Catch Up

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

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

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

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

A Break

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

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

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

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!