Learning My Roots

Since my senior year in high school, I have been wanting to learn more about my ancestry and find out as much as I can on the history that has lead to me. When I first started, all I did was go to Ancestry.com and sign-up for a free trial. During those fourteen days I did my grandmother's family as the base (because they were the only ones I could remember the details about) and went all the way back to Aquila Chase (my 11th great-grandfather), born in 1580 in England. At the time I didn't look much into the people in my tree, that is until this past week. 

Turns out the son of Aquila Chase, Aquila Chase Jr. (my 10th great-grandfather) was one of the first settlers in Newbury, MA. He was a mariner and is credited as the "first Pilot at the mouth of the Merrimack River." His life story is an interesting one!

Fast forward a few generations to Mary Jane Chase (my 3rd great-grandmother). From what I learned, I'm lucky to be here. She was arranged to marry Horace Leeman Hudson but wasn't too keen on the idea due to their age difference. Thankfully she went along with it for her parents wishes, at least that is how the story goes. 

And speaking of Horace Leeman Hudson, turns out he was a Union soldier during the Civil War. Reading through his records and other stories from the war has been quite eye opening. I remember learning about the Civil War in school but never thought I had any family that actually was apart of it.

All of what I have learned about my family has made me so proud to see how far my family has come, and this is just one branch! I cannot wait to see what the other branches have in store!

Turning Italian

As a treat I decided to try and make a version of Eggplant Parmesan I had seen a few days ago on "Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn" tonight. I even made some homemade tomato sauce that was simple and delicious! Tonight's meal was such a big hit I thought I would share it with ya'll!

Tomato Sauce (adapted from Cuisine Magazine)
Yield: ~5 cups

• Ingredients
• 4 lbs of roma tomatoes, quartered
• 1 onion, chopped (I used yellow)
• 4 cloves of garlic (I have the kind in the squeeze bottle so I used 4 tsp. of that)
• 1 tsp. of red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. of sugar
• 2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• Seasoning (the recipe said fresh basil, I didn't even have dried basil so I just used some dried oregano and it was still delicious so just use what you like).
• Directions
• Preheat the oven to 450 F
• In a large dish (I used a dutch oven, but anything would do. I don't recommend metal though since the acidity of the dish might cause damage to the metal.) combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt and olive oil. Toss it like a salad to make sure the olive oil coats everything.
• Roast in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes until tomatoes are soft (I had mine covered the whole time and it came out pretty soupy. I think when I do it again I will uncover it for the last half or third to help thicken it up.)
• When done roasting, mash it all up with a potato masher keeping it somewhat chunky. And then season to how you like it. Easy right?

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks (adapted from "Mad Hungry")

Yield: ~12 stacks

• Ingredients:
• 3 Eggplants (cut into twelve 1/3 inch slices each, 36 total)
• Tomato sauce
• Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese (I used Kraft's "fresh")
• Mozzarella (I used shredded)
• Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Directions
• Brush both sides of the slices with some olive oil and then season one side with some salt.
• Grill eggplant for 8-10 minutes flipping only once. (I used our outdoor grill but a grill pan would do the trick or a fry pan for that matter).
• While grilling mix together breadcrumbs, parmesan and a splash of olive oil (about a tablespoon) together (2:1 ratio). I used about 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of parmesan but probably could have used a little more. If you have extra pop it in the fridge and you can used it with some chicken. 
• Once grilled it's time to assemble the stacks. Lay 12 slices down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add a spoonful of the breadcrumb mixture, a spoonful of tomato sauce and some mozzarella. Add another slice of eggplant and repeat. Do that one more time. 
• Carefully but the sheet of stacks in a 350 F oven and bake for 20 minutes till the cheese melts. When done season with some pepper (optional) and serve. You won't be disappointed!

If you try this let me know what you think! Happy eating!

Oddfellows Burger Kitchen

So this past weekend my mom came down to visit and take back a bunch of things I had packed-up (it always amazes me how much crap I accumulate each year!). For awhile I had been trying to talk her into going to this burger joint in Ames that has a "kooky-retro" atmosphere called Oddfellows.

I cannot even begin to capture how much love I have for this place. I just wish I had went there sooner. 

Oddfellows is known for The Oddfellow Burger (a bacon cheeseburger with a glazed doughnut as the bun) and The Oddfellow Drink (a one quart mason jar with an alcoholic blue concoction. So you get a feel they cap the limit at 2 per person). Needless to say I tried both (keep in mind that this was 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday).

It was so good!! I got a side of their mac 'n' cheese as well. And you think that the glazed doughnut would make it disgusting but when the sweet mixes in with the bacon and burger along with the slight spice from the jack cheese.....my mouth is watering just writing about it.

