Martha Envy

P52: Macro

2012-02-08T19:52:00.001-05:00

Well, kind of. Sort of. Not really, actually. I don't have a true macro lens (yet . . .), 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.

Meh. This was actually my favorite shot from outside, not macro by any means, but much cuter.

White Bean and Artichoke Dip

2012-02-07T20:45:00.001-05:00

Yeah, 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.

White Bean and Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

1 can white beans, like canelini
1 cup marinated (not frozen) artichoke hearts, drained but reserving 1 tbs of liquid
salt and pepper to tast

Directions:

Whip it all up in a food processor. Presto, you're done.

Friday bliss: perfect grilled pizza

2012-02-03T19:53:00.001-05:00

And the 50 degree February day that made it possible.

P52: Lust

2012-02-02T19:08:00.001-05:00

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.

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 frosting 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 30 Day Shred episode. We'll see. Feel free to post WW sucess stories or tell me I'm not a foodie sell-out.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Family Gluttony Edition

2012-01-30T19:54:00.000-05:00

Because the family that drinks wine and eats oysters together stays together. Or something like that.

We started the weekend with Chris's parents, taking them to the Comus Inn and Sugarloaf Mountain Winery. 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.

The Peanut isn't so much interested in Butternut Squash and Ginger soup or Cabernet Franc as he is quality time with doting grandparents:

And orange lollipops:

But we enjoyed the scenery:

On Sunday we enjoyed a mountain of a very different kind. A mountain of food.

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 -- Orange Crush:

No lollipops here. Just oysters.

Including the Peanut's very first raw oyster. Promptly followed by his second and third. I kid you not.

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.

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!

Friday bliss: Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese

2012-01-20T19:18:00.000-05:00

The perfect lunch on a gloomy day. Just Trader Joe's Creamy Tomato Soup doctored up with herbes de provence and chevre. So rich I almost didn't miss the grilled cheese. Almost.

P52: Stranded

2012-01-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

Not 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.

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.

Project 52: Language

2012-01-11T20:31:00.002-05:00

I'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 - Paint the Moon has one, My 3 Boybarians 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!

This week's theme was language. 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.

Friday bliss: Awesome weather

2012-01-06T21:40:00.001-05:00

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.

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.

Barbecue and Bacon Meatloaf

2012-01-05T21:12:00.000-05:00

This 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.

Barbecue and Bacon Meatloaf

Adapted from "Not-So-Basic Meatloaf", 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.

Ingredients:

5 strips of bacon, diced
1/2 of a medium onion, finely diced
1 carrot, grated
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 cups dry white bread (I used a baquette), diced
1 cup milk
1 pound ground turkey (I used dark meat - it's just what they had at MOM's)
1 pound lean beef
1/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus 1 tbsp for the top
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup parsley, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook bacon until just crisp in frying pan. Remove to paper towel-lined plate.
Pour out almost all bacon grease and saute onion, carrot and garlic until onions are translucent and carrots are soft. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, put bread in large bowl and cover with milk. Squish together to break up bread and get the milk mostly absorbed.
Add vegetables, bacon and the rest of the ingredients (except the extra tablespoon of barbecue sauce). Mix together.
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.

Picture it: 2011

2011-12-31T12:48:00.001-05:00

Pardon 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.

January:

February:

March:

April:

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:

May:

June:

July:

I didn't take this, but I still love it.

August:

Racing pigs!

September:

(Eek - slim pickin's in September!)

October:

November:

The pic that made me an Instagram addict (I'm eclemrush there, btw):

December:

Our holiday card photo:

Anyone remember this list of 2011 cooking goals? 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.

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?

Not with a bang, but with a whimper

2011-12-31T11:29:00.000-05:00

Seems 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.

Regardless, let's look on the bright side.

My aunt was not only a lovely senior citizen, but holy cow would you look at this toddler portrait? The cuteness. It is staggering.

The Peanut adores his "big gift" - a tool bench.

Even nights spent sick on the couch can be cozy with a terrier-shaped lap warmer and twinkling Christmas lights.

We are now almost, very nearly, better. So we can hopefully look forward to starting the new year with a bright new outlook.

Happy 2012!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

And 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, not that you would because that's illegal, 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.).

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.

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.

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.

Also, in case you're wondering - my mounted police obsession continues, unabated.

Wait. That's not festive enough. How bout now?

Muuuuch better. Hope your days are merry and bright!

(But screw Christmases being white. I have no use for snow.)

Roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes with bacon

2011-12-06T21:24:00.001-05:00

I 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.

Roasted Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
Adapted from Everyday Food, October 2011.

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon, chopped
2 good size potatoes (yukon or red), scrubbed and cut in to 1"ish cubes
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut in to 1"ish cubes.
handful of fresh thyme
salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss everything together on a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast for about 30 minutes, toss around half way through.

Dear Diary

2011-11-29T21:47:00.000-05:00

Oh, internet. I have so much to tell you!

Thing 1:

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 new book. 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.

(Thanks to Suzanne for the photo!)

Thing 2:

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.

Look at my cute little baby Rebel on the right! It's like his cooler, cuter older brother is home from college.

Thing 3:

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.

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.

Kiss ass

2011-11-22T20:38:00.001-05:00

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.

Picture it: we're merrily playing in the living room when he backs his tiny tush in to the coffee table.

Peanut: Owww! Mama, kiss it!

Me: I'm sorry, what?

Peanut, looking all sad and pointing at his traumatized heiny: My butt, Mama! Kiss MY BUTT!!

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.

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.

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.

Instagramatic Sunday

2011-11-15T21:42:00.001-05:00

Dogs and sticks and woods and creeks and Gangy.

Poetic license and lasagna

2011-11-13T19:18:00.002-05:00

I 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 invented that. And then I put it in chocolate. And added booze.")(Or maybe that imaginary person would only be cool to me.).

I give you, "Lasagna"*

Unbridled pasta
Sausage, cheese, and love combined
Please me to no end

* 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.

Don't let my poor food styling deter you from making this awesome lasagna.

Smoked Mozzarella and Italian Sausage Lasagna
Adapted from epicurious

For Sauce

olive oil
1 pound Italian sweet sausages, casings removed
2 ounces sliced prosciutto, chopped

2 cups chopped onions
1 celery stalk, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine
28-ounces of canned tomatoes ( I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes and the sauce was nice and chunky)

For Lasagna

About 12 no-bake lasagna noodles
1 15-ounce container of whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 cups (packed) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated asiago

Directions:

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.
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.
Combine ricotta and 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper.
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.

Friday bliss: Hill Country Barbecue

2011-11-11T19:51:00.001-05:00

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.

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.

Domo arigato

2011-11-02T19:39:00.000-04:00

Mr. Roboto.

My precious little marching robot minion.

With his sp/ray gun.

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.

(Wouldn't it be nice if they all had one of those switches, for real?)

Friday bliss: Pumpkin pie martini

2011-10-28T20:12:00.001-04:00

Because booze goes down better when it's disguised as dessert.

Stirring the pot

2011-10-23T21:36:00.001-04:00

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.

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.

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:

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]

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.

Jerkhat: Sesame Street is the WORST. This study showed it. You gotta read the article. You just can't let him watch tv.

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.

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 Jacques Pepin to This Old House). Everything in moderation, dude. Including that PBR.

Vroom vroom

2011-10-12T20:34:00.001-04:00

The Peanut's friend Grant has his own motorcycle. And all the boys love it.

ALL of them.

