A Sweet Nest

Glorious!

2011-11-05T17:09:00.000-04:00

Fall Perfection.

Riding the Rails

2011-10-17T22:25:00.004-04:00

A very special day with a very special little boy.

Summer's Not Over Yet

2011-10-09T14:22:00.001-04:00

A beautiful Saturday spent in Annapolis, eating crabs and ice cream with my mom!

Wading in the Water

2011-09-25T09:39:00.001-04:00

Look at the brave little girl, in up to her belly!

Black Tie Gala

2011-09-14T20:53:00.001-04:00

Just a regular Tuesday evening!

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-30T20:50:00.000-04:00

We survived our first hurricane.

Best. Summer. Ever.

2011-08-30T20:04:00.006-04:00

Summer Vacation Week 9

2011-08-30T20:01:00.001-04:00

Bethany Beach!

Summer Vacation Week 8

2011-08-10T21:58:00.001-04:00

A weekend of hiking, picnicking, tubing and wine tasting in the Shenandoah Mountains!

Summer Vacation Week 7

2011-08-02T08:23:00.002-04:00

Jersey Shore!

Summer Vacation Week 6

2011-08-01T21:35:00.001-04:00

Beating the heat in the mountains!

Summer Vacation Week 5

2011-07-18T07:55:00.001-04:00

A birthday party for my friend Nancy!

Summer Vacation Week 4

2011-07-18T07:53:00.003-04:00

Blueberry picking, and the subsequent Blueberry Rhubarb Crisp!

Summer Vacation Week 3

2011-07-02T21:43:00.005-04:00

Buffalo!

Summer Vacation Week 2

2011-06-28T12:32:00.003-04:00

Wicked at The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

Summer Vacation Week 1

2011-06-27T10:58:00.003-04:00

U2 concert in Baltimore, Maryland!

Road Trip

2011-06-13T06:19:00.001-04:00

My friend Nancy and I found sunshine, boats and crab in Annapolis!

Huntress

2011-05-29T20:49:00.002-04:00

Just waiting for those squirrels to fall out of the tree.

Dinner Last Night

2011-05-23T06:35:00.001-04:00

On the menu? Sunshine, fresh air, and strawberry rhubarb crisp for dessert!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2011-05-14T16:53:00.003-04:00

Frances and I enjoyed our first Washington Nationals game today!

Sweet Bouquet

2011-05-07T12:44:00.000-04:00

Peonies are in bloom!

Azalea Walk

2011-05-01T08:50:00.001-04:00

Azaleas in full bloom at the National Arboretum!

Happy Easter, y'all!

2011-04-24T20:19:00.002-04:00

The Easter Bunny went to Norfolk, Virginia... and so did Frances and I!

Pretty Girl

2011-04-12T10:09:00.001-04:00

Today is my 3 year anniversary with Frances!

Sea of Blue

2011-04-11T05:46:00.000-04:00

Blue Bells at Bull Run Regional Park

Hiatus

2011-04-03T18:56:00.002-04:00

Sunrise at the Tidal Basin

To my dear, faithful readers: I have decided to take a hiatus from blogging. Not because I haven't been enjoying the sweetest activities to blog about. Rather, my heart just doesn't feel into it these days. Hopefully I'll feel up to the task again soon. In the meantime, have fun creating your own sweet memories to share! xoxo, Anna

Spring Fever

2011-02-27T20:23:00.003-05:00

This week I planted flowers in my window box. Sweet little purple pansies that are already blooming.I took the flannel sheets off my bed.

My spring break officially begins at 3:30 this afternoon.

March may typically come in "Like a Lion," but this year the lion hasn't had much bite. And to make me even happier, my mom is visiting for a whole week, starting this weekend!

Last Chance for Cozy

2011-02-21T07:15:00.005-05:00

We've turned the corner, so to speak. Winter in Northern Virginia is basically over, and there are signs of spring everywhere. Looking back on the last few months, I feel like my least favorite season was just a blip in the year; a little bit of cold, a little bit of snow, and a little bit of ice. But absolutely nothing compared to the winters I'm used to back in Western New York. Frances and I kept up with our regular walks, I continued to jog outdoors, and my heating bill never reached the amount I'm used to paying. If this is winter in Virginia, I'll take it!

That being said, I know I'll miss those cozy, winter days when there's nothing on the agenda except a little bit of lounging, reading, movie watching, cooking and eating. Knowing those days are soon to be over, I decided to really take the 'cozy' up a notch on Sunday. With an armful of groceries and a little dog, I headed over to my friend Mason's for the better part of the day. Making the most of it, I opted to cook something completely new to my repertoire: beef short ribs. Not the simplest recipe, but definitely worth the effort. A lot of prep work was involved, then a 3 hour break in the action, during which the short ribs braised in the oven and I watched a movie I'd been wanting to see.
When it all came together in the end, it was nothing short of perfection. A fireside table set for two, candlelight and wine, Frances laying at our feet. Mason and I agreed it was one of the most delicious meals we've shared together, which is saying a lot! Not only did the flavors blend together splendidly, but we knew this would probably be the last of this kind of night in a long time. So we hunkered down, made the most of it, and were as cozy as could be. And now, I say, bring on the warm weather!

Sweet Day(s)

2011-02-15T19:00:00.003-05:00

Love was in the air these last few days around my place...

love for Frances, who turned 3 on Valentine's Day. [happy birthday, little girl!]

love for the beginning of spring-like weather! [sixties and sunny]

love for a muddy hike with friends. [the friends, not the mud]

love for a sweet brunch date in Georgetown, complete with my very first taste of Georgetown Cupcake! [30+ minutes waiting in line was so worth it]

love for not one, but two Valentine's Day dinners. [on different nights, of course]

love for pretty bouquets of pink tulips and yellow daffodils, chocolates, and rosy pajamas!

I hope your weekend and Valentine's Day celebrations were equally lovely!

New Co-Worker

2011-02-06T20:18:00.003-05:00

My move to Virginia [almost] six months ago has been great for me, but little Frances hasn't had as easy a time adjusting. Although the weather is so much better, and we do so much more walking, she lost her fenced-in yard, house to roam around in, and frequent visits to Buffalo. She never exhibited separation anxiety until we moved here, and her anxiety increased after her month-long trip to my parents' house in December.

At the same time, I've been struggling to balance dog ownership responsibilities with new social opportunities. After a carefree December, January was a rude awakening, with Frances being especially needy and me being especially exasperated. I must have vented about my frustration with Frances one too many times at work, because my boss offered me the chance to try bringing Frances to work!

And I have! She spends the workday in a little crate underneath my desk, right next to her mommy. When she needs a break, I take her for a quick walk and she usually gets a few pets in the process. She's been making friends with my co-workers and students, and has quickly become a welcome addition to the workplace. When we return home after our eight hour day, she's happily tired, and I'm happily off the hook. It is a dream!

Great Falls = Great Fun

2011-02-05T07:29:00.005-05:00

There seems to be an abundance of nature either within, or just outside Washington, DC, and my friend Mason and I have had a lot of fun taking advantage of these nearby hiking opportunities. Whenever we're in the middle of a forest, we always have a hard time imagining that the nation's Capital is so close. This is definitely one of the reasons I've come to really enjoy living here: the best of the city is as accessible as the best of nature.

Recently Mason and I ventured to Great Falls, Virginia, just slightly northwest of DC, to enjoy a brisk winter hike. It was four days after a 'significant' amount of snow fell in the area, leaving the landscape looking very January-like. The trail we were on eventually led us to the actual Great Falls, which were great, indeed!

Niagara Falls of the South!

In the summertime, Great Falls National Park is overrun with tourists, families, hikers, strollers, and the like, (or at least it was when I was there in late August). But on a cold, January day, it felt like the view was all ours.

And we both tried to capture what we were seeing.

Amazing to think that all this is less than twenty miles from the White House. And followed-up by a hearty lunch at an Irish pub, hiking in Great Falls is a great way to enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the metro area.

