Suh-VAN-uh!

Unexpectedly, I've ended up in Savannah, Georgia, for the weekend.
I've always wanted to visit this city and I'm pleased as punch to be here, though there won't be too much time for lurking around.
However, I did get in several solid hours of checking out some of the many little squares that the city is built around.

Think of a little city block that has a statue or monument in the middle and benches and grass surrounding it and many beautiful tall trees around it all.

And the Spanish moss.

Oh the Spanish moss. 

I'll have a post all about this beautiful place soon enough but I'm still including a few of the pictures I took today.
Have a fantabulous weekend y'all {I ate at The Lady and Sons tonight!!!}.

Aaaaaaaaaand...Go Niners!!!!
xoxo, natty ♥

"Hola".

 xoxo, natty ♥

Seasoned.

We got a wonderful Christmas present this past December {thanks to those generous gifters!!!} : a reup of some Penzey's spices that seem to go way too quickly in our kitchen.
Lemon Pepper is my personal favorite.
Do you have any favorites?

xoxo, natty ♥

Salt City.

Today's morning brought slushy, icy, freezing...RAIN. 
If it's that cold it should snow!

Being wiped off after a slushy time out in the yard before he could run around the apartment and HATINGEVERYMINUTEOFIT.

In other Good News...
1} We've officially experienced our First Snow of DC. The city overprepares/freaks out about weather so two weeks ago when snow was predicted but never came, city workers were busy throwing piles of industrial salt everywhere. There is so much large-grain roaming around our apartment now, thanks to them.

2} Mikey gave me a wonderful birthday celebration that even included home-made funfetti cake...delish!

3} There's a big game on this weekend!

4} Spring is coming! Spring is coming! It may still be about six weeks away, but that's not too shabby! I think that spring may just have become my favorite season. The green! The bulbs!

5} I've got up some Valentine's decorations; yea! A few more and we'll be positively FESTIVE around here.

How's your day Reader? Your week? Are you glad that the grodiest month of the year is almost over? {I try to like January because it's my birthday month but seriously, is there any worse month?}
xoxo, natty ♥

Sunday Funday.

Hello Reader, can you believe that January has seen its last Sunday? Sometimes it feels as though time is barreling along without a second thought.
And then other times move so slowly.
Funny things.
Anyway.

Pretty sun from last week. It's supposed to warm up for two days this week and then go back to 30s and 40s.

Today was a day of doing things and getting ready for work {!} and school {!} tomorrow. We ran and straightened up and I went to mass and then we saw "Zero Dark Thirty" and we had stir fry for dinner.
It was a Good Weekend and I hope that yours was as well!
xoxo, natty ♥

122.

I got a new high score in bowling today; yea!
I also learned all about duckpin bowling and I think that's going to be on our next bowling agenda.

I hope you're having a good weekend!
xoxo, natty ♥

Yum - I hope!

Hey y'all, Happy Friday!

I had been planning a mac & cheese dinner for a while but when Becs recently mentioned she enjoyed THIS Bon Appetit recipe, I decided to go for it. It's different because the noodles aren't boiled ahead of time. My mother-in-law makes the best mac & cheese and I keep forgetting to ask her for the recipe but now maybe I'll have my own!

I had some Brie and tomatoes laying around, and the Old Bay Seasoning looked oddly delicious when I was fishing out my salt and pepper so I'm trying a little 3-in-1 thing; Old Bay on the left, tomatoes in the middle, and Brie on the right.

It's bubbling away in the oven as I write this and we'll see how my little additions pan out.

I hope that you're looking ahead to a nice weekend! After several hours of heavy fluff it's still snowing lightly a bit here but supposed to finish up by later tonight. I haven't stopped being tickled by the idea that we live in a place where it snows, though if we had a driveway and sidewalk to shovel I'm sure I'd feel otherwise!

xoxo, natty ♥ 

First snow.

Today Guinness saw his first snow; he didn't like it! He sniffed and sniffed at it and seemed miffed that it didn't offer any olfactory satisfactions.

"It has NO SMELL!"

Is it cooooold where you are Reader? If so, we're in the same boat!

Check out the Watermelon House and the sun through the clouds.

xoxo, natty ♥

The green ghosts of Christmas 2012.

 xoxo, natty ♥

Hippee biiiiiirthday!

Today I turned...29!
And the temperature attempted to match my age but fell short about nine degrees.

Some highlights of my day:

* I started off the cold day with a wonderful breakfast of bagels and lox along with some tulips, thanks to my wonderful better half. 

* Mikey had some work to get done so I headed downtown to meander through one of the museum on my own, which, apart from having the company of a former student, is the best way. I can take as long as I want at each exhibit or I can breeze through what I don't love and not worry about leaving behind someone.

