Monkey Park in Arashiyama, Japan

Fondly remembered as Monkey Mountain, this quick side trip was one of my favorite parts of our Kyoto visit.

Visitor Information: Here is an excellent link with a map and other tourist destinations in the area. We took a JR Train to get here and exited at the Saga-Arashiyama station. Our intended stop was the bamboo forest and after wandering through that park, we found ourselves at the river. There is so much to do in this area. As long as you are walking in the right direction (towards the river), you can find something to see and do without having a detailed agenda.

That being said, if you have picky eaters in your travel group, here is my advice for eating in Japan: When the picky eaters see something that they are interested in, you should probably just stop and get a snack. Even if it is not lunch time. We walked by several food stands on our way from the train to the bamboo forest and there were items that appealed to everyone. Our get-things-done tourist mentality prompted us to keep going and wait until lunchtime to get food. On our vacations, however, we frequently end up missing the lunch hour because we were absorbed in one of our side trips and forgot to keep time. I prefer being able to do this than follow a rigid schedule, but it comes at a cost. You might find yourself very hungry and searching for food only to realize you are in a district that closes down shop between the lunch and dinner hours, leaving few dining options available. As with most meals when traveling, be flexible or plan ahead are two pretty solid options.

Here are some more specific details for visiting the monkey park:

Admission is reasonably priced between between 250 and 550 yen per person (approximately $2.50 to $5.50), making this an affordable side trip. Keep in mind that you will want to buy snacks at the top to feed the monkeys. I believe it is around 300 yen for a bag of snacks; I opted for the bag of apple slices and felt there was a good amount to feed the monkeys. Do NOT feed the monkeys outside of the hut. There are a lot of them and they are really excited- and can get aggressive- about their food. You want to extend a flat palm to the monkeys so they can pick up their snack.

On the way to the feeding area, you will be walking up a mountain. It may be a small mountain, but you will want decent walking attire and should expect a lot of stairs and incline. While you are hiking to the top, you may encounter some monkeys roaming the hills to burn off some energy. Keep in mind the following rules:



      1. Don't stare at the monkeys in the eye.

      2. Don't touch the monkeys.

      3. Don't feed them outside.



     










 
I saw this sign just after I took this close up photo of my furry friend. Seconds after that picture, the monkey ran towards my phone which was pretty close to my face. I am summing this up as a monkey charged at my face. I squealed and ran away, and that was the end of our encounter, but I did not try to get that close for another photo until I was safe within the hut.

I highly recommend this stop if you are ever in the area! There is a stunning view of Kyoto from the top and feeding the monkeys makes for a unique experience.

AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary

As you may have noticed through social media over the past week, AmeriCorps celebrated its 20th birthday on Friday, September 12th. To mark this exciting occasion, celebrations and swearing-in events were held all over the country; and, being lucky enough to live in D.C. at this time, I got invited to the 20th anniversary event at The White House. (!!!) Bill Clinton (who signed AmeriCorps into action) and Barack Obama both spoke on the importance of service and shared some of the incredible work that has been done over the past 20 years through the efforts of 900,000 members. And afterwards I got to shake both of their hands and say hi. Wow. Moving on, I would like to use this post to share a little more about the AmeriCorps programs.

First, as a typical AmeriCorps member, you commit to a year of service. You do receive a living stipend and (upon program completion) are eligible for an education award which can be used to help pay off loans or cover tuition at Title IV schools. That being said, this is a volunteer-inspired position, so it is not a huge stipend. The hands-on experience you get makes it totally worth it, though. I am interested in returning to school for a reading specialist degree, and this year I am working with a group of kids in one on one literacy interventions to help them boost their reading skills. It is phenomenal practice helping kids on a wide range of levels learn how to "become even better readers" with different kinds of approaches. Other benefits for me are seeing how a public school functions from the inside and getting a feel for what works and what doesn't in classroom management and general school operations.

Throughout the AmeriCorps service year, you need to keep track of your hours and make sure you are on track to reach the requisite number by your exit date. In my full-time position and I am expected to work 40 hours each week. This is not too difficult with my school's extended day schedule, but you do need to schedule in additional volunteer work to make up for holidays, sick days, weather days, etc. I will be traveling for Christmas, so that means I need to build up all that extra time outside of my regular schedule. For me, I can get extra hours by volunteering with an after-school program at my site or by going out into the community in search of volunteer opportunities. It is preferred that we get involved at our school for the bulk of extra hours to help strengthen community bonds and support students outside of reading. There are also school functions to attend such as back to school night or book fairs. Outside opportunities for volunteering in my program are open for more literacy engagement or whatever interests you want to pursue. This service requirement provides a neat way to connect with area organizations and find a cause you truly care about.

