35mm love: Life and Things
Spring! It’s here! At least in Ohio. All you other non-springers, sorry about your floods and your random snowstorms in the middle of April. I tip my cantaloupe-infused vodka ginger ale beverage in your direction and wish you a quick arrival of this glorious season!
For everyone else out there, let’s go on some late-night bike rides, shall we? Or maybe cook 64 crepes with the back door open (not like I watched Romain do that or anything). Or, or, OR we could finally clean out our photo drawer and get months-old film developed. Don’t mind if I do!
These are shots from Chicago and Columbus. They were taken in bakeries, streets, antique stores, wildflower fields, and airports. I’d describe them some more for you, but there is spring abound! Open those windows, take an Allegra, and let the nights of patio beverage sipping begin!
Real Talk: Teeth Treats Put a Ring on It
Friends! Lovers! Blog world champions!
It’s been a while. A lot has happened in the 4+ months since I last blogged. Jobs were found. Exams were taken. Resolutions were made (and kept thus far). Cake was eaten. Lots of cake, actually.
But among all these trials, triumphs, and dessert-laden life decisions has been the most amazing, thrilling, and touching of them all….I done got married!
I could go on an gush about how Romain is one of the smartest, raddest, most hilarious and talented people I have ever and will ever know, but that would just be mushy and awkward. I’m an awkward turtle as it is, so let’s keep the discomfort to a minimum, shall we?
The day was filled with people I love, surprise sisterly bridesmaids, Skype, champagne, tacos, happy tears, a French-inspired feast, and the most amusing of toasts. I wore not one, but TWO killer dresses, nearly got my forefinger bitten off, and temporarily forgot my left from my right. Two weeks later and I’m still standing, an overjoyed and overwhelmed by love newlywed.
Thanks for all the support and well wishes! You all are crazy cool and I’m so happy to have you in my life!
Les Jolies Choses: Year 23
I did something crazy today.
It was something I knew would happen, I had just never thought too much about it.
Yes, dear friends, today I entered the world of twenty-four. And I’m not talking about Jack Bauer, though that could be cool.
My twenty-third year was amazing for a number of reasons. In this case, twenty-three.
1.) I went to a luchador drawing match. It was nuts.
2.) I brought Thanksgiver to France. Sidenote: Apparently the British love pumpkin pie?
3.) This meal.
4.) Living where persimmons grow.
5.) Hanging with this puppy from time to time.
6.) Remember that time I learned to ski?
7.) Yeah, me neither. Pizza! French fry!
8.) Skype is cool.
9.) I learned how to make frites.
10.) Black beans became a thing.
11.) That coast!
12.) Ummmmm….there’s a table soccer world cup?
13.) Homemade Oreos? Anyone?
14.) Berlin! Love!
15.) Cream cheese and canned fish sandwiches at 10:30 on a train from Hanover to Paris. Always a good idea.
16.) This cat. Iggy Bill Murray, you make the world a better place.
17.) My thrifting addiction hit record levels this year.
18.) Cat in Cordes-sur-Ciel? I’m okay with that.
19.) The fair. AMERICA!
20.) Toronto time.
21.) New place.
22.) With this guy.
23.) And ice cream parties. Like, so many of them.
My twenty-third year was, indeed, a good one.
So far, year twenty-four has been full of naps, 30 Rock, pork chops from grass-fed pigs, and lots and lots of love. I’m totally into this.
Thank you all for being in my life. You’re the best. I mean it, I do!
Les Jolies Choses: September 2012
How is it that at the beginning of every month I sit here and think, “Woah….already?” One would think that after 275 months of life, I would be used to this thing right about now. Alas, no. It’s October now and while I’m loving every minute of snuggie-induced nap time and the steady stream of pumpkin-cinnamon-apple-squash-food-in-your-face that’s happening, I still can’t help but scratch my head and blurt out, “October? Now?”
So, September…..it looked like this:
Paper lanterns remind me of that scene in Finding Nemo with the jellyfish. You know which one I’m talking about.
Crazy Lady Cornbread Muffins ruled my world for a little while.
So did these guys. There’s bacon in there!
Ate thiiiiiiiiiisss much meat. Oops.
Woah! The Thunderdome got painted!
Being pretty as a lily in Chicago.
