Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend is packed!!  Tonight Nick and I are going to see "Up".  It looks fantastic and we have been waiting months for it to come out.  Then we are stoppinga the rec center to swim some laps.  We haven't been swimming since we moved so I am really looking forward to it.  I liked when we lived down the road fromt the rec center; we played racquetball quite a bit and swam often.  After swimming, we are going for a bite to eat.  Who knows where, but we will definitely be enjoying our time together.

Then tomorrow, Nick's family and we are going to the "Got to be NC" festival.  It is an awesome festival that promotes North Carolina products, farms, and bbq-ers.  There are tons of exhibits, free food, a bbq cookkoff (and tasting), and a mini carnival.  We went last year and had a great time.  I am really excited about it this year!!

Then Sunday, our small group will be meeting for the last time until fall.  It will be nice to see everyone, but it is sad knowing it is the last one.  By the time we start meeting again, Nick and I will be leaving in a few weeks plus we will be out of town visiting friends and family.  I must say when we joined this group last February, I really did not like it.  Everyone was so different from ourlast group, and the meting had a much more serious feel.  However, I really have grown to enjoy meeting with them, and we have met some really cool people.  Now I still miss meeting with our old group, but I look forward to seeing everyone in the new group also.

Well today is exactly four months until we fly out with Peace Corps.  On Sept. 29, 2009 Nick and I will be in Philadelphia meeting the folks we will be training with for the next three months.  We'll get anymore vaccinations, have final checks on passports/visas, learn a bit about where we are going/staying in Turkmenistan, and then we'll leave out for 27 months.  The closer it gets the more I realize everything we are leaving behind.  I mean some things are good to leave behind--boring jobs, consummerism, television addiction.  But everyone we know is here, all my cooking stuff is here, safety in knowing everything is going to be fine is here.  I mean we're crazy doing this.  Sometimes I want to back out and just move to Colorado but I know if we don't do this, we are just going to keep getting stuck in a rut with our jobs.  I really want to be excited about this trip (and I am most times), but it is really scary at the same time--at least I will have Nick beside me.

My Summer

This summer I will be doing something that most people who know me would be extremely surprised by...babysitting.  I will be watching an 8 month old little boy, Ethan.  He is extremely laid back, probably one of the best kids I know.  He is very bright and inquisitive.  I am hoping he'll be walking soon, but he sure does crawl around fast now.  I really am enjoying keeping him so far; it is tiring, but at least it is only for a few hours.  I'll probably talk more about him later on, but surprise, surprise I still cannot believe I actually said yes to babysit.

Also, next week we get to vacay at the beach!!  Nick's grandparents have a great little cottage.  They built it back in the '60s and it still looks exactly the same--vinyl sofa and chairs, orginal matresses, vintage serving/diningware, and formica dining table and chairs.  I love it just like it is (although a new matress would be fabulous).  It is like stepping back into a time where life made more sense and you could actually relax--no computers, ipods, or cell phones.  I am really looking forward to going.  It is going to be the last time for a couple years so I really want to each it this time.

Also, Friday will be exactly four months until we begin our adventure with the Peace Corps.  It is still scary to think about leaving everything for two years but it will be a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience.  We did receive some language audio and pdf files this week.  It covers basic Turkmen--abc's, numbers, and basic phrases (ex. where is the bathroom?).  It seems pretty easy to learn, although there is more use of consonants making some words harder to understand.  Overall though, I think Nick and I should do very well with picking up the language.  On a side note, we do have to get dental exams redone.  So please pray with us for the money to be provided to cover this without having to use our savings up again.

Lastly, my garden is looking good.  We have five watermelon sprouts, my zucchini is making a comeback, and there are flowers on the hot banana pepper plants!  The only thing that has not been sucessful is my cilantro which is this one thing I was most excited about.  Oh well.  

