Friday Night. Date Night

Tonight was Date Night. Yay!!! Since LD was sick all week I was really looking forward to the break. Can you tell how happy I am??? Does that look say "Elated" or what! I think it is more a smile of desperation... "Please, take me out, let me get out of PJs, show me a night on the town, I beg you!" HAHA



We got a late start but decided to head to the Rockville Town Center... A great spot for walking, dining and shopping...



The kids were all enjoying the fountains since it was horribly humid! All their little shoes thrown in a pile, they went in fully clothed... I was considering joining them... I may be small enough, perhaps they wouldn't notice "an adult among us"? Maybe next time...



We decided on Lebanese food and chose the Lebanese Taverna Cafe.





Looked over the menu... They mostly sell "Mezzas" or "small dishes" just like Spanish restaurants often sell "tapas."



We started with the Baba Ghannouge (eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, garlic...)


YUM!!! With their homemade flat bread it was amazing...


I ordered the Sharhat Ghannam. (Grilled Lamb, lemon and herb paste, rice & Fattoush)



Dave ordered the Fatteh. (Warm Yogurt sauce over layers of Chick Peas, Pita Chips, Pine Nuts & Chicken)



It was a small cafe but they had these great big windows so you could see into the Square.


Ohh... And did I say the bread was fabulous? I did. Well, I'll say it again. Fabulous!


Then we just strolled the streets listening to the music and admiring the twinkling lights which hung in all the trees... Evenings are the best time to come. We enjoyed the simplistic, modern architecture. Though I much prefer the older and ornate.


Then headed to our usual Book Shop for coffee, conversation and some good reads... Great Night.

Simple and Satisfying...

Sometimes I crave nothing more than homemade soup and a fresh sandwich! Not the most complicated meal but it is one of those yummy comfort foods we all love. I love to make a batch of fresh soup and it is the only way I can get Little David to eat vegetables!




It is simple...
1. Buy a cooked roaster from the food store. Break in a couple pieces and place in a pot of water.

2. Add any veggies you like (whole). I like Zucchini, Onions, Carrots, Celery. Whatever looks fresh at the food store!

3. Add whatever seasoning you like. I like a fresh bay leaf and some Italian seasoning usually.

4. Boil for a while. Presto! Fresh chicken broth! Strain it keeping the liquids (obviously, thats the broth. haha)

5. Then cut up the veggies and chicken and throw back in.

6. I like to add a can of diced tomatoes with mild green chiles, but add fresh or another flavor... I promise you, You CAN NOT screw this up :)

7. Then I season with Salt & Pepper, Toss in some small pasta and stir in chopped fresh spinach. Cook until pasta is done and there you go, Fresh homemade soup, better tasting and better for you than anything you can buy at the store.

**I like to serve it with Veggie Paninis. Crusty Fresh bread, Portabello Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Zucchini, Cheese (I like Mozzarella or Sharp Cheddar). There are a million different variations**

You can't beat this combo for a satisfying & simple meal.

The 4th in D.C.

Here are some pictures from our 4th of July in D.C.
We saw the parade, grabbed a quick bite at the Old Post Office and wandered around the Natural History Museum. Then hopped on the Metro back home. It was rainy so we skipped fireworks and watched them on TV instead.

LD on the Metro... Watching out the window...


Better view of the parade from Daddy's shoulders...


"The Big King" lol. Trying to stay out of the sun for a bit...


Exploring...


Snacktime.



Yum! Fishies!



David loved watching all the big floats and listening to the music...



















When we stoppped to grab a quick bite in the Old Post Office (lunch was a mix of Indian and Turkish with the exception of a classic hamburger), LD met a little buddy in the arcade and they enjoyed playing race car games.


Wandered around the city just enjoying the architecture and obvious patriotism...








Dave slepted on the Metro the whole ride home... Wish LD would do the same!

busy. busy.busy.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have so many things I just haven't had a chance to post yet... 4th of July in D.C., Yummy Gelato in Bethesda... Dave graduated the Police Academy. I got to pin his badge on him yesterday. Today was the big graduation celebration. I've been cooking and baking and cleaning and all that busy work that comes with having lots of company. My company left an hour ago, the baby just went to sleep and I don't even have anything packed for Wildwood and we're supposed to leave tomorrow morning... Anyway, I'll try to get something up here when we get back. For now I will leave you with a clip from Officer Sottile's graduation :)

thats amore...

Last night Dave made me dinner. Pizza! Technically I made the dough and gathered all the toppings... But He did the rest. All the forming, assembling, CLEANING!



Two were margherita pizzas... Fresh mozzarella, Basil, Tomato.


One was SouthWest Chicken with cheddar. Incredible!


The pizzas were awesome. Better than anything you can get around DC/MD. Not quite Taconelli's or Dad's Brick Oven, but it blew away everything else.



Then after the baby went to bed, we rented a movie & made popcorn. This whole weekend has been like that... Perfectly relaxing & low key!

Avid fisherman at age One..

Yes, David comes from a long line of accomplished outdoorsmen. Father, Grandfathers and so forth. True Hearty Mountain Men... And if you don't believe me, Take one look at my dad after a PA excursion: Facial Scruff, Hasn't taken a shower in days, Beaming because he will now be making Deer Chili for months to come. Yep, LD has quite the lineage, but does he have the natural talent you ask? The kid caught 6 fish on his first outing! And even though they were barely bigger than his hand, I think he has raised the bar for the fishermen of our family

















And the he resumed being a toddler and stabbing holes in the bridge with sticks. lol.

tiny dancer

He's got rhythym... & I can proudly say He did not learn these particular dance moves from me :)

cheap fun

LD & I frequented one of our favorite afternoon hot spots "Rio."


Walked out to the pier and saw the brave paddle boaters...



Ignored the signs and fed the ducks...


Played on the playground...




"Rock climbed"...


Played "Mr. I'm great at fixing things that aren't broken"...


Searched for rare bugs...


Collected vast amounts of wood chips :)


Then crashed trains and read books in the kiddie section of Barnes and Noble...
Best yet... we didn't put out a dime for an afternoon's worth of fun...