Bitchin' Book Club

I started a book club back in the spring of 2009.  Unfortunately, the exact start date is questionable but it was around the same time as our Bitchin' Bowling League.  Anyway, the book club has been going strong ever since!
One thing I regret every time we meet, yet I still don't do it, is not keeping a journal of every book we've read, who attended, what was served, etc.
At our last meeting we were able to list most of the books we've read. Surely we are missing a few since we are heading into our 5th year and we've met nearly every single month!

Drowning Ruth
Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Whistling in the Dark
Water for Elephants
Unaccustomed Earth
Interpreter of Maladies
The Shadow of the Wind
City of Thieves
The Night Circus
Cutting for Stone
The Good Earth
A Reliable Wife
The Forgotten Garden
Alice I Have Been
Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me
A Visit from the Goon Squad
Lonesome Dove
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The Thirteenth Tale
Gone Girl
The Help
A Year of Living Biblically
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Fault in Our Stars
One Hundred Years of Solitude 
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
Little Bee
The Great Gatsby
Life of Pi
Come Closer
The Light Between the Oceans
A Hundred Summers
The Round House
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves
Defending Jacob
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club
Object of Beauty
Thousand Splendid Suns
The Lost Years
Same Kind of Different as Me
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Taft 2012
The Shadow of Your Smile
Hunting and Gathering
Love the One You're With
The Orphan Master's Son

This year, in an effort to keep the attendance and reading rate higher we are going to meet less often, maybe every 6-8 weeks instead of every month.  We've also hooked up with the Covington Public Library and rented their book club kits.  Basically, we all got a copy of our next book, The Book Thief, with some questions all ready for us.  This will help as well since we've all had trouble getting the book in time.

So, ladies,(and Eli!) from this list could you comment on what your favorite book has been?  Also, any book that I've missed! We can report back to the library so they'll add kits with some books based on what we've liked the best.
And here's to another year of the Bitchin' Book Club!

She's here!

Charlotte Rose was born December 1st around 12pm.  Two weeks early!  The little babe was 21.5 inches long, 7 pounds 13 ounces and with a full head of dark hair. 

I'm so happy that things went so well with my sister!  She was in labor for only 3 hours, pushing for less than 1. I've really never heard of anyone, personally, having a better experience than she did and that makes me so happy for her.  She didn't go to any birthing classes or watch any videos.  She decided to let her body do it's thing and that worked for her.

I arrived once she was settled into her room and brought the proud parents Jimmy Johns.

I'm so excited to be an Aunt!

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've done it.  I've perfected my chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Chocolate chip cookies can be very personal.  I've heard some people say they like their cookies burnt, some like them with nuts, others may be partial to soft baked.  But my favorite is nice and flat, crisp on the edges, chewy and a little soft in the middle, with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a sprinkling of salt.  The salt makes these taste so grown-up and perfect.

I used the recipe from Back in the Day Bakery that a friend gave me a while back and have been tweaking things ever so slightly until I got it just right.  I made a batch for zombie club and they were devoured, I took some to work and they literally disappeared.  I had friends over this past Friday for a UK game and I believe everyone had at least two... or three!  Have I convinced you to make these yet?

Laura's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Back in the Day Bakery

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks) at room temp
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs at room temp
1 12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
Coarse sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 and move the rack to the lower third of the oven.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and kosher salt.
In a stand mixer cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 3-5 minutes.
Add eggs 1 at a time and mix for just about 30 seconds.
Turn the speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture.
Sprinkle in the bag of chocolate chips.
Use a mini ice cream scooper to form heaping rounds of dough and place on the cookie sheet about 2 inches a part.  Warning!  These cookies spread out pretty significantly so make sure to give them enough room.
Pat the cookies lightly with your hand to flatten them out a bit and sprinkle each one with a little sea salt.
Bake the cookies for 13-16 minutes.  The cookies should be golden brown around the edges but still light in the center.
Remove from oven and using a spatula, transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Repeat this process until you've used all your dough. By the time the next batch comes out of the oven your cookies should cool enough to stack up off to the side to make room.
ENJOY!

Halloween

My favorite holiday is Halloween.  Candy, costumes, scary movies!

I was going through some old photos and found this gem.  I think I was some kind of sexy cat/mouse?  Really Mom?  Look how short my pleather skirt is!  Haha!

This year Abbey and Mike threw their 2nd Annual Halloween Party and it was so fun.  I helped them with the party last year since it was also Abbey's 30th birthday but I'm so glad they've decided to continue the tradition.

I went as Wendy Peffercorn from the Sandlot.  Mr. Louisville was my date and went as Squints.

Julie and Andy

Mike as Lieutenant Dan and Matt as Bob Ross.

