Sunday, July 11, 2010

Wine, Cheese, and F-16s!

It was another busy weekend of wedding planning, but we managed to fit in some fun with our friends at Siu's Wine and Cheese Party. (We had a blast, but more on that later). To prepare for the party, Adam decided to make a family recipie baked brie in puff pastry. However, having recently tried a similar dish with sweet pecans, Adam decided to spice up the traditional cheese and berry-preserve dish.

After scouring the Singapore supermarket for all the ingredients: brie cheese, raspberry preserve, and a puff pastry, Adam was at a loss to find pecans. (must be an american thing). So, as a last resort, he bought a box of pecan granola cereal, determined to pick out the pecans for his culinary masterpiece.



Back at home the oven was warm, and the pecan-sorting began. I swear, they only included 2 dozen pecans in the whole box, but it was enough. After sifting through cups of granola, Adam had enough pecans to start cooking them in a little butter, and brown sugar.



Enter the F-16s... August 9th is Singapore's National Day Parade, and dress rehearsals have already started for the airshow. And some rehearsals they were. Over the sizzle of carmelizing brown sugar came the ROAR of jet engines shaking our apartment. Out our balcony window that overlooks downtown, 5 F-16s were screaming towards us and flew right over our apartment! Apartently the exit corridor for the airshow goes right over us!




So back to cooking my pecanse, but this time we got the camera ready. Then a Chinook helicopter bearing the Singapore flag flew over the skyline, and I finally got to take some pictures. THEN, an F-15 came screaming around the city weaving between the buildings. We managed to catch a video of that.






Finally, the Helicopters and the F-16s flew together over our apartment in a well-coordinated display. I managed to capture a video of that too... But thats when we smelled the unmistakable aroma of burnt sugar... My fascination with planes had cost me the pecans... Tragedy in the kitchen....



So while I was running back to the kitchen assessing the damage of the pecans and gettting the black goo out of the pan, the F-16s made one final after-burner charge over our apartment so quickly, that I was only able to capture their smoke trail disappearing over our roof....



Alas, the the culinary fiasco caused me not to get that prize picture, and the Baked Brie had to go without Pecans, but Siu and our friends still enjoyed it, and the wine and cheese party was fun for all.

The aftermath...

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Sweet Home Chicago

It is July 2010, and Kate and Adam are back in Singapore after a whirlwind trip to Chicago and Edwardsville, IL. We were home as Kate was the Maid of Honor in Sarah and Justin's Wedding in downtown Chicago.

Kate spent the first weekend in Chicago for Sarah's shower and bachelorette party (hen night). For the sake of all involved, those pictures won't make the blog. :) Kate made it home on Father's Day, and there was much rejoicing.

Adam went on to Edwardsville to see his family for that first weekend before he went to Philly for meetings. Adam learned that his dad can still best him in a round of golf.

After some much needed family
time and Adam's time in Philly, Kate and Adam made it back
up to Chicago for Sarah and Justin's wedding. They had a beautiful ceremony and reception at Fulton's on the River. Good times were had by all!

On Sunday, Adam's mom threw a very nice shower in Lockport. We're very glad Kate's Mom, Grandma, and Aunt could meet Adam's family.

On Monday, Kate and her family toured chicago while Adam and his Mom and Dad continued their own exploration of Chicago.

Adam's first culinary adventure was at the infamous Billy Goat Tavern known less for its double "cheeseborger" than its history. So the story goes, the owner of the Billy Goat was denied entry to the 1945 Cubs World Series because he wanted to bring in his pet goat. The Cubs lost that series, and many blamed the "curse of the billy goat." The Cubs have yet to win a World Series since. How could Adam pass up a chance to eat at a place that has caused so many Cubs fans so much misery? :)

Adam and Kate's family met up at a great little place on Michigan Avenue called the Purple Pig: Cheese, Swine, and Wine. Needless to say, we had a little of each! That was the last stop before Kate's family went back to Edwardsville. Adam and Kate were off to the airport the next morning...

It was so great to see everyone, and get a little travel adventure in the US for once. Until next time,
Adam and Kate