It's Spring!

Barefoot Contessa has her new spring recipes up on her website.

Finally! The weather has started to ripen and the air is a little more dense, doesn't quite knock the air out of you as soon as you step outside. The last couple of weeks Tim and I have spent cleaning up our front yard so that we can brick it. This involved clearing away the pond, fish, and a million other gross things that happened to live under the soil.

We have also been dealing with some plumbing issues that we pretty much expected were going to happen in a 1902 house with some handyman past owners. I often wonder and hope that we are not in this alone, that other old DC houses have the same issues.

This time of year has me feeling very cluttery. I am not sure if that makes sense, but I look around at my house, my clothes, my life and just want to clean everything out. Start fresh. This could be lent. This could be spring. This could be that the sun does that to you. There is something so simple, so pure, so non-cluttery about the first buds of spring. Crocuses, daffodills, and soon cherry blossoms. They are so crisp.

I was talking with my sister the other day and we were complaining about the weather this winter. She said, "You always forget how great spring is, and then every year you remember how wonderful it feels."

Capitol Hill Snow

Dog Lover, Who Me?

At the risk of being perceived as an obnoxious obsessive dog lover and owner...




Pippin had his first major trip to the park today. Lincoln Park is a large park in between 11th and 13th Streets, a few blocks from our house. As we approached the park Tim said to Pippin, "You may now enter heaven." And that is exactly what Lincoln Park is for dogs: heaven. Pippin played with every dog who would play with him for 2 hours...his longest outing yet. We met our friends at the park to introduce our dogs. They have a large Swiss Mountain dog. Pippin didn't quite know what to do with him since he couldn't even reach his neck jumping. He also got in a scuffle with a boxer that was interesting to say the least. Tim had to wrestle the boxer to the ground and unclench his jaws which had Pippin's neck in their grasp. I never realized the dog sub-culture that existed on Capitol Hill. We met a ton of new people today, and Pippin met their dogs. We will definitely be making this a weekly event.

Rustico

I know, I know, this blog was going to be about DC, but I can't help it. There is a great restaurant, Rustico, in one of the oddest places in Virgina. If you take the GW Parkway south toward Alexandria and turn right on Slaters Lane you come to a Trumanshowesque sort of town. There you have streets of condos and townhouses, a couple boutiques, a creamery, and Rustico. Once inside however, you forget about your odd surroundings. Rustico is dark yet large and airy. The high industrial ceilings are paired with the comfortable bar seating, several fireplaces, couches, and leather booths. But really, the best part about Rustico is its pages and pages of beer selection, and its wonderful food. We recently learned that Bells Two Hearted Ale is powerful, hoppy, and not for the faint of heart. I decided to stick with the much lighter Brooklyn lager.

The menu is small, but every dish I have had there has been excellent. My first time at Rustico I had the duck confit pizza with brie and arugula. It was superb! Their soup trio is also very suprisingly tasty. This time around at the urging of my friend I had the mussels and a caesar salad. Again, both delicious. In fact, the mussels were some of the best I have had. So, if you every get the random urging to cross the bridge and venture out of DC stop by Rustico, but don't stay too long!

Daily Candy's write up on Rustico: click here

Beef Bourguignon

On Friday night my friend Kristen came over to cook. It was the end of a long work week, and what better way to cap it off with an evening of cooking. DC sure has a lot of great restaurants, but sometimes it is so wonderful to just stay at home and cook. I am not sure if there is anything much more relaxing to me than having a glass of wine while cooking with friends.

We set about making Ina Garten's beef bourguignon (I have been wanting to make this ever since my Aunt sent me the recipe). It is a challenging recipe, so a perfect one to make when you have an extra set of hands helping out. The beef bourguignon turned out perfectly! The sauce is incredibly rich, and Ina's suggestion of pouring the sauce over toasted garlic bread was fabulous. You can get to the recipe by clicking on Ina Garten above. I would highly suggest it for a large dinner party.

While the beef bourguignon simmered we practiced how to actually pronounce "beef bourguignon" and also made Ina's hummus. One recipe makes plenty, so there is no need to double this. Add more garlic and hot sauce for a kick.

We were all so full and happy from the yummy meal, but had enough energy after dinner for several rounds of Hearts.

Despite the warm weather we are having lately, there is no pretending that January and February are hard months to get through. The holidays are over, and the lighter longer days seem very far away. Sometimes, I would just like to hole up in a corner (like our puppy has been doing lately), surrender, and let the time pass. However, that would not be following the mantra that I chose for my blog's header. There must be some good in every season, something redeemable. So, to honor the season I am surrendering to the difficult recipes I have always wanted to cook and to the stack of books by my bed.

