end of February in photos

 

Helloooo. Is February over yet? I wish. Instead we're getting handed another blizzard tonight, yay.

I'm definitely sick of ugly winter, so I bought myself a bouquet of cheap pink garden roses from Trader Joe's. Best idea ever! $4.99 of joy and pretty. I should probably do this on a regular basis.

 

 

 

I'm also really proud of myself for starting a book club! We had our first meeting last Friday. Our first book was Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend This Never Happened, which as a quirky and expletive filled comedic memoir doesn't really purport itself for deep challenging discussion, so we just ate pizza, drank wine, and read the craziest chapters out loud to each other.

The next day I baked the leftover pizza dough into rolls and made prosciutto mozzarella paninis mmmm.

We never order pizza because it's cheaper and almost just as easy to make it yourself. The trick to yeast bread is letting it rise in a warm oven (turn it on for a few minutes, turn it OFF, put covered dough in for an hour).

 

And since I'm not working this week my mom asked me to come visit for a couple days, using the excuse that I should teach my little sister how to play the trumpet so she can be in jazz band (apparently they don't allow clarinets into upper jazz bands, which seems kind of discriminatory). I played the trumpet for 12 years, and I do sound like a professional compared to Nicole (although she is definitely doing a great job so far and has learned five notes in one day, not too shabby for having woodwind chops). Our cat will be forever traumatized.

 

 

Oh, and since I'm sure you've always wondered what the landscape between Chicago and central Illinois looks like in winter, here it is. MIND NUMBING. Or starkly beautiful? Nope, mind numbing.

 

 

And there in the distance is my home town, population 6,000. My family lives on the outskirts now, behind a few fields of corn/pumpkins/soybeans. You can vaguely make out both of our watertowers in this shot, which incapsulates the entire city. And yeah, it's technically called a city.

 

And finally, here's the line-up of what I've made recently!

 

pretty watercolor thank you cards

fun chunky spring infinity scarves

happy and bright birthday cards 

 

More colors of these cute boho lace knit headbands

And I figured I'd capitalize on having a mini-me around and whipped up a kid and tween size chunky cowl.

 

See the struggling grass in that last picture? Apparently it's about to be buried in up to 8 inches of snow. Le sigh.

basic homemade granola

 

If you know me in real life and have ever spent the night at my house, you'll probably know that I am obsessed with oatmeal. I go through a large canister of old fashioned oats every month or two. By myself. Sometimes I feel like a horse.

 

I don't make granola that often but I'm always glad when I do. It's fun to mix up the texture of oatmeal with a crunchy variation every now and then. Making granola is pretty easy, and in terms of ingredients it's almost foolproof since unlike most baking it's not an exact science. However, it is SO easy to burn, so you have to exercise constant vigilance when it's in the oven!

 

Here's a basic granola recipe I just made yesterday. Feel free to add any mix-ins you want! (See my note at the end).

 

 

Basic Homemade Granola

Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics (my current cookbook obsession)

Makes a shitton of granola, keep half and give half, or just eat it all yourself.

Ingredients:

-4 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

-1/2 cup sunflower seeds

-2 t. cinnamon

-1/3 cup canola oil

-1/4 cup honey

-1/4 cup maple syrup

-2 T molasses

 

Preheat the oven to 350* and spray a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with the sides) with cooking spray.

In a big bowl, mix the oats, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon.

In a smaller bowl, combine the remaining (wet) ingredients.

Dump the wet ingredients into the oats and stir until combined.

Spread the oat mixture evenly onto the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, STIRRING THE GRANOLA EVERY 4-5 MINUTES.

*The granola will be done when it is a little browner than it started, but it will not be crispy until it cools!

Allow granola to cool on baking sheet, stirring a couple more times, until it's dry and crispy.

Add any mix-ins you want! Suggestions: shredded coconut, roasted nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips.

Transfer into sealed containers and enjoy!

 

NOTE: It's important not to add the extra mix-ins until after the granola is baked, since they'll most likely burn. If you're adding raw nuts though, you can bake them with the oats.

 

Enjoy with milk or yogurt!

new in the shop

floral watercolor greeting card

 

I've been busy adding more listings to my shop and expanding on new lines of cards and baby wear! I'm sloooowwwly trying to transition out of heavy knit winter scarves and into more pretty cards and accessories for spring (even though it definitely still feels like winter!) Here's a peek of my fresh stock. Enjoy!

watercolor thank you cards (will add more colors soon!) 

shimmery cabled fingerless gloves in silver/charcoal

and in gold/ivory/magenta 

cute baby cowl scarf/dribble bib in pink and lime stripe

and in lavender 

chunky cowl in charcoal 

and a huge chunky infinity scarf

 

I love to do custom work if you have an idea you want to turn into reality. Also let me know if you'd like anything in a different color-- I'm definitely open to suggestions!

 

 

Happy Weekend!

