Seconds among many

If the Earth had formed a year ago, on January 1, life would have appeared on February 26, dinosaurs would have arrived on December 10 to vanish 16 days later, and Homo sapiens would only have showed up very late on December 31. a few minutes later, in less than one minute, man would have drastically altered the fragile balance between land, seas and atmosphere.

This was a quote I saw in Ireland at an art exhibit in St. Stephen's Green.  Makes me ponder my own significance, and makes me contemplate the fragility of life.

Slumdog Millionaire

I saw Slumdog Millionaire last night.  It was great. Go see it.


 

Guess who's back, back again

Shady's back, tell a friend.

So the trip to Golden was highlighted by 4 inches of snow. It felt so crisp and beautiful and mountain-like. Golden had a nice downtown charm, but yet felt uninviting at the same time. It felt invorating to clean the snow off the car. Wouldn't want to do it every day but something new.

I had great flights to Denver and then to Orange County and back to DC. I always sit in the window seat as I had getting bumped on the elbow. And luckily for me every flight had a lack of a middle seat passenger. So I was able to spread out and relax and actually sleep.

So now I'm back in DC and looking for a roommate.

Round the Country in 8 Days

So from BWI I departed,
on a trip that spanned,
a few states, a district, and LA.

From the snowy foothills of Golden,
To the sunshine filled beaches of SoCal,
And then back to the District.


I'm not sure what lies for me back home,
I'm not sure who I will live with so very soon,
I'm not sure which day is today.

I miss my bed,
I miss my pillows,
I miss the familiarity of voices,
and my family, my friends.

A new salad to try

So this Thanksgiving, I'm looking to try this.

Yes it is green jello salad.
Lime jello plus shredded carrots and celery with a side of mayo.

I really hope it's at the Minnesota Thanksgiving, if so I'm trying it.

What are you most looking forward to on Turkey Day? Happy Thanksgiving, eat, sleep, and be happy.

Wedding Part I

Just a little taste from the wedding weekend.

The Phillies Win

So this is a few days late.  But the Philadelphia Phillies won the world series and the 2008 World Champions of Baseball.  And to celebrate, Charlie Manuel, the Phils manager sported this hat.

So I was unfortunately in Boulder, Colorado for the final game.  At least I wasn't on a plane.  But I saw it all and it was great. I wish I was with my sister or Dad to celebrate but none-the-less, I cheered with myself.  

I have to admit that tears welled in my eyes during the post game.  I had a huge grin on my face, so tears, and I was really happy.  It doesn't seem real.  I can't believe this team, the one team I follow religiously actually did it.  As a Philly Phan, you are naturally skeptical.  And they proved me wrong. I was optimistic as possible but it was hard to really believe.  But I've seen these guys for a many years.  I've been to spring training for 6 years, except this year.  I saw Chase Utley when he wasn't quite ready to ready to play in the bigs. I remember seeing Pat the Bat, come of age. I remember Ryan Howard kick Jim Thome out of town.  

Those were some great times in Jack Russell stadium in St. Pete.  And those were some great times with my dad.  

Baseball is a serious commitment. 162 games.  For the Phillies, it was 176 games to win it all.  And it was great.  

The Family at the Phillies game (Martyn is wearing the wrong hat).

World Series

So the Phillies are champions of the National League. They've won the pennant.  Philly has its stars but they all didn't shine bright at the same time. Instead, someone new gave them a boost each night.  Cole Hamels was the NLCS MVP.  He deserved it, but my votes would have been for Shane Victorino or Ryan Madson.   Victorino, the Flyin' Hawaiian, was really remarkable. He hit well, fielded better and was so upbeat about it all. He was having fun.  And is anything more important.  

So I missed a lot of the debates watching the Phillies clinch.  My observations were this, McCain was heated.  And he had to be; he had to be confrontational.  Did it work and will it help him?  No.  It won't.  He does not have the answers to my questions. 

