tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72417394573715143992024-03-12T20:21:31.323-04:00Martha Envyeclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-10581452643835894692012-07-30T19:44:00.000-04:002012-07-30T19:44:00.712-04:00Catch up<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(attributed to Mark Twain,<a href="http://www.twainquotes.com/Death.html" target="_blank"> though not really</a>.) </span></div>
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We are, in fact, alive and well. A little too well and with one additional life on the way, actually. </div>
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<b>Baby:</b><br />
Boy #2. Due October 17th. So far, things have gone relatively smoothly, though he is an incredibly active little guy. I'm no longer holding out hope for that calm, easy-going second child I thought I had coming to me. <br />
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<b>House:</b><br />
It's not grand (and looks particularly <strike>small</strike> quaint in exterior photos), but it's perfectly roomy for us and we absolutely adore it. It's a 1940's Cape Cod that was extensively renovated and added on to by a builder last year. They kept some of its vintage charm but added all new amenities.A perfect combination for us. <br />
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I've come to really like the efficiency of galley kitchens (we had a tiny galley kitchen in our old house) and this one features a gratuitous amount of counter space:<br />
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And my cookbook collection has a lovely new home in our breakfast room:<br />
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Don't worry - that's not all of them. The rest are hidden inside the bureau. <br />
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We're still getting settled and I have lots of ideas for pretty much every room. The house was entirely neutral when we moved in, so now it's just neutral with our crappy old furniture on top. You don't need to see pictures of that. <br />
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So, the baby and the house have kept us fairly busy over the past few months. Not too busy for the beach, of course. There's always time for the beach. Although we've had to accommodate our road trips for a pregnant lady and a toddler-sized bladder. We are now entirely too familiar with every Royal Farms along Route 50, plus a few choice McDonalds. <br />
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Happy summer!eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-61167429082784837582012-07-20T08:05:00.000-04:002012-07-20T08:11:13.852-04:00Can't help myself <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I should probably start with a more detailed post about where the hell I've been (we moved) or what the hell I've been doing (gestating baby #2), but in the mean time here is a gigantic roan draft cross near the Capitol. Because I have my priorities. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cIofzJhMNtU/UAlK3sFdcaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/VRNGgxc3Vu8/C115C805-2C16-44B6-9F86-0322B09D5E50.jpg'></div></p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-11599846370850675742012-03-09T19:12:00.001-05:002012-03-09T19:12:20.738-05:00Friday bliss: smoked Gouda with bacon <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The brie isn't bad either but whomever thought up bacon flavored cheese deserves a Nobel prize. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PM86k0b_T_c/T1qcYwZ3BoI/AAAAAAAAA5w/xFhHNYKR_to/bloggerPlus.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>P.S. Hi there! Long time no see. </p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-4399010100813234172012-02-08T19:52:00.001-05:002012-02-08T19:53:59.147-05:00P52: MacroWell, kind of. Sort of. Not really, actually. I don't have a true macro lens (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-2-8L-Macro-Digital/dp/B002NEGTSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328723321&sr=8-1">yet . . </a>.), so I just use the long end of my Tamron. I had hoped to catch some of the blooms popping up on the Mall (Silly flowers! It's February!), but ran out of time and daylight, so I scrounged around my backyard for something, anything. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1703030163&k=Z8fQrP6&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-Z8fQrP6/0/L/2012-02-1073-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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Meh. This was actually my favorite shot from outside, not macro by any means, but much cuter. <br />
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<br />eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-36029881249216557392012-02-07T20:45:00.001-05:002012-02-07T20:45:52.993-05:00White Bean and Artichoke DipYeah, so joining Weight Watchers right before the Super Bowl is a bad, bad idea. Not that I actually enjoy football, by any means, but I do enjoy wings. And pizza. And beer. Anyway, I did manage to whip this up as a relatively healthy option. It would have been great with the addition of fresh basil or sun-dried tomatoes for some extra flavor and color. White beans are really just blank canvas for a super simple and light dip. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#%21i=1703029714&k=KdH5FF9&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-KdH5FF9/0/L/2012-02-1055-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<b>White Bean and Artichoke Dip</b><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 can white beans, like canelini</li>
