C- "So, do you want to know what I'm planning for when Gabrielle and Melaina come visit us? I was thinking of renting one of those pedaling boats on the Potomac.
Bryan looks down and shakes his head ruefully.
C- "Why are you shaking your head?!"
B- "Because none of you can reach the pedals."
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Another day, another trip to the bookstore.
There is little that inspires me more than a neighborhood's local bookstore/cafe. It was a particularly busy day there today and I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging among the other people reading, chatting, studying and drinking tasty beverages.
My sister and I have joked about my inability to really SEE my surroundings. Listening to my sister and husband, you would think I went through life in a perpetual "Celly Bubble". We all laugh about it, but the truth is that I really DO have a kind of tunnel vision that is rarely penetrated! For some reason the hustle and bustle of the bookstore breached that bubble and I was struck numb for just a little while. Sitting there in that comfy leather chair with my husband sitting next to me peacefully engrossed in his graphic novel, I SAW.
I saw a mother and daughter team inspecting the young adult bookshelves taking notes of what books they (BOTH) had already read in a series. A grandmother telling her granddaughter that they didn't really have to ask her mother about their book choices before buying. A man looking up biographies to see which one he didn't already own so that he could use the 40% off coupon. A middle aged couple holding hands while strolling the store. Four well-dressed gentleman having a slightly too loud conversation in the cafe. A GIANT mess in the children's section, with books and games strewn all over the floor. A man drinking coffee, staring out the window for what seemed like hours. And I hope that to whomever happened to notice us sitting there side by side, saw a couple that a first glance appeared at odds with each other: the husband reading steadily for hours with a stack of graphic novels at his elbow, the wife busily coming and going with stacks and stacks of books, flipping through pages, making notes, and even taking a few pictures with her cell phone. That the more they looked, the more they saw the complete and utter contentment they exuded in each other's presence.
Above all, I experienced a sense of wonder at how a bookstore unites people! Reading books, magazines, comics, newspapers. Chatting, studying, working, eating and drinking. Coming and going. There is a great debate out there about what the new electronic age and technology are doing to THE BOOK. I say that the great love of books is alive and well and will PERSEVERE!!!
My sister and I have joked about my inability to really SEE my surroundings. Listening to my sister and husband, you would think I went through life in a perpetual "Celly Bubble". We all laugh about it, but the truth is that I really DO have a kind of tunnel vision that is rarely penetrated! For some reason the hustle and bustle of the bookstore breached that bubble and I was struck numb for just a little while. Sitting there in that comfy leather chair with my husband sitting next to me peacefully engrossed in his graphic novel, I SAW.
I saw a mother and daughter team inspecting the young adult bookshelves taking notes of what books they (BOTH) had already read in a series. A grandmother telling her granddaughter that they didn't really have to ask her mother about their book choices before buying. A man looking up biographies to see which one he didn't already own so that he could use the 40% off coupon. A middle aged couple holding hands while strolling the store. Four well-dressed gentleman having a slightly too loud conversation in the cafe. A GIANT mess in the children's section, with books and games strewn all over the floor. A man drinking coffee, staring out the window for what seemed like hours. And I hope that to whomever happened to notice us sitting there side by side, saw a couple that a first glance appeared at odds with each other: the husband reading steadily for hours with a stack of graphic novels at his elbow, the wife busily coming and going with stacks and stacks of books, flipping through pages, making notes, and even taking a few pictures with her cell phone. That the more they looked, the more they saw the complete and utter contentment they exuded in each other's presence.
Above all, I experienced a sense of wonder at how a bookstore unites people! Reading books, magazines, comics, newspapers. Chatting, studying, working, eating and drinking. Coming and going. There is a great debate out there about what the new electronic age and technology are doing to THE BOOK. I say that the great love of books is alive and well and will PERSEVERE!!!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A return to life as (almost) usual.
Is it really 2010?!
After 5 months of working/living in DC because of work, 2009 ended a little rough. I had to fly out to LA for work over Xmas and New Year's. I loved seeing friends and family, but I really just wanted to be home with Bryan...taking a BREAK.
I was planning on nesting for the entire month of January until I received unexpected albeit very pleasant news that my clients were returning to DC. I was able to renegotiate my weekends off and now Bryan and I are doing our best to fill those 2 days with some serious quality time. Such is life.
This weekend we pushed ourselves out of the house to finally try this new restaurant/bar that opened last year and was reputed to have a scotch sampler on the menu! Thank you, Fredericksburg Pub for introducing me to Glenmorangie...
After 5 months of working/living in DC because of work, 2009 ended a little rough. I had to fly out to LA for work over Xmas and New Year's. I loved seeing friends and family, but I really just wanted to be home with Bryan...taking a BREAK.
I was planning on nesting for the entire month of January until I received unexpected albeit very pleasant news that my clients were returning to DC. I was able to renegotiate my weekends off and now Bryan and I are doing our best to fill those 2 days with some serious quality time. Such is life.
This weekend we pushed ourselves out of the house to finally try this new restaurant/bar that opened last year and was reputed to have a scotch sampler on the menu! Thank you, Fredericksburg Pub for introducing me to Glenmorangie...
The scotch sampler.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snowmageddon!
Who's idea was it to move to Virginia?!
I really do love it here and working in DC has been great, but seriously dude, what is up with all this snow?! This is our second weekend in a row that we are snowed-in. One month ago I was crying for more time at home with my dolly and it looks like nature (or global warming), delivered!
I really do love it here and working in DC has been great, but seriously dude, what is up with all this snow?! This is our second weekend in a row that we are snowed-in. One month ago I was crying for more time at home with my dolly and it looks like nature (or global warming), delivered!