I have a friend who will not vote in this election.  This person is disenfranchised to politics and the abhorrent feeling it brings to her.  I, on the other hand, will vote.  I vote because it is my duty to participate in a federal republic. It is my right that was given to me.  Being a white male, my demographic was never denied the right to vote.  But does not the history of this country's women and minority population struggles to gain suffrage show the importance of voting.  To my friend who will not vote, you do matter. If you don't like how politics is played, vote to change it.  Choose a representative that believes in change of the political process, that believes in campaign finance reform, that believes your opinion matters.  Your vote matters very much on the local level.  If you don't like the state of your roads, your schools, your hospitals, the way your money being spent vote for someone who shares your views, directions, desires.  Participation is the only way a democracy works.  Take a few minutes to read about your choices.  Write-in a candidate.  Become involved in your local government.  

The only way the disenfranchised can achieve something different is to stand up against those who disenfranchise you.  

Cleared of Wrong Doing?

Shoelaces Rant

So I have these relatively new black dress shoes. I wear them to work.  I've had them for a few months.  Perhaps I wear them twice a week. So that's about 15-20 times total and this morning as I was tightening them to tie them, the lace snapped.  Now nothing is more frustrating, as I don't have spare black, dress shoe laces just sitting around.  Anyway, I don't understand why they have to be so freaking fragile. This is definitely not the first pair of shoelaces have broken on newer shoes.  

What is up with the shoelace manufactures?  Are the purposely making shoelaces that self destruct so that we are forced to by new ones?  And how come you can never find the right replacement pair?  There are only these crappy, often too short one in stores.  I'm so pissed about this.  It's not like I have a back-up pair of laces or black shoes for that matter.  I also just bought a new pair of brown shoes, are those laces doomed?   They are similar in style to the black laces.  

I mean I like my shoelaces tight, but I'm not ripping at these as hard as possible.  What the F*%K?

Rant over....where do I get quality replacements?

Taxes and Civilization

"No one said it better than Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes: 'I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization.' " 

Thomas Friedman was really spot on with his column today.  Paying taxes is patriotic.  Do I agree with where every nickel goes? Of course not.  Do I think most of it goes to good things? Yes.  Naive as that may be, it is my belief. Our leader needs to prioritize our system.

Obviously my future brother-in-law and I are very much on the same page and have been reading the same stuff.  His eloquence is better.  Read it.

And John McCain, you are not my friend. No matter how many times you may say it, you're not.  I dont' know you and you certainly don't know me.  This tactic, "my friends," may work on the stump, but not for me.

A weekend of Celebration

Twas a weekend of fun and festivities,  celebration and friendship, and of course, champagne.  The Philadelphia Phillies are in the National League Championship Series (with the LA Dodgers).  After a stumble on Saturday night, they pulled through Sunday afternoon, courtsey of the Home Run. All 6 runs were results of home runs.   

More importantly, I threw a party for Jenn and Martyn.  A wedding shower, jack and jill style, for the couple celebrating their nuptials in 33 days.  We had the local DC guests (and some non-locals) in for a gathering.  I created the obligatory shower game of word scramble and trivia, which turned out better than I suspected.  Here's an example:

Unscramble this famous couple (answer will be at the bottom of the post):

lfrl hi daka & or give eirda

Then we showed the slide show of pictures of "Jenn and Martyn: Past and Present."  I worked diligently on this project for way too many hours, but it all paid off in the end.  It was about 200 slides of Jenn and Martyn from baby to present, set to music.  It was great and I personally loved the reaction of everybody.  It turns out my hard work paid off. I think we'll show it again at the rehearsal dinner.

Jenn at 12 Weeks

Martyn: a few months old

Jenn and Me

Jenn and Martyn Now

I stopped at Total Wine for some tasty beverages and thanks to a suggestion from my friend Jessica, I found some tasty mediterranean treats at the Mediterranean Bakery in Virginia.  The Hommous, Tabouli, Baba, and Tzaziki were great.  I bought a ton of super fresh pita as well.  It was such a great addition.  I can't recommend this place enough.   I also had vegetables and cheeses and chips and salsa (jenn's favorite food).  

The party was fun and we stayed late.  There were some minor problems (a few broken wine glasses and slight scrapes).  The Theme: Jenn and Martyn '08, it could have been worse.  In reality it was fun but I am glad that pressure is off.  

Stats for you.

13 Days until Jenn's B-Day

29 Days until the election (hopefully of Obama)

33 Days until the wedding

105 Days left of W. 

2028 Days since the beginning of the Invasion of Iraq

Answer to scramble: Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera

The Post and the Turtle

So simple yet so clearly true.