Comfort Food

2011-01-24T06:53:00.003-05:00

Look at what I got for Christmas! My very own dutch oven, an enviable beauty! I have been wanting this very one for some time now, and am so pleased to finally have it to call my own.
This weekend was the perfect time to break it in: with temps in the teens, I had nothing but cravings for warm, hearty fare. Wanting to try a new tomato sauce recipe, I gathered together the ingredients and spent Sunday afternoon watching football and watching the sauce simmer on the stove. The dutch oven is perfect for sauce making, and now I have a whole pot full.
I even made meatballs for the first time! I taste tested the sauce last night, and think it's good enough for company tonight. On the menu? Salad, spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread. The perfect antidote to a cold, January night.

Habits

2011-01-22T15:55:00.003-05:00

One would think that by now, over a year into writing this blog, I would be in the habit of carrying my camera around in order to capture all the sweet moments I've been experiencing. But alas, I've completely fallen out of the habit. So rather than show you what I've been doing, I will tell you.

Last weekend I tried a new restaurant for lunch before heading to the National Building Museum with Mason. Lunch was delicious, (although I still haven't found pizza that I truly love) and playing tourist in the city for the afternoon was a very enjoyable experience. I also attempted Ina's Perfect Roast Chicken, and am sorry to say that mine fell far short of perfect. It could have been the chicken -- mine came from a farm in Maryland -- or it could have been the way it was cooked. I used a rotisserie instead of a roasting pan, hence the flavors didn't come together in quite the same way. Lesson learned? Don't mess with perfection and always follow the recipe!

This morning I met my friend Nancy for breakfast at a cute French cafe in Old Town Alexandria. After our croissants and coffee, we headed to the Holocaust Museum for a somber couple of hours. I was happy to go, and even happier to have a friend to go with. It was not an easy thing to do, but something I have been meaning to do.

On tonight's agenda? Heading back to the city for cocktails at a speakeasy! I'm not really sure what to expect, but it sounds fun and mysterious. And who doesn't love fun and mysterious, especially when cocktails are involved?

I've also recently gone here and seen some fabulous artwork.

I've watched all the football playoff games and can't wait for tomorrow's championships.

I've brought Frances to work with me, (more on that later).

I've acquired a really, really awesome new cooking pot and will be breaking it in tomorrow.

Stay tuned...

Sunrise over Virginia

2011-01-13T07:03:00.002-05:00

The view from my library's front steps, the morning after the "big" snow. Luckily it mostly bypassed the DC -metro area. There was just enough to make for a very pretty view.

Cozy Sunday

2011-01-12T05:42:00.004-05:00

Now that the holidays are over, and Frances is back in Virginia, I've been wanting and needing to enjoy some wintertime coziness. And that's just what we did this past Sunday, after a pleasant walk in the park with my friend, Mason. Taking a cue from some of my favorite bloggers, I settled into Sunday afternoon by starting the process of Martha Stewart's Chicken Chili. While I worked on dinner, Mason built a fire in his fireplace. Frances curled up on the couch. The football playoffs were on the TV.
The chili simmered and the aroma filled the house. The cornbread was baked. Inevitably, I joined Frances on the couch. Time slowed down and there was nothing to think about except the warmth from the fire, the puppy snuggled up next to me, and the soon-to-be enjoyed comforting meal. It was the perfect antidote to post-holiday doldrums and my craving for some coziness. When it was finally time, Mason and I set our plates on the coffee table, and couldn't resist eating our chili directly in front of the fire. It was the perfect way to spend a January Sunday in Virginia: cozy, warm and with good company.

From Our {New} House to Yours

2010-12-23T20:49:00.004-05:00

Wishing you the sweetest Christmas!

Love, Anna + Frances

Staycation

2010-12-23T10:29:00.003-05:00

Get two people together who both have time off from work, love adventures, and have nothing better to do on a Wednesday afternoon, and what happens? They decide to go to Annapolis, Maryland! And that's exactly what happened yesterday with my friend Mason, for no other reason than to do some fun exploring together.

We arrived in town just as the sun was setting and the Christmas lights were flickering on. It was unbelievably charming! We finished up last minute Christmas shopping, then hunkered down in an old tavern for oysters and crab cakes. We whiled away a few hours, enjoying the feeling of being on vacation and being someplace neither of us knew we'd end up when the day began.

Snowstorm

2010-12-19T06:27:00.005-05:00

The excitement was palpable. The panic was rising. Anticipation set in as Northern Virginians looked forward to the first "snowstorm" of the season: a light snow for a few hours that resulted in an inch of cover on the ground. Schools were closed early, the federal government told employees they could leave, my co-workers were worried about their cars getting stuck, and I just sat back, amused. After it was all said and done, the tips of the grass were still showing!

If anything, the snow has made things feel a little bit more Christmas-y around here. Holiday lights look so much prettier with a little bit of snow! In honor of my first Virginia snowstorm, I spent a good portion of yesterday baking cookies to commemorate the occasion.

Rather than make the usual sugar cutout, I used my friend Amanda's recipe. With a recommendation like that, I figured I couldn't go wrong. The unexpected citrus flavor really makes the cookie stand out. They ultimately served as my ticket into a cookie exchange party. I tasted over 10 varieties, and still think mine were the best. And still think Virginians' reaction to snow is funny.

Clear skies are predicted for the week, and I am officially on vacation, so the plan is to get out of the kitchen, out of the house, and to use my free time to continue exploring my new hometown.

'Tis the Season

2010-12-10T19:16:00.002-05:00

Ways that I've been enjoying the holiday season so far:

Going wine tasting in Virginia's horse country
Visiting the National Cathedral for the Annual Crèche exhibit
Trying out a new wine bar
Going for a hike while laughing at all the Virginians who say, "it's so cold!"
Finally going to a Buffalo Bills backer bar
Decorating a tree (at work) and fireplace (friend's house)
Having margaritas!
Shopping
Happy Hour at a local brewpub
Driving around to look at pretty Christmas lights
Having dinner here and here
Spending an afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery
Checking out the view
Trying to find good pizza (or maybe this?)

Needless to say, I've been extremely busy trying to enjoy myself and be as gluttonous as possible, it would appear! The reason for this? My parents took Frances back to Buffalo with them after Thanksgiving. For one month, I have very little responsibility and I'm taking full advantage. This would explain why I haven't been blogging, (as well as why I feel like I've gained 10 pounds). I love my Frances, but man am I enjoying my freedom. This holiday season has been full of fun, new things, and lots of joy. I definitely owe my parents, and I definitely don't want the month to end.

Welcome to Washington

2010-11-23T08:07:00.003-05:00

This year, my family will be celebrating Thanksgiving in our nation's Capital. I've been busy cooking, baking, cleaning and preparing to see my family for the first time in over three months! I'm so excited! Aside from eating, I'm planning to show them around my new hometown, do some shopping, sightseeing, and a museum or two. After an extremely busy couple of months, I'm looking forward to having some relaxing family time.

Enjoy your turkey and time off! Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the Fam!

2010-10-30T08:47:00.001-04:00

Here "he" is -- the newest addition to my humble household. I see many adventures in his future. Won't you come along for a ride?

A Brush With Fame

2010-10-30T08:18:00.005-04:00

This past week, I spent two hours of my life waiting in a long line with my new friend Joan and hundreds of other people.

It wasn't just any line. We were all anxiously awaiting our turn to see a very important person.

The line started outside, then wound its way through Sur La Table, (one of my favorite kitchen stores). Anticipation built as we got nearer to the end...

There she is! The very important person we'd been waiting to see!

Oh, hello Ina. So nice to see you!

Thanks for stopping by. And for signing my cookbook. And making those two hours worth it.

It Is Official

2010-10-05T06:08:00.004-04:00

Fall has arrived in Northern Virginia. You can't really tell by looking outside, but there's a chill in the air. Finally.
I celebrated by baking an apple crisp, after finding a great deal on less-than-perfect looking Golden Delicious apples at the market. Who cares what they look like when they just get chopped up and baked into a delicious, aromatic treat? The combination of the baked apples, spices, and vanilla ice cream worked their magic, evoking the warmth and coziness of a perfect fall evening. Finally.

