glimpses.

Another successful weekend. Delicious cappuccinos sipped next to a handsome man doing his biology homework (the language lover in me would like to say cappuccini, but I will save Douglas the eye roll). A beautiful bouquet this lucky girl received in celebration of one year together (in her favorite color to boot). A frustrating trip to the mall to get some wardrobe basics (I just cannot shop without guilt and aggravation anymore). A silly lady distracting herself with self-portraits when she should be working on lessons (is my narcissism showing?).

Tomorrow is October. I cannot wait! October has always been one of my favorite months. The air is crisp and there is so much to do. My pretty, red moleskin planner is quickly filling up as the pages rapidly approach the end of 2012. Doug and I are starting our new diets soon and we've got some volunteer work and my friends' wedding in the works as well. I am very excited and just overwhelmingly happy in general. I love my Doug. I love my family. I love my life. So long, September.  I'm ready for tomorrow.  

hocus pocus.

As October rapidly approaches I find my mind buzzing with thoughts of Halloween. I have to admit, I have been a wishy-washy Halloweener throughout my life. My parents were always gung-ho about our costumes: always handmade, always hoping for an award at the village parade/costume contest. I happily went along with whatever costume they made for me... oh, except for the time when I was a princess and they made me wear one of those cone hats (I had wanted a tiara) or when they made me march in the village parade even though I said I didn't feel well and ended up throwing up all over myself. Once I got old enough to decide for myself, however, I began flaking off on originality and enthusiasm. While I love the atmosphere of the Halloween season - the hot mulled cider, the candlelit pumpkins, watching Disney's Hocus Pocus over and over again - I always lost the energy when it came to dressing up for just one night. Even through college, I can only recall making it out for one year's festivities, the other times I just felt too lazy, disinterested, or tired to participate (much to my friend Carolina's disappointment). This year, I would like it to be different. I have my sights set on a fun, festive Halloween. I love holidays and celebrations and want to do my best to embrace each one and enjoy them with the people who are near and dear to me.  Now, if only I could settle on an outfit...

I had to share this little gem with the world.  They grow up so fast.  I am sorry, James, but I had to - you are just too cute!  I promise I will post more embarrassing Wilson Halloween moments soon.  Get ready.

in the know.

I love to learn. Really, I do. For me, nothing compares to tapping into new information, challenging my brain, and engaging in an intellectual dialogue (with myself, a book, or any other poor soul who is nearby when I am feeling enlightened and ambitious).

My students (and my boyfriend, for that matter) think I am a laughable little dork for the excitement that I possess over education. I - partly in embarrassment, partly in pride - tell my kids about the time that Doug and I were sitting at our usual coffee joint in Haddonfield when I started tearing up (yes *sniff sniff*) because I was so overwhelmed by all there is to learn. I was so excited and amazed at the capabilities of the human mind that I actually started crying. Tears of joy, of course. Did I mention that I love to learn?  

And how lucky am I that I was able to become a teacher? Not only do I get to help others, but I get to help myself. My job requires that I am constantly exploring new topics and strategies, pushing my own limits and understandings, and participating in an ongoing discourse with other scholars and educators. How cool is that?! Being a good educator means making a commitment to lifelong learning, and I love the extra encouragement to challenge myself every day.

After a long day of teaching and tutoring, I come home today, not tired, but completely thrilled about what I do, what I learned today, and what I am going to learn tomorrow. This morning it was the challenges faced by colonial pioneers as they forced their way onto a new continent, this afternoon it was the declining power of the Catholic Church in the period following the Reformation, and this evening it was how to effectively write emails to parents that convey my empathy and support, while also insisting upon high standards. Another day down: mind expanded, passions ignited, insatiable appetite never-quite-satisfied. So, what did you learn today?

one year.

Tonight is Doug and my one-year anniversary. One year of hope and happiness, challenges and comforts, opportunities and adventures, learning and love. I know that I say it over and over, but I am such a lucky girl. I have found someone that I am absolutely crazy about, who actually appreciates me for exactly who I am - tears, tantrums, anxiety, and all.  It is so hard to be patient for all that is to come; I am completely over-my-head in admiration and love for this man.  I was really hoping we would get to take a picture together tonight, but busy school schedules keep us apart until the weekend.  For now, here are a few shots from the magical, exciting journey that has been the last 365 days.

