Hey guys- sorry I’ve been MIA this week. It’s been a busy busy one! Today I’m blogging over at Nextgen.chicagonista.com. It’s a local blog I contribute to that is geared towards young women in Chicago.
My post is about a recent clothing swap party I attended with former ‘Bachelorette’ Jen Schefft. Check out my video interview with Jen where she gives her predictions on the winner of this seasons ‘Bachelor: On the Wings of Love!’
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wishing you all many blessings in 2010!
Today Luke turns 28! I’m a little blue because we’re apart celebrating Thanksgiving with our separate families. I wish I could give him the biggest birthday hug and kiss, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
When I thought about writing this post, I imagined putting into words how Luke makes me feel and how lucky I am to have him. Then I thought, no, it’s his birthday and it should be about him, not me.
So I decided (becuse I’m really inventive and not at all predictable) to write about all the things that make Luke the greatest 28-year-old guy I know. So here it is:
28 Reasons Why My Fiance Rocks:
28. He gives the BEST hugs ever. They’re long, tight and warm.
27. He has great style. He is always sharply dressed, but in an understated way. I never have to worry about him wearing crocs!
26. His family is tops! They’re one of those rare families that always get along and support each other no matter what.
25. He thinks about others before himself. Like the time my roommate lost all her music on her computer and without saying a word, Luke brought over thousands of his songs he thought she’d like from his collection.
24. He eats like a man. I knew he was a keeper when the first time I cooked for him he ate four plate-fulls!
23. Kids love him. They seriously flock to him as soon as he enters the room. This post explains more.
22. My friends love him. Even my pickiest critics give Luke two thumbs up and I regularly hear “why can’t I meet a guy like Luke?”
21. Ok, everyone loves him. He’s one of those guys that has no enemies and gets along with anyone.
20. He’s a really good golfer. Which means my dad and him will have an activity to bond over for a long time.
19. He says sorry. On the rare occasions we have a disagreement, it never lasts more than a few minutes because Luke is mature enough to admit when he’s wrong and forgive me when I’m wrong.
18. He climbs mountains in Africa. That’s manly…and really hot.
17. He’s incredibly smart. I know better than to argue politics or challenge him to a game of chess. I will lose everytime!
16. If he likes something, he’s pretty-much obsessed with it. Let’s just say, he’s read every single WSJ front to back since he discovered it in college.
15. He’s dedicated to working out. Not because of vanity, but because he “wants to live a long, active life.”
14. He’s fun to be around. He may appear shy, but watch out because when you least expect it he’ll have you cracking up laughing. Godzilla!
13. He does romance the old way. Luke knows what chivarly is and even to this day will open doors for me, carry my suitcase up stairs and take me on real dates.
12. He’s independant. Time alone, time with friends and time with me are all equally important to him, which I appreciate.
11. He loves to travel. In three years we’ve been to Argentina, England, France and Mexico. I’ve definitely found my companion in adventure.
10. He is driven to succeed. In all areas of his life from work, relationships, health, knowledge, Luke works hard to be successful.
9. He doesn’t yell…ever. Seriously, in three years I’ve never heard him raise his voice once. It’s pretty incredible.
8. He loves to read. This guy’s book collection is out of control and I love it.
7. He supports people he cares about. Who’s always there to cheer me on at volleyball games and choir performances? Luke. He always comes through.
6. He is a really good listener. Instead of cutting people off and jumping in with his own two cents like so many people do, Luke really takes in what other people say. Even better, he remembers and will ask you weeks later how something turned out.
5. He’s humble. In fact, I’m probably going to get a call shortly after posting this from Luke who will be embarassed by what I wrote. Haha.
4. He takes care of people. I don’t know if it’s the oldest child syndrome, but Luke is always looking out for me. He’s the same way with his younger siblings, friends and even strangers.
3. He’s happy with what he has. Although he’s driven to strive for more, Luke doesn’t take the great things in his life for granted.
2. He doesn’t judge. Luke loves people for who they are. He looks past their faults and celebrates their talents.
1. He’s a good great person. So kind. So thoughtful. So loving. There’s not much more to it than that.
I am SO LUCKY.
Happy 28th birthday Luke! Eat lots of fruit pizza, read lots of books and get ready to receive the biggest hug and kiss in your 28 years from me tomorrow. I love you!
This week Luke turns 28! We won’t be together because the poor guy’s special day falls the day after Thanksgiving. Luckily this will be the last year we’ll be apart.
We decided to celebrate this Sunday night with a big home-cooked dinner and some present-opening. Luke’s meal of choice? Flank steak pinwheels, fresh asparagus, baked sweet potato fries and apple crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Great choices if you ask me! And even better, the timing for cooking this meal works out perfectly. The steak and potatoes cook at the same temperature for an hour, the asparagus is on the stove top and the apple crisp goes right in the oven at the same temperature as the other stuff for only a half hour.
I started on the flank steak while Luke cut up the sweet potatoes into fries.
Flank steak is one of my favorite cuts of meat. It’s not too chewy but is also a thin enough slice that you’re not totally overwhelmed eating it. I mixed up some marinade on the fly based on what was in my fridge:
1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 balsamic, TBSP of spicy mustard, TBSP of lemon juice and cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper to taste.
After sitting in the fridge for several hours, I discarded the marinade and got my steak ready to be stuffed. Sitting rolled out in a baking dish, I topped it with sliced onions (about half an onion), feta cheese (one container), minced garlic, fresh spinach and some pepper.
Then I rolled the steak up making sure to keep all the delicious toppings inside. You can use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure it, but it’s not necessary if you sit the steak seam-down.
Since the steak and sweet potato fries cook at the same temperature and time, you want to get both dishes ready to go in the over together.
For the potatoes, place the fries in a plastic bag, fill with 1/2 cup olive oil, your seasoning and shake to coat. You can go either sweet (nutmeg, cinnamon) or spicy (cayenne) with these. Spread out onto a baking dish and they’re ready to go.
Bake both the steak and fries at 375 for one hour. Half way through, flip the fries so both sides get crispy. If you want an even crispier texture, put the fries under the broiler flame for five minutes at the end.
While the steak and fries were baking, I started peeling and chopping four granny smith apples for the apple crisp. I found a delicious recipe on Food Network that incorporated chopped pecans into the filling and topping.
After getting through the work of peeling and chopping the apples, this dish was super simple to put together. Here’s what is looked like waiting for the oven.
Once dessert was ready to go on standby, I sautéed some crisp, green asparagus in one tablespoon butter and two tablespoons olive oil. I liberally seasoned them with salt and pepper throughout the cooking process.
After much chopping, rolling, seasoning and cooking, here’s what the fruits of our labor resulted in…
Oh yeah, fresh out of the oven still steaming hot! Check out how perfectly that flank steak is cooked still pink in the middle. If one thing’s for sure, this supper makes for one colorful plate!
And of course the apple crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Amazing- especially this time of year! Luke was one spoiled birthday boy!
Here are all the full recipes I used for inspiration:
Enjoy!