Count Down...

17 days until we fly to California

47 days until we fly to Alaska

Time is speeding by!!!!

Some new and old traditions

Kate and I are all about traditions, particularly when it comes to holidays. Last weekend my lab had a pumpkin carving party. In the Halloween mood we had all kinds of sweets including chocolate fondue, donuts from Washtenaw Dairy (a subject for its own post), pumpkin dip for cookies, an ice cream dessert and spiced cider. Kate and I carved our somewhat traditional pumpkin, similar to last year, and the year before that too. They are always a little different, but there is definitely a consistent style. We also enjoyed a new tradition from Maryland where its common to season pumpkin seeds with a hefty amount of Old Bay before toasting, they were tasty and served as a greatsnack at work all week. Unfortunately, our indoor pumpkin got the boot tonight, slightly before his hour due to an intimate relationship with a few too many fruit flies. In the picture, our is the second in on the left.

We have also started a new tradition just recently. In an effort to push our culinary expertise and diversify our protein sources (beyond chicken, pork, turkey and tofu) we have started to have seafood on Sundays. The day really isn't that important except thatwe have time to go pick up some fresh fish and take a little extra time in planning and executing our dinner. Last week we kicked off with oven baked salmon glazed with

soy sauce and brown sugar, which was a pretty great way to get going. This week we went a little further and planned for a dish with sea bass, however we had to flex when there was none to be found. Instead we substituted some halibut and roasted it in the oven on a bed of new potatoes, fennel and onion with a little black pepper and lemon zest. And wow was it amazing!!!

This was also the first time either of us had cooked with fennel, and I think for me the fist time I have eaten the vegetable. Naturally, I had to do a little research. Using a culinary reference Hans gave me last year I discovered that fennel is actually most closely related to celery and carrots. Although it shares a similar flavor to anise, attributable to the same chemical compound, these two plants are not closely related. Anyway, botany aside, we found it to be a mild and flavorful accompaniment to the fish and I think its safe to say it will find its way back in to our kitchen again.

I hope you are enjoying your fall traditions too, Happy Halloween!

Steffen in the Janet Smith Lab

Steffen's name is now on the door!

Steffen at his bench #1

Steffen at his bench #2

Chicago

Over the past weekend Steffen and I visited Chicago!  Neither of us had ever been!  We rode the train there (the first blurry pictures) and took the bus back.  The whole trip was a lot of fun- we explored the city with our friend Katie and had a lot of fun going to the Field Museum, enjoying the beautiful weather, hanging out with friends, and of course the food of Chicago.  Steffen fell in love with a very authentic mexican restaurant.  Getting away was great!

Anthony Sam Palmeri

September 23rd, 1938 --- October 5th, 2010

Today I remember my Grandpa

Today I honor the power of family to love and to care

Today we celebrate life and the time we shared together

Tomorrow and each day after we carry you in our hearts as we live and love…

Love always,

Sugar Plum

September 12th, 2010

Happy 24th Birthday Steffen!

Highlights from my trip to California!

I had planned on posting while I was away, but there is never enough time for everything on my trips to California.  I had a wonderful visit full of time with family, friends, and new people.  I had so much fun hanging around Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Lake Forest, going away for a short trip to Cambria with my Mama, seeing Caroline's new home that is across the street from LAX and close to all of the fun spots in LA, and an early 23rd birthday party!!!  Thank you all for taking such good care of me and making my trip great!

Here are a few pictures from my trip-

My mom and I went to Cambria, CA for two nights.  We realized this year that we have been going there together for 15 years and are still in love with the beautiful hills, the coastline, and the food!  Cambria is actually just north of where Lara and her family live.  I waved hello to Asher as we drove by.  Congratulations!

Moonstone Beach- Cambria, CA

San Simeon Creek Hiking Trail- Cambria, CA

San Simeon Creek Hiking Trail- Cambria, CA

Me on Moonstone Beach- Cambria, CA

Moonstone Beach- Cambria, CA

Also on my trip to California I met the newest member of my big blended family- Jaden Daniel Mosier!  He is amazing and SO adorable...  Congratulations again Carrie and Danny!

