010, there was the burnt chocolate cake fiasco; a story that I will never live down, and one that Andy continuously loves to tell.  In 2011, I really aimed to do better.  At that time, we had a strong routine of having bacon and eggs every Saturday morning for breakfast.  I would cook the meal, and Andy would go on and on about how much he loved bacon. Going on that lead, I gave Andy a year's subscription to the bacon of the month club.  What I didn't take into account was the timing of that gift as we were just embarking on our 9 month vegetarian streak.  I gifted the bacon, and then immediately requested a refund, which then eventually voided my gift.  I didn't follow up with anything else that year.

So that brings us to 2012.  The 14th arrived much sooner than I would have liked.  We celebrated by going to the theatre to watch The Vow, definitely my choice and not Andy's.  The movie was followed up with dinner at Rose Angelis.  We had dinner at Rose Angelis in 2011 for Valentine's Day and intend to make it a yearly tradition.  When it came time for the gift portion of the evening, I had to confess that my gift wasn't ready just quite yet.  Like I said, the day arrived sooner than I had anticipated.  I did my best to promise Andy that it was something homemade, and that took time, but not to worry, he was going to love it.  I have a tendency to build up the "awesomeness" of any gift I give, and usually end up getting more excited to give mine to receive one.  Everyone in the Phillips family can attest to this little quirk of mine.

So here we are.  It's March 10th, and I'm happy to say that my Valentine's Day present to Andy is officially complete.  As I'm sure you all know, Andy completed his first Ironman triathlon race in 2011.  It was kind of a big deal.   I wanted to do something to commemorate the day, in addition to my awesome video of course, and thought this might be the best way to go.  I had seen many online stores and options for getting a professionally framed race bib, picture, and medal package.  Those professionally framed pieces also cost about $300, and as much as I love Andy, $300 was a little more money that I wanted to spend on something like this.

So I enlisted Dad's help.  We toured Hobby Lobby, and decided on a rather large shadowbox ($20).  They also had custom matting there that could be custom cut, to fit the items that you wanted to place in the shadow box ($18).  And the word "custom" is key here.  Not something that can be done immediately.  Something that took time to process and order.  So while I waited, I started to lay the framework down for the finished product.   

Here is the finished product.  When I finally laid everything out, I did decide to have a small plate engraved with Andy's name, race name, and finish time.  I was originally going to make my own, but in my test run, it didn't look as sharp as the finished product seen below.  But for all of my racing friends that are considering paying the money to have something professionally done, I would highly recommend trying to do it yourself.  

So I guess a .333 batting average for Valentine's Day presents isn't all bad. 

Me: Happy Valentine's Day. (handing gift over)  Do you think you can guess what it is?

Andy: Oh wow.  So.....you took my medal?

Me: Huh????

Andy: Just kidding honey.  I love it.

New Beginnings

I'm on Day 3 of the new job at the Children's Tumor Foundation.  I am officially the NF Endurance Logistics and Marketing Manager.  What does that mean?  The Children's Tumor Foundation has an endurance team, so people run races across the US and raise money for us in the process.  I help to create the marketing materials for the team, and also help organize race weekends, race contracts, expo spaces, pasta dinners, and many other things.  I knew I needed a job that required me to be on my feet less and this job gives me the opportunity to do something I love, while being less physically demanding.  At the pace I was going, my leg was finally telling me....enough already....take a break.  3 big surgeries in 17months.  That was a sign to slow down.  

I loved working at the American Cancer Society and I met some of the most amazing people during my 5 years there.  I grew up over those 5 years.  This job changed my life.

