Christmas in California

Today marks my sixth month as a Newcott. Crazy, but true. After all the changes Zack and I have been through since February 27th, I'm happy just to spend the day relaxing at the apartment, sharing a sandwich and a bottle of creme soda with the moppy-headed boy of my dreams.

Amazing Newcott Photos Edition #2

Amazing Newcott Photos Edition #1

Prom 1973

I'm really missing this guy

Georgie Fruit sitting on his beloved yellow chair.

A rainbow of colors in our kitchen.

The Secret To Tasty Hummus

I've had quite a few different kinds of hummus in my day, many of which, to be quite honest, are pretty funky. I could never really put my finger on what I didn't like, until I tried making it myself. It seems to me that the problem lies in balancing the strong nutty flavor of the garbanzo beans with that of the other ingredients. Here is my basic recipe, edited from one I found online which basically just includes a lot more lemon - simple, but effective.

Tasty (Non Funky) Hummus

-2 garlic cloves minced
-1 15oz can of garbanzo beans drained & rinsed
-1/3 cup tahini
-the juice of 1 1/2 lemons or to taste
-1/4 cup water
-1/8 cup olive oil
-1/4 teaspoon salt

Blend all ingredients in your food processor and enjoy.

Tasty tip: Add a handful of cilantro for extra awesomeness. And maybe more lemon. Yum.

Double Yellow

Behold my new embroidery & yellowed table. I used about ten coats to cover this little side table. Oh, the labor I could have saved if I'd only splurged on primer.

Slowly Growing

A couple photos from a drive to Three Rivers taken near the end of last summer. I miss the warm summer.

I Couldn't Resist

My fingernails have grown long again. That means time has passed. It's a beautiful day outside and my apartment is about thirty below zero. Zack didn't have to go into work today until 4 o'clock so we managed to fit in what felt like a full days worth of living before he headed out. There is an amazing nature trail just a couple blocks up from our apartment which we've only just recently visited, probably out of fear of steep inclines and physical exertion. Thankfully the trail is quite flat after all and ripe with the glowing green goodness of nature. I hardly believe it exists.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese

Zack and I had our first taste of bacon wrapped dates around Christmas time last year while visiting family in New York. We've both had them on our minds since then and at last we made them on Mother's Day to take to a family BBQ. They were a big success.



The recipe is as easy as it sounds and you can make as many or as little as you want.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE

-bacon (I prefer applewood smoked)
-dates
-crumbled goat cheese

Preheat oven to 500. Cut a slit through the side of each date, lengthwise and stuff a few crumbs of goat cheese inside. Then wrap half a piece of bacon (cut horizontally) around the date and pin with a toothpick. The recipe I used didn't mention a toothpick, but I found that it helped keep the bacon in place while providing an easy way to pick up the sticky, greasy, delight.
Also, some recipes recommend stuffing a toasted almond inside the date as well which I think I might try next time.


The weather has finally warmed and I am basking in the golden sunlight and fresh campy smells on walks through the neighborhood. WALKS!

Mother's day was spent at my half brother John's house. No, my mother was not there, but his was along with my sister Genevieve, Roberto the little priest, Zack, and a shelf full of liquor. I wish more family events involved martinis and cosmos. I guess that's why I moved to Oregon.

Here are some photos from the day, in abstract::

loving you is easy cause you're beau-ti-ful.

This is cool.

My mom snagged this photo of Georgie and I during her visit, aptly titled "Beth behind Georgie"

the boys

fences- my girl the horse

The door.

Perhaps a bit creepy, but still quite enjoyable I think.

NEW NEW NEW

Hello! We're nearly strangers now. I hope to amend this problem.

Here's a little recap of the last few months, in short...

I married this guy:



(^^ please do click on this photo ^^)


More to follow. So much more.