Happy Birthday to the Little One

My little brother, Andrew, turned 20 today. That is incredibly hard to believe. It seems like just a short while he ago he was calling me "Caffeine" in an attempt to correctly enunciate "Kathleen." I actually just realized the "20" part. Before I started writing this post and before I actually did the math in my head...I thought he was still a little baby teenager.


He's the one on the right yawning. This is when he still called me "Caffeine." So cute!

But nope. He's about 6'1" and almost 200 lbs. So no...he's not actually little at all. BUT, he is the baby and he will, therefore, forever be the "little one" to me. And of course, I really enjoy the irony of it all considering he is the tallest/largest of all three children.

Today, he's at a camp training to be a soldier. He recently just finished his first year at West Point and we couldn't be more proud of him.

Here's to you, Andrew! Hope you're surviving out there in the woods!


Visiting me in college.


A trip to West Point to check it all out. I told him then that I would retake this picture when he graduated, he just had to get in first!


All three of us at Andrew's High School graduation. I captioned this on facebook saying "Pretty sure he was adopted." My mom's response was "NO HE IS NOT!"



When he was a just a little Plebe at the Army vs. Navy game in Philadelphia.

a solution to homemade ice cream

I had to share this, because it directly related to my last post. I have now found a solution to currently not owning an ice cream maker. The Brown Eyed Baker solved my problem. I'm sure I could have just googled how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker, but randomly stumbling upon this post made it so much better!

So, if you're feeling adventurous and you have some (or a lot of) time on your hands and you just desperately want to make your own ice cream...I suggest you read the following from Brown Eyed Baker:

Making Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (Method A)

1. Prepare the custard base as directed in the recipe (including chill time in the refrigerator).

2. Remove custard from the refrigerator and stir with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe bowl or container (if not already in one). Cover tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight cover. Place in the freezer and allow to freeze for 2 hours.

3. Remove from the freezer and beat with a hand mixer to break up the ice crystals that are beginning to form. Cover and place back in freezer for 2 more hours.

4. Remove from the freezer and beat again with the hand mixer. The ice cream should be thick but too soft to scoop. If it is not thick enough, return it to the freezer for additional freezing time. Beat again. If the ice cream has thickened properly, stir in any add-ins at this point (chocolate chips, cookie chunks, etc.). Do not beat with the hand mixer after the add-ins have been mixed in.

5. Pour into a plastic airtight freezer container, leaving at least ½-inch space at the top. Cover and place the container in the freezer and allow the ice cream to freeze until firm.


Making Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (Method B)

1. Prepare the custard base as directed in the recipe (including chill time in the refrigerator).

2. Remove custard from the refrigerator and stir with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture to a deep freezer-safe bowl or container and place in the freezer for 45 minutes.

3. As it starts to freezer near the edges, remove from the freezer and stir vigorously with a fork or whisk, being sure to break up any frozen sections. Return it to the freezer.

4. Continue to check every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing. It is estimated that it will take 2-3 hours for the ice cream to sufficiently frozen and ready.



I also stumbled upon this gem today. So if you're up for spending MORE time in your kitchen, I highly recommend you check this recipe out from My Own Sweet Thyme.


image from My Own Sweet Thyme

This is on my list of things to do. Tofu is super versatile and I love it!

You scream, we all scream

I have a love/hate relationship with ice cream. As I've told you before, I'd much prefer a bag of chips (with cottage cheese, of course) to a pint of Ben & Jerrys. But don't get me wrong...I love ice cream. Just like you do. Sometimes...it's just amazing.

I was reading through my blog list today, and came across this recipe on Savory Sweet Life.



Is that healthy-ish ice scream? I think it might be. No, I am not a vegan...nor will I ever be, but that looks so good. Like eat-the-entire-container good. AND, it's sweet and salty. Just how I like it.

Also, I just recently had homemade ice cream at a friend's, and it was delicious. Mint Chocolate Chip. Not usually my first choice, but I definitely would have eaten her whole container had there been no one else there. True story.

So I am going to need an ice cream maker. Preferably this one:



So...if you want to buy me one, just let me know. I will send you my address.

Happy Wednesday.

I like to spend a lot of my time browsing the web. Don't tell my boss!...or any future employer for that matter. Here are a few things I've enjoyed recently...

~Awesome cupcake list. I'm not even a crazy-obsessed cupcake person, but I want to attempt to make all of these. Every single one of them. Yes, even the one with beets.

Ming Makes Cupcakes

~I want to buy all 10 of these pieces and all the other collections. Well most of them. And then actually be able to pull them off. And then go on a vacation...outside of the U.S..preferably with an infinity pool...in my own villa. The only thing I've used my passport for in a long time is the bar, because my license expired.

Vogel 10

~I wish this was cheaper. With free shipping.

MyMixGranola

~My co-worker and fellow food blogger, Sarah, recently got married, moved to Texas and left me. I miss her.

Life with B's

~I've recently become of fan of this food blog. I sort of want the writers' lives.

Food Republik

~This will, without a doubt, make you laugh a little.

Sleep Talkin' Man

~This will also, if you love Sandra Bullock.

Sandra Bullock

~I just got my first pair of TOMS. I got the Classic Navy ones. They may be the most comfortable pair of shoes that I have ever put on my feet. I'm ready for more. I'm thinking these next:

TOMS Wedges

~My aunt recently started this website in light of another aunt of mine that was diagnosed with MS. Not only do I think its a great idea, but the rocks are a great little house decoration, with a story behind them. So pray for someone, and send them a thoughtful gift that will brighten their day.

Rock and Prayer


Fun Fact:

At exactly 06 minutes and 07 seconds after 5 o'clock on Aug 9th 2010, it will be 05:06:07 08/09/10. This won't happen again until the year 3010

Turkey Salad

Miss me??

Summer is in full effect and if there is one thing I hate about DC, it's the summers. I know...I know, I'm such a debbie downer. Everyone should love summer and the sun and the long days and eating outside and picnics. Well, I do love all of that, but in DC that all comes packaged with lots and lots of humidity. And lets just say humidity and I just do not get along. The idea of sweating profusely while casually taking a stroll outside is not very appealing to me. Unless, mind you, this is all taking place at the beach...then I'm happy as a clam. However, DC is not on the beach and of course, like the extreme winter we had, it appears we may have an extreme summer (the temperatures are already 15 degrees higher than they were this time last year!). My point: I in no way want to turn on my oven in my non-air-conditioned kitchen. It's already like a sauna as it is. Not to say I won't eventually turn it on, but I'd much rather make non-oven related meals.

Here's a classic favorite...my way! Remove most of the mayo and add Greek Yogurt. Delicious...and refreshing for those really hot summer days.


Turkey Salad

1/2 lb. ground turkey
1/4 cup white onion, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup apple, diced
1/4 cup red grapes, sliced in half
2 tablespoons craisins
handful chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon mayo
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
salt and pepper
lettuces leaves (Bibb lettuce works best even though they are not used in the picture)


1. Brown the turkey and let cool in the fridge. Feel free to season it as you wish. Possibly some garlic, salt and pepper.

2. Combine all ingredients. If you want, put it all in a bowl and shake... for as long as you want.

3. Refrigerate. Or don't.

4. Eat.

Relax. That meal was no sweat.