What's Kookin'

Summer is Here!

2011-06-04T12:13:00.047-05:00

week eight

(as it turns out, the times that I actually have the big camera out and have two hands to take pictures are few and far between these days so click on the links to see some less good photographically-speaking pictures that are parentally-speaking just as memorable)

- Turns out Miller, like the rest of us, loves cookouts and long weekends... hence Memorial Day was a real hit with him as he attended his first cookout and learned how great short work weeks (and the extra day with daddy) are

- We finally caught one of Miller's smiles on 'film' this week, though about a week ago (at around 6 and 1/2 weeks), we were willing to say that he was smiling regularly - which as any experienced parents know is one of the greatest things ever

- This week brought the celebration of yet another family birthday... this one was Nana's!

- Miller and I continue to get out regularly (thank goodness for that) for walks with friends around the neighborhood... usually accompanied with visits to see the 'older women' in the area (i.e. most of my friends have daughters and they are all about 6 months to a year older than our guy)

- Thursday brought the end of our Bible study until the fall so we celebrated with tons and tons of other kids and moms at an end of the year brunch nearby - and boy did those cute kids love baby Miller

- Over the weekend, Miller made an appearnace at his first graduation party when we attended our neighbor's high school graduation party... hopefully he won't remember it so his expectations aren't set too high

Ch-ch-changes

2011-05-28T09:35:00.049-05:00

week seven

Perhaps I will be able to keep up with this a little better if I change formats... that's what parenting is all about anyway, right... adapting? And I assume no one is here to read my diatribes about losing pacifiers anyway - and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to write about something other than parenting... one of these days! So here we go...

- Miller wore his first sunglasses (and didn't seem to mind them!)... though they were actually his second pair. This pair courtesy of Uncle Ben and Aunt Kat... and we'd be remiss to not mention how incredibly good Uncle Ben was with the little guy (please come back?)

- Mr. Monkey (who hangs from the bars on Miller's playmat) has officially been named his best friend, with Mr. Elephant coming in a close second (depending on the day and/or mood)

- We celebrated another family birthday this week... and I must say that our little boy treated me well with a fun dinner out and a great day spent together

- Miller had his first backyard with the sprinkler day on Thursday - he mostly just snoozed and watched his two girlfriends play in the water table and sprinkler (cutest ladybug sprinkler head ever) but hopefully it was the start of a long friendship with summer afternoons spent outside

- As sad as this is to admit, this week marked my first real re-entrance into the kitchen... and it wasn't nearly as hard or bad as I anticipated - I think the worst part was realizing the whole time that I actually hadn't cooked for almost 2 months

- Probably the most fun event of the week was the opening of our wonderful neighborhood pool and our first cookout there - again, Miller wasn't wowing anyone on the diving boards but soaked up the atmosphere and he's sure to make many more appearances there

Routine

2011-05-21T10:47:00.132-05:00

week six

Well, thank goodness. Life has not jinxed us even after being so bold to say that it almost felt like we were falling into a routine... and finally succumbing to our new normal. And to be honest, I don't know why I was fighting it so much because this life, being a mom, really isn't so bad!

Thanks to our favorite restaurant.com, Sunday night, we took ourselves out to our first family (of three) dinner at Sweet Rice Thai. Miller slept the whole time and Chris and I enjoyed a nice, budget conscious, family dinner out.

Tuesday brought us our first playgroup. And another realization... that as much as we'd like to think playgroups are for the kids, they are really for the moms. That's not a bad thing, though... the kids get to socialize and expend some energy and the moms get to well... socialize!

Besides the playgroup, I've confirmed that getting out of the house for any errand really helps to keep me sane. It also makes me pay closer attention to the pocketbook because I'm more apt to spend money but once I realized that my errands needed to be necessities rather than just somewhere to go (and spend more money), I was able to make good use of our time AND get out of the house with the little man. We routinely hit up Babies R Us (for necessities, returns, or gifts - babies are popping up everywhere these days!), Target, the grocery store (including Trader Joe's of course), and some random stores thrown in here and there.

Miller also discovered just how much he likes to lie on his cushy puppy mat. This is not a first-time momma bragging but it definitely seems like he has a preference for the fluffy mat as he constantly runs his hands through the fur of the puppy and reaches for the puppy's head almost immediately. I love watching him discover new things... even if it's by accident.

Besides our family dinner out, one of my other favorite parts of the week was my night out for Mexican (!!) with some girlfriends. I even splurged and got a margarita. One thing's for sure, being a mom makes you appreciate evenings like that one more than you thought possible.

We also had our very first, very cliche fatherhood moment. (bear with me here) One night this week, Miller's pacifier was misplaced - only we didn't realize that it was missing until it was needed sometime the following day. Chris was heading to a softball game that evening so he'd packed a gym bag of clothes and equipment early that morning which included the gray shorts he'd been wearing the day before. Fast forward to the following night, in a rush to get home from the game, Chris accidentally left his gym bag at the field but it was thankfully picked up by the coach of his team. While coordinating picking up the bag (and at this point we were in a full-tilt panic because Miller's favorite pacifier was MIA), Chris had to ask Kevin, the coach, to open his bag, find his gray shorts, and see if there was a, uh... pacifier in the pocket. Lo-and-behold, it was there... and I got a good chuckle hearing the phone conversation (and seeing Chris' associated expression). I would have paid a pretty penny to see Kevin's face on the other end of the line, as he's a single guy living the good life in Arlington (single ladies, I have a very eligible bachelor for you).

Later in the week, a friend (mom-to-be of Miller's future buddy, Anderson) and I headed to a fun neighborhood down the road called Del Ray to hit up some kids' consignment stores. I was hoping to find some clothes for Miller for far into the future (i.e. after he turns one) but quickly discovered that I have no clue what little one-year old boys wear. Overalls? Jeans? I walked away almost empty-handed... save for a miniature pair of swim trunks and a 0-6 month hat. And as much fun as checking out cute consignment stores was, the highlight of the trip (other than the company) was a stop in the Dairy Godmother for some frozen custard. To say I'm obsessed with frozen custard would be a drastic understatement.

As a final parting shot to week six, Miller attended his first family baby shower... for another friend-to-be, Nathaniel. It was a perfect kid-friendly occasion and a super fun afternoon spent preparing for another little buddy.

Another week has passed... I dare say we are having a good time at this family-of-three thing!

Now I Understand

2011-05-14T10:44:00.001-05:00

week five

Don't call me a drama queen but for the first time, I actually get (really get) why parents have a day designated just for them. And I'm not saying that I deserve this hallowed day but just that I officially understand what it's all about. Parents (those who've been at it a lot longer than yours truly) certainly deserve a day (or 300).

That aside, my first Mother's Day (though I admit that I felt like an impostor the whole day) was fantastic. Low-key but special. Our morning started with my two favorite boys bringing me breakfast in bed followed by church... the first time we were brave enough to sit through the whole service (we even sat in the front, though not by choice). My only request for the day was a stop by my favorite Heidelberg Bakery and that was quickly fulfilled on the way home. And finally, after a few leisurely hours at home, we headed to celebrate Andrea and Chris' daughter, Sarah, and her baptism, with a delicious cookout. I'm not sure how I imagined being a mom on Mother's Day would feel but it was pretty amazing to realize why I'm now 'allowed' to participate in the big day.

Mid-way through the week, although it marked the 4.5 week point, found us at our pediatrician's for Miller's big one-month appointment. I never imagined how nervous his doctor's appointments would make me but I'm a wreck heading into these things. Miller, however, was fine... of course. The calm, cool, and collected men in this family seem to counterbalance this crazy woman. He's in the 75th percentile all the way around (height, weight, head) and has been gaining about an ounce a day putting him at 10 lbs 5 oz. And he was a champ as he got part two of his Hepatitis B vaccine. I credit Miller's easy-going-ness at the appointment to his dad being in attendance as well as the fact that I'd attended my first Babes with Babes Bible Study that morning where I prayed long and hard for the little guy and his health (... and my health and spirits were lifted being around tons of other moms 'in the same boat').

Miller is getting more and more time on his tummy - and while he doesn't absolutely love it, he seems to put up with it, at least for a while. He's been getting super good at lifting his head up for long periods of time, both to the side and turning it forwards and back again. (it's the little things, right?)

Mother's Day was not the only special day this week as the end of the week brought about Miller's first family birthday celebration - it was his Grandpa's special day and he celebrated it in style.

We capped off the week with a relaxing weekend (as relaxing as they get with a to-do list that just keeps growing and an adorable 5 week old in the house) that included a quick trip to our farmer's marke t where Chris and I couldn't help but succumb to the delicious French bakery vendor (we'll blame it on some friends we ran into who recommended such a thing) and freshly ground sausage (Buffalo bourbon and fennel!!). Miller was enamored as usual as he slept his way through the winding stalls and wafting smells of beautiful produce, fresh pastas and sauce, and delicious baked items.

With another week in the books, I dare say it almost feels like we're getting into a routine. Miller and I get out at least every other day for an errand or an outing and as long as the weather holds, take walks at least once a day with him happily dangling his feet and arms in the Bjorn. I think I am finally settling into my new normal and am loving it.

Firsts

2011-05-07T09:17:00.124-05:00

week four

It's true, this whole year will be filled with firsts... I realize that. But still, I like to celebrate each and every one (that I remember, that is... sadly they are already slipping away).

Also fitting to share and remember... something a wise friend shared with me recently (that you experienced moms have probably heard). "The days are long but the years are short". I've thought about this many times in the past few long (but so short!) weeks - every time I bemoan not having gotten more of this or that done (sorry blog... thank you notes... ) because I was spending time with our little guy, I am (sometimes) able to give myself a break realizing that I can never get this ever-so-fleeting time back. Sigh.

Now that we can move on from that moment of first-time mom sappiness - we'll move on to riveting events like our first trip to Giant. Sure we've been out and about... Target and Babies R Us had long-since been conquered, but momma and Miller hadn't yet conquered the grocery store (truthfully, I'm not sure how we've avoided it all these weeks). The trip was altogether uneventful until an innocent man shopping nearby started hacking a lung seemingly on top of my 4-week old baby. Germa-phobe I am not but we quickly moved out of his way.

Another equally momentous occasion was the donning of Miller's first official 0-3 month outfit. In all honesty, we could have marked this event quite a while ago but I was holding fast to a few newborn outfits that I adore. The little guy still gets stuffed in those on occasion but we've expanded his wardrobe in the meantime. I can hardly believe, though, that there is already a rapidly growing pile of clothes he's already grown out of.

Later on in the week, Miller made his first official appearance (complete with motorcade) downtown on the Mall and coincidentally, his first (alumni) Wake Forest softball game. He and I were mere spectators but we cheered Chris and the team on wildly (as evidenced by the picture above - yes, there's a little Miller deep in that carseat).

And we were especially happy to be able to finally give him a tub bath since all remnants of umbilical cord had left us... after all, he was going to be making a number of special appearances (ha!) throughout the week.

We closed out the week with a few happy visits from family and friends... great-aunt Sondy, and cousins Laura and Debi came from all over the metro DC (and Richmond) area. Megan, Ashley, and Piper, came over to check on things. And Kevin, Angie, and Iris, stopped by from Baltimore.

Of course having parents who would eat Mexican food every day if they could, it was only fitting that Miller take a break from his his usual routine and celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style, at a neighborhood gathering, complete with a margarita in hand. He also slept through a rousing Kentucky Derby party Saturday afternoon but was proud to hear Animal Kingdom had taken the crown.

Week four was by far the most social of Miller's weeks thus far. Party or not, we are certainly enjoying every moment with our growing little guy... all the while attempting to remember each of them.

Settling In

2011-04-30T08:31:00.059-05:00

week three

On our own... and survived to tell about it. I don't mean to be dramatic - or even say that I'm doing something spectacular here (heck, we have multiple friends with quite a few more than one child in their care so clearly I'm just barely breaking ground), but rather documenting that the day when my super duper helpful parents abandoned us (ha!) has come and gone.

The first day of week three also marked Miller's first Easter... and it was sadly uneventful, noticeably without a visit to church, even, as these newbie parents were too chicken to make Easter our first showing back in the pews. Miller was the recipient of a small Easter bucket from his parents and a beach bucket from his grandparents - both containing adorably small versions of very useful items like a shovel, Trumpette socks (they really are the best although Jeffries are a close second!), an Easter-story book, and sunglasses for an appearance at the beach later this summer.

Not to be overshadowed by such a Holy holiday was Miller's first nap with Granddad. Since Granddad is the expert in all things 'nap', it was only fitting that he introduce the young lad to the world of "watching TV with your eyes closed" (minus the TV).

We also marked week three with the less photogenic event of Miller's umbilical cord (stump... the larger part has been long since gone) finally saying its last goodbyes. And with that, came daily bouts of tummy time and the start of a (diapering) lifetime of cloth diapers (which have already been an adventure, should anyone care to hear about it).

And I'd be remiss not to include an outtake from our very impromptu and unprofessional photo shoot that I staged in the backyard. Not quite announcement (or frame) worthy but we happen to think this guy gets cuter each and every day - mouth-open (fly-catching) and all.

Trading Places

2011-04-23T16:53:00.061-05:00

week two

Moving right along seemed to be the theme of week two.

It was off to a great start with Miller's first Easter egg hunt - and boy, was he good at watching the older kids chase down those eggs... it must have been soothing to the little guy because he saw about 0.3 seconds of the festivities before falling into a deep sleep for the rest of the afternoon.

He also made his first official appearance in our local Target. I dare say he doesn't remember much as we ran there mid-nap time, but we did show him the $1 aisle to get him started on learning about frugality.

Then we hit Thursday. This time it was the new momma's turn to be sick. Thursday night brought light-headedness and feverish feelings which apparently were the precursor (God's warning?) to Friday morning's 101.9 degree temperature. Parenthood apparently gives a sense of urgency so it didn't take more than 5 minutes for yours truly to be on the phone with the doctor and shortly after a quick appointment, antibiotics and Tylenol started working their magic. Crisis averted.

Just as fast as week one started, week two was over. I can already tell this is going to go by way WAY too quickly. I may or may not have asked Chris a few times how to make sure our little man stops growing and never wants to leave home but gotten less than adequate answers so I guess I'm left to continue soaking it up for as long as I can.

Triumphant

2011-04-16T21:51:00.003-05:00

week one

Miller Joseph joined our little family April 9, 2011 at the early hour of 3:07am.

Our first week together was quite eventful - perhaps not exactly how I saw week one of parenting going but we made it.

After arriving home from the hospital, we soon learned that our sweet little one was jaundiced and would require daily pediatrician visits. Along with those visits came a whole new set of vocabulary including "bilirubin" and "bili-blanket"...

Miller was more or less quarantined to his nursery attached to his "space suit" and affectionately named our "blue light special".

Along with the bili-blanket came daily heel pricks - which, we think, he took like a champ.

Thankfully, on the morning of his seventh day - our doctor delivered Miller's news of freedom. His bilirubin levels had fallen completely and he weighed in above his birth weight. Must be a new parent thing because we literally high-fived and I almost hugged the doctor.

And so went Miller's first week. Doctor's appointments and all, we couldn't be happier that he's finally arrived. Parenthood is already the hardest job I've ever had but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

*looking for less words and more pictures?

Barnyard Bash

2011-01-12T07:07:00.085-05:00

Sick of unrecognizable black and white pictures of random baby body parts? And before that, some less than fantastic pictures of a girl documenting the sad state of her belly (although maybe good for a laugh?)?

Trust me when I say that you're not the only one(s?) ready for pictures of more than just a piece of paper with a black and white image (although for clarification's sake, I feel it necessary to say that I don't mean we are ready for the baby... au contraire). It's just that I have pictures of faraway lands, cute kids, and even some tasty concoctions - yet week after week, I've failed to share them. That all changes today.

Back in (ah-hem) October, a certain (not-so) little boy turned five and the occasion was celebrated with a backyard, barnyard bash. And a bash it was... I think I may have mentioned before that my sister-in-law doesn't hold back when it comes to her babies' birthdays - and really, can you blame her?

Aren't I nice and thoughtful, too... sharing pictures of a clear, crisp fall day when you are most certainly looking out upon a sea of white (or once-white, now gray slush). This might also be known as my very poor excuse for being a coupla' months behind.

As is (hopefully) evident, not a single detail was left out of this birthday celebration. The kids were decked out in barnyard-related costume, there was a pig pen, chicken coop and feeding area (not to mention a needs-no-explanation precious chickie, Miss Sarah Taylor, herself), stuffed scarecrows, hay bales as seats, more cookout fare than you can imagine to go around, and a huge cake aptly decorated with everything farm-related that one can imagine (and believe me, Charlie "imagined").

