This is less of a recipe and more of an idea…but I enjoyed the meal so much, I figured it was worth sharing, even if I didn’t make it from scratch! This weekend, I had intended to stop by Madison’s famous farmer’s market (arguably one of the best in the country) but missed it to help volunteer to run a 5k (more on that later!). Instead, I stopped by the Willy St. Coop on the east side of the city to pick up some fresh produce. I also picked up some freshly baked herb rolls, fresh local greens, tomatoes, locally made hummus, and some Organic Sunshine Burgers gluten free, soy free, vegan (!) falafel burgers. Top it off with a bottle of Dry rhubarb soda (only four ingredients in the whole bottle), and you have a perfect Sunday lunch.
Climbing Railroad Cars & Other Adventures in Wisconsin
My friends and I spent this Memorial Day weekend in the Madison-area, exploring the town of New Glarus (stopped at the New Glarus Brewery for a self-guided tour) and some new restaurants in Madison. We also made a detour at an abandoned railroad car somewhere outside Baraboo, Wisconsin. I was too chicken to get too close, but I caught some great images of my friends. Here are some of my favorite photos from one of the best weekends in Wisconsin.
Design Inspiration for My New Place
Just about a year ago, I was moving into my first place and starting this blog (in Italian, “la mia prima casa” means my first house) to catalog my adventures. This week, my sister and I are moving into our second place. When we first moved, we wanted an eclectic, comfortable space, but faced the problems of living in an old house (bad trim, wall colors that didn’t fit our palette, and an outdated kitchen). Our second place is newer and lighter, with higher ceilings and a modern look. Our new decor inspiration is open, comfortable, and a mix of patterns with pops of bold colors. Below are my favorite inspiration images for my newest place.
Can’t wait to start the decorating process anew!
Ciao,
Sarah
The Only Time It’s Okay to Wear a Side Pony Tail
The Majestic, an old theater turned bar-dance floor-concert venue, in downtown Madison, puts on an 80’s vs. 90’s dance party a few times each year, and I’ll admit I’ve been to more than a couple. This time, my friends and I actually dressed up, and I had a chance to wear some of my vintage 80’s clothes and jewelry. …And my friend Julie got the chance to relive the side ponytail (along with a pair of hot pink leg warmers).
Which do you think wins? 80’s? Or 90’s?
Sarah
This is What Happens When…
…the trail race you are running runs out of safety pins.
p.s. Exactly one month and a day until my first marathon!!
The Springtime Black Watch Tartan
So what exactly is Black Watch tartan, anyway?
According to Esquire, the Black Watch plaid isn’t a girly plaid. Oh no, it’s a “I’m gonna drink whiskey until dawn and fight you at Devil’s Rock” kind of plaid.
According to my friends, it sounds “kinda military” and “cool.”
First of all, Black Watch refers to an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Apparently, King George I organized a “Watch” of six independent Companies and that each Company was to wear a plaid of the same pattern and color, i.e. the Black Watch plaid.
Tartan, is what we more commonly call “plaid” in the States and was originated in wool fabrics, though we all know it’s prevalent in just about every kind of fabric you can think of. Still confused? Scottish kilts usually have tartan patterns.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to find a Black Watch tartan wool and cashmere scarf at a rummage sale in Lake Forest, IL (think, where F.Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby that Tom Buchanan’s polo ponies are said to have been bred). This weekend was chilly in Wisconsin, so although I usually associate Black Watch tartan with autumn and the holidays, the plaid made a daring springtime appearance. (p.s. Although Esquire might consider Black Watch the manliest of all plaids…it’s hardly less attractive on a woman!)
Ciao,
Sarah
3 Ways to Style…A Neon Scarf
Ray Ban Men
Ladies of the Derby
Chocolate Chip (Oatmeal) Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs
I usually try to make healthy(ish) cookies, but be warned, these cookies are not even close to being healthy! Which is probably why they might be the best cookies I’ve made yet. I found the original recipe from The Domestic Rebel but modified the recipe the two times I made them. The first time I tried it, I was very ambitious and used peanut butter brownie mix (not recommended! The peanut butter chips made folding the brownie over the cookies more difficult). The second time, I used oatmeal cookie dough instead of chocolate chip cookie dough. Perfect! Here is my oatmeal version of the recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 dash of milk (or choose to use less flour)
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose or unbleached flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1 cup miniature chocolate chips
1 pkg fudge brownie mix, baked and cooled*
2 pkgs Baker’s semi-sweet baking chocolate bar
*It’s important to use fudge brownie mix so that it folds over the cookie dough easier!
Directions
- 1. Mix the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy.
- 2. Add the vanilla, flour, and oats (and milk, if the mixture is not soft enough). Roll in the chocolate chips.
- 3. Roll the oatmeal cookie dough into one inch balls and set on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Place in the freezer for an hour or so to firm up.
- 4. Cut the brownies into one inch squares and carefully press them around the cookie dough balls. I noticed that I had to lightly wet the cookie dough ball before rolling the brownie over it to get it to stick properly.
- 5. Heat the baking chocolate bars (2 pieces at a time will give you plenty of time to roll the cookies before the chocolate hardens) in the microwave and dip the cookie dough balls in the chocolate. Immediately sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips.
- 6. Let sit in the fridge…or if you can’t wait (which at this point, who can!?), eat immediately.
gibbsongirl.com 