Life by numbers.

100: days until our wedding. There's a lot of planning that still has to get done between now and then, but I'm so excited to celebrate. How amazing is it that I get to marry the person I love in front of all those we love?

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48: hours until we'll just about be crossing the border into MN. YES.

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1: final left for my sister before she is a college graduate! WOOHOO!! Go Gophers, go Minnesota, and most of all, go D!

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2: types of European Championships Chelsea FC can currently claim. We watched them win the Europa League final this afternoon. Slightly different than the Champions League Final from last May (okay, a lot different), but it was still great to see them win. There will be a new Champions League winner in a few weeks, but until the Germans fight it out, we've got both trophies.

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12: Yesterday MN joined 11 other states in making history. I love home.

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74: degrees of perfect weather this afternoon. I could have stayed outside for hours.

29: days until Cheremosh performs at the Cowles Center! Get your tickets, people - this is going to be a great show!

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200: number of pages Andrew guessed he has written this semester. A rough estimate, sure, but the actual one can't be too far off. I'm so proud of how hard he's worked to get through this first year! I'm guessing the photo below expresses his sentiments towards me right now, considering how much coffee we've gone through this last week...

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In the kitchen: ramp pesto.

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Last week, after we stumbled across the treasure chest of springtime vegetables, Andrew made this pesto that we've been adding to just about every meal. Ramps certainly aren't your everyday ingredient (they're only available a few weeks out of the year, and not in all parts of the country, either), yet I love how simple and packed with flavor they are. I know, I know, not everyone is going to get excited about a little green stalk that tastes like a mix between onion and garlic, but we are those people that do. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. We first had them last year and made them for our families for Easter dinner, so now, ramps remind me of that gathering and of the beautiful springtime we had last year. 

This pesto (like all pesto, really) is fantastically easy to make, but it adds just enough bite to pasta or other vegetables. We've been sauteing green beans and shallots in just a bit of ramp pesto - a perfect side dish to your spring meal! 

Ramp Pesto, via Edible Madison. 
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2 cups ramps, rinsed, roots removed, and roughly chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and black pepper

 

Add all ingredients except oil to food processor. Turn on the food processor and slowly add oil, scraping the sides of the bowl to make sure everything gets incorporated. Taste, adding salt and pepper as necessary. Pesto will keep in the fridge for about one week.  

PS: find more ramp dishes here and here - the pickled ramps are delicious! 

MN Mondays: Minneapolis rules.

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I first saw this list on a fantastic Minneapolis tourism website and could barely contain my excitement for our trip home in a few weeks. Everything on this list is perfect, and I want to do every single one at some point in my life. I'm pretty sure we've checked off many already, but I wouldn't mind revisiting some favorites, including sidewalk dining down Nicollet Mall, everything involving St. Anthony Main and Lake Harriet, and, a true city gem, the Mill City Farmer's Market. I also love that Kramarczuk's made the list - a childhood tradition that is now making a real name for itself! 

If you're looking for things to do in the City of Lakes this summer (hint hint, dear friends and family who are coming in for the wedding!), check out this list. Even if you're a homemade Minneapolitan, challenge yourself to explore some of the neighborhood treasures you may not have yet seen. Sometimes the best things to do are truly in your own backyard! 

I think this post marks an unofficial countdown to summer...who's with me?!? 

Saturday Post No. 7

I had to snap this photo at a work outing last evening. I need some Hennepin. Two weeks to go. 

Don't have plans this evening? Need something to do while your freshly-baked paska is cooling? Go see my Ukes dance at Festival of Nations at the St. Paul RiverCentre! Three of our groups are dancing throughout the day and into tonight, and would love to have your support in the audience. 

After weeks of searching, we finally found ramps this morning. Andrew was like a kid in a candy store at Whole Foods and is now scouring the web for the best recipes to highlight this springtime treat; our favorites so far include ramp pesto and zucchini with ramp aioli. Stay tuned for results later this week, if we can control ourselves long enough to take a photo. 

