Thursday, May 30, 2013

Everyday moments...

It has been a week since I last checked in.  I try to frequently have the camera near, you never know when something ordinary, turns into a photo worthy moment.  Even if it isn't a photo worthy moment, it is an everyday moment, and with that said, here are a few pictures I recently uploaded from my camera:

Macy was so excited when Ryan returned from his Sunday mountain biking (extreme) adventure.

I received a shock when I walked into our guest bathroom, my words "it looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle is hanging in our bathroom!"  Ryan had rinsed all his mountain biking gear, and was letting it dry. 

What do you do with leftover bacon cheddar biscuits?
You make a bacon cheddar egg biscuit sandwich.  Yummy breakfast to start Ryan's day. 

What's the best way to say thanks for working hard?
You bake giant chocolate chip cookies for the guys on Ryan's team. 

Someone was all ready to go to sleep.  

Ironically enough, this is where the night ended.  Macy's kennel in my bedroom.
Ryan was in Moscow (the night before he was to return home).  The fire alarm went off two or three times, starting around 11:30 p.m.  Poor Macy did not like the noise, so I moved her kennel into our bedroom where the alarm could not be heard as loudly.  Rough night's sleep for both of us.  

The basil plant is still alive!  It is actually growing like crazy, so I am trying to find ways to use it.
This week it was roasted red bell pepper, basil, and mozzarella pasta salad.
I also made a basil mustard sauce to serve with a ham.
As I anxiously count down the days until our next getaway, and my incredible Summer 2013 begins, I try to remember to celebrate the everyday moments....

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Twice in one month...


We had another dinner challenge.  Last Saturday, Ryan returned from a business trip to Moscow (and is currently on another business trip in Moscow) and I welcomed him home with a second dinner challenge for the month of May.  Why twice in one month?  I will be leaving for a trip with Ryan in less than three weeks (insert big smile here), and after that trip, I will fly home to the States (insert huge smile here, with small happy dance).  I will be out of Russia for the entire month of July, so in order to “catch up” May had two dinner challenges.  Ok, let me just be honest.  I find the dinner challenges highly entertaining, so I thought of an “excuse” to make it twice in one month.  

What were the ingredients?  Cheddar Cheese, Coffee, and Barbecue Sauce!  All three ingredients, incorporated in each dish.  Ready, create!

I went with a "Travel back to Houston" theme.  Remembering our drinks and appetizer gatherings, summer backyard barbecues, and comfort desserts.    

Appetizer:
Happy Hour Drinks and Appetizers
Mashed Potato-Cheddar Cheese-Bacon Bites.  Served with espresso cup of Coffee-Barbecue Sauce.
The drink of the night was Sparkling Apple Juice (Champagne + a splash of Apple Juice)
The appetizer was created after I couldn't decide between a meatball appetizer or stuffed potato skin appetizer.  I decided to "combine" the two.  
 Main Course:

Summer Backyard Cookout
Shrimp Burgers on Cheddar Bacon Biscuits.
Served with a coffee cup full of coffee roasted carrot "fries"
During Ryan's decision process, and thinking about the challenge ingredients, he thought about adding shrimp to the list of ingredients.  Ultimately, he did not, but I decided to use shrimp anyway (only for the main course). 
 Dessert:

Comfort Desserts
A coffee cup full of, Apple Cobbler (cheddar cheese in the topping) with vanilla ice cream.  Topped with warm chocolate (and BBQ) ganache drizzle and a dollop of coffee whipped cream.
I figure apples and cheddar cheese are a good snack, why not add cheddar cheese to an apple cobbler.  Spicy chili added to dark chocolate is good, so why not BBQ sauce.
Again, Ryan was nervous about the dessert, but once again, he greatly enjoyed it.

And a small endnote.  This was not the first time, and it will definitely not be the last time.  I had a cooking mishap.  I burned myself reaching into the stove.  I blamed the oven mitten for being too short, but in all honesty, it was user error.  Always the resourceful cook, I bypassed the ice cube on burn, and grabbed the chilled bottle of champagne.  No need to worry about melting ice, and water running down your arm.....

Difficult to see in the picture, but I have a nice, little burn on my arm.  

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Man's Best Friend...

It is commonly said, "a dog is man's best friend."  I am a true believer in this statement.  When it comes to Macy, she is not only a best friend, but a best source of entertainment.  Ryan finds excellent ways to entertain ourselves, at Macy's expense.  But, I wouldn't say she minds.

Ryan has tried the peanut butter on the roof of Macy's mouth, tucking her toys under her collar, and reflecting the sun off his watch onto the wall (I am sure there are plenty more I am forgetting).  She seems to go craziest for the sun spots on the wall and/or chasing flashlight spots.  Below are the two latest entertaining events to take place in our apartment.

