168 - Mexican Tomatoes

Well, they aren't actually from Mexico... but the bowl is (from our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta). And the tomatoes are just super happy, super cute, super delicious ones from our backyard. Did I mention we ate tons of tomatoes this year? Almost every meal? And that we still have some? And that I already made multiple batches of spaghetti sauce? Mmm, it was a bountiful tomato crop for us this year! All grown in our teeny tiny urban backyard garden. Hooray!

P.S. This photo is from when Josh was "harvesting" one afternoon. We were picking tomatoes about every other day -- this bowl was only about half of what he brought in that day. For more of our harvest, check out these posts.

167 - Rainbow Cake, II

Oh. Maybe I should have warned you that there's quite a bit of bright, non-natural, non-organic, non-politically correct coloring in this post. Oops! :)

I don't know how much you know about me, color, swirls, or cake batter, but here's the deal: when they're all combined I am one happy camper. Or, um, eater. Let's just say it's really quite alright to have all those "non" things listed above, because the result is deliciously colorful and wonderfully fantastic. And really good to eat, too!

Welcome, once again, to the world of rainbow cake!

For more information on what this rainbow cake thing is all about, visit my other blog. It has the full details, recipes, and more photos. These photos are just from a rainbow cake whipped together very quickly for a friend's going-away party. While I don't have as many photos as on the (older) rainbow cake post, I just couldn't resist taking, and sharing, a few. After all: colors! swirls! cake batter!  :)

155 - The Secret Garden

Ok, our garden may not itself be a secret, but we do actually have a secret in our garden...

Yup, we inherited a grape vine. A very old, very established grape vine. And we had so many grapes this year, that even giving them away to friends and neighbors, there were still far more than we could eat. This is the first time in my life I've really had fresh, homegrown grapes on a consistent basis, and they definitely taste different -- more sweet and more sour all at once (but a sweet kind of sour). They're much smaller than the ones in the grocery store, but, um, also much better.

154 - Tomatoes Galore

Remember a long time ago, how I was telling you Josh and I have a garden in our teeny, tiny, Philly rowhouse backyard? Well. I figured it was time to give you the update. 

But I have a disclaimer: these photos are from before we left for Seattle. Meaning, in July. You still get to take a peak because, let's be honest, they look delicious, right?! Even if it is just the tomatoes, and they're not all totally ripe yet. Don't worry, there will be more -- photos, produce, and ripeness. In the meantime, just enjoy. =)

147 - Best Pizza Ever

Simply put, this is the best pizza I've ever eaten.

And, I think the thing that honestly shocks me more - I made it! Twice! Now, I'm not a bad cook, but man, I didn't anticipate I'd be the one making the best piece of pizza I've ever eaten. Though, I haven't been to Italy (yet)...

Check out the recipe (surprisingly easy, fast, and delicious) here. Happy eating!

109 - Couch Potatoes

Today was a pretty crazy, draining day (though it definitely had some good moments), and as I finally took a moment to rest on the couch, I realized I hadn't taken a single photo all day. I've been doing my best to take my camera out at least once and take a photo (or five) of something... even if it's not the photo I end up posting (like when I substitute and take a few days to post various events). I still take some photos each day, though, and it's been good practice even when I'm feeling out of it.

Today, though? Well, it just seems like the most honest and authentic thing to post this photo of how our evening's wrapping up. Josh had a good amount of credit at GameStop after he returned a bunch of games in January, so he just picked up a new game yesterday that he's pretty excited about. So, he's playing, I'm posting, and it's not such a bad way to wrap up the day.

98 - Curious Kittens

Cats seriously have the good life. At least, ours do. They get to play around, take naps, eat, take naps, get serious love and affection from humans who think they're ridiculously wonderful (that's us), take some more naps, be curious, take even more naps, be lap warmers, take still more naps... I mean, what's not to love? Our cats love people, and Josh and I totally treat give them way too much attention... so trust me, they've got it good.

Since it's been getting warmer, we've been opening the windows and doors more to get some breezes coming through. While our front/storm door is glass and doesn't have a screen (so no wind/breeze), we still have to keep it open for a few hours because, oh my goodness, our cats think it's just about the 3rd best thing in the world behind cheese and tuna juice.

77 - Asparagus Happiness

So, I know I just posted some Rita's photos... but I'm back with some more food. Sorry! But it's what I've got. =)

These are a few photos of a pasta with pancetta and asparagus dish that I made, that was SO good. The flavors were delicious together, very fresh, and totally tasted like Spring. Not to mention it was super easy to make. The recipe is up over on my "other" blog, so be sure to check it out! 

In the meantime... enjoy these, then go get some asparagus for tonight because it's back in season and fabulously good!

