"Momma Said"

I like working in the yard! I do. I'm even okay with the heat and sweat that accompanies it - the bug bites I could do without but they aren't unbearable - but the results... I LIVE for those.

But this wasn't without a fight. I've teetered between loving yard work and hating it with a passion for some time. My mom will vouch that this most likely stems from years of weeding our family's yard. I certainly don't deny that everything I know, I learned from my parents (thanks, mom & dad!), but I also came dangerously close to hating many of the house chores (okay! all of them!) while being 'taught'. Faithfully, though, they remained confident that it'd work itself out in its own time.

To date, I will readily admit that I dust and clean the leaves of our houseplants (they get so dirty!), daily walk through our yard, picking weeds along the way and talking to our flowers and our vegetable garden, and was happy to windex our windows in a fit of spring cleaning earlier this year. Insert a soundbite from my mom here and it'd sound something like a big, huge "I told you so".

Are these just one of the many ways I can prove I'm "all growed up"? Or another example of how I'm, uh, turning into my mother (which I'm actually okay with - minus the mixed up cliches that she inserts into conversation)?

In honor of the hard-fought battle, as we worked outside today, I took note of the things we were doing because of advice our parents had given us:

Turning over the bed of lettuce so we'll be ready for another crop in late summer/early fall...

The result of thinning out and moving some of our lilies... (told you, I live for the results!)

Our garden 'angel' perfectly positioned to watch over our shrubs... (excuse the weeds - I swear I took care of those post-photo shoot)

Our ginormous lavender bush (which will be cut back thanks to some good advice ) doing its summer-best to attract the 'birds and bees' (or just the bees)...

Checking on another season's (mercifully) prosperous tomato, bell pepper, and bean plants...

AND learning to enjoy your own harvest!

Weeds or not, and hard-work in the yard aside, it's silly moments like these that I am most grateful for what my parents did to influence who I am today - my love of family and friends (and hopefully an eager willingness to help them!), gardening, making things pretty (while staying on budget, of course!), entertaining, and last but not least, all things "in the kitchen".

Speaking of in the kitchen, strawberries are in season and at $1/lb around here, you can bet a note or two of brilliant red berries will welcome you the next time around.

How to Get Invited Back

Finding inspiration in broccoli, even with pictures to guide me... well, it's tough! (sidenote: doesn't "Finding inspiration in broccoli" sound like the title of an ode... yes, another ode) Usually in crafting these (not-so) witty posts, I manage to dig something up that provokes at least a mild chuckle... even if only by me... but this one was a challenge - I certainly struggled.

Nevertheless (are you still with me?), this is a tale about broccoli. I should add here that I may not be the best judge seeing as how I'd eat broccoli in just about any preparation imaginable... raw, steamed, sauteed, with garlic (or without), and some olive oil (sure!)... but add bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds, and a delicately sweetened dressing - and dare I say, can be made in mere minutes? You had me at broccoli.

Oh, and have I mentioned this is yet another of my mom's recipes? Yup... so take note.

Broccoli Salad

2 small bunches broccoli, cut into small pieces
2 green onions, cut on the bias in small pieces
1/2 c bacon bits (the real stuff!)
3/4 c sunflower seeds
3/4 c Spanish peanuts (with the skin left on)
1/2 c raisins

Dressing:
3/4 c mayonnaise
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c white vinegar

Put ingredients in serving bowl. Whisk dressing ingredients and add, tossing to coat.

Do your friends, neighbors (and countrymen, for that matter) a favor and bring this to a cookout this weekend (and obviously for the Fourth). Better yet, make it the night before (try not to nibble) - you might like it better the next day!

A Much-Needed Makeover

If you've met me, you know I don't spend too much time worrying about my attire (t-shirt, shorts, flops - check, check, check!)... and well, let's be honest, it shows. It follows suit, as you might guess, that I care even less about my fashion sense when I'm hard at work around the house... specifically in the kitchen.

Enter my friends... a quick round of applause for them! Thanks to Jayne a few years ago, some of my kitchen utensils got a style overhaul, and just recently, Allison came to save the day with this adorable apron.

My girls are only too happy to intervene knowing that I need all the help I can get, wherever I am, AND they know I suffer along, living in a city without a Swoozie's (where this fabulous apron hailed from). I'm still not sure how I've survived this long without the cuteness that oozes from this store - monogrammed and personalized everything, beautiful stationery, a platter, napkin or cup for all the holidays, not to mention serving dishes in every style, size, shape and color. Swoozie's, if you're listening, please come to DC - my sanity depends on it.

So thanks girls, looking good has never been so easy.

Little Sweet Pea

I just may never tire of attending and/or throwing baby showers. As it happens, our friends seem very happy to oblige as pregnancy announcements are just about a weekly affair around here. But I couldn't be happier to receive each and every call - how can you beat a conversation with a dear friend who is so obviously beaming ear-to-ear through the phone as she unveils the news of their bebe. You just can't.

