#frankenstorm

We survived Hurricane Sandy just fine. I worked from home, and Ian walked in the door just after lunch. The rule of thumb at the office is that we're open if public transportation is running. The office closed at noon. It's the first time the MBTA has shut down service during our time here in Boston.

I watched the trees outside our window, painting wide brush strokes across the sky. Thankfully, none succumbed to the 60+mph gusts. We hoped for the best but squirreled away water in pots and pans, pulled out flashlights and candles, and stocked up on shelf-stable food just in case. We didn't even lose internet or electricity.

We know there are countless families and communities who didn't fare as well as we did — losing power, homes, businesses, entire neighborhoods. It's hard to fathom the destruction we saw on the news last night is only a few hours away from us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

the annual eye exam visit: gastronomical adventures

A few weeks ago, Ian went to Phoenix to rub elbows with other landscape architects and be part of the team accepting one of the highest awards in the profession. This happened to coincide with Dane and Micki's now annual trip trip to Boston for a yearly appointment at the Boston Foundation for Sight. He thought about skipping Phoenix, but they (Dane and Micki) wouldn't let him. So while he was schmoozing and eating In-n-Out, we enjoyed the flavors of Boston.

They arrived Saturday afternoon to overcast skies and wet pavement. After unpacking and unwinding, Micki and I took a stroll to Dorado to pick up dinner. We had our fingers crossed for some hot tortilla soup to combat the weather and Dane's cold, but with the weather waffling between two seasons, Dorado hadn't yet transitioned into their toastier soup option. But even without hot soup, you can't go wrong with Dorado, and we enjoyed football and an introduction to Breaking Bad (which I've concluded is too depressing for me to continue watching) over baja street food.

Sunday morning we slept in before grabbing breakfast at Pavement and heading to [REUNION]. Dane jumped right in after the gathering, helping out with the tear down crew (just think Dane, if you moved here, you could do that whenever you want!). Our next stop of the day was SoWa Market. Micki and I's visit two years ago was short thanks to getting lost on the T, and she wanted a redo. Also, over the past two years SoWa has blossomed as a food truck hot spot, which was a great pitch for Dane.

It was another soggy day, but not enough for a rain-out concern. But when we arrived at the SoWa parking lot, all of the food trucks were missing. We started asking arts and crafts vendors, who directed us to the farmer's market on the other side of the building (containing the vintage market), who directed us down the street to the Trolley Building. Success. Dane and Micki went straight for Lobsta Love, while I got in line for a green muenster at Roxy's (where I also impressed the order taker with my abbreviation of the day's drink as "blackberry etc. lemonade").

After lunch, Dane headed home to watch more football and make tortilla soup for dinner, while Micki and I got our shop on. We buzzed through the farmers, vintage, and open markets. We didn't end up actually purchasing anything, but we had lots of fun looking (particularly at things like shiny red boxing shorts next to a 1950s milkshake machine and a ceramic black and white poodle lamp). We also meandered in and out of shops on Newbury as we slowly made our way home to delicious soup and more Breaking Bad.

Monday after work and an eye doctors visit (everything continues to look good, pun intended) and new lens, we met up at Sweet Cheeks. (Now serving biscuits at lunch and to go, which is both delightful and dangerous.) We stuffed ourselves on biscuits, mac and cheese, and straight up good barbecue while I told them about my Julia Stiles sighting and they caught me up on Micki's appointment.

Ian arrived home in the wee hours Tuesday morning, and took the day off to spend it with them. They picked me up at work in time for our dinner reservation at Lumière. It's not cheap. It's not on public transportation. But it is committed to inventive and high quality local food, and boy does it deliver. We even got an extra dessert as an apology after a snafu with one of the desserts we originally ordered off the prix fixe menu. Most surprising dish? Concord grape sorbet with sweet cream sauce, candied peanuts, and peanut butter cookies. I didn't get that was a riff on pb&j until I had a bite.

