Celebrating

Yesterday was my birthday. I've confessed my love of birthdays and the celebrations that come along with them. Typically, the entire month of October is filled with giddy anticipation. Thinking about being a year older and what surprises will come my way. Excited for facebook posts, cake, and feeling special. This year, this time around, things felt a little different.

I often forgot it was my birthday month. I was feeling a little meh. It's silly to me, when not feeling purposeful in your job, it seems to ooze into other areas of life. Even if everything else is perfectly wonderful, not being excited about work womps over life like a looming storm cloud. At least for me.

I was finding myself complaining more often. Instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, I was becoming easily frustrated. Seeing the negatives more often than the positives. Basically, I felt like I was turning into a grump of a haggard woman. F told me over and over that I was being too hard on myself, but here I was, throwing my own personal pity party in the bitter barn.

Last Friday, I kind of lost it to Francis. I cried and talked, and was rocking a smudged mascara monster face of the ages. Through his loving toughness, he talked me into closing down the pity party early and to start teaching myself to search for joy and things to be thankful about with everything.

When I found myself feeling bummed about something, I turned it around it my head and tried to list off all the blessings in it. It's shocking actually, how quickly you can pivot your thinking into being positive.

Saturday night, we saved up to go out for my birthday dinner at a restaurant we've been wanting to try. While enjoying our food, we started chatting with the couple next to us. They were friendly and silly and sharing bites of their dessert and taking bites of our cheese platter. It was a bit unusual in the warmest of ways, having people be so overtly kind. We greatly enjoyed talking with them. They told us they had dated 30 years ago, parted ways, and this was their first date back together. I jokingly told them they should probably take their story to Oprah. We laughed, we ate, we sipped. They talked about travels and we discussed local restaurants that we had tried and our (mine more novice than the rest of them) opinions of their flavors and techniques. As quickly as the conversation started, they were off. We were left with a whirlwind of excitement and touched by their thrilling stories and curiosity in us. Francis and I talked and ate a little more and then, the waitress brought the bill to our table.

I stared at it. I held back tears. Was this real life? Francis and I stared at each other, wide-eyed, searching for words to even start to express what was going through our heads. Silence.

That act of kindness, the incredible generosity, I think it's the highlight of my 26th year and I am not even two days in yet. I was rocked. You choose to look for the good and you will find it. Not always in paid checks or big sweeping circumstances, but in the smile of a passing stranger. A hug from a friend. An unexpected email just saying, "hello". Someone holding the elevator door open. A husband who convinces you that you aren't as crotchety as you imagine. I'm left just praising God for all the reasons He gives me to celebrate. Not just on October 29th, but every day, all day through.

image: hilaryclair

Birthday

Today is my birthday.
I love birthdays. Always have. Always will.
A reason to celebrate.
For sparkle and sweets.
For celebrating, surrounded by loves.
For saying "Yes!" to dessert.
For decorations.
For dressing up.
For reminiscing on the last year and imagining the next.

25
High: Loving our neighborhood, particularly the tennis courts by the lake and the endless summer hours spent there.
Low: Wishing for a job where my passions collide with a paycheck.
Random: Went to Vegas this year with F and my in-laws. This was my 26th US state visited; Excited to be more than half way there.

I'm thanking my lucky stars for all the blessings in my life.

On to 26...
xo, H

images: BHLDN

Bravery

Full disclosure and a novel worth of explanation:

When I started this blog, I didn't know what I wanted it to look like. I just wanted to write and share pretties and sillies. A virtual bulletin board (who else wishes they would have thought up Pinterest?). I dreamed of conversations in the comment boards, meeting new people who stumbled on my scribbled typed words. Of capturing my favorite fancies of the moment - pretty umbrella, delicious recipe, awkward moment.