It's pretty clear that I have a lot to learn in the world of childrens' parties - as I've learned that they just don't appreciate a nice blue-cheese appetizer or pork tenderloin as much as an Oreo-crusted, barnyard-decorated, yellow sheet cake. No one mistakes me for Martha as it is but this could take some getting used to.

So in the meanwhile (i.e. the next less than three months!!), I'm happy to sit back and watch and (try and) learn while enjoying (others'!) kids... and of course, play resident (amateur... very amateur) photographer.

No Show

2011-01-05T17:06:00.003-05:00

Both in an effort to (finally) get those awful pictures of me from staring back at you (and me, too!) and well, to move on... in the spirit of the new year and all... I present you with the latest in our baby adventures 'round here.

What we have for you today is a riveting picture of two little (hopefully pudgy - or soon-to-be) feet... one flexed and one with what are sure to be the most adorable little toes curled up. And, if you're thinking... really, you had a sonogram and chose a picture of the feet to share with us? In fact, this is actually all we got (although our baby was kicking up a storm throughout the appointment, he/she remained face down the entire time and wouldn't budge) - so... that's all you get!

Lest you are (yaaawnnn) growing weary of all the baby talk... I can promise more and better (looking) and even tastier things... soon. Or kinda soon.

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like...

2010-12-22T16:10:00.005-05:00

Hope you're prepared for a wild calamity of self-portraits. It seems that while no one told me it was so hard to take a decent "belly shot", the fact that I stayed so far from them for the past 25+ weeks would indicate that perhaps this is just one of those "motherly instincts" (insert laughter here... oh, and when exactly do those motherly instincts kick in?).

Not only will these be the absolute worst pictures (from an aesthetic and technical standpoint - double whammy!) that I'll be forced into sharing, they will also serve as the content for the post with the most pictures of myself included. And very quickly you will discover why I'd much rather take pictures of faces like these, than my kinda-sorta (?) expanding mid-section... and equally fast, you will be thanking me.

Here we start with the horribly off-centered picture... the picture with Kara making a weird face (that's my "how in the heck do people take these pictures?" face)... let's try it with the hand down... or is the key to pull a 180!?!

Maybe it's having the hand on hip... and black and white?

At last, something semi-reasonable... after I called for reinforcement...

Yup, that's all I've got to show for 25+ weeks of growing our little one. And with that, I will stumble back into the kitchen to take pictures of inanimate objects... or maybe just drown myself in the massive amount of dust I must clean before family arrives.

PS - it's true, shame on us... we haven't done a darn thing with that guest room I begged for suggestions on eons ago

PPS - if you expect to receive a Christmas present from us, please don't study the items on the bed too carefully as that was our staging ground for gifts... which are all beautifully wrapped and waiting under our tree now (or they were in my vivid pregnancy dream last night)

A New Tradition

2010-12-13T22:09:00.007-05:00

If you've been around here longer than a day or two, you are probably expecting to hear all about another one of our family's recent weekends in Philly... watching Navy pummel (sorry to any Army fans... but it's the truth) Army for the 9th year in a row.

For the first time in ages... and I won't even attempt a quick count... no members of my family were in attendance. No Jim's cheesesteaks (provolone, mushrooms and onions for mom and me... Cheez-Whiz and onions for Chris and dad) Friday night... no inhumanely freezing cold game Saturday... and sigh, no La Viola (weep... Carolyn, I know you feel our pain) post-game heavy Italian delicious-ness. Aside from all the food that we (clearly) very sorely missed, I must admit within the first 5 minutes of the televised broadcast, I had commented no less than twice that perhaps this game was better watched from the comfort (read: warmth) of our own home. The video intros were well thought-out, touching and patriotic, I could multi-task - in and out of the kitchen pulling Christmas cookies out of the oven, and did I mention, it was so warm.

Warm at gametime, I should clarify. Where we found ourselves very early Saturday morning, however, was decidedly not warm. I'll blame my wishy-washiness on pregnancy and hormones but in the moment, I may have even said "I'd rather be in Philly," though we all know how that would have worked out in the end. Cold or warm, there aren't many places I would have rather been than with the other thousands of volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery, laying wreaths on around 24,000 graves of our veterans and their family members.

Chris had read about this wonderful volunteer opportunity through our alumni group, CAN, and we jumped at the chance once we realized that for the first time in ages, we'd actually be in town on the big weekend.

Never say never, of course, but I'm tempted to declare that we've found a new tradition, even possibly in the face of missing our beloved Army-Navy... the idea of bringing our kid(s) with us, having them lay their own wreaths and explaining the sacrifice and courage that these men and women put forth for the freedoms that we enjoy each and everyday, is all but decided upon (though the jury is still out on how we will best be able to participate next year... wear the 8-month old or push him/her in the stroller?).

**I'm not in anyway affiliated with Wreaths Across America, but just in case you are interested (there are tons of non-DC wreath laying ceremonies and donation opportunities), in helping out, click here.

So You're Saying There's a Chance...

2010-12-02T07:42:00.003-05:00

Someone assure me that my brother didn't get all the cute baby-making genes in this family. There's gotta be some smidgen of a percentage that our baby might look like this. Right... right??

Or at least this... I mean, there's no denying that one of the (main) reasons I'm carrying around this (shockingly only 1 lb.) bebe is for a chance at cheeks like these...

**You think this one is cute? There's more where she comes from...

Fancy Meeting You Here

2010-11-29T17:34:00.019-05:00

The fact that the pictures staring back at you this holiday season (and the many months leading up to it) have been of (albeit adorable) kids frolicking in a crystal blue pool on a very warm summer (ah-hem, July) day is not (and has not been) lost on me. Rest assured that it's bothered me undoubtedly more than you (anal-much, Kara?)... even perfectionism aside, I have (had) so much to share!

Right out of the gate, let's get the 'where have you beens' out of the way. For the most part, that answer is right here... even in this very seat, though clearly not here with you. Then what could possibly have filled such a void? I'm not altogether sure what this means (it's me, not you... I assure you), but I quickly jam-packed the time I used to spend here (and admittedly reading any number of related and unrelated other blogs) without batting an eyelash. In fact, more than once I wondered how I had ever found the (embarrassingly extensive amounts of) time (and to be honest, more accurately, how you all continue to find your devoted time) to show up here. And while it's true that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, once I'd been gone for a while, it became harder and harder to right the ship.

Seriously, Kara? That's all you've got to say for yourself?

Not entirely... okay, not even partially. It is, and/or was, and/or will almost always forever and ever be about this...

Sure, aside from the initial three month-schedule of make-it-through-the-day and then rush-home-to-sleep... and repeat... we've also set foot in three (or four, depending on which one of us you ask) new countries, been busier than ever with work (not complaining, we are grateful for our jobs), nervously entered the world of photo shoots (and edited... and edited some more, said pictures), survived a sub par football season and if possible, an only occasionally more exciting Redskins season, and visited family and friends, local and distant... but when it comes down to it, everything in the past 5 months has revolved around a few black and white (sometimes cuddly cute, usually scarily skeletal-looking) images that I cling to like super-glue (that those images represent a (hopefully) tiny, little person that I'm going to have to deliver, and keep alive (!!), come early April 2011 are details I choose not to, ah-hem, dwell on, right now).

Though now that the cat is out of the bag, if you did some quick calculations, you will quickly discover I'm more than a bit tardy in my announcement (today happily marks 22-weeks and then some!). While the first few months of silence were 100% for you (believe me when I say I had nothing of interest to utter about food, or life in general, except "I feel gross... there should be something edible in the fridge if you're hungry" or "I'm tired"), the rest was selfishly for yours truly.

And even though I'm back, I make no promises what my presence around these parts will look like. I can guarantee you a variety of whatever's on this scattered brain of mine - and it may be just that, as I've missed writing... but I'll attempt perhaps a recipe or two (though taking pictures of food is less than interesting to me these days), recaps of our travels, some thoughts about how things around here (i.e. me, probably, if I'm brave enough... and our house) are changing and probably some ramblings on what we've gotten ourselves into, surely including more than one plea for someone to reassure me (even if you have to lie) "yes, you will be able to do this thing called motherhood".

Of course we'll also show you how we're planning on turning this room... (in it's current state)

... into a home suitable for our little one, with the bonus challenge of not knowing whether April will shower us with a boy or girl. If I do say so myself, though, I think we're reconnected at just the right time in the life of this project... as decisions are (finally) being made and this momma-to-be feels like it might actually come together before our child can walk.

Without a doubt there will be pictures... of us and our families, anything we eat that I think you might have enjoyed the leftovers, our house (and any fun projects that I continue to dream of us finishing before we are otherwise occupied), other innocent people who agree to let me take their pictures, and our recent travels. Through it all, please chime in with any questions about something I gloss over in an effort not to bore you to death (as I'm aware I've done here).

Sure my friends probably haven't recognized me without a camera in hand at every meal and event we've shared recently... and it was fun while it lasted but truth be told, I missed it and couldn't be happier to be back. So there you have it... the last "too many" weeks in a (rather long) nutshell... I only wish it'd passed that quickly in real life because for a while there, I'd forgotten how nice (and productive) it is to stay up past 8pm and eat more than toast and yogurt (and the occasional potato chip) all day. If you're still here with us now... a hearty thanks and we'll see you soon!

Water Babies

2010-07-28T20:40:00.007-05:00

Spending the afternoon at the pool with my favorite little people (well, two of them at least) brought back a flood of memories.

So much of my childhood was spent at our neighborhood pool - weekly summer swim meets (which also meant an introduction to sugary candy and a fear of loud, startling noises, like the Starter's gun), birthday parties (if you were lucky), and when we were the luckiest, days that turned into evenings when my mom would call for us on the main pool phone (am I dating myself?) with the welcome news that she and my dad would be bringing down dinner... to be eaten poolside, probably at adult swim, so we didn't miss a minute of time in the water.

It also reminded me of the less happy memory of the huge hill that we had to bike up in order to return home each evening. The hill that had been all laughs and a strong breeze as I had flown down it with barely a care in the world earlier that morning. And to think... I thought life was hard just because I had to walk my bike up a steep incline?

Seeing these two swim around, with the water splashing across their faces... all received with nothing but laughs... seemed to wash all our cares away. Sure Charlie didn't love being submerged and Caroline's life jacket made it hard for her to swim as much as she'd have liked... but the raw emotion and excitement they both had with each step into the relative unknown was undeniable and I couldn't have been happier to be there... with them, with family.

It's afternoons (and sweet kids) like this that make any amount of work worthwhile. You try and be a grumpy adult with one of these smiles staring back at you.

No Pictures, Please

2010-07-22T07:04:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Whatever-You've-Got-Quesadillas

If for nothing else, this post is dedicated to the fact that I truly do take pictures of (almost) everything that comes out of our kitchen... and that I know it's annoying (sorry?). Though most meals (thrown together using whatever is in the fridge) are immediately deemed too insignificant for the blog, with our strictly formal atmosphere and all. Thus, the sometimes fluorescent-lit - tsk, tsk, I realize, but folks, we eat dinner at night and as such, when there is little to no daylight - photos become just more - and more - practice shots (which I suppose, I'm the better for, though my work might indicate otherwise).

It must be noted, while we're here, that spouses of those of us who do play paparazzi with their dinners should be awarded medals. What else can you say for someone who sits patiently as I photograph each (mundane) step of (any-ole) dinner and then snap even more pictures as the meal sits (getting cold), all the while, certainly anticipating that first bite.

As if that weren't yawn-inducing-enough, what I've got for you today is one of those previously mentioned, thrown-together, weeknight meals. Quesadillas are certainly not a Kara-original. But they are a delicious meal that might just be perfect for a multitude of reasons. None of the least of which because it's Mexican - and as long as I'm eating Mexican, the world is right. And it's ideal for weeknight meals to boot - just grab any protein, vegetables and cheese you've got, along with some tortillas and heat, and dinner's on the table (or at least ready to be photographed).

Whatever-You've-Got Quesadillas
serves 1-2 for dinner, 3-4 for snack/appetizer (can be scaled for your group)

1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c diced bell peppers
1/2 c frozen corn
1/2 c black beans (we cook dried black beans in large quantities using this method and then freeze them in small portions)
1 c chopped, grilled chicken (ours had previously been frozen)
2 TBSP cilantro, roughly torn
1 c shredded cheese of our choice (we used cheddar and Monterey Jack)
2 whole-wheat tortillas

Spray a 10-inch frying pan with cooking spray and cook onions over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Add peppers, corn and beans (drained) and cook until heated throughout. Add in chopped chicken, just to warm. Remove all ingredients from pan, leaving the pan heated.

Place one tortilla in your re-sprayed pan and pile half of your chicken and bean ingredients on one side of the tortilla. Cover with 1/2 of your cheese and fold the tortilla in half. Heat the tortilla through, until the cheese has melted and then remove from heat and (take pictures and then) serve!

But if I've bored you... worry not, on the other side of this (i.e. as soon as I'm ready to write another recipe post) is some to-die-for (and absolutely worth every photograph) homemade Key Lime Pie Ice Cream, complete with pieces of homemade graham cracker crust throughout (and perhaps a teaser of some Key Lime Pie Sorbet).

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2010-07-14T18:48:00.001-05:00

Literally... how do you get it to grow?

I've talked before about our yard and garden... even at times, sounded ridiculously proud of it. Sure, we have shrubs that we lovingly prune each year and they (thankfully) flower again and again. A bed of your typical perennials also continues to grace us with their presence. Of course there are herbs... can any "cook" live without them, after all? And my mom has helped me over the seasons to arrange a mean container.

But... (a very big) but... this hydrangea (that I now know could be a beautiful pink flower!!!)... this glorious little (wimpy in comparison to its sister and brothers I'm seeing everywhere) flower has stumped me from day one. I know hydrangeas flower from old wood and thus need to be pruned very early... so after having no success the first year when I cut it back immediately after flowering, I haven't pruned her for the past two years. You read that right... not one snip (which these folks say shouldn't matter). As a result, we got a healthy looking shrub... with vibrant, dark green leaves - but no buds, or flowers. And this year - what can only be attributed to the heavy snowfall - four or five buds appeared on our once again otherwise-flourishing hydrangea. While I'm as grateful as can be for these blossoms, I would love to know how we got so lucky and moreso, how I can duplicate this effort (and then some) next year.

In the meantime, my gardening satisfaction for the year will have to come from the other side of our yard... in the form of vegetables. After a successful spinach and still burgeoning green leaf lettuce crop, we've started digging up our sweet baby carrots and enjoying our fresh tomatoes (while waiting on our pole beans, zucchini, and bell peppers). There's just nothing more fun than pulling a grown-from-seed real-live vegetable from your own (compost and all) garden.

Thus, as you might expect, we're already thinking about what to grow in the kitchen garden this fall and again, next spring! Besides conquering a finicky hydrangea, any recommendations for another season of fresh, homegrown, veggies?

Mysterious Splashes and Squeezes

2010-07-12T17:58:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Chicken, Craisins, and Walnut Salad (Sandwiches)

It's true that we just got back from somewhere a lot more exciting (and photogenic) than this chicken salad but we've been devouring this salad (and/or sandwich, depending on who you are in this household) for almost 3 years so I couldn't wait another moment to share it with you. *pictures of our July 4th weekend to come... someday

Devouring? A "typical" chicken salad? Really, Kara... the food(-ish) blog world doesn't need one more person over-hyping a recipe. So with that, I will make a promise to you that this is no over-hype... sure it might just be that we have warped taste buds or the fact that we like anything in salad form (egg salad, tuna salad, etc.), but this Chicken, Craisin, and Walnut Salad truly is one of our favorites.

Is it the mysterious splashes of hot sauce? Or the squeeze of lemon? We'll never know (not that we're ever left with much time to figure it out)... all I know is that this is one of the two most often requested dishes around here, which to me says it is anything but typical. It also says "make me tonight... or tomorrow... or better yet, both!" (these leftovers are highly coveted in this house)

Chicken, Craisin, and Walnut Salad Sandwiches
adapted from Bon Appetit

1 1/4 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 1/4 c thinly sliced green onions
1 c coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
3/4 c Craisins
3/4 c mayonnaise
1/2 c chopped fresh parsley
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 (scant) tsp hot pepper sauce
12 slices wheat bread, lightly toasted

Arrange chicken in single layer in medium skillet; add enough water to cover. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer chicken to cutting boat. (chicken can be made in advance using this method, or slow-cooked and shredded using this recipe)

Cut chicken (or shred) into 1/2-inch cubes. Mix chicken and all remaining ingredients except bread in large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide salad among 6 toast slices and top with remaining pieces of toast.