Spaghetti squash with garlic and goat cheese

2011-10-05T20:22:00.000-04:00

Pardon me if I just ease myself back in to this whole cooking business for fall.

Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Goat Cheese
Serves four as a side

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash
1 tbs. butter
2 cloves minced garlic
4 oz of goat cheese, plus a bit more for sprinkling
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Halve squash and place, cut side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake squash until soft, above 45 minutes. (My preferred method is to do this the night before while watching tv and painting my toenails.) Set aside until cool enough to handle.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
Scoop the flesh out of the squash with a spoon and mix in with garlic, kind of separating the strands a bit as you go. Crumble goat cheese and toss with squash until coated. Season with salt and pepper and add a bit more crumbled cheese before serving.

They say it's my birthday

2011-09-28T20:23:00.001-04:00

It is not your birthday, too. Well, probably not.

Chris and I celebrated last week with a spectacular dinner at Cityzen (no photos - I was preoccupied with an amazing Pinot noir and trying to figure out what a "sugartoad" is)(A fish. Don't worry. It's a fish.) And tonight I received a classic Chris card, of construction paper quality.

I like the bottom line most. A little clarification, in case I was holding out hope for Hallmark. Awesomeness.

Pardon me

2011-09-27T18:22:00.000-04:00

I seem to be going through some sort of animated gif phase.

Free gif maker

The most sun we saw all weekend

2011-09-25T20:40:00.001-04:00

Sunday sunset after a rainy few days at Bethany Beach. Nature is such a bitch sometimes.

Grilled chicken salad with raspberries and goat cheese

2011-09-18T20:10:00.000-04:00

We have a problem with raspberries in our house.

The problem being that when we buy them, the Peanut gobbles up the whole lot of them in one sitting. They are just too delicious and too fun. And too perfectly shaped for little fingers.

However, Mama would argue that they are also too expensive for a mere toddler snack. So, in order to get our fair share, I thought I'd throw them in a salad.

Super easy and I'm sad that I just now discovered it with summer over. Basic grilled chicken, simple balsamic vinaigrette (like the one used here), fancy lettuce, fresh raspberries, pecans and crumbled goat cheese.

I asked Peanut what he wanted for breakfast this morning. His response? "Salad."

Smile. It's Friday.

2011-09-16T19:51:00.000-04:00

How do you make gifs

Friday ~~bliss~~ Chris.

The difference a year makes

2011-09-07T20:35:00.000-04:00

Don't worry, this isn't some sappy post about how awesome my kid has become over the past year (that would be waaaay awesome, duh). Instead, it's a braggy post about how I've almost learned how to use my camera. Friday will mark my one year manualiversary, one year since I started shooting in manual mode.

I remember the first outing in "m" well - the Peanut and I joined my friend Alison and her daughter to explore the butterfly house at Brookside Gardens. And guess where we spent the morning before Hurricane Irene? Brookside! So, I actually have some pretty good examples of before and after. Let's marvel in my own photographic metamorphosis, shall we?

2010

Blandest. Butterfly. Ever.

Except this one.

Whoa there, little buddy. I was actually *thrilled* with this shot at the time. I had never gotten such clear, noticeable catchlights.

Baby in a log! Blown shirt is overpowered by extreme cuteness! This is still one of my favorite Peanut photos.

2011

Oh hey, focus. That's a neat trick.

Bonus flower shot. My gift to you.

Undecided on the vintage edit. Completely decided on keeping the kid.

And I still struggle to get catchlights, but at least I've learned a thing or two about composition.

Friday bliss: first pumpkin ale of the season!

2011-09-02T20:11:00.001-04:00

Bring it, Fall. Let's do this.

I know what we ate last summer

2011-08-31T18:57:00.000-04:00

I sure hope no one out there mistakes this for a food blog anymore. I have been completely slack in the cooking and recipe-noting department this summer. So, here is another round of What We've Been Eating:

Roasted Okra with Parmesan. Make your Eww Faces all you want, I love okra:

Chris's birthday eggs benedict (with tomato). Key West left me with an unshakeable "bennie" addiction:

Grilled eggplant and mozzarella stacks with a quick tomato, parmesan and basil sauce:

Grilled buffalo chicken with blue cheese potato salad:

And this? Just the scary charred remnants of our first attempt at cedar plank salmon on the grill. The fish itself was delicious (and will be revisited, hopefully blogged about in more depth), but the board did not make out as well:

What have you been eating this summer? Any good ideas for what to make this fall? As a much as I hate to see summer fade, I am looking forward to a kitchen that doesn't turn in to a fiery inferno when I innocently try to saute onions.

The sixth anniversary is sugar not torrential rain, you guys.

2011-08-27T12:28:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned, the Peanut's 2nd birthday was Tuesday. But what I didn't mention, because the whole wide world and all of its related media did, was that the DC area was rocked by a 5.9 earthquake that very day. I won't bore you with my earthquake survival story (it ended with a happy hour and a commute home that was only slightly inconvenient) but I do want to point out that our sixth wedding anniversary also occurs this week, today in fact, cleverly corresponding with the track of Hurricane Irene.

I don't know what we've done to encourage the wrath of a Greater Power, but evidently s/he enjoys smiting us with natural disaster on or around major dates of celebration. Hurricane Katrina struck within 12 hours of our wedding day. My mom's chihuahua lost an eye to a well-aimed mule kick (that sounds like a euphemism, but I assure you it's not) the day after Colin was born. Maybe it's just the month of August, which bears so many of our celebrations, that is cursed. Maybe it's us. Do I owe everyone on the East Coast an apology?

May you be safe and avoid aggressive mules, or at least their hind ends, today and through the month of August.

And P.S.: the photo on the wall is thisaone, taken six years ago today.

Happy anniversary, honey. And since you're out of town at a bachelor party - you may have champagne to celebrate but you may not have the Champagne Room. Also, as soon as you left, our ice machine broke. So did the machine that takes out all the trash on trash day.

Two much fun

2011-08-23T20:23:00.000-04:00

One day:

One year:

(Photos by Stacey at Labor of Love Photography)

TWO years!

A very Happy Birthday to the sweetest, cuddliest, goofiest, cutest Peanut I have ever, ever met. You're my favorite and I love you so.

Love,

Mama

Friday bliss: Fried chicken at Central

2011-08-19T19:34:00.001-04:00

Move over, Granny Annie. I've found a new favorite.

Just beachy

2011-08-17T18:50:00.000-04:00

What was that? I'm sorry? Oh, it's been how long since I posted a photo of my adorable child in his ridiculously cute hat on the beach? My apologies.

Whoo! I feel so much better now! In case you hadn't guessed, we spent another weekend soaking up sun and getting sand in strange places on the shore. It was a pretty low key weekend, we ate in a lot and dodged many thunder showers.

And when it rained, we practiced walking the dog, undeterred by obstacles like chairs or kibble.

(And WOW, what a difference a few feet in ceiling height can make when you're bouncing a flash!)

When it wasn't raining, the beach was absolutely perfect. We have a secret little spot (no, I'm not going to tell you) that is rather unpopulated anyway, but the tricky weather scared away more folks than usual. The sun skipped in and out of clouds, a nice breeze was blowing, and the Peanut splashed and splashed and splashed.

(This could explain the filthy state of my lens for the rest of the trip).

We are doing our best to embrace what little of summer remains.

Also, cupcakes. We are also embracing cupcakes. But that's more of a general philosophy and not season specific.

No, YOU'RE obsessed.