<li>1 cup marinated (not frozen) artichoke hearts, drained but reserving 1 tbs of liquid</li>
<li>salt and pepper to tast</li>
</ul>
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Directions:<br />
<ol>
<li>Whip it all up in a food processor. Presto, you're done. </li>
</ol>
<br />eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-31871482213322149102012-02-03T19:53:00.001-05:002012-02-03T19:53:22.451-05:00Friday bliss: perfect grilled pizza <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>And the 50 degree February day that made it possible. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Tr8xvSkFOE4/TyyBgdmbldI/AAAAAAAAA5k/oBOpiYRtv4s/bloggerPlus.jpg'></div></p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-26675297361076832302012-02-02T19:08:00.001-05:002012-02-02T19:08:49.885-05:00P52: Lust<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1692305910&k=JRbvppG&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-JRbvppG/0/L/2012-01-1002-bw-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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At least, the type of thing that I will be lusting after for awhile, unless I want to ask "How many points is that?". I just joined the big WW. I don't really want to talk about it because reading about other people's weight and diets is so intensely boring (and even less interesting when they quickly fall off the wagon, which I am apt to do) but I feel like I would be hiding something if I didn't at least mention it. <br />
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I hate depriving myself. I hate counting what I eat and measuring it and writing it down. However, I also hate that may pants don't fit. I want my cake and I want to eat it too. And not some crappy fake cake made with Cool Whip and Diet Coke. Or angel food cake because that tastes like styrofoam and don't try to tell me that fresh fruit is just as good as chocolate. I want real cake, three layers, with <i>frosting</i> DAMMIT. And ice cream on the side, while I'm at it. But I spent the last year not worrying about what I ate and it gained me 20 damn pounds. So here we go. There is a good chance that this is as short-lived as last year's <a href="http://marthaenvy.blogspot.com/2011/06/re-shredification.html">30 Day Shred episode</a>. We'll see. Feel free to post WW sucess stories or tell me I'm not a foodie sell-out.eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-20955501625714064392012-01-30T19:54:00.000-05:002012-01-30T19:54:35.201-05:00Weekend Wrap-Up: Family Gluttony EditionBecause the family that drinks wine and eats oysters together stays together. Or something like that. <br />
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We started the weekend with Chris's parents, taking them to <a href="http://www.thecomusinn.com/">the Comus Inn</a> and <a href="http://www.smvwinerycom/">Sugarloaf Mountain Winery</a>. Comus Inn was okay. It has a fantastic view of Sugarloaf Mountain but it sounds like their Sunday brunch menu is where the real action is. And we always love an afternoon at the Winery. This time of year they offer a really tasty mulled wine. <br />
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The Peanut isn't so much interested in Butternut Squash and Ginger soup or Cabernet Franc as he is quality time with doting grandparents:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1692305426&k=fbWmBjH&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-fbWmBjH/0/L/2012-01-0951-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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And orange lollipops:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1692305490&k=vpn95Dd&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-vpn95Dd/0/L/2012-01-0957-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a><br />
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But we enjoyed the scenery:<br />
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On Sunday we enjoyed a mountain of a very different kind. A mountain of food. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1692305661&k=sNjw86z&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-sNjw86z/0/L/2012-01-0987-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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My dad and Tessa had us over for a full-blown oyster feast, featuring local Chesapeake Bay oysters and Tessa's signature drink for the day -- <a href="http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120126/ENTERTAINMENT09/201260390/Drink-week-Get-your-Orange-Crush">Orange Crush</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1692305782&k=jDDTQ4D&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-jDDTQ4D/0/L/2012-01-0991-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a><br />
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No lollipops here. Just oysters.<br />
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Including the Peanut's very first raw oyster. Promptly followed by his second and third. I kid you not.<br />
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If I accomplish nothing else in my life, I raised a toddler that will eat a raw oyster. There are probably a million reasons why small children should not ingest raw seafood. Please don't tell me. For now let's bask in my glory. <br />
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Anyway, that was our weekend. So much fun with family, wine and food that I literally popped a filling out of my tooth when flossing last night. Wild times!<br />
