Birthday weekend

My birthday was yesterday, I turned 26. I was reassured by several people that 26 is still considered mid 20's. Jesse started things off right on Friday by bringing flowers home, and making me spring rolls for dinner. They were amazing, and he is the best.

On Saturday night we went with eight of our dearest friends to Marrakesh, an authentic moraccan heaven. Not only do you have to have a reservation to get in, but you have to knock on the door to get in. Then you enjoy a six course meal, hand washing, and a belly dancer. We brought several bottles of wine, and were there for about four hours. I could not have asked for a more wonderful night.

On Sunday, my actual birthday, we had lots of friends over for a barbq. It was supposed to storm, but we had sunshine all day...... until the ten minute hail storm hit around 7:00...... it was wild. I think it was one of the best birthdays/ birthday weekends I have had in a long time.

After a coupon, some store credit, some birthday money, and some tax return money, I adopted my new child:

Breakfast for dinner

These pictures do not do this meal justice. Last week sometime, (I am real good at posting things right away huh?) I made potato and carrot latkes, savory crepes with ricotta and caramelized onions, and roasted beets. It took over an hour, and made lots of dirty dishes, but it was worth it.
I have been roasting beets a lot lately. They are super nutritious, and affordable all year long. It is important to keep them whole, with the skin on, because then you do not lose any of the goodness. Wrap each one in foil, and bake for about an hour in a 400 degree oven. Remove the foil, and when the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them, the skin will slide right off. Slice them however you like!

Busy Busy

It is hard to remember what we have eaten during the past week, things have been nuts. Nothing bad, but between finishing work on the second floor, and Bess moving in, there has hardly been time to eat. There have been burritos, salmon burgers, and MACARONI AND CHEESE! As you can tell, this was my favorite. When I make mac and cheese, I use whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread for the bread crumbs, so that it is not so unhealthy. On Friday I added sauteed kale, and used smoked gouda and sharp cheddar....... oh man was it good. Other than that, I have been living on hummus. I use three or four cans of beans, which makes a lot, but I go through it so fast. Yogurt and granola are another current favorite, Bess and I were just talking about how it reminds us of spring. Making your own yogurt is much more affordable than buying it, and it takes very little time. I will post pictures of the creamy goodness, and the yogurt maker that I use, as soon as my camera battery is charged.....

CSA

I forgot to mention this, we signed up for a new CSA, Red Earth Farms. We did Lancaster Farm Fresh last year, and were not totally happy with it. This year they raised their prices, so we decided to go shopping for a new CSA. We stumbled upon Red Earth Farms, and loved everything we read, so we signed up and were accepted. I did not know this at the time, but apparently they fill up really fast and are really hard to get in to. I am so glad we made it!

Cell Tuesdays

Tuesday's dinner was kind of a pantry meal again. I knew we were going to be having veggie burgers, because that is usually what we do on a busy night, but I wanted something else to go along side them. First thought, bean salad, with whatever fresh ingredient I can find. A can of black beans, a can of kidney beans, a can of garbanzo beans, diced celery, diced cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and dijon vinegarette, which I always make and keep on hand. I topped it off with some goat cheese. Jesse made the veggie burgers on the grill, and we ate dinner outside!

I wanted to make a savory snack for cell, since a lot of people in my cell gave up sweets for lent. This snack was savory, but sweet as well, but with no added sugar. Carmelized onion dip.....

All you do is add the caramelized onions, some onion powder, and salt to some sour cream. So easy, but so amazing.

Monday Madness

After a totally crazy day at work on Monday, I came home and cooked all night. Our kitchen has been lacking fresh veggies since we have been working on the house, so I have had to get creative the past few nights. Sunday I made a last minute pot of split pea soup before pm, but did not have time to take any pictures. It is such a basic soup, all you need is split peas, veggie stock, and onion. The results are so rustic and yummy.
Last night I made a risotto with peas and lemon, and threw some sauteed chicken sausage on top. Risotto is made with arborio rice, stock, onion, parmesan cheese, and really whatever else you have on hand. I chose a bag of frozen peas, and a lemon, using the juice and the zest. If you have never made this before, you should.
We have cable now, so I have been soaking up food network. This woman on there yesterday made caramel pecan sundaes..... I of course had to have one. Jesse ran out for some vanilla ice cream, and I made caramel sauce for the first time. All it is is water and sugar, cooked very specifically, and then heavy cream is added. Healthy huh? We have a whole jar left over in the fridge.....

A little of this, a little of that.

Time has been racing by lately, and so much is going on. February was vacation month, taking Jesse and me to Maine and then Nashville. We got more snow on Monday than we have had in two years, and today it was warmer outside than it was in our house. I am SO excited for spring. I am SO excited for April 1st when Bess moves in. We are spending all of our weekends in March working on the house, getting it ready for the shuffle of belongings and people. I will be 26 this month. We are preparing to sue the woman who hit Jesse on his scooter. My nephew Elliott is six months old and so incredible. Jesse is loving and patient and forgiving. He also drives me nuts sometimes. My mom never leaves her house. She tells me not to worry about her, but I do. My mother-in-law gave me the sweetest little gift today when she came over. Banjo and Ramona bring so much joy to my life. I forgave someone last weekend. I hate PMS. It makes me feel crazy and hate myself. Today I considered using bleach to clean something, then I decided that it was a horrible idea. I love and prefer natural things. I REALLY want a Dyson vacuum.