Hits the Spot

2010-06-27T23:47:00.004-05:00

Alternate Title: Yet Another of my Mom's Treasures

I'm pretty much (sorta) over apologizing for the fact that I quote my mom here over and over and over... though saying "quoting her" should be taken lightly, seeing as how quoting anything is neither of our strong suits.

Speaking of strengths, I must give credit for the presence any athletic bone in my body to (wait for it) my ice cream-loving father. Gotcha, didn't I!? You'd have guessed my mom - and I wouldn't have blamed you - except for the fact that I've seen her (attempt to) tread water and break her toe at the mere touch of a soccer ball. Luckily, while my dad and I take care of the sports in our family, my mom can do just about everything else.

And this time, she exercised (no pun intended) her gift of uncovering a treasure (which happens to be my favorite spot #3 - I told you it was just a spot!).

If you don't recognize those dogs, then you must be new (welcome!). Seeing as how we're a little black-and-tan-long-haired-dachshund-obsessed around here, when my mom spied this beautiful, life-like graphic of two long-haired dachshunds in a vintage garden book (because dachshunds like gardens?!?), she snatched it up knowing I'd be all too happy to find it a home.

And it didn't take long... about 3.5 seconds after she presented it to us and I had quieted down from my ooohing and aahing (finding pictures of these wonderful creatures, especially of the long-haired variety, is much harder than you'd think), this space on our family room (yes, that same room that fills me with "eh") bookshelf was cleared, ever-so-slightly rearranged and then voila!

Who'd have thought that just a small piece of art could provide me so much happiness. It has since provided me countless moments of secret glances... not that the real thing is ever that far away.

Perfect For the Heavy-Handed

2010-06-15T23:25:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

Is it a dad thing to love ice cream or just a my dad thing? Either way, it's almost a given that anytime I have the slightest thought about ice cream, it's accompanied by any number of fond memories of my dad scooping what remains to be the largest serving you've ever seen into his bowl (hurriedly at that, lest someone should swat his hand away).

I'm not sure that I can do this image justice but picture if you will a half gallon (or whatever they are, these days) of insert-ice-cream-brand-name-here... you remove the top expecting ice cream resting just at or below the lip of the container. At this point, in my house, if my dad had gotten to the ice cream first, sure, there might be ice cream left, but the entire first inch or two would have been removed via a swift (precise and practiced) motion (see above comment about a hand being swatted).

So it's with those memories in mind that I can sincerely say... eat your heart out, Dad (literally)! It's finally your day to shine (on the blog, at least)... and although you unfortunately don't get to take your gratuitous scoop(s) of this particular ice cream, this recipe is dedicated to no one else but you.

As far as the rest of you... whether your dad has a heavy hand or not, I willing to bet this'd be a winner on your Father's Day table too.

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
from Cuisinart

1 1/8 c peanut butter (not natural)
3/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c whole milk
2 c heavy cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c peanut butter cup candies, rough chopped

In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to combine the peanut butter and sugar until smooth. Add the milk and mix on low speed until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.

Turn your ice cream machine on; pour the mixture into freezer bowl, and let mix until almost thickened, about 20 minutes. Five minutes before mixing is completed, add the chopped candy through the top and let mix in completely. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours.

Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

Fitting Right In

2010-06-10T21:11:00.005-05:00

I'm finally back with show-and-tell spot #2 of our casa. And no, my silence regarding all things home and garden wasn't because I couldn't find something else that I loved about our house (though admittedly, I always see room for improvement, or er... overhaul) or for that matter, because we haven't been working around the house (primarily in the yard... it's summer, after all, indoor updates can kinda-sorta wait!). Instead, it was a bit because I couldn't decide if we've got anything really worth sharing (and dreaming that it might - dare I say - inspire you?) even if they do make us happy and another, a sadly bigger dose of sheer laziness.

Buuuut... we (humbly) think that this corner of our family room housing this gorgeous drafting table was worth the wait. Truth be told, this nook lives in the room that without a doubt frustrates me the most of any in our home... daily even. Thank goodness for this little, inconsequential corner... that which gives me hope.

As I mentioned, an outspoken majority of the rest of this room leaves quite a bit to be desired (and thus the only chance you have of seeing it is if I get desperate enough to ask for help); our family room and I have a distinct love-hate relationship... in that I love one or two very minor parts of it (duh... shown here), and strongly dislike what's left.

The story of the life of this beautiful (and don't tell us if you think otherwise) table is one of significance. It was almost (phew!) tragically cut short; as during the move-in process, with my limited "vision", I was sure there was no place for it. After all, it was taller and much larger in surface area than any typical desk so using it as a bedside table or a desk in a guest room was out. Add in the fact that it was too wide for many of our 1940s random-width doorways, and we were left in a bind.

Thankfully, just as we were about to give up and draft a Craigslist ad, my parents arrived in town. And as you might guess, my mom's good eye saved the day. At the time the decorating style of the house might have been best described as (with compliments to the then-current - and only - resident) "clean bachelor pad", complete with only a recliner, ottoman, coffee table, bookshelf, and of course a TV. But through it all, my mom saw this oddly angled corner and stopped the presses. A few minutes (and a door off its hinges) later, and our work/wrapping/crafting station was born.

With the table in place, accessories were in order. Little by little, we added a revived (you just can't kill the suckers) philodendron in a quiet, cream planter, two black and whites framed similarly drawing your eye up the back wall, a task light, a sculptural glass container holding spools of colorful ribbon, and a basket (on the floor) of various wrapping papers (my rather weak attempts at injecting color). Overtime, we've worked in some more personal touches including the cute wooden dog, dried flowers and a picture from our wedding, as well as a prominent place for our ultra useful address-stamper (that sees at least weekly use - thanks, Missy!).

If you can't tell (by my more-than-you-needed details), things about our house that I feel are "put-it-on-the-world-wide-web" worthy get me a little excited... so excited in fact, that I've already picked my next favorite spot (this one is indeed just a spot) to share with you. So while you're thinking of (and letting me know!) how we can continue to dress up our precious desk-in-the-corner, stop by sometime soon to see how we figured out one (simple) way to make another small piece of our family room more palatable. It turns out I have a thing with corners...

Late to the Party

2010-06-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Chickpeas, Craisins, Feta and Mint

There are two things you can count on around here... that I'm always going to be the last to do or know about anything - which most certainly applies to new (or once they get to me, old) trends, and that I know nothing, and I mean literally zero, about anything related to pop culture, or that is cool or hip (for that matter, do "we" even say the word "hip" at this point?).

While I'm sure this surprises no one, not the least of which you all - after all, you've been privy to just a few of the recipes I throw around in our kitchen (frittatas? sausage soup? bar cookies? a fruit trifle? and sometimes, two chocolate recipes at once?), it did feel good to wipe yet another embarrassing admission off my chest.

Over two years ago, I read post after post of Susan's (among others) about bulgur, farro, quinoa, and a number of other whole grains that I'd never even heard of (truth be told, at the time, I was cooking whole wheat couscous, calling it a whole grain); and, they sounded not only delicious but each also boasted incredible health benefits. Thus it's fitting, albeit late as expected, that I've finally located (honestly, this was half the battle), cooked, and fallen hard for... wheat berries.

Since then, though, you can be sure that I've seen right through (past, and around) the hour-long cooking time required to transform these once dry and light-as-air pellets into tender little nuggets of chewy, wheaty, wholesomeness. In the very short time that we've been acquainted, our new pal has already met us in two delicious recipes (one of which got unfairly short-changed being served past the bewitching hour of decent photos), leaving us with over half a bag of the little gems waiting for their day to shine. And shine they will... as these low-maintenance guys certainly don't need much help.

How to cook wheat berries:

Add 1 cup dried wheat berries to a medium-to-large sized pot and fill pot with water, covering the wheat berries by at least an inch or more. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down to just simmering for about an hour, or until tender. Drain the wheat berries. From here you can either use them right away or store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for several days.

Recipes with wheat berries that we've enjoyed:
Wheat Berry Salad with chickpeas, Craisins, feta, and mint (chickpeas were my substitution)
Wheat Berry Salad with black beans, feta, onions, and red onion vinaigrette (black beans were my addition; we loved this vinaigrette!)

Indulgence

2010-05-31T23:11:00.002-05:00

If you will, please indulge me for a little while longer... pictures of my most adorable nieces and nephew, begging for recipes... and now this. Just one solitary picture... from this past weekend.

This group of extraordinary girls (and just trust me that the other ten of them are somethin' kinda special) just sadly parted ways after an annual gathering... this time in my (former) hometown, Atlanta. Nostalgic for a 9-year-later group picture repeat, we corralled all of us into one little spot near the pool where the rest of our weekend had been spent, and happily, I might add.

Dare I say time has been quite kind to my dear friends? Marriages, babies, and more babies, and an undeniable dose of reality, have made these girls even more amazing and beautiful than I could have imagined. And so it happens... the friendships that I've been so (undeservingly fortunate) to have throughout my life have (unbelievably, but officially) rendered this girl speechless.

Speechless... but soon to return with a tasty recipe that you'll want on your table all summer (one you might very well have put to good use today... there I go again with my impeccable timing).

Why I Smile

2010-05-24T22:23:00.003-05:00

I may not have this life thing down just yet (or plans to really get it anytime soon) but one thing is for certain... these two and a half (for now, Sarah Taylor only gets half-billing) little creatures that I keep close by (though not close enough) are a sure antidote to anything that's got me down.

Lucky for you... as I'm of course happy to share them (read: force numerous pictures of them on you), we've got plenty to go around. And what I've got in store for you may or may not include one or more pictures of my adorable niece's perfectly chubby little legs stuffed in her just like my big brother's boots.

Even though ole' Michelin-legs McGee wasn't altogether thrilled with her usually hands-free (and able to toss her in the air at-will) Aunt Kiki, I'm quite confident that one day, she will thank me for these pictures... and the kind words said about them. Her sister, on the other hand, was more than happy to let me run around snapping pictures furiously - not that she was the wiser for it. But I've seen how fast these kids grow so I knew better than to let an opportunity with a quiet, still baby (or adorably pudgy legs, for that matter) pass me by.

In the world of Charlie, post-baby sister #2, he's stepped into the big-big brother role quite nicely. He's quick to tell momma when either of his sisters are crying or seem to need something (and especially if they are too little to be playing with any of his toys) and then head on his merry way to the closest John Deere-like piece of machinery or Playmobil set. And if a Sophie, or Nana or Grandad are close by, all the better.

If there's one person in all of this who does get it, well, that'd be our big-cheeked Sarah Taylor. Someone must have given her a heads-up that she was arriving as the third child in an already active (we'll call it) household. While Caroline chases after her big brother, leaving no stone unturned, the baby in residence ingeniously takes every chance she gets to catch some shut-eye - in the teeny tiny mind of a 4-week old, she's got it all figured out.

I imagine her time will come - and I can't wait to be there to (make a poor attempt to) capture yet another reason to make you smile.

Send Help

2010-05-12T23:45:00.007-05:00

Recipe: Homemade Waffles

While I'm on a breakfast kick (or at least I was... until I met the Pioneer Woman and went into hiding for a week+), I figure that I might as well roll with it. Although I do fear that my guise under which I've been writing this ah-hem (food) blog is about to be blown wide open.

The facts of the case are this: the person who pens these riveting (sometimes) food-related posts feeds her "family" breakfast for dinner at least once a week. But, you can rest easy knowing that on the nights when we aren't eating some form of eggs, waffles or pancakes, I really crank it up and serve an extremely gourmet tuna salad sandwich... see, we're not all breakfast here.

I've actually just learned that the "breakfast for dinner" thing is a somewhat polarizing issue in the land of "what's for dinner." And honestly, I was shocked!

But I'm hoping that no matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, you can at least agree with me that waffles, no matter what time of day you choose to consume them, are pretty tasty little things... especially if made well.

Here's where you come in... (do you like how I eased you in like that?) I need help. Bad. I made these here waffles a few weeks ago on a bright weekend morning and we enjoyed them immensely... so much so that I vowed to never stray from the recipe and make them again and again... and again.

The thing is, when I went to make them again (this time for dinner)... the recipe that I had once pledged my allegiance to was no where to be found. After spending far much time searching to no avail, my thoughts turned to you all! Might you lend me a hand?

This is what I remember about the can't-get-out-of-my-head waffle recipe we once relished:

I could've sworn the original recipe came from Fine Cooking;
I also thought that I ended up using a combination of two very similar recipes (from the same source) though I can't pinpoint exactly what the differences were (a bit more baking soda or powder??), and;
I am almost certain that I didn't whip the egg whites apart from the rest of the batter (which seems to be included in all of the delicious-looking recipes I can find now - my only problem with that being the whole quick and easy weeknight meal, in my opinion, goes out the window when I have to either whip the egg whites by hand for 10 minutes or break out the mixer)

Does that ring a bell... at all? Does anyone even make homemade waffles anymore?

Please, oh please, share your favorite waffle recipe. Even if you tell me the only way to achieve the texture and balance that these waffles once (upon a time) provided is to separate and whip the egg whites... then by golly, I'll do it.

In the end, I realize that I may never uncover the exact recipe that produced these waffles, with their delicately crispy outside and light and fluffy interior. But it'd be a heck of a lot easier to venture back out into the world with your recommended recipe in hand.

Starstruck

2010-05-04T21:37:00.003-05:00

Well, you really knocked that one out of the park, Kara.

Score: Pioneer Woman Book Signing - 1, Kara - anything but.

Before I indict myself (twice), let me say that Ree (the Pioneer Woman) is, if it's possible, even more gorgeous in real life then her pictures let on (and yes, even with mis-matched earrings... that, for the record, we were none the smarter about, though I did have a little chuckle noticing them in my pictures). And her nervousness is nothing but endearing... after all, how do you talk to a crowd of people who know your daily ins and outs but you know... well, nothing about them?

Her sweet personality just oozed both up at the podium as well as more comfortably seated at the table signing books, so you'd think I might have been a little more at ease. Not a chance. It was the heels... that I wore for Ree and her love of all things heeled - it really was. *sure thing, Kara

If the heels were my first mistake (as if she was going to examine my feet, right?), it was only downhill from there. Truthfully, the book signing experience couldn't have gone smoother, for Ree and Borders, that is, but it was a different story for yours truly. When Andrea (my dear friend who I dragged along with me... and the sole reason why we were in and out in under 30 minutes) and I suddenly found ourselves 3rd and 4th in line to get our books signed, my head started spinning. I had approximately 30 seconds to think of something other than a sheepish "hi"... and it didn't happen. On top of that, I'm fairly certain I repeated that prolific word more than once.

I should have stopped while I was ahead. Luckily, the nice woman from Borders broke the silence by offering to take a picture of us. Yes, please, that'd be lovely. After two unsuccessful tries, though, I started to see my chances of any documentation that this actually occurred slipping away. Thankfully the famous blogger-turned-author sitting between Andrea and me took it upon herself to let our photographer know that the camera hadn't actually fired and would she please try again. A few seconds later, we had our picture, and I stepped forward to capture a shot of just Andrea and Ree.

As fate would have it, I took this as my cue... yup, my entree into a meaningful and memorable conversation with the Pioneer Woman would be about photography. (mistake #1) So after snapping a picture of the two of them, I decided to inform Ree, she of Photoshop and Nikon-picture-taking fame, that if my pictures didn't turn out well, it was because she hadn't taught her readers (i.e. me) how to use the flash (which apparently would have cured all of my picture-taking woes). Course she's taught us all about ISO, which would have been an equally good (if not better) solution to my problem, but not tonight... on my one chance to talk to Mrs. Pioneer Woman herself, the only thing I had to say was to blame her for my less-than-stellar indoor (and let's face it, outdoor, too) photography.

She accepted my comments as gracefully as you'd expect, while I, after realizing exactly what I'd just said, quickly slipped away.

But I wasn't done... and I apologize sincerely to both Ree and Borders for what then ensued. As Andrea and I headed for the exit, we realized that we still held our yellow "group one" tickets; we walked almost smack dab into a very cute, very pregnant girl with a pink "last group" ticket - and to be honest, we didn't miss a beat. Andrea whipped out her ticket and offered it to our new friend, gifting her the opportunity to get her book signed right then and there, rather than waiting the countless hours that surely stood before her. I too found a grateful woman walking into the store yet without a ticket and handed her mine, just the same. While it's almost completely out of character for me act out against rules, those yellow tickets were burning a hole in our hands and certainly were right at home with their new owners (who hopefully were at home shortly after we were).