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<br />eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-70409096608343342792012-01-20T19:18:00.000-05:002012-01-20T19:18:00.953-05:00Friday bliss: Tomato Soup with Goat CheeseThe perfect lunch on a gloomy day. Just <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=244">Trader Joe's Creamy Tomato Soup</a> doctored up with herbes de provence and chevre. So rich I almost didn't miss the grilled cheese. Almost. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1679383684&k=fB67S8b&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-fB67S8b/1/L/2012-01-0918-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-22212248737548846642012-01-18T19:48:00.000-05:002012-01-18T19:48:15.684-05:00P52: StrandedNot the most creative interpretation. Since we are in the midst of potty training a certain little Peanut (don't worry - that's the last you'll hear about it), Chris had an awesome idea that involved showing two tiny legs swinging from a great big potty. But I'm sorry, Internet. I just can't release a potty photo out in to the wild like that. And I know that a good portion of folks are breathing a huge sigh of relief, including my future teenager. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1676236141&k=jNQj487&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-jNQj487/0/L/2012-01-0877-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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And a bonus shot from the same "shoot". He may be nekkid but I think this will require a little less therapy to get over. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1676236186&k=Qwstnq4&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-Qwstnq4/0/L/2012-01-0894-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-41916565826748552702012-01-11T20:31:00.002-05:002012-01-11T20:31:40.466-05:00Project 52: LanguageI've been toying with the idea of doing a Project 52, taking a photo related to different theme each week. There are a few out there that you can follow - <a href="http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2012/01/52-week-photo-project-52-challenge-paint-moon-photoshop-actions/" target="_blank">Paint the Moon</a> has one, <a href="http://my3boybarians.com/2011/12/announcing-2012-p52/" target="_blank">My 3 Boybarians</a> has one. Those are fine but I realized that my photography group essentially has the same concept going on, in the form of a "Picture of the Week" contest. So, I'm going to shoot for each of those POTW themes as my own version of a Project 52. I doubt I'll enter the contest each week but I do plan to photograph something in those categories and blog them. Lucky you!<br />
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This week's theme was <i>language. </i>Neither of these images is stellar, I know. But what the hell? If I only posted stuff that was good, you wouldn't have anything to make fun of behind my back.<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#!i=1664464580&k=m3GLrhs&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-m3GLrhs/0/L/2011-12-0875-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/17334846_JGrDqs#!i=1667180414&k=JGZb8h3&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/photos/i-JGZb8h3/0/L/i-JGZb8h3-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-32686540657664292812012-01-06T21:40:00.001-05:002012-01-06T21:40:43.700-05:00Friday bliss: Awesome weather <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It's been awhile since I did one of these and I've started to miss it. It's kind of nice to come up with at least one simple thing a week I can look forward to and relish. In this case, Mother Nature did all the work. That's today's temperature at about 5 pm. On Tuesday it was 17. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QUcAkArMwWU/TwewqUrKimI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/X_88Bs6aOD8/bloggerPlus.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I just recently decided not to join my mom on her annual Florida sojourn and was starting to wonder if I would survive. Perhaps I might. </p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-54560002720064330342012-01-05T21:12:00.000-05:002012-01-05T21:41:44.241-05:00Barbecue and Bacon MeatloafThis picture sucks because it was only at the very last minute that I decided my meatloaf masterpiece required photographic documentation. And my speedlight batteries were dead. However, it was taken at ISO 5000 (! What what, 7D?!), so yay for awesome low light shooting capabilities. Also, yay for awesome meatloaf with bacon, ugly and unphotogenic as it may be. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1659315480_c69Z9GT-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-c69Z9GT/0/L/2011-12-0873-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<b>Barbecue and Bacon Meatloaf </b><br />
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Adapted from "<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Not-So-Basic-Meatloaf-355903">Not-So-Basic Meatloaf</a>", based on what I had on hand. I skipped the bay leaves and extra garlic altogether and I don't think they were missed at all. <br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li> 5 strips of bacon, diced</li>
<li>1/2 of a medium onion, finely diced</li>
<li>1 carrot, grated </li>
<li>4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed</li>
<li>2 cups dry white bread (I used a baquette), diced</li>
<li>1 cup milk</li>
<li>1 pound ground turkey (I used dark meat - it's just what they had at MOM's)</li>
<li>1 pound lean beef</li>
<li>1/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus 1 tbsp for the top</li>
<li>2 tablespoons dijon mustard</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon dried thyme</li>
<li>1/2 cup parsley, minced</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon black pepper</li>
</ul>