My mom with a "safer" choice in burger, The Swiss 'Shroom. It was huge and had an almost bisuit-ish kind of bun. We also got an order of Oddfellows' onion rings, which weren't what we expected. They were almost like a shredded onion string that were lightly battered and extra crispy.

So here is our "Sunday Breakfast of Champions!" My eyes are rolling to the back of my head just thinking about how delicious all this food was (did I take that too far...probably...).

To cap off the experience, my mom and I shared the Banana Cream Cheesecake. It was the perfect blend to two of my favorite desserts, banana cream pie and cheesecake with a grahm cracker crust. Heavenly!

So if you are ever in the Ames, IA area and want a great, unique eating experience be sure to check out Oddfellows Burger Kitchen (I'm going again for graduation). You will not be disappointed!





(I also want to thank all of you for your kind words on last weeks post. Just writing that poem really helped, but seeing everyone's encouraging comments made the "haunting words" even less powerful. Thank you!)

Words That Haunt

Lying in bed

Hand resting on my forehead

My eyes look towards the ceiling

Another night taken by the words that haunt

Sit up and face the clock

Blinded by the light it beacons

I make out a one, three and eight

“So much to do tomorrow, get to sleep.”

Knowing it’s hopeless

Push myself to my feet

Stagger to the living room

“Why are you even contemplating that?”

Taking every ounce of my being to stay quiet

But desperately want to make some noise

Just to drown out the thoughts flying through my head

“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

Assume my post on the couch

I’ve been stationed here for the past month

Unable to sleep, I watch as the traffic light goes from red to green

“You are alone.”

The words begin to get to me

I feel the tears trying to breakthrough

One falls

“Now you’re crying?”

The ones that chip away at me

I have no idea where they came from

Yet they persist, taking pieces of my fortress with them

“Do you ever feel like you’ve become the worst version of yourself?”

Was it in a song I listened to on the radio

Was it a show I watched this week

Was it in a conversation I heard in passing

“Just something else you can’t figure out in life.”

Exhausted from the fight I have put up, I head back to bed

One more weapon in my arsenal

Put headphones on, press play and drift to sleep

“These times are hard, but they will pass.”

(I had every intention of continuing last weeks post, however it is showing to be a little more challenging than I had anticipated. But there is progress being made so hopefully within the next two weeks I will have that up.)

"What I've Learned In College Thus Far..." Written on February 05, 2009

Lately, I haven't been sleeping well just laying in bed thinking back on the last four years. Last night I stumbled upon a Facebook note I had written during the second semester of my freshman year. With that said, I present to you "What I've Learned In College Thus Far..." by Christine on Thursday, February 05, 2009 (sorry for the profanity):