I didn't see my sister or brother-in-law but they sent me pictures of their costumes and OMG.  Kudos! 

Molly as Zombie Mom. Frightening!!

Ryan as Si from Duck Dynasty.  Admittedly, I've never seen the show but he looks pretty legit.

Now, it's time to start thinking about next years' costume!   

Nashville, a timeline!

I went to Nashville!

3:30pm 2:30pm - Arrived in Nashville. Learned that Nashville is actually an hour behind. 

3:30pm - I met up with Eli where he's living and met Harley and Max, the Germans (Shepherd). 

4:00pm - Had a drink and a snack at ML Rose.

5:00pm - Met up with Mr. Louisville at Pub 5.  His friend, Sterling meets us a little bit later.

7:30pm - Eli's roommates, Josh and Lauren, pick us up and we go to The Pharmacy for supper.  I ordered the Stroganoff Burger per the reccommendation of our server.  Eli ordered the Bauernworst.

7:45 - Wished I had ordered the Bauernworst.

10:00pm - Back to their house for box-o-wine and strange You Tube videos.

11:00pm - Attempted to go to the Stone Fox but scoffed at the cover charge.  Walked to ML Rose for a nightcap.

12:10am - Had the cabbie drop Eli off and then went back downtown to meet Mr. Louisville and his friend at Robert's. The Chris Casello Trio was playing. Fantastic.

Sometime after 2am - Called it a night. 

My friends are 30

It's happening.  30 is happening.  Not for me!  Yet.  Haha, but my friends are slowly but surely crossing into their third decade.  Last week two of my closest friends, Tyler and Kevin, turned 30.  The three of us have been through a lot together and I wanted to do something special for them.  So, what's more special than inviting them over for a home-cooked meal?  They are both single dudes living alone so lord knows what the eat every night.

Tyler & Kevin

I made Smitten Kitchen's mini meatloaves with a tomato glaze and brown butter mashed potatoes with a side of plain ol' broccoli.  The recipes are in her cookbook, which is my favorite.  For dessert, apple cake!  Also from her cookbook.

Looks perfect, right?  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  I've had the worst luck with my apple desserts this season.  I made a sub bar apple crisp, now this!  One of the issues was I ran out of vegetable oil so I had to supplement with extra virgin olive oil. Also, I think when using a non-stick pan I should decresase the cooking time.  Basically, this cake was too dry to enjoy.  I'd definitely try it again because I refuse to believe that Smitten Kitchen would steer me wrong! 

Aside from the cake it was a banner night that I can't wait to do again...  They'll be 40 before I know it!  Ha!

Charlotte Rose

My sister is having a baby!  The whole family is very excited, to say the least.  Charlotte Rose should be ready for her debut the first of December and this weekend I threw Molly a baby shower.  It was a success!  Nearly every single cousin and aunt came along with a few other friends.

I served spinach and artichoke dip, cheese tortellini with a pesto dipping sauce, strawberry and pineapple skewers and three different types of sandwiches.  Chicken Caesar, turkey and colby jack and a warm veggie sandwich.  The veggie was a rip off of my favorite hot veggie sandwich from York St. Cafe.  My mom and I love going there for lunch.  It's so good!

Molly and I

I wish I was able to take more pictures but it I was GO GO GO from the moment I woke up until well after the guests left. 

Luckily, Molly's friend, Rotha, volunteered to take care of the dessert.  Not only did she bring a beautiful cake but also cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, M&Ms.  It was ridiculous!

The hard part is over (for me, at least).  Now I'm ready to meet my niece!

Out with Summer, in with Autumn!

I've been aching to catch up on my blog but a bum computer made that impossible.  I finally got it fixed (thanks Blair Technology Group!) so I'm back.  Until I get back in the swing of things, let's play catch up, shall we?  Everyone loves a good summer re-cap!

I traveled to Chicago for my 20th and 21st Phish shows with my buddies.  I got to see Dr. Stamates, shop on Michigan Ave., have an amazing brunch at Flo, eat a traditional Chicago dog at Portillos.

 Myself, Kyle and Jay at Phish

I also traveled to Houston, Texas to visit the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.  I had a fantastic time learning from their team and got to do a few cool things in my free time like visit the Menil Exhibit, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Houston Fine Art Museum.  I also ate my weight in Tex-Mex!

Menil Park in Houston, Texas.

This summer I spent as much time as I could at the Bluegrass Swim Club with my mom.  It's our favorite thing to do.  On the weekend, during the week... every damn day if we could!  Because of all the time I spent poolside I got a lot of reading done!  Valley of the Dolls, Joyland, A Hundred Summers, The Good Earth, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, State of Wonder, and the newest in the Flavia de Luce series.  I can't even remember all the books I read this summer but I also devoured many issues of Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone for good measure.

