hiatus.

Wanted to update you all that I am going on a bit of a hiatus from the blog. Maybe an irregular post here and there but for now Mary is taking herself on a sabbatical. So, until we meet again, happy weekend and hope you all have some great plans in the mix to round out July.

lebron.

I have had some choice words about Lebron during the last 4 years. But I will be the first to say, I just read his annoucement and pulled a 180. Not simply because he made the right decision but this is one of the more thoughtful, honest and real decisions with explanation that I have seen. LeBron - you just won me back.

read time.

We are so close to Friday - this week has blown by! I saved a couple links for your reading pleasure, thought you all might appreciate. This Esquire piece about Lance Armstrong is an interesting and disturbing read. And before moving on to a lighter note, I come from a family that talks very openly and frankly about death - this piece about Diane Rehm and her husband is very real (and yes very sad but also important). They did a bagel test in NYC (god I miss NY some days!)...spoiler alert: Ess-A-Bagel placed well!

Last but not least, this piece - The Princess Effect - is very interesting....

gifted & talented.

This is a random collection of ideas, but figured it was time I pass along some more gift ideas! Here goes...

This simple and very classy necklace...

Gorjana Necklace

A USA t-shirt would have been perfect for World Cup season....

USA t-shirt

This set of bar tools...

Gatsby Bar Tools with Ice Bucket

A portable record player...for the hipster, yuppie, yupster in your life that would appreciate the throw-back....

Rock Around Turntable

I swear Grandpolly had a hat just like this...love it!

Retro Sun Hat

runners world.

This piece, Every Runner Has a Reason, is my brother's latest and I promise it will hook you. It is beautifully shot and beautifully told...you should watch it....I am telling you!

maine - episode 1.

I can't believe July 4th has come and gone! As I mentioned we went up to Maine with Josh and Erin for the long weekend. Unfortunately, we had to come back to DC.

It was too short but actually felt long, in part because we felt like we got the full spectrum of experience...including the weather. It was rainy/misty for a couple of days, but beautiful and who would have thought we would have a fire going in July?! I also wasn't feeling well for the first day and was totally wiped out, so the quiet and calm was wonderful.

The house and island have so much character. It is a true cabin...

We went for a hike...

And we ate a lot...including of course lobster and blueberry pie!

For lunch on Thursday, we took the boat over to Cundy's Harbor and ate at the local grille...

The Williams also have the most wonderful, sweet retriever - Bode. I fell in love with him...just look at that handsome devil...

There was a lot of reading and sitting and taking in the view...

And also water skiing....which included Josh's brother landing on a cleat on the dock and getting stitches in his buttocks...true story....

On Saturday, right by the dock, we collected mussels...

...to eat that night! How great is that?!

Bode again, because just look at that face!

Of course, sailing also happened, which was beautiful and peaceful...

One of the absolute best parts of Bear Island, and frankly it is impossible to describe, is their boat house. It is straight out of a movie set. It has a swing! A ping pong table. Amazing speakers. Old old posters and books, games and toys, flags and university pennants hanging from the rafters. It smells old and musty but also that sweet wood smell. Just great stuff. We had a great night of drinking, beirut, flip cup, ping pong and more in the boat house....

And there was so much more. Coffee in the mornings on the porch. An epic boat ride that involved two impromptu stops. Celebrating both Josh and Becca's birthdays. Grilled cheese, lobster rolls, cake and cookies. Sitting out on the dock, basking in the warm sun. A glorious sunset on Saturday night. Playing backgammon with Josh and Ben. And much much more....

See you in August Maine, thanks for such a good time Erin, Josh & Bear Island!

carrot cake.

Carrot Cake. It turns out it is a favorite for a lot of people. So, I figured I would share our carrot cake recipe since it is a real winner. Hint: the secret ingredient is crushed pineapple...makes it super moist!

I didn't document the process in a great way, but I did learn how to write on my photos for future posts, so I figure that makes up for it...here we go....

Recipe

2 tsp. soda

2 cup flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1.5 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 cup grated carrots

1 cup nuts

1 cup crushed pineapple

• Sift together flour, soda, cinnamon, salt and sugar. 
• Add remaining ingredients. 
• Beat 2 minutes on medium speed on electric mixer. 
• Pour into greased and lightly floured pan(s). 
• Using 2 pans, bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Using one long pan, bake at 350 for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 for 25 minutes. 

Filling:

1 stick butter

1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese

1 box sifted confectioner's sugar (or 16 oz)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla

• Cream the butter and cream cheese. 
• Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla. 
• Blend in the pecans. 
• Ice the cake between the layers and on top, not on the sides. 
• Put in refrigerator. 

destination: maine.

We are off to Maine for the long weekend - escaping tonight and I can't wait! I have never been to Maine. Josh and Erin have very generously invited us up to their family's house, on their own island no less. Josh has been going up there his whole life. We have heard love stories from them about this place for years, and so we are psyched to get to join them. I can't wait to put my feet in fresh water, breath some ocean air, hang out in a hammock, eat lobster, and enjoy good company. Happy 4th everyone - hope you all have a great holiday!

restaurant roundup III.

Wanted to give a quick round-up of some of the recent spots we have been to....

Lupo Verde is topping the list. We loved it. The inside is beautifully done, our service was solid, and our food was fantastic. We would highly recommend it for some good italian, particularly around the 14th Street/Shaw area. (Pizza was solid but you should be at Etto up the street; Striglie very good; cacio e pepe very good.)

Soi 38 was a nice surprise. Ben and I made an impromptu choice to swing by here a couple weeks ago for a dinner date and it was quite good. The location, kind of close to Foggy Bottom and not close enough to Dupont, probably makes it less attractive for your Friday night out - but for a work lunch or if you are in the area, we really enjoyed it and we are pretty tough Thai critics - so this is saying something! (Pad Thai was good - nothing amazing; Panang Goong - very good.)

Tico on 14th is a sweet spot. We went last week and ordered up a good sampling from the menu (yes, another tapas place has come to town). The space is quite big and the food was really good. There are so many places to choose from now on 14th but Tico, in my opinion, now definitely trumps El Centro. (Among other things we tried and liked: Crab Tostada and the Crunchy Fried Chicken taco. Skip the meatballs.)

Smith Public Trust was unfortuantely disappointing. We were really excited to see Smith Commons open a second place, this time in Brookland and went there last week with a group of friends. Alas, the space is a little odd and not yet filled out. The service left something to be desired. And the food was lackluster at best. Brookland has cool stuff going on, but we won't be heading back soon (even though we still love Smith Commons).  (Waffles & Chicken weren't worth it; Mussels - our friend had to send hers back; Burger - would rather go to Smith Commons where it is fantastic.) 

El Chilango was recommended by a friend when we suggested going to El Rey for tacos and yes please, it hit the spot. Tucked back on V and 12th - it is a little hole in the wall serving up quality tacos. (We can't report on the margaritas because they weren't serving alcohol but by all accounts - they are supposed to be very good). It is cheap and comfortable and homey inside. Though fair warning, no air conditioning! (Chicken taco - good stuff; Pork taco - very good stuff; chips/guac/salsa - will feed the fix - the guac is not going to bowl you over). 

So there you have it. That is my latest for you. For previous roundups, click here and here.