man cave: accessories

This is my last post about the garage renovation for a while, I promise. Hopefully, I can convince my parents to buy some furniture and allow me to unleash some DIY projects on the space to make the room more livable and fun to hang out in. The final issue to address is all the bare walls and shelves. Let's clutter it up!

sweet potato pizza

During our brief stay in Chicago, Kurt and I stopped in Baker & Nosh for lunch. We split a couple flat bread pizzas and were really impressed with a sweet potato one. This was my first attempt recreating it, so there will be tweaks in the future, but it was still really good!

1/2 red onion

1 can sweet potato puree

part skim ricotta cheese

1 tube pillsbury pizza dough (I never said this was gourmet)

salt, pepper, random spices

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Slice the onion into long, thin slivers and toss in a pan on medium low with some olive oil. You want to cook these forever so they get good and caramelized. Once they are soft and brown a little, add a few swigs of balsamic vinegar and a splash of water to the pan. Cook them even longer until the liquid is pretty much evaporated. Empty the sweet potato in a bowl and mix in lots of salt, pepper, and any spices that strike your fancy. Roll out the pizza dough on a greased cookie sheet and spread the sweet potato on top, leaving space at the edge for a crust (we all know the crust is the best part of a pizza). Sprinkle the caramelized onions around evenly. Finish off with several dollops of ricotta cheese on top (you can go for a grid like me or a random pattern). Bake according to the pizza dough directions. Enjoy!

Tweaks: The sweet potato was a little soupy, so I would either use less puree or mash my own sweet potato, so the result is more firm. Also, go for more onion. They cook down a lot and give the pizza a lot of flavor. Keep some breath mints on hand! :)

madison shop and new art

While Kurt and Justin were watching the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game, Brett and I did some shopping along State Street, the main pedestrian strip running through downtown Madison. We came across a cute shop called Anthology, and I could have spent all day in there! I got some great Christmas presents (sadly I can't show you but know they are amazing!) and quite a few things for myself. Lots of new art for my walls!

madison/chicago: part two

The final installment of photos!

madison/chicago: part one

Photo dump from when Kurt and I visited Madison,Wisconsin and Chicago! Enjoy!

greetings from wisconsin!

Kurt and I were visiting friends, Justin and Brett, that live in Chicago this weekend. While in the great Midwest, we drove up to Madison, Wisconsin so Kurt and Justin could go to the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin football game. Brett and I tooled around town and got massages while the boys were occupied with the game (I say we got the better/warmer end of the deal). Kurt and I are taking Monday off to spend a little time in Chicago and will be back to NYC late tonight. I hope to have some travel updates soon! 

Who is excited for a 3 day week?! I'm absolutely ecstatic about my TWO day week!

man cave: the light

This week I'm helping my parents work through their garage renovation. I did some drawings last year, but now we're changing a few things to better suit their needs. We had never directly addressed the lighting situation, but my dad and I discussed some track lighting to replace the existing garage-y flush mounted fixtures. Over the summer, my parents had an electrician install this general lighting but now the big question remains, what will THE statement light above the pool table be?!

man cave: furniture

This week I'm helping my parents work through their garage renovation. I did some drawings last year, but now we're changing a few things to better suit their needs. In the original design, I wanted to install a bar complete with built in base cabinets and stone (or similar) countertop. They weren't sure they would use it all that much and and decent countertop material ended up being prohibitively expensive. Instead, we're now considering some free standing furniture pieces. 

man cave: windows

This week I'm helping my parents work through their garage renovation. I did some drawings last year, but now we're changing a few things to better suit their needs. The first reconsideration: window treatments. My dad thought the curtains from my last design were a little too girly. And since we're trying to make this sort of a masculine room, we're moving in a different direction with the window coverings.

man cave progress!

Test #6 is in the books! I'm so burnt out over all this studying that I find myself doing less each time...and then getting to the test and being dumbfounded at all the information I don't know. The system seems to be working out so far (I don't know how they grade these things), so I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best once again. If all goes as planned, I take #7 sometime in December and will have this whole ARE nonsense wrapped up before the end of 2012. Then I will be a free woman! Or an architect...oh jeez, what am I going to do then?!

Anyway, after my test, I devoted the whole afternoon to working on my parent's garage renovation project. It's hard to believe that it's been just about a year since I submitted my last designs. Well, I surveyed the progress when I was home in August (and I'm just getting around to telling you about it in November). Things are moving along at a snail's Graveline's pace but it's looking pretty good so far. Check out all the hard work my dad has put in! See the "before" images here.

halloween progressive dinner

Happy (late) Halloween! I wanted to throw a party for the occasion, so I organized a progressive dinner with some friends in Brooklyn (see last year's holiday party). Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy tried to ruin our fun by bringing in high winds and subway cancellations  A few people were deterred by the foul weather, but we had so many other die hard attendees! I was surprised with the turnout and everyone's awesome costumes. Sadly, we had to cut out my apartment from the progression because it is quite a walk from the others. We didn't want anyone to blow away!

party @ the center 2012

Wow. What a night! I was nervous all day about the election results but could not be more thrilled to see President Obama have the opportunity of  four more years in the White House! During his first term we were all looking for HOPE and CHANGE, but now I hope to see lots of ACTION (since no one is too concerned about being elected again). I'm invigorated and optimistic about government in the years to come and look forward to it moving ahead.

I dare you to watch Obama's acceptance speech without tears in your eyes. I've been struggling through it all morning! Congratulations, Mr. President!

Well, the Party @ The Center was once again a success. Of course my camera died earlier that day, so all I have to show you are lousy instagram pictures.We handed out glow sticks at the door to party attendees.

green-wood cemetery

Happy Election Day! I hope you are all getting out there to the polls and casting your vote. I really don't care who you vote for (although I'm a little biased) just get out there and make your voice heard!

Remember when we were doing some city touring with Kurt's Ohio friend, Nathaniel? Well, we had a few hours to show him around Brooklyn on Sunday morning before he had to hit the road. We took him to the Green-Wood Cemetery right near Kurt's house to photograph the scenery. 

go vote!

In case you've been living under a rock and haven't heard, tomorrow is election day! We're not shy about which candidate will be getting our support (I'm totally wearing my shirt to work on Tuesday). Regardless of which direction you will be casting your vote, it's so important to have your voice heard. Please get out there and vote!

And while you're at it being a responsible American citizen, consider donating to the Red Cross. While I was spared the effects of Hurricane Sandy and was awarded a week long "hurrication" from work, a lot of my beloved city looks like a big pile of rubble. (Above is one of many downed trees in Prospect Park.) A lot of people in New Jersey, Staten Island, and the coastal areas of Brooklyn really took a hard hit and could use some assistance. I've been amazed at the generosity of fellow New Yorkers getting out there to volunteer and donate supplies, but as winter weather starts to roll in and people are left without power (still!), food, belongings, and shelter, they could really use a helping hand. Please be generous!