A nice little weekend

This morning I made french toast which was awesome! I had about a half a loaf of almost stale french bread left and didn't want it to go to waste. Here is the recipe of what I whipped up this morning.

3 eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 tbs cinnamon
1 tbs vanilla
1 tbs honey

Whisk it all together, soak the bread on each side, shake off the excess and throw it on your griddle with a little butter. Cook each side about 3 minutes until golden brown, flip. Repeat with the rest of the bread. Serve with jam, syrup and fresh fruit if you have that on hand. It will make your family happy.

Thank you internet for the picture

My mom introduced me to a little Michigan based company called Milford Spice Company. We have the Taco Tuesday spice and use it weekly for tacos or fajitas. This morning when I woke up I found the Detroit Groupon was for the Milford Spice Company! For $15 you get $30 worth of spices shipped right to your door so you do not even have to be in Michigan to enjoy this gem of a deal. I already have my spices picked out including the Keego Harbor Kickin' Chicken, Huron Valley Dry Rub and Pontiac Trail Pig Powder! I cannot wait to cook with these guys! 

Finally, I went to a Zumbathon yesterday with my friend Kristi and let me just tell you this stuff is addicting! Basically you dance your butt off for an hour or two. Yesterday for the Zumbathon we were at it for two hours! My body does not quite move the way the cute Latin instructors can but I have never had so much fun while working out before. If you have never tried Zumba do not be scared just get out there and try it!

Hope you had a great weekend!

This Never Gets Old!

I could watch this video every day. It always brings a tear. I think It is so cute and fun! I would have loved to be at this wedding. Could you just imagine how much fun the bridal party would be on the dance floor? I am dreaming of a fun walk down the isle and hours of amazing dance moves on the dance floor.

Unique Touches

The Wharf Lamp!

Grape Leaf Ring

Lizzy has long raved about terrain but I hadn't taken a look until today. They have very unique and tasteful touches for your home or for you. Also, my other favorite little jewelry Turtle Love Co is having a sale so get your butt over there and take advantage!

Snow in DC

I take back everything I said about loving snow in DC. I had the worst commute of my life last night along with the rest of DC. It took me over 3 hours to get from the hospital to our house in Virginia. During this three plus hour dive I cried, I laughed, I called old friends, my phone died, I cried a little more and swore some. I took a crazy route home, made more than one illegal turn but some how made it all the way back to our house. We met some friends for dinner at a Mexican restaurant near our apartment and believe me nothing has ever tasted as good as that margarita. I am not sure exactly why the traffic was so bad. I think that all of the millions of people who live and work in DC were trying to leave at the same time and the slick roads made the top speed about 2MPH. I could have walked home much faster but the snow was falling fast and was wet and heavy. I was very thankful that I had a full tank of gas, the lunch I never ate during the day and some old CDs. It was an epic experience and one I hope I never have to go through again. For all of you out there who suffered through the worst traffic DC has ever seen I am sorry. If there was ever a reason to be prepared last night was it. I was glad to have warm clothes, a good scraper and four-wheel drive!

Thank you Pathfinder for getting me home safely!

My grandma got me this car and it has been through more miles, more road trips to see friends, lugged all of my items during many, many moves and survived huge blizzards in Maine, Michigan, Boston and DC! I could not have asked for a better car. She has more than 100,000 miles on her but keeps on trucking as if she were brand new. I will be so sad when the day comes when I have to retire the old Pathfinder.

Bates with fresh snow!

DC is supposed to get a few inches and although it will not be exactly like this I am keeping my fingers crossed. I sure do miss those beautiful Maine snow falls. 

Pancakes

It is a cold gross morning in Washington. If it is going to be cold and grey I would prefer snow! Today was a morning for pancakes! Breakfast is my favorite meal and I am pretty sure that I could subside on only breakfast foods (and cheese and wine) for the rest of my life. I have many memories of great breakfasts as a child. My dad made great omelets, my mom made great waffles, french toast and pancakes and my grandpa made oatmeal. In the past few years we have become a blueberry pancake family. Kevin asks for them regularly and topped with some Michigan maple syrup they are to die for! A friend from college has a blog called Lady Gouda. She shared her family recipe for Finnish Pancakes which I have yet to try but sound amazing.  This morning I pulled a bunch of fresh blueberries out of the fridge and whipped up a batch of Kevin and my favorite morning meal. Who is coming over for breakfast?

Our favorite mix!

Power Tools!

When I moved to my first apartment after college, a tiny three bedroom row-house in Georgetown with two crazies I met on Craigslist, my mom brought many things for my new place: some dishes handed down from my aunt Jan, silverware from my grandma's friend Fran, a new couch which I am currently sitting on and this drill. At the time I appreciated this gift about as much as I appreciated the emergency car kit I got on my 16th birthday, but let me tell you this baby has been used more times than I ever thought possible and of all the items she brought from Michigan to that very first apartment it is the only one (save the couch) still in daily use. Real Simple even called it one of the top 3 best cordless drills. This drill has been used to hang just about everything I have ever hung on a wall and put together more Ikea furniture than I thought humanly possible. My mom has given me some interesting gifts over the years but this has been one of the best. Who knew a power tool could be so useful. Happy drilling!

Mexico

On a cold, gloomy day in DC I am dreaming of June and Mexico where we will be celebrating the marriage of Kevin's brother. I cannot wait to dip my toes in that crystal blue water, feel the warm sand beneath my feet and taste a tropical drink! Please take me there now!!

More Old Town Photos!

Another walk with my best friend, another set of photos. I guess I am still playing with my Christmas present (a new camera!)

Cookies!

Tonight's after dinner treat! Yum!

A Baptism

We traveled to Staten Island, NY recently so that Kevin could be the god father to baby Richard. I am not big on church and can probably count the number of times I have been in a church on one hand but the ceremony was nice and the tradition was upheld as Richard took a swim in the holy water. It has been so fun to have a new baby around. I love holding him and I know that Kevin and I will watch Richard grow up with pride. He couldn't be cuter! I was in love from the moment I knew he was coming. Here are some favorite pictures from the day.

After the holy water

My favorite! The new god parents!

Photos in Old Town

Life has taken us on some adventures over the past few weeks and presented some new challenges. I hope to catch up on some writing soon! I wanted to share some pictures that Kevin and I took on one of our many walks in Old Town Alexandria. We are trying to find some new art for our apartment and thought that we would be the  best creators of this art. Old Town is one of our favorite places to walk and day dream. We often imagine our life many years from now or what it would be like to live in one of  the many beautiful houses we pass while walking in Old Town. I hope that 2011 has you off to a great start and that you are still sticking to those resolutions if you made any. 

The art we found around us:

Pioneer Woman's Shrimp

I made this shrimp for lunch the other day. It was amazing. Who doesn't love a good quick and easy shrimp dish. Now if only more people loved shrimp. My love of seafood and a few picky eaters in my family's dislike for it has been the root of more than one argument about what to make for dinner. I am sorry picky eaters of the world but shrimp is delicious.
Pioneer Woman's Shrimp

My own unedited version. Served it with some mashed potatoes

Pioneer Woman's beautifully edited photo. 

Happy New Year!

2011 the start of a new year. 2010 was a pretty fantastic year. Last night Molly and I reflected on some high lights of 2010. Here were some of my favorite parts.

Wine Tasting with Friends in VA

The pumpkin patch!

Snowpocalyps 2010: we were snowed in for my birthday!

And of course getting engaged to my best friend!

Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy 2011!