When I first started working at the American Cancer Society, I was living at home with Mom and Dad, never had a real job before, was just coming off 2 years of treatments/surgeries for bone cancer, and really didn't have a social network (both online or offline) of people in my life, except Mom, Dad and Ben!  Throughout those 2 years of treatments and the 2 years after treatment when I spent my time getting back to a "normal life", I really lost a connection with the rest of the world.  Getting healthy was my top priority, and it was easier to be around those people that just really got it, and those people that made it effortless to just be how I needed to be.  When I finished treatment, I really felt like I was at a point where I had to start my life all over again.  All of my friends had been to college, had college experiences, met their lifelong friends at school, and had moved onto full time careers and relationships.     I wasn't quite there.

So along comes this job at the American Cancer Society, in the heart of downtown Chicago.  I knew that I wanted to work at the American Cancer Society, no matter what.  I had been applying there for 5 months and finally accepted an income development representative job at their Chicago office in 2007.  I started making the commute, 2 hours door to door each way, into the city.  I thought I could handle the commute longer than I did.  3 months later, I decided it would be easier to move to the city.  I balked at signing the first lease to my own apartment.  It was such a big step.  But once I signed that lease, everything started to fall into place.  I moved downtown, I started meeting people, and I got comfortable and more involved with my job.  

I have 4 ridiculously awesome people in my life, and I met them all through my work at the American Cancer Society.  

1.  Andrew "My Mandrew" Crabtree.  I met Andy while hosting an information session at Fleet Feet Sports.  Andy claimed I was "disheveled" and rushing in from the rain to get everything setup for the info session.  This was not the case.  As usual, I had arrived an hour early for the info session and was setup in plenty of time before his arrival.  He remembers his version, I remember mine.  Andy joined the team and then showed up to our mid-season party, then showed up to my committee information meeting (where he was the only one that attended), attended our first committee meeting, and then proceeded to ask me over for dinner that next weekend.  The rest is history.  

2.  Kristin McQueen.  My first dose of Kristin McQueen was more or less considering her a celebrity of sorts.  I had heard her name thrown around the office a lot, and she seemed to be on every piece of collateral that we had for our program, yet I really didn't meet her right away.  It was at the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 1/2 Marathon in 2010 where we first hit it off.  I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off on event day, but I tried to make as much "Kristin time" at the event as possible.  Kristin is now one of my best friends.  Not a day goes by that we don't share text messages, and my life is better because she is a part of it.  Stop reading here Mom.  I also completed my first 3 mile swim in Lake Michigan with Kristin.  It was a day I will never forget.  Kristin and I are both cancer survivors, and based on that alone, we have a connection that not many others can have together.  Let's keep kicking cancer to the curb.

3.  Sarah Coulam.  Or should I call you "boss"?  Sarah was the "me" of New York in DetermiNation world.  Sarah ran the NYC DetermiNation program while I ran the program in Chicago.  She is now my boss and the Director of the Children's Tumor Foundation NF Endurance Team.  I am grateful to Sarah for giving me the opportunity to join her at CTF, and to give me the opportunity to use my brain and not my legs in the working world!  I first met Sarah at our American Cancer Society Chicago office.  She had on a black dress, black heels, and was walking around our office with a presence.  I thought...wow.....who is that?!  Even though Sarah and I do not see each other that often, we are best friends.  We seem to have a similar passion for the endurance world together and just click when it comes to working together.  She is always one to check-up on my leg, talk to me about the Bachelor, or she listens to me complain about not being able to workout.  The first 2 cards to arrive in the mail post surgery are always from Sarah and Kristin.

4.  Emily "Hammy" Hamilton.  I met Emily Hamilton while working at the American Cancer Society office.  In her first week of work there, she had to attend the Daffodil Days breakfast that I was organizing, and while in the car driving to the breakfast, I decided that one of us needed a nickname since we were both named Emily.  I came up with the nickname Hammy, and for some reason, it stuck immediately.  We just clicked at work, and the office was so much better because she was there.  She shared with me that she was pregnant before she even knew she was pregnant, and we had fun hiding her baby bump at work before she was ready to tell everyone. She even sat on my couch just 12 hours before giving birth!  We have similar opinions and outlooks on just about everything.  I swear we are practically the same person, separated at birth.  Even though neither of us work at ACS anymore, I know we will be lifelong friends.