Like Etsy Come to Life

2010-10-05T06:07:00.004-04:00

With the best intentions, I ventured into the city on Saturday to attend a festival that's been high up on my list of THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON. Prior to going, I pictured a nice, leisurely Saturday morning strolling through the vendors, Frances in tow, checking out a bunch of Etsy sellers. What actually happened involved a huge traffic jam, a parking nightmare, and an extremely high level of frustration. Thanks to a wonderful friend -- I owe you one! -- I was bailed out of the mess I found myself in, and eventually made it to the festival, two hours later and sans Frances. Which turned out to be a good thing because the crowds were out in full force.
I'm a huge fan of Etsy.com, and love the idea of supporting local artisans.

I didn't end up buying anything, but it was fun to look. And I learned a big lesson, in the process: always check the traffic before heading into the city! Seriously, I should know better by now, right?

Farm Fresh

2010-09-28T07:05:00.003-04:00

In my ongoing attempts to find fresh, local produce, I'm happy to say that I've finally hit the jackpot! Close to home, there's a wonderful farmer's market every Saturday morning that I've ventured to twice now. It's in the historic part of town -- extremely quaint and picturesque -- and full of little treasures. Artisans and farmers, florists and bakers all set up shop before the sun, (and tourists) rise. Shoppers stop by with cups of coffee in hand to stroll through the open air market and to see what a new week brings from the farm.
Two weeks in a row now, I've had luck finding pretty flowers. These hydrangeas are sitting on my dining table, and are the perfect late summer / early fall centerpiece.

And last night I made a farm fresh dinner, complete with tomatoes, eggplant, garlic and zucchini all from the market. It was a good choice on a rainy night: hearty and delicious, and smelled absolutely divine while cooking in the oven.

I'm hoping to continue the tradition of early Saturday morning trips to the market. It just feels good to be up early, enjoying the fresh air, taking in the sights of beautiful farm fare, and then reaping the benefits all week long. For me, it is the perfect start to the weekend.

Up Close and Personal

2010-09-24T07:11:00.002-04:00

It's not everyday I have a brush with celebrity. So it's pretty exciting when I do have the chance to meet someone famous. Even more exciting when that person is the author of my favorite book! Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife, was in Washington, DC recently for an appearance at a local bookstore. She read from her new book and made time for questions.
She took a question from me!
And then signed my book! I was delighted!

Jam Session

2010-09-19T20:55:00.003-04:00

I canned raspberry jam! Nine little jars of perfection, all done with the help of a great teacher.

My friend Joan taught me how to put all those raspberries to good use and now my pantry is stocked for the winter. I am hooked! And psyched! And can't wait to do more!

Faux Fall

2010-09-15T20:06:00.002-04:00

All my people back in Western New York tell me it's cool and crisp there. The feel of fall is in the air, and the customary mums are showing up on doorsteps. Judging from the pictures, it certainly looks like fall. I know it must be, because football season officially started last week. However, I'm having a hard time believing. It's warm in Virginia, no leaves are changing, and I'm still in sandals, (after Labor Day, no less!). I decided to hunker down on Sunday, make a big pot of soup, watch football, and try to conjure up the feeling of autumn coziness. The plan was put into motion, but unfortunately nothing quite worked out. The Buffalo Bills lost against Miami, for one. And the soup I made fell far short of perfection. In theory, roasted garlic soup sounded perfect for my 'faux fall' day. The aroma of the garlic roasting in the oven certainly satisfied. The soup, however, did not. Unless you are a big fan of garlic. And by that, I mean you like to have the taste of garlic in your mouth for 48 hours post-soup consumption. Which I do not.

Rather than go into more detail about my failed attempts to have a New York-like fall day, I'll instead introduce you to one of my favorite blogs, and a successful attempt at cooking. Needing to use up the remaining produce I picked at the farm, I chose to make eggplant parmesan following this recipe. Eggplant parmesan is not something I would normally make, as I've never had luck with it, nor particularly liked it. But I had the eggplant and I had the tomatoes, so decided to give it a try Saturday evening. With a guest for dinner, it was a risky choice, but The Bitten Word boys did not steer me wrong. It was delicious! A must try for eggplant parmesan lovers and haters alike. The accompanying sauce was full of flavor, and the eggplant breading was crisp. Perfect meal for a late summer dinner. Because who am I kidding? It is still summer in Virginia.

My Job

2010-09-07T17:33:00.009-04:00

Normally I wouldn't spend ~~any~~ a lot of time talking about my job, but I've had so many questions from so many people that I thought I'd take the opportunity to tell you how it's going.

I'm a librarian.

I work in a private boarding high school.

I used to work in a public high school.

I've been at the new job going on four weeks, so I've had time to make some observations. Pulling onto campus everyday is like leaving the real world behind.

There is a strong sense of tradition and history. The main administrative building was originally the home of Martha Washington's granddaughter.

Honor and spirituality are at the core of all decisions.

The student body is small, and the school community is extremely tight-knit. There is a lot of emphasis placed on decorum and intellectualism. There is also a strong athletics program.

Some perks of the job include using the facilities and dining on campus. The food, and the degree to which I've been welcomed into the community, are both impressive, (one is as important to me as the other!). At various points throughout the last four weeks I've felt lucky to have landed this job, and amazed by how different education can feel in this type of setting. So far it's going really well, and I'm happy I made the switch. Starting anew has been invigorating, rewarding, and if I'm not careful, fattening! Thank you for all your questions.

Long Weekend

2010-09-05T07:46:00.009-04:00

One of my reasons for moving to Virginia was to be close to Washington, DC, but lately all I've been craving is some time away in the quiet of the countryside. Actually, to be more specific, I've been craving some cheap fruit and veggies. When I moved to Virginia, I left behind a vegetable garden and raspberry bushes, only to find out that good produce here is so expensive. Gone are the days of one dollar handfuls of zucchini, squash, tomatoes, beans, and most other summer vegetables. So in an attempt to find plentiful, homegrown, cheap vegetables, my friend Kevin and I planned an adventure to the countryside. We packed a picnic and drove west for about an hour, slowly watching the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia fade into rolling hills and fields aplenty.

It was the perfect summer day -- sunny with a refreshing breeze, and blue skies that stretched on for miles. My friends back in New York say it's beginning to feel like fall, but not here.

I did some research, and found a farm that offered a whole slew of picking options. Tomatoes, peppers, green beans, okra, bitter melon, eggplant, squash, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, and sunflowers. It was like having access to my own, albeit bigger, vegetable garden! I filled up my bag with goodies galore, and am happy to report the grand total was $5.90!

Even Frances was able to come along, and enjoy the sunshine.

The next stop after our picking adventure was Sky Meadows State Park, a lovely spot for a picnic and hike. We arrived at lunchtime, and were happy to find a spot of shade underneath a tree. Frances rested while Kevin and I enjoyed chicken sandwiches, fresh fruit, lemonade and complete tranquility. Feeling refreshed, we opted to follow a 'moderate' trail to the top of a hill -- hard climbing, but a view that was well worth the effort.

The day couldn't have been better, and now I have a tired pup -- always a pleasure -- and a bunch of produce. My plan is to combine yesterday's raspberries with those from my previous picking adventure, (which have been frozen) and make jam. I'd also like to make tomato sauce with my freshly picked plum tomatoes. Any tips on jam making, tomato sauce or canning are welcome! My adventures in the country will soon be turning into adventures in the kitchen.

Right at Home

2010-08-28T10:28:00.006-04:00

I knew it was just a matter of time before I fell into my old habits in my new surroundings, and fall I did. Last weekend, early Sunday morning, I tagged along as a new, like-minded friend ventured into the countryside to go raspberry picking. She introduced me to her favorite orchard and we wasted no time getting to work. After a light rain, everywhere was glistening. The raspberry fields seemed to stretch on for miles.

The aisles between bushes were wide, the berries were plentiful, and the conversation was good.

I felt right at home.

When I got home, I couldn't wait to put the fruits of my labor to work. After scouring through my cookbooks, I decided on a simple cake. No fuss, no muss. Just a beautiful way to showcase the best of the orchard. It was simply delicious.

Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

Gourmet, June 2009

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar, divided

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk

1 cup fresh raspberries

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well.

4. At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.

5. Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter raspberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar.

6. Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

Catch Up

2010-08-25T21:33:00.006-04:00

As I'm sure you can surmise, I've been busy lately with moving, starting a new job and settling into a new city. And then of course, my Internet installation was delayed. I have so much to catch you up on! First, I'd like you to meet my new nest.

It comes with quite a history, as well as new appliances, new windows, a new kitchen and a new bathroom. All done beautifully, I feel extremely lucky to have happened upon this place. It is tucked away in a friendly, historic community with walkable streets and a yard for Frances. We're enjoying getting to know our new neighborhood, and meeting a whole new variety of dogs. There are tons!

Aside from settling into my new home, I've tried to settle into my new hometown. I've done some exploring and have found a new ice cream shop to fall in love with, (who knew salt caramel custard could be so delicious?) a new bistro in which to dine alfresco, and a quick getaway to some fantastic scenery, (can you believe I forgot to bring my camera?). There is so much to do right in my immediate vicinity, and then of course there's all of Washington, DC. My head is spinning with all the possibilities and activities that I'm going to discover.

Oh, and I've found the grocery store and have tried to break in my new kitchen. Some stand out meals include this and this, (sorry, no photos again!).

I think I've caught you up on mostly everything. I promise to begin blogging regularly again, and remembering to take pictures. I have a feeling that there's going to be a whole lot of good stuff to share with you soon!

Priority Mail

2010-08-22T22:01:00.004-04:00

Hello, friends! Just checking in to let you know I've arrived safe and sound in Virginia. The weather is fine and the sights are beautiful. I would have written sooner if I'd had an internet connection established prior to today. I hope you understand. I can't wait to fill you in on details of my new hometown and all the fun I've been having!

Moving Day

2010-08-06T09:13:00.003-04:00

184 items, 4,000 pounds, and three hours later...

... my sweet nest is an empty nest! See you in Virginia!

A Break

2010-08-03T21:44:00.003-04:00

Seeking a breather from hard work around the house -- sorting, packing, holding a garage sale, donating -- I headed out to the country for an afternoon of fresh air, sunshine and raspberries.

It was a glorious day! Nothing but blue skies as far as my eye could see.

I was intent on picking raspberries, but first went to get a closer look at the fields of zinnias. I was sure someone planted them for a reason, otherwise I would have picked myself a bouquet. They were beautiful!

Turning my attention to the raspberries, I was pleased to find bushes teeming with berries. The sweet berries more than made up for my stained fingers.

So pretty! I'm hoping to bake my berries into something delicious, but it's going to require disposable bakeware and a hot oven. With tomorrow's temperature predicted at 90 degrees, I might forget the baking and just continue snacking.

Sentimental Journey

2010-07-28T13:32:00.005-04:00

Not surprisingly, now that I've made the decision to leave my home, sentimentality is setting in. I have just over one week left in my house, and I've started to note the last time I'll do things. For example, I picked a bouquet of hydrangeas last night and thought to myself, "that's probably the last time I'll pick a bouquet of hydrangeas from my front yard."

And how pretty they look on my [almost] barren mantel! When the time comes for another garden, hydrangeas will be one of the first flowers planted, along with peonies.

Another favorite thing I did for the last time in my house this week was bake. My neighbor gave me a monster of a zucchini, (the length of my forearm!) which I could not let go to waste. I dug out my favorite zucchini bread recipe and got to work.

Zucchini-Oat Bread

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3 eggs

1 cup applesauce

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups shredded, unpeeled zucchini

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

3/4 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside. Combine 1 tablespoon of the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon; set aside. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and remaining cinnamon; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes or until foamy. Add remaining sugar, the applesauce, butter, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in zucchini, nuts, and raisins. Spoon into prepared pan. Sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture.

2. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on rack.

My baking dishes are all packed away now, and the zucchini bread has been doled out to friends and neighbors. Leaving my home is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done -- despite my best efforts to remain detached and unemotional -- but also an exciting step in a new direction. And someday, I'm certain, I will live in another sweet little house with a pretty little garden and counter space galore!

Blueberries Up, Blueberries Down

2010-07-24T09:56:00.005-04:00

With a moving date looming in the near future, I'm starting to feel the pressure to get everything done -- pack, take care of business, (who knew there was so much paperwork involved in selling a house, renting an apartment, and starting a new job?) say goodbye to those I'll miss the most, revisit all my favorite places in Rochester, and still try to keep a semblance of order in the house for Frances. So I was relieved to have a "day off" from moving-related tasks to visit one of my favorite places for an afternoon of eating and friendship. I returned to Hurd Orchards, this time with friends, for their Blueberries Up, Blueberries Down luncheon. When we chose the date back in June, we had no idea that it would turn out to be one of the most pleasant days of the summer thus far.

The barn, where lunch was served, was awash in sunlight and flowers. There was a gentle breeze blowing through the open doors, with lovely aromas coming from within the kitchen. In keeping with the blueberry theme, the entire meal had blueberries in one form or another.

Salad with blueberries and apricots in a toasted almond dressing.

Honey oatmeal bread with blueberry-cherry jam and mini blueberry muffins.

Chicken with blueberry catsup, zucchini fans and yellow transparent applesauce, (first apples of the season!).

Blueberry buckle for dessert.

It was a perfectly enjoyable day, and one that I was so happy to have. Time slowed down for a few hours, and I wasn't concerned with checking items off my "to do" list. But now it's back to the list, with high heat and humidity making a return as well. I'm not wishing away my remaining time in Rochester, but am wishing that I could just get everything done and not have to worry so much!

My Big Announcement

2010-07-20T17:33:00.002-04:00

Yes, it's true. My sweet nest will soon no longer be my sweet nest. [sniff] I've sold my little house and am moving onwards and southwards. I'll soon be writing of my adventures in Northern Virginia!

Remember my trip to Washington, DC, where I followed in Julia Child's footsteps? Doing so inspired me to seek out an adventure, much like she would have done, and apply for a job in Alexandria, Virginia. As luck would have it, I was offered the position, sold my house in one week, and have found an apartment worth getting excited about. So while I am so sad to leave my house and family behind, I am looking forward to all the opportunity a new city and new job will bring.

Goodbye Rochester! Hello Washington!

My Favorite Things

2010-07-18T07:19:00.002-04:00

If you're reading this blog, chances are you already know a lot about me. But in the event you were wondering, I've gone ahead and made a list of some of my favorite things:

Color: raspberry pink

Flower: peony

Book: The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

Movie: Sliding Doors

Music: jazz

TV Show: Sex and the City

Season: spring

Dessert: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Cuisine: French

Drink: Prosecco

Car: red Mini Cooper

Animal: dog (mine, of course!)

Place to eat: alfresco

Time of day: early morning

Indulgence: chocolate

Meal: dinner

State of being: cozy

Way to spend my time: (okay, there's more than one) reading, cooking, traveling, walking my dog, going to farmer's markets, picnicking, entertaining, kayaking, and seeking out pretty things, just to name a few.

Now you know a little bit more about me than you knew before. More to come soon -- a big announcement and surprise! Stay tuned...

A Cherry on Top

2010-07-11T08:39:00.006-04:00

After a stretch of unbearably hot and humid weather, (my least favorite) a little reprieve finally came on Saturday, forcing me outside to enjoy the much more pleasant temperature and sunshine. My mom and I made a trip to the Bidwell Farmers Market in Buffalo, where we enjoyed the colorful array of fruit, flowers and veggies.

The show-stopper?

Beautiful, bright, shiny, red cherries! Gorgeous enough to look at, even better to eat. Later on my mom and I put the cherries to use and made our first clafouti.

Custardy, creamy goodness just perfect for showcasing the best of the market. With a light dusting of confectioner's sugar, it was almost as pretty as the cherries themselves.

My Favorite Excursion

2010-07-04T07:44:00.008-04:00

Finding myself with some free time and a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, I decided to make the most of my Saturday by taking a trip to one of my favorite places: Hurd Orchards. The love affair began three years ago when I happened upon this little gem looking to pick strawberries. It's an idyllic place where you can pick your own fruit, poke around their little shop, or attend a luncheon. This time I was there to pick blueberries, but first took a gander around the market.

Feeling inspired by all the red, white, and blue, I set off to the blueberry patch to pick myself a bucket of blueberries.

