The Spice Satchel

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Beauty All Around

Even right next to my cracked cement patio, with the dirty/mossy brick wall, in the brick 3 story apartment complex, there can be beauty found. As we drink our morning coffee, with dew still on the plants. I love it when there is a reason to say, "okay, I'll be right in, I just want to take some pictures of this first." And then I love the pictures, and others do too! These moments are awesome. Here's to hoping next time I don't hesitate and miss it, to having the guts to park anywhere to get the shot, and enjoying the simple things.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

turkey it up

I think turkey may be my very favorite food! Paul and I were at the Joppatowne flea market Saturday, and we got 2 GIANT turkey legs from the Amish farmer's market there. On the way home we were discussing how to prepare them- something barbecue-y, but not with bbq sauce. My mind immediately remembered this mustard turkey recipe. I knew it was for grilling- which is not allowed at our apartment complex :( - so I figured we could just marinate the drumsticks in the sauce and cook them in the oven. I worked like a charm! We had them with spicy fried potatoes (heat olive oil, add spices- cayenne, garlic powder, black pepper- fry potatoes until about half done, stir in chopped onions, fry until done- yum!) and green beans.

I will be talking much more about this flea market in the near future!

While Paul was in CA over Easter, I also bought a whole turkey because it was such an amazing deal- $.89/pound. We made it today. A whole week of turkey is not too much turkey for me- no sir! We love fresh herbs so much, that this summer we are starting an herb garden, and I decided to start it today- since we were going to be roasting the turkey. I bought a huge rosemary bush while I was at Home Depot with Angela. Stuffed the turkey with a great big handful, drizzled it with olive oil and sprinkled it with pepper. Let cook, while basting, for 4 hours (until 180) and voila! So yummy!

Monday, May 2, 2011

photography on display!

I have 2 photographs on the big red wall at my Starbucks. !!!! I was extremely thrilled when I randomly ordered 3 large (16x20) prints from Mpix and they looked amazing! I was so thrilled I took them to work to show them off. When my store manager saw them, he said, "Those would look awesome in our store!" About a month earlier, he had gone through the process of permissions to hang up local art work- we had 2 local art pieces already hanging on the red wall. After seeing my work, he had the bulk art that was hanging in the middle of the wall removed, the wall freshly painted, and hung 2 of my photographs in the middle of the other 2 local pieces.

I even sold a copy! hooray :)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter dinner for 1

Paul is in CA for a meeting, I do believe he spent Easter helping Bitner set up his new apartment, and then getting dropped off at the hotel. I spent Easter working, it was one of the busiest days I've worked yet. Surprising, although it makes perfect sense if you think about it. After work, I put on my pajamas and took a nap, watched a movie on Netflix, crocheted and cooked dinner. I baked chicken breast- drizzled with olive oil and Balsamic vinegar, and topped with sliced onions and garlic, rosemary, basil, paprika and sage; it smelled SO good the whole time it was cooking- fresh garlic and onion roasting. And baked a potato- finger brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and black pepper. Then I steamed some green beans, poured a glass of wine, and watched another movie on the couch. Happy Easter!

steamy hot, fogs the camera lens, haha

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I never thought I would...

Right now, Paul is in Ohio, later this week he will be flying to California- all for his job. Paul is soon returning to a college lifestyle- class and a part time job. Before that happens, I want to express my appreciation for him bringing me to DC. Paul's "real" job has provided me with experiences I never would have thought I would get, and taken me places I wouldn't have expected to visit. Quitting my preschool photographer job at lifetouch allowed me to follow Paul on some business trips. While he is at his meeting I would wander around the area of the hotel, it was a great time to take some new photos and see some new places.
The first place I went with him was Arizona. His meeting was in Tucson. Then we drove the rental car up to Flagstaff, where we thought we wanted to live at the time.

Very shortly after AZ, we went to Puerto Rico. This trip was really awesome because we got to take a tour ON the Arecibo radar telescope! Plus the hotel was walking distance to the beach.

A few months later we drove to Woods Hole, MA in the Cape Cod area, where I could again walk to the beach. Of course, it was a very different beach.

The last business trip I tagged along on was to Irvine, CA. Lucky for us, we have a friend who lives in LA, Brian Bitner, so we were able to do the whole tourist thing in one go. One great, fun, exhausting day! And at the end, I got to finally meet Kunal Nayyar! We had dinner with him, WOO! (Paul and Bitner went to high school together; Bitner and Kunal studied acting at Temple, in Philadelphia, together.) Paul had already hung out with him probably 3 times, one time he brought me back an autographed photo, "Dear Cori, Paul and I had a blast!! He got drunk. -wish you were here." haha!

While I am so happy we got to take these trips together, I am also happy that Paul is soon going back to school full time, so he can get a job doing what he really wants to do- teach high school math. I am also super happy we got to take these trips because soon we won't have the money to take such trips. Life goals for us, seem to add up to us having not much money- all we want is a teaching job for Paul, a house, a garden, in a relatively small college town, and perhaps a couple kids.

Paul and Cori