reading up and bearing down.

Morning, chicks!

And Happy Bears Day!

Or whatever team it is you cheer for.

Last night we went out, sans costumes, to celebrate Ky’s birthday.

It was serious fun.

 

Our plan was to feed the jukebox all our money and listen to our playlist for as long as we liked.

Except that some country music-loving patrons managed to step ahead of us and commandeer most of our awesome choices.

Luckily, Nicky Minaj still managed to make an appearance.

Otherwise, what kind of birthday party would it have been, really?

*****

Up this morning: a pledge to take.it.easy for awhile, pulled pork bbq & fried chicken (in honor of the Bears’ opponent, the Carolina Panthers), and reading newspaper endorsements of President Obama.

Here’s the one that’s obviously closest to my heart (and my apartment, too), but I did enjoy The New York Times’ article just as well. My baby sister’s city also likes Obama for President.

And of course, an endorsement from my home state always makes me proud.

Listen, the election’s almost here, and I need sensible words from major newspapers to make me feel better about people who think that that pregnancy resulting from rape is a gift from God and also insist on making life miserable for new parents, just because they happen to be gay.

Hang with me chickadees, the end is in sight.

Until then, I have some more reading to do.

 

 

 

 

not up for debate.

Ok, chickadees, I admit that I haven’t watched the debate yet, so I’ll hold my comments on that.

Probably not for long, though.

Nothing like listening to a debate from your desk- it makes me feel like I’m living in the 1940s, and I kind of like that.

You know, except for the ear buds and the computer the sound’s coming out of, I guess.

I’m not ruining this for myself yet.

In tandem with this election cycle, I’ve been reading a book about Winston Churchill and his lifetime relations with America.

We’re just getting to the good part (where the Allies win the war), and I must say, it’s giving me an extra shot of patriotism/political thirst during these last two weeks before things go down.

I know I’m a strange on chickens, but hang with me, if you can.

I do appreciate it.

In other news of things I did watch: the Bears, despite nearly losing Jay Cutler to a kung fu move by Suh (who for the record, is my nemesis. That guy wants one thing, and it’s to hurt other guys. Shudder), taking it home against Detroit.

source

Legal, maybe.

That doesn’t get him off my nemesis list.

Stay dry out there, chickens, and enjoy this one.

You’re the pride and joy of Illinois

Happy Sunday, chickens!

Yesterday was an extraordinarily productive day, and I’m just about ready to place my belongings in a suitcase and take off for sunny California for a few days and then head to Orlando on Wednesday.

I may have a spreadsheet detailing my outfit options.

This is a long trip, pals. I can’t trust myself to pull together an undocumented ensemble.

In any case, I’m one nail appointment from being socially presentable, and then I can focus on what’s really important about today.

Which is that it’s the Bears’ opening game of the season.

 

There is nothing more beautiful about the fall (in my opinion, anyway), then the fresh start to a long season of football.

I have been known to get a little overly enthusiastic about a football game- generally I spend the duration of it jumping up and down, yelling things like “Run, you beautiful man!” and “Hester Hester HESTER!” while making wild arm movements.

Sometimes I black out due to excitement and find myself on top of the couch without really remembering how I managed to get up there.

I’m dedicated to the spirit of the game, chickadees.

And I’ll certainly be one happy lady today starting at around noon.

Bear down, Chicago- it’s almost kickoff time.

The question is: what do we believe?

Ok, chickadees.

So I know not everyone likes when I take a political tilt here.

I get it- I’m more in demand when I’m making you laugh.

But over the next couple of months, it just might creep in here now and again.

Can’t help it.

Don’t want to, actually.

In any case, in my political mini-segment of the day, I’d like to tell you that among the many highlights of my DNC watching, Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts, was my absolute favorite.

He’s smart, well-spoken, and he made me clap in my living room.

While JW just shook his head at me silently.

I love clapping.

So, in case you missed it, or in case you’re interested, check it out. This guy is gonna be someone, chickens.

You heard it here first.

In other news, aside from my obsessive Twitter-following of the convention over the next few days, I’m gearing up for football season.

There is nothing I love more than football.

Except maybe my family.

Probably some other stuff too.

