...Start Your Engines

I can now say that my summer is officially over, because tomorrow, I will embark on my first of three weeks of work-related travel.  I am definitely experiencing a wide array of emotions right now, from excitement that all of the planning I have been dong for the past month is finally coming together, to apprehension about how my first round of high school visits and alumni meetings will go.  I will be spending the next week in the Plains states {none of which I have been to, so yay!}, the following week in Texas, and, after a brief week back in DC, I will head off to New England for another week {twist my arm, New England in the FALL?!?!?}.

I truly have loved this job so far, so I am really looking forward to putting all of the information that I have soaked in over the past two months to the test.  I am really looking forward to meeting with students during the day and alumni in the evenings, and am hoping like I have never hoped before that I will not lose my voice.  Because, as I've said in the past, when I lose my voice, it's not one of those things where I lose it one day and it comes back the next.  The last time I lost my voice, I lost it exactly for a week :(  Here's hoping that lots of Vitamin C, Purel and tea with honey will keep me healthy and my voice strong!

I suppose the hardest part of these next few weeks will be feeling as though I don't have a home base.  Living out of a suitcase is a lifestyle that I'm not really used to, so I'll be interested to see how this goes. Also, it goes without saying that being away from Dan will be challenging.  I helped him sign up for his first Skype account, so hopefully we'll be able to talk in the evenings once I get back from my visits.  I keep telling myself, though, that I'll really only be gone for five days at a time, since, for each of those weeks, I'll be leaving on Sunday and coming back on Friday.  Feeling like I'll be missing out on spending time with friends and family has also been very much on my mind, especially since I have struggled since I have moved to figure out how to best balance spending time with friends and family, while at the same time giving my relationship the love and energy it deserves.  It is a difficult balancing act, and I would imagine it will grow infinitely more so once I jump into reading season.  But don't get me wrong, I am SO excited for the challenge, and be on the lookout for pictures once I return!

Tonight, I am cashing in on that home-cooked meal that Dan owes me.  I know he is perusing my cookbooks and my Pinterest account this morning to figure out what the heck to make, so I am excited to see what he comes up with!  The guy HATES cooking, mostly because he has convinced himself that he's not good at it, but I have every confidence that he'll do a great job!

Some New {and Old} Local Favorites

As I have settled in to being an Arlingtonian {gasp} over the course of the summer, I have been determined to balance out my wonderful nights spent at home with Dan having dinner and catching up on our TV watching with venturing into the city and trying some new places.  I refuse to be the Arlingtonian who never leaves Arlington {but would certainly encourage friends to come out and see us there! It really is lovely! As an added bonus, we have a movie theater a block from our apartment that has RECLINERS.  RECLINERS, PEOPLE!!! You feel like you're watching a movie in your living room!}.

Anyway, I digress.  I have tried out a few new places that I have loved recently, and, so, have developed some new favorite haunts.

Dupont Circle and environs:
First of all, my friend Lauren is utterly obsessed with Glen's Market just north of Dupont, and, having now been there a handful of times, I can say that the obsession is justified.  Half overpriced {yet delicious} grocery store, half wine bar, it is perfect for an after-work gathering.  I have sampled some of their cheeses, chocolate {with pretzels in it...ummmm.....yeah}, house-made sandwiches, and, most importantly, their wine.  You essentially purchase a wine card from the bar for whatever denomination you please, and then you use it to fill your glass from several wine dispensers.  There are three sizes, so you can order whichever one suits your fancy.  Personally, I think this is an ingenious idea, and I can usually get the size that I want for $5-$6, so that's not too shabby.  I don't pretend to be as much of a hipster as the employees, but I just sip my wine and eat my goodies and refuse to feel self-conscious about that.  Also, one of the bartenders has an excellent handlebar mustache.  Now, I do not like facial hair, but, let me tell you, this particular mustache is a WIN.

I have also re-discovered the Dupont Farmers Market and how truly wonderful it is.  I went there a few weeks ago to meet up with a friend for brunch, and ordered a spinach and feta croissant {my normal order, because it's so darned delicious} and a few white peaches, which were easily the most delicious peaches that I've tasted in my life.  They were mouthwateringly delicious, so juicy and not overly ripe.  I am very picky about the firmness of my peaches; I don't like them too hard, and I certainly don't like them too mealy, so these peaches were the best of both worlds.  Supporting local farmers and artisans is one of my favorite things {which is obviously why my Eastern Market jewelry problem started}, so I love going to this market. Surprisingly, I have not been back to the Courthouse market, but I would like to start doing that more, because, really, I have no excuse.