Hello cuties!

It was the perfect day to be out in the field with the beautiful sunshine, lovely breeze and ripe blueberries. The ladies at Hurd told me it was an especially great year for blueberries because of all the rain we've had, and I have to agree. They are delicious! Perfect for my patriotic dessert.

Blueberry Rhubarb Crisp with Pistachio Crust, served warm with vanilla ice cream. Yummy! Happy 4th of July!

This Reminds Me

2010-07-01T07:31:00.008-04:00

Yesterday I spent part of the last day of my favorite month doing one of my favorite things: baking. Nothing fancy... just your basic chocolate chip cookie.

Doing so made me think of my grandmother, who always baked chocolate chip cookies in anticipation of anyone coming to visit her. If we timed it just right, the chocolate chips would still be soft upon our arrival at her house.

Aside from cookies, the other thing that always reminds me of my grandmother is rhubarb sauce. I've enjoyed it countless times, but have never attempted to make it. So when I visited for her 92nd birthday a couple weeks ago, I asked her to teach me to make rhubarb sauce. I tromped through her backyard in the rain to cut the rhubarb stalks that are still growing in her garden, cleaned them off, chopped them up and proceeded like this:

Me: So what's next?

Grandma: Boil the rhubarb.

Me: How?

Grandma: With water.

Me: How much?

Grandma: Enough.

Me: How much is enough?

Grandma: You know.

Me: For how long?

Grandma: Long enough.

Me: Then what?

Grandma: Mix in sugar.

Me: How much sugar?

Grandma: Enough.

Her recipe for rhubarb sauce is all just trial and error -- or years of experience -- but watching her make it, I can try to sum up the recipe.

Grandma's Rhubarb Sauce

Rhubarb, cleaned and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Granulated sugar

Water

Place rhubarb in a pot with enough water to just cover, (adjust for thicker or thinner sauce). Boil for approximately 20 minutes, or until rhubarb breaks down easily. Immediately mix with sugar until it is the desired sweetness.

To give you an idea, this is the amount of rhubarb I used and my grandmother added about 1/2 cup of sugar. I like my rhubarb sauce on its own, but I'm sure it would taste fantastic over vanilla ice cream.

Dachshund Parade 2010

2010-06-26T11:41:00.020-04:00

What's that you say? There's a dachshund parade in town today? What do you do at a dachshund parade?

Eat hot dogs.

Wash them down with a beverage.

Meet new friends.

Strike a pose.

Show off new outfits.

Bust out the jewels.

Strut your stuff.

Keep things under control.

Beg for treats.

Try not to get too excited.

Look cute.

Watch it all from the comfort of your grandma's lap.

Delivered Hot

2010-06-19T15:09:00.009-04:00

I'm a big fan of pizza, and have my fair share of favorite places to order from, (here if I want white pizza, here if I'm in the mood for red sauce, and here if I'm out with friends). Not surprising, since there are nine pizza joints all within a two-mile radius of my house. Really. We like our pizza here in Rochester. Lately, however, I've become a big fan of homemade pizza, and try to make it at least once a week. It started when I discovered that naan bread makes a superb crust, especially when cooked on the grill. I don't have to fuss around with making my own crust, it's already thin, just the way I like it, and the perfect size for a personal pizza.

It's fun to experiment with different toppings and flavors. This sausage, red onion, and wild mushroom pizza had some nice spice, which counteracted well with the earthy mushrooms.

I've found that it's really easy to make pizza a healthy meal, and also an excellent way to use up some leftover vegetables, as was the case with this asparagus, fingerling potato, and goat cheese pizza.

I prefer to cook my pizza right on the grill rack in order to ensure a crispy crust. This artichoke, goat cheese and chicken pizza was oozing with cheese -- just the way I like it!

The best way to enjoy pizza, however, is al fresco with a bottle of wine and good company.

Spinach Feta Pizza from The Vegetarian Grill, by Andrea Chesman

1 pizza crust

1 pound spinach, tough stems trimmed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

1/2 Vidalia or other sweet onion, thinly sliced

1. Prepare a medium-hot fire in the grill.

2. Steam the spinach until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain well. Taking a handful of spinach at a time, squeeze out as much water as possible. Coarsely chop.

3. Brush the top side of the pizza with olive oil, then flip over. Brush the other side with olive oil and scatter 1 tablespoon of the garlic over the crust. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and top with the spinach, feta, and onion. Place the pizza on a lightly oiled grill rack and grill for 5 to 8 minutes, checking the crust after 5 minutes.

4. Slice the pizza and serve warm.

Taste of June

2010-06-03T21:12:00.007-04:00

I always associate the month of June with many of my favorite things: strawberries, peonies, pearls, the end of another school year, my grandmother whose birthday is Flag Day, and the official beginning of summer. But nothing is more reminiscent of June than strawberry rhubarb crisp, my most favorite dessert to make and eat. I've always liked strawberries. And I've always liked rhubarb.

Three years ago, I was in New England for a friend's wedding having dinner here. It was a cozy little restaurant in a quaint little town, very unassuming and very inviting. There was a moment during dinner when I watched dessert being delivered to the next table, and knew I had to try what it was I had my eye on: strawberry rhubarb crisp. When the waiter brought mine out of the kitchen, I was in heaven. The buttery crisp topping, combined with the sweet strawberries, tart rhubarb and melting vanilla ice cream made for a delicious combination. It was one of my most memorable restaurant experiences, and since then, I've been trying to perfect my own crisp using the restaurant's recipe as a guide.

(Yes, I emailed the chef after I got home and he was nice enough to share his recipe with me).

The colors are just beautiful, all mixed in together with sugar. I got my ingredients during my trip to the public market, in anticipation of company coming to visit.

It comes out of the oven piping hot, ready to be paired with vanilla bean ice cream.

Can't you just taste it? The taste of summer-right-around-the-corner?

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

1 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups sliced fresh strawberries

3 cups diced rhubarb

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter

1 cup rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup toasted almonds, sliced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine and macerate white sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, strawberries, and rhubarb until sugar dissolves. Place the mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, butter, oats, and almonds until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over strawberry and rhubarb mixture. Bake 45 minutes, or until topping has color and juices are bubbly and run clear. Top with vanilla ice cream.

To Market We Go

2010-05-30T14:54:00.009-04:00

So much to do this weekend, and so much fun to be had! On the agenda? Visiting with friends, going to see SATC II, baking, cooking, planting. But more on all of that later. This weekend started off with an old tradition: Saturday morning at the public market. It was a beautiful, no-cloud-in-the-sky kind of morning. The kind of morning that just makes you want to get out of bed and enjoy the day.

The market was full of people also out enjoying the morning, and some breakfast.

Right now is a beautiful time of year at the market because all of the growers have brought in their plants and flowers to sell. It is so colorful and fragrant.

Everywhere you look, loveliness. It is a sure treat for the senses. An excellent way to spend a Saturday morning, and an even better way to kick off a holiday weekend. Oh, and wait until you see what I made from my market purchases. Definitely a lot of lovely.

Girls' Weekend

2010-05-29T11:25:00.002-04:00

Hello, Lover!

It's a Girls' Weekend, complete with Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte! My friend Hannah is on her way from Boston, and we're planning to do what us girls do best. The highlight? Going to see SATC II tonight!

The Sweetest Nest

2010-05-25T21:04:00.007-04:00

One of the things that first drew me to my house was its curb appeal, and four years later, I still love to just look at my house. Honestly, when I first laid eyes on the house, it almost didn't matter what was inside, because the outside was so cute. The day my house went on the market was March 17, 2006, and I happened to drive by on my way to work. Mentally, I had already bought the house before stepping a foot in the door, and considered myself a glad possessor of "the luck of the Irish." The deal went down the next day as I was on my way to Boston, via cell phone on the NYS Thruway. Probably not the wisest move, but here I am, four years later, living in what I like to consider the cutest house in the neighborhood.

My favorite part of the front is, without a doubt, the two window boxes. I seem to have the best luck with a simple planting of impatiens, usually pink. This year I decided to throw in a little white for a change.

They're just babies now, but should soon grow to be as big as they were last year.