But I like it a lot, chicks.

And I’m ready to gear up and bear down.

I love you, Hester (and the rest of you guys, too).

Who needs summer anyway? I’m thinking.

Remind me I said that in December.

Enjoy this one, everyone.

 

full up.

All right chickens, I’ve been missing in action the past couple of days.

There was an adorable baby to meet.

And then there was a basketball game to watch with his big brother and a sleepover with my two favorite teenagers, which basically means watching movies and eating until everyone falls asleep on the couch.

It’s an art, I’d say.

And there was souffle to make.

It didn’t puff up as much as I think it should have, but it was still delicious. They’ll be more to come on this, when I write it up for my sister’s cooking blog tomorrow.

There was also a chocolate lab puppy to snuggle and family to hang with and football to depress me and soccer to play.

And of course, True Blood to watch because now I’m officially addicted and can’t stop myself.

What I’m saying is that the weekend was pretty full of good stuff.

And now I’m ready to head to my last full week of work of the year, which is really helping me to accept the fact that I’m going to have to go outside and can’t stay inside watching more True Blood all day.

There’s a chance I’ll get over this.

I have plans to run myself out of energy tonight on the treadmill, and then come home and get my Christmas Plan in order.

It’s only a couple weeks away, chickadees.

Have a lovely Monday!

carnitasss: easy and delicious on a sunday morning.

So yesterday I decided it was time to try this carnitas recipe that I’d seen on Smitten Kitchen.

Which meant my cooking schedule started at nine am with a trip to the grocery store to obtain a pork shoulder.

With Ky’s expertise, we also put together a spicy, more-vinegary-than-creamy coleslaw that even passed JD’s non-coleslaw liking palate, and served up the whole thing with doctored up refried beans (cilantro and serrano peppers make everything better) and then sat down, enjoyed our delicious meal, and watched the Bears get beaten squarely.

At least the food was good.

In any case, this was super easy- it only needed cumin, orange juice, lime juice (while halving limes, I somehow managed to slice the top of my thumb off, but aside from that, it all went pretty well), garlic, and the pork shoulder.

Three hours later, you had shredded pork that theoretically had been rendered in its own fat.

Not reading enough of the directions in advance, I had cut some of the fat off the pork shoulder, so I had to add olive oil at that step.

Let that be a cautionary tale to you.

We finished everything off with cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B’s, and then watched the Packers win YET AGAIN (someone, please, beat these guys for me).

And that was the end of a lovely weekend.

Now it’s back to my cubicle, where I refuse to have anything other than a good attitude.

It’s the holiday season, chickadees.

Have an excellent day!

ramblings at the start of the week.

Dear Bears,

I stayed up far past my school night bedtime simply to watch you fall apart in the second half.

Don’t let it happen again.

Sincerely,

Nicole Palluzzi

I got so excited when Devin Hester caught the ball last night that I yelled out “You Go Girl!” in the middle of a crowded bar.

If I’m willing to embarrass myself like that, the Bears should be willing to score enough touchdowns to win.

Anyway.

Now that that’s out of the way, welcome to Tuesday!

I’m headed back to the dentist this morning, and I’m hoping that this time I don’t end up with a look rivaling Lisa Rinna post surgery.

It’s just not for me.

Only two more dentist appointments after this and the dental shame will be over.

Let the six month cleanings begin.

I promise one day I’ll get over this dental shame and stop talking about it.

Until then, you’re stuck with me.

I’m also headed to the Y tonight for a run, now that I’ve recovered enough from kettlebells to, you know, walk around without wincing.

I wonder how many miles I can finish before my legs decide enough, already.

You’ll be the first to know.

And the other Y patrons, if it involves falling off the treadmill.

I’ve been toying with a turkey trot this year, since I’ll be in the city and I need some kind of end goal in order to stay motivated, but the only one I’m seeing is this one.

 

Generally, I like the 8k distance- it’s more satisfying than 3.1 miles, but it doesn’t require any kind of out of the ordinary training or extra effort.

But on Thanksgiving, I feel like it’s still too much to commit.

I’m probably just being lazy.

Is anyone else signed up for this one yet, and does anyone else think a 5k jaunt still counts on a holiday dedicated to eating?

