Hi, there. I've been an awful blogger these past few months. So, in order to make up for that, here is what I've been up to this summer - told through the photos on my iPhone. Enjoy!
*Note: I am still obsessed with Instagram, so be forewarned that most all of these photos have been Instagramed. :)
FINALLY experienced District Taco for the first time in May at the Courthouse Farmer's Market. Who knew such good food could be made in a food truck the size of my closet? The carnitas and pollo tacos were amazing.
Tried a new dish, Chicken Chilaquiles, and discovered my tolerance for heat is not what I thought it was. HOT, but, yummy nonetheless. *Use less Adobe sauce. Just sayin'.
Dug up a favorite recipe, Spring Risotto. Still in love. The zucchini and peas are perfect in late spring, early summertime. The parmesan on top is a perfect combo.
At the end of May, early June, the Marshall family made our annual migration from DC, SC and Michigan to Outer Banks. This year we stayed in Kill Devil Hills, and it was as lovely as ever. I miss it. Nothing is better than being with family, near the water, and eating lots of food. Adam and I also celebrated our three year anniversary. Time is flying! Can't wait until next summer!
Taken at the beach house. Cooper really is a happy pup. This may have been the hundredth photo we took of these three. Yeah, Mom looks like she's over it, too. Love. :)
Oh, and we made lots of this. Dad's specialty. My mouth is watering. AH!
One of my best friends from home, Lindsay, visited DC in mid-June. She was in town for an engagement party and snuck away to play with me for a night. I was so happy to have her here for the weekend! Now, you need to get Kaley up here to finally visit, too. :)
This is just a random date night photo from some time in June. Love ya, Addy!
In late June, we had a little get together at Casey and Katie's apartment for Mary-Kate and Amber's summer birthdays (June 21 and July 5). We all brought over salads of all sorts (pasta, panzanella, wild rice, vegetable, etc.) and stuffed our faces. It was glorious.
Oh, and I made "the" cake. The Strawberry Cream Cake, to be exact. Try it, you'll die. Aren't we festive with the red, white and blue. America!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs plus 2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1 pound strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce envelope)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan, and line with parchment paper. Butter and flour paper and sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture in 3 parts and milk in 2, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Using a serrated knife, split cake in half horizontally; place bottom half, cut side up, on a serving plate.
Make topping: In a large bowl, combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar; set aside. Place 2 tablespoons cold water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with gelatin; let soften 5 minutes. Place saucepan over very low heat, and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool.
Using an electric mixer, beat cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl until very soft peaks form. Continue to beat, and gradually add gelatin mixture; beat until soft peaks form.
Arrange half of strawberries over bottom cake layer; top with half of whipped cream, leaving a 1-inch border. Cover with top half of cake, cut side down. Top cake with remaining whipped cream, leaving a 1-inch border. Refrigerate cake and remaining strawberries separately, at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Just before serving, spoon strawberries over cake.
Not sure how many of you know, but my dad retired from Pepsi in February after almost 38 years. During the last week of June, Pepsi planned a retirement party for him in Charleston. I coordinated with my mom and the wonderful party planners and ended up flying down and surprising him! It was such a fun time. This was a gift from Pepsi. It has a cooler built into the middle also. There's a grill in the background, too. Very cool.
Dad in his "roast" chair up on stage. Such great friends were able to make it for the event and the speeches were out of this world. I know it meant so much to my dad!
The gift they had made for my parents. Hilarious. Little Coop is in the back!
We stayed at the Charleston Marriott, and it was such a nice hotel. They had awesome room service, too. I would know since I had to hide in my room for several hours before the party to avoid running in to anyone in the lobby! This cheeseburger was dank, and the fries were delish. I loved how they added the okra on top. Such a cute Southern thing to do!
I got to spend a few extra days in Charleston, which wasn't so bad either. :) I wish I could have gotten a photo of everyone! So glad I got to see you, too, Cady Nell and Samantha! Can't wait for football season. It'll be here before we know it!
My sister sent this to me a few weeks after the party in Charleston. Looks like they are the same as ever. Happy Retirement, Dad! I know you and Mom are enjoying it!
Adam and I spent the fourth of July at our first Nationals game of the season. It was BLAZING hot, but very fun. We stopped by the Bullpen on the way out and ran into friends. Then we ventured in to Rosslyn to watch the fireworks from the National Mall. It was nice to spend America's birthday in the Nation's capital for once. :)
We got to see the whole fam again over the July 8-10 weekend when they visited DC. My parents chose to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary with us, and we couldn't have been more excited. This was the first time my parents and sister have visited all at the same time. On Friday, Adam and I took everyone to Fireworks for dinner and then Arlington Rooftop for drinks. Jess got to experience her first night out in Clarendon, and I'm sure she'll forever want to erase the images of singing kareoke in my living room later that night. We went sightseeing on Saturday and I finally got to visit the Newseum. Later that night we celebrated their anniversary at Circa in Clarendon. On Sunday, we went to a Nats game. It was a great weekend, and I'm so glad to see my parents as happy together as ever. Here's to another 35 years!
Dad and Adam discussing who knows what at Arlington Rooftop. :)
Other than those visitors in early July, the rest of the month was pretty low-key. I discovered my new online obesession, Pinterest. Check it out and follow me!
I literally sped through about 10 books including the Hunger Games series, and I am eagerly awaiting the movies to come out in 2012.
Harry Potter 7 Part 2 came out and I went to see it with my other Potter-loving friends, Casey, Laura and Zach. I bawled during the whole thing. It's the end of an era, and I feel like a piece of me died. I can't wait to buy it on DVD and watch it 3,48,759 more times.
I'm not sure I mentioned it, but as of April, I am one of the newest members of Junior League Washington. Casey and I attended a new member potluck two weekends ago, and met some of the new members and ate LOTS of food.
One of my very good friends, Christa, got a new job and moved to NYC this past weekend. Thank goodness it's only a bus ride away! Miss you already!
Adam and I went to Virginia Beach last weekend. I finally got to ride my beach cruiser again. I was basically running out the door as soon as we go there so I could go ride it! Here are some gross pics of me that Adam took with his phone. I am seriously sweaty and the decision to wear a huge white t-shirt was huge mistake on my part. I look hu-mungo. It did help when riding to get airflow, though. :)
Sweet ride.
Well, that's all folks. This weekend, Adam and I are once again getting out of DC. We are visiting SC for a high school friend's wedding in Lyman, SC. We'll be staying in Greenville, so I won't be able to see any Cola friends. :( I hope to get some San Jose on Friday night though!
I will, however, be back in Cola for the USC v. Kentucky game on October 8, woop! I can't believe the Gamecocks are ranked #12! With football starting in less than a month, that means FALL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!! I promise to blog regularly once my favorite season begins. Love you all!