What I didn't realize at the beginning of this program year was just how many programs fall under the AmeriCorps umbrella. My trip to the White House was a fun opportunity to engage with other members across services. Here is a brief list of some of the groups I encountered: Reading Corps, STEM Corps, Food Corps, Health Corps, Teach for America, NCCC, Habitat for Humanity, City Year, Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, and FEMA Corps. I encourage you to do a thorough search if you are interested in joining AmeriCorps to find a cause that really inspires you!

Meridian Hill Park

This outdoor space is a nice hideaway in DC when you are looking for some greenery inside the city. It is particularly special for me and my husband since it's where we got married last year. <3 Over the weekend we took a trip to Meridian Hill Park to picnic and renew our vows.

It was nice having time to explore the park this trip. One of the most recognizable features of Meridian Hill Park is the large cascading waterfall; however, there are a number of statues with varied subjects here as well. Try to make a connection between Dante, Joan of Arc, and James Buchanan. Weird. But they are all excellent works of art and make for a nice addition to a walk in the park.

The upper level of the park is lined with tons of benches, so there is no shortage of seating here. There is supposed to be a community drum circle on Sunday afternoons, but we have not made it to one of those yet. We did see a family playing with a remote controlled boat in the pond, a group playing badminton, several picnics, a few yoga enthusiasts, a couple games of Frisbee, and some crazy guys running stairs. This would be a great place to run stairs if you are looking to mix up your workout- there are plenty of them! 

Parking around here is not too bad if you can parallel park moderately well. We have been lucky enough to find a spot on W street both times but as we drove around the park on the way home, we noticed plenty of spots on the hilly perimeter. The U Street metro station is also within walking distance if you would prefer to leave the car at home.

PS There are clean public restrooms on site.

The Book Thing

The other day I heard a brief whisper of a magical place from another teacher. Since the first graders were intently focused on math, I didn't want to disrupt their progress with my sheer excitement, so I bottled it up and waited until I got home.

Had she really said there was a place where you could go and get up to 150,000 books for FREE? Yes! It's called The Book Thing. The simple mission of this volunteer-run organization is "putting unwanted books into the hands of those who want them." In Baltimore, MD an old, simple warehouse is a temporary home for tons of free books that are constantly flowing in and out of its doors.  Inside are rows of shelves filled with loosely organized categories of books, and yes, you really can take as many as you want. The "store" is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9-6. They do accept donations and, of course, more books.

Here is my haul of 81 books from this weekend! Most of them are going to help supplement the library at my AmeriCorps service site. I plan to return and stock up on more early chapter books that I can give out as graduation presents to students who exit the reading program this year. I highly recommend a trip to The Book Thing for any bibliophiles in the area. Next time E and I will have a plan to explore the rest of Baltimore, too!

Tips for visiting:

-Be sure to allow plenty of time to look. There is no alphabetical order.
-Check back in your favorite section before leaving; more books are being added while you browse!
-Bring plenty of bags or grab a box from the pile in the fiction room.
-Dress appropriately. There was no air while we were there and it was quite toasty. 
-Watch where you park. You do not want to get a ticket, so be sure to pull around to the front.

Spicy Lentil Stew

Leaping lentils! This dish is fantastic. I stumbled across the original recipe in a copy of Fine Cooking: Comfort Food and had so much fun making this dinner that I just kept adding more and more. My large stockpot is now overflowing with food, and for once I feel confident saying that my husband and I will both have leftovers for lunch and even a second dinner later this week. The recipe I'll post below is probably closer to 8 servings than the 12 that are on the stove right now. Keep in mind, this recipe is very flexible and you can always add more vegetables or seasonings to suit your tastes. I encourage you to sample as you cook!

Spicy Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

- olive oil
- 2 yellow onions, diced
- 1 heaping teaspoon of curry powder
- 1 heaping teaspoon of garam masala 
- 3+ stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 bag of shredded carrots
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 bag of lentils (any color)
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 to 2 lbs of chicken thighs, sliced in 1-2" pieces (optional)
- several splashes of lemon juice
- fresh ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 box of plain couscous

Directions:

1. In a large stockpot, saute 2 yellow onions in a generous amount of olive oil. When onions are translucent, add in curry powder and garam masala. Stir until onions are evenly coated.