Wednesday morning, we bid them safe travels with promises to video chat soon. And as I reflected on their weekend in Boston, I thought how interesting it is that family and food go hand in hand. There is something comforting about sitting around a table and sharing a meal, whether it's take out, homemade soup, or a three course meal. It brings people together. Makes them closer. In community group recently, we discussed Acts 2's compelling picture of the early church — full of love, support, selflessness, joy, and shared meals. It's no accident that a paragraph on true community mentions food three times.

In a culture of constant motion, I'm so thankful for time with family, laughing over dinner. And as we continue to build our community here in Boston, we will be sure to make space around the dinner table for our friends and neighbors.

Fifty is nifty (happy birthday Micki!)

I happen to have an amazing and inspiring mother-in-law. And she happens to be turning 50 today. It's kind of a big deal. So in honor of this milestone, we (and by we I really mean Dane) have a surprise for her: an inbox full of birthday wishes. If you want to join us, send an email to mickififtywow (at) gmail (dot) com.

Micki, it's your day!

cheddar dill buttermilk biscuits

We stopped in a coffee shop for a snack before watching The Dark Knight Rises with our fellow moody action movie aficionado Brett, and accidentally fell in love with cheddar dill biscuits. I have never before fully appreciated this delectable pairing. Something about the salt and crumble made the flavors shine. And so I vowed to learn the art of cheddar and dill.

I looked up countless recipes online. It was overwhelming. Not surprising, as there are probably as many biscuit recipes in existence as baking grandmothers. So I added fresh chopped dill and shredded Cabot extra sharp white cheddar to my mom's tried and true recipe. The result was more moist and less salty than my inspiration, but I'm not planning on adjusting. We shared them for a Burn Notice double date with friends, then finished the rest for breakfast the next morning.

cheddar dill buttermilk biscuits
makes a dozen

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 tbsp. fresh chopped dill
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

In a bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in dill and cheese. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk all at once. Stir the dough with a fork until it clings together.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes - DON'T OVER KNEAD or your biscuits will be tough! Roll or pat the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter (or anything that will work similarly), dipping the cutter into flour between cuts to prevent sticking.

Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 400F degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

If you don't have buttermilk (or don't want to bother), measure 2 1/4 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 3/4 c. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. You won't be able to tell a difference.

thankful list | September

01. starting the month with a Filipino breakfast (longanisa + garlic rice + egg).
02. a cleaned out and rearranged bedroom.
03. missing the wave of movers at Trader Joe's (on Allston Christmas).
04. new rug pads so we don't go flying when we step on our rugs.
05. a new shower curtain—it's like a brand new bathroom.
06. Fringe seasons 3 and 4 on Blu-Ray.
07. a tasty first attempt at cheddar dill biscuits.
08. A new pillow from IKEA (so I stop stealing Ian's).
09. sleeping under the cozy comforter again.
10. after almost 5 years, getting our wedding album ordered.
11. replacing the last of our tupperware with (cheap) mason jars.
12. college football season.
13. solid K-State wins.
14. a fun bike ride through the city with Ryan and Kelly.
15. Roxy's Grilled Cheese green muenster (I love guacamole).
16. an afternoon at SOWA.
17. Ian feeling better quickly after coming down with bronchitis.
18. A Skype call with the Vargas family.
19. Lacrae's new album Gravity.
20. a Bon Iver show with good friends.
21. Bumping into old friends at the Brian McLaren talk.
22. The ensuing conversation about faith, doctrine, and relationships.
23. A Skype call with my parents and GRANDMA! (!!!!)
24. A Sunday night football birthday party (the chatting, not the NFL).
25. a lovely evening of swapping clothes with fun ladies from work.
26. meeting Christina Rosalie in person; her book is amazing (more later).
27. a great kick-off to a new year of community group.
28. a fun (despite the loss) Red Sox date night after a long day at work.
29. the new community group curriculum on the early church.
30. a big K-State upset over OU: I am so proud of those guys.
31. a successful community group fair.
32. Ian's safe flight to Phoenix + getting to accept (for the team) a big award.
33. Company in the form of awesome in-laws while Ian is away.
34. The Tough Questions series at [REUNION].
35. Window shopping at SOWA and Newbury with Micki.
36. Dane's awesome tortilla soup.