Other than that, it's not like I burned the building down or anything, so let's call it a success... or something. I did make it to meet the Pioneer Woman in one piece, and stupid accusations aside, left intact as well... after all, if you set your standards low, it's almost impossible to miss.

Bonus #1: Some Pioneer Woman recipes I've already scarfed down:

Pan-Fried Ribeye Steak

Baked Fudge

(my horrific massacre of her famous) Cinnamon Rolls *second try, coming soon to a belly near you

**Bonus numero dos... if you've ever wondered why it took the Marlboro Man (Ree's husband, Ladd) so long to call her after they met the first time...

And Then There Were Three...

2010-05-03T19:53:00.004-05:00

There's a new sheriff in town... and her name is Sarah Taylor.

One day, looking back on this (post that's over a week late), she might worry that as the youngest of three, she'd been forgotten. With her signature bigger-than-life cheeks and adorable baby noises (you know those), there's simply no way she was overlooked.

Sure, a little work trip might have delayed the meeting of our newest niece, but once I was home, it was only a matter of time before she was in my arms. That new-baby smell only lasts so long, you know.

Buuut, to her big brother and sister (who is quickly learning the word gently), she's just been an excuse to have grandparents visiting extra long and some new nifty toys... and even a special dessert. This little sister thing (or little-little, in Charlie's case) ain't so bad after all.

I mean... take a peek at Caroline and Charlie's intensity (if you can get past Caroline's impossibly cute curls)... those are looks that could only be provoked by dessert - they might as well have drool running down their cheeks, right?

We couldn't be more excited to watch Sarah Taylor take her place among these two cuties... I have a sneaking suspicion that she's going to fit right in.

Accepting the Past

2010-04-29T21:42:00.013-05:00

Recipe: Jamie's Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese

Truth be told... I saw this going differently.

It's just that you might say I grew up on eggs. And not in the sense of living in the country, gathering your own farm-fresh eggs every morning... but moreso that they were so cheap, we turned them into breakfast, lunch, and dinner (which, I must admit, mom, I completely get it now, being one of those crazy adults who has a grocery budget of her own, etc.). It seemed like not a week went by where eggs didn't star in something on our menu - ranging from fried egg and ham sandwiches, to scrambled eggs and hash (out of a can!), and at its height, scrambled eggs with chili on top (which got a family's worth of raised eyebrows... only to be forgotten with the first bite).

Yes, I did just say "hash (out of a can!)" but make no mistake, my mom spent considerable amounts of time in the kitchen preparing healthy, well-rounded meals, for us, every night of the week, and she also made sure that in the midst of everything else, we prioritized eating together as a family. Or should I say... eating eggs together as a family.

So as fate would have it, nowadays, not only do eggs play a prominent role in my own weekly menu (with special thanks to a just-as-cheap-as-me husband who loves breakfast anytime of the day), but I actually like and even crave them (it's true).

To say this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole* was a no-brainer is stating the obvious. Cheese? Breakfast meat? And, eggs?! Yes, please. And if I hadn't had a great reason to serve it at brunch, you can bet it'd have been right at home on our any-night-of-the-week dinner menu.

So I guess I owe a(nother) thank you to my mother-so-dearest...without whom I would never have known the joy of eggs, or how many different ways you can serve them.

*I substituted smoked Kielbasa for the ham and used our favorite cheesy bread to up the cheesiness.

Writing Imperfectly

2010-04-23T23:58:00.014-05:00

As I've come to expect from myself, I'd sat through about 3 minutes of day two of training before I was reminded that my memory is far from perfect. Or my interpretation of my memory... however that best makes sense to you.

what I meant yesterday about writing on an 8th grade level. You should still aspire to do this, don't get me wrong, but in doing so, don't talk down to your audience - but rather, write in a way that makes sense to a wide audience and simplify... focusing on that 8th grade level.

One other thing I can't believe I forgot to tell you about (it's true that the most obvious things are often what escapes us) is Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Both users (90% of the time people use search engines, rather than a specific pages' Search, for open-ended queries) and search engines have become so much more sophisticated - users are inputting longer search requests so that miniscule little "Search" box is becoming inadequate.

I'm personally ready to move on, though. Enough with the Web Usability... and onto Writing for the Web (which nicely picked up right where day one had left off):

Who are we (us, online)? We don't want to read a lot, we're impatient, and we are on the move. Keep this in mind as you create content (and I'll continue to write more of what you don't want to and don't have time to read).

Do NOT attempt to take printed material and just 'paste' it onto a website. It just won't work.

Committed readers (people who stay on a page to read at least 1/2 of the content) are few and far between:

Pages with 50 words are optimal with 80% committed readers (this doesn't mean to cut all of your pages down to 50 words but to focus on chunking your content into readable sections)

Pages with 100 words fall down to 50% committed readers

Pages with 200 words gain an obismal 30% committed readers

Users love lists!! Bold words! We see these as shortcuts to finding what we're looking for.

The words "Click here" or "Link here" are lost opportunities to give your readers more information; instead make an 'article heading' (or other content rich text) a link.

Accessibility is important! But not just for the handicapped. If you write with Accessibility in mind, you're designing a page so that all users can more quickly receive the information they desire.

Stock photos... oh, stock photos. They present a credibility loss for the site as users find them off-putting and they might incorrectly portray an image for your site. People are more drawn to non-professional pictures that they can relate to.

And with that, I have given you a classic "do as I say, not as I do" as my writing here certainly would be an embarrassment to the lecturer who imparted her wisdom to us yesterday. Hopefully, though, we can all continue to learn and practice together.

Learning!

2010-04-22T18:13:00.014-05:00

Embarrassing fact: the term “web usability” meant about well, nothing, to me a month or so ago

Remedy: as of today, “web usability” means a whole lot to me (and it's all sorts of interesting!)

A happy coincidence has found me in the Windy City this week for some work and a little bit of play. With my employer rather keen on professional development and my day-job involving a fair amount of website design and content creation, it was a given that the Nielsen Norman Group’s Web Usability Week Conference would be ideal for me in this time of (strictly work-related) transition (from our current website to our upcoming “spiffy” new site – keeping in mind that “spiffy” is relative).

One day in... consider me a happy customer. I couldn’t be more pleased after my day-long session. I learned so much and had fun doing so. And since we all find ourselves here, right now, on the web, I thought it’d be fun to share some tips that I gathered today during the “Fundamentals in Web Usability” session that might just apply to you (though, admittedly, if you do website design full-time, this will be old hat):

It turns out that users actually will scroll (beyond “the fold” – the first screen that you see on any given monitor)… but only a total of 2.3 pages worth.

Less is more! Cluttered (with the wrong images, content, etc.) websites just distract your user from what they came to do in the first place.

When writing content for a general audience, do so as if your users have the literacy level of an 8th grader (yes, I'm serious... and no, this doesn't have anything to do with the American education system).

Be consistent within your site, whether in link and text colors, placement of navigation on the page, etc.

You have a lot more flexibility (i.e. room for error) with a highly motivated or extremely loyal user; do not design with that user in mind.

Now that I've dispensed web design and usability guidelines here (amid this not-so-by-the-book-following-designed if-you-can-call-it-that blog), I will proceed to hide my head and never come out again... or at least not until tomorrow when I'll hopefully have some handy writing for the web tips (and with any luck, written in prose flowing like fine wine).

A (Not-So) Chance Meeting

2010-04-17T16:09:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Strawberry-Citrus Salad

Well, now, that wasn't half bad! *sure it took me almost a week to write about it but don't be fooled into thinking that it was a result of being scarred by the experience No wonder so many look to the internet to meet people these days!

We were so thrilled to host Abby and her husband, Brad, on the tail-end of their road-trip up here to our neck of the woods. I'll admit to being a bit nervous as the time of our meeting approached... though we thankfully avoided the awkward "I'll be the one wearing the red rose" by agreeing to brunch together at our house. A bit of a selfish move, of course... as I'm more uneasy picking a restaurant to dine at with a group than feeding people from our own kitchen (quality of food, notwithstanding).

I was so intrigued, and a little humbled - if I'm honest - to realize how much Abby and I actually didn't know about each other (or moreso, each other's spouses (after all, even here, Chris rarely gets a mention, let alone the spotlight)) after kinda, sorta, almost "knowing" each other for well over two years. But what better situation for great conversation; earlier in the week, in anticipation for the big meeting, Abby and I admitted to each other that we loved meeting new people and making new friends... even, in our case, friends who will likely never live within a few hundred miles of each other.

And friends we did make. (Abby, we hope you agree) With or without the delicious Moravian sugar cake and spice cookies that our gracious guests brought us, the afternoon went off without a hitch.

In large part, I believe I owe the event-less-ness of the morning to this beyond beautiful (I can say that - it's not my recipe) fruit salad that rounded out our meal (more on the rest of what we ate later). The fact that it has four ingredients, including brown sugar, had me sold from the start, but when I (effortlessly, I must add) tossed it together Sunday morning in about 3.5 seconds and looked at the brightly colored creation before me... it blew my mind (and even looked halfway decent in an iPhone picture!).

Suffice it to say, we thoroughly enjoyed the morning with our new friends. As someone once said (you might know her), " ... the internet is filled with great people… and you don’t have to look very far to find them". (you can read all my disclaimers to that statement here... or not, but you know... proceed at your own risk)

Meeting on the Internet

2010-04-11T09:28:00.003-05:00

No, this isn't a story of how Chris and I met... as it wasn't via these here interwebs, after all (rather on a hot and dusty softball field... a story that I may one day indulge you with, if you're lucky... only because it'll be a post with few words and even fewer pictures).

This story is (or will be) a little bit how I "met" a food blogger online, and a lot of how to both get up the nerve to invite one into your home and subsequently, prepare for it. Or... more easily said - how to host a food blogger.

One of my typical disclaimers: it's quite true, I haven't written a food-related post in a couple of weeks so take the fact that I refer to myself as a 'food blogger' below with a grain of salt

1. Meet a food blogger (uh... not hard, there are thousands of them) and over 2.5+ years, develop a friendship - realizing one of you went to college in the other's current hometown and enjoy a friendly rivalry based on ACC sports (during which we were united in our love for anything not Duke).

2. Come to terms with the fact that you met someone online and realize you're okay with it - it's the 21st century, after all.

3. Learn that said food blogger would be traveling to your neck of the woods for a hanami of her own and build up the nerve to invite her and her husband for over brunch.

4. Pour through cookbook after cookbook, trying to think of the fanciest brunch menu ever contrived and then realize that she'd see right through it. Nix also the idea of cooking all things from her long recipe index but get somewhat sidetracked oohing and aahing over her homemade marshmallows.

5. Finally, relax, confident that the big meeting will be loads of fun and great conversation... tastiness of the food not as certain... but someone as sweet (and Southern) as she is will be gracious, regardless - of that, I have no doubt.

Thus concludes my not-very comprehensive tale of how to (get up the nerve to) host a food blogger. I couldn't be more excited about my first taste of how this internet is making our world so small and connected. You, on the other hand, are saved from me waxing poetic about just that as Abby and her husband, Brad, arrive in about 30 minutes so I'm off!!

to be continued...

Feasting at the (Cherry) Blossoms

2010-04-06T22:57:00.001-05:00

Cherry (and one Apple) Blossoms 2010... as told through only (my unprofessional - seriously, look at some of these) pictures... (meaning I have to keep my mouth shut)

Oh, fine... for clarity's sake, I must interject. One thing my semi-silence doesn't mean is that I think my pictures are good enough to stand on their own... moreso that the beauty of these gorgeous trees (and their associated flowers) should not be tainted by my ramblings.

And lastly... (as if you expected me to stay quiet) I feel this final picture warrants some explanation.

On the second of my two lovely lunches spent down by the Cherry Blossoms, we had delicious, traditional Japanese picnic food - which I was told, is the only appropriate way to have a hanami, the Japanese word for "flower viewing". Two different varieties of freshly homemade onigiri (or "rice balls") - filled with either mackerel or pickled plum, and a hard-boiled egg!

I feel compelled to say that the Japanese have a good thing going... I couldn't have been more content as we feasted on both the views that their trees provide as well as their tasty snacks.

Wild and Wonderful

2010-03-31T23:47:00.017-05:00

Alternate title considered but quickly dismissed: Yes, We Actually Went to West Virginia on Purpose

If you aren't local, then you may be fortunate (ah-hem) enough to not recognize "Wild and Wonderful"... buuuut, for the rest of you, just know I'm right there with you.

Then, why the post? The not-so-subtle title? The quaint and historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, was the destination for Chris and my recent rendez-vous. Note: the term "rendez-vous" was used purely for dramatic effect; we arrived together at a locale that we'd never been to so...

I'm kinda (read: completely) obsessed with getting out and seeing it all - and somehow Harper's Ferry had always been on that list so there we were. And... if you're noticing a trend of not-too(or at all)-glamorous but still getting away from it all destinations for celebrating our wedding anniversary, you'd be right-on.

You read that right... we urbanites left all that the greater-DC area offers (a great deal still undiscovered by us) and headed to none other than West Virginia for a memorable day, full of history and reminiscing about our day.

In the end, comical as it was that I dragged us out to West Virginia when there are more than enough ways to commemorate special events just minutes down the road, the outing couldn't have been more us than if I'd planned it that way on purpose. A destination yet unexplored, quite inexpensive (you know that had me sold from the start), close enough for a relaxing day trip with no need for an overnight (note the prior comment about it being inexpensive), beautiful, lightly covered in left-over snow (great for my continued mascarade as a photographer), an occasion to force ourselves outdoors (fortuitously, it ended up being one of the warmer days of our late, over-extended winter), and what capped it all off... Annabelle was invited, and even welcomed!

Alas, as this is a blog occasionally dabbling in food-related posts, I feel obligated to tell you that you might not visit Harper's Ferry in search of a foodie paradise. Still go... but rather for the defining history (best told by this guide who we spent over three hours with, learning about each nook and cranny of the once bustling and important Civil War town), beautiful vistas, and (many) moments of mountain-fresh air.

Now that you've heard all its accolades, can you really blame me for our trip? Chris and I had absolutely no complaints ('course I did feed him homemade pizza and now two year old frozen cookies the next night, as tradition dictates, on our real anniversary). And with that, I must add that I do believe probably now more than ever before, that there truly is someone designed to complement each of us... as I couldn't have asked for a better spouse over these past two years... who else'd follow me down all of the crazy roads I've dragged Chris and do so with a smile (and a coupon!).

A Seasonal Send-Off

2010-03-25T10:49:00.004-05:00

With the 70+ degree weather we've been enjoying (or chasing?), you're more likely to be outside, standing grill-side, preparing to drink a cold one rather than reading about baking with said beer - yet here I am (when will I ever get this right?!).

Although this time I think I have a better chance that some of you are still firing up the ole' oven, having not yet relegated her to (seasonal) retirement, even if anything she produces is quickly transferred to the great outdoors. Regardless, aside from the fact that I'm not altogether convinced that spring has truly sprung, with recipes like this Beer Bread that are both made with a certain refreshing beverage and also taste good accompanied by one, you'll feel the pull of the stove, if for the last time this season (unless I can tempt you otherwise, which remains to be seen).

But bread, Kara? I thought you were one of those yeast-phobes?

These days it seems I'm a lot friendlier with yeast than I used to be but seeing a recipe for delicious, crusty bread made without the rising and kneading, and frankly, praying? My only explanation is that it's magic... what the elixir beer does amidst the sparse ingredients in this bread.

If you're wondering, Chris did give me a bit of a raised-eyebrow glance as I borrowed a beer for this recipe; but I heard not so much as a peep once the bread emerged from the oven, receiving its slather of butter (speaking of which, have you tried this stuff - it's the best thing since, oh boy, sliced bread).

So whether or not if you've put your stove down for a long summer's nap, at the very least, promise me you'll throw this bread together at the first signs of fall, a season I know I'll be anticipating as soon as the humid DC summer hits.

Beer Bread
generously adapted from Dogfish Head Ale House recipe (you've been there before!)

3 c self-rising flour
2 TB sugar
12 oz beer, at room temperature
3 TB butter, melted
1/2 TB kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all the ingredients and mix energetically by hand until the flour is moistened completely and you have a uniform mixture. Spoon into a greased 9x5 in loaf pan, filling it 1/2 -2/3 full. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the (unbaked) batter and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for an hour.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then release the bread from the pan.