67 - Cat Nap(s)

Remember our kittens? The ridiculously cute, adorable, friendly ones? The ones who absolutely love each other to death and are forever together? 

Well, they're back, and just as wonderful as ever. This was the scene when Josh and I were eating lunch yesterday afternoon: 

The past few days have been considerably colder and with temperatures dipping below freezing again, we turned the heat back on. I know, it's the end of March... but I'd rather not deal with frozen pipes. Plus I think I'm probably considerably less irritable when the house is at least 63 degrees. 

At any rate, the radiators are back on, and Jack (left) and Mizu (right) have been very happy indeed. And in case you can't tell, yes, Mizu's head is resting on Jack's leg. They're just too cute sometimes. =)

38 - Happy Mugs

I like color. A lot. I also really like World Market. Sadly, the closest we come to a World Market in Philly is 2 1/2 hours. However, there are three stores within 20 minutes of my parents' house in Washington (that I can think of - there may be more). Whenever I'm home, I look to see what treasures I can find (and fit in my suitcase) to take back with me. These were one of my Christmas finds - combining my love of World Market with my great love of color:

These mugs are fabulous. I have no idea how much they actually hold, but it's a lot. We treat them much more like bowls. Cereal, soups, pasta... they've all been in these bright beauties. They sit on our counter are used just about everyday. I love how brilliantly colorful they are, and I will readily admit that there is such a joy in getting to choose which one I want to use (and that that choice can change each time).

I love these mugs, and I highly recommend stocking some in your kitchen. They're great quality, great fun, and a great price. I can't find the exact link on World Market's site, but here are some of the jumbo mugs (the same size we have), and here are some multi-color mugs (smaller, but with the same colors as ours). Hopefully they'll bring a little happiness to your winter day. 

37 - The Cabinet Cat

I've got another kitten photo for you today, since I didn't leave the house at all (Snow Day #5 in Philly today). Once again, Jack decided to display some of his genius survival ability.

I know I shouldn't admit this, but we are still unpacking a few things, and as such, have a few "empty spaces" in our house, like the bottom shelf of this cabinet. I was putting something away on the top shelf, Jack jumped in the cabinet, and when I started to shut the doors, he didn't get the message and just stayed inside. Brilliant, huh?

36 - Lava Kitties

I've been almost getting behind in my pictures -- the past week has been pretty crazy. Today I realized I hadn't taken any photos, then looked up to see these two giving their full attention to the lava lamp.

I got this lava lamp back when I was a teenager, and I have to admit, while it may not be the in, hip thing now... it is still pretty cool. Yup, I readily admit my nerdiness -- I find lava lamps fascinating. Granted, I only turn it on a few times a year (and Josh actually plugged it in this time), but apparently my cats have inherited my fascination, too. I think I'm ok with that.

27 - Cinnamon Rolls

Ooops! It officially happened -- I missed my first day. But, I did get in 26 days before it happened! That's pretty good. A 96% success rate, even. Totally a passing grade. Hum, I think I just gave away the fact that I've been a teacher and probably am still a teacher at heart. Oh well. =)

So, I didn't get a chance to post yesterday because it was our belated Valentine's Day/1.5-year anniversary celebration. I actually intentionally left my camera at home, because I wanted to be sure I was focusing on just being with Josh, instead of documenting our being together. Fair enough, right? Don't worry, I'm sure he'll continue to be in many of my photos (he doesn't really have a choice).

Today's picture is a shot of how our day of celebration started: cinnamon rolls! Now, I eat cinnamon rolls maybe... once a year? once every two years? So they're sort of a special item just to begin with. However, what makes these particular rolls even more special is the fact that I made these... COMPLETELY FROM SCRATCH. Yes, folks, it's true. I wanted to make something nice, and even though I'm semi-afraid of making breads from scratch (totally intimidating), I had everything on hand that I needed for these rolls, which is saying something, given our snowed-in condition last week. So, this is my first-ever attempt at cinnamon rolls, without even having helped someone make them, and I must admit, I think they turned out pretty darn well. They're also quite delicious, mhmm!

25 - Board Games

Josh and I love board games. This is nothing new. We also love converting our friends into board game lovers. It's a pretty fun endeavor. Above are some of the games that we've played within the past week. Yes, you read that correctly - the past week. And we played some of them twice (Small World is pretty hot amongst our friends right now). They're all pretty great. 

