The Girls from Ames.

While living in Des Moines, Iowa I became extremely attached to it, as most of you might already know. I often call it "home" even though most of my family is in the Chicago-area where I grew up. But there was just something different & special about Des Moines. I loved it there, and still do. So it was no surprise that Jeffrey Zaslow, a Wall Street Journal columnist, was intrigued enough by Iowa friendships to write a book about it titled, The Girls from Ames.

I heard about the book through Joseph's mom, Carolyn. While I was home visiting a couple of weeks ago, she had just finished it and insisted I read it. So, as I sat on my flight back to San Diego, I started reading it and couldn't put it down. I am half way through it so far (trying to read at least a chapter a day when I get a chance) but absolutely love it and wanted to share it with all of you. Here is a small excerpt from the Introduction.

"They were born at the end of the baby boom and their memories are evocative of their times. Born in the middle of the country, they now live everywhere else, but carry Ames with them. Their story is universal, even common, and on that level it can't help but resonate with any woman who has ever had a friend. And yet some of their experiences together are so completely one-of-a-kind, haunting and touching and exhilarating, that I found myself feeling spellbound as they talked to me..."

I hope you can pick up a copy and read it or borrow it from someone. It is a MUST read, and makes me think of all of my beloved friends :)

Lasting Memories.

Although our time at home was quite short, there were a couple of events that will be lasting memories.

Our long time friends Margi & Tony, had their wedding while we were in town. They had two ceremonies, a traditional American ceremony that took place at Simon Estes Amphitheatre and a traditional Laotian ceremony that took place at the Convention Center, which is where the reception took place as well.

The whole thing was just beautiful, I had never seen anything like it. They were married and blessed by elders in their Laotian community as close friends and family sat close to them on rugs, which you had to remove your shoes to be part of. Part of the ceremony called for family and friends to tie little strings onto their wrists as you gave them a blessing or wished them well in their married life. After, they did a Laotian dance, we had dinner, and Tony sang a beautiful song from Moulin Rouge to Margi. The whole thing was an occasion to be teary-eyed about, and believe me, tears were streaming down. Congratulations Margi & Tony!

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There is nothing I love more than entertaining. I love having my closest friends and the people I love the most around me enjoying great food, drink, and conversation. Therefore, it was Joseph's great idea (which was inspired by Katie) to throw a dinner party while we were home. It had a chabby chic Asian flair to it. Everyone brought some amazing dishes. I was in heaven. Besides the heat and mosquitos, everything went perfectly. I love you guys!

I'll leave you with a little treat to enjoy:

Joseph: Hot California Roll

Katie & Tony: Asian Noodle Salad

Bethany & Seth: Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Joey: Shrimp Spring Rolls

Sarah: Veggie Pizza

Alison: Starchy Rice

Sophie: Caprese Salad

Beati Paoli.

Last Friday morning, we tried to hang out at the pool because it was a beautiful sunny day, but because of Iowa's crazy weather it started down pouring! So we headed inside and lounged about for most of the morning. Joseph got this crazy idea to go outside and play in the rain. I was much to cold for that, but nonetheless him and Sophie ran out and played.

After wasting most of the day inside, we drove to The Bake Shoppe to pick up Sophie's birthday cake, for her second, third, or fourth birthday celebration (this is a common occurrence when you become part of the Wanek Family).

For dinner, most of our friends came over and we had some amazing pizza from Noah's Ark Restaurant, sang to Sophie, and had some birthday cake. Yummy! We got all ready, and headed downtown to see our friend Cecil's show. His band, Beati Paoli, was set to play at the Vaudeville Mews.

The gang reunited once again and it felt like we picked off right where we left off. It was such a great feeling. Hopefully we will all be friends forever.

While we waited for Beati Paoli to go on, we sat at the Royal Mile's outdoor patio and had a couple of drinks. We sat there for almost two hours since Cecil's band was the headliner they didn't go on until almost 1 a.m.

Even thought it was late, we still rocked out and had a great time.

At the end of the night, Heather even gave me a kiss. She is Cecil's girlfriend, and such a sweetie!

Before heading home, Katie & Tony said they would meet us at a new pizza place across the street from the Mews, but once we made our way over there, they were gone! But I saw an old friend, Chris Diebel, and he invited us over to his new place for a drink. We sat on his apartment complex's roof top and could see the whole skyline! It was really cool, and we didn't end up making it home until 4 a.m.

Sophie Passed.

The next day, Sophie woke me up bright and early so that I could go with her as she tried to get her Driver Learning Permit. Apparently when you turn 14 in Iowa, you can get one! Scary, right?! I didn't get mine until I was almost 16. After going to the DOT to early, having breakfast at Panera, and waiting in multiple lines....


She took the test, and passed! Congratulations Sophie! She drove myself and her mom to La Mie Bakery in her brand new 2009 Jeep Cherokee! It was not as bad as I thought it would be, but she still has quite a bit to learn.



