Wedding Bells

Hansel and Gretel

Sunday we went out to see our friends daughter in her Opera debut of Hansel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel

Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 2:00pm

Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm

Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre

125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington

OTNV is proud to bring to the stage Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel as the 2007 family opera, featuring glorious music in a new adaptation of the classic tale in which everyone lives happily ever after--even the witch! The production will be directed by Joe Banno and features Elaine Dalbo (Hansel), Katherine Osborne (Gretel), Sarah Philippa (Mother/Witch), Wade Thomas (Father), and Kathy Hankins (Sandman/Fairy). Sung in English.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children 14 and under, and $5 per child for groups of 10 or more children.

Marathon Training

The official start of my 'marathon training' was Monday September 24. When I'm running I like to catalogue the things I've seen. I guess it's something to keep my mind off what my body is trying to do.

So far this week I've seen.

2 chipmunks, a few cardinals, some really pretty wild flowers.. that's about it for 'nature'.

I do see some of the same people on my stretch of the trail all the time.. like..

-super fast speed walking, headphones wearing guy
-the lady in lavender
-dread lock dude on his bike
-creepy stalker bike riding dude with his hat on
-the jogging couple
-the rollerblading couple.. look out.. one of them is unsteady
-the speed walking group of ladies
-and the dog walkers....

I'll see you all on Saturday out there on the trail!

James River State Park

Matt and I went camping this weekend at James River State park in Virginia. OK, it wasn't REAL camping.. we stayed in this awesome cabin!

It's a pretty cool park.

We did some kayaking (really sinking and floating) down the river and had a great time playing Taboo.. with our friends.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/jam.shtml

Our American King

My father-in-law (well, soon to be) has a new book, Our American King will be released on September 11, 2007.

Check out a book signing event;

September 13, 7 P.M. David Lozell Martin reads from and signs his new post-apocalyptic novel, Our American King, at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 202-785-1133.

September 22, 4 P.M. David Lozell Martin reads from and signs his new novel, Our American King, at Busboys & Poets, 14th Street NW, 202-387-7638.

.

Follow this link to the Washington Post Review: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/02/AR2007090201329.html

Arlington County Fair

This year I entered some cookies in the Arlington County Fair. I'm proud to say that my Chocolate Chip cookies received an honorable mention and my Sugar Cookies won second place in the 'fair theme' category.

The Arlington County Fair theme this year was, "Arlington, A Community of Neighbors", my sugar cookies were named 'A borrowed cup of sugar' cookies. I'm sure they won for the name.. not the taste.

The fair was a lot of fun. It's always great to get out see your friends and eat some fair food!

http://www.arlingtoncountyfair.org/

Don't call me... I'm reading.

Fun Friday

Baking AND Renewable Energy?

It's true.. my favorite local bakery has gone green.. yea for Cake Love.

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty recently joined with Clean Currents to announce a new alliance of locally-owned DC businesses switching to 100% green power to fight global warming.

A group of popular locally-owned DC businesses, including CakeLove, have switched over to 100 percent wind power in an effort to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage greater energy independence.

Working through the DC Area Local Business Alliance, which is a project of the Latino Economic Development Corporation, Clean Currents brought together numerous businesses near the U Street corridor to form a green energy buying group to reduce carbon emissions into the DC region's air.

As a result, CakeLove is now 100 percent wind powered!

http://cakelove.com/u_green.php

I know it's wrong.....

to brag.. but this is my first award for baking.. and I'm just soooo excited and giggly over it. They brought my certificate over today with a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon... and I just had to post my certificate on my blog...

I apologize to everyone who is tired of hearing about it... but it had to be done.. ;-)

My cookies are winners!

2007 TASTE OFF WINNERS!!!

I am pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Cooking for Kids Taste Off.
Participating law firms were:

Arent Fox
Bracewell & Giuiliani
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw
Reed Smith
Spriggs & Hollingsworth
Steptoe & Johnson
Washington Lawyer's Committee
Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Thanks to all of the law firms and bakers for participating in this event. Our judges were:

David Dorsen, Esq., noted former Wine & Food Editor, Washingtonian Magazine;

Thomas Head, former Executive Wine &Food Editor, Washingtonian Magazine;

Melanie Parker, Pastry Chef at the award-winning Equinox Restaurant; and

Nancy Brier, Assistant to the Owner, Equinox Restaurant.

The judges picked one winning dessert from each category. From those three desserts a grand prize winner was selected. The winners are:

Pie – Elizabeth Carder, Reed Smith – Triple Berry Pie
Cake – Tonie Davis, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw – Lemon Pound Cake
Cookie – Amanda Fillmore, Bracewell & Giuiliani – Chocolate Chip Cookie

Tonie Davis, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw was awarded the Grand Prize, dinner for two (2) at a D.C. restaurant courtesy of our judge, David Dorsen, Esq. The remaining winners will each receive a bottle of fine wine recommended by our wine critic.