2. Add ingredients celery through cayenne pepper, mix well, and bring to a rolling boil. Check back in every few minutes to stir.

3. Once soup is boiling add chicken if desired, and cook about 30-45 minutes until vegetables and chicken are fully cooked.

4. Add pepper and lemon juice towards the end and stir in half a box of couscous. Be sure to sample your stew and add more spices if needed!

Back to School and Back to Blogging

Look forward to regular blog posts again! I am back to a scheduled existence in one location, so it should be much easier to fit in weekly posts now. I have been experimenting with new recipes and will be sharing some of my favorites here. 

I also had a crazy summer full of traveling! In the past few months, I visited Alabama, Disney World, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, DC, Alabama, Japan, Tokyo Disney, and Hawaii. Looking at mileage alone, I more than circumnavigated the world in fewer than 80 days. This was never on my bucket list, but I am adding it now just because it's pretty fantastic. Warning: you will be super jet-lagged after a journey like this. I have a resulting two to three thousand photos to sort through; hopefully I will have some great ones to share with all of you! Look out for some exciting travel posts in the coming weeks.

And I am beginning another exciting phase of my life: I will be an AmeriCorps member for the 2014-2015 school year. I'll be helping K-3 students build their reading confidence and skills through a variety of one-on-one literacy interventions! Literacy is a cause I am extremely passionate about supporting and promoting. The ability to read is crucial for educational success, and everyone should be able to unlock the joy and opportunities that come from reading. Grad school has been on my mind lately, and I'm glad I'll have this year to interact with teachers, work with a reading specialist, and spend all day every day working on literacy interventions before I make the decision to go back to school. Also, this program comes with an education award to put towards future schooling. Anyway, you might see some posts about my AmeriCorps experience on here as well. In the meantime, I am so excited to start the school year and meet my students!

More coming soon.

Sarah

Summertime Salad

This sweet and simple salad will definitely have people asking for seconds! Seriously, my husband and I fought over who got to eat the last of the salad. Don't worry; we compromised, but we will now be making this as a regular weekly side. : )

 Ingredients:

-baby spinach
-broccoli slaw
-sliced almonds
-blue cheese crumbles
-low sugar craisins
-red wine vinaigrette dressing

Directions: Toss and enjoy!

DC Dinosaurs

Quick! Go see them now! At the end of April the dinosaur display is going away for part of a major refurbishment plan. A guide informed us that they won't be returning the fossil display until 2019. My friend and I made sure to soak in a lot of prehistoric fun over the weekend during our DC museum tour. Here are some of her pictures.

P.S. The Cherry Blossoms have finally reached their peak bloom. There is a new Van Gogh painting at the National Gallery. Some of the original Muppets are on display at the Museum of American History.

Christmas in Germany

Ever since the research phase of our holiday honeymoon in Germany, I have wanted to share some things to do around the country during the Christmas holiday. Many of the message boards have very negative responses towards individuals vacationing at this time since so much will be closed; however, that is just when many people have the time to take a big vacation out of the country. So, for all of you who are trying to make the most of your vacation days, these posts are for you!

from Wikipedia's Christmas market page

First thing's first. How early can you leave for your trip? If you want to see the Christmas markets, keep in mind that these are set up with the idea of shopping for Christmas, so they will be closed when the actual holiday arrives. Most of them are open until about the 22nd but some stretch to the 23rd, so look around and see where you want to go and how late the markets will stay open. Depending on when you leave for your trip, you might be able to visit one or two. I used this website to help me check dates. If you have the chance, definitely add the markets to your list. And make sure you eat while you shop!

For the 24th and 25th you want to plan your trip strategically. I think it is best to spend the actual holiday in a larger city. This improves the chances of having some food options available. If you are staying in a place where you can cook your own dinner, just make sure you do your shopping early. Most businesses seem to close by 2:00pm on the 24th. I would recommend staying in a hotel that offers dinner on these nights in case you can't find anything. We managed to avoid hotel dinner both nights, but we did have to do a lot of walking on the 24th to find a restaurant. That brings me to the next consideration. Pick a location that is walking-friendly. You want to be in the middle of a city where you can walk to restaurants, historical sites, churches, statues, trails, train stations, etc. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes and plenty of warm layers. In the evening, consider visiting Christmas services at one of the old churches or schedule a night at the opera.