Eastern Market:
Dan and I got an itch over the weekend to grab dinner and drinks in a neighborhood that we don't typically go to, so, partly because of the Metro convenience factor {thank you, weekend delays}, we decided on Eastern Market.  We got dinner at Cava Mezze, which was delicious.  My affinity for Mediterranean food is something I've developed since living in DC, particularly after graduation, and I am literally almost always in the mood for Mediterranean food {this is also how I feel about Indian food}.  Cava Mezze did not disappoint, providing enough warm, yummy bread for two starving souls to lift our spirits before our food came out.   I convinced Dan to split an order of saganaki {the delicious cheese that they set on fire with some brandy}, and then I got my standard lentil patties and brussels sprouts with tzatziki sauce.  My mouth was in heaven.

After dinner, we went to Harold Black's speakeasy, which, for those of you who have never had the pleasure of eating at Acqua al 2 {if you haven't, then stop reading this post and go there RIGHT NOW}, is right above that restaurant, through a SUPER SECRET entrance {it IS actually unmarked}. Once you reach the door and knock so that someone can open it for you, you enter a dimly-lit room {lit only by candles in mason jars, obviously}, and spent 90 minutes sipping on some of the most delicious cocktails.  A word of warning: they are VERY strong, which we both realized at the end of the night.  But the drinks were delicious, the atmosphere was chic and intimate, and I was so glad we tried it out.

Old Town:
I went out to dinner with my parents last night at a place that has become near and dear to all of our hearts since they moved back to DC.  Fontaine is tucked away on a little side street off of King, and features some mind-blowing sweet and savory crepes.  Obviously, in my family, we order both.  There is NEVER a wait {hence the reason for not taking reservations}, and the food is out-of-this-world good.  Also, their weekly French movie nights make me wish I lived right next door, because, come on, French movies and French food? Sign me up!

I hope you all are able to try out some of these places, if you haven't already.  I know I've had a lot of fun trying them!!!  Also, stay tuned, because Dan will be attempting his first home-cooked meal for me on Saturday night, and I will obviously be posting about it!  This was not voluntary on his part; he just owed me for losing our March Madness challenge ;-)

That Little Baking Hobby of Mine: My Favorite Homemade Birthday Cake

I realized that, while I am an obsessive cook {read, BAKER}, I never blog about the things that I make.  My dad's birthday was on Tuesday, so I thought I would share a picture of and a recipe for the cake I made.  I made a similar cake for Dan, only with Kit Kat bars lining the cake vertically on the outside.  Not that I'm biased, but the cake is mouthwateringly delicious!  Thanks, Pinterest, for more amazing inspiration!!!!

A couple of notes on the recipe: when I made the cake over the weekend, I just used this recipe for the cake itself.  However, I have made the entire cake before, and it was out-of-this-world good.  I bought my favorite brand of raspberry jam for this weekend's cake, but then forgot to use it :(

Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake

Makes a two-layer 8" cake {the recipe says 3-layer, but I only use 2}

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cups cocoa powder {I use Hershey's}

2 tsp baking soda

1 cup canola oil

1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups water

2 tbsp distilled white wine vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

Raspberry Ganache {if making the entire cake - see link for recipe}

Raspberry jam {I use Bonne Maman, because it reminds me of France :) }

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray or butter two 8" cake pans. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and baking soda into a large bowl.  Beat in the oil and sour cream, followed by the water.  Add the vinegar and vanilla and mix to combine, and, finally, beat in the eggs until the batter is well combined.  Divide among the three cake pans.

Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a knife comes out almost clean.  Cool in the pans for 20 minutes {side note: being that I am impatient, I typically stick them in the freezer or fridge for a few minutes, probably no longer than 10}, then invert onto a wire rack, letting the cakes cool completely.

Being that the cake is pretty rich, I don't like to overdo it on the frosting.  Soooo....for the outside of the cake, I use Fat Free Cool Whip, and, on top of the cake and in between the two layers, I use chocolate Cool Whip frosting {it can be hard to find, but check in the freezer aisle of your grocery store.  If you're in DC, I have only been able to find it at Social Safeway}.  Cool Whip frosting is relatively new, and is MUCH lighter than regular frosting.  Also, to add a little bit of pizazz, add a layer of raspberry jam in between the layers, on top of the frosting.  I like to garnish the cake with some fresh berries {in this case, I used raspberries, my dad's favorite}, and I decorated this one with some edible gold glitter that I had laying around.  Most importantly, ENJOY the cake!!!!!!