Congratulations to the winners and to all of the baking participants. The desserts were fabulous!! Thanks also to the bake sale coordinators and to the firms for your enthusiastic support of this activity.

Thank you to everyone for participating in today's Cooking for Kids bake sale and contest. The big winners are the students at Brightwood Elementary School since we raised $245!

2007 Cooking for Kids Taste Off!

The Washington Lawyer's Committee
announces
Cooking for Kids 2007
Law Firm Bake Sale and Taste Off
Monday, June 4, 2007

On Monday June 4 the Washington Lawyers Committee invites your firm to participate in the 7th Cooking for Kids Bake Sale and Taste Off. Participating firms invite their employees to contribute home-baked goods for an old fashioned bake sale held on site at your firm. All proceeds go directly to your public school partner to support enrichment programs and/or activities for students. Each firm assembles a panel of judges to determine the firm’s best pie, cake and cookie to represent the firm in the afternoon competition.

In the afternoon participating firms offer up their best pie, cake and cookie to be judged by our panel of culinary
Experts: former Food and Wine Editors for Washingtonian Magazine, Messrs. Davis Dorsen and Tom Head. The competition will commence at the offices of the Washington Lawyers Committee at 4:00pm. Please RSVP if you have not done so.

The 10th Annual CSC Invitational

Saturday we went out with some friends to check out the bike race... here are a few pics... oh ya.. and that's totally what I look like on my bike too..... :)




It was a pretty fun event.. we had great seats at Whitlow's outside on the patio to see the action.

If anyone out there has pictures of female rider #255... Elizabeth Hatch (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQLT-B1ettVLGizAoqy7-Ob8lcKDjtuNotxDP5XjACFdFSzOHgvDhQ48KMQNH_xTc4m1HLCK0gf9cBcOufc5xFSOiVLdGglLB3Gx9QX1CM2-x1yDakVrHNqqkNXfMHAnBurRc/s1600-h/Liz) my boyfriend would really appreciate copies ;-)



The crowd didn't seem that into it, which was kind of disappointing.... I think they needed more cow bell.





http://www.cscinvitational.com/

Dupont Circle Art Galleries

FIRST FRIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The Dupont Circle Art Galleries hold opening receptions (which are free and open to the public, no invitation needed) on the first Friday of each month from 5 to 8 pm.There are over 25 galleries located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, many on Connecticut Avenue and R Street. All the galleries carry Galleries Magazine which gives directions and provides maps. On First Fridays the galleries serve food and wine; there are often musicians playing; and lanterns lit -- all very festive. There are many restaurants and open air cafes -- more incentive for a lovely evening!



I'll be heading there tonight with my friend and painter Tina from http://www.tinaduryea.blogspot.com/



It'll be a lot of fun... hey anything with free food and wine is a lot of fun !

Woo-Hoo

I'm very excited to be a new member of the Daring Bakers !

Finally..... to belong to a group of people who understand the quirks of someone who spends too much time in the kitchen trying to figure out if this cocoa powder is Dutch-Process, Black Cocoa, Double Dutch or Bensdorp Dutch... and if it really matters??!!? ;-)

Name that Bakery !

In the future I dream of opening a bakery.... I'm trying to think of a good name for it...... so I'm calling out to my friends to send me their suggestions...

So far I have:

Sweet Cakes
Amy's Cakes
Take the Cake
Sweet Dreams
Piece of Cake
ButterCream

Pies & Pastries

Cake Runner

Fill More Cakes

Pie In The Sky

New Country Bakery
Sweets 'n Treats by Amy

Sweets 'n Treats Bakery
Sweet Delights
Goodies by Amy
Lil' Taste of Heaven Bakery
Amy's Cookies & More
Present & Pasts Bakery

Shake and Bake

Buns of Fun
Oven Fresh
Rollin' in the Dough

Rise Above The Rest

Let Them Eat Cake

Amy's Biscuits

Nice Biscuits

Lovely Buns

Luscious Buttercups

Yeast World

Sugar Buzz Bakery

What are your ideas for a bakery name that people would remember?? Let me know!

Cupcake Porn

Cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleeker St at 11th St. New York

If there is a heaven I hope it smells like butter cream.

M-I-C-K-E-Y

In order to motivate my self to get out and enjoy this great spring weather.. I did the unthinkable....I signed up for the Dinsey Marathon 2008! After the Marine Corps... I swore off Marathons... but 2008 will be the 15th anniversary of the Disney race.. and they will be giving out a "top secret" medal.