On the 26th some of the museums and sites will be opened again. Even though every tourist stop won't be open, the day is not a loss. Consider how many museums and historical sites you will be able to visit and appreciate in one day. You can spend more time enjoying a few locations instead of rushing all over. Based on the openings, consider what you want to see and where you want to go. Come up with the best blend of both and there is no reason you can't fully enjoy this day.

By the 27th everything should be open again, so set out to those sites you wanted to visit earlier in the week! I suggest exploring at least one castle on your trip. I will share specific details from our own travel itinerary in the coming posts. Good luck with your vacation plans!

Sarah

P.S. If you choose to travel by trains, travel routes and times require careful consideration. We had a great time using trains to get around, but I strongly advise planning your route ahead of time. Check out these two posts on how to make the most of German train travel. Saving Money and Getting Around

My First 5K

I have never been much of a finisher. I have tons of big ideas which are great for starting projects, but somewhere along the way I lose focus and my dedication dwindles. This happened again with my running goals. Over the summer I began Couch to 5K and loved it. The program provided the perfect way for me to ease into running, and I really enjoyed the steady improvements I made each week. Then life happened, my schedule got derailed, and it became much harder to motivate myself to run.

Fast forward- I now want to get back into running so I can be healthier, have an outlet for my job stress, focus on something other than missing my husband, and finally run a 5K. The biggest problem now is starting! I'm pretty sure everyone gets into that "I'll start tomorrow" mentality at some point. Right? Pushing past it is sometimes more difficult than the task on the other side, so I decided to take a new approach and start at the end instead of the beginning this time. 

I woke up yesterday morning and the opportunity I needed was there, so I made a quick phone call and ran a 5K less than 2 hours later. My very first one! A $5 St. Patrick's Day run on base had been postponed due to snow. They let me run with everybody for free (no t-shirt or fancy number) so I was able to get the racing introduction I was looking for. : ) 

Time: 33:23
I feel pretty good about my time considering how long it has been since I have done much more than short sprints or light jogging. Running totally sucked, and I am super sore, but I will be racing again at the end of April and my new goal is to get my time down to 30 minutes. How do you get/stay motivated?

Sarah

Moroccan Chicken Stew

This is one of my favorite stockpot meals, and it works great for dinner parties. Preparation is simple and the smells that take over your kitchen while this is simmering on the stove are absolutely amazing. Best Pinterest find ever.

Moroccan Chicken Stew 

Ingredients:

-olive oil
-1 big yellow onion, diced
-1 yellow bell pepper, diced
-1 red bell pepper, diced
-2-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1 tsp ground ginger
-2 tsp cumin
-1 tsp coriander
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp turmeric
-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
-1 Tbsp smoked paprika
-28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
-1 lemon, zested (add lemon juice to taste)
-cilantro, chopped
-2 boxes plain couscous

Directions:

1. Cook chicken thighs in a pan with olive oil. These will be added in with the rest of your ingredients and can finish cooking while the meal is simmering, but try to get most of the cooking done ahead of time.
2. In a large stockpot, saute diced onion and bell peppers in olive oil. While this is happening, measure out spices and stir together in a small container so they are ready to add to the vegetables.
3. When onions are translucent, add in minced garlic.
4. After a minute or two, dump in your mixture of spices and stir, stir, stir. Your kitchen will smell awesome.
5. Open the can of tomatoes and add them to your stockpot. Stir. I sometimes add a little bit of water (1/2 cup).
6. Cut chicken into small pieces and add to the stockpot.
7. Bring to a boil and then turn heat to low and place the lid on while dinner simmers.
8. About 10-20 minutes before serving, zest in one lemon and add some chopped cilantro. Taste to see if you would like to add lemon juice as well. I have eaten this meal both ways. It just depends on personal preference.
9. Cook plain, boxed couscous and carefully follow "remove from heat" directions.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. It is one of my favorites- so colorful and healthy.

Girls' Night Out in DC

Since rotations keep stealing our husbands away, my friend and I decided to go out on the town for some much needed girl time. We went over to Connecticut Avenue to hang out at Politics and Prose Bookstore and then we wandered next door to Comet Ping Pong for some pizza.

