Saturday, April 4, 2015

What We Ate for Dinner :: Food Wine & Co

[Maya and I enjoyed the grilled calamari appetizer and the flat iron steak. My father-in-law's red snapper (that day's fish special) and my husband's duck breast were also excellent. The mixed berry cobbler and mango mousse for dessert were delectable and perfect to share for our group of six.]

Food Wine & Co
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

What I Read for Fun :: East of West, volumes two and three


East of West
by Jonathan Hickman, illustrated by Nick Dragotta
Image Comics,144 pages
graphic novel (with mature content), series, apocalypse in an alternate future

Thursday, April 2, 2015

What I Ate for Lunch :: Crepe

[Old Towner savory crêpe: ham, sautéed spinach, and caramelized onions]

Fontaine Caffe & Crêperie
119 South Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

[Afterwards, we enjoyed Japanese tea and yokan at our friend's house.]

Sunday, March 29, 2015

What I Read for Fun :: Vango: Between Sky and Earth


Vango: Between Sky and Earth
by Timothée de Fombelle
Candlewick Press, 432 pages
upper middle grade/YA, adventure, historical fiction, series

What I Read for Fun :: Roller Girl


Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Dial Books, 240 pages
middle grade graphic novel

If you liked the book, download a free e-book of the making of Roller Girl.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

What I Made for Dinner :: Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup


We're a few days from April and yet there are very few signs of spring. The weather gods teased us with a 73 degree day on Thursday, but by this morning, we were in the low-20s with the wind chill.

I could eat soup year-round, but a hearty soup is perfect for an evening like today's. I found a few new soup recipes from Damn Delicious, and I tried the Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup. My prep time is always longer than what the recipe says, so I clocked in at about 50 minutes, start to finish. But here's why: I peeled all of my potatoes, and because I used half a pound extra, I let the soup simmer for a few extra minutes. I love lots of onion in my soups, so I cut two instead of just one. And because of the extra vegetables, I used 8 cups of chicken stock.

Considering its ease and the relatively short time it requires to cook, it's flavorful and filling. I'm definitely adding it to my soup rotation.

Friday, March 27, 2015

What I Read for Fun :: Manifest Destiny, Volume 2


Manifest Destiny, Volume 2: Amphibia & Insecta
written by Chris Dingess, illustrated by Matthew Roberts, colored by Owen Gieni
Image Comics, 128 pages
fantasy/alternate history graphic novel series (rated for mature audiences but would be of interest to YA readers)