2011-08-11T21:42:00.000-04:00

Lovely afternoon walk with view of Washington Monument:

Could only be improved by one thing:

A perfect little clump of police ponies. They are tiny, but I promise they're there in all their uniformed glory.

In all Fairness

2011-08-09T20:01:00.002-04:00

Every year we hit the fair for some good old fashioned family fun, or a "super happy fun family adventure" as Chris prefers to call it. And it was his birthday afterall, so despite the 90 someGodawful degrees and scattered showers, we headed out for some sweaty farm animal fun. Chris got to watch pig races and I enjoyed my annual corn dog and cherry-dipped soft serve cone (Separately, of course. I'm not really in to mutant fried abominations. I'm a fair food purist).

The Peanut had a grand old time, of course. He had fun last year taking in the sights, but this year was even better, thanks in part to his unique vantage point:

Also, he is really in to tractors right now. So, all those lame displays of expensive yard equipment? SUPER FUN.

For the big kids too, I guess:

In addition to the food, I go for the goats. I love goats. There is not a single thing in this world cuter than a baby Pygmy goat. Please don't send me your baby pictures. I will just break your heart right now and tell you that your kid is not as cute as these kids (particularly the one on the right):

Plus, with a little slight of hand, you can make them talk to passers by:

We happened to visit on some sort of driving/draft horse day. I could have watched these big lovable lumps jingle around the ring for hours.

But there was still more to do! Like cheer for the Ravens marching band:

And then, there's this. I have no idea what this is. Both awesome and inappropriate at the same time. And supposedly edible.

We even managed to pause long enough for a sweaty family photo (though not long enough to stop cramming Cheerios into our mouth):

Brave the heat and visit your county fair! And bring me back a corndog while you're at it.

Friday bliss: Nutella chocolate chip cookies

2011-08-05T20:51:00.000-04:00

Need I say more?

I'm just going to point you over to Culinary Concoctions by Peabody for the original recipe. I doubled it and used regular chocolate chips instead of mini. Mine spread like crazy on the pan, so I'd caution you to space them well. Delicious all the same.

Living beyond our means

2011-08-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

Well, not really. Just hob-nobbing with folks above our tax bracket. Once or twice each summer, we like to take advantage of Twilight Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. It's a great opportunity to get the polo experience. Especially because it's arena polo, which means the matches are shorter and in a smaller, closer space than regular field polo (you know, from Pretty Woman). Plus, there's tailgating. And really, all we need is the tailgating part. The general rules of polo are fairly simple, but the fouls are mind-boggling, so wine is helpful.

We skipped last summer, probably something to do with raising an infant blah blah blah, so the last time we were at Great Meadow was literally the day before the Peanut was born. Lucky for me, he waited a good 24 hours and let Mommy have one more day to waddle the streets of nearby Middleburg, eat at The Red Fox and at the end of the day enjoy a fancy fizzy soda on the arena sidelines.

Getting ready to hog all Mommy's duck breast at Forlano's Market

Needless to say, toddler Peanut had a blast. I figured as much. I mean, there's fast horses and whacking mallets and balls and cute little blonde girls in Lily Pulitzer dresses. Plus, all the crackers your grandmother can feed you (although his favorite picnic basket treat was one only my mom would bring - sardines with dijon mustard. And my kid had four.)

The excitement of the match was almost too much to handle.

Proudly representing the MD in VA.

He was not thrilled that posing for this picture interrupted his pony watching.

Mel the Fox hitched along for the piggy back rides.

Actiony!

Ringside seat.

(Photo credit to Chris for at least half these. But I would get them in the divorce, so let's just call them mine.)

Friday bliss: Sauvignon blanc and prosciutto-wrapped melon

2011-07-29T20:34:00.001-04:00

Though Chris prefers to call wine "parenting juice".

Cheers.

Quick and dirty: Curried chicken salad

2011-07-28T19:58:00.000-04:00

You could, of course, make your own chicken (or use leftovers), but I went the easy route and used rotisserie. A chicken that someone else has cooked for hours and the preparation of which doesn't negate my air conditioning. I threw this together based on a few recipes on the web, adapting for what I had on hand. Yes, that's kind of a habit. It didn't quite have as much zing as I'd hoped. Maybe lack of yogurt? Did the lame-o chick peas cancel out the flavor? If you have suggestions, hit up the comments.

Curried chicken salad
Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped or shredded
1 c. canned chick peas, drained
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1/8 c. finely diced vidalia onion
1 rib celery, diced
1/8 c. raisins
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 tsp. curry powder
Juice from half a lime

Directions:

Combine chicken, beans, vegetables and raisins.
Mix together mayonnaise, curry and lime until smooth. Add to chicken mixture and toss well.
Serve with warm naan and shredded romaine.

Our new French nanny

2011-07-26T20:09:00.000-04:00

We've found someone to mind the Peanut in the evenings. Just for a few minutes -- long enough to let us clear the table and load the dishwasher. The Peanut adores him, asks for him by name even. Only one person could elicit this range of emotion in a toddler in one five minute time span:

And that person is Jacques Pepin. Or, in our house, "Jock Pa".

I don't know what it is about this lispy old Frenchman, but he captivates my child. Maybe it's the flashy knives or the constant use of Cuisinart brand appliances. Or maybe it's all the butter. Either way, it's fine by me. I finally have someone to pass on my copy of The Apprentice to. Parenting win.

Stick a fork in me

2011-07-25T20:20:00.000-04:00

I'm done. With this Monday, anyway.

When the entire silverware caddy, fresh from the dishwasher, clattered to the floor, all I could could think to do was take a photo.

Keys, please

2011-07-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

We just got back from a little jaunt in Key West, celebrating the 30th birthdays of our friends Brooke and Ross. I very nearly didn't bring my camera. For one, I was actually really happy with the shots I got in January and didn't feel like repeating them. And for two, I had every intention of putting the lax in relax and wasn't interested in schlepping (or protecting) my camera.

I totally lived up to number two and had a fabulous time hanging by the pool, meandering up and down Duval Street and stuffing my face with lobster eggs benedict from Blue Heaven (truly heavenly!) and my pictures and sunburnt skin reflect that. I look like Magda from There's Something About Mary and Chris claims I shaved ten years off my life.

Chris insists that that key lime martini will be a our new "signature drink":

I was content with my share of margaritas:

I did NOT take this awesome sunset picture (thanks, Ryan!):

Because I was busy doing things like this:

Anyway, I think we had the perfect amount of time down there, especially considering that I've experienced just about all of the cultural, artsy stuff. We did manage to catch a round of the Hemingway look alike contest though, and that made for some fun spectating:

And! Continuing my series of Mounted Police in Random Places:

Of course I can't end without a picture of food, because we did eat rather well. The best risotto I've ever eaten (carbonara!) from the Rooftop Cafe:

It was underneath a couple of shrimp that looked an awful lot like that scene from Beetlejuice, but it was completely sublime. And we only danced to Harry Bellafonte when we wanted to.

Friday bliss: breezy cocktails

2011-07-22T17:13:00.001-04:00

Big baby

2011-07-19T19:44:00.001-04:00

This is how a certain rotten little terrier rode in the car today. Maybe he was attracted by the Cheerio crumbs or perhaps he liked the different perspective. I tend to think that he considered all possible car-riding options and choose the one with the darkest upholstery on which to shed. Jerk.

P.S. I promise I don't make it a habit of snapping pics while driving. This was a looong light made even longer by construction. Buckle up, kids! Don't text and drive! Practice defensive parallel parking in case of a zombie apocalypse, etc. etc.