 

Politics and Prose is a sanctuary for book lovers. It has that wonderful ahhhhh.... feeling when you step through the door and is one of the must-see bookstores in America. For such a large bookstore, this place loses none of the cozy, independent book-seller vibes. The book islands throughout the store are overflowing with interesting titles that bring back elementary school memories of DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read). The store features an extensive calendar of events that are free to the public. This is one of the things I love about D.C. There is a really nice collection of free stuff to do here which makes up for some of the overpriced food. Anyway, you can come out almost every night of the year for a book signing or an author lecture, and they occasionally hold multiple events in a day. Politics and Prose also hosts a series of book clubs in their store; you can purchase your book for 20% off and then come for a free book discussion with one of 20 different groups. The highlight of my trip was meeting the Espresso Book Machine. It prints books from start to finish right before your very eyes in ten minutes or less. How cool is that? I recommend printing yourself a book when you come to visit, and don't forget to check out the sale selections on the lower level!

 

Back when E and I visited R & R Taqueria, I set a goal to visit local gems featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to satisfy my inner foodie and explore the different hometowns we'll have through a career in the military. Comet Ping Pong has been next on the list for a while, so you can imagine how excited I was when I realized it was right next to the bookstore we were visiting! The photo above features the front dining area. Yes, it does look that dingy inside, but it sets the perfect tone for the laid-back pizza joint. If you walk all the way to the back, you will find the namesake ping pong tables. We were there late-ish on a Sunday night, so it was not too crowded and we had no trouble securing a table for pizza or ping pong. The main attractions on the menu are pizza and beer. Our waitress told us the bread sticks weren't that great when we were looking at appetizers, but the pizza came highly recommended. Prices are $14 for a specialty personal-sized pizza and they start at $8 for your basic cheese pizza with additional toppings costing $1-$4. I was a little sad at first that I would not be getting a giant pizza, but the quality more that made up for any qualms about quantity. Each pizza featured generous amounts of toppings and the crust was just right. Get the melted onions on your pizza! They are awesome. I would definitely like to go back for a longer visit and more pizza to do this menu justice.

Grownup Realizations

First, I would like to start this post by saying I was not a clueless teenager. I knew I had it good despite all the high school drama, and I was in no hurry to grow up anytime soon. During the first year of college I was absolutely terrified of getting my diploma. What would happen after the crowd of congratulations carried me out of college comfort and into the real world? Luckily, the anxiety waned as I picked a major, worked a few jobs, and moved into an apartment with my best friend. By taking those small steps during school, I got a picture of how everything could come together.

That being said, I of course had much more to learn. One of the reasons behind starting this blog was to have an outlet where I could write all about all these transitions and life lessons. However, those topics can get a little deep and scary, where desserts or craft projects are non-threatening and make everyone smile. But it is time to embrace the growth. Here are 5 grownup lessons I have learned thus far.

1. There are always dirty dishes. It's crazy! I know I make more messes when I cook food, but I still don't understand how there are so many dirty bowls and utensils. I wish I had been a bigger dish-washing help when I lived at home. Now I make a solid effort to cook and clean the kitchen when I visit my mom because she deserves it. Thanks for feeding me!

2.You finally own more than a bedroom. Congratulations. The task of cleaning it all also falls to you.  This is another no-brainer that has taken me by surprise especially now that E and I are both working full-time. As the responsibilities are piling up, I feel an intense need to get the clutter under control. The best advice I have for tackling this comes courtesy of my grandmother: clean for 15 minutes when you get home- before you sit down.

3. The government takes out a lot of money in taxes. Until recently I have not made all that much money working part-time jobs, so taxes were more of a pesky annoyance. Filled with glee about receiving my first real paycheck, my hopes were quickly dashed when I saw the "minus xxx" amount from my income. Ouch. It is still a job where I am doing what I love and earning money to support myself while advancing my career goals, so I am very grateful for that. Although, it would be really nice to get a big refund check. Just saying.

4. Months fly by very quickly. I also use the expression "Oh, I can't believe how big you are!" when I see younger relatives. Yup, it's weird. In college I had the experience of time moving both slowly and quickly. It has shifted significantly towards faster post-graduation. I would be interested to hear when this phenomenon affected you. Slow it down! Put more exciting things in your schedule to punctuate the blur. Then relive those special memories through the medium that intrigues you most. Just take time to enjoy all the good things going on around you no matter how big or small. Also, keep in touch with family regularly to head off such overwhelming reunions.

