Chicago

Last weekend I got the privilege to go to Chicago for the FIRST TIME with two of my very good friends! and it was AWESOME.  Nothing like Wausau, but definitely a different world, and I am so glad I got to be a part of it for a weekend. 

It is amazing to notice the difference in cultures from Wausau to Chicago.  From the eating habits, to the wardrobe, to even the job.  It was so fascinating to watch the variety of different people, and to compare Chicago to Wausau.

We stopped at many a wonderful pizza place (if you go to Chicago, you have to try some pizza!), we also stopped at a cheesecake factory, a couple relaxed clubs, and a lot of shopping areas.  We also got to see Chicago from above, and taste some really tasty espressos!  I can't wait to go back again. 

A little shot of our room!

an awesome phone on our floor :-)

A night view from our room

And again

A day shot from our room

Our first place to stop for food was Lou Malrati's.  A MUST!  It was the best pizza, and the best beer :-)

Appetizer of brochette

Our buttermilk crust, deep dish, Chicago style pizza..mmm

Our Chocolate Chip Cookie pizza dessert!

We stopped in the glorious building (Trumpeter hotel (?)) to take a few pictures from above

One of the hallways in this building

A view of the Navy Pier

The next morning we stopped at the Hancock Building to view Chicago from above

A must stop, you learn a lot from this trip... I bet you don't know why Chicago is called the
"windy city," and no it is not because it is windy... You may have to go and find out! :-)

If you look way out by the coast you will see Wisconsin!

While we were up there,
we got some yummy espressos!

For lunch that day we stopped at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! another must stop!

A bloody Mary bar

Had to throw this in!

First meal, stuffed mushrooms

Nest, lamb with almonds and spinach

drum roll.... SQUID!  ... not bad though :-)

Chicken and chick peas

Goat cheese and tomato sauce

Domination!

For dinner we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe, and we took a look around, so cool.

Yup that's a tennis court on the roof!

I LOVE COMMENTS! :-)

52 weeks... Week 6

It has been a long time since I posted! But it has also been a long couple of weeks! No excuse I know!  This week I NEED to share this delicious pizza my mom and I made.  This is no ordinary pizza, this a mouthful of goodness.  The best thing about this pizza is that a pizza this size can fill 4 stomachs!! Give'r a try!  And please comment and let me know if you tried it.  Let me know if you made changes or if you liked it or hated it!... 

It is quick, and easy, and so worth it! ... I found this recipe on Amanda and Kevin's blog

 Baked Potato Pizza

INGREDIENTS 

1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated thin pizza crust

6 slices (1 oz each) provolone cheese

2 cups cubed unpeeled baked potato (about 1 large)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons ranch dressing and seasoning mix (from 1-oz milk recipe package)

8 strips crisply cooked bacon, chopped  (I used Venison bacon)

1 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

1/4 cup sliced green onions (4 medium), if desired

Sour cream, if desired

DIRECTIONS

• 1Heat oven to 400°F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or nonstick cookie sheet. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; starting at center, press dough into 15x10-inch rectangle.   (I used a circle pan)
• 2Arrange provolone cheese slices on dough. In medium bowl, mix potato, olive oil and ranch dressing mix. Spoon evenly over cheese. Sprinkle with bacon and Cheddar cheese.
• 3Bake 13 to 16 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with onions. Serve with sour cream.

Just like a loaded baked potato, vary the toppings on the pizza to what you have on hand. Try it with cubed ham instead of bacon, or use a blend of cheeses.

First cube your potatoes

cut enough to measure 2 cups

at the same time, fry up your bacon... I used Venison bacon, so I only used 6 slices, but otherwise use 8

slice the provolone cheese

Use any pizza crust you prefer

Spread on the pan.  It asks to use a 15x10 pan, but I used a standard circle pizza pan

lay out the provolone

Get out your ranch mix, and in a medium bowl mix the potatoes, bacon, ranch mix, and olive oil

sprinkle the mix on the pizza

Mom took this picture :-)

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top.. (notice the pepperoni?  My moms touch, and a good one!)

Bake at 400 degrees for about 17 mins (especially when you use a circle pan)

When you are all finished, get out the sour cream, dollop a little on top, and enjoy!