Hey, good lookin'

2011-07-17T20:25:00.000-04:00

Watcha got cookin'?

(Mashed potatoes, for the record.)

Friday bliss: goat cheese-stuffed squash blossoms

2011-07-15T19:38:00.001-04:00

At Victoria Gastropub

Bonus shot of Chris waiting for his duck fat fries:

(he was clapping, understandably so)

What we've been eating

2011-07-13T20:14:00.000-04:00

I haven't blogged much about food lately, mostly because we've been eating a lot of your basic summer fare - salads of whatever looks ripe, steaks on the grill, various sandwiches and a lot of homemade pizza. But here are a few relatively interesting things I've experimented with in the past week (pardon the schizophrenic lighting):

Steak sandwiches. Thinly sliced rib eye, caramelized onions and a blue cheese butter on Italian bread:

Seared tofu "steaks" with cold peanut butter noodles:

Localvore grilled cheese. Firefly Farms Mountain Top Blue with local tomatoes and farmer's market herb bread. Oh, and prosciutto. Okay, that wasn't local, but what sandwich isn't enhanced by a little imported pork?

What do you folks have going on in the kitchen or out on the grill?

2011-07-12T20:01:00.000-04:00

Chris: I've named the Peanut's stuffed panda Paddy. I decided that's he's Irish.
Me: Irish? Why is the panda Irish?
Chris: Well what did you think he was? Chinese? Don't stereotype.
Me: So what nationality is his stuffed fox?
Chris: Austrian.
Me: But you already named him Mel. Wouldn't Australian be more appropriate?
Chris: No. I will not have a racist fox living under my roof.

I'm not avoiding you

2011-07-10T21:26:00.001-04:00

Lately I find myself stepping away from the computer (and even my camera. Gasp!) more and more and just trying to savor summer a bit. Including yesterday, when the Peanut and I visited a local airport and aviation museum. He is currently OBSESSED with "airpanes", so it seemed like good timing.

Behold the cuteness found in the kids dress up bin (and I'm assuming that these things are sanitized and steam cleaned after each use, right? Riiiight. Pink eye party town!):

The Peanut truly enjoyed himself, although I later learned that I can avoid museum admission and just park near the tarmac to keep the kid entertained.

Would have been nice to capture some of these moments with my big boy camera, but there really is something to be said for traveling light.

4th, follow up

2011-07-07T18:31:00.000-04:00

Because I've been lax about uploading photos. Nothing fancy here like long exposure shots of awesome fireworks displays, just good old fashioned grilling and hanging out with the folks.

Oh, and the BEST. APRON. EVER. You're welcome, Internet.

And perhaps the best ribeyes ever (more on that tomorrow).

And some of the best grandparents ever.

(Whisks are the most patriotic of kitchen utensils, don't you know).

My Grandma and Dad

Rockabye toddler

Goofs

Happy belated birthday, America!

Sandcastles in the sand

2011-07-05T19:55:00.000-04:00

(In case you aren't familiar with the work of Robin Sparkles, click here)

This past weekend featured a different cast of characters - Pop Pop and my cousin Kelly and her family. Chris finally got to live his year-long dream of playing the slots at Ocean Downs. No pictures of that unfortunately, but I can tell you that we were the youngest people, aside from those wearing camouflage.

Sand crab.

She is a pistol.

And sometimes a good sport.

The Peanut pointing out a plane to Laney and a helpful iced coffee banner for Mommy.

The newest member of the mamarazzi!

Have a fantastic 4th

2011-07-04T20:41:00.000-04:00

We did! In fact we had a pretty fantastic weekend, so much so that I'm absolutely exhausted.

Sunsets and strangers

2011-06-30T20:36:00.001-04:00

Not a bad beginning to a glorious four day weekend.

Earlier in the day, the Peanut kicked off his mini-vacay by playing a rousing game of peekaboo with the dump truck driver sitting next to us at a stop light. He whined "dum truuuuuuck" when his playmate had to pull away and spent the rest of the car ride waving and trying to catch the eye of other drivers. Thank God he doesn't know about candy yet. But if someone with a van down by the river offers him green beans and graham crackers we're screwed.

Weeknight stroll

2011-06-29T21:31:00.000-04:00

Pretty as a peacock

2011-06-28T19:59:00.000-04:00

I bought the most amazing stationary while in New Mexico. You will know I really like you if you receive correspondence on it. That correspondence will probably be asking for money to support my new fancy paper habit.

Something that pretty don't come cheap.

Herbed potato and pea salad

2011-06-27T19:41:00.000-04:00

Why didn't anyone ever tell me how tedious it is to shell fresh peas? The food world "oohs" and "ahhhs" over these tiny green pearls but no one mentions how annoying it is to spend 20 minutes shelling a handful of peas. I'll probably lose my foodie cred (if I ever had any), but I'll admit it - next time I'm using frozen. Fresh peas are tasty but too much work. And you're looking at someone who actually enjoys picking crabs. Regardless, this is another great summer side. Just a tiny bit of mayo, which you could probably skip if you are anti-mayo. I actually used vegan mayonnaise (the Peanut has an egg allergy). All the glory is in the fresh herbs anyway, in my opinion.

Herbed potato and pea salad
Inspired by White on Rice Couple & Melissa Clark
Serves 4-6 as a side

Ingredients:

6 medium yukon gold potatoes
3/4 fresh (or frozen! Try frozen!) peas, shelled
2 tbs of a light vinegar (I used rice wine)
2 tbs finely minced vidalia onion
3 tbs whole grain mustard
2 tbs mayonnaise
2 tbs chopped fresh chives
2 tbs fresh thyme leaves
2 tbs chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper

Directions:

Bring the potatoes to a boil in salted water. When the potatoes are nearly cooked through (10ish minutes), throw in the peas. Cook for a just a minute or two more, drain and rinse with cold water.
Douse the potatoes (the potatoes end up mostly on top when you drain) with the vinegar. Transfer to a bowl and mix in onion. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Mix mayo and mustard in small bowl then combine with vegetables. Add fresh herbs, mix and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Olé!

2011-06-26T19:47:00.000-04:00

I give you a one-eyed chihuahua wearing a tiny sombrero.

Why? Because it's Sunday. And because without accessories, a one-eyed chihuahua is just sad.

Friday bliss: Sweet Maryland wine

2011-06-24T20:19:00.001-04:00

Tonight it's Joe's Cool Red from Layton's Chance Winery on the Eastern Shore. Probably entirely too saccharine for a more serious wine drinker, but after so many dreary winter months of dry reds, this cold sweet liquid is like a summer elixir.

Animals in inappropriate places

2011-06-23T21:55:00.000-04:00

Meet Walter. He is the neighborhood rabbit and he likes to chill on our curb while our dogs bark vehemently behind the picture window. I want to love him and pet him and make him mine. Except that he belongs to the folks two doors down and they seem to think the free range lifestyle is appropriate for domesticated rabbits. Me and the loose cats on the street disagree. Poor Walter (I named him that, btw. His real owners probably don't expect him to last long enough to need a name).

Speaking of random animals in urban/suburban settings, look what I saw on the street today!

Okay, I don't really think horses in downtown crosswalks are inappropriate. In fact I wish I saw them everyday. But you know what I do think is inappropriate for downtown crosswalks?

Six inch heels! Six motherfather inch heels, y'all. DUDE. Although, I must admit she was indeed working it, so good on her really.