I'm working on getting all my flowers bought and planted, along with herbs and vegetables. New to the garden this year? Peonies, of course!

Pick-Me-Up

2010-05-13T17:02:00.003-04:00

A little mid-week energy boost to combat the dreary weather and allergy sniffles:

Ultimate Irresistible Granola*

6 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup wheat germ

2 cups shredded coconut (I used unsweetened)

1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup canola oil

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup honey

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup golden raisins

1 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almonds, walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, wheat germ, coconut and sunflower seeds. In a small pan over medium heat, stir together the oil, syrup, honey, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir until blended. Pour over the oat mixture, and stir to coat evenly. Spread out in an even layer on two cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the oats and nuts are toasted. Immediately after it comes out of the oven, stir in the raisins and dried cranberries. Let stand until cooled, and stir again to break up any large clusters.

*I made modifications to the original recipe based on others' reviews.

Remember the Bon Appétit recipe I made not too long ago, (fettuccine with peas, asparagus and pancetta)? I received some surprise mail regarding that post:

"Hi, Anna.

We loved seeing your blog post on cooking our May cover recipe.

We've added your blog link to our website and look forward to seeing more from you!"

Yep, it's there. Check out the original post and you'll see the link to yours truly, right on the Bon Appétit website!! I've been discovered, by the industry's top notch publication, mind you!! [insert delightful squealing here] I haven't quit my day job yet, but I've got my sights set on a future in magazines. My Little Sweet Nest = my ticket to the big time!

Stormy Weather

2010-05-10T18:14:00.009-04:00

This past weekend brought with it some crazy wind. We're talking 60+ mph wind. Frances and I were planning to attend the annual Rochester Dachshund Parade, but fortunately it was cancelled, otherwise there could have been hundreds of airborne doxies!! Instead we ventured up to Lake Ontario, to one of our favorite spots, known as The Secret Sidewalk. But not before taking a picture of what was happening in our neighbor's backyard.

See the big crack? And the power lines? A recipe for disaster.

The Secret Sidewalk is not really a secret, but rather a public sidewalk tucked in between Lake Ontario and some pretty nice lakefront properties.

I was hoping to see some huge waves, but aside from the occasional gust, it wasn't too windy up on the lakeshore.

Most residents not only have gorgeous, sprawling lawns, but they also have these sweet little gardens growing between the sidewalk and the beach.

Or just a great "room with a view." Seriously, imagine those summer nights.

Frances stayed put on the ground, and thankfully we enjoyed our stroll. When we got home, it was a different scene.

That's my fence, so you can see how closely my yard avoided the destruction caused by the fallen tree. My neighbor lost a garage, and all I lost was my power. For roughly 36 hours. Yikes! But I'm back in business now, and still counting my lucky stars that the tree didn't fall on my garage.

Lilacs

2010-05-07T20:39:00.009-04:00

Nothing screams, "Hello, spring!" quite like the lilacs do here in The Flower City. The official start date of the Lilac Festival is May 14, but the lilacs were eager to strut their stuff early this year. Frances and I headed to Highland Park to get a good look before the crowds descended upon the loveliness.

The thing I love most about lilacs is their scent.

My next favorite thing are the color variations. I can never decide which color I like the best, but right now I'm leaning towards the light, light lavender. The ones that look almost pink.

The park was awash in color, made more brilliant by the grey sky.

Look closely. Did you spot the peonies? My most favorite flower of all!

Hello, pretties!

"Above all, have a good time!"

2010-05-05T20:14:00.010-04:00

And have a good time we did, my mom and I on her surprise birthday trip to Washington, D.C. It all started with this movie, which led to this book, which ultimately brought us to our nation's capital for a Julia Child -themed day, (it is safe to assume that I am mildly obsessed with this fascinating woman!). And what better way to celebrate another fascinating woman's birthday?

Beginning at the National Museum of American History, we meandered through Julia's Cambridge kitchen, completely unchanged since it was last in her house.

I was in awe, not only because Julia is a major idol of mine, but also because of that cookware. There was some major kitchen envy going on!

A few things I love about Julia Child: 1) she loved food, and could recall every little detail about all of the special meals she ate; 2) she led a completely full, albeit, childless life; and 3) she admittedly didn't hit on her passion until she was thirty-two.

"I was practically in hysterics from the time we landed... I was a late bloomer who was still growing up. I didn't get started on life until I was about thirty-two, which was good because I was old enough to appreciate it. I had it all ahead of me."

Well, Julia, I can only hope I've got it all ahead of me, too!

Later on, it was off to Georgetown to get a glimpse of Julia and Paul Child's home. Yes, I walked down the same sidewalk that Julia must have walked down hundreds of times.

Then it was off to dinner, a French restaurant, no less. Had it been around when Julia lived in Georgetown, I am certain she and Paul would have eaten there.

I had the trout.

My mom had the duck. And we were both thrilled with our choices, and the day. It was so much fun to follow in Julia's footsteps, and try to be half as adventuresome as she was.

[happy birthday, mom!]

It Must Be Getting Warmer

2010-04-23T15:46:00.007-04:00

On a recent trip down to the Elmwood Village in Buffalo, I saw signs of life all around. Trust me, I couldn't be happier about the return of warm(er) weather, and I'm not the only one. Lots of people were out, enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

I know that, for me, having such long winters really makes me appreciate the non-winter months. I get spring fever so bad every year, and this year has been especially great. Spring came early and has stuck around, bringing lots of sunshine with it.

It's not often you can ride with your top down in Buffalo in April!

And we won't be needing fleece and outerwear for much longer!

One of the things that makes spring my favorite season is just getting outdoors again. The sunshine and fresh air, combined with flowering trees and early bulbs, makes me feel refreshed, hopeful and energized. Everything is so pretty again and I can do the things I love to do: take Frances for long walks, dig in the garden, go jogging without worrying about ice, cut bouquets to bring in the house, sit outside and read in my backyard... and simply, just soak up the sun. Such a sweet feeling.

Bon Appétit

2010-04-22T17:29:00.005-04:00

On a trip to the store, my mom bought me the latest issue of Bon Appétit magazine, so I thought it only fitting that I make one of the recipes for us to try.

And with a cover photo as enticing as that, I decided to try the cover recipe. No substitutions except light cream instead of heavy cream. My dad thought it could have been creamier, so maybe the switch wasn't a good idea. Or perhaps I just should have added more cream. Either way, it was an excellent way to use the early spring vegetables that are just starting to show up at the market. Other recipes that I've had luck with lately are this, and this one, too. Do you see a pattern? Creamy goodness... tasty peas and asparagus... Italian meats.

I am filled with excitement, knowing that the growing season is finally beginning. Although we have a shorter growing season in Western New York, it is always bountiful, and fresh, and delicious. My kitchen is going to be a busy place, so keep those recipes coming.

Just A Perfect Day

2010-04-14T20:09:00.010-04:00

We take it when we can get it in Western New York, and today was simply that. A perfect day. The kind that makes you want to get outdoors and smile, smile, smile as the sun beats down on your face.

Spring is my most favorite time of the year.

Luckily for me, this year has been splendid.

I took a break from yard work and went out in search of pretty.

And wasn't the only one enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

Oh such a perfect day.

I don't think it gets much better than this.

It's a Great Day for the Irish!

2010-03-17T13:40:00.005-04:00

Oh, happy day! My favorite holiday has arrived, and with it, a glorious, shining sun! The corned beef is in the slow cooker, the Guinness is chilling, the table is set, and I'm wearing my green. Later today some friends will be coming over to toast the Irish... and I'll be wishing I was back in Ireland, kissing the Blarney Stone!

May the sun shine, all day long, everything go right, and nothing wrong. May those you love bring love back to you, and may all the wishes you wish come true!

Girls' Night

2010-03-03T21:04:00.006-05:00

I have the perfect cure for the mid-week doldrums: whip up a yummy dinner, invite a friend over, add a bottle of wine, and "Voila!" An otherwise humdrum Wednesday evening turns into Girls' Night, celebrated in my house every week since last summer. Usually it's an opportunity to experiment with a new recipe, but last night's menu included an oldie, but goodie.

