Agave Acorn Squash and Homework...

Whew.  I made it through another homework session.  My own.  I'm taking two Early Childhood classes this semester, and after studying for the MTEL's last week, I had to focus on my real homework again.  I guess I wasn't paying attention last week, because it occurred to me yesterday that I had two papers due today.  Oops.  I just finished them both, and will be driving up to Salem for school later.  My brain hurts.

Today is my Mom's birthday.  I won't be able to see her today as she lives about an hour away, and I have class this afternoon.  I feel badly about it, but I know I can't change it.  I've left her a message, and will try her again later.  As part of her birthday present this year I'll be bringing her up to see her nieces on Thursday.  My mom is no longer driving, so the only way for her to see them is for me to go and get her.  My sister doesn't get out to see my mom much, so it will be nice.  The girls have changed so much since Mom has seen them last.  She'll be stunned.

As I take a break to write this, I'm baking my lunch in my handy dandy convection toaster oven.  This is one of my favorite inventions.  I love it because it's large enough for a whole pizza, large casserole and it cooks fast.  This is the one I have just in case you find yourself needing one.

Today's concoction is Baked Acorn Squash with Agave & Chinese Five Spice.  Yumm.  Here's a before & after for you. 

Aren't you jealous?  You can tell it's getting to be fall around here as I break out the autumn vegetables. 

I used one medium acorn squash, 1 tsp of agave nectar, 1 Tbsp of butter, and 1 tsp of chinese five spice.  Cut the acorn squash in half, then place on cookie sheet.  Add the rest of the ingredients into each half's cup.  Roast/bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until soft and caramelized.  Yumm. 

Sorry, gotta go eat while it's hot.  :)

P.S.  I miss my exclamation point.  :(

How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?

I am so relieved.  In order to be fully enrolled in my Masters program, I had to take and pass the MTEL exam (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure).  Yesterday I took the Communications & Literacy exam (both the writing and reading subtests). 

It was really weird, as a lot of the people there were there to take the exam for the 3rd, 4th, etc. times because they did not pass the other times.   I also got a lot of “God bless you”, and “Good luck” from folks, because most people don’t take the writing and reading subtests on the same day, especially not in the same 4 hour period.  But again, I’ve been trying to proceed on my Masters degree, and I can’t go any further until I have a passing score on these.  So, I pushed on...

The reading exam only took me an hour, but the writing exam took the full three hours left, and I’m still not sure that my final essay was as perfect as it could be. 

I won’t have my results until early November, but I’m hopeful that I might have passed both tests on my first try. 

I've been studying for this exam most of the last month, meaning absolutely no free reading time.  So last night I gave myself a treat.  I read the book "Love in Mid Air" by Kim Wright from cover to cover before hitting the sheets.  It was about a woman that meets a guy on an airplane and starts an affair with him.  I think I was intrigued because I've done that myself.  Okay, not an affair, but a long-term relationship.  And I still think airports and airplanes are fun places to meet people.  :) Unfortunately no travel planned yet...I might have to change that.

I was so spent from studying and worrying about the exam the past few weeks that last night I fell asleep at 11pm, and didn’t wake up today until 10am. 

Back to real homework tomorrow, but I hope you're having a great weekend.  (Oh yes, my #1 key is broken on my laptop, so my use of exclamation points is very limited.  I have realized, however, how often I used to use them.  :)  See, I wanted to use one right there and I couldn't...

The Last Summer Meal

This meal felt like the last summer meal because I used so much fresh produce.  The weather has changed here in Boston, and I'm afraid the fresh veggies are on their way out...well, that's how it felt anyway.

Swiss Chard

Yummy juicy tomatoes

Fresh Zucchini

Last week we got to celebrate my friend Kristine's birthday, and what a feast we had.  I had just a couple folks over to my house.  Kristine likes to keep her birthdays quiet.

Christie brought homemade macaroni and cheese.  I'm sorry to say I did not get a good photo of it.

I made the sides.  Here's what I decided on:

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  Sauteed Polenta Tomatoes

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  Sauteed Zucchini and Proscuitto

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  The final meal.  It was so delish :)  Oh look, there's the mac & cheese

  We celebrated with some yummy Marques de Caceres Rioja and amazingly did not quite finish the bottle.  Maybe because two of the three of us had to get up for work the next day.  (Hint:  I am not one of them.)  :)

I did get to finish it myself tonight.  Oops.  It was so good, and felt like a great welcome to fall. 