Jaden! Born June 30, 2010

That is all for now!

  

End of summer brew.

With Kate out of town I spent Saturday evening cooking up a fresh batch of beer. I opted for a wheat beer to celebrate the last hot days of summer. I got the recipe and ingredients from Adventures in Homebrewing, a local brew store. Here is the recipe...

Sunset Wheat

7.2 lbs Liquid malt extract

1 lb orange blossom honey

1/2 lb flaked oats

1/2 lb flaked wheat

4 HBU Goldings hops

3.5 HBU Saaz hops

1 oz coriander

1 oz sweet orange peel

American Hefeweizen Yeast, White Labs

I am really excited about the combination of coriander, orange peel and honey. All three ingredients are pretty common in wheat beers but I think the combo will be very nice and the end product will have a lot to offer. The flaked oats should add a lot of body to the beer and a smooth texture. The airlock is already bubbling away, I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Trip to the Advanced Photon Source

Hey Everyone,

I am leaving today for a couple of days of experiments at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) which is a synchrotron radiation source just south of Chicago. I am taking 28 protein crystals to test, grown under different conditions and treated with different solutions, fingers crossed for some good luck. It will be a fun 24 (or 48) hour marathon of work filled with tricycle rides, coffee and delicious snacks. Although many of you have seen it already, I attached a video from our lab of what we do at APS.

Enjoy!

Hello Vacation!

It's official- I'm done with classes and my internship for the Spring/Summer semester!!! I am beyond happy.  In case any of you Californians have forgotten I will be arriving on Wednesday and will be in California until the 28th.  I am super excited to see all of my California people and get out of this humidity. Too bad Steffen can't come.  He will be missed, but I have promised to bring back In n Out.

Time to Celebrate!!

Leo Carrillo- Malibu, CA

Roasted Beets for Tonya

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Wrap the beets individually in foil and place in a baking dish. Roast beets until a skewer can be inserted easily into a beet, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Remove the beets from the oven, open the foil packets, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Cradle a roasted beet in several layers of paper towels in your hands and gently rub off the skin of the beets.

Slice the beets 1/4 inch, then toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with feta. Sometimes we add fresh garlic too.

A great thing to make when beets are in season, too bad our garden didn't produce any!

Garden Update

Yesterday, we gave our garden some attention and came home with:

- 6 butternut squash

- 2 cucumbers

- Thai basil

- Basil

- Thyme

I'm proud of our little garden and our first attempt at organic gardening.  It's a little wild, but I think it is more fun that way.  We still have a month or two of gardening, here in Michigan, but Steffen and I have already decided to keep our garden plot another year.  We have figured a lot out in one season of gardening and want to put it to the test next year!!  Now, just to decide what to do with our squash???? We have a few ideas, but will need more...

Pictures to come soon.  

Home to AK

I recently headed home to AK for a week at the end of July. It was rainy, with highs in the mid 50's thewhole time I was visiting, but I was still reminded of why I love it there. Dad and I went fishing for a few hours on two days and although the wind and intermittent rain never let up, it was awesome. Even though we didn't catch anything! The road to the fishing spot on the Knik river was very muddy, rough, and fun to drive...

It was totally worth it though when we were greeted with a view of the Knik glacier while we were fishing. Fruitlessly casting into the wind, with fish bumping against our legs could never be so fun.

First Post!

Steffen and I have been inspired to start our own blog, in an attempt to make Michigan feel a little bit closer to all the important people in our lives.  It will be a new adventure and hopefully provide another reason to smile.  I'm one week and two days away from the start of my summer break and  am sure ready for some fun and relaxation!!  My schedule has already started to slow down and last night Steffen and I took the time to make refrigerator pickles from cucumbers grown in our community garden, just around the corner.  Check them out!  They are yummy.

Pickles!