 I love you, baby.  More and more each day.

Happy anniversary.

meatless, part iii

Wow! Our meatless month is really flying by. Only two more weeks on the vegetarian trial diet; I will be sure to post my general assessment once it is completed.  Doug and I are sorting out next month's lifestyle challenge.  We were originally intending to try out the "paleolithic" diet, but we are starting to worry that it will require too much pre-planning and preparation to maintain, which might be a challenge for our insanely busy schedules. So, we might be putting that idea on the back-burner.  At the moment, I am considering a gluten-free diet for next month.  We are officially finished with our vegetarian adventures next Friday, will enjoy a brief weekend of indulgence (we really want cheeseburgers!), and will begin the next epicurean experiment on October 8th.  If anyone has any gluten-free meal suggestions (that are not red-meat heavy - I'm not looking to undo all this month's work!) I am all ears.

As for now, here is our latest meat-free masterpiece.  Another recipe from my beloved Epicurious, this meal was made just for Doug, who loves corn in all forms, particularly polenta.  This creamy version of the Italian staple (daintily referred to as "grits" stateside) was a hit with luxurious mascarpone and sautéed mushrooms.  I decided to serve it with some garlic green beans (blanched and then tossed in a pan with some garlic, salt, pepper, and toasted almonds).  

Ingredients for Polenta:

4 1/2 C water

1 C coarse stone-ground grits

1/4 C heavy cream

2 T finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Ingredients for Mushrooms:

1 lb assorted fresh mushrooms, chopped (recipe calls for "exotic" types, I used button and portobello)

3 T extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, smashed

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 C water

3 T cold, unsalted butter

1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice **

1 T chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For Serving:

1/2 C mascarpone

2 T finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

**I wasn't a huge fan of the lemon flavor with the mushrooms, I think I will omit this the next time I try this recipe

Directions for Polenta:
1. Bring water to simmer in a 3-4 quart heavy saucepan
2. Add grits in a slow stream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed (about 30 min)
3. Remove from heat and stir in cream, cheese, salt and pepper.

Directions for Mushrooms:
1. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet on moderately high heat
2. Sauté mushrooms, garlic, salt, and pepper until the liquid from mushrooms is evaporated
3. Add water, butter, lemon juice, and parsley until butter melts and liquid forms a sauce

To Serve:
Top each serving of polenta with mushroom mixture and mascarpone.
Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano

And there you have it!  Super easy... admittedly a bit messy, but all the pots and pans wiped up without much effort (even the sticky polenta) and it was definitely worth it to eat a creamy, delicious home-cooked meal.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

busy day, busy me.

Sundays.  I love them, and yet I hate them. There is so much potential in a Sunday. Big breakfasts. Church services. Time with family. Outdoor fun. Relaxation. So many possibilities... that is, if you play it right. But if you are like me, then you probably save every last thing on your to-do list for this special day, and what is supposed to be 24 hours of rest, reflection, and recreation quickly turns into a day to play "catch-up." Laundry. Housecleaning. Grading and planning work put off until the eleventh hour. My Sundays quickly become the most anxiety-ridden day of the week.

If you can believe it (and why wouldn't you?), our schedules are quickly filling to the brim. Football games, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries... so much going on in addition to the normal daily grind. Tutoring jobs, union meetings. Oh, the life of a twenty-something teacher. I am blessed to have people and milestones to celebrate, extremely fortunate to have a job that not only helps pay the bills but is intellectually challenging and emotionally fulfilling. But phew! Am I tired. My goal for this week is to get enough done in the next six days that I can actually spend next Sunday exactly the way it is meant to be spent. Are you in? Okay. Go.

fresh ink.

Today, my sister and I took a trip out to Pennsylvania to get tattoos; my third and her fifth.  It was my first large, detailed design and I was a little nervous going into it but I am so happy with how it turned out.  The image came from a botanical print book my father bought me for Christmas; it is a wild French rose.  I love wildflowers, a constant reminder that beauty can be found in unexpected places.  My new epidermal embellishment, conspicuously displayed on my left forearm, will hopefully serve as a daily encouragement, urging me to look for the beautiful things that might not get their proper recognition.  I cannot wait to see what they think at school.

back to school.