See.  ACS changed my life.  This job put me in a position to meet so many different people, who were not only passionate about cancer, but also passionate about health and fitness.  This organization attracts so many unique and compassionate individuals, and put everyone in a room together, and you can never walk way uninspired.  I went from living at home, without a core group of friends, to moving downtown, meeting so many amazing people, meeting Andy, moving in with Andy, learning a lot about the non-profit endurance event world, and now transitioning into a new role at the Children's Tumor Foundation.  A lot can happen in 5 years and I will be forever grateful when looking back at my time with ACS.

Jeans are the new yoga pants

Today is February 18th, 2012.  And today, I have a New Year's resolution.  Is it too late for that?  Maybe I should call it something different.  I'm not big on resolutions, and instead, I came up with a list of goals for the 2012 calendar year, and unfortunately, most of them involve my leg.

Emily's 2012 Goals:

1.  Walk up and down the stairs one foot in front of the other, instead of taking the steps one step at a time.  It is a task that I'm sure most people take for granted, but I long for the ability to walk up the stairs like a normal person.  Instead, I'm still stuck on the routine of up, up......up, up.  It's a goal I continue to work on.  I avoid taking the L because the thought of going up and down those stairs on a regular basis is overwhelmingly intimidating.  When at the gym, there is a flight of stairs to go up, and I avoid that, by taking the elevator in the back to the 2nd floor.  At some point this year, these small hurdles will be no longer.  I can't wait for that day to arrive.

2. Visit the gym at least 5 times a week.  Over the past year and a half, with my various leg issues, I miss going to the gym on a regular basis.  Working out is just a habit of mine that makes a day feel complete.  I started working out on a regular basis at a young age, joining HealthBridge Fitness Center when I was in 7th grade, and have routinely worked out from that point on.  It feels routine.  I like being able to sweat out the day, and have that time for myself throughout the week.  Recently, I have now been able to get to the gym about 5 times a week, even with one crutch in tow.  My goal is to swim 3 times a week and bike twice a week.  So far, so good.  I spend my days studying the gym schedule, and picking which classes I would like to attend.  Now granted, right now, I'm really not attending classes, but somehow, looking at the schedule makes me happy.

So what is this new resolution of mine?  Well there is a little back story to the fact.  Here are 2 random conversations that will shed some light as to how this resolution came about......

Conversation 1:

Andy:  You look nice.  I like that sweater, have you worn that one before?
Me: Yea...I've had this one for awhile.  I have a lot of sweaters that you haven't seen before.  You just see me in yoga pants most of the time.

Conversation 2:

Mom: You look nice in jeans.  Dad is going to think so as well.   He'll like that you have jeans on.  He thinks that I have yoga pants on all the time and doesn't like that.  He says they are too tight.

So there you have it.  The idea of the resolution was made.  I wear yoga pants TOOOOO much.  If I'm not in work clothes, I'm usually in yoga pants.  I thought that having "cute" yoga pants from Lululemon  would help with the fact that I had yoga pants on, but I don't think that is the case.  I've fallen into a trap of always putting on these pants, when I am not in my normal work attire.  Now granted, yoga pants are SOOO comfortable.  And they are so easy to slip on, and they are just plain comfortable.  But it didn't really occur to me that I was carrying off a certain style with my choice of yoga pants.  I mean, I have plenty of casual sweaters to wear with jeans, and why do I never wear those?  I have sweaters in my chest of drawers that I have gone years without wearing.  And why?  Because I have chosen yoga pants instead.  But after today, that will no longer be the case.

I've heard so many people talk about how girls just throw on yoga pants and think that constitutes as a cute outfit, but that really isn't the case.  So I'll go along with that theory, and attempt to put on normal clothes as often as possible .  My resolution today, is to wear yoga pants, only when going to the gym, or actually doing yoga.  In all other cases, I will put jeans on.  Going to the store?  Jeans.  Walking down to Starbucks on a Saturday morning?  Jeans.  Running errands?  Jeans.