With Open Arms

2010-03-22T06:47:00.001-05:00

I greeted this (glorious!!!) spring that we are enjoying (oh, are we enjoying it) rather hesitantly. I was so sure the first day or so of sunshine and warmth were just a tease, and I was right. But sooner than I foresaw (or so it seems), the real spring popped back up - and this second time, I was sure to welcome it with open arms.

After testing the too-good-to-be-true weather for a few days last week, I deemed spring officially in season and decided to make it feel right at home in our home and yard this weekend.

At risk of sounding like a whiner, I must warn you (in case your weather hasn't yet begun to mirror ours) that it can be quite discouraging to survey your yard after a winter of neglect (and of three record-breaking snowstorms) and discern how to begin.

We set about to tackle one of the obvious (and honestly, the most clearly lacking) spots... our front door and stairs. The solution was obvious... we needed a long-lasting, compact shrub with some height and a few touches of color. Oh, and a planter... with enough substance to sit alone on our front porch but not too big to obstruct the front door.

The answer(s) revealed itself in a Sky Pencil Japanese Holly surrounded by a lush patch of thyme (yes, the herb) and some pansies. The latter will be switched out or added to throughout the summer as more colorful options are available and the former will find its way into the kitchen from time to time (horrible pun embarrassingly sorta intended).

An unexpected gem that we came across to brighten up our spring weekend (which will hopefully last well into the summer) was a lush, dark green-leaved strawberry plant! Last summer we regretted not having (attempted) growing our own berries so I jumped at the chance to make one of these beauties our very own.

We were also treated to a little gift that I can not explain (but won't fight either)... so I choose instead to chalk it up to an ushering in spring surprise. Our once all perfectly light-pink camellia has taken on a new hue... but only in a distinct section of the shrub! A few fuchsia blooms poked through this weekend, which made it all that much happier for this girl.

This next move might, admittedly, have been a bit pre-mature, but honestly, with the 75+ degree weather beating down on my back, I couldn't not buy a couple of pots of herbs. Now it's up to me to endure some constant prayer for continued pleasantly warm temperatures, similar to what we experienced this weekend, so these fragrant guys stick with us through the summer.

No pictures document this next important part of our early spring weekend, but there's no denying that a variety of green leaf lettuce, spinach, and romaine seeds were planted. One of the things that I look forward to most each summer is our vegetable garden, full of tomatoes, peppers, beans... and the annual planting of our lettuce seeds has always marked the start to another (hopefully fruitful) season.

Quite possibly as a result of figuring out what causes hundreds of little seedlings... er, weeds, to rear their ugly heads (though I will only claim a partial-victory because I still remain completely bewildered as to how to prevent more of them from dropping), on this first weekend of spring, I actually enjoyed weeding and tidying our flower beds. Sure our lavender plant was as unruly as it gets, but a haircut later, things were looking up. And amidst straw-like (past-their-time) stalks of last year's peonies, new peonies greeted us, pushing up through the now cleared flower bed.

Oh! The yellow flowers popping off those woody stems? I cut a couple sprigs of our forsythia (trying to capture flowers in all stages of their life - buds, barely opened, and wide opened) and with some help, artfully displayed them for some bits of cheerfulness around the house. It's spring, by golly... make sure to enjoy it both inside and out!

I am pretty confident this goes without saying but if this past weekend was any indication of what Spring 2010 holds in store for us, well, I am happy to do my part ushering it in... even allowing it to take up permanent residence here with us.

Making Choices

2010-03-16T22:42:00.006-05:00

Life is full of 'em. Choices that is.

For instance, tonight I had to decide between making a cake for some notoriously dessert-hungry visitors we're having this weekend (I've been on a bundt cake roll ever since my dear friend Allison bestowed this beautiful cake pan to me!) and writing this post. You can see who won out but don't be fooled into thinking this decision came easily. After all, I know more people appreciate my food over my words - but yet the latter came through victorious.

There are other decisions, too... like which bar cookie recipe I both already have the ingredients for and that preferably requires no mixer (read: very quick and easy). And triple points if the recipe can be prepped simultaneously with said bundt cake (see above reference to impending, famously sweet-toothed visitors - and I don't like to disappoint but then we've talked about my stocking the fridge and cookie jar issue). I think I have a winner but I don't like to put the horse before the cart.

Then more important (heck even monumental) things like the fact that I'm considering a bit of a blog re-design. It should be said that the sole reason I'm sharing this now is that if say, two months down the road this old house still looks the same, you can pester me and say "hey, ding bat, what about the re-design?" But along those same lines, do you know how many choices there are in the world of the interwebs and (shudder) blog templates? I'm obviously not paying someone to do this so unfortunately no fancy graphic design is headed our way (sigh) but I am promising at least a recipe index. Imagine that!

**speaking of choices, if you had a say in the matter, what would you like to see here?

Making this snack mix, though? This is a gimme. Honestly... it's hands-off (since it's made in the slow cooker!) and can be customized using any cereals or crackers you have laying around... and tastes good to boot? I know you're staring at the page in disbelief - even hurriedly scrolling to the recipe to see if I'm serious. As weird as it might seem to dump your Cheez-Its and Chex into the basin of your slow cooker, do it - stir those morsels of tasty goodness around and off you go. You'll never look back. It'll be the best choice you make all day.

Best-Ever Snack Mix (in the slow cooker!)
Adapted from The $7 a Meal Slow Cooker Cookbook

2 c Corn Chex (or other square corn cereal)
2 c Cheez-Its
1 c lightly salted peanuts
1 c walnuts, roughly chopped
1/3 c butter, melted
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese

Pour Corn Chex, Cheez-Its, peanuts and walnuts into the bowl of your slow cooker. Toss to mix.

In a separate small bowl, combine the garlic, salt, butter, and Worcestershire sauce; stir to combine. Pour over the dry ingredients in the slow cooker and mix to evenly coat.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. At this point, uncover your slow cooker and cook on high for 1 hour. Then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese; leave the cover off and cook for another 15-20 minutes on high.

Pour mixture onto a rimmed cookie sheet and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container up to a week.

**if I were a betting lady, I'd say this can be adapted to your oven (though I have not tried it) - try baking at 200 degrees for two hours or so, carefully monitoring every few minutes to make sure it doesn't burn; add your Parmesan cheese and turn the oven up to 300 degrees, baking for another 30 minutes

Right on the Season

2010-03-10T20:29:00.002-05:00

As you've come to expect, I'm here with a right-on-the-money seasonally appropriate recipe for you to enjoy.

Wait, let me try that again... more like... I'm here with a "in case you froze some blueberries last summer and decided it was high-time they saw their day in the sun" recipe. Either way (see, I do have your best interest in mind), if you do have access to some fresh (or frozen-fresh) blueberries, I'll let you go grab them now so they can start defrosting while you read the rest of my rambling - we're all about efficiency here.

The funny thing is that I set out to make these (okay, full-disclosure... I made these a while back - but not to worry, it was still well out-of-season) because we had company coming to town and it's my tendency (read: the only way I know how to handle guests) to stock the fridge and freezer with meals and their subsequent desserts.

Then I learned that one of our friends was allergic to blueberries; after shedding a few tears, I trudged on knowing that's exactly what my friend would want me to do. Thus, I resigned myself to baking these knowing I'd need to eat them all myself (rather than risk an allergic reaction - see how concerned I was?!)... or, just about all, give or take five which I divvied out to Chris and the scavengers at work.

And I owe it all to our allergic-to-blueberries friend when I say (don't mistake this for an exaggeration) that I truly believe that I could have sold each of these little fruit-studded squares to my coworkers in a name-your-own-price type scenario. If that's too metaphorical for you, what I'm saying is that never, ever, has a baked good I've shared elicited the reaction that these treats stuffed with frozen fruit received.

With that I must say, maybe out of season isn't so bad after all. I will attribute a little of Deb's Blueberry Crumble Bars' fame to a craving for fresh (ah-hem) fruit in the middle of winter... but really, there's no explanation needed. These things just sell themselves.

**Turns out I'm not the only one who is seasonally-challenged (although I prefer to call it "fresh fruit freezing savvy")! Abby made some amazing looking muffins with her frozen blueberries just recently too!!

Reasons to Love It

2010-03-04T21:37:00.002-05:00

I'm sure you've noticed (riiiight, Kara)... my track record here as far as compliments go for this old house that we are happy to call home is less than uh... complimentary. Since it usually goes something like "yes, I love our house but...", I figured I should show you what it is that I actually do love about our house... lest you think I'm a fibber.

And we're off with a four-in-one doozie. Notwithstanding the (a lot) less-than-award-winning pictures (even after studying these great tips!), this little vignette we've got here is without a doubt one of my favorite spots in our house.

This is our dining room who you've met before... or you've at least met her stripes before. Speaking of that hard-earned wall-decoration, they are certainly one of the major factors leading to me being willing to take up residence in this room.

While the walls are the foundation for what I love about this room, our lively and unexpected paintings just elevate my feelings. Do you have things in your life that are not only beautiful but were also created with care by a great friend? These paintings, given to us as a wedding gift by my talented friend Carolyn, immediately found their home here above our china cabinet... and I haven't stopped smiling at them since.

Lurking just below those canvases of color is what my mom once called my first heirloom. Obviously not referring to the bowl of oranges, she was describing our tea service which was handed-down from Chris' family. It has a long and storied history (that I desperately need to get my in-laws to transcribe) which makes it all that much more special. And to think growing up, I never really understood why my mom loved antiques... and old houses? Don't even get me started. Now back to our 1940s house...

Something old, something new, right? The last part of this little corner of our world that I love so dearly is our china. I recognize that registering for china when you're married has become a little old-fashioned but I'm okay with that distinction. And while Chris might not have the same affinity for those plates, I have never regretted picking out this china. We've used it hosting family for memorable meals and no matter what the evening's menu, I make sure we eat off of it each year on our anniversary.

Now you know where to find me when I just can't get past the stark white walls of our hopeless guest room... it's rooms like this that keep me sane when the rest of the house seems to frustrate me more than anything else. But let's end on a positive note, shall we? What's your favorite part of wherever you are lucky enough to call home? I'm nothing if not house and decorating-obsessed.

*hey, that was kinda fun! I'll be featuring some more similarly-little parts of our house that make me smile so stay tuned...

A Not-too-Sweet Lesson

2010-03-02T22:10:00.001-05:00

You won't believe this but I'm going to say it anyway... as of late, I've been enjoying baked goods (duh), yes - tasty sweets, with less uh... sweet (read: sugar). Don't get me wrong... I haven't written off sugar completely (or even slightly) and these lovely little squares still have a healthy dose of the sweet-stuff, but they aren't my usual chocolate chip studded bar or coo kie, or a multi-layered deli ght so the chances of anyone turning these away because they are too sweet are slim. *actually, the chance of anyone turning these away at all is all but unimaginable

I'm sure this phase will pass... so no need to rally the troops, but while I'm here, I thought I'd share how I've managed my way through (and honestly, it hasn't been all that bad). While I can't really fathom it, I figured there's chance that one or two of you actually don't lunge for the desserts that everyone else says "it's too rich" (meanwhile, there's the Kara-of-old who knows that those words signal the dessert of my preference).

But as it turns out, I'm completely equal opportunity in all things dessert. You call it a sweet... or dessert, and I'll eat it - and now even bake it (as was the case here).

So I'm done gloating about how I now eat super sweet and not-as-sweet things with equal amounts of delight. Buuuut, did you happen to notice that I kind of glazed over the part about the actual ingredients? As in not talked about them at all even while referring to the fact that these weren't overly sweet? Sure there's about 1.5 cups of sugar total in these heavenly bars (how's that for details for ya?)... but the big deal here is that there are 1.5 cups of butter too. It's true... go on and check out IvoryHut's recipe (but puh-lease come back).

Why this is important is that it turns out while I was learning to appreciate the less sweeter-things-in-life, I lost my ability to read recipes and translate them into buttery goodness (peppered with nuts and chopped bits of dates). What this means for you is that even though our Food for the Gods bars were made with half the amount of butter, they were still devoured and I was the only one who had a clue. So just imagine the scrumptiousness that will be yours assuming you bake these according to the recipe?!

What are you waiting for... stop imagining it and grab your cup and a half of butter (that's three sticks), and get to it! Endless not-to-sweet sweets await!

IvoryHut's Food for the Gods

To See the Monkeys

2010-02-24T22:59:00.010-05:00

Another snow storm? I barely even flinched, honestly. It's almost cliche, after all, this year (at least around here... any of you in Southern Cal or other tropical geographies, no comment, but I think I've got something here that'll look good even to you).

As you might imagine, with piles of (black-soot-covered) snow as high as 5 feet in some areas (still!), my mind turns to thoughts of warmer (if not, monkey-friendly) places.

No, we didn't hear about the recent snowstorms snow and bolt... we actually found this sunshine long before even a hint of Snowpocalypse but only now did it actually become a crucial matter to break out these pictures - after all, every picture I've taken in the past month or so has had some element of snow in it so seeing a (couple hundred) pictures with no white stuff reflecting up was the perfect remedy. Consider me officially ready for spring (hint, hint).

But let's not ruin the moment. The one in which memories and a few pictures of our (not too distant) Costa Rican vacation boast enough sun and tropical weather for tonight's (pithy) 1-3 inch dusting (quit with the snow-complaining already, I know).

This was my first middle-of-the-winter beach vacation and it didn't take long for me to get why it's the high-season in Costa Rica, as in many other warm-weather spots. I'm a beach over mountains (read: snow) girl any day, as it is, but the vistas of majestic, lush, green mountains and beautiful expanses of sandy beaches, just further confirmed this.

And then the monkeys... oh the monkeys. At our first stop near the base of the Arenal volcano, Chris indulged me in a game of what I called "chase the tour buses"; I'd quickly gathered that if we followed around the vans packed with tourists, we'd be led straight to all of the exotic wild life including three-toed sloths, toucans, and families of quick-moving monkeys.

Not having a clue how prolific all of these animals would be at our next stop, I was (more than) a bit obsessed with finding each and everything that the Costa Rican land had to offer. Luckily, I had nothing to fear - after a (slow and steady) drive across the country (stopping for an absolutely amazing sunset break near Jaco Beach), we arrived in Manuel Antonio and to my delight, almost immediately saw a three-toed sloth, as if he was waiting to greet us.

But the real treat for me would lie in the Manuel Antonio National Park. Not only was the beach breath-taking (they say even disposable cameras take postcard-perfect shots here and it's true!) and the hikes full of interesting flora and fauna, but there were adorable monkeys everywhere. Throughout our trip, we were fortunate enough to experience Costa Rica's capuchin, spider, and squirrel monkeys... and we weren't far from a troop of howler monkeys if the noise was any indication. *truth be told, I think you'd be hard-pressed to go to this lovely country and not see your fair share of these cute animals

We were sad to leave such a unique and beautiful country but so thankful for the opportunity to experience the wonderful Tico culture. Everything from the people and their love of the land to their food and relaxed attitudes could not have been better (though, admittedly, the drivers could use some work).

And just in case this has tempted you to book a trip (do it, you won't be sorry... it's an extremely affordable and family-friendly vacation), I feel obliged to pass along the invaluable tip of buying the GPS option if you choose to rent your own (4-wheel drive, even in the dry season) car (big huge thanks go to Andrea for that one). There's no way to describe the roads and experience of driving in Costa Rica so just take our word for it... oh, and definitely hire a driver if you are afraid of heights.

So even if the weather here (or wherever you are) is anything but tropical, hopefully these pictures and monkey-filled adventures have provided even the slightest glimpse of springs and summers to come!

It's My Weakness

2010-02-18T23:14:00.006-05:00

If my recent, earth-shattering, trick wasn't enough to really prove my worth - I'm about to blow the roof off this kitchen. Just you wait.

A short year and a half ago, I admitted that I'd never successfully hard-boiled an egg. Now I'm back with another shameful admission. Why I do this to myself (and assume you care), I have no idea. But lucky for you, on the other side of embarrassing myself, you'll get the recipe for an amazing Roasted Poblano and Corn Chowder. It's worth the wait... I promise.

You've probably noticed a few things about the way I run things around here... if I can't cook an entire recipe pretty much from scratch, the chances of it being made are slim to none. And using (what I consider) to be weird ingredients? Not gonna happen. So you can imagine my hesitation when I saw that this recipe included poblano peppers (who live somewhere close to the top of my list of unusual ingredients - embarrassing fact #2893) and not only did you have to find them, but then you had to roast them, yourself (to this day, the only roasted peppers included in any recipes I'd made were the bottled version - embarrassing fact #4589).