Macy, that's a banana.  Open it. 


A bit of encouraging words from me, and she is figuring it out. 

She usually gets a small piece of banana every time we eat one.  I was happy to see she didn't have any ill side effects from eating an entire one. 

  She wanted to make sure she got every bit.  Ryan stepped in at the end, and made sure she didn't proceed to eat the peel.  

Next Macy entertaining episode.
Ryan is going to bounce the ball on the floor, so it hits the wall, creating a loop back to him.
Macy, you catch it. 

Almost.

Try again. 

Pure determination.
The game lasted for an extremely long time, that is until Macy caught the ball with her eye.
No worries, she was not hurt.  
The longer we stay in Russia, and with our lack of entertainment options, it is only inevitable that more episodes of Macy entertainment will be created.

Macy, a true example of "man's best friend."  

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Russian Yard Work

Last weekend, Ryan officially earned a future landscaper/lawn maintenance person.  He has always said, when we own a house, he was going to hire someone to maintain the yard.  I always said, he can do his own yard work.  After last weekend, he has fully earned a landscaper.

Is that a manual lawn mower?  Yes, yes it is. 

Nothing is ever easy in Russia. 

Macy did not like all the rattling noises the mower made.   

We finally convinced her to run pass the lawn mower.  Ryan continued mowing while Macy and I played in the other area.  

I don't think I have ever posted a picture before, but this is our Russian apartment building.   View from the dog area, our "backyard."

Did I assist? No, I did not.  I do not have much experience with lawn work.
My father is very particular with his lawn care, so I was never allowed to use the riding mower on the lawn.  Not that I ever really complained. 

What's the best thing after playing in the yard?  Ice cubes!
I was a good wife, and when Ryan came in from the yard, I made him a yummy smoothie. 
 
I do not expect a repeat of the yard work in the near future.  The manual lawn mower did not win many points with Ryan.  I can't blame him.  Regardless if the mower makes another appearance or not, Ryan has officially earned a future landscaper/lawn maintenance person.

Russian Yard Work.... Making even basic tasks an adventure. 

Friday, May 17, 2013

May Dinner Challenge

The challenge involved three ingredients, to be used in each dish.  Originally, Ryan only chose two ingredients, very easy to use ingredients, but then a third was thrown into the mix.

The two original ingredients were Pistachios and Honey.  Easy, simple, plenty of dishes came to mind.  BUT, I went to the grocery store, and found the one ingredient I could not find for last month's dinner challenge....TOFU!  I was so excited they had tofu in stock I bought a few containers.  In my state of excitement, I proudly showed Ryan, and he added it to the dinner challenge. WHAT?!?!  I had to rethink the dinner challenge, how was I going to possibly use tofu in dessert!?!?

No need to worry, I was determined.  Allow me to proudly present our latest dinner challenge:

Ingredients:
Pistachios - Tofu - Honey

I have way too much fun with the dinner challenges, and I thought a menu would add a nice touch.
For the drink, I made lemonade with some added alcohol.
 Appetizer:

Tofu Nuggets
Pistachio crusted, baked tofu nuggets, served with Pineapple-Honey dipping sauce.
 Main Course:

Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Serrano Ham with Goat Cheese-Pistachio spread, served on warm Honey Cornbread
Tomato Soup
Creamy Tomato-Tofu Soup, served with Honey Cornbread Croutons
 Dessert:

Cake and Ice Cream
Pistachio Cake, served with Honey-Tofu Ice Cream
Earlier in the day, Ryan told me it was acceptable if I left tofu out of the dessert.  When I served the tofu ice cream, he seemed a bit worried, but then he tried it, and liked it!  That's right, tofu ice cream!

I wanted to use the tofu in completely different ways for each dish:  Simply sliced, coated and baked in the appetizer.  Pureed in the soup and spread for the main dish.  And blended, frozen into ice cream for the dessert.  I honestly believe, if someone didn't know the "ice cream" was really tofu, they would never be able to tell. 

My favorite item from the evening was the pistachio cake, orange zest and cardamom made for a very tasty treat, may be one of my new favorite cakes.  Ryan seemed to enjoy everything, but he really went crazy for the Tomato-Tofu soup.

