I don’t usually post on Mondays, but this week I’m inspired. Who knows- maybe it will become a new thing?
This was a fun weekend- it’s a great time to be a football fan! It seems like every game comes down to the last play in the final seconds. The Bears game was especially fun and exciting; that is, I guess if you call having a heart attack in the last two minutes “fun.”
We made a Chicago-themed dinner for the occasion- Chicago-style hot dogs (ours were vegan of course!) The toppings are very specific- yellow mustard, sweet relish, raw onions, tomato, “sport” peppers, dill pickle spear, and a sprinkle of celery salt.
They were good! Somehow all those flavors worked together. Since I’ve never seen a poppy seed bun in my life (apparently a requirement) I made my own.
I told my husband if the Bears make it to the Super Bowl, I’ll make deep dish pizza. He’s lobbying for us to make it for the game next weekend though. If the Bears play on Sunday rather than Saturday, we’ll probably do it (why is the day important? More on that coming up).
The next night I made this split pea soup from Nora Cooks, with tofu “bacon” crumbled on top.
If you look close you make be thinking “What is that “fa la la” quilt doing there? I thought you put away the Christmas stuff!” Well… I have a problem:
Foxy LOVES this quilt, and I can’t bear to take it away from him. On the other hand, I don’t want it out all year, so I’m going to have to find a substitute.
I’m in an extra good mood because this week is our annual trip to Tampa! My daughter will be playing in the All State band, my husband will be doing professional development, and I’ll be there as my daughter’s chaperone, but she doesn’t need me for much. Really, I’ll have a three day vacation.
I’ll have lots of time to myself, we’ll get together with friends (a family we’ve known since our sons were in preschool together), and I’ll meet up with Stephany! We have a fun book-ish adventure planned.
We’ll return late Saturday or early Sunday (depending on how my husband feels about driving late Saturday night). If the Bears play on Saturday we’ll miss the game- hopefully they’ll play Sunday instead.
Are you watching the football playoffs?
Do you have anything fun or exciting this week?
Top photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
20 Responses
Oh well, pea soup is pea soup – it’s not pretty, but SO delicious. And tofu bacon is amazing… when my parents were here, I wanted to cook our Kung Pao tofu for them and they refused, saying that they didn’t like tofu… and then we went out to dinner one night and we had a potato-leek soup as an appetizer and both of them commented on the “delicious crumbly thing on top”… guess what? It was tofu bacon LOL
I am not watching football, but I’d come over for your Chicago-themed dinner, esp. the steak fries look amazing 🙂
I would challenge anyone who says they don’t like tofu! There are so many ways to make it flavorful.
The steak fries were good! We made them from scratch in our air fryer, yum.
Pea soup is hard to capture on photo. Same goes for the lentil soup we made last night. It looks like brown mush. But looks can be deceiving.
Are you staying somewhere different this time? I remember there was a bit of a hassle last year with your hotel room being quite far from where Angie needed to be each day. Have fun with Stephany! I can’t wait to see what you end up doing. She seems to have amazing bookstores around her!
We’ve been watching the playoff games, too! But I won’t stay up past my bedtime to watch them. We were happy that the Bills and 49ers won. We really really dislike the eagles so are relieved they are out. I hope the Bears continue to do well! It’s nice to see a new team representing the NFC north.
You have a good memory! Last year’s all state was a bit of a challenge- the place my daughter’s band was supposed to rehearse was damaged by the hurricane earlier that year, so instead of a quick and easy walk from our hotel to her venue, I had to drive her back and forth, getting on the expressway each time. NOT MY FAVORITE! This year everything is back to normal- everything we need is right downtown, within walking distance of our hotel. Phew.
I’ve been staying up way too late, and paying the price. Last night I forced myself to go to bed at halftime, since I really didn’t care which team (Patriots vs. Chargers) won. These night games are brutal.
Happy Monday! I love Chicago dogs! My mom used to make them when I was a kid (inspired by our visits to nearby CHI) and I had one from a street cart on one of my trips there a few years ago.
I’m in favor of using a Christmas blanket our year round, especially if it comes with cat cuddles.
Why yes I do have something fun or exciting this week! I’m headed out to New Orleans!
OOOOH! You know what, my daughter will be there in March on a band trip! Have a great time and I can’t wait to hear all about it.
I have had vegan hot dogs, and I wish I never did! Yours must be better than what I tried because I found them gross. I just go without, but that doesn’t feel like a huge loss.
Have a great trip to Tampa! Fun!
Honestly, I don’t love or hate them, but I don’t usually eat them because I don’t like hot dogs in the first place. Like so many things, it’s all about the toppings, and the toppings on these were so good.
I’m not a football fan but I wouldn’t say no to those vegan Chicago dogs! We have a Portillos here which is a Chicago chain and I tried their vegan Chicago dog once and really enjoyed the toppings.
Enjoy your trip to Tampa! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Ooh, i wish I could have one from a restaurant! I mean I tried to replicate it, but I want to try the real thing.
Go BEARS! That game – so crazy. I had chili in the crockpot for dinner Sat night, but I’m loving your all-in Chicago menu. Enjoy Tampa. I wonder if we’ll be there at the same time. I’ll be a little north of Tampa at St. Leo with Curly for a recruiting visit. We land Wednesday and will come home Thursday or Friday evening. Need to decide that. Right now the weather is underwhelming (sob – I mean upper 50s is warmer than home, but I was hoping for 70s – maybe?), so I’m thinking more about coming back on Thursday.
We will just barely miss each other, I think- we’ll get there Wednesday night. But… if you’re going to be there Thursday and have some free time…???
Yes, we’re actually kind of excited that it will be “cold” but I can see how that would be a little disappointing, coming from Illinois!
I am always so happy when you post about your themed dinners. It’s sweet and really must add to the experience. Now I’m craving a hotdog. Ha. I have 1-2 a year and that is PLENTY, but hearing about them now makes me want one 🙂
I hope your time in Tampa is AMAZING!!!
Thank you Elisabeth! I agree that hot dogs, vegan or otherwise, are probably a once or twice a year experience : ) But they’re fun!
Have fun in Tampa… hope you get some pretty runs done.
Nope on football.
A dull week – just work.
No football here of any kind! I’m having a quiet, bookish week and being glad the snow and ice has gone! I just bought new pillows and thought Willa the cat would like my old one to lie on on her futon in my office – no, she’s horrified I put it there!
Ha ha… cats always have their own ideas about things!
Yes, I love January because of all the great NFL playoff games! It’s crazy that four of the games came down to the final two minutes!! We were very happy that the Bears and the 49ers won.
BOOKISH ADVENTURE TIIIIIME. I’m so excited!
GO BEARS!!! I’m so happy they plan on Sunday so I don’t have to miss the game!
THE BEARS GAME!! WAS SO GOOD!! (except for Jack who is a Packers fan– a very rowdy night for us for sure)