Even though, I've been blogging for 2.5 years, I still don't really know what I want this to look like. It's something that grows as I grow and reflects the me-of-the-moment. I want to steer it a bit more towards a lifestyle blog - style, food, everyday happenings. I want it to be a place where I bravely share how I'm feeling. Be it lovely or less than. To share worries and celebrations. Joys and disappointments. It's hard sometimes to be brave with this big, unknown world of readers. It's easy to want to portray a life that's strung together and tied with the prettiest of bows. To post things too expensive to attain (F says I have "filet taste on a hamburger budget) or too difficult to master. To me, the most beautiful parts of life are in the madness, the pursuit, the lessons. So, why not share it?

Tomorrow I turn 26 and with this year, I want to be braver. So consider this my manifesto, sweet readers. That 26 year old Hilary will be braver than the 25 versions before her.

Here's wishing.

images: hilaryclair

Tucked Away

Happy Friday, loves!

I am so looking forward to this weekend. F is planning date night tonight and we have early birthday celebrations scattered throughout. In between those moments, I am excited to rest. To cuddle up in a cozy blanket and watch Netflix. To light candles and sip cocoa. To be warm and tucked in with no place to go. Wouldn't this magical tree house be the most perfect place to sneak away for the weekend? 

Click here to take a peak inside. Never seen a tree house so chic. 

What are you weekend plans? Do tell. 

images: The Lettered Cottage

Guest Post

Surprise!  Sorry to those who were expecting a celebrity or famous blogger, it’s just me, Francis.  It’s so fun to be able to contribute to this blog.  Of course I’ve been following it since the beginning and it has been a blast to see the variety of posts that Hilary has.  Since she has been on a recipe kick lately, I thought I could give Hilary a break and cook for her on Saturday and also post on her blog. 

For those who may not know, my parents are both Korean and as a result I grew up eating mainly Korean food.  One of my favorite quick meals was ramen.  But this wasn’t the same 33¢ run-of-the-mill stuff you are used to seeing college kids eat, this was spicy, hearty, and delicious.  So you could imagine my curiosity when I saw articles about people making ramen burgers and decided that we should give it a try ourselves.  But instead of westernizing the burger like some of the recipes out there, I wanted to throw a more Asian/Korean spin on the idea.

Here are all the ingredients I used (minus the sesame oil).  Since the ramen is only used for the buns you can use any brand you want, but the flavor should be chicken.

And that red stuff?  No, not the ketchup.  The red paste in the little brown bowl.  That is 고추장, or gochujang.  Say it with me, go-chew-jang (“jang” rhymes with “long”).  What is it? It’s red pepper paste with some soybeans and salt.  Oh, and it’s fermented…I know, that may sound gross but it’s really delicious (and spicy).

We’ve all made ramen before… but if you haven’t all you need to do is boil some water and throw the noodles in there.  Don’t cook them all the way, though.  Pull them out a couple minutes before the instructions tell you to.

While the noodles are boiling, finely chop up a half of a small onion.

Drain the noodles and let them cool down for 10 minutes, then stir in an egg.  The egg helps bind the noodles when you cook them into “buns.”

To make the "buns", I used a 28 oz. can that held tomatoes in a past life, as a mold.  Make sure you use oil or cooking spray on the inside of the mold as well as the pan to avoid sticking.  Cook on each side for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the “buns” are cooking, slice up two potatoes into fries.

For the burgers, mix a pound of ground beef with the onions and the seasoning packet for the ramen noodles.  Also, add a tablespoon of sesame oil.  This is probably one of my favorite ingredients in Korean cooking as it has a nutty aroma that brings me back to Mom’s cooking.

Remember that the hamburgers will reduce in size after cooking so make them bigger than what you want their final size to be.

Mix a tablespoon of the gochujang to 3 tablespoons of ketchup.  By mixing, the stronger flavor of the gochujang will be mellowed out by the more familiar condiment staple. 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.  Coat the potatoes in a tablespoon of sesame oil and a tablespoon of vegetable oil.  The sesame oil will again add a nice Asian flavor to the fries, but because their smoke point is pretty low, I mix it with vegetable oil.  Cook until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. 

Optional: Toast a tablespoon of sesame seeds over medium heat.  Careful, they go from toasted to burned very quickly.