Another perk of living in DC is that since all of these museums are free, I can easily go whenever I please AND check out only one exhibit at a time. This is great because I can really get into the details of each exhibit and feel like I'm learning {& occasionally remembering} what the museum has to offer.

To celebrate beginning my 30th year on earth, I chose The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. I went there because I wanted to explore their exhibit "FOOD: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000" {I like food!}. It includes Julia Child's actual kitchen and some really interesting facts on American food, cooking, and culture.
Lunch in the museum cafeteria included something sweet.

A couple of other highlights of the visit: learning about the Peruvian woman who translated the Star Spangled Banner into Spanish, seeing the {massive} flag that inspired Francis Scott King to write the song itself, and seeing museum goer's answers to the questions "What female leaders have inspired you and how?".

Maybe this response was someone being facetious?

* I also did a birthday questionnaire. Hopefully I'll remember to do this next year. I've never paused much to consider the years behind and ahead of me on this day, maybe because New Year's Day is so fresh in my mind, and I'm glad I paused a bit today. I'll type this up and post it tomorrow or Thursday since this post is already gaining in length as it is.

* Screen shots of the newspapers I read, just to remember what's going on these days.

* My dear beautiful friend Ellie wrote a blog post about me that I'm saving to read when I open my gifts later tonight.

* I got a little something from my wonderful grandmother.

She is so good at little details like this mod-podged bird on the envelope.

* Mikey made me from-scratch pizza for dinner tonight and we're having a fantastic little evening in with some movie-theater-attending and bowling on the weekend horizon. I am happy and feel loved. And warm; thank goodness for central heating and air!

Thank you SO much Family and Friends for lovely birthday wishes but more importantly the love and support I get from you all.
xoxo, natty ♥

MLK.

What a day, folks, what a day.

We're still watching what's being covered on TV but fixing to get ready for bed at the same time; after last night's loss to the Patriots we're still tired.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

In other news.
1} Here it is again: longer days! 
2} Maybe someone has a birthday tomorrow!
3} Maybe there's some snow predicted later this week!
4} I made a new soup last week {Mulligatawny}; it was new and different and used up some left-over rice we had - score!
5} Two words: Google Hangout; I had some WONDERFUL time on the phone/computer tonight and I'm feeling ready for the week ahead after catching up with friends.

Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.

Whattya up to Reader? Did you watch the Inauguration festivities today? Did you think about Martin Luther King Jr. for a bit?
xoxo, natty ♥

Good Inauguration Day to you!

We lazed around and watched football all day long; good times!
Until tomorrow!
xoxo, natty ♥

Pumpkin soup.

Becs I hope it's ok I share this!!!!

Be forewarned: another recipe.

I'm being purely selfish when I write these down since it's because I want to remember what we're enjoying these days and how I made things.

I realize, also, that this little bevy of pumpkin recipes belongs {quite properly} about three months ago but these pumpkins last for a good long time, I had one in our fruit bowl {?}, and we had leftover black beans from the other night so mid-January turned into a good pumpkin cuisine time.

This soup is from Rebecca, but there are a couple of other parts to it.

First, the Pumpkin.

You can use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe quite handily, but I sometimes have sugar pumpkins laying around and this is how to use one of those instead.

- cut pumpkin in half and save the seeds.

- in a preheated 400 degree {F} oven, bake pumpkin, open-sides down, on a cookie sheet for about 40 to 50 minutes.

- once removed from oven, allow pumpkins to cool and then scoop out the innards from the shell. Be careful because they're hot and steamy at first.

- puree in a blender or food processor {or mash the heck out of them by hand, maybe} and then you're ready to use. You might need to add a bit of water {1 tablespoon} to ease along the pureeing process.

One medium sized sugar/baking {they're called both things} pumpkin yields about what a normal sized can of pumpkin will give you {15 ounces}. The can is way easier, obviously, but if you ever get one of these guys, give it a try!

Also, I imagine if you're keen to just have roast pumpkin for dinner, follow the above steps but maybe bake them a bit less {10 minutes less? 5?} and be sure to doctor them up with some good flavor {and a bit of olive oil [or whatever fat you choose]} before hand because plain old pumpkin ain't no flavor powerhouse. 

Then, the Seeds.

I found this recipe via Smitten Kitchen, which is where the pumpkin puree business came from as well. I've made some changes here.

- preheat oven to 400 degrees {F}.

- rinse seeds and separate them from the slimy pumpkin.

- for each 1/2 cup of seeds, place 2 cups of water into a small pot/saucepan.

- add the seeds and 1 tablespoon of salt.

- bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.

- drain seeds.

- return to pot/saucepan and add in about a tablespoon of olive oil { or whatever fat you choose though a fairly flavorless oil works best and NOT butter because it will scorch}. 

- for the sodium-minded: you may omit the salt entirely but the seeds might not come out as crunchy.