You can't make stuff like this up. It's true... this pot of lightly creamy but packed full of hearty vegetables chowder represents my first foray into roasting my own peppers... whether of the bell or poblano variety (and so goes my continued loss of credibility as someone who rambles about food). With this admission comes a whole host of excuses that I will spare you from - but just know I've got 'em. Thinking it was necessary to have a gas stovetop may or may not have been one of them.

Luckily, though, you get to enjoy the fruits of my er... test (can't call that labor, roasting the peppers was so darn easy!). Although not entirely since sadly you won't be able to dig into this jam-packed full bowl of chowder.

But before you're off a-roastin' and chopping, please indulge me... what's your deepest, darkest kitchen secret? Do you always burn your microwave popcorn? Is the taste of PB&J on fluffy (store-bought!) white bread still your absolutely favorite meal in the world? Or perhaps, some of your most oft-requested recipes are crafted from the humblest of boxed mixes?

Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder
brought to you by Kim

2 TBSP butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, diced
1/3 C flour
4 c chicken stock
1 carrot, diced
2 lbs potatoes, scrubbed and diced
1 lb frozen corn
1 red bell pepper
3 poblano peppers
1 c milk
½ cup cream
½ lb frozen spinach (whole leaf)
salt
pepper
cayenne, to taste

Roast peppers (poblanos and red bell): lightly coat a small baking pan with cooking spray and place your whole, washed peppers under the broiler. Monitor and turn until all side of the peppers are browned; quickly move to an airtight container (or paper bag) to steam for about 5-10 minutes after which you will gently rub off the roasted skin. Use the back of your knife to scrape away seeds and white pithy spines inside the peppers. Chop your freshly roasted peppers into a dice.

Chop garlic, onion, and celery and saute in butter until soft. Add flour to make a rue and cook for about one minute (to eliminate any flour taste).

Add stock and stir to combine. Add potatoes, peppers, frozen corn, and carrots and bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.

Cook until all veggies are soft, then slowly add milk. Bring back to a boil, and then turn off the heat and add your spinach (can add frozen or fresh), cream, and salt, pepper, and cayenne, to taste.

Optional: top with cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack), or avocado, or tortilla chips.

Change Your World

2010-02-11T07:02:00.002-05:00

I'm here (hi there!) with a trick that is certain to blow your minds. Really. I even hesitate to post this knowing how it's sure to revolutionize kitchens across the globe.

It's the secret to my sanity... well, that is, aside from our freshly painted and organized closet. Honestly, though, without this little plate of magic, my time in the kitchen would undoubtedly be less enjoyable.

Before I dazzle you and earn years of your devotion, I must give credit where it is due. Yup - you guessed it, this comes straight to you (via me) from the sparkling clean kitchen of my mom (sorry dad, you had your day in the sun (though surely more to come)... what would I, er - the snow, do without your table?)

You see... I am one of those clean-as-you-go types. But in the unusual event that I either can't immediately clean the utensil that I just dirtied or it's just impractical to do so (i.e. I'm about to use it again), I use said magic plate. Note: your impression of how magical this plate might be is admittedly subject to your own opinion It couldn't be easier. The only catch is that you remember your plate before you dive into your recipe (otherwise your sticky hands inevitably defeat the whole purpose).

I've found it's best laid as close to your primary work-surface as possible but that can be adjusted to how you move around your kitchen. Then get started... as you work, any utensil, measuring cup or spoon, spatula, is quickly placed on your plate in between uses. This allows for easier-than-you-can imagine access and re-use as well as a spotless countertop (at that you hear an audible sigh from this gal).

This same method can also be used to "catch" pesky coffee/tea stir spoons. *How's that for a 2-for-1* Simply place your cutest saucer or salad plate next to your hot beverage set-up with a clean spoon (or two) resting on it et voila, presto clean counter and obvious real estate for those used stirs.

How do you keep your sanity while cooking and baking? Am I the only one who enters the kitchen with (an embarrassingly detailed) strategic plan?

And with that, I promise to turn it back to edible treats from this kitchen, not just the tools I use to make them.

There's Hope

2010-02-08T20:01:00.003-05:00

We absolutely love this little house that we call our home. And we have since day one. Well... I should explain... it truly was love at first sight, but after moving in, with every inch covered in boxes, we went through a bit of a hate period... happily, though, soon after we returned to our blissful state.

And while we were fortunate to largely like the house the way it was, we did set about to painting (almost every room) and making some aesthetic changes to suite our tastes. Virtually every time I walk through our house, I see opportunities for a DIY project (to Chris' dismay) or a way to better highlight pops of accessories without cluttering the space.

So with the list of things to do in our house continuously growing ("welcome to home-ownership" is an oft-heard line coming from my parents), cleaning up an already functioning (and thankfully invisible with the door was shut) hall closet wasn't considered urgent. At least until we took a good look at the shelves. Not only were they peeling but we realized that they weren't even really shelves at all but three thin (light pink!) pieces of wood held together by some overly bold and seriously dated contact paper.

Thankfully, you'd be hard-pressed to find a smaller project to tackle than a hall closet in a 1940s home. Within a day, I had emptied the closet (which also led to a needed purging* of stuff) and we were on our way. After measuring how large we'd want the shelves and a quick trip to Home Depot, we were back home sanding and priming. Every inch of the interior of the closet as well as the shelves needed this treatment (that makes it sound really fancy - which is obviously an over-exaggeration since this couldn't be more basic).

We used the same color for the walls and ceiling as our dining room (a bright celadon) but decided to use two simple coats of our trim paint (a general white) for the shelves, trim, and door. As everything was drying (we waited extra long for the shelves and "brackets" so nothing would stick), I went shopping (around our house and in the basement!) for some pleasing-to-the-eye and functional storage containers and Chris took the door off, sanded and painted it and soaked all of the hardware to remove years and coats of old paint.

The end-result? I'd say it's best described as stress-reducing... and that's huge for someone like me to admit. Everything we need is easily accessible, housed in organized storage containers. The shelves are sturdy and clean (see, I told you... stress-reducing!) and there's even room left-over that we will surely need. Best of all - the only thing we purchased for the whole project was a large piece of wood (to the tune of $20) for the shelves; we used primer and paint that we already had and all of those (admittedly, inconsistent) containers were found around the house and given new life.

And I can vouch for the fact that it still looks this way today, over 2 weeks after the make-over was completed. Ahh... just thinking about it brings a smile to this face.

Does it look like this... not by a long shot, but every (very little) bit helps, right? I've actually found myself opening up the closet door as I walk by every so often just to gaze at the well-organized, fresh and clean closet. It's the little things, right?

*Purged? Really? Then why the huge stack of mis-matched towels?! This little lady demands to be washed pretty often and those are ah-hem... hers.

Just Warm Enough

2010-02-06T16:25:00.004-05:00

Have you heard? It's snowing here. A lot. And there's more coming shortly following this bunch. I'm more than happy, inside with this girl (who'd rather be outside) tucked in between us, acting as our economical and energy-efficient heat blanket.

This has almost nothing to do with what was on my mind, food-wise, today. But I thought you should be aware of the circumstances that we're dealing with here.

The last time I thought about (read: craved and subsequently proclaimed that it would be ours) this spinach quiche the view out our windows was quite a bit more colorful. And the only thing falling from the sky was a rainbow of leaves, lightly floating their way down; and while the current snowflakes descend just as peacefully, they certainly make quite a bit more of an impact.

And thus for no logical reason, as the piles of white grew higher and higher this morning, I fell deeper in denial that it would actually paralyze our city. So in an effort to not give in to every predictable freezing-weather comfort foods, this quiche popped into my head.

I can not tell a lie, however. This not-too-creamy (allowing the spinach to shine through) but just-the-right-amount of cheesy quiche (encased by a perfectly buttery crust) sadly wasn't what we consumed today. With almost two feet of snow on the ground, my sedan wasn't about to get me to the (in all probability closed) grocery store.

But the memory of it (effortless preparation, economic ingredients, three cheeses blended seamlessly with dark green spinach, sophisticated presentation) was enough to keep me warm - mind you, not paralyzed-by-the-snow warm, but comfortable enough.

*I should mention that this pie crust recipe is the first one I can claim as 100% fool-proof. And, lucky us, it makes enough for two quiches/pies (you get the idea) and stores perfectly in the freezer so you can bet I'll be pulling the second out for round two in a matter of days.

'On My Mind

2010-01-30T07:05:00.003-05:00

There are places to which, it feels like, we are inextricably linked. Or in some cases... quite extricably linked. (and I'm using that word whether spell-check and dictionaries around the world like it or not) For a few reasons, this is one of those places for me.

(yes, these pictures were taken at Thanksgiving, hence the fall decorations... and I give you every permission to be upset with me for holding out on you)

The most obvious is because I spent the majority of my formative (although there remains to be a lot of forming yet to be done) years in this house. My brother and I were fortunate to grew up here, in a loving home, amidst beauty that went all but unrecognized; and to that, my mom will say that the reason for it is because it was and is continually evolving.

But regardless how and when it got the way it is, you undoubtedly now see reason number two for why I feel so connected to this place. It's beautiful and well-thought out and balanced... in my opinion (and if I've learned anything, it's that style and home decorating is very personal) almost well... perfect. I pretty much love everything about the house... and as if it needs saying, the way my parents have put it all together (but then, mom, you already knew this).

Speaking of learning anything... I should warn you before you proceed any further that while I read a lot of DIY and decorating articles and blogs and occasionally masquerade as someone who has developed her own sense of style in our house, I know zero of the technical terms associated with this field so you're about to read a lot of "my favorites" and "beautifuls" and... you get the idea.

Even with our own house, I've tried to emulate not necessarily my mom's style per se, but how she went about, through the years, building upon their initial foundation. It seems that she puts just the slightest bit of extra thought and care into each room (or place setting or centerpiece or...) that somehow makes it work. And as is evident, she loves to mix and match unique pieces that she loves, no matter what the trends and gurus would say. *that water glass was my grandmother's crystal... apparently, she had the knack of picking out gorgeous things too so maybe one day we'll find out that it runs in the family?!)

It bears mentioning that Chris is generally less-than-pleased that I continue to refer to this lovely house as "home" (and I admit, I should really get over it... it's been quite a few years since I laid my head down in a room that was still called "mine" in this gorgeous home), but when something looks (and truthfully, it feels as amazing as it looks) this good, tell me I'm not the only one who wouldn't be holding on for dear life!!

One day I will show you our house, more than just one of our sorry guest rooms, and you'll see how far we have to go - and why my mom is consulted on almost a daily basis with cries for help.

So now you know... a little bit about the place I love to claim as "home" and also, that not only is my mom my baking and cooking mentor and go-to expert, she is also my design consultant and home-decorating-everything extraordinaire. Oh, and fellow dachshund-adorer.

So Much More

2010-01-26T22:47:00.002-05:00

This was an accident, literally. Not like "oops, I made these and didn't have anyone to share them with so down down in the belly they went" (credit to Charlie there). More like... I picked up this recipe, anticipating a completely different cookie at the outcome, one that we'd tasted and loved, no-less... only to find out that this actually isn't that recipe at all (don't ask me how that happened - I'm still sleuthing it out myself) but instead, one of the best mistakes I've ever had the pleasure of happening upon.

And it should be known, I never once looked back. Sure, the (minor but obligatory- in my opinion) addition of espresso powder (or, er... grinded instant espresso in this budget-kitchen) had me suspicious early-on, but I've read my fair share of recipes where there is a secret and powerful ingredient that is the key to the intense, if surprising, flavor, so I wasn't about to let that derail me. Not to mention, do you know how rich the addition of anything-coffee makes chocolate?

And then the shortbread-like base - speckled with slivers of bittersweet chocolate? Topped with a layer of melty chocolate chips (not that I have any issues there) and a shower of crushed Heath bars? Sure, that'd give it some bite, but the cookie I was trying to re-create had a veritable crunch.

Oh, but that bite. I'll be the first to admit that this wasn't the cookie I set out to make... and I'll bring you that recipe another day if I have the good fortune of tracking it down... but this one, these Caramel Crunch Bars (thanks, originally, to Dorie Greenspan), are worth remembering all on their very own.

No Can of Beans

2010-01-23T06:58:00.002-05:00

I really wrestled over this one. (and yes, this is a post about those good ole' beans you see there) But that's just the thing... this is anything but your traditional pot o' beans - even though all signs seem to point to a... uh... pot full of beans.

It was really my fault, though. I proudly announced to Chris that I was going to be testing out a new slow-cooker baked bean recipe. And as it happens, in this house, once you make such a pronouncement as "baked beans", you are expected to deliver.

So along I went gathering the incredibly inexpensive ingredients (including my continued obsession, dried beans, this time of the pinto variety) and suddenly I realized that what I had so confidently claimed were going to be baked beans... were surely going to be beans that were baked, but not of the type a certain person in our house was expecting.

Alas, I was convinced these beans were going to be good... different from that ubiquitous can of Bush's baked beans but possibly even more flavorful, just not in the same syrupy sweet way that our dear friend Bush's sometimes is. (and I mean absolutely no harm by that, I love a doctored up can of beans as much as the next)

And thus... after an overnight soak and a day's worth of slow cooking (all the while I barely lifted a finger)... the diced chilies adding their subtle heat, the gently sauteed onions and garlic imparting their savory flavors, and the beer adding just a bit of tang and earthiness... the verdict?

These were no can of sticky-sweet beans that you'd find on any grocery-store shelf. In fact, in both consistency and flavor, they most closely resemble the bean soup that many of our favorite Mexican restaurants serve. But as long as your expectation isn't the beans of "franks and beans", you'll be pleasantly surprised with these, the savory cousin to your favorite baked beans.

Drunken Beans (from The $7 a Meal Slow Cooker Cookbook)
serves 8

1 lb dried pinto beans
3 strips bacon
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. bottle of beer
6 c water
4 oz. can diced green chiles
2 c chunky salsa
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 c chopped cilantro (optional)

Sort through beans and rinse thoroughly. Cover with water and let soak overnight.

When ready to cook, fry bacon in a skillet until crisp; drain on paper towel, crumble, and refrigerate. Cook onions and garlic in bacon drippings until crisp-tender. Drain beans and add to your slow cooker along with the onion mixture, beer, and water. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until beans are tender.

Stir beans and add crumbled bacon, chiles, salsa, salt and pepper. Cover and cook 1-2 hours longer until beans are very tender.

What? You haven't tried cooking dried beans in your slow cooker? What are you waiting for? Just don't add any ingredients high in salt or acid until your beans have softened.

Getting to Know You

2010-01-19T07:02:00.011-05:00

Not that one's asked or anything... but I got to thinking that (approximately 1.009 of) you might be wondering just who the (utterly cluttered, over-thinking, anal) brains behind the madness are around here. And on the off-chance that you weren't sitting around contemplating that, I'll do my best to keep these 10 things that you absolutely positively could have lived a long and healthy life without knowing about me (AKA a semi-personal list of things I'm actually willing to post on the interwebs) kinda light... so if nothing else, you, at the very least, get to walk away knowing that there sure are some strange people out there.

We'll start with a gimme... my favorite little people (and most oft-photographed) in the whole wide world are this crazy bunch, Charlie and Caroline (along with their latest in eyewear fashion).

Number dos... when I tell people I was a cheerleader in high school, they aren't all that surprised. Not sure how I feel about that but I thought you should know.

Trois... my handwriting is 100% (shoot, even 200%) "learned" and I owe it all to Dr. Dewasthali (college professor extraordinaire whose Quant I and II courses kicked my butt). The story's not worth your time but suffice it to say I'm masquerading around in someone else's handwriting.

It takes me, on average, 18 minutes to dry my hair - sometimes more, rarely less (so... I realized that's not really an average). Do you have any clue how many hours of my life have been spent drying this (so-not-worth-it) hair?

My first-thing-in-the-morning routine consists of spending a couple of minutes going here hoping and praying that Deb's posted a new recipe for me to gawk at just before I check over here to see what's happening on the ranch (and if it's wisdom about photography or cooking, so be it), and then a last turn headed straight here to drool over whatever latest (perfectly-done) home improvement project they've tackled.

Oops! I lost count somewhere along the way back there and only got to five. And I gotta tell you... I'm already tired so I can only imagine I lost you long ago. If I can dream up another couple less-than-interesting nuggets about myself, I'll be back (someday) with a Part II... otherwise, you now know that I'm (very likely) only five-facts-worthy.

UPDATE: I should have known that some of you know me better than I know myself. Christy so generously provided these additional 5 facts so I got to thinking that it might be fun to see what else you kids can come up with. Just imagine (or maybe, don't) the possibilities.