We’ll see if I can find it in my heart to do the online registration this week.

And with that, I’m off to spend some time with my dentist.

Floss those pearly whites, chickadees, or you’ll end up like me.

 

five good things: brand new day edition

So it’s finally back-to-work time.

That went pretty fast.

In an attempt to make this crash landing into reality a little bit softer, I’ll head into the week with five good things.

Because despite the end of two really good weeks, there are still plenty of things to be jazzed up about.

Even though it’s Monday.

I promise.

1. Bears win! Thank God, because one more in the L column and I was headed to MI to buy some Lions gear.

I’m still thinking about it, actually- next week you guys are actually playing the Lions, so it might just be the perfect time to test out a new allegiance.

Just kidding.

Sort of.

Anyway, it was also nice to see my #1 Bear Devin Hester break an NFL record.

Looking good, my friend.

source

2. Yesterday I actually got some use out of my kitchen. I spent the morning making chicken wrapped in bread, mashed potatoes, roasted beets (and their beet tops, for some reason, using beet tops makes me feel like the Queen of Vegetables), and then I threw together a lentil-chicken sausage-brown rice-escarole-tomato-y soup for good measure.

After a couple weeks of delightful restaurants and eating on the run, it felt good to use my only motor skills to make a few delicious items.

3. I’m headed back to the GD gym today. It’s been far too long, and despite the fact that JW and I did a lot of hiking around the nature trails on MV and rented bikes to ride around the island one day, I think what my muscles actually need is spin class.

And so I’m headed there after work. Nothing like shocking your body back into vigorous exercise.

Also, it’s back to running for me this week. I’m way overdue to pound the pavement for a few miles.

4. Last night, JW and I sat down with our DVR and watched all the Modern Family that has happened so far this season.

And we laughed our asses off and nearly cried when we were finished.

There is nothing on earth funnier than the Dunphy family, and don’t let anyone tell you differently. They are liars.

If you don’t watch this show, I must insist you add it to your list immediately, or I might have nothing else to say to you.

5. Although it was lovely to come back to crisp, fall-like weather after a week of unseasonable high temps in MA, Tom Skilling tells me the weather’s supposed to heat up this week in the Windy City.

I cannot say that I am sad about this.

One more week of flip flops before I transition directly into my Uggs?

Yes, please.

With that, I’m off to get settled into my cubicle early- see you chickens on the other side of this day back at it!

back on solid ground.

And that’s what we did on our vacation.

It was beautiful, and relaxing, and I absolutely cannot believe that I have to finally trek back to the office tomorrow.

But first a day of grocery shopping, football watching, and back-to-reality getting.

Last night we ate shrimp in a packet to celebrate my dad’s birthday (sorry for the late birthday shout out, in this last year of your 40s, Dad), and looked at pictures of MV and lamented about how beautiful it was.

So I thought you should see the pictures too.

And now, I’m off to buy some chickens, wrap them in some bread, and tuck them in the oven.

Pretty solid plans, if you ask me.

And we go again…

Well, okay, that smarted.

We’ll move on. It’s a beautiful city, and I’d rather cheer for a losing Chicago team than anyone else.

Truth fact.

And now, here we are with another gray, cold January day.

Anyone else feel like they’re going by even more slowly this year?

My hand is raised on that one.

It is causing me to spend considerable time catching on Netflix (spent a Saturday night with this one and this one–both slightly odd, but good and recommended Winter Watching), hitting the gym (now that I can breathe again) and reading.

The newest read? Little Bee.

It was tossed into my lap (or onto my desk) by a coworker, and it’s touching, riveting, depressing, and lasting.

I’d call it lasting. I’m not quite finished, but I know however it ends, it’s going to have staying power.

So even if I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily enjoying it, it’s certainly hitting a nerve, which is definitely a thing.

Anyway, I’m glad I’m reading it, but might be relieved when I’m finished.

This might not make sense, but trust me on it.

And now, I’m off to prep for another long Monday. Thanks for hanging in there with me chickadees, and hope you all have a good start to your weeks. Fingers crossed, by the time you read this I’ve already started it off right with laps at the Y.

I’m all for early week optimism around here.