- add whatever seasoning you prefer. Avoid salt since the brining process {boiling in salt water} imparts a good amount of saltiness. I've done a combination or pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and a bit of cumin. Make the total amount of seasoning about a teaspoon unless you have a ton of seeds, in which case seasons away!

- spread seeds on a cookie sheet and bake for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the individual seeds {smaller seeds, less time}.

- put on a paper towel to drain when done and then enjoy.

- these make great garnishes.

Then, the Soup.
Rebecca gave me this recipe and Smitten Kitchen has one too.

Ingredients.
- 1 chopped onion, about 1.5 cups
- 2 chopped carrots
- 4 garlic cloves, minced...jarred or fresh it matters not
- 1 16 ounce can of tomatoes in juice {I've used fresh cherry tomatoes and bit of extra broth}
- 1 15 ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon curry {I've used turmeric instead...or just leave it out if that stuff isn't your bag}
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon {you could use garam masala instead which might be interesting}
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter {or whatever fat you choose, but butter gives great flavor} {if I have only salted butter for some reason, by the way, I'll use it with no qualms}
- 4 cups stock {chicken, beef, veggie...} {I use warm water and the bouillabaisse that comes in a jar}
- 1 16 ounce can pumpkin puree {or if you make it yourself [see above], about the same amount [1.5 cups?]}
- 3 tablespoons hot sauce

Steps.
- In your large soup pot, cook onions, garlic, and carrots in the butter over moderate heat, stirring, until the onions and carrots are softened and just barely beginning to brown.

- Stir in tomatoes and allow to cook for several minutes before adding the beans.

- Allow the mixture to cook a bit {3 minutes? No longer...} and then add your seasonings, making sure to stir every minute or so.

- Stir in stock and pumpkin until all combined and then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes.

- Blend the soup however you'd like; I use an immersion blender. If you use a real blender, make sure to be careful and add the soup a cup at a time to avoid splash-back-burning.


Tidbits.
- Good garnishes: sour cream {or plain yogurt}, roasted pumpkin seeds {see above}, salsa {see post from a few days ago}...I sometimes spoon the soup over rice and eat it like that.

Thanks Becs for such great inspiration and soup!!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Amaryllis by morning...

amaryllis on my mind.
Not a George Strait fan?
Well, you should be.

Moving on from the Country Western Music part of me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last year I wrote about how I love the Amaryllis.

And I still love it! No big surprise there.

At the beginning of December I was walking around Whole Foods {which I avoid like the plague because I always end up buying Stuff I Don't Need But That Looks Necessary but it is the closest grocery store within walking distance; womp womp} and I grabbed the cheaper of their Amaryllis options {take THAT man!}.

Then I got home and realized that I had to re-hydrate the soil, plant the bulb, and wait six to ten weeks {!}.

I was getting ready to go home to California/Arizona for three-plus weeks, though, so it didn't happen until yesterday.

The little compressed disc of soil was this size before.

And then it was filling a big mixing bowl.

And growing.

Mmmmm.

I had this flashback to an episode of "My Strange Addiction" where a woman is addicted to eating dirt. She'd go and buy bags of potting soil and pull the open bag up next to her as she'd watch TV {like a bag of chips} {gaggggggg}. 
Having a bowlful of dirt really grossed me out but I had no other vessel in which to do this because I needed the pot empty to begin with. And you can bet that thing went straight into the dishwasher after it served its purpose.

Then I buried the bulb and began the waiting process.

Please check back in six to ten weeks to hopefully find this.

Are you enjoying some indoor bulbs this winter Reader?
xoxo, natty ♥

Salsa.

I'm not sure if I've ever posted this recipe in its entirety but considering yesterday's post, I figured I'd like to get it written out here for perpetuity's sake.

I've been making this salsa for a few years. Mike loves salsa {he's from the Southwest} and I made it once for tacos or fajitas or something Tex-mex we were making and then I just never stopped. 

It is the Pioneer Woman's recipe, though I've seen it in other places.
Check out her recipe HERE.
Mine is a bit adapted from hers.

Salsa!  

This makes enough for a moderately sized party and allows for left-overs. In other words, about six cups.

Ingredients

- 1 large can of diced tomatoes, 28 ounces...or whatever you might have laying around {a can of whole tomatoes...DO NOT use crushed because you'll probably end up with a Lati-spiced pizza sauce}.

- 2 cans of Rotel, 10 ounces...I use their regular but it also comes in mild or hot {find out about Rotel HERE}...I also will use the generic store brand because it's sometimes on sale for $1/can and I love a deal.

- 1/4 cup chopped onion...I use yellow because I always have that around but red probably wouldn't be a good choice.

- 1 clove minced garlic...jarred or fresh, it matters not.

- 1 whole jalapeño quartered and sliced...I leave in the seeds but if you're not into heat then take them out. And be very very careful not to rub your eyes after this part! For at least a day! If you're a contact lens wearer, remove them BEFORE this {because that's something a husband won't do}.