It was great to get to celebrate with Kristine and Christie.  It had been too long since we got together, and we caught up for many hours.

Happy Birthday Kristine :)

Sharing a little inspiration today...

I don't have 120 lbs. to lose, but I have about 40 lbs, so I can understand where he was. And I am impressed with how far he has come. That is why I am running a 5K in November, and a 10K in June. Change begins with one step. Whether that step is running, walking, putting away the Oreo's, crushing out that cigarette.

Please join me in my Fitness Challenge. You can make a change today.

For more information, see these posts below, or click on this month's calendar on the right sidebar:

Fitness Challenge: 5K
Fitness Challenge: 5K Week 2
Fitness Challenge: 5K Week 6

Good Clean Fun

I had a great weekend full of exercise (not the normal kind), good food, and considerable amounts of alcohol.

So today is penance.  I am up and at 'em for some some good clean fun today, starting with a Peach Green Smoothie with lots of cinnamon and chinese five spice to liven it up.  I felt like I needed some fresh vitamins, protein and a bit of a chill to get me going this morning.  You'll notice the FRS chews in the pic as well.  Can't hurt to add a little extra punch now can it?

Friday night I helped my friends Kristen & Chris move their house from one level to the top two levels.  It's funny because although they are living in the same house, we still had to pack everything to move it upstairs.  Tons of weight lifting, stairs and bending done this night.  They are expecting twins in January 2011 and need the extra space of the upper apartment. We had awesome flatbread pizza from Flatbread Co. in Davis Square as a reward.  Yummm.

Saturday I spent running errands and setting up for my friend Kevin's 40th birthday.  Sorry Kevin, now everyone knows you are 40.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.  I saw some of your dance moves last night, and you rock.  :)  Great BBQ from Famous Dave's BBQ in Portland, Maine, lots of Layer Cake Primitivo (Kev's favorite wine right now) and Vodka Tonics.  This morning I am feeling the alcohol intake...thus the penance.

I'm off for some good clean fun this afternoon.  Apple picking at Dowse Orchards in Sherborn, Massachusetts.  I'll share some photos if there is anything to share.  I haven't been to this orchard yet, so I'm hoping for a new favorite.

What are you up to on this beautiful Sunday?

Come Jam with Me :)

Fitness Challenge: Week 6!

Hi again!  Can you believe we're already into Week 6 of the Fitness Challenge?  How's it going for you?

The heat waves have finally broken here in Boston, and I find it easier to get out and exercise!  Which is a good thing!  You'll notice that I have extended Week 4 & 5's workout plan into Week 6 because I am feeling a little under the weather.  I need to keep moving, but am not in the mood to add a whole lot to my plan.

So, this week we are doing "Run 3 minutes, Walk 2 minutes 30 seconds" ten times each session.  You should be aiming for 3 times a week, and try to walk for at least 30 minutes on the other days.  You'll see that I am continuing my Saturday Day Off routine.  It seems to work well for me.  I usually have at least some sort of exercise in my day anyway, but if I don't want to there is no guilt!  Gotta love ways to remove the guilt from your life!

So, how's your training going?  Have you made a new exercise goal for yourself?  Are you finding it easier to exercise now that the weather has finally cooled off a little?  Share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

Yummy Salad

I just had to share this Yummo Salad I made one day for lunch.  It was so easy but had the best flavor.

Here's what you need:
As much Arugula as you can eat in one sitting
1/2 fresh ripe avocado
1/2 chopped cucumber, some skin removed
2 tsp minced red onion
1 oz or 1 Tbsp thinly sliced and chopped cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp of your favorite dressing (I used Sesame Tahini dressing)

Just wash, chop and mix the vegetables together.  You don't need a lot of dressing because the flavors of the vegetables take over.  The avocado was so creamy and yummy.

Enjoy :)

Simple Beauty

Lulu Beans...

Ali's Chicken Tandoori

I went to visit my friend Ali in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago.  You may know her from our shared blog, 2days2hours.  I've been friends with Ali since kindergarten, and our friendship continues.  While I was there, Ali worked half-days, so I had some time to myself.  During one of those times, I helped to get dinner together.  Ali had been planning to make her Chicken Tandoori, but ran out of time.  I had time, so I cooked.

Ali's recipe card:

But, here it is printed out:

2-3 lbs skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp vegetable oil (we used canola)
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

 Clean your chicken and cut off any excess fat or skin.  Some people love the skin, but I want the spices getting into the meat of the chicken.  Mix all of the yogurt, vinegar, oil and spices together.  In either a plastic bag or a large bowl, cover the chicken entirely with the yogurt mixture.