So this is from an email I received. It's just spot on.

'You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, and she doesn't know what to do while she's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put her up there to begin with.'

Name that turtle!

Science Statement

I work in the science policy field and I feel this statement is one of the main reasons we need Barack Obama as president of the United States.

Unfortunately, the current Administration has undermined the integrity of U.S. science policy. It has stacked scientific advisory boards, suppressed research that conflicts with its political agenda, failed to make decisions on the basis of the best available evidence, and prevented government scientists from speaking openly with the public and the media.

This was taken from INVESTING IN AMERICA’S FUTURE: BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN’S PLAN FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

I can not endorse a candidate who's running mate supports Intelligent Design and believes Global Warming is a hoax.   

Reaction to Billion Dollar Bailout

So this an email chain with my coworker and I this afternoon with the subject "Should I send this out?"

On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 11:04 AM,

These are trying times for our country. The collapse and/or forced sale of many of our nation's largest and most trusted banks and instability in various markets has caused significant doubt about the future of our economy. As a result, I am hereby suspending all work in cubicle and surrounding areas (hallway), in order to work on this crisis. In order to keep America strong, I am also postponing my long-scheduled meeting with the Dr. So andSo to discuss my work ethic and the broad range of computer games I play during work hours, as this is no time for talk about games. What we need right now is not talk, which is terrorism, but action. Therefore, I will immediately rush to my home to work the phones promoting a $40 bailout plan for my dinner, which I had planned to eat at the Thai place around the corner but which is now in a state of considerable uncertainty. I assume that all other patriots in this building will help me in this effort. God bless me, and God bless America.

Anonymous

And my response...

 

On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Dear Staff,

As this crisis seems to escalate, I, unlike Senator Obama, will join my mate and also suspend activities in my cublicle as well, in order to counsel my colleague and the nation in it's quest to relinquish itself from the greed of a few and restore order. I will do so by reinvesting in the local economy through investment in the choicest hops and finest edibles. I will make direct contact with the economic machine of this country's capital. I will find the answer through the lens of an empty pint glass and fully contemplate the percentage of bailout I will attach to the required cost of said consumption, in the form of gratuity.

There is no price to large, no time of contemplation too short, no time to waste. God Bless all.

Communication & Politics

So this past week I've been wondering how do I communicate to my peers, my acquaintances and those I don't know the importance of November 4th when we elect a new president?
How do I let everyone know that our decision on one day is so important for 1461 days that follow?
How do I transcend the passion and emotion of my feelings towards politics and the elections and really inform?
How do you argue constructively and correctly with an non-accepting audience that can only counter with emotion and anecdotal evidence?
How do I assure everyone that their choices matter?

There are a number of people in my life that run the spectrum of politic views. From the non-voter, to the lefty liberal, to the righty conservative. It is is hard to convince those who are unaccepting of your views to understand your position and appreciate your point-of-view.

For now I will send them interesting articles like Maureen Dowd's columns from the New York Times.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Celebrating Bachelorhood

This weekend marked marked 8 weeks until Jenn and Martyn tie the knot.  The boys and girls had their respective bachelor parties this weekend.  All I know is the boys had fun.  Despite a rained out baseball game and sweltering temperatures, we had a good deal of fun.  

9 out 10 of us.

We had dinner at Central in DC. It was a great meal and we all certainly stuffed ourselves.  The charcuterie plate was really amazing and the faux gras (chicken liver instead of duck) was really extraodinary.  For my meal I also had the filet mignon tartare (seen below).  It had a nice kick of Tabasco.  For dinner I had braised beef cheeks, which were really good.  they came with a carrot puree and fettuccini.  I think the boys enjoyed the meal in the private room in the kitchen.

Martyn made it until 4:20 am on Saturday (well sunday i guess).

Weekend of News??

During my visit to Allentown, Pennsylvania this weekend, I spent a few hours at my grandfather's house. And all he watches is Fox News.  Fox News mantra on their homepage is "We Report, You decide."  I beg to differ.  Most know of the political agenda and the right leaning of the Fox News Channel.  So I've been interested.  And recently, The Daily Show has just been amazing with great quotes, comparisons, and clips, like this one. The 3 minute mark with Senators Foghorn Leghorn and Droopy Dog are outrageous.  