Anniversary Dinner

For our anniversary, we went to dinner at George's Gareage.  It was fabulous, as usual.  We shared a crab cake appetizer.  Probably, the best crab cake I have ever had, and I've had alot considering I am from Maryland.  Nick had seafood pasta for his entree.  It was angel hair pasta with shrimp, scallops, mussell, clams, and calamari and a spicy white wine marinara.  Really good but too much stuff for one dish and a little expensive.  I had a spinach salad and linguine.  The salad had feta, walnuts and delicious blueberry vinagrette.  I love the linguine and it was only $9!!  It comes with this fabulous spicy marinara.  Then we shared tiramisu for dessert.  Also fabulous and not too expensive.  It was a great night and a great meal.   We love George's and if you are ever in the area and want a nice meal check it out.

Hot and Cheesy Potato Casserole

I made this casserole up after thinking all day about what to cook tonight for dinner.  It was so simple and quick.  Also I sauteed some green pepper and onion we had on hand and served that for the side.  Nick ate about half the casserole, he enjoyed it so much.  Defintely will need to double the recipe if I fix it for the whole family next time.

Recipe: Serves 4

2 pkgs Idahoan instant potatoes (any variety)

4 beef hot links (kielbasa or beef sausage would be a fine substitute)

3/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375*.  Cook potatoes according to pkgs. directions.  Meanwhile, slice hot link into 1/2" rounds and cook on medium high heat.  When potatoes are done stir in sour cream and milk.  In a 9x9 baking dish, add 1/2 of the cheese and spread potatoes on top.  When hot links are done cooking, spread out on top of potatoes and top with rest of cheese.  Bake uncovered for 15 mins.  Then turn on broiler and bake until cheese is just turning brown and getting bubbly.  Enjoy!

Only 180 More To Go

Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary.  I still can't believe it's three years already.  Everyone keeps telling me it only seems to go by faster the longer your are married.  I want to slow down though.  I already feel like I am missing stuff or memories are running together.  But all in all, I love it!  I love being married, I love the man I married.  He is an incredible gift from God.  He loves all of me and that is something I never thought anyone but God could love.  He challenges me.  He goofs off with me.  And he takes care of me.  We have been through up and downs already and we're still just starting out.  Through it all though we are only closer to each other and to God.  We have the most wonderful marriage and I cannot wait to see what waits for us in the next 180 years.

I love you babe!! You are the greatest man I know!  Happy "late" Anniversary!

Virginia Creeper Trail

This weekend Nick's family, some friends and us went to Damascus, Va for a bike trip.  We had a blast. 

On Friday night we had slight mishap with the tacos.  Nick's mom dropped a whole sheet of tacos and Ricky decided this little broom would be great to use for clean up.  Funny...but what a mess!!

 This is us starting out on the Virginia Creeper Trail.  It is a 17 mile long up or downhill trail.  Obviously, we went downhill since none of us are experience cyclists.

The trail is gorgeous.  There is a river that flows by the whole trail with several bridges that cross over.

This is me finally finishing the ride.  The last mile is KILLER!!  My butt was so sore and my arms ached, but I FINISHED!!!  17 miles!

This is the river by our cabin.  There was a huge log "bridge" to cross over.  That is Nick's mom finally making it over.  It was a beautiful area we stayed at.  If you ever get a chance to ride the trail, do it.  It was really gorgeous and so much fun!!

Easy Dinner

Last night we grilled leftover hamburgers from our bike trip (see next post), steamed broccoli with a balsamic reduction sauce, sauteed spinach and steamed corn. Yummy!

Broccoli with Balsamic Reduction:

2 large stems broccoli

1 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp flour

1/4 water

Chop broccoli into flowerettes and place in microwaveable bowl.  Cover bowl with saran wrap and microwave for 5 mins on high power.  On stove bring vinegar to boil and when it is reduced by 1/2 add the brown sugar and slurry (flour and water mix until no clumps remain).  Reduce heat so it doesn't burn and let suace thicken.  When sauce is dark (like chocolate) and coats spoon it is done.  Drizzle sauce over broccoli and serve.

Sauteed spinach:

1 bag spinach (baby or regular)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tbsp. onion, chopped

1-2 tbsp butter (we use smart balance spread)

Heat pan on medium heat and add butter.  When butter is melted, add garlic and onion.  Saute until golden brown, then add spinach--put spinach in a handful at a time; it will cook down but don't over fill the pan.  Saute until all the spinach is wilted and serve.  Enjoy!