1. A few weeks ago I mentioned my visit to Girl & The Goat in Chicago. My friend Maggie passed along the link to this Hulu "A Day in the Life" special on Stephanie Izard, the chef at Girl and the Goat. If you have a free twenty-five minutes, I highly recommend watching it...even if you don't know Stephanie and have never been to her restaurant. Not only it is interesting to see what a chef's day to day life is like, but I found her particularly interesting--I love how committed she is to being in the kitchen and actually doing some of the cooking rather than just overseeing what's happening.
2. I started and finished Defending Jacob in two days. I could not put this book down and I'm still thinking about it a few weeks later. It deals with some sensitive subject matter (murder of a teenager), but is so incredibly well-written. I guarantee you'll have a hard time doing anything else until you get to the last page!
3. Are you watching the Super Bowl next weekend? We're obviously sad that our beloved Packers won't be playing, but will still be watching...if for nothing else than for the food and the commercials! Wondering what to make? Stop right there. Start with these hot ham and cheese sandwiches (that you can make ahead of time!) or slow cooker tequila turkey chili paired with this winter salad featuring cashews, pear, and craisins and finish with butterscotch blondie bars with peanut pretzel caramel. You can't go wrong! (for a bunch of other ideas, check out my Superbowl party idea post from last year with appetizers, desserts, and more!)
4. Food for thought: Reflections on a 35 Year Marriage...loved this!
One Year Ago: Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
Two Years Ago: Scotch Oatmeal Soup (yup--oats in soup!)
Three Years Ago: Mexican Pot Pie