Last Couple of Weeks

The summer seems to be flying by and the weeks blurring together.  Last weekend we were in Chicago for the long weekend.  It was nice to get away, but I had a horrible cold that made trekking around the city less fun.  Don't worry, we still had fun despite my cold.  We left Chicago in the morning on the 4th since we both needed to be at work bright and early Tuesday morning.  This meant we spent our third 4th of July in Ann Arbor at Burns Park where this renegade Ann Arborite puts on one of the best fireworks displays I have ever seen.  It might even beat Disneyland?!

@ The Bean in Chicago

Burns Park, Ann Arbor

 After a long week, we decided to take it easy this weekend and hang around town.  It has been WONDERFUL!!!  We also had a house guest- her name is Molly and she is a 9 week old German Shepherd/ Lab mix.  We had a lot of fun with her and wore her out...

XOXOXO,
Kate

Our Camping Trip

I had the post already to go and then life got a little crazy...

We stayed at the Platte River Campground, in a walk in site that was about a half mile from the Lake Michigan shore.  It was beautiful and nicely private.  The first night, there was quite the storm with lightning and thunder.  Thankfully, we were dry in our tents and the storm stopped before we got up in the morning.  I'll admit that it was a little freaky, but it was also pretty cool to listen to the storm in the tent.

The next day we did the dune climb and a scenic drive.  The weather was slightly cool and overcast, which was great given that we were hiking in sand with no shade.  Our last full day, we went kayaking on the Platte River, played in Lake Michigan, and in the evening we went to the drive-in.  The river was fantastic, the lake surprisingly warm, and the drive-in was pretty memorable.  

Northern Michigan is gorgeous!  We will definitely head up north again!

This weekend we are headed to Chicago, which is always a blast...

Another Wonderful Summer Weekend

We had another great weekend!  Our garden is looking really nice and I am getting super excited for our first harvest.  I am already planning on making tomato sauce and some yummy butternut squash dishes.  Besides a little bit of weeding, we spent the weekend preparing to go camping this upcoming weekend.  We are headed to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park- it is about 4 hours northwest of Ann Arbor on Lake Michigan.  

I found this photo online, but I am taking my camera and I will be sure to post some of my own when we are home.  I'm excited for our first camping trip in Michigan!  We are planning on kayaking and doing the famous dune hike... Luckily we have both been working out, so it should be a piece of cake :) 

Now, just to get through the week...

Long weekends are the best!!!

We have had a fantastic weekend! Today we had a picnic in the park, checked on our garden and now we are making crystallized ginger. Loving the rest and relaxation!!!

There has even been time for a blog post ;)

In the garden this year:

- Potatoes

- Beets

- Tomatoes

- Bell Peppers

- Jalapenos

- Beans

- Peas

- Zucchini

- Broccoli

- Butternut Squash

- Swiss Chard

- Fennel

- Rosemary

- Basil

Epidemiology for me & Chicago for Steffen

What is Epidemiology?

I can answer this question now and have been forced to memorize a whole bunch of related formulas... Oh man!

Simply: 

It is the study of health and disease in human populations.

Comprehensively:

It is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations. 

Think good thoughts for me as I take the test tomorrow!!!  Also, Steffen will be off to APS in Chicago for 2 days to work, work, work! As a reminder folks- he doesn't have any cell service there :( 

The Year Ahead...

Our blog has been very empty and lackluster over the past few months; however, now that we are settling back into routine I hope the blog can come alive again.  That said, it is time for an update on the year ahead...

2011 will be a big year for both of us! Steffen has embarked on his candidacy preparation and will have his candidacy exam in April of this year. This means lots of preparation and lots of bench work! In  January Steffen gave two talks about his work, one to his entire program and one to his lab group. Both went well and he has a clear plan for the upcoming months. I am sure he will do superbly and come summer he will officially be a PhD candidate in Chemical Biology!!!

For me 2011, will bring graduation! December 17^th, 2011 I will graduate with my MSW and MPH. I am thrilled for this day to come and to celebrate this accomplishment. Until then, I will be working hard in class and in the field.  With summer will come a break from classes for me. This will be my first semester without classes in about 18 months! Instead of classes, my summer will be focused on a public health internship. As of right now, I’m not quite sure where my internship will be…

Aside from graduate school the two of us are enjoying some special events in Michigan. In January, we went to the North American International Car Show in Detroit and a fantastic concert by the Life Sciences Orchestra. In February, we will head west to join friends at the Michigan Winter Beer Festival just outside of Grand Rapids. Beyond that, we will see what develops but I am sure that there will be fun trips scheduled and perhaps some visitors!

Here comes the snow!

Hoard the Bananas and Grind Your Coffee- It's the Great Snowmaggedon!  (Ann Arbor News)

I still have fond childhood memories of the blizzard of '78.

Photo courtesy of Jill Tewsley.

Ok, I will admit it. I am fully invested in this whole Snowpocalypse thing. I am excited. I am stocked up. I've got my snow game face on.

Step one in my blizzard preparedness routine came via this blog post from Ann Arbor coffee guru John Roos this morning: "Pre Grind Alert for all of southern michigan and rustbelt coffee drinkers!" That's right - if heavy snow and wind take down power lines, you'll find it difficult to grind your coffee beans. I ground enough for a few days worth of coffee this morning.

Of course, grinding your coffee beans in advance doesn't help much if you depend on an electric coffee maker to brew your joe. Which I do. So next stop was Plum Market, where I finally picked up a replacement Chemex coffee carafe after years of procrastination. So now, as long as I have matches to light my gas stove and water to boil, I will not be lacking in the coffee department. Phew!

My friends and I have all been laughing about the random run on bananas at local supermarkets, but the truth is that my frenzied blizzard-inspired shopping trip resulted in items that could be considered equally unnecessary. Like everyone else, I stocked up in bread and milk. But I inexplicably also ended up with a fridge full of lunch meats. I never buy lunch meats. Somehow though, with a storm front rushing toward us and Weather Channel anchors rubbing their hands together with gleeful anticipation, thinly-sliced turkey, ham and salami seemed crucial to my survival.

But I didn't stop there. In the grips of blizzard fever, I tore through the grocery store and REI, grabbing snow day "essentials." I've now also got enough organic raspberries to last a week, several six-packs of Michigan micro-brews, a pound of 9-month Boerenkaas, a half pound of Callebaut dark chocolate, light bulbs (light bulbs?) and a brand new rechargeable Coleman camping lantern. Ok, that last item could prove to be necessary, but while I was picking it up it took every ounce of my willpower not to buy a pack of ten hand warmers and a four-person tent (it was on clearance!)

All kidding and self-deprecation aside, do be careful out there. Jen Eyer has tips on staying safe through the blizzard, and you can find more information on how to prepare for it here. Charge up your cell phone, gather some firewood and let it snow!

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!