See? Told ya.
Fall? That’s a thing right now? Yeah, it’s totally a thing.
Chicago tromping.
Wait a second…is that the Jehovah’s Witness flag? And is the ceiling raining purple glitter? I say yes.
I scream, you scream.
Ahhhhh fancy camping.
Oh, September, so full of Pittsburgh sights, Chicago style, scooter rides, and the last precious moments my bare legs will see sunshine until April. It’s been good! Oh, October, let’s do this!
Crazy Lady Cornbread Muffins
My family has this crazy, uncanny, unmistakably Grodek way of taking any normal dish or food item, and finding a way to make it meaty. Don’t believe me? Check out my Candied Bacon Chocolate Cupcakes. They’ll blow your mind in half.
Last weekend included a trip to the surprisingly hilly Pittsburgh. There were cupcakes of the Vanilla Pastry Cafe variety. There were piles and piles of BBQ. There were cider tastings. There was the biggest record store I’ve ever set my two eyes upon.
And there were these muffins. These corny, cheesey, spicy, meaty muffins.
These muffins are not your ordinary corny goodness bready things. They are packed with everything that is good and nice and delicious in the world. They are muffins you’d make with you sister on an early autumn morning.
I bring you these muffins because they remind me of the spiciness of summer, the cool crispness of fall, and the absolute craziness (in the best way possible) of sisterly love that forces you to impulsively put carnitas in your cornbread muffin.
So enjoy! I made your life just a little meatier, just for you!
Crazy Lady Cornbread Muffins
makes 6 jumbo muffins
inspired by Damn Delicious and Jordana
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup canned corn
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar, plus more for topping
- 6 chunks cooked carnitas (Jordana used Diana Kennedy’s recipe)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter or line a jumbo muffin tin with muffin liners.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
In a medium bowl, combine butter, yogurt, honey, eggs, and sour cream.
Mix wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring with a rubber spatula.
Once incorporated, fold in the jalapeno, Parmesan, and cheddar cheese. Fill the muffin cups halfway. In each cup, place a piece of carnitas. Fill the rest of each cup with the batter. Sprinkle Parmesan and cheddar cheeses atop the muffins.
Muffins will be done in 25-30 minutes, or when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Les Jolies Choses: August 2012
Annnnnnnndddd it’s that time again!
I know, I know, already time for Les Jolies Choses? Weird, right?
In the TeethTreats world, I’ve been spending a lot of time hosting friends from here and there, eating my way through the Midwest, and going on as many sweaty, sweaty bicycle rides as possible. Here’s what August looked like around these parts:
Canadians love clotheslines.
I love cupcakes.
And decent public transportation.
Toronto had the most wonderful hues of yellow and orange everywhere. I’m into it!
I made you lumberjack biscuits.
Eco car.
This thing.
Pip pip cheerio! Anglicizing Columbus at one of my very dear friend’s baby shower. Scones and cream for all!
This puppy. Owned by one of the nicest Canadians ever, who owns one of the coolest vintage clothing/record stores ever.
Oh hey, Niagra Falls! Haven’t seen you in, what, ten years? You’re gaw-geous!
Columbus music killin it.
French fries in truffle oil and shaved Parmesan cheese? Yes, please!
Succulents sunbathing on the windowsill. Say that ten times fast. Try it!
Oh August, so full of fair food, gentle Canadian folk, and hot, sweaty nights. I loved each and every moment of you! But alas, your more dapper, autumn winded cousin is in town and I think it might be time to part ways. I’ll never forget you, or your delicious truffle fries!
35mm love: Ohio State Fair
What’s that, you say? It’s Labor Day? Summer is almost over? Whaaaaa?
I say “phooey” to that, my friend. We may already be in the thick of September, but I’m happy to say that I’m not ready to let go of summer until the last heirloom tomato is eaten and my hair resigns itself from that awkward summer frizz it’s taken a liking to these days.
Summer reminds me of flowing cotton dresses, night bike rides, and various fried foods on a stick. I don’t think there’s a better place to find all these things than at the Ohio State Fair. Here are a few shots I took a few weeks ago. This day was full of deep-fried Oreos, summer sun, and even a brief looksie at the lady with a snake body.
Happy summer days to you! I love you all.
