Teatopia

Shame on Much of the World

I wish people in other countries would open their eyes to all that America does. Instead of bitching about us, appreciate us. You don't have to agree with all that we do. But acknowledge our aide and kindness. Yes, there are political differences between us and other nations, but I don't see many other countries helping or giving as much or as often as we do. People need to be more greatful. Some people should keep this quote in mind. "Never bite the hand that feeds you."

There, now I feel better. America may have its faults, but I am proud to live in a nation where we never turn our backs on those in need. Stop bitching and be thankful that America isn't as petty as some countries are.

We're On Our Way

Right now we're at the airport in Sterling, VA waiting for our flight to Atlanta. We've been from the Washington-Dulles airport in VA, to northen MD for a night at James's grandma's house, to various places in PA (including Lancaster where the Amish people live) while staying at my mom-in-law's house, and today back to MD before coming here to the airport. It's been a nice trip and we've seen a lot of family. We're eating a quick bite at California Pizza Kitchen and then off to Starbucks before our flight at 8:00.

Guess What?

I found out that I'm related to our president by marriage (through my husband). Cool.

Spike

This is my nephew's dog. Isn't he cute?

MD & PA

We arrived last night in Maryland-- 3 hours late. We stayed with James's grandma who lives just north of Baltimore, about an hour from where I used to live. Today we visited White Marsh Town Center (pictured below) with stores like Ikea, Omaha Steaks, Birkenstock, and a really cute pet boutique. Later in the afternoon, we went into Baltimore to visit James's uncle and aunt, George and Georgette (how cute is that?). Now, after a drive, we are at James's mom's house in Pennsylvania-- about a 1/2 hour south of York. Tomorrow we're going into York to go shopping, so I'll be sure to report (and include a pic of my adorable 2 yr. old nephew Xavier).

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Today I felt so blessed being with so many people I love and thinking about my Savior being born. This was truly a wonderful Christmas.

I got some really thoughtful, nice gifts including a KitchenAid mixer (the professional model) with the ice cream maker attachement, a cream pea coat, lots of candles, some beautiful sweaters to wear up north on our trip, and 3 tiered serving platter, and some great tea stuff!

Next we're headed up to Pennsylvania to visit James's family until the 30th, so we'll be back for New Years. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Our morning began with a phone call that woke us up at 11:30! Very late for us, but we did stay up late, me especially because I was finishing a Christmas cross stitch for my mom. Still have more to do. Instead of breakfast, we went straight for lunch, which was yummy Thai food from last night and a fresh pot of jasmine rice courtesy of Ajima, our rice cooker. Next we met our family at the movies to see "Finding Neverland" which was great. This year, besides the usual mom, dad, grandma, sister, her boyfriend, and us, we have my aunt Lynn and her lovely Swiss foreign exchange student Janine, who flew in yesterday from D.C. Now we're sitting at home, enjoying the tree and fireplace and James is wrapping some last minute gifts. We're going for coffee soon, in search of some place open and then we're off to church and to my parents' anual Christmas Eve party. What a day! Hope everyone is enjoying their day as much as we are!

Christmas Cookies

Over the last few days I have made a couple different kinds of cookies, oatmeal, and sugar cookies with orange-flavored frosting in different colors. I love the holidays!

Christmas Friendship Tea

I made these as Christmas gifts for the women on my team at school and also for a few relatives. I tried some of the mix and the tea is really good. :-)

Click below for the recipe:

1/2 cup instant tea
2 cups Tang®
2 cups sugar
1 package instant lemonade
1-3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix all ingredients together and package in tightly covered containers.

To Serve: Mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of mix with a cup of boiling water. Stir well.

They're Here!

Here are a couple pictures from Monday's Christmas dinner at our house.

Caprese Salad-- I used prosciutto laced mozzarella and stacked 'em with a basil leaf inbetween. Then I made a pesto sauce to spread on top:

Pasta with sausage and onions in a creamy, pumpkin, sage, nutmeg, and cinnamon sauce. Also pictured is a spinach salad with purple onion, walnuts, and craisins:

Early Christmas Dinner

Tonight I am hosting a small Chritstmas dinner for family and a couple friends. I will definitely post pics later, buit for now, here is le menu:

Appetizer:
-garlic bread cubes with homemade spinach dip
-cheese and crackers
-Christmas Spiced Tea

Main Course
-Penne Pasta in a pumkin, sage, cream sauce (courtesy of Rachel Ray)
-Caprese "salad" (I bought mozzarella laced with prociutto) I say "salad" because it's more like a veggie side dish the way I am making it
-Spinach Salad with cranberries and walnuts

Dessert
-Mandarin orange cake with vanilla and pineapple cool whip topping

Honeydew List

Since I have until Jan. 3rd off, there are many things I want to do before I go back:

- Finish Christmas shopping (not much left)

- Wrap gifts

- Bake Christmas cookies (at least 2 kinds)

- Stay up 'til midnight to watch Iron Chef every night next week!