If you know me.. you know I only race for the free stuff.. and the lure of a top secret medal that will be a one of a kind.. is too much for me to resist. !!! Oh Mickey!

EXCLUSIVE 15th ANNIVERSARY FINISHER MEDAL
The 15th Anniversary Marathon Finisher's Medal is so special that it will remain TOP SECRET until the end of the race. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to earn an exclusive medal that will never be produced again. All race finishers will receive a specially designed 15th Anniversary Medal at the Finish Line.

Pics from the Walk to Empower

Thank you to everyone that supported me in the Walk to Empower. I raised over $300.00! You all are amazing!

I walked with my friend Maria who fought breast cancer last year. We were joined by friends from her support group who also kicked cancer in the butt.

Pink Power!

Walk to Empower

This mothers day I'll be walking with some of my friends to raise money for the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. For more information about this event and the services provided by Y-Me to support people diagnosed with breast cancer, please check out my web site below.

http://main.y-me.org/goto/amanda.fillmore

Slowly I turned...

Ahhh.. Niagara Falls ...

Today I was able to take Matt to the exciting 'lumber capital of the world'. Well at least North Tonawanda, New York (city of my birth) ... WAS the lumber capital of the world rival to Chicago (city of Matt's birth).. for a short time in.. 1825.

Good stuff.

It was really nice to show Matt where my parents grew up.... and where I lived for a while.

We were also able to sample some Buffalo area culinary delights... fried bologna and Beef on Weck.

Made only in the Buffalo-Rochester area, the kummelweck—often alternatively spelled kimmelweck—is basically a Kaiser roll topped with lots of pretzel salt and caraway seeds. Kummelweck is simply shortened to “weck.” The sandwich is usually served with sinus-clearing horseradish (you can tell a native Buffalonian by the amount of horseradish he or she used), a couple of huge kosher dill pickle slices on the side, and extra beef juice served straight from the roast. Wash it all down with a cold, locally brewed ale.

Although the exact history of the sandwich can’t be documented, it is believed that William Wahr, a German baker, brought the kummelweck to Buffalo from the Black Forest. German immigrants had already made the city a center of brewing. [http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/BeefOnWeck.htm]

Our fried bologna....

Our beef on weck...

You can see.. we didn't like them at all....

Peep !

Saturday night.. went to Artomatic in Crystal City... saw some art.. saw some bands... saw some ants.. saw some PEEPS !!! Check it out.... at http://www.artomatic.org/

Peeps are cool !

Some of the peeps were peepin' ...

Some of the peeps were commutin'....

For the full peep story see the Washington Post Article about the peep dioramas

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/05/AR2007040501976.html

Butter

Last night I went to see the Queen of Southern cooking, Paula Deen. She is on tour promoting her new book... "It ain't all about the Cookin'".

Things I learned:

1. Her son Bobby is single.

2. You want a perfect pound cake - add butter.

3. Paula is your cook ... not your doctor.

4. The dog Gertie, on the show the first season... not hers... belonged to Gordon Elliot.

5. If you come to see Paula talk... and decide to stand up and protest about the poor working conditions at the Smithfield plant.. you will be tossed out.. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041701877.html]

Come support polar bears on March 5 at a public hearing in DC!

The Fish and Wildlife Service is planning three public hearings on the proposal to list the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act, but only one hearing is scheduled outside of Alaska. Attending is a great way to show your support, and gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard publicly. Plus, you may spot a polar bear or two . . .

The hearing is from 6:00-9:00 PM (but please come early!), at:

Department of the Interior

Sidney Yates Auditorium

1849 C St. NW.Washington, DC

20240

We need a big crowd in support of protecting polar bears at risk from melting sea ice. Please bring photo ID and any prepared remarks if you would like to speak. Hope to see you there!

http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/polar_bears_listing/explanation

Cake Love!

Last night was part two of a three part baking class I'm taking at the super cool Cake Love bakery. [http://www.cakelove.com/]

Last nights class was on Decorating; "This class will cover how to put a cake together, terminology, basic tools, and put your skills to the test." I was able to construct a chocolate cake with Italian Meringue Buttercream frosting and filled with raspberries. It was very tasty... my co-workers would attest to that.

We had a special surprise last night. Our class was taught by Cake Love's owner Warren Brown. You may have seen him hosting his show on the Food Network Sugar Rush. It was very nice to meet him and learn some of his tricks of the trade. Cake Love is opening a new store in Shirlington. I'm very excited about that. Its close enough to our house to walk there. I guess I should run there... to burn off those extra calories.!

Thanks Warren for a fun class!