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Each year, I decide sometime in January that I’m going to send Valentine’s Day cards out to close friend. Each year, I fail to do so. But maybe if I had found these earlier, I would have been more inspired! These adorable cards would be the perfect way to send a cute note to someone you’re thinking about.

So, Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you have fun plans to celebrate – whether it’s with a spouse, significant other, family, or friends.

A

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This cilantro lime hummus is to die for. I’ve never made it, but it’s a personal favorite of one of my friends and I can attest that it’s amazing. She can tell you, it’s also easy.

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We actually made this garlicky shrimp with olive oil for the Superbowl last year, and it was amazing.

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Because I like to make sure, everyone has something they like (I really abide by the vegetarian, seafood, meat menu idea), I’d throw in these baked chicken meatballs. You know I think that Deb can do no wrong.

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From the ingredient list alone, I don’t know what to say about this pizza vesuvio with the works except “yes, please.”

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Of course, I’d have to finish everything off with my favorite flaky blood orange tart. In my mind, it’s the perfect winter dessert.

Do you have big Superbowl plans?

A{ unwinding } { blood orange vinaigrette }

{ mango bomb } { flight to nola }

{ snow } { vespa shopping }

{ trump tower } { bridesmaid shoe shopping }

Somehow, January is already gone and I’m still waiting for the real Chicago winter to kick in – not that I’m complaining. I spent most of the month travelling; as in, I was gone 13 out of 31 days. I’m excited to be in Chicago for the next month (I’m not leaving again until March!) but the work gala I’m planning at the end of the month is sure to keep things high drama around here.

What were your January highlights?

P.S. Follow me on Twitter or Instagram (@whathappensafter5).

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In my humble opinion, the eleven things that I wanted to do in 2011 were successful. I worried that doing it another year would be a little repetitive but then decided to do it anyways. And I thought about adding the things that I didn’t complete from last year, but I thought that would be a little unfair. Truth be told, it took me awhile to figure out exactly what I wanted to do this year. But finally, here it is. A brand new list of the twelve things I want to do in 2012.

1. Go to at least one game for each of Chicago’s pro-sports teams: the Bears, the Bulls, the Blackhawks, the Cubs, and the White Sox.
2. Attempt to be gluten-free, for a little bit.
3. Take an actual vacation for at least 5 days, preferably a week.
4. Learn how to butcher a chicken properly.
5. Figure out exactly what I want my blog to be and redesign its content to match that vision.
6. Commit to a regular exercise routine instead of just working out sporadically whenever I have the time.
7. Stop just using other recipes – adapt them to my own tastes. Take notes so that I can do it again.
8. Make a Chicago bucket list. Start checking things off.
9. Save up money (for a long time) to buy myself something I really want.
10. Read War and Peace. From start to finish.
11. Take more pictures. On an actual camera, not just on my iPhone.
12. Stop over-exerting and over-exhausting myself. Find balance.

1. Cook a souffle. Successfully.
2. Go to the Opera and the ballet. Half-check.
3. Take a trip somewhere I’ve never been. Check. Double check.
4. Learn to do something crafty, like knitting. Check: I actually learned how to knit! Turns out, I’m not very good at it.
5. Write a 500th post for What Happens After Five. This one makes 267 – at least I’m over half way there.
6. Try a new food. Check: foie gras.
7. Make a snow angel, for old times sake. Check.
8. Go to a Michelin starred restaurant. Check. Check. Check.
9. Stand on the Brooklyn Bridge and watch the sunrise.
10. Take a knife skills class. Check.
11. Do something that is so quintessentially New York that I’ll never possibly be able to do it again. Check.

I mentioned this galette once before – we made it for Friends-Giving. And then, it was so good, I made it again for my family at Thanksgiving. Last week was crazy. Work was hectic, I had an endless amount of things to do at home, and I could never find time to relax. Except on Wednesday night. I finally found myself home from work with nothing to do. And so, I made this galette. It was just what I needed to relax and unwind before diving into another couple of busy days at work.

On another note, as I mentioned here, my goal for 2012 is to find balance. In just over a week, I’ve done a good job of not over-exhausting or over-scheduling myself, but it has come at a price – there has been very little time to blog. It has become clear that it’s mainly due to our gala at work – which is six weeks away. So, until the middle of February, blogging will have to take a back seat. I’ll still pop in occasionally, but regular postings won’t be back until the gala is over. But, once I am back for good, count on lots of yummy recipes and some new blog ideas!

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I’m not really one for resolutions, as I mentioned here. But I think I will be adopting a general “theme” for 2012 – something to try and strive for as the year progresses. I’m hoping that 2012 will be all about balance. Finding a happy medium between work and play, between exhaustion and laziness – at times in 2011, I had too much of them all. So here’s hoping that I’ll be able to find moderation in all things this year.

Do you make resolutions?

2011 was an amazing year, filled with some pretty big changes. I quit my job, left New York, and moved to Chicago. I’m so excited about all of the possibilities that 2012 holds. Happy New Year.

{ preparing christmas eve dessert }

Christmas this year was slightly hectic. Instead of cooking a big dinner for Christmas day like we did last year, we focused on Christmas Eve. We hosted a dinner party for some family friends are our house and divided up the meal. I took dessert. Things were a bit too crazy for me to get pictures, but I made a vanilla bean cheesecake with a walnut crust. There was only one piece leftover, which I split with my sister on Christmas afternoon. My time at home was just what I needed, a much needed break from how busy things have been in the past month.

How was your holiday weekend?

If you’re anything like me, today is the perfect day for meals on the lighter side – a holiday detox, if you will. After days of eating things made with cream, butter, and carbs, I’m in the mood for some fruits and veggies. Enter: this salad. It’s getting to be the height of citrus season, one of my favorite times of year. And this salad absolutely capitalizes on that fact. It’s light, tart, and delicious. The perfect way to get back on track after a little holiday over-indulging.