I also celebrated my Grandmother's 85th birthday!

I went down to Louisville a few times this summer and went to my first L'ville football game!

Finally, as it is with every year, I ended my summer at Midpoint Music Festival.  I've written about it before but this was my 4th year attending and it was a fantastic time, as always! My highlites were probably the Kansas Bible Co. and Sol Cat.  I don't even have the energy to remember all the bands I saw over the course of 3 nights but I already can't wait to do it again.

Katie, myself, Brittany, Julie on Thursday night of MPMF.

A keytar solo closing out my second night.

What did you do this summer?  Whatever it entailed I hope you had as much fun as I did! 

Forecastle 2013

Since the weddings have wrapped up for the summer it was time for a music festival!  I went to Louisville this past weekend for Forecastle.  Last year I went for one day only and then to Bunbury for a day which is a festival the same weekend in Cincinnati.  This year I decided to stay for the whole Forecastle weekend.

Friday night. Kristen, Jenny, Lauren and I.

The first night we saw Big Boi (best show of the weekend?) and Houndmouth.

Morning after.

The next morning we went to Hillbilly Tea for brunch which was disappointing.
J and K left to head home for Bunbury but Lauren and I stayed. 
We walked to the Flea off Market to visit my friend, Katie at her Bourbon Built tent!  I bought a koozie that I used the rest of the weekend and got many compliments on. Spoiler alert!  I foresee many bourbon built gifts for friends and family this year.

Bourbon Built.

Katie and I. Twice in 1 month!

We poked around the market and I had the most amazing burger at Grind which totally made up for the bad brunch!  We also had the most delicious treats from Please & Thank You.

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the second day.

Sidebar in NKY just closed but we found one on our walk to the festival!

Day two notable bands we saw were Dawes, Alabama Shakes and Jim James.  LOVED me some Alabama Shakes!

Lauren and I. Day 3.

The third and final day was a hot one!  But we checked out of our hotel and headed straight to the festival. 
We saw Tift Merritt, Bombino, The Wheeler Brothers, El-P & Killer Mike, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Forecastle Incident, Robert Plant presents the Sensational Space Shifters and the Avett Brothers.

I was most excited to see Robert Plant being the huge Zeppelin fan I am.  He didn't disappoint!  Unfortunately, a HUGE storm rolled through so he had to cut his set short.

My friend Paul is a member of Avett Brothers and he met Lauren and I early in the afternoon and caught most of the shows during the day with us. Other friends of mine were able to come down Sunday night for the Plant and Avett shows so we got a group photo with Paul. 

Justin and Brandon.
Myself, Grace, Natalie, Lauren and Paul.

A super bitchin' weekend for sure!  Next up, Phish in Chicago for three nights!  I can never get enough of fun summer music, don't you agree?

Let's play catch up!

Happy Holiday weekend!

Here's what I've been up to.

Weddings!  Predictable. I had three Saturdays in a row celebrating my friends' nuptials.
First up...  Kristen and Gerry!  Their wedding was in Lousiville so I made a weekend out of it.  The wedding was lovely and I was able to spend some time with the bride before I skipped out before supper to meet up with my friends Katie and Casey.  We went out to eat at Holy Grale and then for drinks afterwards at Flanagan's.  K & C were the best hostesses!  Hadn't seen them in a long time (years maybe?) so it was good to catch up.

 

There's a funny story about that cup...

Last weekend I celebrated Taylor and Garrett!  They eloped in New York City, Central Park, last month so this was just a fun reception.  It was at York St. Cafe (bonus!  I can walk there from my house!) and it was so nice!  This couple, they've got charisma and style.  DJ Buttonz played some fun music and we got pretty dancey.

The last of the three weddings is for my friends, Kiley and Noah, tomorrow evening.

Oh, but speaking of weddings!  I went to my friends Carly and Adam's engagement party and I was asked to be a bridesmaid!! I've attended many weddings but have only been in two so far (my sister's and Mara's).  Honestly, there are only a few friends left that I'd like to be a bridesmaid for.  Otherwise I'm happy to just attend the festivities.  But, Carly is definitely one of those few!  So excited for the upcoming year!

A new bike!  My previous bike got stolen when I moved into my new house.  So, I wanted to spend some money on a good bike since I love to ride around the city. Nothing serious, so I didn't need a 20 speed road bike but this Public 7 speed is perfect for the city.  And cute, to boot!  It took longer than expected to come in since I ordered it through a small bike shop here in Newport so they threw in a bell, flower vase and rack for me.  My favorite thing lately is to ride up to Washington Park for Bluegrass Thursdays or to Findlay Market on the weekends.

House parties!  Last weekend I had my co-workers over to celebrate the end of our fiscal year.  We had a good time and I made quite the spread...

