Game face.

Dear 28,
Thursday. 2:36pm.
From Muskie. To Des Moines. To Marysville. 12:14am. ish.
(Jessica you're a terrific driver and big thank you to the Searcey family*.)
Friday. 6:08am.
Bus must leave by 7:00am- right. 

Friday. 7:26am.
Onto Lincoln.

Friday. 11:00am.
Game time. (After walking a maze of sidewalks and bridges and through throngs of fans that matched the crowds at the WalMarts we passed. Game time.)
Friday. 9:21pm.
Leave Lincoln.
Saturday. 1:34am.
Back to DSM. Lots of sleeping.
xo-LP

*Thank you again Searceys! So hospitable.

Just so damn thankful.

Dear 28,

What a year. It has been oh-so-spectacular. And the last two months have been the very best. I can't wait to celebrate the final act of 2011 all December long. 

Thank you so much for reading. For being awesome. Never have I felt more grateful.
Gobble. Gobble.
xo-LP

CoqAuVinture.

Dear 28,
I don't know how to say "Coq Au Vin" out loud. I bet you are trying to right now. Qu'il est difficile de dire. And even though Tom has repeated it about 16 times to me, I still sound ridiculous. Co uh wha? Coke oh van? Really? 4 years of high school French class paid off big time. I can sing a song about strawberries (J'aime les fraises) and understand a little bit of French movies without reading the subtitles. Thank you Miss Sorden.

Photo credit goes to Fawn + Sara. 

Tom tells me French food takes time, the finest ingredients, and patience. Ina Garten tells me it's just like Beef something or another, but with chicken. Local foodie, and cookbook author, and friend of Tom's, Miss Moranville writes a whole book about French cooking and gave us her blessing on the shortened Coq recipe. But Sarah tells me I'm cheating by both using le poulet (instead of coq) and cooking up the impossible-to-pronounce-naturally recipe in one night rather than the French Master Julia's way-- over two frickin days, deux jours. I decided to use the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for several reasons. 1. This recipe is doable in one night. 2. Barefoot Contessa's book has really pretty pictures. 3. Tom said it was a good idea.

CoqAuVinture night was a lot of work (and there was beaucoup de vin). Les carottes, les oignons, beaucoup de vin, lard de fantaisie. That's basically coq au vin in French. There's a lot of browning of chicken (like a lot of it). And the bacon-- don't be all skimpy on that. Tom says to go for REALLY fancy bacon. And the wonderful Abbe picked out a special bottle of vin for the recipe. (While you're looking at the Gateway site, click on the "meat/seafood" tab. You'll recognize a meat buyer.) You don't really want to skimp on that either. She picked out one that had a stamp on it-- HOW APPROPRIATE!

After the bacon cooking, the chicken browning (go for the golden+tan-ish color), and being super patient (obviously this was the hardest part of the whole recipe for me), you add the veggies and wine and herbs and chicken stock and probably other ingredients I forgot about. Then there's the time you get to light the pot of delicious food on fire. That was fun.

oh. that smells delicious. especially after adding booze and lighting it on fire.

Overall the dish turned out to be flavorful, oh-so French and far simpler than I thought, but it does take a while. The final meal earned a highfive. (as pictured below) 

Someday I'll try it Sarah's way (only if she does the first day of cooking. read that Sarah. And let's make that happen. coq au vin- off can still occur) And I would definitely make the Contessa's recipe again. Thanks Tom and Sara and Fawn for sharing the French feast with me (and putting it all together). Vous êtes la plus grande compagnie.
Also. This post taught me how to type accents. SO much learning in French cooking!
What a CoqAuVinture.
xo-LP

Now. Usually we don't do this but...

Dear 28,

It happened.

xo-LP

Front paged.

Dear 28,
This was an unexpected start to my day.

What I thought was a little story a friend needed a quote/photo from a renter for turned out to be front page news. Lots of Yesvember items crossed off the list this week. Many a bloggable moment in week 3.

xo- LP

Hustle.

Dear 28,
My midmonth Tuesday was quite the success. In fact this whole week, while a bit crazed, was a success. (And I did end up on the cover of the Register. That was weird.)
But. First. Let's pause for a super cute baby.

Emily, you are also cute in your own tall and blonde and charming way, but your kid is awesome. So back to the church trip. Emily offered to peek inside the Basilica with me. We forded the ghetto and tried the doors. (FYI- if you venture east of MLK to St. John's, head to the back doors, the majestic front ones are locked.) 

One more baby interruption.

We wandered around to the back doors in time for the noon mass crowd and, when we finally made it to the back of the church: whoa. How I have never been inside this breathtaking church that sits mere blocks from my office is beyond me. The gilded ceiling. The distinguished columns. Damn. (I didn't say damn in church. Don't worry Sister Jean Margaret.) Well worth the trip. Next time I'll actually stay for Mass and be a good Catholic.