Directions:<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 375 degrees. </li>
<li>Cook bacon until just crisp in frying pan. Remove to paper towel-lined plate. </li>
<li>Pour out almost all bacon grease and saute onion, carrot and garlic until onions are translucent and carrots are soft. Set aside to cool. </li>
<li>Meanwhile, put bread in large bowl and cover with milk. Squish together to break up bread and get the milk mostly absorbed. </li>
<li>Add vegetables, bacon and the rest of the ingredients (except the extra tablespoon of barbecue sauce). Mix together. </li>
<li>Form a loaf-ish shape on a foil-lined baking sheet, about 8"x5". Spread remaining barbecue sauce over top. Bake for about an hour, until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving. </li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-36539704470094371952011-12-31T12:48:00.001-05:002011-12-31T14:00:34.504-05:00Picture it: 2011Pardon me for borrowing from Sophia Petrillo. So, the last post was kind of a bummer and I felt like I needed to end the year on a more positive note. Inspired by my friend Amy's year-end blog post, here are my favorite photos of 2011. <br />
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January:<br />
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February: <br />
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March:<br />
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April: <br />
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<br />
One of my favorites from the entire year and I still can't believe we were actually on a MD beach (and had a GORGEOUS day) in April:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1273173954_L3RMPTn-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-L3RMPTn/0/L/IMG7433-edit-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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May: <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1293564876_HFZH3qw-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-HFZH3qw/0/L/img7669-edit-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1296091504_db84qtJ-A-LB" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-db84qtJ/0/L/IMG7741-edit-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1307706953_z5qJdVf-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-z5qJdVf/0/L/IMG7920-edit-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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June: <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1336168597_W2g5vLG-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-W2g5vLG/0/L/IMG8182-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1344991451_dZS8CHM-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-dZS8CHM/0/L/IMG8284-edit-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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July: <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1388213140_VqFg78n-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-VqFg78n/0/L/IMG8665-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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I didn't take this, but I still love it. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1398987887_CTGSG48-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-CTGSG48/0/L/IMG8738-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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August: <br />
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Racing pigs!<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1420613159_nccLzQz-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-nccLzQz/0/L/IMG9244-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1443588427_MQf6xW3-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-MQf6xW3/0/L/IMG9497-bw-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1454444689_fRq3VSR-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-fRq3VSR/0/L/IMG9575-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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September:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1507421870_dD2VwnM-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-dD2VwnM/0/L/IMG9901-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1485853195_F64T6gN-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-F64T6gN/0/L/IMG9878-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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(Eek - slim pickin's in September!)<br />
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October:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1526958966_cMSrgwt-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-cMSrgwt/1/L/IMG0095-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1533507785_9hJGMM9-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-9hJGMM9/0/L/IMG0319-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562425409_CtwX2j8-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-CtwX2j8/0/L/IMG0511-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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November:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1580842255_dphDFRC-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-dphDFRC/0/L/Winter20110051-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1595961004_ZKSPLm3-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-ZKSPLm3/0/L/2011Winter0140-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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The pic that made me an Instagram addict (I'm eclemrush there, btw):<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/17334846_JGrDqs#1582700218_bbpfRZf-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/photos/i-bbpfRZf/0/L/i-bbpfRZf-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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December:<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1615954341_zDZmW96-A-LB" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-zDZmW96/0/L/2011Winter0316-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
