house deception

You know that Amy Winehouse song "Rehab?" ...Right, who doesn't. Well Dave & I have been looking for houses in the MD metro area and don't mind a "fixer upper." We are up for a challenge and some hard work is worth saving some money... especially when the prices here are ridiculous! So we called our real estate agent expressing interest in what was listed as a "Rehab." Saw a picture of a 1950s farm house with 3 bedrooms and almost 2 acres.... Sweet! Let's just say they lied.

So it's pouring rain when we get there & the 1st thing we notice is a new roof... that's a promising start. But all the windows must be replaced and the darn hurricane has poured water through the frame for 3 days now... okay... I tell myself "Keep an open mind."




Hmmm... Big rotted old shed covered with years of overgrown foliage... Tear down... I tell myself "You are not adverse to some hard work."



Another poorly built workshop sinking into the ground... "Think about the big picture..." okay.


Where is the "beautiful mountain view" advertised? Oh, it's behind all those trees? Hmmm.... okay... "well atleast it isn't complete false advertisement."


The porch is rotted... "well, thats okay, we'll pull it down and rebuild."




Okay, the place has no walls... "I think this needs a little more than rehab..."


Okay, it has no floors... "I give up."


And 1950? try 1850... those are actual axe marks where the farmer chopped all these trees down to lay the bracing for the floors... Probably would have been smarter to chop down the ones that were obstructing your view if you ask me...



I mean, c'mon! Look at this door! Did they make keyholes like this in the 1950s? No. That whole ad was a big crock.


And so we went out in the pouring rain to see a house with no potential and instead risk falling through a porch and walk through a house on open floor beams... Either send in Historical Restoration or change your ad. Grrrr!

Anyway, I couldn't help but humm that Amy Whinehouse song (sort of) "They tried to make me buy a Rehab, and I said No, No NO!" I'm corny I know.

Hello...

Peek... A...



BOO!!!

Some More... S'MORE!!!

I made LD his first Smore yesterday...





Needless to say He liked it. haha!





I mean LOVED it...





He failed to eat the graham cracker but handed it back with no filling... :)



...& a cold glass of milk... MmMmMmMm!!!

Musicality

LD and I spent an hour listening to music in Borders yesterday. He loves the music section and wanders over there every time. He picks out the CD he wants to listen to, which is usually a compromise between the rows he can actually reach and those that are Mom approved!





He prefers to wear the headphones around his neck and blast the volume rather than keep them on his ears the whole time. lol.


Here he is jamming to Jason Mraz, one of my favs...



Relaxing to some Jazz.



He definitely has his Daddy's music genes and some great rhythm!

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!