Peach Shortbread with blueberry sauce, caprese skewers, ham & swiss and turkey & colby jack sandwiches, spinach and artichoke dip, vegetables with a wasabi goat cheese dip.

Lake weekend!  My friend Becca's family owns a nice home right on Lake Norris so she invited a few gals down for a weekend.  So, so nice!!  Their dock is right by the house so we hung out and swum around, took the boat out a few times, road jet skis.  Lake life is nice, I totally get the appeal.  I made these and they were a hit! 

Kelly, me, Leyla, Katie, Becca, Stacy.  Elle's fingers are in the picture!  A budding 4 year old photographer!

Becca's friend Stacy and her daughter Elle came up from Charlotte.  It was great to meet them and seriously, Elle was the best little gal ever!  Fun times.

Food!  It's been so rainy here lately that I've been spending some time in the kitchen.  I made the best lunch ever today!  My favorite blogger and my favorite cookbook never do me wrong.  Seriously, the tomato scallion shortcakes with whipped goat cheese was easily the best thing I've made in a while.

I don't think I'm allowed to post the recipe, so you'll have to buy the book.

Look!  The recipe I made is the cover photo.

Keeneland

I try and make it down to Keeneland at least once or twice a year.  There is a meet in the spring and another in the fall so the window of opportunity is limited.

We left Northern Kentucky around 9am Saturday morning and arrived in Lexington a little after 10.  We tailgated with lots of friends for most of the afternoon and finally made it into the track around race 5.  I usually bet on some races but this time I didn't.  There was quite a crowd and I had the most fun just catching up with my friends, watching the horses and the people and sipping bourbon from my flask.

Abbey and I.

Andrew, Andy, Kyle.

Getting ready for our photo shoot.

So excited to see Nick and Tiffany!

Anyone else a fan of going to a race track?  It can't be just a Bluegrass and bourbon thing but I suppose it would be okay if it is.

Sotto

Truly great restaurant experiences are the best.  I went to Sotto last night and had the best time.  Service, food, atmosphere was everything I want in a restaurant and more.

The person I went with knew a lot of the staff because he works at Nada which is in the same restaurant group... along with Boca which is probably the best restaurant in Cincinnati.  The guy behind all three restaurants, David Falk, was there last night and I got to meet him!  Is it weird that I was totally star struck?  I also got to meet the head chef and most of the guys working the kitchen line.  A friend of mine is the FOH manager and he came over to chat with us for a while as well.

We sat at the bar right in front of the open kitchen so I we got to be all up in the action.  

We sat right in front of this station on the line.  They weren't cooking those chickens, mostly just breads and fish but we got to watch them add the wood to the fires and adjust the racks up and down to get the best heat.

We started off with their house wine and ordered the goat cheese and hazelnut honey bruschetta to start with.  It was amazing and was actually the only thing we ordered all night.  Everything else was sent over for us! 

• Porchetta bruschetta w/ mustard & pickled shallot
• Polenta w/ fried egg, brown butter,lomo & parmigiano - no words 
• Short rib cappellacci – shallot, amish butter & thyme.  

Such a treat and so fun to be connected in such a great restaurant.  We totally got hooked up and only had to pay for our booze so that was a such a nice surprise.

Have you had an amazing restaurant experience recently?  There is nothing better than impeccable service and mind blowing food, right?

 

Housewarming

The night before Easter is the new night before Thanksgiving.  Am I right?  That Saturday evening is the day I decided to have my housewarming party.  A bunch of folks had already been over but I thought one big party to celebrate was in order so everyone could come see my place at once.

I invited over 100 people and 70 or so came.  I was gifted lots of booze, mostly bourbon and champagne, so my bar cart is looking plush right now.  Too much fun.

The living room.

Kitchen.

The spread:  Fresh fruit, spinach and artichoke dip, 50 ham & swiss and 50 turkey & colby sandwiches on little Hawaiian buns which were all devoured.  I had the accompaniments on the side which included a sriracha mayo that was a big hit.

My bedroom.

The extra room in between my bedroom and the guest bedroom.

Guest bedroom.

My upstairs bathroom.  Through those doors is my laundry room.

KYLE!

My favorite OTR girls came to my party!  This is Jenny and she and the other girls gave me some great gifts!  A cute card that I ended up framing, a sweet new puzzle and a very cool apron.

Sara and I!  So glad she came up to the party with her boyfriend, Andy.  They moved to Lexington at the beginning of the year so I don't get to see them much anymore.  It was also Sara's Birthday so I'm glad she decided to spend some of it at my party!

Every party needs a signature drink!  Aside from a keg of beer I had lots and lots of honey bourbon.  We went through two of the bigger bottles and two smaller bottles.

"The house bourbon is HONEY! Take a shot and have a cherry. xoxo,L"