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Our holiday card photo:<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Winter-2011/20051661_QdQNWN#1605544939_HjwPkrm-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/photos/i-HjwPkrm/0/L/i-HjwPkrm-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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Anyone remember this list of <a href="http://marthaenvy.blogspot.com/2011/01/me-and-my-big-ideas.html">2011 cooking goals</a>? Yeah, me neither, apparently. I only made one thing! Ehh. I gained plenty of weight this year without making most of those yummy ideas, so it's probably just as well. I did a decent job of mining my magazine subscriptions for recipe inspiration, though.<br />
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I may not have cooked as much as I wanted or blogged as much as I intended, but I'm honestly pretty happy with my photography progress over the past year. I have a metric ton of room to grow, obviously, but I'm also kind of content with where I am now. How did you do on your 2011 goals?eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-1023452573173959292011-12-31T11:29:00.000-05:002011-12-31T11:29:18.932-05:00Not with a bang, but with a whimperSeems to be how we'll end this year. Despite my high hopes and excitement for the holiday season, five illnesses (including stomach viruses on Christmas day) in two weeks put quite a damper on the festivities. In addition, my great aunt, the single loveliest 93 year old woman ever, passed away a week before Christmas. So, things have not been terribly jolly in these parts. <br />
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Regardless, let's look on the bright side. <br />
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My aunt was not only a lovely senior citizen, but holy cow would you look at this toddler portrait? The cuteness. It is staggering. <br />
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The Peanut adores his "big gift" - a tool bench.<br />
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Even nights spent sick on the couch can be cozy with a terrier-shaped lap warmer and twinkling Christmas lights.<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/SmugShots/17334846_JGrDqs#1651404502_gNkBx52-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/photos/i-gNkBx52/0/L/i-gNkBx52-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
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We are now almost, very nearly, better. So we can hopefully look forward to starting the new year with a bright new outlook.<br />
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Happy 2012!eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-40185003680145824382011-12-09T19:21:00.000-05:002011-12-09T19:21:20.914-05:00It's beginning to look a lot like ChristmasAnd I am digging it. Even if it means taking a half day of annual leave just to accomplish a trip to the damn post office (Tip: If you're going to ship something heavy, like, I don't know, a box of wine, <i>not that you would because that's illegal</i>, use the flat rate boxes so you don't spent $46 dollars (!!!!) on shipping. The nice lady at the post office may remind you of this but you won't want to unpack your illegal box of something-that-is-not-wine in front of her, so you will foolishly spend $46 rather than reveal your liquid secret (which only cost $20 to buy). Also, Merry Christmas to my brother. Here's hoping your gift makes it on base.). <br />
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Anywho, postal exploits aside, things are shaping up to be quite merry around here.We've already visited Santa - he flew in by helicopter to the College Park Aviation Museum. And my squirmy little toddler patiently waited in line for over an hour (so, that's like five days in toddler time) to see the Big Guy. But the Big Guy had candy and was seated a few feet from an elevator with buttons and chimes, so patience was indeed rewarded.<br />
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And our tree is up and decorated! Chris and I have a tradition of imbibing hot spiked drinks and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" while we trim the tree. <br />
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We also stopped by Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. The Peanut was not terribly impressed with all the pretty lights (I'll post some of those later), but he was enthralled by the miniature trains. They were decorated with an odd assortment of plastic figurines, including Homer & Marge toys, a slew of Sesame Street characters and My Little Ponies. It looked like two decades worth of Happy Meal toys were put to good use. <br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1616583756_NMqSQhT-A-LB" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-NMqSQhT/0/L/smugshot9822914-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a><br />
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Also, in case you're wondering - my mounted police obsession continues, unabated. <br />
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Wait. That's not festive enough. How bout now?<br />
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<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1624084508_9vp2QS8-A-LB" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-9vp2QS8/0/L/smugshot2362749-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a><br />