I'll report back on how this new initiative goes.

No Recipe Here

Hello blog of mine.  My name is Emily.  I used to come around here often. Long time no see.  

I come to my blog site at least once a week.  I parooze what is going on with the other food blogs that I follow, get some inspiration for recipes, and I find myself in awe of how often I used to be able to blog.  At first, every other day or so, then a solid 2-3 times a week, and now...well....we know how my posting productivity has been lately.  I miss it.  I often get the question "are you going to blog anymore" or "when is the last time you posted".  My response is usually "I've been busy" but I think we are all busy in life, so I don't know if that is a valid excuse.  I also follow that up with "I've been cooking, just not taking pictures throughout the whole process".

I like the documentation that blogging allows for.  Not only does it let me show-off what I've been cooking, and give my readers some ideas for things to make in the kitchen, but it is also a diary of sorts that documents what is going on in my life and it makes for a great keepsake.  I don't know which direction I want to take the blog from here, but I want to keep those 2 things prevalent - food and highlights of what's going on these days.

Who knew that all it would take would be for Andy to turn on "Meet the Press"on this fine Sunday morning, and here I steer straight for the blog.  I'll have you know it is 11:00 am on Sunday morning and Heidi Swanson's Cabbage and Bean Soup has already been made and Rick Bayless' Pork and Tomatillos Stew with Pickled Jalapenos is already going in the crock pot.  See?  I cook.  I promise.

Andy and I are on a new routine when it comes to food and grocery shopping.  When I lived on my own, I often ran into the grocery store about 3-4 times a week and that store was almost always Whole Foods.  I'll admit that I spent WAY too much money there because absolutely everything always looked good.   I could not walk out of there without a container of the Yellowfin Tuna salad and some really nice block of cheese.  I would workout at the gym, swing by the store, and whip up something quick for dinner.  I would pick a slightly time-intesive meal to make on the weekend and would call it a week.  I could get by on apple/peanut butter for lunch or even some oatmeal with banana and peanut butter.  Buying lunch at work was never an option, and that still holds true.

It is not possible for Andy to get by on apple and peanut butter for lunch, so I've learned to cook while making enough to have leftovers.  GASP.  Eat the same thing twice?  Never used to happen.  But that isn't very practical these days.  These days, I spend the week paging through cookbooks, browsing the food blogs, and making a list of everything that will be on the menu for the week (lunches included).  

I make a big list: groceries on one side and meals to make, what day to make them, and what page to find them in what cookbook on the other side.  My 2 go-to cookbooks these days are Heidi Swanson's "Super Natural Every Day" and "Giada's Kitchen".  I like them both because they 1. don't have a mile long list of ingredients for the dishes and 2. they are all relatively easy and quick to make.

And get this.....we grocery shop on Friday night....at Jewel.  I mean is that exciting or what?  And this is the only time we go to store during the week.  And I'll have you know that Jewel is very busy on a Friday night in the city.  I'm not the only one with this plan.  My weekend is much more relaxing knowing the grocery shopping is already done - Andy can confirm this to be true.

In other news....you might have missed the fact that I had a little surgery.  Things are on the up and up and I'm making progress each day.  Haven't quite ditched the crutches yet, but I'm hoping to do that soon.  This new "compression" style implant in my leg, should be longer lasting than the one I previously had, which is awesome news.  Thank you Dr. Gitelis for fixing me.

I had a lot of time at home while being laid up after surgery and spent time making my own gift tags for presents this year....

And to top it off, we got a really great family photo in the Fall of 2011.

Oh....and Andy finished Ironman Wisconsin in September.  I made a video about the day here.

So there you have it.  We shall see where we go from here.

Herbed Chickpea Patties

Wow. July 6th. The last time I have blogged. Busy would be an understatement. A lot can happen in 41 days. I will do by best to be short, sweet, and to the point.