Top the “buns” with lettuce and spread some of the gochujang/ketchup mixture on top of the lettuce.  Spread it on the lettuce to keep the “buns” from getting soggy.  Top with some onions and sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Overall, we really liked the burgers, especially the flavor of the meat.  The “buns” were definitely different but probably could have used a little more infusion of flavor.  In the end, we are both happy we tried the latest food fad and enjoyed it enough to make it again in the future.  Thank you so much for reading and thank you, Hilary, for letting me be a part of your blog!

Editor's note: 
F, you rock my socks. You did a wonderful job! Step-by-step photos, humor, details - you are a natural. It doesn't hurt anything that I'm your testing subject for recipes. ;) I love you!

images: Francis

The Soup of the Brave

My friend and coworker Taylor and I often share what we are planning to make for dinner each night. With similar tastes in food and openness to trying to new things, we end up making many of each other's recipes. 

Last week, she hit me with a doozy: 

TOMATO PEANUT BUTTER SOUP

I thought it sounded unappetizing and had no interest in copycating this one. UNTIL, she brought it in for lunch the next day and let me try it. I went home and whipped up a batch of my own and became a believer. 

Shout out to Taylor for pushing me out of my comfort zone and giving me another warm soup recipe. 

If you are reading this and think it sounds awesome, more power to you. If you are reading this with a scrunched up face in disgust, I hear you. But seriously, try it. See if it makes a believer out of you too. 

Also, tune in tomorrow for a guest post from one of my favorite people!

On to the recipe:

(Click here to be taken to the original Food Network recipe.)

Heat 1Tbls of EVOO in a pot over medium-high heat.

Finely chop:

1 small onion

1 green bell pepper

1 celery stalk 

(Save the leaves for topping.)

 Add to pan and stir for 5 minutes.

Add:

1 clove of garlic 

(See my favorite cubed version here.)

1/2tsp curry powder

1/2tsp paprika

1/8tsp cayenne pepper 

(I added 1/4 to give it a little more of a kick.)

1tsp salt

Stir together for 2 minutes.

Add:

1-15oz can of crushed tomatoes

4 cups of chicken broth 

(NOTE: I've been loving this as a less expensive option. 

Buying stocks and broths can add up when you love soup as much as I do.)

1tsp of packed brown sugar

1 cup of water

Whisk in:

1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter

Bring pot to a boil. Then, allow to simmer over low heat for approximately 30 minutes until soup begins to thicken, stirring occasionally. 

Blend all ingredients together. You can use an immersion blender or actual blender. 

Sorry no photo of this step. I was too caught up in trying not to burn myself in the transferring process. :)

Chop the celery leaves.

  

Ladle soup into bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, top with cracked black pepper, and celery leaves. 

Prepare to be amazed. 

If you are brave enough to try it, please let me know what you think!

images: hilaryclair, recipe: Food Network

Why, hello Kate!

I absolutely adore Kate Spade. 

With her impeccable style and colorful whimsy, how could you not?

And come on, she loves bows. (Heart be still.)

Enough in fact that her new Edina store front is a la her geometric bow. 

When I received an email to the grand opening party, it was an obvious RSVP. 

Yes, please and thank you very much!

My husband was awesome enough to brave the crazy lovely crowds of girls people to be my date. 

Ever the stud of a husband that man is.

I felt like royalty. 

Bubbly. Butler passed hors d'oeuvres. So.much.pretty.

I think it's safe to say that I lovingly caressed every item in that store. 

We pushed our way through through people strolled through each and every inch. 

I asked the manager if I could take pictures to share with my blog followers. (Such a rule follower.)

See below for my snapshots. 

Happy weekend!

xo, H

  

A purse version of a card catalog drawer! (Made me think of my librarian friend, B.)

Obsessed with this wallpaper.

I love the gold glitter shoes. 

I have to constantly remind myself that I have a few decades on six years old and can no longer pull all things sparkle off. 

Doesn't stop me from trying.

One of my favorite things in the store. Cutest booties with bows and gold heels. Charge it, please!

Yours truly. 

images: hilaryclair