Ladies' Classy Night out from a really long time ago

Ok maybe this is from February? All I remember is that it was still cold. And rainy. But I had a great time! Drew, Erin and I met up for dinner at the coveted Birch & Barley - we'd been planning this for ages, since we knew we wanted a reservation for a non-busy night so we wouldn't have to deal with the usual crowds. It was worth going out on a weeknight - the food & beer were all we'd hoped for and more...

They have this fancy "cask" beer. Not being a connoisseur, I couldn't tell much of a difference between this beer and other "good" beer, but I do know it was really smooth and yummy!

Oh my lawd...they bring out this breadboard to start. Soooo good! Our favorites were the mini pretzels on the far right. They were awesome dipped in the stone ground mustard!

I ordered the duck. Honey-glazed, boo-ya!

Dessert...desert was a mix of really delish and sortof just, "interesting." All good though!

I would definitely go back for more. I'd order dessert again too since it was such an adventure!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Time

Still catching up on posting! For the cohab's birthday I attempted the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake recipe. Scary! I didn't want to make this thing 3 layers like the recipe called for, but I also didn't want to do the math so I just made the entire batch and only used what I needed (creating a slight frosting/ganache overage that we had to toss it because it was becoming a huge self-control problem). My only real issue was that I tried to make it all in one go in my springform pan and of course it took forever to get it to bake through. Next time I'd do two layers instead of one big layer cut in half. Bake n' learn, people! Bake n' learn. It was really tasty though. Even more than the cake, this cream cheese frosting and the ganache that goes in the middle were ah-mazing!

Behold, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake:

Make sure you have a good amount of time to do this - I recommend making the frosting and ganache ahead of time....{recipe on RecipeMogul}

O.M.G. - get me back to the PNW

Grey whale near the Ballard Locks making it's way toward Carkeek on Sunday...
{via MyBallard, of course}

The House Bean

So Friday was Keene's last day of his internship on the Hill. Of course, I had to have him check out "The House Bean" - aka the famous bean soup that is sold in the cafeteria at the Capitol every day. 

"According to custom, bean soup must be available on the menu every day in the congressional dining areas. This tradition, which dates back to the early twentieth century, is said to be based on an edict by Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho (or in another version of the story to Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota)."

Keene said his soup was supposed to be vegetarian but the recipe on the Senate website uses ham...so who knows? What did Keene think? Well, he says it was somewhat bland, not necessarily in a bad way, but that it didn't have much flavor staying power. Could have benefitted from some salt and pepper, but you could really taste the celery and carrot. Apparently it wasn't super thick, although a fair part of it seemed to be pureed beans (probably potatoes as the Senate site says). Overall, he gave it a thumbs up!

If any of Y'all want to give the Senate Bean Soup a try, it's perfectly publicly accessible: you don't need a reason to go to Rayburn, so you could just walk in and make for the cafeteria. Anyone up for a field trip this May? :)

Weekend Re-Cap: it's still Spring :)

How was my weekend? Oh, how about awesome!!! Friday I went on a pilgrimage to Silver Spring with Drew and Erin to eat some Fried Pickle Spears from The Quarry House Tavern. You guys - those things rocked my world!!! Paired with some home made ranch dip, and a strawberry beer - you have the height of culinary sophistication. So good that I'm sure they will now haunt me and become a dragon I chase until the end of time. So great.

Saturday also ruled. Drew picked me up (ok so we hung out a lot this weekend) and we went shopping in SUBURBIA!!! I would never live there (gawd no) but it's great to visit and buy things. We got coffee from Buzz, which had these adorable-looking cakes, and then went to the car wash where they do it all different out here (it's no Brown Bear, I tell ya). Then it was Old Navy/Target, where I bought some truly tacky accessories for my ladies' Vegas trip this June (gotta have those). We capped off the day with pizza from Rustico where I had a "Flying Dog Raging Bitch" beer. I think FDRB may be my spirit name.

The yummy cakes at Buzz.

The truly fabulous matching "boat shoes" we got at Target. Don't hate, these are awesome.

My "Ragin' Bitch" - PS this beer was really good.

Sunday the weather was behaving itself despite being a bit chilly so it was safe to leave the house and brave the new Spring "elements." So happy that these have replaced the snow in our front yard:

The few cherry trees on our street are doin' their thing:

Keene and I were finally able to try out this diner on the Hill that we've been meaning to go to forever, Jimmy T's. It's just about what you would expect. Lots of hill-types reading the newspaper over blueberry waffles and coffee (I love me some diner coffee!).