Ah, yes, back-to-school night... not usually a teacher's favorite evening.  What is it that makes us so nervous about getting up in front of a room of parents?  We are performers and public speakers on a daily basis but, for some reason or another, the idea of spending a night presenting in front of parents leaves many teachers overwhelmed with dread.  I know teachers that intentionally wear all black on this particular evening in order to mask their profuse sweating.  I have met others who have fainted, thrown up, or had to call out sick.  I cannot quite explain where my own fears stem from... part of it is sure to be age difference - me, a 27 year old girl, trying to convince a group of people twenty years my senior to take me seriously as a peer, as an adult.  (Sometimes, I still have trouble thinking of myself that way.) Part of the anxiety is sure to come from those anecdotal nightmare experiences of being cornered by parents angry over test grades or term papers, but those are few and far between. Whatever the reason, it is silly.  Of course, as I should have expected in the first place, this year's back-to-school night was completed without glitch or horror story.  Parents met, courses explained, fears calmed - I am a champion!  Sure there were some awkward silences, sure I jumbled my words a few times, but it is over, and I think everyone left smiling.  Besides, I should be thankful that I have so many parents who have the time, resources, and interest to be able to come hear what I have to say and participate in their child's education - not everyone does.  So thank you, parents, for making my night relatively painless and for helping me help your child.  I will see you next year.

glimpses.

Just a few shots from my iPhone camera roll.  A perfect flower from the Rose Garden. A delicious pre-vegetarian snack from Jim's Cheesesteaks on South Street. A gift of pressed flowers I made for a dear friend.  A silly man who knows exactly how to make me smile.  A happy girl with a good, little life.  What does your life look like?

autumn arrangements.

The mind-numbing speed at which every day flies by leaves me continually baffled.  Here we go again, rapidly approaching the middle of another week with a seemingly-unending list of things I would like to do.  As promised, I have compiled a little collection of (not so) secret little hopes, dreams, goals, and plans.  The autumn tends to be my favorite time of year... cool, damp air that brings a strange sort of calm, the sweet smell of wet leaves and rich earth delighting my senses, vibrant colors that make me feel alive.  It is the time for learning, the time for doing, and (oh!) is there so much to do.

I mentioned a few of my most recent goals in an earlier post and I am happy to say that I have made a bit of progress.  I carry my refillable bottle, which has sadly lost its cap, around at work all day long.  My water intake has tripled, at least, and other than the constant trips to the restroom, I am feeling pretty good about that.  After a bit of investigative research, I have a couple new blogger tricks up my sleeve and am happy to be reaching a few more people out there across the cyber-sphere.  I do hope you will join us again soon (yes, you).  I have also set aside Monday evenings for some quality time (okay, and some laundry) at my dad's house.  So, all in all, I am getting a lot accomplished!  Doug and I are attempting to explore some volunteer opportunities in the NYC and Philadelphia areas, so if anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

In addition to these minor improvements I have been attempting to make, I do have some concrete goals for this season.  First and foremost, my fitness and diet have taken a serious dive.  Doug and I worked so hard this spring/summer to get into a good routine and I am sad (and maybe a little embarrassed) to admit that two weeks of the back-to-school lifestyle have robbed me of any progress I might have made (and then some).  Late nights have meant no energy to exercise and stress has made it all too easy to grab the sweets and snacks when I should say no.  I am not sure if anyone else has experience with those calorie counting applications, but apparently to lose a pound a week I have to take in less than 1200 calories a day.  Does anyone have any recommendations on how to do that without completely depriving myself of deliciousness?  I am not someone who can survive on carrot sticks and cottage cheese - I need substance!  Yesterday I mapped out a daily diet of muesli (with milk) and strawberries for breakfast, yogurt with granola and an apple for lunch, carrots and hummus for a snack, and a spinach and feta omelet with a side salad for dinner... all measured to small, one-serving portions and I still came in over my budget!  It is such a challenge staying motivated when you feel like you're failing from the get-go.  I really need someone to come kick my butt!  Any takers?

Another goal of mine for the fall is to pay off the money I owe my father.  I borrowed some money (on top of the astronomical student loans) while I was in grad school to pay for school expenses that the loans would not cover.  I am in the home stretch for repaying him, but I still have about $2,000 left to pay back.  I managed to pay off a personal loan and my credit card last spring, so I am feeling pretty good about that, but my goal is to eliminate my private debt by the new year so I can focus solely on repaying student debt (for the next 10 years of my life).  If anyone has any saving strategies they would like to share with someone who is already on a tight budget, I would appreciate the advice.