Refusing to allow Russia to hinder our meals, creating delicious dishes, letting our tastebuds travel!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Amsterdam: chocolate, canals, and clogs (among other things)

After our tulip adventure, we spent the remaining days in Amsterdam sleeping in, relaxing, and enjoying everything Amsterdam had to offer.  The next day, we originally had planned to take the train to Brussels, but with all the complications in obtaining tickets, we passed on that idea.  I will admit, one of the main reasons for going to Brussels was to feast on chocolate, while sightseeing.  Since we were in Amsterdam, and I knew Amsterdam had to have chocolate, we did our own chocolate crawl, Amsterdam style.  Hot chocolate, chocolate shops, and coffee shops to obtain "special" chocolate treats.    Along the way, we stopped at the Houseboat Museum, Heineken Experience, and Dam Square.

First chocolate stop, Puccini.

Wandering among canals, and houseboats. 

On a mission to find first coffee shop, a lovely Mother/Daughter run location. 

Success!
Hot chocolate and chocolate brownie. 
Conversation that took place approximately an hour after this photo was taken:
Ryan: "Are you feeling anything?"
Virginia: "Nope.  I just feel really calm."
Ryan: "You are never calm, it must be working. 
Hanging out on the Houseboat patio. 

Papa Chevron does not allow Ryan to enjoy the "special" chocolate treats.
He found a Ben & Jerry's and was very happy!


The next couple days in Amsterdam were spent exploring the nearby area.  We hopped on the train, and were off to see clogs, windmills, and castles. 

Just my size.
We were able to watch a man make a pair of clogs, and we purchased a small, souvenir  pair. 

A quick photo after our boat cruise around the area.  

Sampling more Amsterdam pastries.  I already approved of the brownie, and cupcake.
I had to give cake a try.  It was my favorite.
In the photo album, you can see my trip to the Bulldog coffee shop, in honor of Butler. 

I consumed about a month's worth of food in the five days in Amsterdam.  We visited this man's waffle and ice cream shop three times!  I could not get enough!

Our castle adventure.

No pictures from this experience, but we did wander through the Red Light District.  We also visited the Anne Frank house.  After reading her journal multiple times, it was an eyeopening tour.  I could not imagine hiding for over two years, and the ending that resulted.  Our last evening in Amsterdam, Ryan booked a dinner cruise.  The perfect way to experience the canals during the daylight, and as the sunset, seeing the bridges covered in light.  


I only gave a small preview of our pictures.  The architecture in Amsterdam is incredible.  I love the rows of houses, the houseboats, and the canals.  People call Amsterdam "The Venice of the North" and in all honesty, I would go back to Amsterdam before I returned to Venice.  So many things to do, plus the people were much more friendly!  My only complaint about Amsterdam: the bike lanes!  Firstly, bikes were everywhere!  Secondly, you can't hear them!  Thirdly, they make the bike lanes too easy to walk on!  The sidewalks have other people, benches, parked bikes, trash cans, so any reasonable pedestrian, would be drawn to the lovely, bricked, open spot next to the sidewalk.  Be forewarned, you step into that area, it is every man for themselves.  I swore I was going to get hit by a bike, but somehow I managed to dodge each near miss.  

Enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam, our adventures, and my coffee shop experiences in:

For our fellow expat friends, you understand.  For our non-expat friends, this is what happens when you see a shop advertising "American Groceries."  
We quickly went in and purchased the four most expensive grocery items to date.  It doesn't matter, you can't put a cost on American groceries when you live in Russia.  Oreos, Skippy Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter M&Ms, and hiding behind the Oreos, French's Yellow Mustard.  
We were very happy Americans!


Thursday, May 9, 2013

LOVE Tulips....

Amsterdam was the perfect long weekend getaway.  It was everything I imagined it would be, and MORE.  We were warned to expect rain, it always rains in Amsterdam.  It did not rain ONCE!  The weather was perfect, a little chilly at times, but sunny and beautiful.  Our first full day in Amsterdam was spent at Keukenhof, fulfilling one of my dreams.  We were surrounded by endless tulips and other various flowers.  LOVE tulips!





After hours of walking through the gardens, we decided to wander over to the bike rentals, rent a bike to tour the flower fields.  All bikes were GONE.  I was ready to head back to Amsterdam, Ryan thought we should wait.  We waited, and were finally rewarded with bikes.  The man asked how long we would like to bike, they had various routes.  Of course, Ryan chose the longest route.  It started off nice enough, bike trails, tulip fields, streams, cute homes.  BUT, at some point the tulips were no longer present, nor bike trails, or homes.  We found ourselves on a off-road path, surrounded by SAND!  The wind was STRONG, and I was COLD.  You know what that means, I was NOT the happiest.  Eventually, we made it back to tulips, cute homes, and paved bike trails.  I was a happy little lady.



So happy Ryan ignored my crankiness, and had someone take this picture.  


Now, if only I could figure out the cause for my insatiable hunger in Amsterdam.......stay tuned.

Want to see more pictures from Keukenhof, and our bike tour?  
Click HERE