Roasted Vegetable and Ricotta Pizza

olive oil, for baking sheet and drizzling

flour, for dusting surface

1 pound store-bought pizza dough

8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

6 cups roasted vegetables*

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves

coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Brush a large baking sheet (preferably rimless) with oil, or line with parchment paper, if desired, for easy cleanup.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch dough into a 12-by-16 inch oval (or as large as will fit on baking sheet); transfer to sheet. Or, if you're like me, just buy a pre-made crust.

3. Sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella. Scatter vegetables on top, and dollop with ricotta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake until bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

*Roasted Vegetables

1 pound butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 pound red new potatoes, well-scrubbed and quartered

1 medium red onion, peeled and quartered

1/2 pound carrots, halved lengthwise, if thick, and cut into 1-inch lengths

2 to 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread rimmed baking sheet with vegetables and garlic, toss with oil, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

2. Roast until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, 40 to 50 minutes, tossing them halfway through.

Pretty delicious, and probably the last time I'll make this particular pizza for awhile, what with winter finally winding down and all.

Which made it all the more enjoyable.

Even Frances seemed pretty content to hang with the girls.

Snow Day!

2010-02-26T18:09:00.002-05:00

There is nothing sweeter than an unexpected day off from work!

Except maybe a neighbor who comes over with his snowplow.

One Step Closer

2010-02-21T16:18:00.003-05:00

With a week off from work, and a very helpful mother, I was able to complete a major house project, bringing me one step closer to my dream kitchen. Given that a complete kitchen redo isn't really in my budget right now, I have to work with what I've got. Last summer I painted the walls and backsplash in the kitchen. And this past week, I painted the cabinets and replaced the hardware. But, silly me forgot to take a 'Before' picture... so all you get is the lovely 'After'

Aside from painting, I spent some of my time off watching movies, amongst other things. I was anxious to finally see The Time Traveler's Wife. The novel, by Audrey Niffenegger, is my most favorite book out of the hundreds of books I've read. So my expectations of the film version were really high, and I was afraid that the characters in the movie wouldn't quite measure up to the characters in my head. In fact, this is the reason I never went to the theatre while the movie was showing. It felt like an extremely personal experience: getting to actually see Henry and Clare in person for the first time. I know, this all sounds so silly. But Henry and Clare are so special to me... second only to Rhett and Scarlett. (I guess this is what happens when you make a living reading books). Turns out, the movie was pretty good. I had to separate the book from the movie, and once I did, I enjoyed the movie from a purely entertaining standpoint. I still love the book a whole lot more, and if you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. I also recommend taking a week off from work, to catch up on those pesky house projects, movies, books, and anything else that you're into. Such a treat!

My Sweet Birthday Girl

2010-02-14T19:26:00.003-05:00

Here's how Frances spent her special day:

1) Woke up in my bed -- a treat she doesn't often get!

2) Went for a walk.

3) Was surprised by a special visitor, a.k.a. "grandma."

4) Opened and played with lots of new toys.

5) Took a couple of naps.

6) Ate rabbit for dinner. Yes, rabbit.

7) Got a birthday bath.

8) Snuggled on the couch between two of her favorite people.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Frances Valentina!

A Week in the Life

2010-02-11T20:29:00.008-05:00

Yes, I'm still here. I've been busy...

... meeting for coffee,

... baking Banana Bran muffins,

... and trying to get Frances to pose for a birthday picture to send to her brothers. Still working on that one.

Winter's Back

2010-01-28T20:03:00.004-05:00

Oh, hello snow. We forgot all about you.

Welcome back.

I Did

2010-01-25T20:18:00.008-05:00

To know me is to know that I love weddings. Attending them. Talking about them. Reading about them. Thinking about them. Hearing about them. I think my ~~obsession~~ interest started back in high school, when my mom and I discovered A Wedding Story on the TLC channel. Everyday, we would settle in for thirty minutes of pleasure -- critiquing, laughing, and sometimes even crying. Since then, I've been a guest at numerous weddings, been in five weddings, almost planned one wedding, been a subscriber to Martha Stewart Weddings, and dished about weddings as all my friends around me have planned their own. So it should come as no surprise that when WellWed New York, one of my favorite wedding publications, throws a bridal event right here in Rochester, I'm going to go.

Yes, I did. I went to a bridal event. Meant for brides. Which I am not. But I shamelessly put on an heirloom diamond ring and had a ball. For four hours, I played the part of fiancée-planning-a-wedding, took all the freebies, and loved every minute of it.

Tuxedoed doormen greeted me, along with an obvious feminine/vintage vibe.

Right off the bat, I knew I was going to love this. Here's what I spent four hours doing: walking from vendor to vendor, collecting pamphlets, business cards and freebies, (the wedding cake vendors were my favorite! free samples!) sipping champagne, nibbling hors d'oeuvres, admiring floral arrangements/tabletops/diamonds, partaking in a food and wine pairing, listening to live music, and watching a couture wedding fashion show.

Definitely not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening. The only downside? All the cute guys were taken... and they thought I was, too.

Grand Opening

2010-01-16T20:02:00.008-05:00

Whenever I take a trip, I always check ahead to see if my destination has: 1) Anthropologie; 2) Crate & Barrel; or 3) Sur La Table. These stores are some of my most favorite stores to poke around in, and until yesterday, Western New York was without any of the three. But that has all changed with the grand opening of Anthropologie in Eastview Mall!

And what better way to start a 3-day weekend than pay a visit to retail heaven?

My friend, Hannah, and I admired all the lovely clothes.

But what I really enjoy about Anthropologie are the pretty displays...

... and even prettier kitchenware.

But my most favorite thing of all at Anthropologie are their kitchen linens. So sweet!

To commemorate our first trip to our very own Anthropologie, Hannah bought herself an apron and I bought myself a tea towel. And pinched myself, again and again, because now there's an Anthropologie within a 25-minute drive from my house!

Cabin Fever

2010-01-10T19:45:00.008-05:00

This past week has been extremely wintery here in Western New York. With about two feet of snow at our house and low, low temps, Frances and I have not done a lot of venturing outdoors. But that changed today, when the sun shone nice and bright, and the thermometer read 25 degrees. We bundled up and headed to our favorite trail, less than 3 miles away, for some cold weather hiking. The scene that greeted us was spectacular.

Obviously, others had the same idea. It is not unusual to see dogs, cross-country skiers and snowshoers here. Today, we were even joined by deer.

Immediately after I snapped this picture, four does ran across our path. It was a beautiful sight, but I didn't think quick enough to get a photo.

Later on we caught up to some snowshoers.

Frances loves to lead the way.

And hates it when she has to wait for me!

It was a great way to spend a sunny, winter Sunday.

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-03T08:25:00.003-05:00

The last week or so has been full of some of my favorite things: time spent with family, dinners in, dinners out, movies, knitting, reading, seeing friends, shopping, and basically just taking it easy. Work is looming on the horizon, but until tomorrow, Frances and I have one more day to enjoy being cozy together. On the agenda? Stay under blankets, drink hot cocoa, and watch the snow from within our warm, little house.

Lake snow warning in effect today.

Windy and bitter cold.

Snow accumulation between 4-8" or more.

We'll be doing our best to stay toasty.

From Our House to Yours

2009-12-24T08:11:00.003-05:00

Wishing you the sweetest Christmas!

Love, Anna + Frances

Cookies for Santa (and other special people)

2009-12-23T17:29:00.003-05:00

Christmas in my household is a fairly simple affair: minimal decorating, gift giving, party going, shopping and traveling. Not because I don't love the holiday. I just choose to focus on a few things rather than all of those things. It makes life so much easier this time of year, and I certainly do not miss the 'hustle and bustle' of the Christmas season.

So, while I avoided the mall and forewent the tree, I spent time in the kitchen baking cookies. The same cookies I baked last year. And the year before. Not because they are traditional Christmas cookies, but because they are pretty to look at and lovely to taste (in my opinion!). And make beautiful, homemade gifts for some very special people.

I started with these cookies, then moved onto these. I ordered peanut butter balls from here. I adapted a recipe and coined the cookies 'Chocolate-Mint Snowcaps' (see below for the recipe). And lastly tried a new recipe this year after some inspiration from a friend.

