dust monsters

Ever heard of dust bunnies? Well, we've got dust monsters. They are huge, and they are growing under every piece of furniture in our apartment - the telephone table, the record player, the tea cart. It's disgusting. I want to get rid of them... I honestly do, but I don't have the time. I'm working my way through a stack of papers. And, when I'm done, that's when I'll go head-to-head with the dusty monsters.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Watched I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

delicious

Let me confess. This weekend did not start out so well. It's the end of the semester, so I've got research projects to grade and source packets to sift through. Plus, I allowed myself to be convinced by a colleague that allowing students to do an optional rewrite of one of their earlier papers was a good idea. "Hardly anyone ever takes me up on it," she claimed. "But it's a great way to help students feel as though they have some control over their final grade." 

I had 22 students take me up on the offer. So... 41 research projects + 22 rewrites + 41 final papers = unhappy Mrs. Beeton.

There were some tears on Saturday morning. But, the sunshine melted them away as well as a stern scolding from Mr. Beeton. ("If you spent half as much time working as you do crying and complaining about work, then, maybe then, you'd make some progress." He's right.) So, I sorted through the source packets of one class and then allowed myself a long walk in the sunshine.

Mr. Beeton and I headed to Georgetown. We had some errands to run, and I wanted to show him the famed line at Georgetown Cupcake. They didn't disappoint. The line was almost around the block, filled with Georgetown students and young tourists who all seemed to think MTV's next reality show was being filmed in the District. After stops at H&M for a quick return, Kiehl's, and Aveda, we decided to stop in at Christ Opportunity shop on Wisconsin and then over to Dolcezza for ice cream. It tastes as good as the photograph on the homepage and was declared, "The best date place in D.C." by a Park Slope-dwelling buddy of ours from graduate school. We each got two flavors and shared.

Then, we decided that, since the weather was so nice (and there really isn't anything quite like that first, true Spring day) that we would plant some herbs out back and grill. Mr. Beeton decided on tandoori chicken with tabouleh salad. I decided on lemonade mojitos. When we returned to our apartment, we dug in the dirt, planting cilantro and a boysenberry bush (we already have mint), grilled up our chicken, and relaxed in the hammock. Our lemonade mojitos even gave us enough energy to head down Wisconsin with our friend, The Chemist. It was a perfect night to sit out at Breadsoda and enjoy sherbet.

Summer's just around the corner, my friends.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Lemonade Mojitos

• Crush some fresh mint in the bottom of a pint glass. 
  
• Cut a lime in quarters. 
  
• Squeeze the juice of two lime quarters in the glass. Throw in the lime quarters for good measure.
  
• Add ice. 
  
• Fill the pint class a quarter of the way full with Captain Morgan's spiced rum.
  
• Fill the rest of the glass with lemonade. 
  

Tandoori Chicken Kebabs (Skewers Optional)

Compliments of the special grilling issues of Everyday Foods (July/August 2004)

Note: Mr. Beeton can recall several other tandoori chicken recipes which he has tried. He claims this one is the best.

• Martha Stewart says, "In a blender, puree 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 piece of ginger, and 2 jalapeno chiles. Add 1 cup of plain yogurt, and blend until smooth."
  
• We say, "Pour your puree in a glass pan. Dunk your chicken pieces in and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Grill and enjoy.

the incredible edible

When I was little, my Nana would make soft-boiled eggs over toast. I loved those eggs... in part because they were delicious - salty and gooey - and in part because they were a favorite of my cousin, Jill, who I wanted to be just like. In fact, before long, they became known as Jill's eggs. Only this weekend, when I was home for Easter, did I remember to ask my mom what they were really called so that I could try to reproduce them on my own. I found a recipe online, but I'm not sure that it will produce eggs exactly like my Nana made. But, it's worth the try. 

Watched Easter Parade and Inside Man.

P.S. - I survived my solo trip to New Orleans. Enjoyed walking around the French market and almost buying a Chanel purse at Saks. Sad to report, though, that I didn't venture out for any local food. I stuck with room service instead.

nola

The happy homekeeper is leaving home tomorrow. I'm headed to the National Popular Culture Conference in New Orleans to present a paper on food blogging.  Specifically, I'll be talking about the work of Julie Powell, Molly Wizenberg, and Shauna James Ahern. I secretly want to eat at the Commander's Palace, but I don't know if I'll have the nerve since I'll be flying solo. 

Keep sweeping, Martha

gifts from 1912

fuji

For some people, a robin marks the first sign of spring. Others go strictly by the calendar or the weather. This year, I'm judging by the farmers market.

Finally, after a long winter, the farmers market at Foggy Bottom opened. I'd been waiting all winter for this Wednesday delight. I was so eager that I arrived at 2 pm before they even opened (official start time was 2:30 pm). Beets, apples, tiny tomatoes, radishes, and apricot jam! I walked away with a bag full of delicious food. And, when I arrived home, I treated myself to a bagel with butter, apricot jam, and goat cheese. Mmmmm. 

This weekend, the cherry blossom festival will mark the start of spring for those of us living in DC. Mr. Beeton and I are hoping to get down for the street festival on Saturday.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Been watching Big Love.