Greatest moment of my life!

I am ridiculous in every way, I fully admit it.  Many of you may judge what things bring me joy, but I am not ashamed.  Watching Dance Moms really make me happy.  Yes, I recognize that it is completely crazy, but I can't help what I love!  On our way back from visiting our family this summer we stopped in Canton, OH.  I insisted that we stop by Candy Apple's Dance Studio.  My dear husband reluctantly agreed and was fully embarrassed the entire time which made it all the more wonderful.  We did a drive by photo, it was glorious!

Pumpkin-Coconut Chowder with Shrimp

      Over the summer I had more of an opportunity to try some new recipes and be a little more inventive in my cooking.  I love trying new flavors and making beautiful dishes.  As a little girl I wasn't necessarily a picky eater, but I wasn't that bold in my food choices (note: I still dislike all things mashed potatoes, beans, and tomato).  As I grew older, I traveled to different countries and discovered that I like a greater variety of foods than I previously thought. Luckily my husband is easy to please (except for his dislike of BBQ sauce...I know a major crime!)  Cooking is something that calms me down after I get home from a busy day at school. And foodgawker.com has taken the place of pinterest in my heart.  I can get lost looking at pictures of so many amazing dishes.  

   

 As fall approaches I am excited for all the colorful flavors that come along with the season; apple, pumpkin, caramel...I found this wonderful recipe for pumpkin-coconut chowder that made my heart skip a beat.  It is delicious, unique, and relatively easy to make.  I definitely recommend it to any one who loves seafood, pumpkin, or food with an Asian flare! 

Pumpkin-Coconut Chowder with Shrimp

ingredients:

1 T coconut oil (or other cooking oil)
1 shallot, peeled and diced
1 T grated fresh ginger
1 cup chicken, vegetable, or seafood broth
1 cup shredded carrot (about 1 large)
1 cup 1/2-inch diced potato (any kind will do, including sweet potatoes)
1 Roma tomato, diced
1 14 or 15 ounce can of coconut milk (the real stuff, not light)
2 T lime juice
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine)
1/2 tsp salt
6-8 ounces uncooked shrimp, thawed, tails removed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 T chopped fresh cilantro

directions:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. 
• Add shallots and ginger. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until the shallots are tender. 
• Add the remaining ingredients (except for the shrimp and cilantro). 
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender. 
• Add the shrimp and cilantro during the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Cook until shrimp are pink and opaque.

Serve hot and garnish with more fresh cilantro, roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), pumpkin seed oil and/or Thai sweet chili sauce.

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teacher loves philosopher.

I really love my husband.  One year of marriage.  It has been full of struggles and joys.  But I am so happy to get to love him and receive his love everyday.  I am so thankful that God had a plan for my life.  As I think back to the summer of 2009, a year before Eric and I would start dating, I remember sitting and crying with my mom.  I had just watched one of my best friends get engaged and was just about to watch one of my other best friends get married.  I remember crying with my mom, feeling alone and wondering when God would send someone for me, not knowing that it was already in the works. The next summer Eric and I were dating and the next we were married.  God is really good and I am thankful.

Little Italy.

As Eric and I completed our tour of the Midwest, we were able to stop to eat lunch in Cleveland my sister-in-law Emily.  We met in Little Italy for some delicious (unhealthy and greasy) pizza.  We visited the world famous Mama Santa Pizzeria.  It was good!

We missed Emily during our Midwest visit and were glad to have a little time to visit and catch up with her. We ate pizza, walked around to experience the Italian culture, and tried some delicacies from a bakery. It was a nice way to unwind on our way back from our crazy month long trip.

Family Bowling.

Nothing is better than a family bowling trip.

Backyard Beach.

I feel like on a 110 degree day the only options are to hide in the air conditioning of your home or be fully submerged in water. While at my sister's home we broke out the backyard beach, fully equipped with a beach umbrella, sandbox, kiddy car wash, splash pad, and baby pool.  I was more of a supervisor considering the backyard activities were designed for children under the age of 6.  

Nonetheless, my five year old niece found a great deal of joy in splashing me with ice cold water.  

Farmer's Market.

I love a good farmer's market.  Whether in Illinois, Indiana, or Virginia I have been able to locate a wonderful resource for fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables.  While in Indiana Eric and I accompanied my sister and nieces to the South Bend farmer's market.  We weren't there long considering that local meteorologist were calling this day the hottest and most humid of the summer.  But hey, 110 degrees, no big deal!  We were there just long enough to buy cookies, fruit, and ribs.  All you need to survive!

Aunt Chelsea.

I love being an Aunt.  It is one of my greatest joys in life. My nieces and nephews are the cutest kids ever...I'm not even just saying that because I am their aunt.  They are really adorable children!  I love them much.  Be prepared, in my next few posts the children are the stars!  I just can't help myself.

Churrasco.

I was meant to be a Brasilian.  I love Brasilian food!  Specifically desserts.  My favorite is a sort of flan or this delicious pairing of cheese and guava jelly (called Romeo & Juliet).  I could eat them all day.  

I was lucky enough to have three Brasilian meals while I was visiting the Midwest.  A Churrasco is basically a cooking of large quantities of meat. My father-in-law is somewhat of an expert in this.  We ate rice, beans (not me), and meat meat meat! Eric and I have tried to replicate the magic, but have done so unsuccessfully.  

20 Miles.

Over the break Eric and I went out on a 20 mile bike ride.  We started in South Haven, MI and rode for about 2-3 hours.  It was such a beautiful day and a wonderful time, just Eric and I.  We were able to buy a bike rack and brought back bikes so there will be more fun to come.   

Bacon, Arugula, and Peach.

I have a new love in my life. Arugula. I would always see people on the food network use Arugula, but never really knew what it was or tasted like.  Oh man, is it good!  It is a more sophisticated spinach.  It has this spicy quality that I fell deeply in love with.  We have been home for less than a week and I have already gone through a huge container of it.  

My love blossomed from making Peach, Bacon, and Arugula sandwiches with my mother in-law.  They were so delicious we made them twice while I was there.  How could you go wrong with those incredible ingredients?  

Farm Fun.

I have always been fascinated by farm life.  Eric grew up on a farm (or rather farm land) and thinks this fascination is rather silly.  Over the summer I was approached by my sister-in-law, Katie.  The conversation went as follows:

Katie: "Hey, do you want to go play in the irrigation system?"

Me: "Yes!"

It was a thrill of a lifetime.  Don't tell the farmers.

Berry Picking.

I love fruit very much.  Summer is the wonderful time of year when you can actually go and pick your fruit.  I went two times and have plans to go again before the summer is over.  Nothing is better than fresh picked fruit!  Fruit is my passion.