If you are so inclined, this is where I got the inspiration for the Kit Kats.  Oh, and here's a picture of the cake I made this weekend.

Our Super Duper Lake Vacation

I had intended to do a post about the Lake...well, last week, after we got back.  Obviously, life got in the way, so I thought I would pound out a quick post now.  Our long {but, really, short} weekend at Winnipesaukee was everything I had hoped it would be.  We were blessed with THE MOST INCREDIBLE weather imaginable; high 70s, low 80s, not a cloud in the sky {other than when we needed a brief breather from the hot, mid-day sun}, and a soft breeze blowing, and dropping to the 40s and 50s at night.  Seriously, come on.  New England, you're such a flirt.

We all know that sitting around and "relaxing" is not at all my strong suit, although wearing the boot certainly forced me to adopt that lifestyle to a certain extent.  But really, there is nothing like laying out on our ginormous dock for hours on end, reading a book under a perfect blue sky and popping in the water for an occasional swim.  It really doesn't get any better.

Since we really were not on the island for very long {not to mention my mobility was limited}, we didn't really venture out very much.  My dad did take us on a real estate boat tour of the lake {not that we asked for one, but the man is a student of property values, so we humored him}.  I'll hand it to him, he knows where all of the "celebrities" live, although, I don't know that any of us would have the slightest idea if he was wrong.  But really, the best part of the weekend was that I was spending it with some of my very favorite people, and Dan said that it was great for him to be able to picture the place that I have talked about incessantly since, oh, about our second date.  I have a one-track mind, that's for sure.

Leaving the Lake has never been easy for me, particularly when we were there for such a short amount of time.  I also couldn't help but think that, what with the potential changes in our lives over the next year, this one may be our last at the Lake for a while.  I'm holding out hope that we'll make it back next year, mostly because letting go of a place that has been in your life since you were two years old is a tall order.  Every year, it feels like no time at all has passed when we arrive, which is perfect for a person who thrives on routine and consistency.  Other than the consistency, though, it is just SUCH a special place, and certainly makes up the fibers of who I am.

Side note: When my family was up at the Lake, baby bro found out that he is gainfully employed!!!!!! He achieved his dream of moving to NYC, and will be starting work next week! To say that I'm proud of him is an understatement.

Poor Dan endures trial by fire during Lake Golf, a game that, surprisingly, requires no golfing skill

Don't pretend you're not jealous

Rockin' the boot, lovin' life

Finish Line of the Wedding Season

Our wedding season has come to a triumphant end, and, I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed that I don't have another wedding to look forward to in a few weeks!  This weekend, Trey, Dan's swimming buddy from high school, and his now-wife Ashley got married, and it was, in a word, wonderful.  The reception was at the same golf club where Dan's friend Molly married her husband Weathers earlier this summer, and it was really fun to be back.  Trey and Ashley did some things differently that made it seem as though we were at another venue, so hooray for them for accomplishing that feat!  There was a palpable amount of love in that room, and that, I think, is what makes for the best weddings.  I always enjoy spending time with Dan and his friends, and there was an added bonus at this wedding of his parents and some close family friends being there, so I enjoyed talking to them as well.  As usual, Dan's mom sent us home with several pounds of snacks, which we love her for!!

While I took the doc's advice and wore my boot at the wedding {and was complimented on my commitment to dancing despite the boot, thank you very much}, I definitely overdid it this weekend, between dancing and walking more than I should have.  My body is definitely telling me to slow down this week, so how convenient that I will be going to Winnipesaukee on Thursday, where I will do nothing BUT relax!!

Dan was very sweet and protective of me all weekend as I hobbled around the various wedding weekend events, whether it was helping me down flights of stairs or running back to the car for me to grab things that I had forgotten.  He is a keeper, that one :)  There's a funny thing about weddings, too, that you always fall more deeply in love with your significant other.  The hopeless romantic in me loves that about weddings...so, bring on the next wedding season!!!!!! We've already got three lined up for next summer {one of Dan's friends, one of my friends and two mutual friends}, so I'm sure the promise of those summer celebrations will get us through the dreariness of winter.

Hobbling

I was able to go see a sports medicine specialist yesterday, because my foot pain had been getting progressively worse over the three weeks since it first started.  The doc ordered a second set of X-rays in an attempt to rule out a stress fracture, which he was able to do.  He is now convinced that the pain is tendon-related, mostly because of the location and type of pain I was experiencing when he examined me.  His main concern was that I would rupture the tendon in question, which would have required surgery and what would likely have been a long recovery process.