• puddle jumping is fun again
• dresser dancing is quite entertaining
• when the lofts a rockin don't come a knockin
• if you are going to make a random target/walmart run, don't bring any money
• with that said...target has a lot of cow related items (plates, umbrellas, cups, etc.)
• when it comes to getting up in the morning, the cell phone works better
• when making videos be aware of your surroundings
• window screens do not slide up, they just pop out, and they are hard to get back in
• delofting a bed is harder than it sounds
• never share songs with your roommate unless you are prepared to hear them sing it over and over again
• facebook is not your friend
• a caffine addiction can happen really fast
• i have really bad aim
• people observing during lunch and dinner is fascinating
• if you are going to creep on people, be prepared for karma to have people creep on you
• visors that are worn with the bill down is serious and bill up is party...kinda like a mullet
• i guess i make weird noises when i sleep
• late night talks are the best
• cosmo is a great source for bed time stories
• iowa state's campus is so gorgeous that it makes you never want to leave
• i get distracted way to easily
• laughter is the best medicine for any ailment
• comedians have the best job in the world
• just when you think you are alone, you're not
• journaling is a great way to get things off your chest
• the hall director of my building is going bald and has a very annoying, yipping dog
• getting caught red handed is fun if it is because you just painted your window
• if i want to watch an old movie i have to play it on my laptop up in my loft
• if i wake up when the sun is coming up and go back to sleep, i have some pretty crazy dreams
• the confrence room is a great place to escape to
• a loft ladder is not really necessary, but only trained professionals should do it
• if you are in a funky mood nothing beats a shower and laying up in your loft listening to your ipod
• caribou coffee is the shit
• even though i have been going around campus for almost a year, i still get lost
• the campanile is always a minute fast and goes off way to often
• if it snows 8 inches with a sheet of ice underneath, classes will still be held also with -25 degree temps
• it sucks being alone on the weekend
• it's a gift if i get to wake up after the sun has risen
• the buildings here are totally confusing
• think before you speak or it could come out as a jumbled mess
• safety goggles are a great accessory to any outfit
• gilman 1002 will always be jam packed full of great memories..."did you see his ass!"
• the more random the better for me
• i can get lost in music very easily
• when i get bored i tend to do random things to make people laugh
• without great roommates the transition from home to college would be impossible
• cheaply made jewlery is the best thing out there
• bandies really know how to have fun
• if you don't have a vehicle you better get use to the bus
• eight o'clock in the morning is way to early to be talking about animal reproduction
• nothing beats a long walk at 7:30 a.m.
• to get around to classes requires good tennis shoes
• lysol, chlorox wipes, and hand sanitizer are a necessity here
• the best time to eat is when you can find a table
• you gain a whole new family when you go to college
• justine's mom is the best baker i know
• sara's mom is one of the sweetest people i know
• nothing is better than getting mail
• post-it notes are a way of life
• the sink area is basically a tunnel where you can't hear anything
• it's always best to shut the blinds before changing
• the showers here are the best
• there is a lot of things that you have to print off
• walking alone at night is kind of scary
• using the wrong kind of light bulb can be dangerous
• doing the splits across two ladders is quite painful
• the best pedicures are at walmart
• massage chairs that poke your butt are a little awkward
• thank god for skype
• i really need a lot more free text messages
• the guys that live above us really like to use their bass system
• multiple nicknames for someone is necessary to keep things under wraps...mustang doesn't always mean a type of car ;)
• if you are going to ride on a trailor behind a tractor make sure to sit towards the back or get sprayed with what you hope is dirt
• some of the best people you will meet are the ones that randomly come up to you at breakfast and ask to sit with you
• no matter what happens my mom will always be there to help and support me
• some nights you just feel like a chuckwagon, combos, and a powerade
• the best adventures happen when you get on the wrong bus
• i learned that my movie collection is quite small
• uno tournaments...'nough said
• always be proactive
• there are "lions" on the prowel
• one beverage i should just ignore is lemonade...sugar high = off the walls
• so many christmas songs are naughty
• some of the best music you hear is by accident
• blow dryers are the best way to de-ice your window
• scrapbooking nights, though few and far between, will always be special to me
• if you snore be prepared to get a pillow thrown at you
• the stairwells are very violent and hurt you everytime you go in there
• look before you leap or you could get hurt
• the mall has the best baseball caps...go gamecocks
• it's never a good idea to throw a bouncy ball down the aisle of walmart but it's too much fun not to try
• the birds here are insane and out to get me
• the hinges in the bathroom rust fairly easily...cheap
• it is "illegal" to steel food and drinks unless noted otherwise
• that said if you do try to steal make sure to avoid those with ear pieces it's like the secret service for the food
• you learn to love the sound of the train going by yet have never seen it
• before you sit down always check for suspicious looking stains
• acting out songs is always fun...i got mad skills
• i develop a slight case of OCD
• i have a "brother from another mother" also known as justine's boyfriend, mitchell
• grey's anatomy is nothing compared to house...but i still like it
• if you see a guy walking by outside, open your window ask their name and have them turn around
• i'm not the only one that knows all the words to baby got back and numerous other songs
• pigs will find anyway to escape even if that means going between your legs
• i'd rather see the downstairs bouncing than the upstairs
• a cow umbrella is the only way to go if it rains
• spring break is best spent in Arizona with the girls!!
• VEISHEA = lots of memories, what a great weekend!
• don't bang on the windows of the conference room unless you are ready to deal with the repercussions later
• having sleepovers is essential
• dinner at clyde's is how we met channing look-a-like and became the laughing girls
• eaton needs to replace that bottom dryer...especailly since it started smoking the last time it broke down
• people aren't always who you thought they would be
• we all make mistakes...the trick is to learn from them
• kicking bio's ass is the most amazing feeling in the world
• you meet a lot of interesting characters and with that you take a little piece of them with you
• i'm quite the procrastinator
• my philosophy professor makes some of the best cookies i know (banana bread+chocolate chips= one amazing cookie)
• this is the cubbies year...i can feel it
• espn.com is my hero when i miss the cubs game
• my roomie is abusive towards me :)
• futon bars=uncomfortable
• a "bite and suck" is an essential bottle to have
• i've probably watched step-up/she's the man a hundred so times now
• my bio lab ta is probably the best one out there
• "hello, my name is hannah, i'm from wartburg, and i like to party!"
• Andy Samberg is karah's future husband (I lost at "andy burns")
• aviators are going to be our signature when we remake "i'm on a boat" this summer
• "i'm the doug of our relationship!! I have the glasses, the awkwardness, the cellphone, and the creeping down...OMG!!"
• late night conference room pow-wows are boss
• without snl my life would be incomplete...my life's ambition=to get on that show
• i suck at playing frisbee
• grass fights are fun
• a blanket helps to keep bugs away when on central campus, but doesn't help all the time
• be prepared for awkward encounters with random people
• although most people don't like it here, country music still speaks to me

Reading this list I laugh, I cry, I say "wow...." So many fond memories of that year. I think it's time to do another one.....

until next week!