5. No one really knows what they're doing. This one scares the heck out of me. Interview an adult or few. I dare you. Ask if they know what they're doing with their lives. I have received an overwhelming number of "no" responses and "I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up." I am not entirely sure how to combat this one, but for now I have two suggestions- take control of your financial future and create personal goals. Having a handle on your finances from a young age will help you build a good credit score, stash money for an emergency fund, save for retirement, and relieve a lot of stress. Setting goals will encourage you to keep what is important to you in focus. It is easy to get distracted by the cares of day-to-day life, but you want to make sure you are taking thoughtful steps that will help you accomplish personal and professional goals. Review the list more than once every ten years. I feel very little sympathy for movie characters who realize they are nearly xx years old and have not accomplished anything on their list. You should examine those big life lists frequently so you stay motivated, happy, and fulfilled. Realize that some goals might change as you develop as a person. That is not a failure to achieve that item; it just doesn't suit who you are anymore. 

My last bit of advice to combat grownup woes:

Take time to dance it out. Figure out what helps you manage stress and clear some room in your schedule. Try not to let these details bog you down; Acknowledge their existence, develop a strategy, and carry on.

Best of luck!

Sarah

Crocheted Flower Potholders

I thought I would rekindle my love of yarn by sharing one of my favorite patterns: Fanciful Flower Potholders. This is a relatively easy project and it is a nice, portable size so you can bring it with you and work just about anywhere. Also, it looks insanely awesome and attracts plenty of oooh's and aaah's from lookers-on. To simplify this pattern further, I like to work with just one variegated Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn for the petals. Butter Cream and Countryside Ombre are two of my favorite options. These potholders make great gifts and you can customize them to match any kitchen. Here is the finished product!

How to Start a Book Club

So you want to start a book club... that's great! Do it. : ) Book clubs are a fabulous way to expand your reading list while trying new genres or authors. Also, there is a great opportunity to socialize and share your thoughts with other readers. This summer my mom and I both started different book clubs, so I thought I would write a post to encourage other bibliophiles who have been considering forming a group of their own.

1. Accept responsibility.

The first thing you need to do is realize that you are essential to making your group happen. Step up and take charge. Email your friends or spread the word among new acquaintances.

2. Decide on the style of your club.

My mother opted for the more traditional format where group members pick one book they will all read before the next meeting. This makes for easy and thorough discussion since members respond to one another's comments and delve deeper into plot or characters. With this setup you can also pick a theme to guide your selection (best sellers, award-winners, books by female authors, mystery, etc.), so consider your options and pitch them to the group. Be receptive to feedback and find out what will work well for your readers.

I chose to do something a little different with my club; we select a genre for each month and individuals pick their own book to read that falls within the chosen category. The goal with this kind of club is to encourage exploration of different types of books. If you read contemporary fiction exclusively and are unsure how to branch out, within this format you can sample a historical text, travel memoir, and
classic work of literature while building a reading list as you go. Meetings for this format are more like informal book reports with a question and answer session from the audience. If you want to research and discuss the genre you have selected, that is a great way to open one of these discussions and find a common link between the different titles.

3. Figure out logistics. When and where will you meet? How often? Will there be snacks? All of these details can be worked out at an interest meeting along with the first book selection (or few). Decide how you want to communicate about upcoming events and share information. Email lists or Facebook groups work well, but you should discuss with everyone to ensure important posts are seen in a timely
manner.

4. Start reading your new book! It is really that easy to get started. As you meet you will get a feel for the group and realize any additional details that need to be considered. Have fun!

Sarah

Greek Stroganoff

Back to my love of Greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute... I bring you Greek Stroganoff, a traditional comfort food with a slight upgrade.

This recipe comes from Pampered Chef's Power Cooking recipe collection.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can of water chestnuts (in place of sliced mushrooms)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup water
1 cup Greek yogurt (in place of sour cream)
fresh parsley to top
egg noodles

Directions:

Saute ground beef with onions and add garlic when the two are finished cooking. Then add in spices and stir thoroughly. Next, add water chestnuts/mushrooms, soup, and water. Just before serving add in the Greek yogurt and parsley. Mix well. Serve over egg noodles.

For freezer meal: Prepare this dish up until you add the Greek yogurt. Let it cool and store in a gallon Ziploc bag. When you are ready to serve this, put the frozen bag in the fridge the night before and let it thaw throughout the day. That evening warm the nearly completed dinner in a stockpot and add Greek yogurt and parsley when ready. Serve over freshly cooked egg noodles. An easy way to keep up with these directions is to write the notes on the bag with a permanent marker. This way, you will be sure to pick up right where you left off. Enjoy!

Fun Ideas for Valentine's Day (or any day)

 This is our first Valentine's Day together, married or otherwise. Between my past work schedule, his study schedule, living apart for a year, etc. we never seem to be in the same place at the right time to celebrate a holiday. We spent our first Christmas together in Germany for our honeymoon followed by New Year's Eve with the family in Alabama, so we are doing this one, too! This will be my year of holidays where I make up for lost time. Then I can go back to not caring quite so much. (Except for Christmas- it's my favorite!)