It has a what-you-see-is-what-you-get vibe and they only take cash, hence the reason our debit-card totin' selves have never made it here (who carries cash anymore? other than Dads?).

Me n' my "Dear Ole Dad" mug.

Keene studying the rifle on the wall...

...yes, a "Red Ryder" bb gun to be exact. It's part of this random "A Christmas Story" shrine...?

Tin ceilings - an East Coast thing?

After breakfast we went over to Eastern Market because I was craving a pickle from the pickle people. Lots of pickles this weekend...

Pickle sass.

A delightful weekend all around! I'm so excited for the days to keep getting warmer and longer. YOU GUYS - how were your weekends?!?!

Cherry blossoms at the Market.

Don't Forget Earth Hour!

*EARTH HOUR, People!*

Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m.
"On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people, organizations,
corporations and governments around the world will come together
to make a bold statement about their concern for climate change by
doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour."

Yo: Where You AT?

Question Friday: Where do you live? I wanna know! One of my favorite things about reading blogs is connecting with people all over the world. It's so exciting to find a fun new blog and then realize that blogger is from...the Netherlands! Or Asia! Or Casablanca!

So I'm wondering...
where in the world are you reading from right now?

Craft Thursday.

Hello Friends. How about some Spring Crafts?

Peeps Garlands. Need I say more? {from DanaMadeIt}

I love these leather leaf cuffs, but I want to make them as little leaf rings instead. Cute! {from MayaMade}

Paper Cherry Blossom Branches. Pretty - would look great on my dinner table...{from Bloesem}

And what goes better with Paper Cherry Blossoms other than Rainbow Pussy Willows? Luv it! {from BetzWhite}

How simple and adorable are these rock photo holders? Totally doin' this one. {from DannySeo}

Zooey Bandwagon

Fine. I'm grudgingly surrendering to the Zooey Deschanel bandwagon. I didn't want to, but she's undeniably cute and I am a sucker for anything with singing & dancing. And when did JGL get cute? Here's the (500) Days of Summer, "Bank Dance"...

AOTD

The "Candelier," by Jello. You can purchase this one-of-a-kind masterpiece! {via CasaSugar}

Brills: "Shared Couples Table." Could totally work. {via Craftzine}

"Emergence," by Sayaka Ganz, made out of reclaimed plastic. {via Craftzine}

A fun print by Fréya. {via NYAO}

"Xylophone Table." Charming. {via AT}

Last, but not least: Slow-mo dogs, Pedigree commercial. {via SwissMiss}

Spring. Is. HERE.

I'm pretty sure in Seattle they call 75 degrees "Summer", but in DC it's supposedly Spring. I'm into it! I can't believe just a few weeks ago I couldn't leave the house without at least 3 layers. The weather this weekend was seriously awesome. Although I think it's supposed to be a more normal 55 degrees this week, that is still all good with me. So much better than freezing!

I had to share a pic of the "Edible Arrangement" that Keene got for his bday. You guys - these are SO good! At first I thought they sounded like a dorky idea but now I think they're the best present ever. The fruit is really tasty and the chocolate is actually really good chocolate. We ate this thing in about two days, cuz we were fruit crazy.

The bday boy in his colors Saturday. He got a lot of "go dawgs!" comments from people as we walked around the 'hood. I had no idea so many PNW people were in this area.

Another beauty we have big dreams for. It could be so SWEET!

We got a hankerin' for some dogs from Eastern Market. Best date ever!!!

Pretty. Thanks neighbors for planting!

I love daffs.

Hammin' it up. There's sunshine on my face, I can't help it.

The cherry trees blossomed literally overnight. Crazy.

Did y'all get great weather this weekend too?

Bahamas: The Final Chapter.

You know those moments & times when you wish you could press pause? This was one of them. I wanted this beach day to last forever. It's definitely staying with me even now though. Taking this trip was so much better than any self-help book or stupid breathing exercise. I feel like the Bahama sun made it all the way to my heart and helped this bitter East Coaster thaw out a bit :)

The Beach Re-Cap:
Here we have my date, while we wait for the ferry to Taino Beach. It was about a 3 minute ride from our hotel.

Sign says: "Fuel : Bait : Drinks"

Wooo! Teal water!!!

The couples self-portrait.

We're getting better at this.

More crystal clear water.

I am posting a picture of myself half in a swimsuit. On the internet. Because I was having a kickass time in this picture and what is a blog for if not oversharing?

More beach. Yeah.

Spring breakers in the background. Our attempt at re-creating a Corona commercial.

Might as well go all out!

Don't think I forgot List or Question Friday! I want to know: what's the best trip you ever took?