6. [I] can fall asleep ANYWHERE - standing up, leaning against a cinder-block-raised dorm bed studying, after approximately 3 seconds on a plane, etc.
7. [I] am utterly devoted to [my] friends and family and will do anything for them. thanks, CP
8. [I] am half-Chinese, half-Scottish - [an] interesting mix and people often can't tell [I am] either.
9. While [I was] a cheerleader - [I am] also very athletically talented *remember, someone else wrote this in other sports - tennis and softball to name a few... maybe a little *lot less talented at basketball, but [I'm] always up for a game!
10. When [I] laugh - which is often - [I] often cry... think it may be a genetic issue with [my] tear ducts!

Cliff-hanger

2010-01-14T07:02:00.003-05:00

You just can't take it, can you? Admit it - ever since I said I was taking up some not-so-regimented healthy-eating habits, you've been dumbstruck (no, I'm not calling you dumb) sitting there waiting, wondering... would she make it, or would those goals be a distant memory mere minutes from setting them?

And then you see this... an innocent-looking piece of cake and the answer becomes quite clear. Or so you think (it's all mysteries around here, people).

And lest I interrupt you as you furiously scroll down in a panic (my writing is just that riveting, I know... and since there's nothing better going on in the world these days) - let me say this: oh ye of little faith! C'mon now people - give me a chance.

There, that's better.

Now, since you've so generously given me the benefit of the doubt, I will indulge your curiosity without taking up much more of your time (or rather, just a few quick seconds to say that I really like living in this fantasy world where folks actually care about and/or follow along with my ramblings).

About the cake, though... it's Cooking Light's Cranberry Upside Down Cake and never has healthy baking and eating been so good (heck, if I hadn't baked it myself, I never would have believed it was a light recipe!).

So there you have it... how to eat well while eating... well. If I'd known healthy eating tasted this good - my goodness, I'd have started long ago. And just for you, a few fewer of my very own words (win-win for you guys, right?)! *momentary pause so I can get this repeating words thing out of my system Let's be honest, though, the lack of words here is really because today is a designated dessert day so the longer I sit here, the less time I have to stuff my face with sweets! (this healthy eating thing is really working!)

On the Right Foot

2010-01-11T21:02:00.004-05:00

As scary and inconceivable what I'm about to proclaim is, you must believe it because the fact of the matter is that it is indeed possible to be more of a 'black-and-white' person than I am today (which is a feat in and of itself)... just ask the Kara of years-past.

And well... with that proclamation under my belt, and here we are in the midst of the season of resolutions, you'd naturally think I was either going full-steam ahead with a very solid and thought-out itemized and bulletized list or heading in the direction of what seems to be a bit of a trend these days and blowing off the idea of resolutions altogether.

If you're even remotely still with me (yawn - hey, at least scroll to the bottom of my rambling for the recipe so you don't miss the good stuff), I'm about to blow your mind (this is big stuff, folks, really... important, mind-boggling stuff) because I'm here for one purpose today and that's to tell you about my Anti-all-or-nothing, just-the-basics plan, for 2010 for this here, Kara.

It goes something like this... one of my fun blog friends came up with the wonderful idea to gather interested people in her online community and rally together to just get healthy in 2010. There were no prescriptive instructions (which of course freaked this by the rules... there are rules, right? girl out!) except that we'd all commit to trying it for the first 10 weeks (and I suspect a lot of it will be habit by the end of that time period) - so off we went about setting our own goals and figuring out how to hold ourselves and each other accountable.

And wouldn't you know? I think I kinda like this. I started with an initial (albeit draft) list of goals and tweaked them even in these first two weeks already - and it didn't bother me one bit! But in the name of being held accountable (or at least being shamed into trying really hard) - I wanted to let you in on what I'm attempting to follow and changes I'm trying to make, both little and big (okay, mostly little). Your job here is to let me know other ways you go about your daily life making healthy decisions and share them here with the rest of us!

get to sleep at 10pm (or earlier) one night a week (status: ah-hem, as they say... first is the worst)
cut out alcohol consumption completely Sunday through Thursday evenings (status: so far so good!)
only conscious eating, i.e. no snacking while reading the mail, etc. (status: pretty good)
drink more water (status: this isn't really that fair because I already drink a fair amount but I'd like to drink more)
go dessert-less 1-2 nights a week (status: good, but I need to be careful not to eat the dessert I know I won't have that night during the middle of the day)
expand my repertoire of healthy recipes by cooking at least 3 new healthful recipes a month (status: great, thanks to Cooking Light!)

And less specifically food-related but still healthy (in my mind at least):

write two cards to friends and family a month, for any (or no!) reason at all (status: Christmas cards and subsequent thank you notes have consumed my life for the past month but I'm ready to get started!)
stress myself out (especially over little things) less (status: as you might think, if you know me at all, figuring out how to stress myself out less is kind of stressing me out more... so still much work on this to be done)

A week and a half in and this challenge has proved to be just that, a challenge. Some of my goals, as miniscule as they seem, are quite lofty for me - but I've decided that they are all worth pursuing, even if I fall short in the end.

One of the easiest and most fun parts of this has been finding new healthy recipes for us to try out. This Turkish Carrots and Lentils caught my eye since I am full on obsessed with cooking with dried beans these days. Between this and the Black Bean Salsa Chili (that we made with slow-cooked dried black beans), we've been happy eating healthy and hearty meals (with left-overs to boot... the best of both worlds - good-for-you and easy on the wallet!).

The "Next Year" List

2010-01-02T07:16:00.001-05:00

If you're anything like me, you're sitting here detoxing from the past couple of weeks of Christmas and already evaluating what you can/should/would/want to do differently or heck, better next year. (by the way, if you're into resolutions, I came across these healthy ideas the other day and thought they'd be a good start)

And although I am probably the most anal person around (make that definitely), sitting here contemplating already making a list of those things takes even me to a whole new level (we won't mention how bothered I am that I've put an undoubtedly Christmas picture on this so not Christmas-type post). But, at the same time, I figured there got to be at least one other person somewhere on the face of this planet (not that they are one of the 9 people who read these here ramblings) who's somewhat like me and therefore, might actually get something out of what I've got to say today... on this, the 2nd day of the brand new year (and yes folks, that's quite a few days past Christmas, yet here I go).

So what's this all about? In a word (make that two): the cookie exchange. Sure she's been around for ages... I've even been going to one that's held annually for the past 7 or so years, so this is nothing new, even for me. But I don't feel like she gets fair play around these parts and she certainly deserves better... after all, what could be better than getting to throw a fun party (I've even seen it done with boys invited!) but with minimal work for the hostess (unless you're Amber and you assemble cute recipe booklets for everyone handed out with custom Christmas CDs) while still getting to make sure your guests get something out of coming (uh... cookies, duh!). Couldn't be better in my opinion... and for that, having one of these is going on the "next year" list.

She's a Beaut!

2009-12-30T19:13:00.001-05:00

It's not like me to go through my (proverbial) stocking (proverbial because my parents have deemed us too old for some traditions such as stockings), but this being somewhere I sometimes (er... often) post about things going on in the kitchen - I thought it only right that I also talk about the one of the best (looking) ways to go about cleaning up the aforementioned "things".

And while I didn't realize this until about a few days ago, using one of these Brushing Beauties has to be the way - although these ladies are so cute that they've left me wondering if any of them have ever actually made it out of the packaging. But that aside... isn't this the most adorable thing you've ever laid eyes on?

Wouldn't she, "the Baker" model, have been perfect in my stocking? Not that I'm ungrateful to my brother (make that his wife) for gifting her to me (au contraire)... but if I have anything to do with it next year, stockings, filled with these cuties (or perhaps one of these other food-related gadgets) will be hung by the chimney with care.

Pink, polka dots and little bow-adorned pockets... be still my heart. (although if pink, polka dots, and/or bows aren't your thing, there's bound to be one that's just right for you, too!)

My Turnaround

2009-12-24T16:48:00.002-05:00

Did someone say Christmas cheer? The big day is here, or all but... and I'm back, thanks in no small part to visions such as this...

Though no thanks to this... although I do admit it looks pretty - and at the beginning, it was. Two+ feet later, however, and I was singing a slightly different tune.

But a Christmas tune to be sure... even if my own personal rendition of a favorite song has long since been prohibited 'round these parts.

And with that, I wish you and yours the Merriest of Christmases. Over the past year, I've really learned to love this writing and photographing (food, or otherwise) thing so I may just hang around for a while. Thanks for sticking it out with me... whether you come here often or just drop by every once in a blue moon.

**Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a year's subscription to Cooking Light. Only 3 more days left to enter!**

My Antidote

2009-12-23T20:01:00.003-05:00

Haven't entered my giveaway yet? Enter now for a chance to win a free subscription to Cooking Light!

My hands are freezing, there's a good 2-3 inches of packed ice covering every road between here and any destination imaginable... and I have more than 40 un-written Christmas cards staring me in the face - suffice it to say, I haven't hit the jolly part of the holidays. And yes, I'm well-aware that I have ah-hem, not so long to "get in the mood".

Fear not, though, I'm certain this will be just a short-lived pre-Christmas exuberance funk. I'm not one to miss the excitement of a holiday, most of all Christmas. And lest I give you the wrong impression, I'm not looking for sympathy... after all, hopefully you are far, far away from your computer, not here desperately searching for Christmas' version of being kicked in the rear... or was it being kicked into (high) gear. Either way...

While I'm here, though, I might as well finish what I've started... though to be fair, I'm not even sure where it came from (or maybe I just don't want to admit it). If you know me (at all), you're probably sitting there laughing. And how I'm dying to join you - for we all know one thing, if I'm not laughing then it's bad.

Here I am... wondering how I let this happen again. But I planned ahead this holiday so I could avoid this exact situation - I was supposed to be done and relaxing by now. Instead, I've created even more stress being frustrated with myself that I'm not enjoying the holiday yet.

With that, I've decided my pity party is over. Sure there are a few last presents to be wrapped, a trip to pack for, of course those pesky Christmas cards that I won't give up on, and cookies to be (hopefully prettily) packaged for our hosts. Watch out, folks, Kara's going to take it in stride (or at least make a valiant attempt).

With that, may I introduce you to some treats (although some version of them are an annual tradition around here) that are sure not to cause you any pre or post (or smack dab right in the middle of it) holiday grief... on the off-chance that there are more than one of me out there, prone to a last-minute meltdown (or three). And just because I have an inspired, fierce determination that from here on out, it's all-Christmas cheer, all the time.

Double-Mint Bark

7 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
15 oz Hershey's Candy Cane Mint kisses
Andes mint pieces

Turn a jelly roll pan bottom side up and cover securely with foil. Stir the bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler over low heat (the water should be barely simmering) until just melted and smooth. Pour chocolate on foil; using icing spatula (I used an off-set spatula), spread chocolate to uniform thickness (approximately a 10 x 8 rectangle). Chill until set, at least 15 minutes.

Stir Hershey's kisses in a double boiler over low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour melted kisses over the bittersweet chocolate layer in long lines and spread evenly (quickly) using an offset spatula. Immediately sprinkle hand fulls of Andes mint candy pieces over the mint layer and press lightly to adhere.

Chill until firm. Lift foil with bark onto a work surface; cut the bark crosswise into 2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip into smaller sections (to your liking). Store in an airtight container; can be frozen for a few weeks. Let stand a few minutes at room temperature before serving.

A Little Premature (and a Giveaway!)

2009-12-21T07:01:00.003-05:00

I have few excuses (and even fewer good ones) for why I do many things... but the facts of the matter are undeniable, and as such, I've come to accept them... and well, you might as well too. How this little quirk of mine came to be is unknown, but it is without a doubt the reason for which I just now finished reading (every single page of) my October Cooking Light magazine. That it might also contribute to why I have only posted one single, solitary Christmas cookie recipe on this the 21st day of December is another matter all together... and sadly, this below is not number two.

But before you shed a tear (assuming you kept reading after hearing this post isn't about a delicious sweet treat), know that my quirk of obsessively reading each and every single page of every magazine I subscribe to finally worked to our advantage. Lurking on one of the very last pages of my Cooking Light was this unobtrusive little warm-your-tummy but won't add-to-your-waistline Black Bean and Salsa Chili.

And while at first I was in disbelief with the realization that it wasn't delicious, buttery cookies (or even chocolate!) on the brain, rather this pot of hearty turkey and black bean chili, after simmering the blend of fragrant herbed and spiced ground turkey and mixing it with black bean puree (studded some more of its own kind), all of my cares (and along with those, my sweet tooth) were long forgotten.

With the amount of crud that I continue to give myself for only just a few days ago posting my very first Christmas cookie recipe, you'd think I wouldn't be turning to the healthy stuff so irrationally... but with two (out of three) cookie exchanges under my belt, let's just say that my belt is no longer fitting quite the way it used to.

But wait... don't go! I want to know how you're planning on detoxing from the Season. And I'm willing to give one of you a free subscription to one of my favorite magazines, Cooking Light, in exchange for your healthy ideas and recipes suggestions. Here's how:

Enter once by leaving a comment on this post telling me what your favorite way go go healthy after the holidays (or anytime) and a way that I can contact you if you don't have a blog.
Enter a second time by Tweeting (hate that word) about this giveaway using @karaskitchen & leaving another comment on this post letting me know that you did so.
Enter another time by posting about this giveaway on your blog & leaving (yet) another comment on this post with those details.

Contest ends 10 pm EST on Sunday, December 27. Using random.org, I’ll select one winner on Monday morning.

Update!! Abby from Confabulation in the Kitchen (who tweeted about the giveaway) is the big winner! Thanks to all who participated!

Some Christmas Spirit

2009-12-17T23:41:00.014-05:00

It's more than about time... I'll be the first to say that my behavior around here recently is downright unacceptable. We've had our Christmas tree up for over two weeks, I've been listening to Christmas carols for well over four (yes, I'm an early adopter - and proud of it!), and this is my first mention of a Christmas cookie?! Truly disappointing, really.

Try as I might (to find someone or thing to unjustly blame), it should be noted that I must take full responsibility for this catastrophe. I've even had the recipe sitting on our counter for weeks now (thanks to my dear friend had thoughtfully forwarded it to me in plenty of time for the season), crying for me to rally the troops... er, ingredients (that also all awaited my call from our trusty cupboards). But as happens for many of us (guilty as charged), the month of December, Christmas cookie baking (and subsequent posting, especially when there are more interesting things to write about like oh, a fully legal trip to the White House), and (ugh, don't even get me started) Christmas card writing, sneaked up on me... and might I add, there was a moment when it risked clear passing me by.

Lucky for us (and not so lucky for our waistbands), there were cookie exchanges to attend (and Christmas cookie events to enter)... so when I could find no more excuses (good or bad, at that), these Hot Chocolate Cookies were finally called upon.

Since then, any that remained have been quickly gobbled up, accompanied by a few comments wishing I hadn't made such a fun and delicious recipe only to be given away to others (some people around here don't quite have the Christmas spirit thing down just yet).

So with the holidays (or more like... the holiday rush) all but imminent at this point (thank you, Captain Obvious), I figured you, like me and the rest of us, might not have many more quiet moments to sit by the fireside with a toasty cup of hot cocoa... and if that's the case, these should tide you over quite nicely.

Hot Chocolate Cookies
yield: 4 dozen

Cookie ingredients
3/4 c butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c flour
1 c instant milk chocolate hot cocoa mix
1 tsp baking soda
24 large marshmallows, cut in half crosswise

Glaze ingredients
1 3/4 c powdered sugar
6 TBSP butter
1/4 c milk
2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 3/4 c butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, 1/4 c milk, and vanilla. Continue beating until well-mixed. Reduce speed to low; add flour, cocoa mix and baking soda. Beat until well-mixed.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven; top each cookie with marshmallow half, cut-side down. Continue baking for 1 to 2 minutes until marshmallow just begins to puff. Immediately remove cookies to cooling racks. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, place powdered sugar into medium bowl; set aside. Combine all remaining glaze ingredients in 1 qt saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. Pour mixture over powdered sugar in bowl. Beat until creamy and fully combined.

Immediately spoon glaze over cooled cookies decoratively. Store between sheets of waxed paper in a loosely covered container.

*And of course it wouldn't be the Christmas season without a submission to Susan's Eat Christmas Cookies event. YUM!

It's official! You can no longer say that I've never done anything for you. As a treat for having made it all the way through this overly wordy post, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: come Monday, you're going to want to make your way right back here... because for the first time ever, it might just be worth your while.

On the List

2009-12-15T23:44:00.002-05:00

Not that it's the first time, but trust me when I say that the pictures that follow are a lot more interesting (though the quality is debatable) than anything I could say to describe them so for now, my words will be few (but don't expect that to last... I have, contrary to what's shown up around here, been in the kitchen with some Christmas cookies, after all).