So I've heard that more of my generation gets its political news from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart than from traditional sources.  The statistics show that TDS and Colbert Show viewers are more knowledeable on world affairs than Fox News.  I'm not suprised.  When Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert joke or satirize the political craziness, smart people enjoy it.  I would assume (not the best way to conclude things) that those who watch JS and SC read newspapers and get their news elsewhere too.  They just really appreciate the humor slant that the dynamic duo from Comedy Central provide.  I know politics doesn't appeal to all, but it certainly is intriguing, it certainly is funny.

Happy Birthday Dad!

So my dad, David S. Rogers turns 60 today. Umm...that's old. He knows it and I love him. I also sent him this ecard from Someecards.com. They are funny.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD.

I've just come up with a new nickname for my dad, "Twenty Questions." Anyone who's been interrogated by him, will know this works. Maybe I'll call him 20Q for short.

Nick and the White Peach

So I just may have had the best peach of my life. It was a white peach. Sweet and succulent and great texture. I had it in the refrigerator this morning, something I wouldn't normally do with fresh fruit. But it had a nice slight chill and was so close to perfect.


This is a picture of a slice of this wonderful peach. I took the photo with my phone. That's how good it was; I had to take a picture in the middle of eating it.

Why are we not there yet?

My life has been surrounded by a multitude of strong, brilliant women. I am most fortunate to learn from these women and so often in awe. The last two nights I have watched Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton address the Democratic National Convention. And while they are markedly different in their background, approach, and goals, it is clear that they are special. Am I shocked? Absolutely not.

The reason I am not at all surprised by the remarkable success and strength of Michelle and Hillary, is the remarkableness of the women in my life. My mother is such a kind soul and makes me laugh. It is really simple, making me laugh is so important to me. My mom has endured and is so courageous. I know I am super biased, but she is amazing. She's been a wonderful mother and a pillar of the feminine in my life. My friend, Ali, challenges me to think in different ways. She has opened my eyes to new perspectives and new avenues of thought. And, most importantly, she has a great smile and uses it often. Smiling is inviting and again so important to me. Emily, my friend, really understands. She knows how to listen. Em has always been really honest with me, and isn't that so important?

Then there is Jenn, my sister. I don't know if there is anyone in this world who believes in me more. She is brilliant, strong, sweet, vulnerable, affectionate, and beautiful. She has challenged me to be better and praised me for my accomplishments, however small. I am astounded by her. How am I so lucky to have a sister and a best friend, all in one? But it is not just the emotional that Jenn encompasses. She is a leader. She is accomplished. She has an abiding belief in herself and those people and things that are a part of her realm.

So this brings me to my question. Why are we not there yet? Why is it not a women taking the podium on Thursday to accept the Democratic nomination? Why is it not a women being sworn in as President in January? Why has the patriarchy prevailed? Well that will have to remain my question. But know this, when society as a whole realizes what I know, women and men will truly be equals.

I thank all the women in my life. I thank them for teaching me to think from a new perspective. I thank them for being such pillars. I thank them for them. I am so honored to have grown with the inspiration of such wonderful women.

K-Box

So Saturday night I hit up the Korean K-box (Karaoke Box, click here for the wikipedia entry for explanation). Let's just say if this current career doesn't pan out, I may have a career on the Karaoke circuit. Anyway, it is always a lot of fun, and since you're in a private room with just your friends, you can be daring. Take the below video for example.



This video is my friend Jared pumping out a mean version of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman." (Michael Bolton also recorded a version of it. Let's just say it's rare and unusual, but mighty confident.

Eggs

The only egg that is cooked over high heat is the omelet. To achieve the properly cooked egg you desire, use low heat. Did you ever notice the water that oozes out of your scrambled egg? That is because it was cooked on high heat. Low and slow. And lots of stirring makes the perfect, non-watery scrambled egg.

My Niche of Prayer

After watching some boring Olympic events, I wandered onto a site that my future brother-in-law, Martyn, has written for, KillingtheBuddha.com (KtB). I was drawn to one of the headlining, recent post by Dr. Stephen Prothero, as he is Martyn's dissertation adviser.

