The Frolicking Fells have quite a bit of action coming up over the next few weeks! Here’s what’s going down/coming up:

• 3 finals for Joe (one in-class, two at-home)
• 3 cases for Sheila (one wrapped up today!)
• 3 jobs for Sheila
• Joe wraps up his job
• A job interview for Sheila for a full-time position
• Matt & Holly’s wedding
• Sheila’s family visits!
• Joe’s law school graduation!!
• Doctor’s appt., meetings galore, a nauseous dog, 3 weeks worth of unfolded laundry, and …..a house-mouse. Yes, you read that right.

"Boy oh Boy! I love a good party at the Fells!"

P.S. … Do you like our new header? Recognize the handwriting? Thanks, brudder!

Hosting bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, and other celebrations is one of my favorite hobbies. The only thing I dislike about these events is the inevitable exhaustion to follow! Last week’s shower/bachelorette party took a little bit of ingenuity to plan and host (gladly), because the guest of honor is a dear friend of mine with deeply held convictions and passions. As a result, my co-host and I wanted to make the party as tailored to her personality as possible.

We wanted the party to be eco-friendly, nontraditional, and thoughtful. Our menu was mostly vegetarian (with one fish option) and used mostly fresh, organic ingredients and plenty of wine (our guest of honor is a fan!). Instead of lots of silly games, we wanted to have intimate conversation with a few close friends and one film-based game featuring the groom. Our decor and favors used fresh herbs and succulents as well as mood lighting. And instead of a shower based on a pre-made registry, our guests put thought into getting the couple something to use for each time of day with a “Round the Clock” theme.

The Menu:
Wine & Champagne
Rosemary Pineapple Water
Cheese & Crackers
French Onion Gruyere Cups
Tilapia Fish Tacos with Mango, Avocado, and Arugula
Rosemary Skewers with Bocconcini (Mozzarella Balls), Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, & Balsamic Vinegar
Chocolate-Covered Fruit
Vegan Cake Balls (courtesy of Poison Berry Bakery)

From Drop Box

What I’ve been doing with my time lately….

Tomorrow, we’ll coordinate around 50 volunteers to provide 50-100 refugees and their children with free health screenings, essential health care information, and plenty of healthy snacks.

Please say prayers for a smooth, successful, and relationship-building event!

I can’t stand our couches. They’re furry, they’re uncomfortable, they’re purple. But they were a gift from a near-stranger. Here’s the story…

As most of you likely know, Joe and I were next door neighbors from around May 2006-May 2007. We each lived with several roommates in one big gender-and-door-divided house in Cleveland Heights. About halfway through this year, we got engaged. Furniture was the last of our thoughts as we were putting final touches on the wedding plans, but when our landlord found out her two tenants on either side of her house were getting married, she was enchanted and decided on a whim to offer us the two couches she had left behind in the house. We were thrilled.

Then we spent 3.5 years in pain, wrangling around, trying to find a way to keep the cushions on the back of the couch, the fur off the couch, and the support on the neck (there was none). We decided to check out a furniture liquidator store to see if we could find an affordable couch that wouldn’t break the back, or the bank. We should have known it wouldn’t work out when we saw this foreboding sign in the parking lot…

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(Yes, that’s a dead animal and a vulture, in the parking lot of Randall Park Mall, which was once called “The World’s Largest Shopping Center”. Oh, Cleveland, I’m so sorry…)

We noticed that most of the couches that were affordable were essentially just a body, seat cushions, and throw pillows. Seeing as we have 2/3 covered, I embarked on a journey to find affordable throw pillows in various patterns and colors to not only make our couch comfortable, but also to jazz up eclectic our living room design. And whatdya know.. it worked! I found most of the pillows for around $5-7, and we already had a couple on-hand!

Here’s our couch makeover…

Before

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(Please note furriness, lumpiness…)

After

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That’s more my-style, fur-proof, AND more comfortable!

..That’s not to say I won’t be inquiring about a dear friend’s white leather sofas… how I long for freedom from fur!

I realize it’s pretty lame to just post slideshows instead of writing content, but whenever there’s a lot to update about (birthdays, visits with family and friends, holidays, job interviews, etc.), I get overwhelmed and can’t think of what to write. I’ll think of something soon In the meantime…

You might recall that Joe had an awesome birthday last year. We had a delicious dinner…

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We met Michael Symon…

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We had a birthday s’mores pizza…

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And we jumped off a balcony.

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(Btw, this is my favorite picture ever.)

How are we going to top this for his 30th birthday!? It’s gonna be tough. But here are some birthday celebrations we’re looking forward to….

• Making Margarita Cupcakes – the ACLU of Ohio (where Joe works) has a tradition of having employees bring in treats on their birthday (like in elementary school!). Joe and I decided on these babies for him to bring into work this Thursday for his 30th birthday on Friday.
• Making Joe’s Birthday Feast. Each year, I make something that’s a little more difficult and something that Joe would love. Last year, I made spicy cherry ribs, brussel sprouts with bacon, and a pear-pineapple strudel. This year, we’re thinking about bourbon-braised spare ribs and smoked gouda grits, but Joe hasn’t solidified his requests yet!
• A special surprise and giving Joe his presents after his Friday dinner!
• Sunday’s Cavs game with 10 great friends, followed by some yummy eats (tbd!)