Five things.

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How is it May? This means the year is nearing its half-way mark, which freaks me out entirely. I don't know where time has gone, where exactly spring is hiding, or how it's been a year since graduating from law school. The fact that time is rushing by so quickly is countered by the fact that it seems like forever since we've been home to Minneapolis. Thankfully, Andrew's parents visited a few weeks ago to bring some family/MN love to MKE, but then again, HOW was that so long ago?!? I feel like I'm trapped in this weird zone where everything is moving so quickly and I feel like there's still much to do in so little time, and one where it seems that the days are taking forever and summer will never come. Anyone else feel this way? 

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More on time: today is our five-year anniversary. Fast-forward from one Guinness each and a night full of conversation at Brit's to two graduate degrees (with a third in progress), a ring, a move, a lot of cooking, more wine, and an upcoming wedding, and we're here. I'm so glad we went to Brit's that night, after several weeks of old school flirting and discussing class reading assignments. So much has changed, but not really - we're still committed to each other, our families, and the life ahead of us. I can't wait to marry you, Driy!!

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We'll be home in Minneapolis in exactly 2 weeks from today. We have an actual countdown going on our chalkboard, we're that excited. 

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Both my sister and Andrew's sister are graduates this year! My sister graduates in a bit more than 2 weeks and Andrew's sister graduated earlier this week! Way to go, ladies!! We're proud of both of you and will celebrate LOTS when we're home. 

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It's Orthodox Easter this weekend, which is strange because I don't remember the last time that the two Easters (Orthodox and everyone else's) were so far apart; usually, there's just a few weeks between the two. I don't think it helps that the first Easter was so early, either. To all those celebrating this weekend - have an extra slice of paska (and lots of extra syrna paska and kovbasa) for me. I'm quite sad about not having any. I was going to bake some and make syrna, but a) I was at work for too long to bake and b) NO ONE sells farmer's cheese here. I was complaining about this to my mom, who was equally surprised and indignant: "but it's Wisconsin, how do they not sell farmer's cheese in Wisconsin?" I don't know, and I'll be upset about it for a while. Oh, and I would love to see if any of my Ukes decide to embrace the other holiday going on this weekend...if someone decides to be brave and go have their burrito blessed in their koshyk, please send me photos. You would make my week. 

This month.

What are you looking forward to this May? 

Chicago, according to Instagram, iPhoto, and KitCam.

What a fantastic day. We couldn't have asked for better weather or a better day off in one of our favorite cities. I'll let our photos tell the story. 

There's something about Chicago that's so moving, loud, and alive. I really like Shorewood and am happy to be living where we are, but being surrounded by the activity and the pace of a busier city is something that we both found we were missing. That just means we'll have to be out and about a lot when we're home in Minneapolis in a few weeks...let the countdown begin!

Lately.

Life is busy, but we're managing. Things that make everything better include lovely springtime ranunculus, our new Bodum coffee press, Sunday soccer mornings, and a fresh basil plant (which we've pretty much used up already...). This springtime weather is a mean joke - but at least the all the rain we're getting is making the grass green and helping the snow to melt. I keep thinking, though, that it could be worse, as everyone at home is bracing for lots and lots of snow! 

Oh, and apparently today is National Sibling Day. Somehow this most important of holidays crept up on me so I didn't have time to send my siblings cards...sorry, dudes. But all joking aside, I have to say that I do really have the best siblings, and that I'm quite proud of them (not only am I that terrible older sister who didn't send out Happy National Sibling Day cards, I'm pretty sappy, too). I miss you both like crazy, and can't wait until our next reunion. Xoxo to you (like the laugh). 

This month.

I'm starting a new series on the blog where I note the little (and big) things I'm looking forward to in the upcoming month. There are so many exciting things ahead of us!

What are you looking forward to this month? 

Happy Easter.