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<br />
Muuuuch better. Hope your days are merry and bright! <br />
<br />
(But screw Christmases being white. I have no use for snow.)eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-73214107057851615372011-12-06T21:24:00.001-05:002011-12-06T21:25:16.788-05:00Roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes with baconI feel like it's cheating to even post this as a "recipe" because it's so damn simple. But I had to see it in an issue of Everyday Food before I knew about it, so I figure I would pay it forward. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1580841540_r4gKGSV-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-r4gKGSV/0/L/Winter20110065-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
<br />
<b><br />
Roasted Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes with Bacon</b><br />
Adapted from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/859377/roasted-sweet-potatoes-and-bacon" target="_blank"><i>Everyday Food</i></a>, October 2011. <br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<ul><li>4 slices bacon, chopped</li>
<li> 2 good size potatoes (yukon or red), scrubbed and cut in to 1"ish cubes</li>
<li>1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut in to 1"ish cubes.</li>
<li>handful of fresh thyme</li>
<li>salt and pepper</li>
</ul>Directions:<br />
<ol><li> Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss everything together on a rimmed baking sheet. </li>
<li>Roast for about 30 minutes, toss around half way through. </li>
</ol>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-49076904707763145722011-11-29T21:47:00.000-05:002011-11-29T21:47:09.656-05:00Dear DiaryOh, internet. I have so much to tell you! <br />
<br />
<u>Thing 1:</u> <br />
<br />
I MET MARTHA STEWART. No shit, y'all. It's true! Well, I didn't really "meet" her. It's not like we chatted and compared prison poncho patterns. But I did listen to her speak on entertaining here in DC and then she signed my copy of her<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marthas-Entertaining-Celebrations-Martha-Stewart/dp/0307396460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322618277&sr=8-1" target="_blank"> new book</a>. I told her that her pen was a very pretty green. The end. She didn't offer me a job but she also didn't sue me for stealing her name for my blog. So I guess it was a draw.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1609003224_qQn7bsP-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-qQn7bsP/0/M/Erin-and-Martha-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
(Thanks to Suzanne for the photo!)<br />
<br />
<u>Thing 2:</u><br />
<br />
<br />
I upgraded my camera body! I'm so fancy now. It's a Canon 7D and it is fanfriggintastic. The little joystick-like focus button is blowing my mind. The only downside is that it makes me lust for good glass (lenses) even more, but I think I can make do. For now. Did you hear that sound? I'm pretty sure it was Chris winging our check book at my head.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1609004500_xBMqrzh-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-xBMqrzh/0/M/smugshot8906404-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
Look at my cute little baby Rebel on the right! It's like his cooler, cuter older brother is home from college. <br />
<br />
<u>Thing 3</u>:<br />
<br />
I am totally and completely ready for Christmas! Not ready in the sense that I am actually ready, with my cards sent and my presents wrapped. But ready in the sense that December is officially welcome in our house. Space has been cleared for our tree. Our wreath is hanging on the door (okay, mailbox. And three feet next to it is a super naturally hardy pumpkin). Presents have been selected, if not wholly bought. Official Peanut Christmas photo has been shot. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1608957997_9nL6LGz-A-LB" title=""><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-9nL6LGz/0/L/2011Winter0304-edit-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a><br />
<br />
That's not him. That's me. I also went back to brown hair. I'm not sure that deserves it's own Thing, though.eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-5807245258907518772011-11-22T20:38:00.001-05:002011-11-22T20:38:15.482-05:00Kiss ass <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>Yesterday, my toddler told me to kiss his butt. I really thought I had a good ten, maybe fifteen years before I heard those words. In this instance, it wasn't back-talk from a surly teenager, it was just a two year old asking me to kiss a boo boo, but it made for a very conflicting moment in parenting. <br><br>Picture it: we're merrily playing in the living room when he backs his tiny tush in to the coffee table. <br><br>Peanut: Owww! Mama, kiss it!<br><br>Me: I'm sorry, what?<br><br>Peanut, looking all sad and pointing at his traumatized heiny: My butt, Mama! Kiss MY BUTT!!<br><br>Me, trying very, very hard not to laugh in my poor, pained toddler's face: Whoa, dude. No. I am not going to kiss your butt. <br><br>Peanut, now extra sad because magical medicinal mommy kisses were being withheld, has real pain in his big brown eyes: KISS IT MAMA!! KISS. MY. BUTT. <br><br>At this point, I had to start negotiating because I knew one thing - I was not kissing my child's ass (not now and hopefully not ten years from now when he pretends not to know me in the mall). So, I tried to casually blow him a south bound kiss and that didn't take. Eventually we settled on me leaning down, kissing the palm of my hand and then patting his hind end. Instantly, the butt boo boo was healed. I wish I could say the same for my ego. </p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-2990148634373464362011-11-15T21:42:00.001-05:002011-11-15T21:42:54.677-05:00Instagramatic Sunday <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>Dogs and sticks and woods and creeks and Gangy. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yE3bmuFbNcg/TsMjKc5aaGI/AAAAAAAAA40/FMzQLMWTdIE/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KJDROw9qBTY/TsMjIg603SI/AAAAAAAAA4k/D-szvWCo590/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1QJikEBUUPE/TsMjHqGZ_oI/AAAAAAAAA4c/sEFavSXPQuA/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wk2RT5rDWKY/TsMjJZj-bzI/AAAAAAAAA4s/DKKnlAP2o3A/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQ78yw5VMHA/TsMjLSPQeKI/AAAAAAAAA48/sMjDVkWCy6M/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QN2sTtFBP9Q/TsMjGqTkicI/AAAAAAAAA4U/kjPNVNuuF88/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-1485021225555141242011-11-13T19:18:00.002-05:002011-11-13T19:53:11.955-05:00Poetic license and lasagnaI made this lasagna almost two weeks ago but Chris was so enamored, so awestruck by this cheesy, sausagey fantasmagasm that he forbid me from blogging about it until he could come up with a suitable ode. Specifically, a haiku. A haiku for a pasta dish. We either sound like the most boring people on the face of the earth ("Hey, guys! Let's watch slides of our trip to Scranton!") or the most awesome ("You know that 'salted caramel' thing? I <i>invented</i> that. And then I put it in chocolate. And added booze.")(Or maybe that imaginary person would only be cool to me.). <br />
<br />
I give you, <b>"Lasagna"</b>*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Unbridled pasta<br />
Sausage, cheese, and love combined<br />
Please me to no end</b></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* I know. That's the best title he could come up with. But I like the simplicity. It doesn't over-hype it. Like that whole first paragraph I wrote up there did. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562424387_LPnkxSL-A-LB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-LPnkxSL/0/L/IMG0395-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let my poor food styling deter you from making this awesome lasagna. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Smoked Mozzarella and Italian Sausage Lasagna</b></i><br />
Adapted from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smoked-Cheese-and-Sausage-Lasagna-109240" target="_blank">epicurious</a><br />
<br />
<b>For Sauce</b> <br />
<ul class="ingredientsList"><li class="ingredient">olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 pound Italian sweet sausages, casings removed</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 ounces sliced prosciutto, chopped</li>
</ul><br />
<ul class="ingredientsList"><li class="ingredient">2 cups chopped onions</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 celery stalk, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">3 garlic cloves, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons tomato paste</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup red wine </li>
<li class="ingredient"> 28-ounces of canned tomatoes ( I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes and the sauce was nice and chunky)</li>
</ul><br />
<b>For Lasagna</b> <br />
<ul class="ingredientsList"><li class="ingredient">About 12 no-bake lasagna noodles</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 15-ounce container of whole-milk ricotta cheese</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 cups (packed) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup grated asiago</li>
</ul><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><b>Directions:</b><br />
<ol><li>Heat a good glug of olive oil in dutch oven (or large, heavy-bottomed skillet) over medium high. Brown sausage, breaking it up as you go. When sausage is just about done, add prosciutto and continue cooking for a few minutes. Remove meat to paper towel-lined plate or bowl. </li>
<li>Add another glug of oil to pan and saute onions, celery and garlic. When softened, add herbs and red pepper. When vegetables are brown and translucent, stir in tomato paste and then deglaze pan with wine. When wine is just about absorbed, add tomatoes and sausage mixture. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking another 15-20 minutes or until flavors are well combined. </li>
<li>Combine ricotta and 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper. </li>
<li>Preheat oven to 350. Oil a 13x9 inch pan and begin layering lasagna. Spread 1 cup of sauce evenly over bottom and top with three noodles. Spread about 3/4 cup of cheese mixture over noodles and pour over 1 1/2 cups of sauce. Repeat two more times. End with three noodles sprinkled with remaining mozzarella and asiago. Cover tightly with foil and bake about 30 minutes or until nice and bubbly. Remove foil and continue baking another 15 minutes so that the top browns a bit. Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before serving. </li>