This past weekend was the Xsport Fitness Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society. It was a fun, inspirational, and exhausting weekend. The alarm clock was set for 1:45am on race morning. At what time does one go to bed when they have to get up at 1:45 in the morning? Good question. It was an early day, but so worth the reward of seeing our 190 runners cross the finish line. I even got to see one of my favorite DetermiNation athletes - Kristin McQueen. Kristin is hoping to raise $70,000 this year for the 70,000 young adults that are diagnosed with cancer each year. Go big or go home McQueen.

Then, there was the move. Moving is exhausting. The packing, the unpacking, the moving of boxes (or more like dragging across the floor), the changing of addresses on every piece of mail that comes, the going through closets and drawers, and the logistics behind it all, is just a lot of work. I gave away multiple bags of clothes, and could probably have given away more, and tried to de-clutter as much as possible. Overall, I think I succeeded.

I've been living in the downtown area ever since I moved to Chicago, first on the 32nd floor in the Gold Coast neighborhood and then the 11th floor Streeterville. For this move, I've headed north to the Lakeview neighborhood. The commute is just a bit longer, but everything else is just oh so much better.

I can bike to the gym, which is just .8 miles away from the apartment. I have the cutest Starbucks just around the block that has the best outdoor patio with tons of shaded, outdoor seating. I'm just steps from the brown line, not that I take the brown line, but if I need to take the el, it is right there. There are neighborhood restaurants, bars, and cute stores to shop and browse through. It is steps from Wrigley Field. So far, I love everything about the area.

Then, there was a trip out to Seattle for the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. I was out there to work, but was able to get a little bit of sightseeing in. I had never been to Seattle before and would like to go to take more time to explore the city. Of course, visiting the flagship Starbucks was on my to-do list, as well as walking through Pike's Place Market. The Starbucks was smaller than I was envisioning it, and was almost a bit touristy. If I lived in the city, I think I would avoid that Starbucks at all cost.

The fish market was also smaller than I envisioned. I didn't get to see any flying fish, but I also didn't stick around that long to see it happen. If I had been near a grill, I would have been one happy camper shopping here.

The Herbed Chickpea Patties that I'm talking about below, is a dish that Andy and I have made multiple times already. It's actually one of Andy's top requested dishes for the week. It is healthy, easy to put together, and utilizes quite a few seasonal ingredients. There are quite a few staples on the grocery list on a weekly basis, and chickpeas are definitely one of those staples. I easily come out of the store with at least 4 cans of chickpeas for just a week of recipes.

This recipe does require the use of a food processor, but other than that, it quickly comes together. It's a great summer meal, that is meat free, and oh so good. Give it a try.

Herbed Chickpea Patties

adapted from "A year in a vegetarian kitchen" by Jack Bishop

print this recipe

1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves

1 medium garlic clove, peeled

2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Salt and pepper

1 medium head of romaine lettuce, chopped

2 tomatoes, cored and chopped

1 medium cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and chopped

1 tablespoon tahini

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

5 tablespoons olive oil

Put the cilantro, parsley, and garlic in a food processor and process until finely ground. Add the chickpeas, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste and process until the mixture forms a coarse puree. Adjust the seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste. Shape the mixture into 4 large patties.

Put the lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber in a large bowl. Whisk the tahini, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of oil and salt and pepper to taste together in a small bowl. Set the salad and dressing aside separately.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chickpea patties and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn the patties and drizzle the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil around the edges of the pan. Continue cooking until the patties are golden brown on the second side, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the salad with the tahini dressing. Divide the salad among four individual plates. Top each portion of salad with 2 patties. Serve immediately.

Macaroni Salad

6 days. It's been a busy, relaxing, productive, and not so productive mini vacation from work. If only there were 6 day vacations built into every month, one could get a lot done.