I read a quote today by David Viscott. I am not really sure who he is or what he is all about, but his words gave me chills as I long for the dog days of summer.
"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." Ahh, what a wonderful feeling that is.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Eastern Market Christmas

This Saturday my childhood friend Katie and her husband Jake came to visit. (I have actually known Jake just as long as Katie, we all went to elementary, middle, and high school together, so we have great memories). It was so wonderful to see them and spend time with them. Katie is in her second trimester, and is such a cute pregnant woman. They brought along their ultrasound pictures, and we had a great time trying to find the face, back, arms and legs of their precious little baby.

After feasting on yummy sandwiches made on crusty french bread from Bagels and Baguettes (located at 3rd and Massachusetts), we headed over to Eastern Market (located on 7th Street, SE). There we walked through the vendors, sorting through maps, tiles, and photographs. Jake found a map of Genoa, Italy where his cousins live and Katie and Jake got to visit last year. It was really neat! Then we went into the market and sampled all sorts of soups (the thai shrimp was my favorite) and gouda parmesan cheese.





The Pasta vendor sold DeCecco pasta, and I found out that Jake's cousins work at competing pasta factories in Genoa, Italy. In that one town there are two pasta factories, DeCecco and another one (the name slips my mind). When asked which pasta is better, his cousins replied that DeCecco is best for dried pasta, and the other one is best for fresh. I thought that was a great response and I am sure I will be picking up a couple boxes of DeCecco at the store.



We ended up leaving with olives and the cheese for starters, and then artichoke and spinach raviolis with a pink vodka sauce for dinner. Katie's eyes lit up when she saw the hamentoshens at the bakery, and she just couldn't resist. Katie and I used to walk over to Scandia Bakery in Havertown, PA every Saturday morning to get blueberry (my favorite) and cherry (Katie's favorite) hamentoshens. The Eastern Market bakery sells them for $1.50 each. Of course in Pennsylvania we used to get four for a dollar.




As we were leaving, the sky turned a tremendous shade of blue and pink. It looked incredible against the bare trees. I tried to capture it here, but don't think I have done it much justice.



Capitol Hill was definitely in the Christmas spirit yesterday. Wreaths, christmas trees atop cars, and carolers and a nativity scene were set up in Lincoln Park. What a wonderful time of year!

First Snow on Capitol Hill

I was just sitting in our front room and happened to look out our window..the skies are clear, but it is snowing. The first snow of the season.

The Argonaut

Every Monday night at the Argonaut is half priced burger night. This great bar is only a few blocks from our house and we have spent the past three Monday's eating there and catching up with friends. Everyone says the burgers are delicious, and their sweet potato fries hit the spot. I would also recommend their black beans and rice, and the grilled cheese with tomato and bacon.

The interior of the bar is canvassed with dark wood and a smattering of chairs and tables. In a corner rest games like scrabble, checkers, and a deck of cards. It feels a little like the old bars in the fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. I love the old eclectic chairs and wish that I could take home one of their aged tables for our kitchen.

I hear the Argonaut is getting outside seating for the spring. I hope they do as they have a great spot on the corner of H Street...a perfect spot to enjoy a brew and view the changes taking place in the Atlas District.

Well, as soon as I published the last post I started eating my words. A full week of home cooked meals led to a full week of eating out. The next couple of posts will be about some of my favorite places to eat on Capitol Hill.

New Dinner Record

Tim and I set a new record last week! 6 meals in a row at home, and good meals at that. Thanks to the new Trader Joes that opened on 25th Street, NW near my office and our new proximity to the Safeway on 13th Street, NE, last week was the first time that instead of going out to eat 4-5 times a week, we actually stayed at home, cooked, and hung out. Below are two of the meals that we feasted on.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts. Trader Joes sells Butternut Squash already diced...a dream! I think we paired this with tilapia on the grill.



Chicken Sausage, Apple, and Cheddar Cheese Bread Pudding. Tim was a little unsure about this one... He said that it was a clever dish, and he felt like he was being tricked every time he took a bite.

Sometimes you look around at where you live and are satisfied, happy.
Other times you are overcome with joy and start thinking like a
toddler, Unjaded and awed by everything around you. That was me this
morning in dc. I love dc. I Love the fall, the leaves, the covered
sidewalks, people walking dogs, folks getting in their cars to go to work,
politics, the day after the day after the election, the buildings and monuments, the Capitol. It sounds so elementary, so not self controlled or clear
minded. But I am always thankful for these bright new mornings, this
comfortable weather, and this great neighborhood on Capitol Hill. These mornings actually do clear my head.

Saturday

It has been hard to sleep lately. Maybe it is the excitement of being in a new place, or daylight saving. But whatever it is, it it like having an internal alarm clock. Precisely at 6:30am I wake up every morning. Yesterday it was the fault of the brilliant sun.

My husband was also up early for a radio interview, so I decided that after a cup of coffee and some eggs and bacon I would head down to H street to check out the new Bikram yoga studio. I have never done Bikram yoga before and I was very nervous.