</ol></div>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-19777614908680558212011-11-11T19:51:00.001-05:002011-11-11T19:51:26.846-05:00Friday bliss: Hill Country Barbecue <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>With my boys. The Peanut's favorite dish was the cucumber salad. Crazy little pickle lover. That may or may not be an inherited quality. I will eat pickled okra like it's going out of style. Not that it was or ever will be anywhere near in style. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JljyTdZ92aQ/Tr3DDHeWC9I/AAAAAAAAA4I/ES-Qn_iK12Q/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>And I am officially blogging from my new iPhone 4s. So fast! So bright! So shiny! So obsolete in two years but whatever because I love it NOW. </p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-14365888531692845812011-11-02T19:39:00.000-04:002011-11-02T19:39:57.550-04:00Domo arigato<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562425147_tDFtm4k-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-tDFtm4k/0/L/IMG0469-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
Mr. Roboto. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562425245_jqQz5Vv-A-LB" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-jqQz5Vv/0/L/IMG0478-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
<br />
My precious little marching robot minion.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562426033_pqX9K9w-A-LB" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-pqX9K9w/0/L/IMG0633-L.jpg" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">With his sp/ray gun. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562425409_CtwX2j8-A-LB" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-CtwX2j8/0/L/IMG0511-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope you all had a Happy Halloween! I think the Peanut enjoyed himself immensely. He trick or treated at only two houses (not counting Grandpa and Tessa's), but did a fantastic job and brought home just enough loot. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1562424767_9bbp7FN-A-LB" title=""><img alt="" src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-9bbp7FN/0/L/IMG0421-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
<br />
(Wouldn't it be nice if they all had one of those switches, for real?)eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-54866497490678694022011-10-28T20:12:00.001-04:002011-10-28T20:12:48.826-04:00Friday bliss: Pumpkin pie martini <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>Because booze goes down better when it's disguised as dessert. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Je-G0S0ftt8/TqtE_wrtQyI/AAAAAAAAA4A/yAuRMfQLbHo/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p>eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7241739457371514399.post-8696497023988994552011-10-23T21:36:00.001-04:002011-10-24T09:41:36.287-04:00Stirring the pot<a href="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/16801072_M5WScR#1545969507_PmvP6Dp-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://eclemrush.smugmug.com/Other/Blog/i-PmvP6Dp/0/L/IMG0261-edit-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br />
<br />
Okay, that title is misleading. It makes you think that I have something controversial to say, which I don't. Unless having a toddler that sleeps in on weekends is controversial. 'Cause guess what? I got that, suckas! After four weekends in a row, I think I can safely proclaim my parenting success to the world - my kid sleeps past 8 am practically every Saturday and Sunday! It is just as glorious as you might imagine. And thankfully I have relished every lazy moment because now I have most certainly jinxed myself. <br />
<br />
The Peanut had quite a rough patch when he was an infant and now Chris accuses me of hoarding sleep. Like crazy ladies can never have too many cats, I can never have too many hours of sleep. I will take it whenever I can and will stockpile it. You know how your grandmother, the one that lived through the depression, has an entire freezer full of butter? That's like me. Except the freezer is my body and the butter is TEN HOURS OF SLEEP. I don't really need that much but you just. never. know. <br />
<br />
In other parenting news, I was riding home on the Metro last week. Same as usual, except this time I'd forgotten both my book and my headphones so I had neither literature nor music to get in the way of some serious eavesdropping. At some point a couple get on, about my age but much hipper. In fact, the guy was entirely too hip for his own good, with a douchey little hat, expensive glasses and skinny jeans that did his PBR-induced (I assume) beer belly no favors. Their exchange went something like this:<br />
<br />
Jerkhat: But you really have to read this article. There are a million reasons why you NEVER introduce television before the age of two. [Goes on to list multiple things about retarding social development and whatnot on his fingers]<br />
<br />
Hip but Sensible Girl: What do you mean never? What if I have a bad day and I'm tired and I just need to keep him occupied for a few minutes? Sesame Street won't hurt. <br />
<br />
Jerkhat: Sesame Street is the WORST. This study showed it. You gotta read the article. You just can't let him watch tv. <br />
<br />
Girl: Well, then you'll never be able to leave me alone with him. Ever. Because at some point I'm going to turn the tv on. <br />
<br />
After a bit more of this exchange, I figured out that the girl was newly pregnant with Jerkhat's offspring and I felt really badly for her. Not only because her Baby's Daddy wore skinny jeans in public but because his sanctimonious attitude made me, a mild-mannered stranger, want to punch him in his Elmo-hating face. And I didn't even know him. And I don't even like Elmo all that much. The Peanut doesn't watch a ton of tv and often chooses a PBS cooking or home improvement show over Curious George (we've moved from <a href="http://marthaenvy.blogspot.com/2011/07/our-new-french-nanny.html">Jacques Pepin</a> to This Old House). Everything in moderation, dude. Including that PBR.eclemrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03385000194905725732noreply@blogger.com3