Here’s hoping that Joe’s 30th will be a day (or week!) to remember! I love you, Babers <3

I’m no fashion queen, but I loved experimenting with fashion in high school, and I’d love to get back to that level of creativity and inspiration someday. In the meantime, I can admire gowns I’ll never have an occasion to wear. Without further adieu, my top 5 Oscar looks from 2011…

Number 5 – Anne Hathaway’s Deep Red Gown
This was only worn for a few seconds onstage, but I love the color, the cut of the top, and the way it falls. The details in the middle are a little Star Wars, but I don’t know if that’s a bad thing in my mind…

Number 4 – Hilary Swank’s Feathered Number
I almost expected this to be worn by Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis – stars from Black Swan! But I love the fit and the attitude.

Number 3 – Anne Hathaway’s Rockstar Intro Look
This was not the most popular look, but my favorites are not the most faashionable looks – they’re the ones I’m most likely to wear. This dress is so rock & roll glam. I love it!

Number 2 – Natalie Portman’s Gorgeous Maternity Gown
This is just so classy and gorgeous. Somehow, it feels both modest and sexy. I love the hair and the tassel earrings as well. She couldn’t have picked a better look for her well-deserved Best Actress win!

Number 1 – Mila Kunis’ Romantic Lilac Dress
Again, these dresses might not be everyone’s favorites, but I would love the chance to wear something like this. It’s so feminine, but not the least bit boring – the cut, draping, and color all make it so creative. Her hairstyle compliments it so well!

Runners-Up include Halle Berry and Anne Hathaway’s Red Carpet Dress.

Our good friend Paul turned 29 today! As he is a chocoholic and a very sweet guy, another rich cake was in order. This cake was a mix of a couple recipes…

Double Chocolate Brownie Cake with Kahlua Drizzle

* 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
* 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
* 4 eggs
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 3 tbsp powdered sugar
* 1 tbsp Kahlua
* 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
* 1 tbsp canola oil

Directions
For the cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Have all ingredients at room temperature.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, sour cream, oil and water. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

For the Drizzle
Mix 3 tbsp of powdered sugar with 1 tbsp of Kahlua. Whisk to make a thin icing. Drizzle onto warm cake.

For the Writing
Add 1 tbsp of oil to 1/4 cup of white chocolate in microwavable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir until smooth. Place into plastic bag, gather to one corner, snip off the tip, and pipe desired writing or design onto cake.

From Drop Box

Last weekend’s sweet adventures include a Chocolate Whiskey Cake for Ken’s birthday and Mango Sorbet for an unnecessary but fun treat.

The Chocolate Whiskey Cake is Rachael Ray’s recipe:

Chocolate Whiskey Cake
Ingredients:
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ cups strong brewed coffee
• ½ cup whiskey
• 1½ sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 cups flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 large eggs plus one egg white
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°. Butter a 10-inch springform pan, dust with 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and place on a baking sheet.
2. In a saucepan, whisk together the coffee, whiskey, butter and 3/4 cup cocoa powder over low heat. Whisk in the granulated and brown sugars. Let cool. In a small bowl, toss the chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
3. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper and cloves. Whisk the eggs, egg white and vanilla into the cooled coffee-chocolate mixture. Whisk in the flour mixture. Fold the cocoa-dusted chocolate chips into the batter.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out just slightly moist, about 1 hour. Let cool. Dust with the remaining 1 tablespoon cocoa powder before serving.

From Drop Box

This cake was awfully strong and sweet.. not for the faint of heart! But Ken is… not faint of heart. We got a chance to check out Superior Pho (look at that yelp! review!) – this was my first experience with both Pho and Bubble Tea! Very yummy. Happy Birthday, Ken!

My second weekend sweet endeavor was Mango Sorbet, adapted from a Caribbean cookbook belonging to Joe’s stepmom (who has family originally from Jamaica!). It’s incredibly easy – if it tastes good, I’ll likely adapt the recipe to make all kinds of sorbets! Unlike most ice cream you find out there, you know exactly what’s in this one – just fruit, simple syrup, and egg whites.

Mango Sorbet

Dice 2 mangos and puree. Add juice of 2 limes. Boil together 2 oz sugar and 5 oz water to make simple syrup. Stir into mango mix. Whisk 2 egg whites until stiff peaks are formed then stir into mango mixture. Freeze for an hour, mix, freeze again.

Unfortunately, I have no image and we have yet to taste it! The reason? This sorbet has a rough time with freezing.. it’s either solid as a rock or the consistency of an icee. Not really sure what to do with it…

Up for this weekend is Pauly S’ birthday dinner. On the menu is the never-fails Neely’s Roast Beef, Tomato-Basil Bread Pudding, Salad, and Chocolate Brownie Bundt Cake with a Kahlua Glaze!

Pics to come!

I’ll leave you with these guys, cheering on the Cleveland State Vikings..

From Drop Box