DO This, NOT That: Volume 3, Your Husband’s Birthday

DO send him surprise chicken wings for lunch, and do NOT forget the candles.

I may not win any Suzy Homemaker awards but I sure do know what my man likes and that, my friends, is chicken wings. The smile on his face alone was worth any humility I feel for not actually cooking him a special meal on his special day. 

The Man & The Meal

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter

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Nostalgia

We moved to Chicago for any number of reasons or, really, for no reason at all. We didn’t have to. We weren’t relocated, forced or wooed by anything other than adventure. Life in Jacksonville was a wonderful experience. It was exhilarating, lively, busy and friend-filled at its best. It was exhausting, hectic and couple-time-free at its most difficult.

Neither of us would trade Jacksonville for the world and even though I knew I would miss my friends upon moving up North, I grew especially nostalgic upon seeing one of my best friends celebrate her birthday without me this weekend. If you glanced at my bridal party you’d see a country covered - both coasts, top and bottom…I’m used to being far away from those that I love. Friendships don’t require daily communication or weekly dates, but I’d grown spoiled by our life in Jax.

• I miss Kayla calling me and setting up a double date where we’d watch our men play video games while we snuck booze into movie theaters.
• I miss having Jason around to tease, to drive me to yoga, to convince that we need another bottle of wine, to write stand-up comedy sketches and to force my sister-like tendencies upon.
• I miss strolling through the Town Center with K-Mo while we solved the world’s problems. I miss her phone calls and feeling like the part of a sisterhood of skinny girls.
• I miss sharing more than our fair share of beverages at Happy Hour with Amanda while we laugh away the responsibility of working for a global bank where EVERYTHING is an emergency.
• I miss Nicole’s ever-calming, always awesome presence. And her yoga class…seriously the best I’ve ever taken.
• I miss being able to meet up with Rachy who’s been so wonderful in welcoming me to the Leweke life.
• I miss see Katie H’s adorable outfits each day, taking sun-soaked strolls and sharing an inordinate amount of inside jokes for girls who’d only known each other a few months.
• I miss the chance to get to know Amanda and Lauren a little bit better. Our Christmas party bathroom break was one to behold.
• I miss the friendly faces at Citicards Way. Being teased for my decidedly un-web-developer-like existence, the lunch lady and our awesome co-workers.
• I regret not getting to spend more time with other people who had, at one time, been a big part of our lives in Jacksonville.
• I hope that our paths cross again.
• I hope that I will grow such willing, caring and incredible friendships in Chicago.
• I hope that friends will love me here the way that they loved me there.

I am used to nostalgia and distance and I am ever-more grateful for the amazing life that we’ve started up here. Being able to see my sisters, brothers(-in-law), parents and old-school friends fills my heart to capacity and then some. Sometimes it’s the mixed emotions that are the most taxing.

When I emerged from a long, hot shower today, feeling especially pensive, to find my husband sitting in our insanely wonderful home, asking me to play music with him, I knew we will always be exactly where we’re supposed to be. We spent the afternoon on a long walk, held hands and talked about all of the people we love and miss - if your ears were burning, it’s because I was singing to you.

The One That’s a Recipe

I’d been threatening this for a while and am finally following through. My husband is a fantastic cook. Without a true background in the kitchen, he’s evolved from someone who could barely boil water to someone who will surprise me with innovation I could never muster! And until I can figure out how to give him his own cooking show (he needs to not spill so much first), here is our first installment with the Man Behind the Meal.

Me: When did you first learn you loved to cook?

J: I really got into it when I had my own kitchen.

Me: Even though I had to make you pasta on our second date?

J: I didn’t say I was good. But yes, I have always enjoyed the process. I love that cooking forces people to hang out and talk with each other instead of being entertained individually. I like that it makes people interact and brings people together.

Me: And I love you. Now, let’s talk about last night’s dish…

Ingredients:
- 4 individual pork chops or 2 butterflied, large chops
- 1-2 strips of bacon per chop
- 1 sweet or Vidalia onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- butter (or substitue - we use Smart Balance)
- salt, pepper, thyme

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Trim fat from pork chops.

3. Slice onions and being to caramelize on the stove top. (J uses a couple tablespoons of Smart Balance, some olive oil, some chopped garlic and balsamic vinegar to taste.)

4. Wrap the edge of the chops in bacon. (You can fasten in place with tooth picks or skewers if desired.)

5. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and brown in the pan with the onions 2-3 minutes on each side.

6. Remove chops from pan, add to baking sheet with a few more onions, the remaining garlic, olive oil, balsamic and thyme.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes and top with the onion mixture.

He served with rice and broccoli. I added some wine for good measure.