Grilled zucchini

2011-06-22T20:05:00.001-04:00

Grilled veggies are a summer staple in our house. I don't think I could survive the season without our much-used grill basket. This is a typical side, often switched up with yellow squash, eggplant or whatever is on hand.

Just zucchini, onions, red pepper and artichoke hearts tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper, dried Italian herbs and fresh basil. Put the grill basket on a piping hot grill and stir frequently, until the veggies are cooked through and soft with some nicely blackened edges. Top with parmesan cheese, if you like.

(Jeez, as soon as it gets warmer everything gets a little more casual -- including my recipe posting style. Lazy days of summer indeed.)

I Heart Faces: Let's hear it for the boys

2011-06-21T17:26:00.001-04:00

So, this is my first time entering a photo blog challenge. I saw the theme at I Heart Faces this week was "Let's hear it for the boys" and immediately thought of this photo:

Lather, rinse, repeat

2011-06-20T20:32:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned how much I love summer?

Little goofball loves his sunglasses.

(I named that one on the right Mellow. Mellow Yellow, get it? I am SO good at this!)

Le sigh.

Daddy dearest

2011-06-19T21:42:00.001-04:00

Surprise, surprise. We spent most of Father's Day weekend at the beach.

Got to play in the waves with Grandpa Bob.

And then we topped it off with a visit to a winery on the way home. We are predictable folk.

And since I didn't snap a pic with Grandpa Don today, here is the Peanut (when he really was a little peanut) with Daddy and Pop Pop last year:

Happy Father's Day! Especially to these big three in our lives.

More beach pics to come, including PONIES! I didn't get to name any of them though. Hurumph.

Motivation, milestones and other junk

2011-06-16T17:53:00.000-04:00

You guys! As of May 23rd, Martha Envy 2.0 has been more successful than my first attempt at blogging back in 2007! Hooray! I was really excited to hit that milestone (six whole months!). That's a lot of cheese and a lot of photos of my kid. Thanks for putting up with both for this long : )

And yet, for reasons that I can not explain, this random steak post continues to be the most frequently hit according to Blogger's statistics. It's not much of a recipe (and even less of a photo), but I'm not the judge of you, Internet -- so thanks for clicking people!

As for motivation, well for those of you interested (and I don't presume many are) my Shredification is going . . . okay.

Week 1 : I met my goal.
Week 2: I half met my goal and blamed it on travel.
Week 3: I'm still on track but have a weekend of debauchery right around the corner that could derail me.

I feel a lot less lazy in general and that was the main goal so I'm calling it a win thus far. Plus, I can now hold a killer plank without thinking I'm going to die. See? Winning!

In praise of caprese

2011-06-15T20:08:00.000-04:00

Summer means salads and the one that I am currently obsessed with is caprese. That perfect combination of fresh tomatoes, spunky basil and mellow mozzarella. One of the best meals I had in Albuquerque was actually a vegan caprese salad at the Mint Tulip. Kind of a weird choice in a city known for it's amazing Mexican food, but it was a refreshing break from chile rellenos. And the "mozzarella" was a revelation in fake cheese. I'm told it's called "Teese".

So, last night I tried to recreate this tasty salad, but with, you know, the addition of tasty, artery-clogging animal products. Grilled steak and buffalo mozzarella, to be exact. Just a bed of spinach, diced tomatoes and cheese, a sprinkling of chopped basil and a few slices of rare rib eye all drizzled with the simplest balsamic vinaigrette. I can not wait to try again in a few weeks with actual home grown tomatoes (Uh, Dad? Hi! Tomatoes, please!). Summer on a plate.

A Bawlmer tradition

2011-06-14T20:18:00.000-04:00

Honfest in Hampden, y'all! A fantastic celebration of the grand tackiness found in and around Baltimore. Also, a great excuse to eat street food and wander around with open containers and wear spandex.

Why do I always take pictures of port-o-potties?

What the hell kind of bird was that and how big was the cat?

Did you see how big her hair was?? Wait, was that a dude?

Our favorite hon.

Stroller tray = trough.

Enjoying a "velvet Elvis" concoction.

The crab cone from Gypsy Queen Cafe.
Up yours, Coldstone. (I don't really mean that.)

Bienvenido de vuelta

2011-06-13T20:25:00.000-04:00

The haze here is not editing - it's smoke from Arizona.

Boy genius

2011-06-10T21:31:00.001-04:00

Chris sent me this while I was away. Soon he'll be able to do our taxes!

Checking in

2011-06-07T14:18:00.000-04:00

Hello from sunny and sometimes smokey Albuquerque. So far I have discovered two awesome things about the southwest:

1. Chihuahua-sized sombreros. I want to bring a crate of these home:

2. My hair is amazing. It is digging the low humidity:

And for your viewing pleasure, the two combined:

I've taken some real photos too but they are stuck on my camera since genius me started shooting in raw and the laptop I have with me doesn't have a program to open the files. Whoopsie. Yesterday was a loooong day of travel followed by an underwhelming look at Old Town. The most remarkable (and probably carcinogenic) thing was the amount of smoke blowing in from the Arizona wildfires. It was unbelievable. I think we're a few hundred miles from the fire and yet smoke and ash filled the sky last night. Crazy.

My training/conference starts today and I'm really looking forward to it. So far the organization of the event and the accommodations have pretty much sucked, but the topics and speakers should make up for it, I hope.

Hiatus

2011-06-05T20:08:00.000-04:00

Don't mind me - my blogging app ate my Friday bliss post (no big loss, it wasn't all that interesting), yesterday I was too busy chasing the Peanut at a party full of POOLS! MOON BOUNCES! And BLENDERS! I know that last one may not sound worthy of all caps and exclamation points but the toy kitchen with working toy blender blew the Peanut's mind. To be honest, I didn't really have to chase him that much because he spent most of the party blending me some imaginary margaritas. Which I actually prefer on the rocks, but whatever.

Anyway, I'm off tomorrow for exotic Albuquerque and will check in periodically but just wanted to explain my half-assed posting schedule for the next week. Anyone care to to explain the difference between red and green chiles to me?

Key Lime Pie

2011-06-02T21:53:00.001-04:00

I know this is a funny post to follow one about rededicating myself to working out, but what can I say? I'm a funny gal.

And I am so glad I now have this recipe in my summer entertaining repertoire - simple, tangy and sweet, it hits all the high notes. The use of regular old limes may seem like sacrilege, but seriously? Have you ever juiced a teeny tiny key lime? Those things can give you carpal tunnel. It's a welcome (and totally indistinguishable, taste-wise) substitution, in my opinion. Plus, you're already using vanilla pudding mix, so cut yourself some slack. Don't worry though - it's honestly as good, if not better, than recipes that take twice as long.

Key Lime Pie
From Cook's Country

Ingredients:

For crust:

8 graham crackers, broken in to large chunks
2 tbs sugar
5 tbs melted butter

For filling:

1/4 c. sugar
1 tbs grated lime zest
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c. instant vanilla pudding mix (don't ask me what to do with the remaining powder. Making pudding will now involve math.)
1 1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin
1 c. fresh lime juice (from 6-8 limes)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line a springform pan with a circle of parchment. Pulse crackers and sugar in food processor until fine. Process while adding butter in stream through tube of processor. Carefully press crumb mixture evenly into bottom of pan. Bake for 12 minutes, until brown at edges. Cool completely.
For the filling, process zest and sugar until fine and bright green. Add cream cheese and process until smooth. Add condensed milk and pudding. In a small bowl, combine gelatin with about 2 tbs of lime juice. Stir until dissolved and then add that to the processor and blend. Continue blending while pouring juice and vanilla through tube. Scrape down sides once or twice along the way.
Spray inner sides of springform with non-stick spray. Pour filling in and refrigerate for at least three hours. Remove from pan and serve.

