Sara R. Gardella

Everything about my life always feels better when I’m...

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:37:37 -0400

Everything about my life always feels better when I’m cooking.

Risotto with mushrooms, green beans, brussels sprouts, and zucchini - plus wine and good company.

There is something about a steaming pot of food warming the entire kitchen, music playing, and a table waiting for something home cooked.

It's been a long time

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:26:59 -0500

But I’ll be back. I need to start using this and writing more often. Pictures, posts, thoughts to follow.

Happy 2012… 2 months late.

for Meatless Monday try my go-to vegetarian pasta recipe -...

Mon, 30 May 2011 10:00:06 -0400

for Meatless Monday try my go-to vegetarian pasta recipe - Roasted Chickpea Pasta with olives, tomatoes, and spinach.

Currently pretty busy between work/friends/volunteer work....

Sat, 28 May 2011 12:08:00 -0400

Currently pretty busy between work/friends/volunteer work. Here’s a quick update.

Working on: writing recipes, finding volunteer work, organizing my apartment, learning spanish.

Loving: hints of summer weather, nights with new/old friends, the new Lady Gaga album, long weekends.

Check out updates to my recipe page!

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:26:02 -0400

Check out updates to my recipe page!:

Added Taco Soup and Summery Chicken Salad to the recipe page! Really on a roll with documenting what I’ve been cooking up.

Chicken with Black Bean Salsa Recipe

Sun, 15 May 2011 16:06:00 -0400

Chicken with Black Bean Salsa Recipe:

Added a new recipe to my site! Made it forever ago but finally got motivated to update it. This week I’ll be adding recipes for summery meals - greek-inspired chicken salad and tuna salad with roasted broccoli. Working on perfecting some staple summer lunches.

I’ve decided I need to get into some volunteer work now...

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:24:47 -0400

I’ve decided I need to get into some volunteer work now that I’m settling into my life here in Chicago. I’ve done some research about some of the causes I’ve been passionate about and found Generation Mirror. I am meeting with the founder at lunch today for coffee and can’t wait to get involved!

Real Life Barbie - ridiculous body if Barbie was real!

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:14:30 -0400

Real Life Barbie - ridiculous body if Barbie was real!:

It’s so bizarre that this is what we grew up playing with. Hopefully there will be better models for healthy bodies as time goes on!

Last night’s dinner was a delicious Risotto with Roasted...

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:16:35 -0400

Last night’s dinner was a delicious Risotto with Roasted Garlic Asparagus. Although nothing beats the way I grew up making it, I tried this Crockpot Risotto recipe and it’s fabulous in it’s own accord, and oh so easy to throw in the crock while getting some things done around the house.

Made some delicious Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salsa...

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:47:48 -0400

Made some delicious Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salsa this weekend. More pictures and the recipe to follow!

Still having the time of my life in Chicago! I am starting to...

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:06:00 -0400

Still having the time of my life in Chicago! I am starting to learn my way around and have had many visitors who I get to play tourist with.

Most recently I’ve been cooking up a storm! Check out my new recipe for Pita Chips and Olive Tapenade. Hopefully, I will be posting more soon.

I also have updated my About Me and Resume to reflect my new life here in Chicago. Feel free to take a look.

Now that I’m SETTLED into my new city I am hoping to use this little TUMBlog more often and to help me explore my passions. Please comment and join me on my little adventures, ESPECIALLY if you try out my recipes and enjoy it :)

Lady Gaga- Born This Way Music Video Release Date

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:57:58 -0500

Lady Gaga- Born This Way Music Video Release Date:

Well I guess I will be watching it during my lunch break, on my laptop at starbucks.

I am really enjoying getting back into cooking! I made homemade...

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:31:00 -0500

I am really enjoying getting back into cooking! I made homemade foccacia bread last week, turned out deliciously.

Settling in

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:35:26 -0500

I’ve officially lived in Chicago for over a month. I’m starting to learn my way around, get my bearings, and become an expert user of public transportation. I’ve moved into my new apartment in a trendy little neighborhood west of downtown and I love it so far. I’m loving my job and falling head over heels in love with the city. Tonight I’m relaxing with a glass of wine and candles, watching out my bedroom window.

This year I made a few “resolutions”, but they have much more to do with the timing of my new life than the calendar year. I plan to eat healthier(cutting back on meat and cooking more), read more(ordered a few books on amazon tonight!), keep my life clean and orderly(after moving 3 times in less than 6 months, I realized I have too much crap) and slowly get back into photography.

Most importantly, this year is about not sweating the small stuff - picking my battles, so to speak. A lot of things have been put into perspective recently and I am tired of wasting energy on stress, so this year I am making some choices and taking control of how I react to everything. Wish me lots of luck — I’ll need it.

Chicago, I’m in love. I moved here 3 weeks ago and it...

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:26:47 -0500

Chicago, I’m in love.

I moved here 3 weeks ago and it feels just right. After the new year I get to move to my new apartment with my cat, best friend, and her dog. Couldn’t be happier.

Happy Holidays! My mom got me this awesome bit of Holiday and...

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:53:28 -0500

Happy Holidays! My mom got me this awesome bit of Holiday and Spartan cheer at a craft show for me to take with me when I move into my apartment! I love it and I love that I’ll have a little piece of home with me when I move. Luckily as well, I’ll be back to celebrate Christmas at home with my absolutely wonderful family.

I hope everyone’s winter is starting off as well as mine!

I was offered a position in Chicago! I am literally still in...

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:29:37 -0500

I was offered a position in Chicago! I am literally still in shock… I’ve been wanting to move to CHI for so long I can’t believe it’s actually happening, and so quick! I have about a week and a half at home then off I go!

This is the building I’ll be working in, which I think is pretty amazing. I’ll be living for a month with some friends, subleasing a room. Then in January, my friend will be moving out there as well and we’re getting an apartment together. It really all is falling together like a dream come true! Talk about things to be thankful for….

Photo Credit: Flickr|sauvagenoble

I will be traveling to Chicago this weekend/early next week for...

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:37:22 -0500

I will be traveling to Chicago this weekend/early next week for an interview and some pre-apartment shopping. I am thrilled.

Photo: Flickr | US National Archives

Quick Update

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:14:47 -0400

Sorry for the lack of posts - I’ve been quite busy throughout November! Visits with friends, time with family, working a lot for Douglas J, and of course continuing on my job search process. I’ll get back into blogging more regularly within the next few weeks. I can’t believe it’s already November!

Mason's Case at MSU Tailgate, THIS SATURDAY

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:53:25 -0400

masonscasemusic:

This Saturday, a dream of ours will come true. Mason’s Case will be playing live music at The MSU Tailgate, behind the tennis courts. Music will start around 9:00am…We believe it will be a 7am sound check. We hope to see you there!

Going to this!