Let the chicken marinate for anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours.  I put ours covered in the refrigerator for about 4 hours.  Then, take it out, and place in a oiled glass pan.  Add the extra marinade to the top of the chicken.  Place into a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes.  Check them at 30 minutes, and continue scoop the sauce over the chicken as they cook.  They should be browned and have an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Serve with more fresh cilantro and a side of fresh plain yogurt.

The heat of the dish works well with the cool of the yogurt.  I'm sorry I didn't get a shot of the finished product, but here's one from Canadian Family's website.  You can see their version of the recipe here.

Shutter Sisters Symmetry

Summer isn't officially over until September 21st...

Yes, I realize it's September, but there are a few things I haven't done yet this summer.  Before summer is officially over on the 21st I'm going to try to hit some of these classics...okay, more than a few.  I could use a little help from the weather gods though. 

Aunt Carrie's Clam Cakes in Galilee, RI.  One of my extended extended family still works here.  They are open weekends through September.

Boston Harbor Islands.  Photo from nps.gov website

One last summer ocean swim.

Kayaking in Spot Pond.

Find a new harbor.  Any suggestions in the New England area?

Do you have any last minute summer plans?  Share them.

Keep Dreaming of Your Future (Past)

I went to the Brimfield Antique Show today in Brimfield, Massachusetts.  It's a world famous antique show famous for it's treasures hidden among the estate junk and dealers willing to haggle on prices.  As today was the last day of the show for the year, there were many bargains to be had.

My friend Karen and I went mostly to shoot some photography, and perchance to find a treasure we didn't know we needed. 

Antique shows make me think of the lives that the people who owned these things lived.  I often think I could be happy living in just about any situation.  I like to dream what it would be like to have owned the item, what part of my life would it be?  There are so many great characters whose stories are waiting to be told.  Will you imagine with me?  If you like my thoughts, please add your own.  I'd love to hear your stories too.

Sitting by the fire darning socks for a loved one.

Carefully tuning the radio to the dance station as I cook in my 50's kitchen.

The cupboard full of necessities.

The most important item.

Helping to unload the newest shipments at the General store.

Picking up my monthly order of ginger beer from Lunenburg...

Dreaming of the next vibrant place of exploration.

Helping to load the ropes to hoist our sails.

Marveling at the colors and life down on the docks.

Learning all I need to know in the many experiences of life.

What do you think?  I left with only a full tummy and a full memory card, but I still found many treasures.

A little macro in my day

I love the wood grain against the lightness of the sky around it.

Lost Luggage Office

Have the airlines ever lost your luggage? They did lose mine once, but found it several hours later and delivered it to my hotel. Yesterday, after coming home from San Francisco and upon arriving at Logan Airport I stood by the luggage carousel waiting for my nondescript black roller bag to show up.

As I stood there I realized that I actually wanted it to be lost.  There was nothing in my bag that I wanted to ever wear again.  I wanted the $300 or so I would get from United to replace the boring, frumpy items I had been wearing for the last 5 days.

I was so sad when my bag showed up as the last one on the carousel.

Sad enough that I've put together a couple ideas of things I would've bought with my "lost luggage" money.  I start graduate school again this week and a new outfit is in order!  I just wish I had the $300!

You can find them here, if I don't get to them first!

• Safari Jacket by Jones New York
• Eyelet Blouse by Banana Republic
• Trouser jean by JCrew
• Fossil Tabitha Flat from Zappos

I think I'm going to "shopping" in my old career closet and see what I can come up with for school.  Something a little more tailored than my sweatshirts and workout pants I seem to be sporting these days...

Swimming in the Rain

Maine Wood Shack - don't you love the colors?

This summer has been full of travels, so I'll take some time the next few posts to fill you in!

I spent a couple of days up north in Center Lovell, Maine last week.  My friend Caitlyn was in town from Montana and seeing her meant driving to Maine!  But, I was up for it! North to Kezar Lake we go!!

As a lifelong friend I get to be family for these sort of visits.  I spent my time with them kayaking, playing UNO with the 5 year olds, wintergreen gathering and swimming in the rain. 

There is never enough time for reading, napping, etc. with these folks, but I got some “me” time by capturing a few moments of peace in the rain. 

The dock in the rain.

Compound fields

The cabin at night

Caitlyn & Madison

Gathered wintergreen

Sweetness Personified

Cousins are the best