 

 

 



afternoon tea : how to make a London Fog

(why yes, I'm using the creamer for decorative purposes only)

 

In the winter, I drink endless mugs of tea throughout the day in an attempt to stay warm. Usually it's herbal so I don't over-caffeinate myself, but Earl Grey is hands down my favorite tea variety. It's probably the only tea that can even compete with coffee in my book, and it tastes delicious with milk.

 

A few years ago my Anglophile English-major sister introduced me to the wonderful tea beverage called the London Fog and I've been making it for myself a lot lately. You can order it at coffee shops but to save sugar calories and $$ it's easy to re-create at home!

 

Just brew a strong cup of Earl Grey, add a splash of vanilla extract (about 1/2 teaspoon), and top it off with lots of milk (steamed, if you have a frother thing). If you make Earl Grey this way it tastes like dessert and doesn't even need extra sweetner so it's good for you too! Enjoy with cookies or a scone.

friday adventures and name changing

 

Happy Friday!

 

 

I made a new chunky cowl! I super like it.

Also, I babysit for an extremely talented hair stylist who gave me a trim and blowout last night after she came home! Best gig ever.

 

So, this has been quite the eventful day for me.

Go past the following essay on name changing to get to the best hummus recipe ever.

 

Ben and I have been married for four months now and I've been procrastinating on the whole name-change thing. Lots of reasons, mainly laziness and a little because I'm kind of freaked out with the change concept.

 

When you're engaged, you're suddenly made aware of the drama behind the patriarchal last name tradition, and the choices seem endless. Hyphenate? Keep maiden name? Change? Change socially only? Make maiden name middle name? Merge last names into something completely new? Make husband take maiden name (is it weird that this is not culturally acceptable)? Also, changing your name on every single document, account, card, and address in your life is a big undertaking and let's face it-- a complete identity crisis.

 

My maiden name is Vandervlugt, because my dad was born and raised in the Netherlands. Obviously Dutch culture has been a huge part of my life, and being the only Anna Vandervlugt in North America (that Google is aware of, anyway) is pretty awesome. However, I do really like Ben's last name and think it's important for us to share it as a new family unit, plus he's the last male carrier in his immediate family. On top of that, I always knew Ben wanted me to take his last name and I have no problem with that.

 

In conclusion, I decided a while ago that I'd take Ben's last name but not delete my maiden name. In other words, I'd have two "legal" unhyphenated last names. That way, I could slowly transition into being Anna Locke socially but still be Anna Vandervlugt professionally if I wanted. Yes ladies, you CAN do this!

 

My drivers license expires on my birthday in two months, so this week I decided to take the plunge and undertake the process so I only have to make one trip to the DMV (smart, right??) The first thing you have to change is your name on your Social Security card and I read somewhere that 9 am on Friday is the best time to do that in terms of the line, so this morning I took an official copy of our marriage license, every ID I could find, the Social Security application from here, and hit the icy streets of Chicago in search of the nearest SSA office.

 

After waiting for only 15 minutes, my ticket number was called and I went to the counter with all my documents. At this point, you need to know that my middle name has been Maria my entire life...until the lady at the counter told me I've been on file with the government as Anna Marie since 1988. Whaaaa????! Cue huge confusion. So now my name is Anna Marie alias Maria Vandervlugt Locke.

I called my mom and she verified that my birth certificate does say Maria and some Social Security person in 1988 made a mistake that will take another trip to the office with birth certificate to correct. Sigh. I might just let it go since it hasn't been an issue for 25 years...

 

So that was a fun adventure. If you've read this far and if you're a hummus fan, I'll reward you now with a life changing discovery!

You know how Sabra hummus has that amazing smooth texture that is impossible to re-create if you've ever tried to make hummus at home? And also, you know how Sabra is always like $3 more expensive per tiny little tub than the other inferior hummus brands?

 

The DIY secret to that lucious creamy consistency is to PEEL THE CHICKPEAS.

 

(image from Smitten Kitchen)

 

It takes about 10 minutes to peel a can, but it's well worth the time to achieve amazingly smooth hummus for less than a dollar. I discovered this technique via Deb at Smitten Kitchen (click link to get the recipe) and it has rocked my world.

 

So make hummus and have a great weekend!

I'll keep you updated re: the journey to becoming Mrs. Locke.

 

 



winter running: tips and motivation (part 2)

(see part one here)

 

After months of drought and flirting with balmy temperatures, winter has finally arrived in Chicago with a nice layer of snow and ice.

Despite the weather, I've finally started to get outside and run a little bit (read: about once a week) after two months of laziness and indoor workouts.

 

If you like to run outside when it's warm but turn to the dreaded treadmill or just quit altogether when the temperature drops below freezing, I'd like to try to convince you that winter running is NOT as horrifyingly terrible as it sounds! I'm only a casual jogger myself these days, but I actually prefer running in the cold since direct sun and temperatures above 65*F zap me, thanks to my northern European genes.

