we love DC

we thought it appropriate to stay in theme this halloween with our pumpkins. you know, with our new city and all. husband's handiwork is on the right, mine is on the left. we had apple cider, caramel popcorn, and I played the "monster mash" from my iTunes to get us in the Halloween spirit. (yes, I do own that song. weird, i know.)

regardless of your political leanings (we happen to be a bipartisan household), there's nothing like living in our nation's capital in the fall. we are so blessed.

p.s.- don't forget to get out and vote!

Apple of my eye

We took an hour's drive into Maryland to pick our very own apples(!) this past weekend. Quite the concept for these two California kids. (I'm afraid to admit that as we were driving, Joe and I both realized we had never seen apples growing on trees or spinach growing from the ground.) The weather was crisp as we walked through the rows of trees to pick only the best ones. I decided this is a fall tradition I could definitely get used to.

We love you, fall. Just don't let winter push you out too soon, ok? Thanks.

Happy Birthday, Claudia!

Here's wishing a wonderful birthday to you and many more!

National Gallery of Art- Sculpture Garden

What do you do when you can't find the food festival you were planning on going to?

You buy an izze (because these Bishops can't let their blood sugar get too low), and walk around until you find something pretty, like this:

Yep, that's the National Gallery of Art- Sculpture Garden. There is so much to do in this fun little town that a short walk down the street can lead to a new adventure (or plan B, but "new adventure" sounds better). We were immediately enchanted by all of the big, colorful sculptures in the garden. (really, it doesn't take much to entertain us)

And then, just when you're ready to leave, you take another stroll. Maybe because you still can't believe that you actually live here.

Stop whatever you're doing...

And make this...

When my mom, sister and I took a tour of Europe a couple years back, we had a dessert for every country. In Italy, gelato. In France, crepes. In Germany, apple crisp.

With colder weather and apples fresh from picking, a little apple crisp was just what I craved. If healthy is what you're looking for, you won't find it here. This is a celebration kind of dessert. (And if you happen to be celebrating Christopher Columbus Day or the fact that it's Thursday, so be it. We're all about celebrating.) But it was delicious! (just ask my husband)

Caramel-Apple Crisp (makes 8 to 10 servings)

Topping:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

10 tablespoons sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground allspine

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

10 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, diced

Filling:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, diced

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 Pippin or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 3/4 pounds), peeled, cut into eigths, cored (we used Golden Delicious apples that we picked up from the pumpkin patch)

Lightly sweetened whip cream

For topping: Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until small moist clumps form. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. (I love do aheads! Made for multitaskers.)

For filling: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Stir sugar and butter in large skillet over medium heat until smooth sauce forms. Add lemon juice and cook, stirring, until caramel is deep brown, about 5 minutes. (The trickiest part. Do not multitask here. It will burn very quickly.) Mix in salt, then apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated, about 1 minute. Scrape apples and caramel into 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish; spread evenly. Sprinkle topping evenly over.

Bake crisp until apples are tender, sauce is bubbling thickly, and topping is golden, about 50 minutes. Let crisp cool 15 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream. (Homemade whipped cream is best. And so easy!)

Pumpkin love

Loved this day. Love my husband. Love the little white pumpkin sitting on our doorstep as we speak.

p.s.- We went to Plaka Grill afterwards and it was the most delicious lunch we've had since we moved. I know that our readers are all home in California, but put it on your list of places to go when you come visit us. ;)

Mmmm...

Joe says the first time he came over to my apartment when we first started dating, all I had in my fridge was sour milk. (Maybe that's why he smells the milk everytime after taking it out of the fridge?)

I'm not denying nor confirming that.

But, if I do say so myself, I've grown leaps and bounds since that first little milk incident. And because I haven't started work yet (just one week left!) I've had the extra time to make some good home cookin'.

Let me present to you last week's menu:

Turkey sausage-spinach lasagna with spicy tomato sauce (admittedly labor intensive, but so worth it)

Roast pork loin with garlic and rosemary with roasted herb potato medley

Roast chicken breasts with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and paprika with whole wheat cous cous

I'm no expert, but these have all been quite tasty. (all you need to know to cook is how to follow directions, and we all learned that a long time ago) But there's something about making a Bon Appetit recipe that automatically makes you feel fancy. And most of these can be made with only one pan!

I highly recommend taking the extra time this weekend to make one of these recipes. You'll feel fancy too.

Get well soon!

(little Morgan is on the right)

Our brave girl, Morgan, got her appendix out a couple nights ago. We are so glad that she is on the mend. Having a tummy ache is the worst.

(here she is chatting with me on the phone last night)

We love you, Morgan!

And to our Madison, you are always such a good big sister. We are so proud of you.

(p.s.- Now you know exactly what Kris has been going to school so long for. All that just to give some medicine. Crazy, huh?)

Saying prayers for Joe's dad too this morning. He is having shoulder surgery. Get well, soon!

Our little date with the Big Trees

photos from our mini california trip. (i know, i know, back already...)

After two red-eyes, a crazy week at work (Joe), getting car sick on windy roads (me), and not knowing what the heck time zone we were in, a little date with the Big Trees was exactly what we needed.

Happy Birthday Mamma Llama!

(me and my mom, who's just a few years older in this picture than I am now. i love how much i look like her here.)

It's my mom's birthday today! And though we can't be at home with her to celebrate, we are wishing a big happy birthday to her from out east. I love you, Mom. Thanks for always making life one big party. I want to be just like you when I grow up.

p.s.- i love you more than chocolate ice cream. which you know is saying a lot.