Re-Shredification

2011-06-01T20:25:00.000-04:00

And unfortunately, this time I'm not talking about delicious roasted pork. I'm talking about the 30 Day Shred workout from Biggest Loser guru Jillian Michaels. My friend Kim and I have challenged ourselves to get back in shape over the next month or so. I'm not a thin person (if you couldn't tell by the fat content of my recipes) and I've come to terms with that, but I do like staying relatively fit. In the past few months I've grown increasingly slack and lazy. I still take weekly yoga and pilates classes that I love, but it's just not enough to combat the amount of cheese I eat. So, back on the workout wagon I go.

My goal is five workouts a week. Kim and I have decided that either running or pilates (the class I take at Flow is pretty ass-kicking) can take the place of a 30DS workout. While I would love to lose weight , my main objective is to not feel so flabby and apathetic. Plus, I leave for another jaunt to Key West in seven weeks and it certainly wouldn't hurt to look a little more toned in my shorts and dresses.

Of course, I started this plan without consideration to the fact that I'll be gone most of next week at a conference/training. My schedule is tightly packed for five days - with seminars and discussions during the day and group dinners and receptions at night. I've identified two little pockets of time where I can probably fit in a run, so that is my plan. Plus, two 30DS workouts on the weekend when I get home.

I officially began on Monday, so I am three days in. And I can barely move. It hurts to lift my water bottle. But, I'm taking that as a good sign and am going to keep on trucking. Wish me luck!

Chipot-what? Never heard of it.

2011-05-31T21:15:00.000-04:00

But of course I have. And like millions of Americans, I love it deeply. This past weekend I tried my hand at some Mexican fare and ended up recreating most of what they heap in to my burrito bowl. The guacamole, black beans and rice and corn and tomato salad were tasty, I won't bother you with recipes (hint: take all of those nouns and add lime juice and cilantro), but the real stars were the carnitas and roasted tomato salsa. Both simple, make-ahead dishes perfect for a summer party.

Carnitas
Adapted from David Lebovitz and Chow
Serves 10ish

Ingredients:

7 lbs of pork shoulder, cut in to large chunks, about 5 inches long/wide, fat left on
Kosher salt
2 tbs vegetable oil
2 tsp chili powder
2 whole dried ancho chile peppers
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp oregano or marjoram
1/2 tsp ground cumin
4 cloves garlic
Water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Heat oil in large roasting pan over the stove. Salt pork and the brown on all sides, in batches so that you don't crowd the pan
When all the pork is browned, remove and deglaze pan with about a cup of water, scrapping up the browned bits. Stir in spices and garlic.
Add pork back to pan and pour over enough water to cover it about 2/3 of the way. Roast for 3 hours or so, until it shreds easily with a fork.
When done cooking, remove pork from pan and shred with two forks. Discard chile peppers and cinnamon. Carefully pour pan juices in to a fat separator and then add them back in to pan with the shredded pork. Serve with variety of taco accoutrements like guacamole, salsa (see recipe below), queso cotiija, rice, beans, etc

Roasted tomato salsa
Adapted from Everday Food, May 2011

Ingredients:

3-4 largish tomatoes
3 jalapenos, seeded or not depending on the level of spice you'd like and the potency of your peppers. (I seeded two of mine and it still had quite a kick.)
1 large white onion, halved
3 cloves garlic
juice from one lime
handful of cilantro leaves
salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat broiler. Place tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic on baking sheet and broil until the skins start to blacken.
Remove garlic skin and toss the roasted vegetables in to a food processor. Process until just smooth. Season with salt and pepper and add cilantro. Process for just a few seconds more to combine.

End of the weekend, Start of the season

2011-05-30T20:13:00.000-04:00

Crab season, that is. Photos courtesy of Chris, whose fingers were not encrusted with Old Bay. This was my first trip to Cantler's in Annapolis and it totally lived up to it's rep. All of the crabs were excellent but the last few they brought me were gorgeous (and huge).

A very special thank you to my friend Missy at Freezer Full, who chronicled her misadventures traveling to Cantler's today on Facebook and made me realize just how badly I needed crabs and what a perfect way it would be to waste away the evening. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Weekend. I'm so sorry you missed it!

And of course, thanks to my brother Bird and the men and women that serve with him. I very much enjoy that blanket of freedom I sleep under every night, in case you were wondering.

Wet and wild weekend

2011-05-28T21:02:00.000-04:00

Friday bliss: Lobstah rolls

2011-05-27T19:56:00.000-04:00

From day and a half old Luke's Lobster in Penn Quarter. (The shop is a day and a half old, not the lobster. I don't think.) Lots of lobster meat, a tasty bun and an excellent way to kick of summer.

Quick and Dirty: Antipasto Pasta Salad

2011-05-26T19:13:00.000-04:00

An oxymoronic entree. It's similar to pantry pasta, but cold and summery and with a few added elements (really, whatever else antipasto-like that was in my fridge). The real recipe here is for the balsamic vinaigrette. It is my go-to for any green salad and I love it with mixed greens, blue cheese and pear. But it works equally well with the classic Italian flavors of this pasta dish.

Antipasto Pasta Salad
Serves 4 as an entree
Adapted from Everyday Food, June 2011

Ingredients:

12 oz cooked pasta is some fun shape
1/4 c. pepperoncini, diced
1 c. artichoke hearts, diced
1/2 c. sundried tomatoes, thinly sliced
2-3 oz prosciutto, diced
4 oz fresh mozzarella, diced or crumbled
handful fresh basil, chiffonaded
For vinagrette:

2 tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs water
1 tsp fancy mustard
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried oregano

Directions:

Combine first seven ingredients in large bowl.
Either wisk together dressing ingredients or shake in a small jar (I like to use the empties from this stuff)
Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Serve at room temperature.

Habit-forming

2011-05-25T19:41:00.001-04:00

This was not going to be another pretty flower post. But then it was.

It was this or the cell phone pic of my kid covered in yogurt. This is way better, Internet. I promise.

Quick & Dirty: Five Spice Salmon and Roasted Cauliflower

2011-05-24T20:28:00.000-04:00

Some simple Asian flavors for a weeknight. The hot and spicy cauliflower is a nice balance to the rich salmon and they all roast up for a quick and easy meal. The cauliflower is based on this Chow recipe. And boy, do I love Chow. Have you visited yet? So much inspiration. I'm proud to say that I was probably one of their only print subscribers. For all two issues. Stupid dying media grumble grumble.

Five Spice Salmon and Roasted Cauliflower
Serves 3 (Odd portion, I know)

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower, trimmed and cut in to smallish florets
1/8 c. soy sauce
Splash of olive oil
One shake of crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp or more freshly cracked black pepper
3 salmon filets
Olive oil
1/8-1/4 Chinese Five Spice powder
Kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450. Combine first five ingredients in large bowl and toss. Toss every few minutes while you prepare the salmon.
Drizzle salmon with olive oil and rub with spice and add a good pinch of Kosher salt.
Spread cauliflower in an even layer on a baking sheet. Place salmon on separate sheet. Pop both in the oven for 20 minutes or so. Stir cauliflower occasionally. Fish will be done when the center is opaque and flakey, cauliflower is done when it’s tender.