 

To motivate both you and myself, I've compiled a list of 10 winter running tips!** These specifically apply to running on sidewalks or roadsides when there's snow on the ground and the temperature is below freezing. I hope the list inspires you to pile on the layers and get your butt out the door for some Vitamin D.

 

Above all, be careful!

 

 

 

1. There is NO SUCH THING as "too cold to run" so you can lose that excuse right here and now. Just put on more layers and you'll be fine. However, there is definitely such thing as "too dangerous to run", so watch the conditions and don't be stupid.

 

2. Re-set your expectations. If there's snow and ice on the ground, you're not going to be able to maintain your usual pace or run as far as you want, so enjoy the opportunity to slow down!

 

3. Always wear sunglasses and SPF on your face. Snow is reflective!

 

4. Wear two layers of socks (or wool hiking socks). Running shoes seem to be made for summer, covered in breathable mesh panels, and you'll find that your feet may be the coldest part of your body! Numb toes are not fun.

 

5. Warm up inside. Put on all your layers and do 5 minutes of jumping jacks, lunges, burpees, jog in place, etc. until you feel your body heating up. This is essential to not wimping out the moment you step out into the cold!

 

6. Remember: Snow is a safer surface than ice. If you see a suspicious patch on the sidewalk that may be slick, move to snow covered grass until you pass it.

 

7. Pick up the pace on patches of obviously dry and clear sidewalk. This will give you some interval work to burn more calories and zap boredom.

8. Master the snot rocket. Gross? Oh yeah. Necessary? Only if you want to breathe. Tip: NEVER face into the wind.

9. Try to run without the distraction of your iPod. Cars aren't going to be looking out for runners especially if it's dark out, so make sure you're aware of your surroundings at all times. If a car lets you pass when they're stopped at a stop sign, give them a friendly wave and remember that everyone who sees you is massively jealous of your motivation!

 

10. Re-fuel with hot chocolate. If chocolate milk is the ideal recovery drink, I'm willing to extrapolate this finding to cocoa! Reward yourself after your effort, and enjoy a hot shower too. Also, don't forget to drink plenty of water. You might not be drenched in sweat, but your body is still losing fluids.

 

Do you have any tips to add to the list?

Good luck and happy workout :)

 

**Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or fitness professional. These are my persional opinions only.

food I made for Superbowl

So how about that Superbowl?

I normally can't stand football for many reasons but that was probably the most exciting game I've ever seen.

Epic touchdowns, inconceivable interceptions, Beyonce, Destiny's Child giving me strange 7th grade flashbacks, random power outage, tantruming brothers coaching on opposing sides, almost epic come-back, confetti snow angels, oh and of course THE BABY CLYDESDALE ! Let me just imbed the video so we can all cry some more over the foal sold off for corporate gain and nasty beer.

 

 



 

Yup, crying again. Aaaaaanyway...

 

I'm glad the Ravens held onto the win since Ben lived in Baltimore while he was doing Teach for America. (Click here to read about my visits, from way back when this blog was new!)

 

But more importantly, let's talk about FOOD!

 

 

I made two delicious recipes to bring to our Superbowl party. I found them on other blogs so I'm just going to link back instead of copying the whole recipes. First are these chewy and decadent Peanut Butter Cup S'mores Bars from Alicia at Crowley Party. They taste as good as they sound.

And my new favorite recipe, Chewy Pretzel Bites stuffed with cheddar cheese and ham.

Oh. My. Word. They taste exactly like the irresistable warm salty-sweet soft pretzels at the mall food court. And they're actually really easy to pull off for a yeast bread!

Tips: I boiled the pretzel rolls BEFORE I sliced them up, and since our house is freezing I let the dough rise in the oven after heating it up at 200*F for a couple minutes then turning the heat off.

 

I am definitely making these pretzels again soon. I'm thinking a sugar-cinnamon version with cream cheese icing needs to happen.

 



 

Let me know if you try either of these recipes!

Did you watch the Superbowl? What did you think?

 

 

Valentine's sale and new baby items in the shop!

Happy Friday, and Happy February!

 

Today is the birthday of both my mom and mom in law! How convenient that they were born on the same day so that Ben and I would never forget. They're both turning 38.

 

Today also marks the 2 week countdown to Valentine's Day, the holiday with which everyone has either a love or hate relationship. I'm happy to announce a sale in my shop, in case you're looking for a card or gift for your lover, friend, or just to treat yourself! Use the coupon code LOVE2013 at checkout to get 15% off all items through February 14!

 

watercolor Valentine card set

Be Mine card

I Like You card

neon pink chunky cowl

pink and gray infinity scarf

 

 

Speaking of items, I'm super excited to be embarking on an adorable line for kids and babies. If you have a little of your own, or are just looking for a baby shower gift idea, check out these cute scarves!

 

 Baby teething bib / cowl scarf

little girl infinity scarves, pink or purple

 

 

Thanks for bearing with my shameless self promotion :)

Have a fun weekend!