Summer vacation, 2011

The first day at my uncle's lake house we steamed live crabs. I was in the spirit of the east and decided to take apart and eat my own crab. Unfortunately the still half full box of live crabs were placed at my feet so that I could perfectly see moving legs and claw. Needless to say, I lost my appetite, but not before staining my pants with butter. Yay Virginia!

My aunt holding her second grandson. The bunny ears belong to my very mature 34-year-old cousin.

The whole gang.



 

The long drives produced a lot of rolls of hay ...



... and cool old barns ...



... and excellent signs (notice the "fried bolony").



We went on a 20-mile bike ride along a trail that was a converted railroad which followed a little river. Beautiful.

We even saw a family of deer.



We toured Duke and Emily got to add another college to her coming list of applications.





So much green! I will surely miss that, the family, and, of course, fried bolony, but it's good to be home.

The good old days

So earlier this week, my mom and I started transferring photos from our old albums to some new ones we bought. I came across these gems.

 

Mom circa 1964.

 

Dad and his brother in one of the many matching outfits my Grandma sewed.

 

Leaving the church where they were married. It's so crazy to think that they were practically my age at the time.

I love this one. It was the extent of their professional photography at their little backyard reception. Why can't things be that simple and lovely today? Oh yeah, they can be. Just let them. (Oh, and I think my dad must have been born with that mustache.)

bikinis and baking

  

It's summer and you know what that means... Jenny Craig commercials! You probably thought I was going to say something like bathing suits or the beach, but this is the time of year when those commercials featuring bikini-clad dieters are shown hardcore. But guess what? It's also time to bake and picnic and have fun without being pressured by shorts and bikinis. I've got to side with Elizabeth Gilbert on this one - let's just buy bigger pants! So, in the spirit of summer, here are two seasonal recipes to feel good about. I encourage you to enjoy the food and sun and remember that the livin' should be easy.

Ham and Spinach Crepes:
For crepes:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons melted butter

1. In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and eggs. Gradually add milk and water, stirring to combine. Add salt and butter; beat until smooth.

2. Heat lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto pan for each crepe, coating evenly.

3. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side.

For filling:

1 bag baby spinach leaves

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup water

1 leek, white part only

1/2 lb. diced lean ham

1/2 lb. cream cheese

1. Combine spinach, salt, pepper and water in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, covered, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted (7 minutes). Drain and remove excess liquid.

2. Halve leek lengthwise and rinse. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.

3. Spray skillet with nonstick spray and cook leek, covered, over medium high heat until tender. Add ham and spinach and cook until heated through. Add cream cheese and cook until melted.

Cherry Almond Cupcakes:
For cupcakes:

1 cup softened butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 1/2 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped almonds

1 cup cherry preserves

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line muffin cups.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk; beat until well blended. 

3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat into butter mixture until well blended. Stir in chopped almonds.

4. Fill liners nearly halfway with batter, add 1 teaspoon preserves, and fill with batter. Bake for 25-27 minutes.

For cream-cheese frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup softened butter

2 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Beat until smooth and refrigerate.

Why Zooey Deschanel and I should be friends

 

We both like to rock the giant glasses.

 

We both appreciate quirky romantic comedies.

 

We both have sisters who know how to get things done. (i.e. solve murders or take 5 AP classes and be in 8,000 clubs.)

 

We both know that Dorothy is a bad ass.

 

We both love frozen yogurt! Ok, who doesn't; but that would be a great first friend date. I'm just saying.

Long time, no post

I'm afraid that my blog fell into the pile of barely started journals I have hidden deep in my closet. But this is a New June's resolution - not only to avoid Kaylie's baby Voldemort scream, but also to document the changes in my life that will shortly ensue.
I was looking at my two posts and saw that the last was on November 16. What? AcDec? Was that me? I am amazed at how much has changed in eight short months. Yep, no more Great Depression or Grapes of Wrath. No more calculus. November 16th Erin was swamped with college applications and daunted by the uncertainty of the future. Ok, the latter hasn't changed. November Erin was dreaming about settling into a dorm in Portland or maybe being accepted to Stanford. June Erin knows that she will be moving her stuff a grand total of 10, 12 miles.
Up until about a week ago, I was more than a little disappointed the dreams that seemed so close in November were now an impossibility. I was disappointed to know I was going to ASU, living in Tempe. I felt as though my opportunities and possibilities had been restricted. Then I put on a ridiculous gown and added a cap and went to graduation. It seems trite, but as I sat and listened to Dahlya's speech, I realized how much I have already accomplished that was once only a possibility. And guess what? I'm excited for the future. I'm excited to go those 10 or 12 miles and discover an entirely new realm of possibility.
So, this blog will follow me to Tempe and this new life and will hopefully exist as a reminder and documentation of those perhaps not so distant possibilities.