Floral fanatic

2011-05-23T21:24:00.000-04:00

Well, not really. But I was so pleased with my peony photo that I thought I'd use some other blooms to play with textures and other editing tricks. These are from Chris' favorite - a crazy rose bush on the side of the house.

This experiment has not helped my 100 mm macro lens lust, though. Um, honey? Remember how you asked me what kind of jewelry I'd been eyeing lately? Scratch my answer about necklaces. I just remembered, I really want a a red ring.

Mark my words

2011-05-22T20:33:00.001-04:00

By the end of summer, you will have had it up to *here* with adorable pictures of my kid at the beach. I promise. Perhaps you'll get lucky and skyrocking gas prices will force us to cancel a few weekends. Oh wait, we have a hybrid. Bwahahahaha.

On a walk around Assateague Island, with crucial giant bottle of bug spray.

Did you ladies get your tickets? To the GUN SHOW??

I think I see ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. And maybe a pony.

Collecting shells with Gangy.

Friday bliss: Fresh Scallops

2011-05-20T19:37:00.001-04:00

As in, four hours off the boat. Mmmm hmmmm.

Magic beans

2011-05-19T20:10:00.000-04:00

I don't want to oversell it, but I may have discovered something that could potentially rock the world of parenting. A vegetable-based snack that my 20 month old actually asks for by name. And that name is:

Green Bean Chips. Or, in toddler - "Geen Beeeens!?"

They're just dehydrated green beans with a bit of oil and salt (though they still have less fat, calories and sodium than our favorite bitty baby bunny crackers). Despite containing no added sugar, they're incredibly sweet too. They are tasty little things.

And they fit handily in a snack trap cup.

In case you need evidence of their tastiness, this is what was going on while I was snapping a few of the above photos:

And this is what happens when you take them away:

(I wasn't being purposely mean. I needed to fix the top of the snack trap.)

I found them in the organic/natural section of Wegman's but can't seem to locate a source online. It seems that, like most magical things, they are a bit elusive.

Spiced Quinoa and Carrots

2011-05-18T19:13:00.000-04:00

Quinoa has quickly become a standard starch in our house. Although, I think it's technically a seed, so that makes it . . . something that's like a starch but not really. All that matters to me is that they sell an organic variety in giant sacks at Costco. But if you prefer to purchase things in more meager quantities (wuss!) you can find it near the cous-cous in most grocery stores. This dish has a bit of a Moroccan flair, courtesy of the spice blend, and tonight it jazzed up some mild-mannered sauteed chicken breasts.

(The forecast calls for passing mint flurries.)

Spice Quinoa and Carrots
Serves 4 as a side

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1/2 a medium onion, diced
4 large carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed
2 cups chicken broth or stock
1 cup quinoa
salt and pepper
handful of minced fresh mint (optional)

Directions:

Heat a few big swirls of olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion and carrot and cook until soft, about five minutes.
Add spices and stir to coat. Add garlic and chicken broth. Cover pot and bring to boil.
When boiling, stir in quinoa. Cover and reduce heat to low to medium, just enough to keep it simmering constantly. Cook until quinoa is soft and has absorbed most of the liquid, 10-15 minutes.
Season to taste with a fair amount of salt and pepper (remember, the only salt it's had until now is the chicken broth). Garnish with mint if you have it and serve.

Cultivation

2011-05-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

Previously, we discussed my general lack of horticultural skills. But I completely forgot about one giant botanical success.

My great big beautiful peonies!

Pretty pink balls of perfumed fluff. I love them. I planted the bulbs years before they actually started to flower and was starting to give up hope when one spring they finally started to peek through the soil. My grandmother always said they needed ants to bloom, and these seem to have them by the truckload. They're still gorgeous, but ick.

Also, I have a giant patch of chives that I can't seem to kill. We never eat chives, except when I'm desperate and out of onions. I don't know what possessed me to even buy that one little pot so many years ago. But they do have cute spikey flowers to photograph, if nothing else.

Oh yeah, and I found one other thing in my garden that I've managed to keep alive and well for a few years:

No green thumbs there, just brown paws. Brown paws full of MUD.

Sunday, continued

2011-05-16T19:45:00.001-04:00

I almost forgot one of the most important parts -- swinging! This kid was on the swings for a solid hour yesterday. I now have to keep treats in the stroller to coax him back in. In the syllabus for my Parenting 101 course, "Bribery" takes up at least three class sessions. Study up, kids!

Triumph and Tragedy

2011-05-16T10:25:00.000-04:00

We did it. We finally accomplished a goal, five years in the making.

Chris and I, as a team, finished an entire carton of Costco spring mix salad before it rotted. Unless you are a dedicated Costco shopper and salad eater, I don't think you understand the sense of triumph that we are feeling right now. They pack enough salad in that plastic clamshell to feed an army of mutant rabbits and in most cases it gets slimy the day after you open it. But it's so cheap! And with some strategy and dedication, we finally won. I won't deny that there was a bit of weeding and rinsing going on at the very end, but still. We did it.

U.S.A! U.S.A! If you can believe it, you can achieve it, Kids!

(I promise those brown spots are vinaigrette. Mostly.)

Now, the tragedy. This is what the Peanut was wearing when I picked him up from daycare today:

It seems he had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction and unfortunately we have been pretty lax about supplying an extra set of clothes. Evidently, the only garment available was a baby hospital gown from the dress-up box. So comically sad that I had to share it with the internet. It's like the time Bart came home with lice and Lisa without shoes, so they were sent to live with the Flanders'.

And that, my friends, is life in the suburbs on Wednesday night.

Sunday essentials

2011-05-15T20:51:00.002-04:00

Smiles

A pile of steaks

Sharable spoons and sippys

Same great taste.

2011-05-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

New look. Whaddya think?

The pattern on the background is courtesy of Pixelsandicecream.com , an adorable source for patterns, brushes, clip-art, etc. The main font is hilariously titled "Shit Happens", from Dafont.com and it makes me giggle. Nascent design skillz by yours truly. I'm pretty sure they're not what crashed Blogger. Pretty sure.

Oh, and for Friday Bliss: Berger Cookies! I think you can only get them in Maryland (and at only the finest gas stations). In other states calling something that is predominantly made of fudge a "cookie" is probably considered false marketing. And yes, that is a dashboard in the background. These things don't make it all the way home - gotta snap 'em while you can.

Who needs focus when you have fudge?

Happy Friday!

Quick & Dirty: Thai Green Curry

2011-05-10T20:01:00.000-04:00

Aside from a standard stir-fry, I rarely make Asian food at home. It’s not because I don’t like it or because I’m too busy eating my mayonnaise and bologna sandwiches on Wonderbread, but because I find them a bit intimidating. I shouldn’t – my family has fully embraced Asian cooking. Growing up, our spice cabinet was overflowing with labels written in foreign characters and there was always at least one ginger root slowly rotting in the vegetable drawer. Remind me to tell you about the time I accidentally gulped fish sauce thinking it was iced tea (Or don’t. Just the thought of it is makes me want to gag.).

My Japanese sister-in-law, a great cook who's spent time trekking through Thailand, hooked me up with this recipe. It's an uncomplicated, completely non-intimidating and yet kind of authentic recipe for one of my favorite take-out meals. This only involves a handful of “weird” ingredients – ones that are all shelf-stable and available in pretty much any grocery store. The vegetables I’ve included are not traditional, though. I love Thai and Japanese eggplant, but unfortunately they make the Peanut’s face break out. Use them if you can, but here I’ve substituted green beans and baby corn. Adjust the curry to taste, as this is relatively mild. Also, I'm still a little gun shy when it comes to fish sauce . . .