Celebrating the big 2-9: I don't like to do much for my birthday. I don't like to make a big deal about it and I don't necessarily love the attention that the big day brings. I do however, like to do a few small things to celebrate and make it a special day, and that is what I did this year. There was a Wednesday night pre-birthday dinner at Cafe 28 with the family. The next day, Mom and I got pedicures, had lunch sitting outside in the sun, drank coffee (it's really what we do best), and we did some shopping without actually buying anything.

Mom and Dad: Is there something you want for your birthday?

Me: Not really. I don't need anything.

Mom and Dad: Are you sure?

Me: Well, maybe there is something I want.

Mom and Dad: What is it?

Me: A bike.

So yes. As of next Tuesday or Wednesday (it's been ordered), I am the proud new owner of a hybrid bike. A bike that can be ridden outside. Down by the lake. Through the neighborhoods. A bike that can get you outside to exercise and get some fresh air. A bike that I will ride very carefully and not fall off (I promise Mom).

The birthday ended with a dinner at Topolobampo. Andy and I made reservations 3 months prior, and to say the least, my expectations were ridiculously high. We both decided to ditch the vegetarian gig and just blow it out of the water. We each got the 5 course tasting menu. Here is how most of the discussion went that night.....

Me: Is this not the best meal you have ever had?

Andy: Yea, it's really good.

(5 minutes later)

Me: Oh my god. This is just the best meal I've ever had.

Andy: I'm glad you like it so much.

(5 minutes later)

Me: I just cannot get over how good this food is.

Andy: Yes, honey, it's really good.

(5 minutes later)

Me: This is my new special occasion restaurant. This is so good. My expectations have been exceeded.

So needless to say, Rick Bayless, you did not disappoint. It was amazing, over the top, good. I can't believe I was lucky enough to eat there. Surely a 29th birthday I will never forget.

A few days at Snow Lake: On Friday morning, a group of us headed to Snow Lake, Indiana to celebrate Lindsay's bachelorette party. A quick 2 days of friends, sun, relaxation, and fun. You can't beat a relaxing view like this.

4th of July: For the 4th, Andy and I were headed over to Ben and Anne's for a cookout. And just like all normal 4th of July barbecues that you might be used to attending, this one was completely meat free. No ribs, pork chops, burgers, or barbecue at this house. Instead, we did homemade hummus with homemade pita chips, baked beans, an avocado lettuce salad (I brought this), a macaroni salad (talking about it here) and veggie burgers. Thanks Ben and Anne for going along. They didn't disappoint and suggested we go above and beyond and do a taste test of 3 different veggie burgers.

Over the past week, this macaroni salad seemed to be popping up everywhere in the food blog world. Heidi Swanson. Amanda and Merril on Food 52. Emily Phillips on The View from the 32nd Floor. Oh wait, that's me. I was talking with Mom about what to take and she recommended this Macaroni Salad. I know what you are thinking. Macaroni Salad. Eh. Ick. No thank you. It sounds like a bowl of elbow noodles, drenched in mayo, without much flavor at all. I'm right there with you.

This recipe is far from your typical picnic macaroni salad. Ingredients include, green onions, lemon zest, olive oil, arugula, and a heavy turn of the pepper mill. It's fresh. It's simple. It keeps well when sitting out on the counter for awhile. It can be made the day before. It's relatively inexpensive. And. It's good.

Macaroni Salad

adapted from Heidi Swanson

print this recipe

1 pound elbow macaroni

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cups thinly sliced green onions

3 medium garlic cloves, chopped

salt and black pepper

zest and juice of one lemon

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

4 handfuls arugula

1 apple, diced

Cook the macaroni in a large pot of well salted water per package instructions. Set aside at least 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain pasta.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet until hot. Add most of the green onions, all of the garlic, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions soften, and the garlic begins to take on some color, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.

Use a hand blender or food processor to puree the green onion mixture along with 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, zest of the lemon, half of the lemon juice, and the reserved pasta water. Puree and taste. Stir in the Parmesan.