After only a couple headaches, the cookies came out great.

And some people are going to be very happy.

Chocolate-Mint Snowcaps

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1/2 cup chocolate mint chips

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, for coating

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low speed, gradually add dry ingredients. Mix chips in by hand. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar twice.

Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12-14 minutes; cookies will be soft to the touch.

Visions of Sugar Plums

2009-12-15T18:14:00.005-05:00

What's a trio of girls to do on an especially cold winter's night two weeks before Christmas? Eat candy, drink wine... and make gingerbread houses! Or, in our case, one gingerbread barn, one gingerbread house and one gingerbread church.

My friend, Amanda, gets all the credit for coming up with the idea and executing it perfectly. My skills, however, left a little to be desired -- who knew squeezing frosting out of a piping bag could take such skill? I was the first to ~~give up~~ finish, and was satisfied to nibble on some of the decorations.

Not quite a Martha, I still had a great time making my little creation. Oh, and any guess which was mine?

Winter is Here

2009-12-10T20:32:00.005-05:00

You probably wouldn't want to come out from your favorite hiding spot either, if it meant going out in snow up to your belly.

Market Saturday

2009-12-08T20:00:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday is visit the local public market -- a true gem in the city of Rochester. Even now, with winter approaching, there is plenty to see, smell and taste. Sticking with our regular routine, I met up with a couple of friends this past Saturday seeking warm coffee and Christmas greens. We woke up with the sun -- not even the cookie lady was at her shop yet.

But the display and cookies looked fabulous!

The market is always changing from one week to the next, and is so reflective of the time of year. I love how the market ushers in each season.

Nothing reminds me more of Christmas than the scent from pines. This, more than anything, gets me in the mood for the holidays. Just a whiff, and I'm remembering treks through the forest, looking for the perfect tree with my family. Bringing it home, setting it up, judging which is the best side for showing. Pulling out ornaments and sharing stories of where they came from. Sitting in front of the lit tree, squinting so hard that the lights all glow together in starry clusters. Thinking that nothing is better than Christmastime.

It's going to be rush rush rush for the next couple of weeks. I am certainly glad to have moments, like Saturday morning, when I can slow down and take it all in. Revisit old memories. Make new ones. Share in the joy of the season.

Giving Thanks, Quietly

2009-12-03T19:50:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving was a quiet affair for my family this year. With both brothers and extended family spending the holiday in their own hometowns, the grand affair was comprised only of three: my parents and me. I have to give my mom a lot of credit, though. She still pulled off an amazing dinner with all the trimmings.

Her table is always set so beautifully. This Thanksgiving was no exception.

It was so nice to linger over this delicious meal. As day turned to dusk, the warmth of being with family, (albeit, small) seemed to take over. Or maybe that was just the wine??!

I love lingering over a meal, whether it's at home or at a restaurant. It is something I do so rarely. Slowing down over a meal always takes a little bit of effort for me, but makes the preparation and work so much more worthwhile. And gives me a chance to really enjoy the food and company. This was certainly the case on Thanksgiving. Thank you, mom and dad.

Butternut Squash Frenzy

2009-11-23T19:06:00.009-05:00

I love the taste of butternut squash, but am admittedly so lazy when it comes to the actual peeling and cutting. The skin is so tough, and I get this grainy film on my hands while I'm working with it. Why is that? Does it happen to anyone else? I'm the reason Wegmans sells peeled and chopped squash all ready to go.

Anyway, a few weeks back I bought three lovely butternut squashes at the public market, with the best of intentions to make tasty dishes incorporating this seasonal treat.

And just this weekend I finally got around to slicing and dicing one of these lovelies. It felt like a huge accomplishment! Really. I couldn't let that one squash go to waste, so I made two delicious meals.

Last night's dinner was a recipe I've been wanting to try since I started seeing butternut squash for sale at the market, and it did not disappoint. I love love love gnocchi and am always looking for a new way to prepare it. I changed the original recipe a bit: substituted rosemary for the thyme, left out the chives, and used plain gnocchi instead of herb gnocchi. The house filled with savory aromas as the sage and squash sauteed, and the end product had a buttery, nutty flavor with hints of rosemary and sage.

Tonight's meal was an easy choice: I already had all the ingredients on hand. I've never had authentic risotto made by an Italian, so I'm not entirely sure I make mine with the right consistency. But it works for me, so I guess that's what matters. Without the blue cheese, this risotto would have been lacking some flavor, so the blue cheese at the end is a great addition

In light of Thanksgiving this week, I'm going to stop the squash frenzy and get ready for turkey with all the trimmings. One more day of work, then a 5-day cooking / baking / eating / shopping / seeing friends / spending time with family holiday. I could get used to this!

Progress

2009-11-22T19:12:00.007-05:00

Early morning jog? Check. Lawn all raked and flower beds cleaned out? Check.

Long walk with Frances? Check. Delicious dinner prepared with ingredients from here? Check.

Thank you, Sunday. You were much better to me this week.

Sunday at the Rents'

2009-11-12T20:32:00.008-05:00

Today started out promising: a warmer-than-average forecast for November in Western New York, the Buffalo Bills fresh off a bye week, and plans to make an extravagant lasagna dinner for my dad's belated 65th birthday present. Yep. I planned to make a lasagna for the big 6-5. This, because my dad is next to impossible to shop for.

Anyways, the day had this grey, overcast sky hanging around, so it didn't matter that it was in the fifties. It was still ugly. The Buffalo Bills couldn't hold onto their initial lead in their game against Tennessee. Ughhh. And the lasagna never actually materialized. Some poor planning, coupled with a very persuasive mother, convinced me that it would be better to hold off on the lasagna until my brother and sister-in-law visit for Thanksgiving. So dad is going to have to wait a while longer for that special birthday dinner!

The day, however, was not a complete bust. Using this recipe, my mom fixed me a scrumptious breakfast. At least someone was able to pull something off today!

Thanks mom! It was the perfect combination of light (around the edges) and dense (in the middle). It was the highlight of my Sunday.

Sick List

2009-11-04T20:29:00.006-05:00

I read a lot. Probably more than most people. So it's really exciting for me when I read a book that I love more than most. It doesn't happen often, but I was lucky enough to be home sick with the flu for a few days, and reading a really wonderful book. I don't mean lucky to have had the flu, but lucky to have an excuse to sit on the couch and do nothing other than read! The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton, was just the sort of book I've been looking for ever since finishing The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield two summers ago. It is equal parts British mystery, romance, fairy tale, and historical fiction, and feels like a grown-up version of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

In the book, a story is woven between three different time periods, in two different countries, and with various different characters. The central plot is a mystery, with the answers being offered up at the very end of the story. I was hesitant to finish the book -- because I liked it so much -- but wanting to know how everything fit together.

Eventually I did finish the book. And got better. Just in time for the weekend. And now I'm searching for my next new favorite book.

Treats for Tricks

2009-10-31T11:42:00.009-04:00

Halloween is not my favorite holiday -- particularly not this year, as I sit nursing a cold and look out the window at the blustery, grey day -- but I figure somebody around here should enjoy it. So rather than carve a pumpkin and don a costume, I mustered up all the energy I had to bake Frances some treats of her very own. Modified from a recipe found on allrecipes.com, these biscuits are a hit with my little pumpkin.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine, and boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Grease cookie sheets.
2. Thoroughly stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, Cheddar cheese, and egg. Mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a stiff dough has formed.
3. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, mixing in additional flour as necessary until dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2" thickness. Cut with cookie cutter and place 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool before serving. Store in a loosely covered container.

These bats are the perfect size for Frances.

Equal parts spooky and fun.

Almost too cute to eat.

Happy Halloween! Hope you enjoy your treats as much as Frances enjoys hers!

Home Sweet Home

2009-10-27T20:57:00.004-04:00

Home evokes a feeling of comfort, with rich smells coming from the kitchen, a little dog at the ready with kisses, and cozy spaces made for curling up. Home is a place that welcomes friends, protects its inhabitants and is filled with pretty things. Home is a snug retreat. Home is Western New York. Thank you for reading along while I write about my home, my hometown, and my adventures away from home.