Friday, November 27, 2009
S'mores Pie!
My first Thanksgiving pie that I didn't make while following the recipe off the back of the pumpkin can!! This recipe was featured on Epicurious in their popular Thanksgiving segment. I was a little anxious about it since part of the prep work involved me buying a candy thermometer and pie shield, and dusting off the stand mixer...but I really wanted a challenge in the kitchen.
The graham cracker crust- baked and cooled.
Chopped up blocks of fine chocolate and then melted it with boiling heavy cream.
Chocolate filling- baked and cooled....again.
Marshmallow topping- boiled til 240 degrees and then whipped the shit out of it! Like, 8min. on high.
Spooning the marshmallow into center of pie...it then spread to make a gorgeous topping!
Ahh...I'm in love with this pie! I kept opening up the fridge door just to admire it. Yes, it's cooling AGAIN!
Broil the top while watching it like a hawk!
The result? Toasted marshmallow and chocolate s'mores pie!! Sounds good doesn't it?! IT WAS!!!
The graham cracker crust- baked and cooled.
Chopped up blocks of fine chocolate and then melted it with boiling heavy cream.
Chocolate filling- baked and cooled....again.
Marshmallow topping- boiled til 240 degrees and then whipped the shit out of it! Like, 8min. on high.
Spooning the marshmallow into center of pie...it then spread to make a gorgeous topping!
Ahh...I'm in love with this pie! I kept opening up the fridge door just to admire it. Yes, it's cooling AGAIN!
Broil the top while watching it like a hawk!The result? Toasted marshmallow and chocolate s'mores pie!! Sounds good doesn't it?! IT WAS!!!
Thanksgiving Dinner 2009
Last night was our first Thanksgiving dinner in Casa de Schmidt. It was just the two of us, as it always is these days, but it was still a GREAT day for me. It is one of my favorite days of the year and I start my menu planning early and I even LOVE my grocery shopping preparations! I started cooking at around 7am and dinner was on the table at 5:30 pm....a Schmidt family RECORD!!!
Schmidt Dining Room Menu
Turkey-stuffed with Apples, Shallots, Rosemary and White Wine
Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes w. Caramelized Onions
Roasted Root Vegetables
Mache Salad w. Creole Vinaigrette
Cranberry Sauce
S'mores Pie (that pie deserves it's own post!)
I've made a family stuffing recipe for YEARS before I decided to try something new last year and LOVED it. Bryan did finally admit last night that this one is a little egg-y for him, so I think I'll try different one next year.
We both love this mashed potatoes recipe. Yummy creamy horseradish and sweet caramelized onions? You CAN'T go wrong!
I kinda winged it with this dish. I knew I wanted roasted root veggies, but I couldn't find a recipe that had the veggies I wanted, so I just bought what I needed myself and loosely followed some guidelines. I chose sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, shallots and whole garlic cloves. Geezus- it was delicious!!
My beloved cranberry sauce! I made it for one this year, since Bryan doesn't care for it. But I DON'T CARE!! I love this stuff!!
Yay for Turkey Day! Gobble, gobble, gobble...
Schmidt Dining Room Menu
Turkey-stuffed with Apples, Shallots, Rosemary and White Wine
Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes w. Caramelized Onions
Roasted Root Vegetables
Mache Salad w. Creole Vinaigrette
Cranberry Sauce
S'mores Pie (that pie deserves it's own post!)
I've made a family stuffing recipe for YEARS before I decided to try something new last year and LOVED it. Bryan did finally admit last night that this one is a little egg-y for him, so I think I'll try different one next year.
We both love this mashed potatoes recipe. Yummy creamy horseradish and sweet caramelized onions? You CAN'T go wrong!
I kinda winged it with this dish. I knew I wanted roasted root veggies, but I couldn't find a recipe that had the veggies I wanted, so I just bought what I needed myself and loosely followed some guidelines. I chose sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, shallots and whole garlic cloves. Geezus- it was delicious!!
My beloved cranberry sauce! I made it for one this year, since Bryan doesn't care for it. But I DON'T CARE!! I love this stuff!!Yay for Turkey Day! Gobble, gobble, gobble...
A drive through West Virginia
My Thanksgiving vacation began with a drive home from my client's farm in West Virginia on Monday. I happen to really love road trips, so that morning I woke up with a smile on my face. All I had to do that day was sit in a car and drive through beautiful countryside? Bliss!!!
First things first- I sipped my morning coffee outside with this gorgeous view.
As far as the eye could see...
There were deer grazing down by the creek when we woke up that morning.
Their property was in a pretty rural area and the most impressive thing about the drive was that it seemed as if I was the only person around for miles!
I stopped my car in the road to take this shot. No other cars in sight!
Hello-o-o-o-o...
Super curvy roads going through some mountains. I thought of Bryan and the bike...
The drive was a total of 5hrs. I was slowed down a bit once I got back into DC to drop off the client car and transfer stuff into mine. But still, it was perfect timing for meeting Bryan for dinner. A perfect way to start a week off!
First things first- I sipped my morning coffee outside with this gorgeous view.
As far as the eye could see...
There were deer grazing down by the creek when we woke up that morning.
Their property was in a pretty rural area and the most impressive thing about the drive was that it seemed as if I was the only person around for miles!
I stopped my car in the road to take this shot. No other cars in sight!
Hello-o-o-o-o...
Super curvy roads going through some mountains. I thought of Bryan and the bike...
The drive was a total of 5hrs. I was slowed down a bit once I got back into DC to drop off the client car and transfer stuff into mine. But still, it was perfect timing for meeting Bryan for dinner. A perfect way to start a week off!
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