- Watch Christmas movies: Scrooge, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Rudolph, Frosty, and a Charlie Brown Christmas (I bought them all on DVD) :-)

- Drink at least 15 cups of hot chocolate

- Host an early Christmas dinner Monday night at our place (I'll be posting the menu soon)

Christmas Present

This is the only present I know for sure that I'm getting. I picked it out last week at The GAP. It looks good with my light complexion. I don't look particularly good in white, but this cream colored coat is fabulous.

You're Gonna Hate Me

Teaching is one of the most stressful, irritating jobs there is-- I truly believe that. But to make things easier for us, we have 2 weeks off! Friday is our last day until Jan. 4. As my friend Rebecca says, they are enticing us to come back, otherwise we maybe never would. :-)

Osaka

Today we had lunch at Osaka, a cute, little sushi bar. We needed to fill our bellies before battling the crowds Christmas shopping. We started with miso soup and ginger salad. I had teriyaki chicken with vegetables, white rice, and green tea. James had chicken udon soup.

Memories of England

Today's Daily Candy is about England, a place near and dear to my heart. When I was 19 and a sophomore in college, I spent a summer semester studying in England at Cambridge University on scholarship. I went as part of a scholars program I was in for my first two years of college. It was one of the best summers of my life.

Contrary to popular belief, Cambridge is not just one university, but rather a number of smaller colleges making up the name Cambridge Unviersity. I attended Gonville and Caius where I took classes on Elizabethan England and the British Education System, both perfect for my English/History teacher degree. The professors were awesome.

My time in England is something I think about often because it was kind of a turning point between being a kid and an adult. I grew so much. I took crazy trips to London after school and would come back hours before my morning classes. I got a friend and I to Paris with no reservations and no directions. (yes, I was nuts). We just took off-- a taxi here, oh! look a bus!, then on a train for a bit, walked a few miles, etc. It was terrifying and exhilirating all at the same time.

I think now, besides when I travel, I lead an ordinary life. I am an English teacher, living in a somewhat, small, country town-- completely different from where I grew up (Washington, D.C.). I have 2 dogs, a house, family close by that I've never lived more than 10 minutes from, we both drive Saturns. I'm pretty "normal." I like to remember my adventures. I hope to have more of them, but it's of course harder as an adult. I suppose if/when we move to Korea, another adventure will come, but for now, I have my memories. :-)

Here is a picture of the 25 people in my scholars program (sorry it's so small-- I'm in the back). We are standing outside of the dining hall in Cambridge.

The Balconet Bra

Victoria's Secret has a fabulous new bra called the balconet. It's a push up without the padding and I am totally loving it. They aren't cheap ($40), but they are really worth it if you want a really good bra.

Independence

I love my husband. I mean I really love him-- with all my heart. I miss him tremendously, but I must admit that it's kinda cool to be independent and do some stuff on my own while he's in sunny Floroida. Tonight I did something I haven't done much since I got married-- I went out in mixed company without him. It's not that I couldn't before, I always want him to be there, but it was kinda fun to go alone with friends from work. I am happily married, but I think everyone enjoys a certain degree of independence before they tie the knot, and I tied it earlier than most. :-) This week, while James is away, I have been thinking about how blessed I am to have married young. I am blessed to have found my soulmate so early in life. I will enjoy so many years with James. He brings me more happiness that I can put into words. But-- it is always important to maintain a strong sense of yourself and to grow on your own as well as with that other person.

The G Collection

I didn't used to be one much for sweets, but in recent months it's like I can't get enough. Unfortunately for my pocket book, I love Godiva chocolates. The cheap stuff in drug stores just won't do. I'll eat it, but Godiva's new G Collection is the real stuff! Just listen to some the flavors included in this decadent box: tart raspberry, apple pie, salted caramel, dulce de leche, P.B. & Jam, Thai Coconut, Deep Dark Sumatra, and Key Lime pie. I want to ask for this for Christmas, but 15 pieces at $40 seems ridiculous and I'd feel so guilty eating it.

Off to Florida

This morning my hubby is leaving for Florida for a week to attend a convention. James is the chief software engineer for a company that designs and implements military training programs for the department of defense. He goes every year and always comes home with some cool things. I will miss him, but I plan to finish Christmas shopping for him and get everything wrapped. Drive safely, hun!

A Christmas Ball

Last night, James and I attended his company's annual Christmas party at a local country club. We look forward to the dancing, wonderful food, friends, and getting dressed up every year because it's not often we get to do all those things at once! We had a wonderful time and I met a lot of really nice people. For dinner, which was gone too fast to take a picture, we had prime rib, spinach and feta cheese stuffed chicken, wild rice, potatoes au gratin, cheesy green bean casserole, dinner rolls, and assorted salads. There was also a large spread of desserts and free alcoholic drinks (many people took great advantage of this). Here are some pictures from our night:

Happy December

I am *so* excited that it's December. I have been in Christmas mode for a while now, but it's now official. The time for shopping, carols, baking, and decorating has begun. This weekend, my mom and I are going to Atlanta for Christmas shopping and I can't wait (Teavana has some new teas!)

Off to Staples tonight to buy December stuff for my wall calender in my classroom. Out with the November pumpkins and in with something Christmasy. :-)