In case you're wondering, from bottom to top the games are:

• Tales of the Arabian Nights: a storytelling game of adventure, encounters, quests, and destiny
• Pandemic: a cooperative game where you try to save all humanity from deadly diseases (my review)
• Small World: a game of building up races -- and letting them fall, as you seek to maintain the most power in a small and crowded world
• Dominion: a deck-building, card-based game where you try to establish the best and most powerful dominion (my review)
• Super Munchkin: a crazy (funny) card game of monsters, treasure, and attempting to win -- at all costs
• Start Player: a game to determine who goes first in a game... yes, you read that right... and it's great

For some more of our favorite games, check out our board game gift suggestions from Christmas.

24 - Puff Oven Pancake

So, we've still got quite a bit of snow here in Philly... but I'm breaking the mold and going with something indoorsy. And foodsy. Sounds fun, right?

This week marks the 1-year anniversary of my friend Robin's project, The Weekly Make. For an entire year she's made something each week... ranging from Harry Potter scarves and wands, to really cute aprons and headbands, to delicious jams and other edible goodness. Her most recent make was a puff oven pancake, and in celebration of her completion of one year of making things (seriously, that's pretty cool), I am posting a couple photos of my make of the "Weekly Make" puff oven pancake. Congratulations, Robin! I'm very proud of you.  =)

P.S. To celebrate one year of craftiness, Robin's doing a giveaway! Check it out for a chance to win!

23 - Shovel Duty

We've gotten a lot of snow in Philly this year. And by a lot, I mean it's now officially the snowiest winter in recorded history. The old record was from 1996 with a total winter snowfall of 65.5". We broke that record yesterday. We're now up to 71.6" and it's only mid-February. Oh, and did I mention we're expecting another storm on Monday? Even though, everyone's out today, trying to dig out. Above and below are a few shots of Josh and one of our neighbors/pastors, Andres, clearing out the path in front of our house this morning. Maybe it'll stay clear this time... though I can't deny, I would never say no to another snow day.  =)

21 - Locked Out

As it happens, I did actually go outside once yesterday. We hadn't touched our car since Friday, since we didn't really need to use it to get anywhere we were going, but yesterday Josh had a board meeting for the school he used to teach at, and while it's not that far (about a 3-minute drive), it was too far to walk. So, we went to dig out our car.

Friends, for the first time ever, Josh locked himself - and myself - out of the car. After turning it on to warm it up, he pushed the button he thought unlocked the doors... except it locked them... so as I was going to open the back door, he closed the front door, and our adventure began. I will give it to him that in his old car, it's the opposite, and it hasn't been too long for him without that car (we've been a one-car family for about a month now, after giving his to his sister). But even so, we were still locked out of the car. With the car on. And the house keys on the same ring inside the car. I didn't even have my cell phone! Thankfully, Josh did (although he didn't have his wallet), and he was able to call Geico's emergency roadside assistance. About 50 minutes later they got the car unlocked (it was scary how easy it was for the guy to get into our locked car!), and we got our keys and normal life resumed.

Needless to say, we'll be making some key copies and distributing them to friends soon. In the meantime, Josh got to catch up with a friend (see above), and we got to huddle in cold companionship on the hood of my car for almost an hour. Isn't that how you'd want to spend your afternoon?

20 - Kitten Love

I haven't been feeling so great today, so I spent most of it inside. However, I still managed to find a couple friends... especially of the lapwarming kind. Besides acting as a mini heater, our kittens put themselves in the most unusual positions. Below, Jack is exhibiting one such example.

In the below picture, note that the foot sticking out by Jack's ear is actually one of his back legs. He's literally twisted up and around himself.

Josh decided to say hello to our little, oddly positioned trouble-maker. Cute, huh? I think I'll keep them both.

19 - Snow Church

So, above is what our street looked like OUTSIDE this morning right after a snow plow went through. Below are a few shots of what it looked like INSIDE...

We still have something like 2' of snow outside (not counting snow drifts), and since we're not quite used to this amount of snow, pretty much everything in Philly has shut down... including our church! However, while some people couldn't make it out to the physical building, we know a church isn't really a place - it's the people. So, a bunch of the people got together and we had a house-church service of sorts at our place this morning. Above you can see Yuan and Katharine, Chris and Chino, and Andres visiting with our cat, Mizu. Hooray for snow-house-church!

Oh, and did I mention that we have really cold temperatures right now (in the teens), so everything's freezing... and that we're getting another big storm Tuesday?! Oh yes, this is getting pretty fun... at any rate, there might be some more snow pictures around the next few days!

18 - Blizzard

Welcome to Blizzard 2010!  We've gotten about 18", and it's still falling. We're mostly just hibernating today, and it's wonderful. We did trek over to our friends' house a block over for a blizzard brunch, and may head over to church later to help shovel snow... perhaps I'll post a couple more shots. But above is a view from our porch, and below is part of our snowy (though previously shoveled/salted) path...