So while I have every confidence that you could have pieced this together on your own at this point, I'll go ahead and spell it out for you... we recently took a great little tour of the beautifully (but modestly) decorated White House (yes, the White House).

The super tight security at the entrance was expected but an unforeseen delay and rumored snafu with the list (thanks, Salahis!) almost had the Secret Service turning us away. Just mere moments later (fully cleared and confirmed on multiple lists), we were en route to viewing a number of beautiful rooms, sharing the apparent same hallway that the infamous crashers used.

Everything about the White House was festive - from the multiple trees and decorations to the (appropriately) white chocolate-covered gingerbread White House. Of course, just outside of the walls of the hallowed building stood the National Christmas tree (a new version of the same one we'd seen last year), and a decked out street leading to the Capitol.

The mix of patriotism and Christmas cheer was just what the doctor ordered during busy holiday season. My favorite part of the tour was seeing all of the different Christmas cards that our Presidents have sent out over the years... now if I could only get on that list.

Amateur

2009-12-11T23:49:00.008-05:00

They say not to believe everything you read on the internet, but every once in a while you come across something so undeniably true, not to mention timely, that well... it almost makes you want to throw caution to the wind. This was, without a doubt, that for me. Oh yes.

Now that you've seen my first picture of this post, it won't be hard to understand why I was recently researching the definition of the word 'amateur'. You know as well as I do that in these lazy days of the interwebs that we currently enjoy, it took about 0.000023 seconds for this to appear front and center:

Amateur
n.

A person who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.
One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art.

And in one brief nanosecond, my faith in the information age was restored. I'm still chuckling over that line "one lacking the skill of a professional..." - you can say that again. As an aside, I think I've reached a new low in self-degradation, but that's just an aside... back to regularly scheduled programming.

So after a fun (but too short!) little practice photo-shoot (courtesy of one of my oldest friends and her adorable son - remember this guy?), it's only too obvious that I embody the definition of an amateur. And I'm quite proud of it - after all, I'm nothing if not predictable.

But while we're here... on this journey, I'll call it, I figure it's only fair to show you where I starting from... which, of course, assumes I'm going somewhere. Let's all say a collective prayer for that... don't worry, though, I have no plans to quit my day job.

In the end, though, I got to thinking that really the only way to push myself to improve is to show you how far I have to go... and well, if you didn't believe me before, I'm fairly certain you do now.

Oh, and while we're on the topic of adorable little people... er, dogs (c'mon, she's the closest thing we've got right now)...

Yes, in the dining room (who am I kidding... everywhere) our baseboards really are as chewed up as they look in that picture;

No, they aren't courtesy of the beautiful black-and-tan long-haired dachshund you see posing above - rather, they were included in the purchase of the house (thanks, previous owners... or perhaps I should just thank 60+ years of wear and tear);

Yes, you're seeing that right - our dog has more than enough bed but when the heat comes on, nothing (literally) stands between her and the heater;

And, no, I had no clue that the aforementioned baseboards were in perfect (if I do say so myself) focus when I shot this picture (hey, we're all about honesty here!) but I really liked the picture otherwise so we take our lumps.

Peerless

2009-12-07T21:17:00.002-05:00

This weekend was a turning point for us... sure the days have been a lot shorter for the past few weeks, but Saturday morning, when the anticipated rain turned to surprising big, fluffy flakes of snow... and then they stuck - I was sure winter, and with it, Christmas, was here (at least according to this meteorologist).

And while I happily welcome this wonderful season with open arms, there are a few things that often find their exit as soon as the temperature dips. Thankfully, I'm not one of those people who sees their first icicle and thinks their nights of eating a big bowl of ice cream are over... quite the contrary.

As a matter of fact, this cold-fearing Georgia girl gladly embraces a bowl of homemade ice cream... 365 days a year. So after a friend's seemingly innocuous comment describing how delicious the pairing of apple crisp and cinnamon ice cream was, a search commenced to find yet another use for our beloved ice cream maker.

And while she's seen some other delicious recipes pass through her paddle, this may very well be the last. I say that even without having paired this cool and creamy dessert with its crunchy partner since by the time we got around to making this ice cream, apple crisp season was, shall we say, behind us.

It turns out that this Cinnamon Ice Cream didn't need much (read: anything) in the way of accompaniment to find its way into our bellies, and trust me - it shouldn't need anything to get into yours either. No disrespect to the peppermint and rocky road ice creams of our past... but dare I say that in the past they may just stay.

A Different Version

2009-11-26T13:04:00.004-05:00

Well, this is downright embarrassing... right now, most people who write something masquerading as a food blog (although I'm not completely convinced that's why you're here) are either in the kitchen hurriedly preparing delicious homemade accompaniments to the perfectly roasted turkey or are already at the table, surrounded by dear friends and family, just about to dig into said complements.

Yet... here I am - spending part of my Thanksgiving afternoon sitting at our computer still thinking (and talking, quite frankly) about our recent jaunt up to New York City. Admittedly this is actually a tradition in the loosest sense of the word - as for the past hour or so, I've had one eye on the annual Dog Show (that we always manage to watch in some shape or form) and the other... here with you.

It’s just that I’ve had Wicked on the brain ever since we saw the musical and I thought perhaps one way to transition from Wicked music all-the-time to Christmas music all-the-time (officially acceptable after today, right?), was to finally getting around to sharing this. After all, we all know that the best way to get rid of a song stuck in your head (as Wicked's Defying Gravity and For Good have been - not that I'm complaining), is to sing it loud and clear... er, right?

Regardless, I won't bore you with details except to say that I wish it weren't over... and that I'm fairly certain any Christmas music lulls will be filled with the sounds of Wicked - and I'm okay with that.

Now for that turkey...
Happy Thanksgiving!

A Late Addition

2009-11-20T07:14:00.013-05:00

I'm cutting it close, I know I am... and not only that, but I'm doing so in quite an unorthodox manner to boot. I'm not here with a fancy pumpkin pie recipe, variation on stuffing, or innovative way to roast your turkey. And you just might never have had a batch of these on your Thanksgiving table before... but that's all about to change.

Before we proceed, however, I have a bit of a confession. I've hid these from you - sure I hinted at them after the night Amber introduced us but I should have been more upfront... and the anger will only worsen once you've tasted Joy's super soft Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Cookies and realize what you've been missing.

But wait! There was a method to my madness. I was waiting until you were so over planning for the obscenely large feast that we will all indulge in next week (are you hosting?) and craving the sight of something other than your usual Turkey Day fare (and the luckiest in the bunch might have even one last can of pumpkin in your pantry).

So sure... I might have waited a little too long, but I'm not worried... because even though only a few days stand between us and Thanksgiving, these cookies will slide right into your schedule, and I promise you won't even notice the difference... well, unless you count the fact that after your first taste of these light-as-air but deeply full of pumpkin-flavored cookies, your life will never be the same.

This is the Day

2009-11-17T22:01:00.002-05:00

It was inevitable, I knew the day would arrive - and to be honest, the thought of it looming was starting to haunt me as I knew it just wasn't feasible that I might make it through a holiday season stress-free - so today was a good a day as any. There I was toodling along with my can-do holiday attitude, not a care in the world... and then the switch flipped, just like that! But oh... oh yes, I remember how yesterday felt so clearly!

Speaking of yesterday, let's go back there... both literally and literally. As for the former, yesterday was when I snapped these shots of the new addition to our Thanksgiving decorations.

Literally speaking, this pineapple with a fabric turkey head (that's a technical term, for those of you taking notes) harkens back to a time when I actually didn't know the stresses of the holidays... yes, I was 3-years old but who's counting. A turkey similar to the one here graced our family Thanksgivings every single year and my table has felt empty without one... until this season. The same season that, early-on, saw me carefree and even encouraged thinking "I can do this Christmas season" - and then in the span of a quick day, gobbled me up (chuckle chuckle) in the feeling of "Thanksgiving is next week... NEXT week? What will I bring to a pre-holiday dinner... what about a gift for our holiday hosts... what will I make for my work potluck this Friday? And Christmas cards... baking ahead of time? Or perhaps, this year, more like 'barely in time'".

Yup, it's begun all right.

Luckily, though, as much as the holidays can engulf me in a crazed, stressed whirl, being surrounded by family and friends during this season can just as quickly melt all of that away... even if but for a moment. And I plan on enjoying those moments (even if some of you already have dozens of cookies baked and stockpiled in your freezer... you know who you are).

Gone... and Forgotten

2009-11-13T12:26:00.008-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that a mere few weeks ago, I was in the middle of an unusually strong case of the "summer-entertaining-burn-out" blues. I've been 'there' before, though, and as such, am quite familiar with the antidote: the discovery of some exciting new recipes, with their ingredients perfectly matched to our local grocery stores' sales. The coming together of two things so fortuitous is guaranteed to wipe out my "over-entertained" doldrums.

But I couldn't start with just any new recipe... goodness knows (am I the only one who says that?) that at any given moment, there are a bajillion recipes out there calling my name.

I decided I was fresh for a revamp of how I think about (and serve, for that matter) appetizers when having friends over for dinner. So often I am stuck in the crackers and yummy cheese or baked dip world that I can't see easy, fresh alternatives. Leave it to (guess who!) my mom to right my ship.

My mom has (in my opinion) mastered the art of incorporating new and unusual recipes with her steady stream of trusty go-tos (even though they are goodies, don't you dare call them "oldies"!). I, on the other hand, go hog-wild in one direction or the other.

But this time, armed with this slightly sweet and secretly savory Pear Soup, I couldn't have gone wrong either way. This new friend and I got acquainted the night before our dinner party (make-ahead dishes = my best friend), and well, let's just say I almost had to make a second batch (good thing the pears were only $0.58/lb.). And then, when I thought it couldn't get any better, out popped the Blue Cheese Bruschetta accompaniment.

And in an instant, my "summer-entertaining-burn-out" blues were gone... and long-since forgotten.

Liberty Enlightening the World

2009-11-11T14:52:00.008-05:00

As it turns out, holidays aren't just the days that we have off of work, or the ones that are celebrated with large amounts of food or the giving and receiving of presents (so I told myself as I got ready for work this morning knowing that well-over half of my counterparts around this Capitol city that I call home were still fast asleep - "at least I'll get a seat on the Metro" was my only consolation).

On my short trip into work, I had an attitude change... though admittedly, it's not hard for me to embrace a day that honors our servicemen and women, past and present. Once I put my selfish bitterness of wanting a day off behind me, I was able to see much clearer.

I thought about all of the freedoms I have thanks to the service of our brave men and women - those that I all too often take for granted. I'm recently back from a short trip to New York City where we climbed our way up into the crown of the beautiful Lady Liberty; there just isn't another place on Earth in my humble opinion that elicits the emotions that a few hundred steps up a small, winding staircase conjure up about this Country... our home.

I might never have had the same experience with our fair Lady that those who were greeted by her at the end of a very long journey in which they risked their lives to come to our great country had, but we all enjoy the same limitless opportunities and freedoms that she stands for. Those that our founding fathers dreamed into place and those that we as citizens have the responsibility to protect... which, throughout history, has meant that some of our loved ones must be sent into harm's way. It is for those people that we have this holiday.

Who knew so many thoughts could come about during an undisturbed metro ride; and, lest you think otherwise, my ramblings here aren't meant to induce a conversation about immigrant rights in the grand US of A or military involvement... it's just me here, folks.

Though you can't go very far where we live without a reminder of why today is a real holiday, for many, sadly enough, Veteran's Day is just another day... and for those lucky ones, 'just another day' that they don't have to go to work. That's not to say there aren't many companies and people who don't go out of their way to make today special - but somehow, I think most of us miss the real meaning of this important day.

Today during my lunch hour, I was fortunate to have a chance to get involved in an effort to support military families but understandably not everyone has something so convenient. Perhaps, then, just look around... a simple "thank you" to a veteran or active duty military, or the family of a serviceman or woman, works just as well.

Now... off my soapbox - am I the only one who didn't know that the Statue of Liberty's official title is "Liberty Enlightening the World" and that her right foot is raised symbolizing forward movement? Both little (known?) facts are quite fitting however... and even more so on a day that commemorates those who fight for our freedom at home and abroad, bringing that sense of liberty with them.

THANK YOU to all those who have served, are serving or are family of the military sacrificing here on the home-front. We are more grateful than you know.
**Important info regarding crown access (and seriously, you want to get to the crown): It re-opened to the public on July 4, 2009, but for only a limited time - so run, don't walk and reserve your tickets!

Doing My Part

2009-11-07T10:26:00.001-05:00

Heading into this fall season, I detected a bit of unexpected trepidation. Sure, at the outset, everyone who could was proclaiming how excited they were for the changing colors and cooler weather (which are certainly a package deal along with their autumnal cousin). But lurking beneath the exuberance was word that there was a shortage of the worst kind... and could the timing have been any worse?!

Given the situation, it seemed like one could respond in one of two ways... 1) run out and buy up every can of the beloved Libby's before anyone else could, no matter the price or 2) search high and low for every fall-ish non-pumpkin recipe.

So what was my personal response? I opted for... actually both. Since trips to three different grocery stores left me empty-handed, I turned to option 2). My search turned up this amazing looking Praline-Apple Bread - and the result? Dare I whisper that we didn't miss the pumpkin one bit?

Now that's not to say that I won't be back with some pumpkin recipes in the near future (subsequent trips to re-stocked grocery stores served me well) - it is autumn, after all. But you can bet this apple bread is in the queue - just doing my part to keep from driving up the price of our precious pumpkin (or... just an excuse to eat more of this delicious bread).

In the (Fire)house

2009-11-05T21:30:00.003-05:00

In a certain house of a certain brother of mine... (fire) trucks reign supreme. Of course, every bit of this was expected - after all, if nothing else (but adorable, smart and inquisitive), my nephew is predictable... certainly when it comes to matters as important as building things and moving vehicles (of the large variety).

So as you might guess, Charlie's 4th birthday wasn't the first time he'd requested a visit to the local fire station. And (apparently) they were only too happy to oblige - phew! I suppose they knew the possible wrath headed their way were they to have responded otherwise

Would you believe that firemen and women are incredibly gracious hosts? I was taking notes! They provided helmets for each party attendee, a hosted video about their profession and life inside the fire station, the kids got to try on their suits, and the climax... the opportunity to climb all over each of the different vehicles. It was at that point that I thought our Charlie had died and gone to heaven.

However, the excitement of the morning, sirens and all, only lasted so long - after all, once he realized there were more presents left to open at home, firemen and their trucks were a mere delay.

Treats Only, Please

2009-10-31T07:24:00.011-05:00

Oh Halloween... how you haunt me each and every year (of my adult life).

I think I have finally diagnosed why Halloween and I have what you might call issues: growing up, I had (still have... hi, mom!) an amazing mom who (with less than adequate help from yours truly) dreamed up and handmade each and every one of my very creative costumes. It'd be here, if I was a savvy blogger, that I would post some black-mail worthy pictures of myself traipsing around in the likes of a Christmas tree (complete with battery-powered twinkling lights), a carrot, or a bunch of purple balloons, er... grapes.

With such a prestigious list, it's pretty clear that there's just no way I can live up to the Halloweens of my childhood. And I certainly don't want to re-live them. So that leaves me no choice but to ignore the holiday completely. But turning your back on one of the most ostentatious holidays has proven no easy feat.

Instead, it's much easier to hide out in the kitchen churning out some cute goodies to distribute to our neighbors - after all, just because I've got no tricks (and the best I can do for a costume is to change up which apron I normally wear), doesn't mean I can't participate in the treats. And I certainly don't want to miss a single chiming of the doorbell (the only other part of the holiday I look forward to) - greeting all of the adorably clad little ones.

And with that, maybe just maybe we can co-exist. If Halloween'll let me remain costume-less (no tricks either, please!), then I promise to always enthusiastically celebrate the holiday's better half - "... or treat".

Easy Ghost Cookies

a package of Nutter Butters (yum)
your choice of candy coating (white chocolate or bark, etc.)
large handful of mini-chocolate chips (you'll need at least 64 for one pkg of cookies)

Cover a half sheet pan with wax paper and set aside.

Melt the candy coating in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, over very low heat so the coating does not scorch. Dip the cookies into the candy coating and using a small pair of tongs (a fork would work as well), fish the coated cookie out and tap it against the side of your pan to ensure complete coverage. Place the cookie carefully on your sheet pan and immediately apply two mini chocolate chips for eyes. Let sit until dry, usually a couple of hours.