Here are some ideas for a fun night in:

1. Make a crossword puzzle or word search filled with clues from your relationship.

2. Class it up! Prepare fancy appetizers to munch on while you make dinner or dessert together. You can really dress up a Triscuit.

3. Journal. If there is a commemorative project that you have been putting off, spend time working on it together.

4. Quiz each other. Make your own questions for a DIY Newlyweds game. You can keep questions lighthearted or delve deeper to learn more about one another.

5. Make a mixed tape. Set the tone for your evening together. Is it a walk down memory lane or a night for dancing in the living room?

6. Enjoy craft time as a couple. Try to pick a project that you will both enjoy. I recommend the scrape off animal art for reluctant artists.

7. Watch a movie that is new to you. Here are some of my selections:  Robot & Frank, Amelie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Im Juli, Before Sunrise, Death at a Funeral (2007), Cherish, It Happened One Night

8. Read a book together. Revisit a childhood favorite and take turns reading out loud.

Feel free to share any of your date night ideas below! We ended up stretching Valentine's Day out over several days. It was nice taking time to do things together and squeeze in some quality time before rotation number two kicks off! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday. If your evening didn't go as planned, schedule another. When you celebrate doesn't matter nearly as who you celebrate with.

Sarah

About This Blog

I started this blog in August with no real plan other than to start writing. As a combination perfectionist-procrastinator, I love to organize and plan the perfect project to the point where I won't start if I'm not sure I can achieve my vision. This makes it difficult to get things done. I feel the worst for all my empty journals that are waiting for a consistent theme, groundbreaking ideas, or calligraphy lessons to have their pages filled. So I decided to finally take the leap and start a blog (years later) with no theme other than I've graduated! Now what...

You may notice that a large portion of my blog is recipes. That is not the intentional direction of this blog, but it seems unavoidable. I grew up around my mom cooking, and in college I caught the cooking bug myself. I was incredibly picky when I was little, and, now that I no longer turn my nose up at nearly everything, I have a lot of foods and flavors to catch up on! Crafts, travel, and outdoor adventures make up most of my other posts. Some time soon I would like to have weekly featured topics/posts, but for now that is still in the development phase.

E and I on our first Disney getaway. 

Since August: I settled into life in DC/Maryland and married my best friend (He shall now be referred to as E. It was driving me crazy using a pronoun without an antecedent!). Life as a military and medical school spouse has been an exciting change that's brought many wonderful friends my way. My English degree is being put to good use helping kids with reading and writing, and my part-time gig has just turned into a full-time job! These next few months should be interesting as I juggle grownup duties and make time for fun. And if all goes well, I might be traveling outside the country this summer. Stay tuned. : )

Easy and Exotic Fudge

So I was having a serious chocolate craving last week when I stumbled across a new blog -VeggieBelly- and a recipe for Cardamom Fudge. It totally hit the spot. My friends and I were a little confused on how to roll the fudge into balls so we let it sit for a while and ended up using spoons to make blobs we then put on a cookie sheet. This fudge is so decadent I would recommend making fudge dots by putting your mixture into a bag, snipping the corner, and squeezing small amounts of fudge onto a cookie sheet. We split the mixture in half and made both cardamom and Mexican style fudge.

Simple Meals for Busy Schedules

This surgical rotation has been kicking our butts. We both knew it would be a hectic schedule, but after Christmas break it was a shocking jolt back to reality. With E waking up at 3:50am and coming home between 7 and 9 at night, he has almost no time to contribute to chores or meals (fortunately, he seems to enjoy his time at the hospital and finds surgery fascinating), and my responsibilities have been revving up at work as I prepare to move into a full-time position. It is an exciting offer where I get to spend more time teaching and developing workshops while getting hands-on training with the business side of things. However, we are seriously going to have to rethink our schedule.

Having a rotisserie chicken on hand is a great way to minimize kitchen time. If you carve it up to use for meals throughout the week, it is a fast way to add protein without dirtying an extra pan. As I was finishing up my grocery shopping and the commissary was getting ready to close, the loudspeaker announced $3 chicken(!) so I got two to help me out with meals this week. Here are several lunches and dinners I plan to make with it.