Combine the macaroni with the green onion sauce in a large bowl. Toss well. Add the arugula and most of the apple and toss again. Taste, and add more pepper, salt or lemon juice if needed. Serve topped with the remaining apple and green onion.

Sweet Corn Ice Cream w/Corn Cake

Sorry Dad, but you are making an appearance on the blog today in honor of the Father's Day weekend - I knew you would really appreciate the publicity. Andy and I headed out to Crystal Lake to play 9 holes of golf with Mom and Dad. Mom made about 22 different tee times, as I couldn't quite pinpoint a time for our arrival. Apparently, lots of people leave the city on a Sunday afternoon, head out to the suburbs, thus creating quite a bit of traffic.

I haven't played golf in oh....15 years maybe. Putt putt doesn't really count, and unless you count the Friday afternoon at the driving range this past week, I golf just about as often as I read a good classic novel. Rarely. When I hit them, I hit them good. When I don't swing too well, it shows. I suppose all golfers feel that way though. If everyone always hits them good, it wouldn't be much of a sport. If only my scores in Wii Golf would carry over, I'd be set. I was happy to chip and putt a few balls every so often throughout the 9 holes, but driving the golf cart, and enjoying the company of the afternoon is what I was there for.

As usual, Dad did most of the cooking, despite it being a day for him. We wouldn't have it any other way. We had grilled hamburgers, grilled talapia for Andy and I, cucumber/tomato/feta salad, and potato wedges. A wonderful home-cooked meal.

As I start to pack-up the apartment once again, it is time to analyze the items that I have in my kitchen. What do I keep and what could I do without? What am I using and what was a fad that has since passed? One thing that is a stand-by for sure is the food processor. How can one make sweet corn ice cream without the assistance of a food processor? It stays. The spiral vegetable peeler? Well, that is in the questionable pile. If I haven't used it in the past year, it goes. The same will hold true for my closet, which is why you may see me wearing sandals that I haven't worn in the past year. If I get a wear in now, they can surely make the trip to the new place. I'm glad I can make my own rules for these sorts of things.

But this ice cream. It's odd, I know. You may think you don't like it, but you will.

Me: So....what did you think of the ice cream?

Andy: It tastes like vanilla.

Well, there you have it folks. No matter what flavor of crazy ice cream I make, it always seems to taste like vanilla. I need to work on that. So it is a subtle corn flavor. Maybe the freshness of the corn has something to do with it? I don't know, but it sure is fun trying different flavors of ice cream. Thanks Rick Bayless for the recipe. I'll be dining at Topolobampo on Thursday, so this dish just might be on the menu.

Sweet Corn Ice Cream

adapted from Rick Bayless

print this recipe

3 ears fresh sweet corn

1 1/2 cups half-and-half
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon,

2 tablespoon orange liqueur
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Set up a 4-quart saucepan, filled halfway with water, into which you can nestle a 3-quart stainless steel bowl. Bring the pot of water to a boil over high heat while you're preparing the custard base.

Husk the corn and pull off all the silk. Cut the kernels from the ears and measure 2 cups. Scoop into a blender and add the half-and-half. Blend until smooth. In the 3-quart stainless steel bowl, stir together the egg yolks and sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the corn mixture and whisk to combine thoroughly. Reduce the temperature under the pot of boiling water to maintain a gentle simmer.

Set the bowl of custard base over the simmering water and whisk frequently, until the mixture thickens noticeably, about 20 minutes. The custard is sufficiently cooked when it reaches 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Pour the base through a medium-mesh strainer into another bowl.

Fill a large bowl halfway with ice. Nestle the custard into the ice and whisk regularly until completely cool. Refrigerate if not using immediately.

Stir the heavy cream, evaporated milk, cinnamon, orange liqueur and lime juice into the base. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer's directions. Scrape into a freezer container and freeze for several hours to firm.