Prothero discusses his visit to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and his thoughts on Obama's visit and prayer offered to the Wall. One of the lines from the article struck me. "And the mystic in me knows if God is anywhere then God is everywhere." I read this line a few times. It is simple and powerful. And really makes me contemplate my connection to the Divine, right down to the core belief in something that powerful and omnipresent.

You see, religion has weaved an interest tale in my own history. I was raised a Roman Catholic. I was baptized and confirmed in the RC Church and attended, albeit mostly forcibly, for the better part of my youth. Yet as I learned more history and science and moved past what I was supposed to believe to how I want to believe, my connection to the Catholic traditions faded to oblivion. While I believe the intentions and underlying principles of Catholicism are good-natured, I can not look past its artificial traditions that are exclusive and damning, instead of inclusive and open-minded.

How can a woman not be as divine as a man. Why do priests in the Catholic church have to be male? Why has this patriarchal tradition held women to second class status, in both positions of power and trust in their strength to decide what is right for themselves and their bodies? The definition of catholic (lower case "c") is "universal in extent, involving all; of interest to all." At some point, perhaps at the Councils of Nicaea, the church failed to recognize this simple meaning. It failed to involve or be of interest to all. But I digress.

The reason I felt a connection to Prothero's piece is that this professor has struggled with some of the many issues I to have with religion. One reason I still struggle is my conflict with prayer. There are many times when I wish to pray and begin to even. Yet I don't know who or what to? What is it accomplishing? Thinking about it now, I don't know if there is a right answer. Perhaps just praying to myself is sufficient. Perhaps the act of silent contemplation and sharing myself with myself is okay. Perhaps the multitude of thoughts, struggles, and conflicts that I keep unshared and couped up should be openly discussed, even if its only with myself and in my "prayers."

So, like many others, I struggle to understand it all. I strive to believe in the strength and beauty of the human spirit, while recognizing the short-comings in ourselves as well.

And for now, my "church" doesn't have to be anywhere, it can be everywhere.

Vivid Dreams

This morning's alarm interrupted another vivid dream. It would seem lately that I have been having an increasing amount of vividness in my dreams. I have not tried to remember these dreams, but I have taken note of the beauty, amazement, and utter craziness of their occurrences. Recently I did a little bit of research, aka googled vivid dreams, and was not pleased with the results.

I found little other than the fact that many pregnant women experience them with the hormonal changes that occur during the pregnancy. Being that I am not pregnant, nor a woman, I am unsatisfied with that explanation. Yet, I am also somewhat reassured. I am definitely entering REM Sleep and therefore getting into the deeper stages of sleep.

Tomatoes are Back

In season, local tomatoes are back and fresh and amazing. As a kid I never appreciated the joy of a wonderful tomato. Now, it certainly is different. Summer is such a wonderful time for fresh vegetables.

Jenn had some wonderful tomatoes this weekend. Gorgeous, red, terrific. A dash of salt is all they needed, if that. But with a bit of fresh mozzarella, basil, a bit of salt and pepper, just plain amazing. Heirloom tomatoes are great and a luxury. But even the standard tomato are wonderful too, if they're local and fresh. And I'm the person in the store and market touching everyone and smelling the stem for odor and freshness.



This is the time of year to eat raw, fresh foods. When it's hot and humid, there is nothing like an al fresco meal. It's quick, easy, and so fulfilling.

Guess Who?

Check out the leisure suit in this picture. What were they thinking?

In Memory of Joanne Cwikla

It has been a week now that my dear friend Emily's mother passed away. Joanne Cwikla was an extraordinary woman who raised three remarkable daughters. I spent a few hours with Emily and I marvel at her strength, her vulnerability, and her love. I have many fond memories of the Cwikla family but most of all, I remember the Birthday Bear singing and Joanne with her wonderful smiling all through the song. May the spirit of Joanne live forever in her daughters and granddaughter.

Baseball with Dad

There is something about going to baseball games that bonds my dad and I together. We've been to countless number of games in my lifetime. From the one's in the Yankee stadium corporate box seats to the March sunshine in Florida's Spring Training. Baseball has been a bond that my father and I have shared for quite a while, perhaps for as long as I can remember. Like many father/son relationships, sports, and namely baseball, has allowed the father/son relationship to be uncomplicated. Despite the squabbles of my father's and my relationship over the years, we've almost always have found time to catch a game.