Quinoa Black Bean Burrito Bowl
One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf
Spinach and Fontina Quesadilla
Barbeque Chicken Salad
Oven-Baked Nachos
Sandwiches/Wraps
Loaded Baked Potatoes

The first three recipes are vegetarian meals that I would enjoy, but my husband is a meat eater, so adding rotisserie chicken is an easy way to suit both of us. The other four "recipes" are ones I will make up as I go along. I will do my best to document with pictures and upload the results here. This will be my first try with quinoa and I'm excited to see how it turns out!

15 Minute Stovetop Mac & Cheese

stir and let cook until it looks like this : )

Do you ever read the back of the box/bag in search of recipes? Every now and then I'll give it a glance over, but after today's find, I am going to be much more diligent about reading labels for both nutrition information and recipes. 

This recipe came from the back of a Lucerne shredded cheese bag. I was really excited when I found it because it was quick, easy, and didn't call for heavy cream. I ended up using a variety of cheeses I had in the fridge- mostly shredded Colby-Jack with some Fontina and Asiago.The result was fantastic homemade macaroni and cheese that required little effort or time. I will be making this again!

Ingredients:

2 cups hot water
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter
2 cups elbow noodles
8 oz (1 bag) shredded cheese
salt and pepper to taste (I added some paprika, too.)

Directions:

Add water, milk, butter, and noodles to a pan. Stir frequently. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and add in cheese. Stir and let cook until pasta is creamy. Add seasonings to taste. 

Bloglovin'

I am trying to expand my social media efforts so I can connect with more people and share my blog. Eventually I would love to interact with people in the area so I can get feedback on travel/tourist locations I share, but I would also love to hear how recipes work out for others and read how they altered dishes to suit individual tastes and preferences. We'll see how this adventure goes!

Sarah

P.S. To all my current readers, thank you for your support!

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11673735/

Healthy Enchilada Dinner

 A while back I made SkinnyMom's Sour Cream Enchiladas and loved them; however, for the past few months I have been on a Greek yogurt kick. I enjoy sour cream, but Greek yogurt has far less fat and calories while packing a punch with protein, so I have been substituting as much as possible in recipes that call for sour cream. The recipe above tastes great and is easy to follow. My only change is the cup for cup substitution with yogurt. To go with dinner I decided on a rainbow of sliced and sauteed peppers and black beans with cilantro and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

Tips for Train Travel in Germany 2: Getting Around

1. Plan out your route in advance. It sounds super romantic to go from town to town on a whim, living without cares or planning, but it is not feasible if you have a limited amount of time and specific goals for your trips. Train travel is not the same as car travel. A trip that may only take a short two hours driving could end up taking seven hours by rail depending on track locations, transfers, wait times, etc.

2. There are many useful resources to help you with scheduling. Google maps lets you look up specific dates and train times. This feature was incredibly useful; we used it before and during our trip to help plan. The information was reliable and provided a convenient way to check/alter our schedule from the hotel. At the station, there are several kiosks where you can enter your desired stop and pull up a detailed list of your best ways to get there. You can choose to print the schedule you decide on (for free) and then you have a portable reminder of where to go next and a great souvenir for your scrapbook. Lastly, when you choose to live on the edge and run from one platform to another in a panic, there are train schedules posted all around the station. Do you see a giant sheet with tons of tiny numbers and letters? That's it! Make sure you are looking at the departures for that station and not the arrivals.

3. Use the bathroom on the train. At most stations you will have to pay to use the restroom, and if you don't have coins handy, it can be a hassle. The facilities on the train are free and are most likely clean.

4. Make sure you are sitting in the right section of the train. If you did not pay for first class, you have to keep walking until you see the ones on the outside of the train turn into twos. Second class still has plenty of room to store luggage overhead, nifty coat hooks, and comfy chairs though, so you are not really missing out on anything. If it is an ICE train at a major station, be prepared to walk for a long time to reach the end of the train. Those things are huge.

5. If you can't get on the train because the doors are closed, push the button. There is a button on the outside of some (most?) train doors. Don't you wish the metro had those?

6. Lastly, be prepared to see some intoxicated teenagers if you are riding through large cities on a weekend. We were treated to a choir of Christmas carols when we arrived, and on the way back we saw some poor attempts at bowling with a drained keg. Yes, these kids brought a small keg onto the train along with cups and passed around drinks like it was totally normal. Ah, to be young. ; )

I hope some of this information will be beneficial to other travelers. If you choose to travel by train, soak in the views and enjoy the ride. The Deutsche Bahn provided a gorgeous ride through Germany and a low-stress experience.