From the basilica to the Knapp. After several years of season ticket holding, it had been far-too-long since my last visit (I feel like I'm repenting to the Knapp.) No better time to go back than for the instate rivalry, the battle on I35 (does anyone call it that?): Drake v ISU.

As you can see there was lots of hustle from the Bulldogs. That's what that blackberry photo was attempting to capture: hustle. With the Mayor at the helm, Iowa State was the favorite, especially considering the Dennis Rodman wannabe out-weighs our point guards, combined, by about 36 lbs. My basketball buddy was cheering for the wrong team, but thankfully wore neutral colors (who really looks good in red and gold anyway? Am I right?) Oh and then my team won. So that was awesome.
So much more to write about. Week 3 had many an adventure.
xo-LP

ps- You can now like (only if you really mean it) XO-LP on the facebook.

Yesvember update.

Dear 28,

1. Try a new bourbon.

2. Make a pie for Thanksgiving.

3. See the Hawkeyes play live. (It's #13.)

4. Stir up something out of the "Cook with Jamie" book you couldn't live without.

5. Peek inside the Basilica of St. John.

6. Renew my passport.

7. Create a line of XO-LP Holiday cards.

8. Eat at Cafe di Scala.

9. Decorate the Stoop for Christmas.

10. Build a human pyramid.

11. Read a book. (This just can't seem to happen)

12. Go to the Des Moines Symphony.

13. Master the art of winter layers. And fearlessly wear tights.

14. Cheer on the Bulldogs at a basketball game.

15. See a play.

16. See Des Moines' Bass Pro Shop. (If it's cool in Springfield...)

17. Walk across that Center Street Bridge.

18. Take more photobooth photos.

19. Celebrate the onset of the holidays (and sell a bunch of cards) at the East Village Holiday Promenade.

20. Walk through that Woodland Cemetery.

21. Coq au Vin.

22. Go to a movie.

23. Take a yoga class. Maybe more than once.

24. Go see the ArtVend machine up in Ames.

25. Play cards.

26. Perform with Our Kelly.

27. Light the sparklers. Even though they are out of season.

28. Retry baking a cake.

xo-LP

Paul Donato and his Nielsen Survey.

Dear 28,
Sorry, Paul Donato, for using your name in the blog title. I didn't have any idea what to call tonight's post, and your Nielsen survey you sent me to fill out is sitting here, staring at me, reminding me that while I completed it and documented a whole week of TV watching, I have yet to send you my "television diary." (I apparently watch less that 4 hours of TV a week. Two of which were devoted to the Sing Off. Yep- I admit it. See this explanation.) Thank you, Paul Donato, for choosing me to participate in this survey and the $35 you've sent me for doing so. You bought a round of drinks at the Alpine last weekend.
Yesvember week 2 was not as productive, but I had an unexpected trip to Beverly Hills midweek that took me away from list cross-off-ing. While out in fancytown, California, my intolerable blackberry decided to die, thus there are no charming photos to share. I did get to come back and see the fam in Muskietown, then hurry home for a delightful evening of unexpectedly awesome music. The weekend closed with a Thanksgiving feast (Thanks Ashley!)

Week 3 looks to be a busy one according to my outlook. Should cross off at least 6 items (ambitious I know.) It's already November 13th. Can you believe that?

Thanks Paul Donato. You made this post less boring.

xo-LP

Week one is done.

Dear 28,
Let's talk progress. Firstly, I've blogged three times in November, that's a new 28 record. Secondly, the list has already started serving it's wonderful purpose again: I'm getting excited about little things, writing about them, and enjoying each day of the month of Yes.
In the first short 6 days of the month I've managed to cross off 4 items (now if only November would be 7 weeks long...) Here's where the the scoop, and I've included some commentary. Because that's what I do.

4. Stir up something out of the "Cook with Jamie" book you couldn't live without.
Good news: I picked out a recipe. Bad news: I wimped out and had delicious pizza at J. Benjamins instead.

7. Create a line of XO-LP Holiday cards.

This one. In progress. So holiday-ish.

12. Go to the Des Moines Symphony.

Will and I spent the afternoon at the symphony today enjoying "Beyond the Score" and learning a whole bunch about Mr. Muggorgsky (he was called "Modest." Who names their child that? A lot to live up to if you ask me) and Russian folk songs and witnessed a stage full of brilliant musicians. Afternoons like that remind me how much Des Moines has that I don't appreciate daily. Read what Michael had to say about his visit to the symphony. And while reading it, know I beat Michael in euchre.

13. Master the art of winter layers. And fearlessly wear tights.

I'm doing my research and cataloging my inspiration.