After showering and getting dolled up, Carolyn took me, Joseph, Katie, Bethany & Piper, Sophie, and Danielle out to Proof (One of my all-time favorite restaurants) for lunch. We sat outside and were overwhelmed with all of the construction noise from around the corner, but still had a great time and awesome food.

We drove back home and guess who was waiting for us in the driveway! My mom, sister, and aunt from Chicago! I was so excited to see them since I hadn't seem them since before Christmas. We hung out by the pool and drank wine and just relaxed and caught up. My mom was a little too thirsty or excited that she soon became extremely drunk. Joseph and I had to go to our friend Margie & Tony's pre-wedding cocktail party at Star Bar, and of course my drunken mom wanted to come too.



She thought she was the bachelorette of the night. We had to buy her fries and onion rings to shut her up. It's actually quite funny looking back now, but at the time, I was really annoyed. What can you do? You gotta love your family :) Plus, I am sure I have been in worse conditions before, and someone took care of me, most likely it was Joseph.

Welcome Home.

Last week, Joseph and I flew into Des Moines and arrived Wednesday afternoon. Look who came over and greeted us!

Bethany & and her beautiful baby girl, Piper, came over and spent the afternoon with us. We laughed, snacked, and hung out by the pool. It was the perfect welcoming celebration to the rest of the long weekend.

We came home to celebrate Josephs' sisters & brothers birthday. Sophie turned 14 and Topher turned the BIG 2-1. As usual, we went to Des Moines' fabulous 801 Steak & Chophouse.

I ordered lobster, while mostly everyone else had steak. We had oysters for an appetizer and Truffle Mac & Cheese (which I ordered!). To drink, per usual, I ordered the Troon, an amazing grapefruit and vodka martini with a sweet sugar rim.

Here we are with the birthday girl. For special occasions, we try to coordinate outfits, so she told me to wear something with hot pink, so I got a ew tie at J.Crew for the occassion and she approved! Cute, cute! I was wearing a suit jacket too, but I got so hot and took it off.

Joseph and I got the birthday girl some gifts, so she opened them up while we waited for dinner. We got her some high tea from Henri Bendel's because she loves high tea, some cut napkins that I found in Coronado that read "The day you were born, the world made room for a little more fancy." And finally a string of hand-made butterflies that she really wanted when she came and visited from Seaside Papery!

We finished the night eating desserts and singing Happy Birthday! I had my favorite, the Warm Chocolate Molten Cake.

30 Minute Meal?

Okay, so I can't remember exactly how long it took me, but let's pretend it only took me (30) minutes to make. I do remember that I needed to make something quickly because Joseph had to go to work and I wanted him to eat before he left.

I had a chicken breasts, which I seasoned with salt, pepper, and drizzled with olive oil and marinated in lemon juice, while I prepared my Caramelized Shallots. For this, I had about a pound of shallots (from the Little Italy Mercato), which I sauteed with (3) tablespoons of butter. Once they were all covered, I added (2) teaspoons or so of Brown Sugar, and (1) tablespoon of Balsamic Vinaigrette. Once all combined, I put the pan* in the oven which I heated to 400 degrees, and baked for (20) minutes. Every one's oven is different, so this may take a little longer, just make sure they are golden brown at on top.

Next, I threw the chicken into a heated pan and cooked them over the stove. While they cooked on one side, I started boiling some water and threw the baby carrots a few minutes before the chicken would be done. The trick is not to over cook them because you still want the carrots to have a little crunch to them, usually they turn a brighter color when done.

I took the chicken out of the pan and placed them on the dish, arranged the baby carrots, took the shallots out of the oven and scooped them onto the plate as well. Done & done, dinner is served!

*If you're using a pan that has a plastic handle or can not be placed in the oven, place an oven-safe dish into the oven while it heats so that it will be nice and hot for the shallots to cook properly.

Chuao Chocolate.

Have you ever heard of Chuao Chocolatier? Before working at Extraordinary Desserts, I hadn't but I thought I needed to try it in order to be able to sell it. I picked the most unusual one they had because the others were pretty normal.

I picked out the Firecracker Bar. It's dark chocolate with chipotle, salt, and popping candy! Who could resist popping candy, right? I remember loving it when I was younger.

I brought it home and both Joseph and I tried a piece. It was normal at first, but then I felt a sudden heat in my mouth and when I swallowed, I felt this crazy popping sensation. I decided I didn't like it that night.

However, a few nights later, as an avid chocolate lover, and with no other chocolate in the house, I gave it another try and loved it. I kept wanting more and more. If you are into trying chocolate in new & different ways, try this chocolate bar! Another favorite are the Vosges Haut Chocolat. De-lici-ous! My favorites is the Barcelona Bar, the perfect mix of dark chocolate and salt! Who'd a thought it.