I have known of Kevin almost as long as I've known Chris, and Angie has been a part of that story the entire time, as well. We were there a few years ago when they so lovingly wed in a beautiful ceremony and fun reception so naturally, I was honored to be invited to celebrate their soon-to-be little one yesterday.

Angie loves surprises so Kevin and both of their moms worked up a little scheme that caught her completely off-guard and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Our mom-to-be couldn't have been more gracious and fun-loving - if it's possible, more enthusiastic with each bib, onesie, bathtub and receiving blanket.

However, it comes as no surprise that Angie is a favorite among the young girls on both sides of the family so they were not about to miss the festivities, although a day of helping open presents wore on even the toughest of the bunch.

The proud daddy-to-be stuck around and was rewarded for his patience. It's not every man who would be willing to sit through two hours of a room full of squealing ladies ooohing and aaahing with each present unwrapped.

If performance at a shower is any indicator of their parenting abilities, and not that there was any doubt before yesterday, but Kevin and Angie are up to the task. Now we just need the baby... although I'd guess that Angie's still doing laundry so she'd probably appreciate a few more weeks.

Oh! What a Night

The signs (literally!) of summer...

This is the stuff Friday nights are made of - and I'm not just talking about the pomegranate margarita - moreso the fact that around these drinks sat friends taking in a beautiful, carefree summer evening.

Those same friends later strolled leisurely down the street and happily stood in a worth-every-minute-of-it line to get a scoop of gelato from Boccato.

And of course, what is a night without a few photo ops (complete with out-takes)...

"Oh what a night", indeed.

Pinky Swear

It seems that the "weather gods" are against us here in the DC-area (and yes, even our crops, plants and flowers are swamped at this point) as it continues to rain and be generally gloomy yet again this June day... (okay okay I might regret this in July or August when it's dry as a desert and hideously hot, I admit it)

So for now, the rain might stop me from actually being outside, but I dare anyone to try and keep me from dreaming.

Thus, in celebration (look who took her optimism pills today!) of one of the very few gloriously perfect-for-grilling-and-just-otherwise-being-outside days, here's to an upcoming weekend full of a couple more! (please, oh please!) If my wish is granted, I promise to spend every possible moment out on our deck, grilling whatever crosses my path. And if this light and fresh Grilled Cumin Chicken happens to be one of those - all the better!

*Oh! You like that wrought iron Fleur-de-lis trellis guy up there? Me, too. It was a birthday gift a while back so sadly, I'm clueless as to where to find others (let me know if you know!).

Love Saying Thanks!

If there was any question... yes, we have one of these...

And uh, here again - just in case one picture wasn't enough. Annabelle's been particularly photogenic these days. That charming look she's mastered? No wonder she pretty much has the run of the place in our house.

Mostly due to the aforementioned puppy's good looks, she's managed to win over the affection of all of our neighbors - and honestly, we couldn't live without it. Not only does our pooch have a friend on every corner, but also for the times that we (shudder) leave town without our little hairy black and tan dog in tow. So while she believes neighbors are put on this planet solely to give extra licks and throw more pine cones, we've come to know them as friends and willing helpers (who eagerly give in when faced with tasty treats).

As a matter of fact, it's one of those recent bribes that brings me here - because chances are, a couple of you are gearing up to ask for that next favor and as we all know only too well, those requests go over quite a bit smoother when there's delicious home-baked bread involved. And while any homemade goodie is usually appreciated, if you want to be sure to seal the deal, quickly throw together a batch of this (shhh... it's healthy) Oatmeal Banana Bread.

Or if it's a particularly big favor (or say you're way overdue to deliver a thank you), make said delicious bread in a cute bright colored baking dish and gift the dish, tied up with a cute ribbon and tag, as well!

**if you're anal like I am, you can bake it in the new dish and then pop the bread out when it's slightly cooled and pulled away from the sides; clean the empty baking dish so it's nice and presentable, and then put the freshly baked bread right back in there and tie 'er up

Course the fact that I almost couldn't part with the cute baking dish is merely a hazard of the job. But it makes me all that much happier to be able to give someone who's loved our little Annabelle something that I loved as well.

And while this may be my favorite bribe and/or thank you tactic to date, surely you guys have some cute and cost-effective ideas that are your go-tos. Share your favorites! Chris and I hope to go on a few more trips yet!

Right Where We Belong

Somehow, just today, it finally dawned on me (after living here for almost 8 years) that LOTS of people come to this beautiful and truly important city. And, all this time, we've just called it home.

ALL those people, we saw them this morning; and rightly so, most of them didn't give us (mid-heated rec-league softball games) a second glance. I, however, paused for a moment to marvel at the fact it's normal for us to play a softball game (or 14) in the shadow of the Washington Monument and across from the WWII and Lincoln Memorials.

So for you visitors - no matter why you came here, maybe patriotic or politically interested, or perhaps a history buff... welcome, we're so glad you came. Sometimes we forget that it's the world's interest in this city that really makes it go 'round.

But you'll have to pardon us, as well - we love this city just as much as you do, but we use those lawns you trudged across this morning more like this...