22. Go to a movie.
Movie not terrific, but my companion was a delight. It was a slow moving story that didn't impress me as much as the one preview I saw did. Although it did make me want to be in Puerto Rico in the 60s. And dress like this. 

25. Play cards.

26. Perform with Our Kelly.
We did a practice run at Carl's on Friday. I've decided we'd be more effective in R.Kelly themed outfits.


Going to LA for a short trip this week. But that won't get in the way of list progress. Back to trying to draw a sheep. (I mean last week I drew an Elvis. And I did a mariachi band of trees. But this damn sheep. Every time I sketch it turns out baaaaa-d.)
xo-LP

Winner. Winner. Turkey Dinner.

Dear 28,
Spoiler alert: We won.
Gretchen  put together a tournament, I signed up partnerless and ready to re-learn* my Euchre "skills." She kindly sent out a Euchre how-to and I, of course, researched the origins of the game. Six tables. 12 teams. And one super cute baby. We took to the tables and battled it out to see which team would trump the others.

Photos thanks to Tim. (Thanks Tim)

Lindsay and I took home the coveted trophy and the turkey, winning the first Euchre Night. (In an admittedly controversial, but still completely legitimate way.)

Here are a few things I learned in the Euchredome (which is what I'm now calling the Paluch's home, formally known as #scotchclubplace):
1- I'm a teacher's pet. Still. I read the rules Gretchen sent out. But at least I knew Brianne did too. Oh and I did additional research.(I tried to put an interesting Euchre fact out there--"did you know Euchre is thought to be a German card game that gained popularity in Michigan?" It wasn't exactly well received. I think there were audible groans. That was the end of interesting Euchre facts. Obviously.)
2- I have really competitive friends. Like really competitive. Like ultra competitive.
3- Hook references are lost on most people. Come on. It was 1991. Rufio grew on you throughout the movie and you know you cried when he was stabbed by the Hook. "Bangarang Peter!"
4- Scoring systems upset people and Boise State. Scoring systems just can't please everyone. Sorry Steve.
5- Clubs and Spades actually look quite different. I can't seem to tell the difference. (Sort of like how I don't know right from left.) But because Lindsay is kind, she didn't make fun of me for it and allowed me to call them "shovels" and "clovers" (much better descriptions of their shapes)
6- "Picking up tricks" is rarely unfunny to say outloud.
7- Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins, according to the tournament director, "taste like dirt feels."

In the end, three rounds were played, three teams were left undefeated and the Tournament Director took it to the individual game scores. So we "won." And I held my winnings over the heads of the Harders. Sorry Steve.

I crossed off #25 for Yesvember. I reconciled with Lily (shown above looking studious) and I think she's pretty much over the beanbag incident (although I'm not sure I'll ever be). Winner.

xo- LP

*Anne, Katie and Jeans taught me euchre in college. Thanks friends. Sorry I never won games on the 710 E. Jefferson porch. But last night, oh last night I was a winner.

Yesvember makes a comeback. (And so does the blog).

Dear 28,
It's time to be ambitious again. According to some fancy horoscope Liz sent me, my November is going to be packed to the gunwalls (brought that back too) with yeses. Last year I blogged a whole bunch more. Yes. I know this. So I've decided to do the midyear list of 28.

Yesvember makes a comeback. Some of the items not completed from last year made this year's list, and I've included some exciting and terribly mundane bits I'm hoping to complete in 11/2011 as well.

28 challenges. 31 days. One month of Yes (and a wee bit of stress) because I can't keep saying no to the blog.
1. Try a new bourbon.
2. Make a pie for Thanksgiving.
3. See the Hawkeyes play live. (It's #13.)
4. Stir up something out of the "Cook with Jamie" book you couldn't live without.
5. Peek inside the Basilica of St. John.
6. Renew my passport.
7. Create a line of XO-LP Holiday cards.
8. Eat at Cafe di Scala.
9. Decorate the Stoop for Christmas.
10. Build a human pyramid.
11. Read a book. (This just can't seem to happen)
12. Go to the Des Moines Symphony.
13. Master the art of winter layers. And fearlessly wear tights.
14. Cheer on the Bulldogs at a basketball game.
15. See a play.
16. See Des Moines' Bass Pro Shop. (If it's cool in Springfield...)
17. Walk across that Center Street Bridge.
18. Take more photobooth photos.
19. Celebrate the onset of the holidays (and sell a bunch of cards) at the East Village Holiday Promenade.
20. Walk through that Woodland Cemetery.
21. Coq au Vin.
22. Go to a movie.
23. Take a yoga class. Maybe more than once.
24. Go see the ArtVend machine up in Ames.
25. Play cards.
26. Perform with Our Kelly.
27. Light the sparklers. Even thought they are out of season.
28. Retry baking a cake.

Sounds like a lot. So who's with me?
xo-LP