I decided to use this to kick off a new "Quick & Dirty" category. The topic of speedy weeknight meals pops up in conversation so frequently with my friends and family that I wanted a way to collect and share my own. These will all be simple but relatively nutritious meals that come together in about 20 minutes. Hope it comes in handy! If not, there's always mayonnaise and bologna.

Thai Green Curry Chicken
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 tbs Thai green curry paste*
1 14 oz can of coconut milk*
1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (thighs or breast), very thinly sliced
1 c. sliced bamboo shoots*
1 can baby corn*
2 c. frozen green beans
1/3 c. chicken broth
2 tsp. fish sauce*
2 tsp. brown sugar
1 handful fresh basil leaves

Directions:

Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Dissolve curry paste in one cup of coconut milk. Add remaining milk and bring to simmer. Stir in chicken and simmer until cooked through, 5-10 minutes.
Add vegetables, fish sauce and sugar and chicken broth. Simmer for ten more minutes, until bamboos shoots taste like the sauce and not styrofoam.
Add basil leaves and stir until wilted. Season to taste with salt, more sugar or fish sauce as desired. Serve over jasmine rice**

*Available in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores.
**To make this extra quick and dirty, I use Trader Joe's frozen jasmine rice.

La vie en rose

2011-05-09T19:49:00.000-04:00

The restaurant where we had lunch yesterday handed out long stemmed roses to all of the moms that were dining.

This was what it looked like after the Peanut tried to sweep the living room floor with it. But it's still the first flower I've received in a long time that wasn't purchased while waiting for a stop light, so I'll take it.

Word to your mother

2011-05-08T19:58:00.000-04:00

Me: [Singing the "It's Logistics" song from that UPS commercial]
Chris: Don't do that.
Me: Hey, you can't talk to me like that. It's Mother's Day. It's my day.
Chris: Why does your day have to involve ruining my day?

Anywho, we actually had a lovely Mother's Day. It involved seafood enchiladas, Berger cookies and wine. An ideal combination for this mother. Hope you all treated the mamas in our life with some respect and allowed them to sing whatever obnoxious commercial jingles they want to their heart's content.

Friday bliss: Smoked blue cheese

2011-05-06T19:41:00.001-04:00

I guess I'm on a smoked cheese kick, since I also recently fell for smoked mozzarella. This is Smokey Blue from Rogue Creamery and it's destined to top salads, along with pear, pecans and a balsamic vinaigrette. I actually prefer the overtly smokiness of Moody Blue, but this will certainly do.

And I'm just going to shut up about cell phone pics. I'm clearly not going to stop posting them. And I blame Instagram.

Prison de bébé

2011-05-05T20:59:00.000-04:00

I was standing in line at Paul, a new bakery in Penn Quarter, the other day and while admiring the racks upon racks of fresh crusty bread and the displays of delicate French pastries, this adorable (yet somewhat medieval) high chair caught my eye:

It is like the mullet of booster seats: business up top, party down below. Or prison down below. It's a banker's chair with a baby leg cage. The bakery has gone to great lengths to recreate a rustic French atmosphere, which makes me wonder if this is what all children's furniture looks like in France. Cribs with padded headboards and canopies? Mahogany swings upholstered in the finest chintz? Le Gaurde-meuble meets Graco.

By the way - the bread (particularly the olive bread used to make the tomato and mozzarella sandwich) is great, though the line and the service suck terribly.

Asiago and Basil Risotto

2011-05-04T20:01:00.000-04:00

This sound fancy but was actually created in a moment of desperation. Since we'd been away for the weekend, our pantry was looking pretty sorry, save some arborio rice. Fate would have it that the last speck of cheese in the house was a perfect amount of asiago and my tiny (but mighty) little basil plant was thriving in a warm windowsill. I'd say that circumstance brought them all together for a delicious meal worth repeating.

Ingredients:

1/4 c. onion, finely chopped
1 tbs. butter (sorry, MK!)
1 cup Arborio rice
3/4 c. dry white wine
2 1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. fresh basil, finely chopped
1/2 c. shredded asiago cheese
salt and pepper

Directions:

Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft.
Add rice and continue to saute and stir until it becomes a little bit translucent.
Pour in white wine and cook, stirring frequently, until it has all been absorbed by the rice.
While wine cooks off, heat broth for a minute or two in a large mug in the microwave. Until it gets a little bit steamy.
Add 1 c. broth. Like the wine, stir frequently and allow it to be absorbed by the rice. Do the same rest of the broth, in 1/2 c. batches.
When the rice is just cooked through and has absorbed all of the liquid, stir in basil and cheese.

Teaser

2011-05-03T20:21:00.000-04:00

I haven't written up tonight's recipe yet, but here is a sneak peak of the star ingredient:

Welcome,summer. Now, get crackin' on some fresh tomatoes, would ya?

Accessories make the man

2011-05-02T20:01:00.000-04:00

Just playing with some actions and templates. And faaaabulous accessories.

Martha Envy

P52: Macro

White Bean and Artichoke Dip

Friday bliss: perfect grilled pizza

P52: Lust

Weekend Wrap-Up: Family Gluttony Edition

Friday bliss: Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese

P52: Stranded

Project 52: Language

Friday bliss: Awesome weather

Barbecue and Bacon Meatloaf

Picture it: 2011

Not with a bang, but with a whimper

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes with bacon

Dear Diary

Kiss ass

Instagramatic Sunday

Poetic license and lasagna

Friday bliss: Hill Country Barbecue

Domo arigato

Friday bliss: Pumpkin pie martini

Stirring the pot

Vroom vroom

Spaghetti squash with garlic and goat cheese

They say it's my birthday

Pardon me

The most sun we saw all weekend

Grilled chicken salad with raspberries and goat cheese

Smile. It's Friday.

The difference a year makes

Friday bliss: first pumpkin ale of the season!

I know what we ate last summer

The sixth anniversary is *sugar* not torrential rain, you guys.

Two much fun

Friday bliss: Fried chicken at Central

Just beachy

No, YOU'RE obsessed.

In all Fairness

Friday bliss: Nutella chocolate chip cookies

Living beyond our means

Friday bliss: Sauvignon blanc and prosciutto-wrapped melon

Quick and dirty: Curried chicken salad

Our new French nanny

Stick a fork in me

Keys, please

Friday bliss: breezy cocktails

Big baby

Hey, good lookin'

Friday bliss: goat cheese-stuffed squash blossoms

What we've been eating

I'm not avoiding you

4th, follow up

Sandcastles in the sand

Have a fantastic 4th

Sunsets and strangers

Weeknight stroll

Pretty as a peacock

Herbed potato and pea salad

Olé!

Friday bliss: Sweet Maryland wine

Animals in inappropriate places

Grilled zucchini

I Heart Faces: Let's hear it for the boys

Lather, rinse, repeat

Daddy dearest

Motivation, milestones and other junk

In praise of caprese

A Bawlmer tradition

Bienvenido de vuelta

Boy genius

Checking in

Hiatus

Key Lime Pie

Re-Shredification

Chipot-what? Never heard of it.

End of the weekend, Start of the season

Wet and wild weekend

Friday bliss: Lobstah rolls

Quick and Dirty: Antipasto Pasta Salad

The sixth anniversary is sugar not torrential rain, you guys.