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Happy Easter to all those celebrating today! 

So far, we've had a lovely weekend. We've been able to go on several walks, now that it's FINALLY feeling like spring! Today we stopped to treat ourselves to a coffee at the next-door coffee shop, and we found they were giving away these, in the spirit of all things Easter (because everyone knows today is all about the candy, right?). I took one to try, just to see if I still didn't like them...and, as confirmed by my first (and only) bite, I really don't. Truly, I don't know how anyone likes these (sorry, D). 

We're missing everyone at home, and hope you're all having a beautiful Sunday, no matter what you're doing.

Much love to all!

Spring fever.

So we're nearing the end of March and it is technically spring, at least according to the calendar. I'm defying Old Man Winter every chance I get. This afternoon, for example, I refused to put on a real coat and went out in yoga pants (yes, cropped) and a light workout jacket that's more or less a thin hooded sweatshirt (yes, I looked lovely) for a nice long walk by the lake. I'm fully aware that I may be risking some cold or other weather-inflicted sickness I might happen to get, but I can't take the puffy down jacket and (very) worn-out boots any longer. And it's really not that cold, just too cold for my liking after a long winter.

But springtime is trying so hard to get here, I just know it! The snow is finally starting to melt, fresh flowers are being sold in stores, and the lake has this hint of brightness to it that's been missing for the last few months. You can tell that everyone wants to get outside: I saw so many people out on my walk...everyone is craving sunshine. 

Come on, vesna, you can do it!

PS: Did you see this? How it makes me miss MPLS! 

Saturday Post No. 6

It's finally just warm enough to walk outside and not freeze...so that's what we did this afternoon! I absolutely cannot wait for long walks by the lake. Hurry up, spring. We can't take the snow and cold anymore. 

Also, apparently today is National Puppy Day. Who knew. Since we can't have our own dog (apartment rules), we'll celebrate by spending far too much time looking at photos of our favorite puppy, this 10-year old love bug who is the best to snuggle with under blankets. See? 

Happy Puppy Day, Meds! 

Have a lovely Saturday, everyone. 

Pysanky.

Happy Friday morning, friends!

We're back after a wonderful, family-filled week at home in Minneapolis. Our adventures will be posted later, but for now, in the spirit of springtime, here are some shots of what took over our dining room table for the last few weeks. 

Pysanky are traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs, and have been a part of Ukrainian culture for thousands of years. The word pysanka comes from the word pysaty, or "to write," referring to the fact that the designs are written on the egg with wax. Each design and color has its own meaning, with roots in pre-Christian times (it was once believed that the more colors and symbols an egg had, the more magical it was!). Now, centuries later, Ukrainians continue to make pysanky to preserve the traditions of the past and pass down this incredible art to younger generations. 

Here's how the process works: you start with a regular, plain egg (they're raw, so no, you really can't eat them). Using a kistka, a wooden (or, to bring us into the 21st century, an electric) stylus with a tiny well that's heated in a candle to melt the wax, you write each design onto the egg. Dying the eggs is a layering process: as you move from light to dark colors, the wax designs preserve whatever color is underneath. When you're finished, the pysanka will have wax all over it, hiding all the earlier colors and designs. 

My favorite part of making pysanky is the final step - melting off the wax. I use a candle; others do this en masse and melt several eggs at a time under a heat lamp. As the wax melts off and is wiped away, all the colorful designs are revealed. I've done this so many times, and still, each time, I'm surprised and excited to see the finished pysanka. They really are the perfect symbol for spring, signifying rebirth and new life. 

Making pysanky is a beautiful tradition that I'm so proud to continue! If you want to learn to make your own, visit the Ukrainian Gift Shop in Roseville, MN - they have everything you need to start making pysanky - from dyes and styluses to instructional kits and books filled with inspirational designs. They're really the go-to experts on all things pysanka! 

Have a wonderful weekend - hopefully the weather cooperates and starts to actually feel like spring!