As soon as I walked in however, my mind was set at ease. The people as always were extremely nice. They got me all set up with a mat and towel and into the 90 degree room I went. The studio is located in the 400 block of H street. There are not many other store fronts on that block, mostly abandoned buildings. There is an organic coffee shop across the street.

I found the class to be challenging at times, and restful at others. Yoga has been a great alternative to running, and has helped to loosen up my joints. I really enjoyed the class and thought that it was a good mix between cardio and yoga/stretching. I bought a first week's pass for only $20, so I am sure I will be going back.



The sun was still high in the sky when I walked out of the studio. It was a perfect day to walk around the Hill, admire the houses and front patios, and grab some flowers at Eastern Market. I met a friend there and we walked around to the different vendors, always ending up at Forecast on the Hill, a great shop for gifts that also sells Vera Bradley.



Later on my husband and I grabbed a bottle of red wine from Hahn Vineyards (one of our favorites), some sourdough bread, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. Huddled up in our new living room, we gobbled down the bread and wine as well.

First Fire

Last night we tested our fireplaces

Halloween on Capitol Hill

I heard there was a moon bounce, hay rides, and face painting at Eastern Market, and some great costumes and candy to be had on East Capitol Street. However, at Maryland Ave, NE, there was a different sort of Halloween happening...a long line to get into the somewhat infamous haunted house.

The night started out with few tricker treaters. "Great! I'll have enough candy, I thought."

At 6:30pm our first stash of 20 bags ran out. At 6:31pm I was opening bags on loan from our neighbors. At 6:45pm, the line in front of our house started to grow. The sounds coming from the haunted house were so loud (A motorcyle scaring kids, the screaching and screaming of children) we had to shout to our neighbors. At 7:00pm I started to worry. Our neighbor handed me a plate of nachos and chile con queso. I quickly shoved the delicious cheese smattered nachos dipped in sour cream into my mouth in between, "Trick or Treat...take ONLY one piece. No, I said ONE! You don't even have a costume on!"

I can't say I wasn't warned. Our neighbors told us numerous times that 30 bags of candy was barely enough to last the night. I had felt ridiculous standing in line with gobs of candy earlier that night however, and instead of piling on a few more bags, I pushed a couple out of my basket.

Reinforcements came at 7:45pm. Our friends from a couple blocks over only got around 5 trick or treaters so we used up the rest of their candy. At 8pm we closed the door behind us, turned off our lights, and moved to the back of the house.

It was an interesting night to say the least. In the middle of it all, a fight ensued inside the haunted house and close to 10 cop cars came to the rescue. Things are never dull on Capitol Hill!!

Three days and three nights

I have now lived and slept in my very own house for three days and three nights. The first night was a little scary...and I felt vulnerable. Two entrances for someone to creep in? Will the six locks and one latch keep them out? It is not the area that we live in that worries me, just my false sense of security after living in a small apartment for so long. The house feels so big, so vulnerable.

I have been waking up very early for my standards thanks to the large windows without dressings and daylight saving. On Saturday morning while our friends and my husband were still asleep I crept out to the grocery store..."my grocery store" I thought. This is "my" neighborhood now. I own now, this is mine. I came back and could hear people moving around upstairs and my heart moved. I smiled big right before I began to tear up with delight. It is wonderful to own a home, to hear people moving around upstairs, and to learn the creaks and bends in your floors. It is humanizing to lock a front door, to walk down the stairs, and to your car in the morning. It is rewarding to clean, paint, and decorate and care for a house that is yours.

I already was in love with DC, but I am even more so now. I look differently at the new buildings taking shape, assess the changes that are occuring with new light, and want to live each season to its fullest. Thomas Jefferson wrote to his daughter Martha in 1804, that "Congress has scarcely any thing to employ them, and complain that the place [Washington, DC] is remarkably dull. Two hundred and two years later, I wholeheartedly disagree.

I hope to show you that DC is anything but dull, and is instead an inspiring and entertaining place to live, shop, eat, and explore.

The First Chill

It is not quite Fall here yet, the leaves are just starting to change. A great big wind gust brought in chilly weather last night, and it was still around when I walked to my car this morning.

In three weeks we close on our first house. We are almost on the other side of this whirlwind experience. And, we are hopefully close to the end of our sleepless nights, or maybe they are just beginning? I can't say I don't love dreaming up where we will place our furniture (the little that we do have), what colors we will paint the walls, and what pictures I will put above the three (YES, THREE!) mantels we will soon have. Tim rolls his eyes as I sit on the couch flipping through Potterybarn, Crate and Barrel, and Restoration Hardware magazines and tearing out the pages I admire. After renting for close to 4 years, I am so excited to finally OWN!!!

My mind has been racing for close to a week and a half now, so it is hard for me to focus and write. I will be sure to post pictures when the house is finally ours.