One of the many reasons baseball works with my dad and I is that we can talk about almost anything baseball related throughout the entire game. Or we can just sit an enjoy the green grass, the deep brown dirt, and the marvel of a round ball, a round bat, and the intense struggle control those two things, that make up the game. Last night, the three hour game seemed like a flash. I can not recall the conversations we had specifically but we talked almost the entire game. I guess I really appreciate the time that my dad and I can spend together. I appreciate the fun little facts that we tell each other. There is an enormous history of my father's youth that is encompassed in baseball and an enormous history of my youth in baseball of which my dad was all apart of. I am quite lucky in that regards.

I remember when I was a little squirt in Pee Wee ball and made that unassisted Triple Play, my baseball claim to fame. I remember my dad and I almost fighting everyday when I was 13 and he was coaching my team. Yet that was one of my best years of playing. I remember the first spring training when it was just my dad and I in Florida, watching games and soaking in the sun. I have a lot of good memories of my time with my dad with baseball and hopefully more to come.

Intense Cooking

A flurry of cooking this weekend and not much sleep but it was a successful weekend. Jenn's shower seemed to go well. I was up to 1 am on Friday and then up at 6:30 am on Saturday. I finished the set-up by 12 noon and let the girls celebrate.

The Menu:

Appetizers/Hor D'oeurve
Hummus - w/ carrots, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, pita
Tzatziki - w/ above veg
Fruit Display (Pineapple, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries)
Tomato/Mozzarella/Basil Skewers
Brie with Apple/Cranberry Chutney
Cheese & Crackers

Mains
Quiche (for 20 people)
-Spinach tomato feta
-Broccoli mushroom swiss
-Spinach, mushroom, spinach, feta, tomato

Veggie/Turkey Wraps

Sides

Tuna Salad (non mayo style)
Green Mesclun Salad with pears, pecans, cranberries(or cherries- dried) with a balsamic vinaigrette
Asian Green Bean and Carrot Salad with sunflower seeds and light Asian Vinaigrette

English Muffins with Jams/marmelades

Desserts
Chocolate, Chocolate Mouse Cake - Andrea's bakery

Weird Eats

I was trying to think of the weirdest thing that I've eaten. I think its Rocky Mountain Oysters. I was 19 in Montana after my Freshman year in college. I remember we pounded some beers before we (my boys from HS) went to this bar in western Montana for the Testicle Festival. It sure was interesting and I definitely could have used a few beers to wash them down.

Foie Gras is weird to some but not me. I've had it a few too many times to call it weird. It certainly is tasty. Hudson Valley New York has some great Foie Gras.

Escargot are too tasty to be weird. Cherry Tomatoes stuffed with escargot with a Pernod Butter. Oh my great.

Thoughts?

Green Beans

Green beans are one of my favorite vegetables. Actually I like pretty much every vegetable. They also happen to be super easy to make. I really like the French Variety, Haricot Vert (remember the French don't pronounce the t at the end).

I am making a recipe this weekend that is Asian inspired. It is Asian Green Beans with Carrot and a light Peanut Sauce.

Ingredients:
Green Beans (pound or so)
One Large Carrot
Chunky Peanut butter
Soy Sauce
Vegetable Oil
Toasted Sesame Oil
Rice Wine Vinegar
Sesame Seeds
Green Onion (Scallion)

First you trim the green beans. You only want to remove the end that was attached to the actual plant. In the picture below its the end on the lower left.

I'll blanch the green beans very quickly in boiling water (a minute or so depending on their size) then immediately cool in an ice/water bath to stop the cooking. They should be bright green.

Peel the carrot and julienne. I will use my mandoline.

To make the peanut sauce, use a heaping spoonful of peanut butter (I only have chunky in my cabinet, and prefer it because it adds some crunch). Add about a table spoon of soy sauce, vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil. Then whisk in the rice wine vinegar until a smooth consistency that will coat a spoon but is not too thick. Unlike normal vinaigrettes that start thin with the goal of thicker, this sauce starts really thick and you thin it out.