- 1/2 cup cilantro...I usually chop up half a bunch and throwing in the stems makes no difference because you're going to food process the heck out of the stuff. But, don't skimp here because I think this is where the good flavor comes from. If you don't like cilantro {some folks think it tastes like soap?}, then do what you will.

- juice of half a lime...or a whole if you feel like it.

Spices...I am lazy so sometimes I don't measure I just eye it, and the ones listed with an asterisk are my own personal additions, leave them out if you desire.

- 1/4 teaspoon sugar...to cut the acidity of the tomatoes and lime so please don't freak out about "too much sugar in life" because a little goes a long way here...many tomato-based sauces have a pinch of sugar as well so it's OK.

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon cumin

- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder *

- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder *

- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder *

-  scant 1/4 teaspoon cayenne {go easy on this one} *

Ingredients without commentary

- 1 can of diced tomatoes, 28 ounces 
- 2 cans of Rotel, 10 ounces
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 whole jalapeño quartered and sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- juice of half a lime
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder *
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder *
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder *
- scant 1/4 teaspoon cayenne {go easy on this one} *

Steps 

- Food process or blend it all until it's the way you like it; in this house that means smooth with no visible bits of onion. I usually layer the cilantro first and then pour in everything else.

- Recycle your cans!

- Chill the stuff because it's no good at room-temperature.

Tidbits

- I've started to make several batches at once and just freeze each one in a big ziplock style freezer bag. They take about an overnight to thaw. This past time I skimped on the cilantro and it's blandsville so heed my advice, unless you think cilantro tastes like soap {?}.

- This goes quite nicely with tortilla chips {obviously}, into soups {black bean especially, though tortilla soup is divine as well}, and on top of cheese crisps. And nachos. And eggs. And anything. 

¡Buen provecho!
xoxo, natty ♥

Batches of salsa.

xoxo, natty ♥

Without further ado...

I present to you: January's window, theme courtesy of a name-less-neighbor.

Snowmen. 
Of course.

Now can we get some actual snow here? {After writing that and the thought of "famous last words; yadda yadda yadda", I take no responsibility if we're bowled over by some mega-blizzard}. 

Read about this window setting HERE.
xoxo, natty ♥

La la la.

Before I get into anything about what life is like here today/this week, I need to react to Rebecca's blog post about dog smiles. Maybe she gets a lot of those. I'll have to enjoy from afar because this seems to be the best old Guinness can muster up for us.

But he still acts really excited each time I get home so that means he likes that I feed him me, right?

To me it feels like there's not much going on presently, being home and doing some job searching and whatnot, though there actually is so.much.to.do...but it's good. There are some suitcases languishing and a ton of laundry yelling out for attention and the dog keeps walking around the apartment, stopping, looking at something, and then repeating the process { I think he's still weirded-out from being abandoned for three weeks} but I'm still really glad and let's think about why...

1} Again, we had fabulous quality time with both families over the holidays. Not everyone can pull off this feat but we did and for that, we're grateful.

2} We're back home; our time with family was WONDERFUL but there's something about being in our own bed and getting back to a routine.

3} This is one that will make an appearance each week I'm sure; the days are getting longer! The days are getting longer!

4} I get to be witness to my first Inauguration this week. We're not going to any actual events or sitting in any bleachers, which is good knowing me and my antsyness about being confined/in large crowds/around extreme noise, but we're going to lurk/creep around and see as much as we can see.

5} In celebration of the Inauguration {at least I'm guessing so?}, Costco is selling solid chocolate {in dark [for the health-minded], milk, and white varieties} Pentagons and Capital Buildings {did they run out of White Houses?}.

We didn't snatch one up {not in budget}.

But I kind of wish we had.

What's going on in your neck of the woods this week reader? Is it fog-ville where you are {it IS here!}? Snowing? Unseasonably warm? How do you feel about this upcoming weekend's match-ups? I'm a bit bummed about the Packers because I just like them and though I'm a Bay Area girl and I secretly like Jim Harbaugh and I legitimately like the 49ers, I really don't like their new quarterback. But we're also a Patriot's household so all in all we're feeling excited.

Good week to YOU!
xoxo, natty ♥

Are you ready?

For some football?!?!?!?!
Today's agenda includes some major cleaning/organizing and then some football, though I missed the first game I really wanted to see yesterday during the movie situation, the Patriots' game is #2 on my list so I'm excited for later this afternoon!

Tom Brady?

Are you following the playoffs this year Reader?
xoxo, natty ♥

Denied.

After a thwarted attempt to see the Django movie we walked home and settled for another Tarantino movie {Jackie Brown}. Now I'm trying to recover from the violence {even in his older movies!} and get ready for bed.
Happy weekend!
xoxo, natty ♥