Finally, I have a dream of getting a piece of my writing published.  I enjoy writing so much and have so much to say and share that I feel like it is time to take things to the next level.  I am not sure what that level is, but I think attempting to get something published is a good place to start.  I have been looking for "calls for articles" to submit my work to and am putting a lot of extra time in on weekends to get pieces finished.  I really appreciate your support here on this blog.  When I see your comments and receive your emails it is such an encouragement for me to keep doing what I love.  Thank you for your support.  I love you guys :)

meatless, part ii

I have to tell you, Doug and I are finding this vegetarian diet pretty easy.  We just completed week number two of meatless munching and I am happy to report another successful seven days of deliciousness.  This weekend I decided to save a little money with a focus on simpler, cheaper dishes: this arugula and fontina frittata.  The original recipe was published in Gourmet magazine and can be found on my favorite site for recipes, Epicurious.  Delicious, easy-to-make, and inexpensive, I will enjoy eating this throughout the week (it made eight slices).  I chose to serve the frittata with some roasted creamer potatoes of my own recipe and a mixed green salads with cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and balsamic vinaigrette. Delizioso!

Ingredients for Purple Creamers
purple creamers (I use five per person)
olive oil
garlic powder
rosemary
salt and pepper

Ingredients for Frittata
1 garlic clove, halved
1 1/2 T olive oil
5 oz baby arugula (7 cups packed)
6 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 Fontina, rind discarded and cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Directions for Purple Creamers

1. Place oven racks on top and bottom thirds, set broiler to high

2. Cut potatoes into eighths

3. Place potatoes in a 9x9 baking pan (I used a glass Pyrex)

4. Lightly coat with olive oil and season with herbs, salt, and pepper, to taste

5. Place pan on bottom rack of oven, turning potatoes about ever five minutes until toasted on all sides (about 15 minutes)

Directions for Frittata

1. Preheat broiler (or continue on high after making potatoes)

2. Cook garlic in oil in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (I used my Le Creuset) until golden, about 2 minutes

3. Discard garlic and add arugula, stirring frequently until wilted, about 2 minutes

4. Whisk eggs, salt, and pepper until combined, then pour over arugula and cook, undisturbed, until almost set, 5 to 6 minutes

5. Sprinkle cheese evenly on top of eggs and broil on top shelf until eggs are set and cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes

Let me know how it comes out!

a work in progress.

I thought it might be nice to share a little bit of my new home with you.  As the title suggests, I am still unpacking, decorating, organizing, and purchasing new (or at least new to me) items for my apartment, but I am feeling pretty good about how the kitchen is coming together.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I am less than thrilled about the wallpaper... it is what it is, though, right?  I love having my own space to cook and experiment.  Douglas and I have already shared a handful of delicious meals at my tiny kitchen table and I hope there will be many more to come.  This vegetarian challenge has given me an opportunity to try some new dishes and learn to cook with a few unfamiliar ingredients.  This evening we ate a very delicious dinner, which I plan on sharing with you tomorrow.  I hope you enjoy the little peak into my world.

1. I am loving the lighting in my apartment.  I am surrounded with windows and we get a wonderful amount of sunshine in during daylight hours, the kitchen especially.
2. My chicken wall.  I have wanted my own chicken coop since I was a little girl playing in the hen house at my cousins' home in Massachusetts. For now, I live vicariously through these pictures.
3. I spend way too much time here.
4. This little trinket was discovered up on a rafter in the basement of my childhood home.  I have no idea where it came from originally, but I like secret little treasures, so I have held onto it over the years.
5. My beautiful Chantal kettle.  Yes, admittedly a bit pricey, but I loved the weathered patina of copper cookware and was too enchanted to pass this up.  It gives me warm and toasty feelings every time I look at it.
6. I am loving my new porcelain measuring cups I bought from Terrain as a housewarming gift to myself.

I did a much better job this weekend focusing on some of the things that I wanted to do for myself.  I am extremely proud to say that I put a lot of time and effort into getting some writing done over the past few days. Doug and I were able to hang up a little collage of photographs and artwork, making this place feel a bit homier.  We even made it to the track this evening for a nice jog in the cool almost-autumn air. Tomorrow is a holiday and we get to sleep in, so this is rounding out to be one extremely pleasant, successful weekend.  I hope yours is, too.

confessions of a workaholic.