I toast sesame seeds in a heavy bottom skillet. I would use medium heat and keep a really close eye on them. Swirl the pan and toss the seeds frequently. They'll turn a slight brown fairly quickly (but also go to burned fast as well). I also really thinly slice the green onion on a bias (angle) and set aside for garnish.

So just toss the beans and carrot with the peanut sauce and remember not to over dress the veggies. Top with the toasted sesame seeds and green onion.

Vinaigrette

I have been making my own salad dressings, namely vinaigrettes for years now. I really am always disappointed with the pre-made junk you get at the store. Having worked in a professional kitchen and worked the garde manger station (cold station) for many a dinner service, I made all of our dressings. From Blue Cheese to Balsamic Vin, from Sherry Shallot to a Warm Red Wine, Panceta Vinaigrette. It's fun, tastier, and easy. Just pick flavors you like.

Here are a few recipes. Remember though I do it all by eye and taste. You have to taste everything, preferably with a few leaves of lettuce. Let me also say I love the acidic side of vinaigrettes.



Classic Mustard Vinaigrette:

This super simple recipe is a summer classic that works well on a house salad, on potato salad, and pretty much my go to recipe, because I always have most of the ingredients around.

Ingredients:
Mustard (Brown or Dijon)
Vinegar (Cider, Champagne, White, Red Wine)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (although there are so many great oils that are out there, i.e., sesame oil)
Garlic (Fresh chopped preferred, but dried, granulated works)
Salt (little if any)
Pepper (i love pepper, but a few fresh grinds are good)
Fresh Herbs (if you have them, Chives, Parsley, Thyme are all great and add great color)

Option 1 (Old School):
So add the mustard and vinegar to the bowl with the garlic, salt and pepper, herbs. mix thoroughly with a whisk.
Slowly drizzle in olive oil. If you are pouring directly from a bottle you bought, hold a finger over the end to slow the flow. You want to add the oil slowly so that it incorporates almost instantly, if it appears "oily" slow down the oil.
(TIP: if you are using a metal bowl that moves easily when whisking, wrap a kitchen towel into a ring around the base of the bowl. This stablizes the bowl from moving too much when whisking. A damp cloth work even better).

Option 2 (Blender):
Use your blender or food processor and add everything but the oil and herbs (you can add chopped herbs at the very end for a final pulse). Open the top of the blender cap and drizzle in oil. This is easier, but I don't own a blender or food processor, and it seems silly for small quantities.

That's it. You can make some many variations of the above vinaigrette by just changing the acids (citrus juices or vinegars) or the oils.

DC to PA

Despite a lot of driving this weekend and the speed of the weekend, it was pleasurable. Jenn and Martyn had me over for dinner on Friday. We had an al fresco meal. Hummus, tabbouleh, cabbage, carrots, pita, and some other good stuff, including wine. It was relatively easy and really satisfying on a hazy and humid day.


Saturday morning, after some delays at the metro and waiting behind disgruntled customers of the rental car kiosk, I got my car for my ride up for my godson's 3rd birthday. So it was an easy drive and the rental car had Sirius Satellite radio, which was cool. The party was fairly low key and a good short time. It was also good to see my friend Chad, my godson Ethan's dad and my college roommate. He is a good person and despite the long absence we always seem to reconnect fairly easily. I guess when you live with a person for that long (almost 3 years) you develop a good bond. Their family is doing well with the addition of their second son, Grayson. So I stayed over and got some extra time with Ethan and Grayson. It was fun to play with kids and hold the 3 week old but also pleasing to hand him off when the crying intensified to screaming.



On the way home to DC on Sunday, I met Jenn and Martyn at the National Arboretum. We toured around by car a bit after checking out the herb garden section. I think Martyn and I were envious of the variety and would like to have a few them for our cooking endeavors.

Fam

Me and Jenn

Left to right, Martyn (future Brother), Jenn (sister), Ali (practically my sister).

Joan (mom)

Dave (Dad)

Emily (friend for as long as my memory serves me)

So this is the family. I love them all.

First Post:

Not really sure why I am deciding to blog now but frankly, I'm bored at work and want to. So welcome to me. I'll provide more in the days to come.