So...for the next three weeks, I have this fancy shmancy accessory:

This will look lovely with the cocktail dress that I'm wearing to a wedding this weekend ;)

I'm not going to pretend that I wasn't upset about the diagnosis and course of treatment {and yes, I did cry in the doctor's office}, but I had largely gotten all of my tears out of the way over the past week-and-a-half.  For those of you who know me, the order to not exercise, or do any sort of physical activity, is about the equivalent of a death sentence.  I am an incredibly active person, so it is nearly impossible to go from a high level of activity to nothing at all.

Never fear, though, I have developed, with the help of a good friend who broke her foot IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR MARATHON AND FINISHED {seriously, so many street cred points for Lindsay!}, a lifting and stretching routine that will at least make me feel as though I'm doing something other than sitting around and eating bon-bins.  I joked to Dan that I will have my best abs ever at the end of three weeks {highly unlikely, but I'm all about goal-setting here}, and I just did my first day of the routine this morning.  I can essentially work my arms, back and core, so I spent probably 40-45 minutes doing that.  Let me just say that trying to lift that sucker to do bicycle crunches requires a tremendous amount of exertion.  It's heavy!

I'm really trying to take it all in stride, because I would rather follow the doc's orders now and hopefully be out of this boot in three weeks.  Dan and I have even started calling it Das Boot!  But that's not to say that it has all been rainbows and roses.  For one thing, I live in an incredibly hilly neighborhood, so there is no way to avoid one when walking to and from the Metro.  The boot is awkward to walk in, but any unevenness of surface is even more uncomfortable.  I am trying to be very deliberate with how I walk on those surfaces so I don't inadvertently put too much strain on another part of my body.  Secondly, having to rely on creaky, slow-ass Metro elevators is far from ideal.  Thirdly, the psychological component of this injury has probably been the worst.  I exercise daily to keep myself in great cardiovascular shape, but I can't say that I don't enjoy the benefits of having a fit physique.  The thought of losing that has been a lot to handle, but I think that, if I am diligent about my workouts, I'll hopefully be back in fighting shape before I know it.  I am already imagining the moment when I go on my first run, and I can't wait.  I get jealous watching each successive runner file into our gym in the morning! I want to be the one running!!!

Shameless shout-out to Dan for dealing with the crying, depressing mess that I have been over the past couple of weeks.  He is truly the best, and has been so supportive and encouraging as he has witnessed my emotional struggle over this injury.  I can't wait to run together, hopefully sooner rather than later, once Das Boot comes off!!

No Excuses

Hello there, folks! It's me, returned from the land of long-lost bloggers!  It has been an inexcusable amount of time since I blogged, but hopefully, once I summarize my summer for you, you'll forgive me.  The one excuse that I will attempt to give is that this summer has been so jam-packed with activity that, every time I have considered blogging, I have opted not to in the end.  If I'm not feeling it, I'm just not feeling it, and you wouldn't want me to feel burdened by what I'm writing for all of you, right?!?  So, in summary, my summer to date:

• So, Dan and I moved.  Over two months ago.  I love our little apartment {which our friends are seeing for the first time tonight...total fail on our part}, and, more than anything, I love living with my best friend.  Coming home to him is, quite literally, the highlight of every day for me, and moving in together was one of the best decisions we have made.
• As a side note, as much as I LOVE living with Dan, leaving Molly after our time living together was nothing short of excruciating. Sure, we have two fun places that we can now hang out in, but it isn't the same when you can't poke your head in your roomie's room and have girl time with them.  Also, although he insists otherwise, I can feel Dan's eyes of judgment as I nom on cookie dough, cake batter, or the raw form of whatever I happen to be cooking.  Now Molly, that girl doesn't judge and, in fact, sometimes partook in my gluttonous ways with me.
• A week after the move, Dan took, and aced {!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!} the GMAT!  I am so immensely proud of him, and can't to see where this journey takes us next!
• A week after the GMAT, we went to our first of four weddings for the summer, and, the deeper we got in the wedding season, the more I discovered that I just don't have the stamina for that many weddings!  The first was in Pittsburgh for Dan's friend from high school, and it was a wonderful {not to mention beautiful and classy in every way} wedding.  It was a great time, and I enjoyed spending time with Dan's HS friends.  Three weeks later, we were off on a jet plane to Chicago, and holy moley, did we ever fall in love with that city by the lake!  Obviously, I was on Cloud 9 all weekend, because Kristin and Kevin were getting married, and my love was there, AND my favorite ladies were there for our first reunion in two years.  I can't overstate how fantastic this wedding was, and it was such a wonderful experience to be a bridesmaid for my gorgeous Kristin.  It was an absolutely gorgeous wedding in a fabulous city.  Wedding #3 was for my cousin in NY in July, and it didn't disappoint.  It was a blast to see my family, and it was the first time that Dan was meeting many family members.  The wedding, again, was beautiful, and we remarked on the fact that all three weddings have been so DIFFERENT {or, as different as weddings can be}!  Our final wedding of the season is back in Pittsburgh next weekend {actually, at the same venue as the first wedding} for another of Dan's HS friends, and I am so excited.  He is also a groomsman, which, despite the fact that he begrudgingly has to wear a tux, will be so fun for him.  I'll be hanging out with his parents, who will be at the wedding, and all of the other significant others of the groomsmen :)
• I think I deserve a medal for how little I wrote about four weddings. Period.
• After 2.5 years in a job that I was beyond miserable in, I transitioned into a new role in July!  The new job is a similar type of office, and will afford me more opportunities to travel and utilize what I consider to be my best skills.  I am really enjoying the job so far, and will be traveling to my region- the Plains states and parts of Texas!- for a few weeks in September, followed by a week in New England in October. {Sidebar: when they asked me if I was okay with going to New England for a week, I almost laughed in their faces. My beloved New England. In the fall. Foliage. Cold weather.  NO-BRAINER}
• We have watched a lot of baseball this summer, from a trip to Baltimore to watch the Red Sox, to two back-to-back Bucs-Nats games {now THAT, I did not have the stamina for.  I was comatose midway through the second game as a result of still-lingering exhaustion from the previous night, so I had no chance the day after the second game}, to two Bucs games at PNC {with the second likely to come next weekend}.
• I have really been rolling up my sleeves and getting creative with cooking {read: baking with some cooking sprinkled in} this summer.  All I have to say is, thank God for Pinterest.  That is all.  And so, my "food bragger" tendencies have been stretched to the limit, as I document nearly every new item that I make.  Some highlights included homemade gnocchi {and yes, Dan was an excellent co-chef!}, and his recent birthday cake, which I made for his 26th birthday {!!!} last week.
• I had an interesting tubing trip to Harpers Ferry in July, during which we lost a person.  We did not literally lose him {meaning, he did not perish}, but he did have to swim to shore and faced a several-mile, shoeless walk.  I'll leave it at that. It was an interesting day.
• There have been way too many goodbyes this summer, with several good friends leaving DC for grad school opportunities.  Isn't it the rule that, if you lose people, you should get at least that many close friends back in your city???
• My friend Kate was doing a law school internship here in DC for the summer, so I suppose she counts as a temporary transplant to DC :-) It was a blast to have her here, especially since one of her M.O. is exploring new restaurants.  Kate, thank you for your foodie ways!
• Last weekend, Dan and I went to Kings Dominion, and I officially conquered my fear of roller coasters!!! I went on three upside-down roller coasters, thank you very much :p
• Two weeks from now, I am going to the LAKE!  Now, because of some obligations with my new job, I am not able to take a full week off, but I will get a long weekend.  Plus, Dan has signed on to come with me, which I am thrilled about.  Since we started dating {almost 2.5 years ago- yikes!}, it has been my dream to have him come to the Lake.  I swear, if the weather is crummy, I will be one cranky lady.
• I am sure that there are many major things that I am forgetting, but the moments that have stuck with me the most about the summer have been the little moments with family, friends and Dan.  To be surrounded by the people you love, man, there's nothing better!  I sure am a lucky girl :-)
• My summer obviously would not have been complete without yet another scintillating season of The Bachelorette.  I hate myself for watching it, but I literally can't stop.  Oh well.

Lastly, I am waiting for X-ray results, which will tell me if I have a broken foot {the probable result of overuse during my 40+ mile/week running binge of this summer}.  Keep your fingers crossed, friends, because those of you who know me will can attest to the fact that I am a cranky pain in the ass when I can't exercise.  I'm hoping it's something like tendonitis {plantar fasciitis, which would be only somewhat less acceptable, would be more expensive, as it would require that I purchase orthodics worth hundreds of dollars for my running shoes. No thank you}.  Also, I am registered for the Army Ten-Miler in late October, and it is my goal to run that race.  Just throwing that out there.

Anywho, I sincerely hope that I will blog sooner than two months from now, but, what with my work and personal travel schedule, I can't make any promised.  At some point, I will post some pictures that encapsulate my summer, but hopefully you enjoyed this longer-than-necessary post!