7 Quick Takes Friday!

A random smattering of delicious or delightful things that have been in my life lately!

(Visit Jen for more quick takes!)

1. Lemon-Raspberry Cupcakes with fondant buttons!



Becky brought these adorable and delicious treats to Meg the Grand's second sewing class! I may or may not have gotten frosting on my sampler. I am proud to say that under Meg's tutelage, I now know how to sew two-hole, four-hole, and shank buttons, how to make a covered button, how to attach snaps, and how to sew hems using a slipstitch and a catch stitch. I feel very accomplished, and I have already used my new skills to repair some items that were waiting patiently in the closet. Sewing = useful life skill. Fact.

2. Vanishing of the Bees + Bee Treats!



Last Saturday night, we walked over to the Logan Square Kitchen to watch the Vanishing of the Bees, a fabulous documentary chronicling the hazards of modern beekeeping, narrated by Ellen Page. The event benefited the Chicago Honey Co-op, and there were some amazing treats! I had that incredible-looking piece of honey candy, and the Guy had a bee cookie. The movie is available on Netflix Instant, and I highly recommend it.

3. Excuse me... where are the quinoa flakes?



I love it when a recipe calls for something I've never heard of! It's so exciting! Where will I buy this mystery item? What will it look like? How will it taste? What will it act like in recipes? I love it. This week, I got sunflower seed butter, sucanat, and quinoa flakes for this recipe, curry for a lentil soup recipe I've had in the hopper for a while, and pickling spice for homemade corned beef. Also chia seeds! I've been reading this great book about ultrarunning, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It is completely fascinating. The author had experienced nothing but injury and pain in his experience of running until he discovered a hidden Mexican tribe called the Tarahumara. They live in the Copper Canyons, and are some of the world's greatest and most joyful runners; they run hundreds of miles at once, practically barefoot, just for fun! But back to my point: their idea of an energy drink is called chia fresca, which is just chia seeds soaked in water or fruit juice. The seeds are full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, protein, fiber, B vitamins, and essential minerals. I'm excited to try it!

4. Sushi and a mojito are a totally appropriate work lunch.





Chicago Restaurant Week was a blast this year. There's only so much decadent eating out that you can cram into one week, especially when that week corresponds with two fast days at the beginning of Lent, but I did my best. Some girls from my office went to SushiSambaRio on Fat Tuesday for their $22 3-course prix fixe. The last time I was there was for my bachelorette party, and this was quite a different story. We were almost the only people there! The food was delicious. Gyoza, a sushi plate (including a spicy shrimp roll which was to die for, and an unusual but tasty piece of kobe beef sushi), apple crisp and mochi. Saturday night I had a lady date with a friend at the Bristol, a local seasonal gastropub with a knockout menu. Unbelievable.

5. Bridgeport Coffeeshop





I'm a big fan of Bridgeport Coffee, as I've said before, and I was recently able to make it down to their coffeeshop, where I was greeted by skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly baristas, a warm neighborhood vibe, and a pitch-perfect latte. I'll be back.

6. Boys and girls have different ideas about tea party fare.



Tea and cake for me, giant pile of tater tots for him. Married bliss.

7. Spring has sprung!



This doesn't mean we're totally out of the woods, but these little sprouts are such a happy, hopeful sight!

Have a fabulous weekend!