The first week full week of school has flown by and I am sitting at the Ridgewood Coffee Company in a state of confusion and disarray.  What just happened?  It is as if the past seven days were not even real; they were here and gone in the blink of an eye.  How did I lose control of my schedule so quickly?   Why does the thought of "me time" seem to be a mere fantasy, a figment of my imagination?  I cannot believe how little I slept, laughed, or read this week.  The idea of having enough energy to go on a jog or to sit down and blog seems like a whimsical dream.  As I sit here sipping my chai and trying to regain consciousness in the blur that is my life, I am coming to a frightening realization: I am addicted to being busy.  It has always frustrated and amazed me that I never seem to have any time for myself.  Exercising.  Crafting.  Writing.  Sleeping.  I never have enough time to do the little things that bring me joy and comfort.  So, what is it, then, that deprives me of this time that I crave?  What gets in the way?  I am finding more and more that the answer really is: myself.  I get in my way.  I cram my schedule full of errands and spend so much time worrying about these silly little things that I rarely seem to get to the things that really matter.  While it is true that some tasks cannot be ignored - lesson planning, tutoring for extra money, meetings - the reality of it is that I find ways to stock up on trivial, time-consuming tasks that rid me of my ability to do what I really want to be do.  I am the epitome of an own-worst-enemy type; I play the role to a tee.  So here, readers, is a little pledge to commit a little bit more of my life to myself and the person I want to be.  Here's to more minutes spent learning and creating and less fretting and fussing over nothing.  I am good at making and breaking promises to myself, so let's see if I can hold myself to this one.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

meatless, part i

Anyone who knows me well knows I love to cook.  I love food and am interested in the culinary process from farm to table.  I do my best to ensure that the food I put into my body is sustainably produced, nutritious, and (most importantly) delicious.  I believe that food is a means of not only sustenance, but also bonding and enjoyment, and every bite ought to feel good inside and out.  I have been challenging myself to find meals to prepare that satisfy my nutritional needs while also meeting my sensual demands.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, Douglas and I decided to make vegetarianism this month's nutritional challenge.  Since neither of us are yet well-versed on the preparation of non-animal protein sources, we decided to go on a modified version of the diet and are continuing to consume eggs, dairy, and fish while we learn the ropes.  I am so happy with the outcome of our first meal; we have been eating omelets and salad for dinner for most of the week, so it was nice to have a complete dinner this weekend.  I liked this one so much that I decided to share the process with you.

I found this recipe in September's issue of Real Simple in their segment on two-night meals entitled "4 Ways to Transform Your Leftovers".  The dish is quinoa with sweet potatoes, kale, and pesto, and it was absolutely delicious.  Doug AND my fifteen year old non-veggie-loving brother enjoyed the meal, and that is saying something.  The quinoa is cooked following the package instructions (for some reason I was intimidated about cooking quinoa but it is so easy!) and the veggies were simple, nutritious, and tasty.  I cooked the vegetables in my Le Creuset oval french oven and used pre-chopped kale.  The whole process took about a half hour.

Ingredients
2 cups quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup olive oil
3 small sweet potatoes (about 1 and 1/2 lb.), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
kosher salt (1 tsp) and black pepper (1/2 tsp)
1 medium red onion, sliced
2 bunches kale (1 and 1/4 lb.), thick stems removed and leaves cut into bite-size pieces (about 14 cups)
pesto and toasted walnuts, for serving

1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper.  Cook covered, tossing occasionally, until the potatoes begin to brown and soften, 6 to 8 min.

2. Add the onion to the pot and cook, tossing occasionally, until they are tender, 4 to 6 min.

3. Add as much kale as the pot will fit and cook until tender, tossing frequently, adding more kale when there is room, 3 to 4 min.

4. Serve over the quinoa and sprinkle with the pesto and walnuts.

That's it!  It was so easy and tasted amazing.  I was so happy with how it came out, I made an even larger portion of the veggies the very next night so that I can reheat and eat them throughout the week.

Note: I have some ideas brewing for recipes that I would like to share, but am very new to food photography.  If anyone has any suggestions on lighting/technique, I am all ears.  In the meantime, please be patient with me while I learn to perfect my skills :)