#30: Try 5 new foods (Iberico Cheese)

My next new food adventure happened yesterday on a lazy Saturday morning as it was SNOWING in Harrisburg.  Yes, you read that correctly - it was SNOWING on October 29th!  As large flakes began to collect on the trees outside, I decided it seemed like the perfect occasion to whip up a batch of a family favorite, popovers, for me and Shannon to enjoy.  The recipe for popovers comes from my grandma's second husband (my step-grandfather, technically), Harry Snell - it is easy and delicious.  This post, however, is not about the popovers, but rather about the scrumptious Iberico Cheese that we enjoyed alongside of them!

Shannon bought the cheese at Trader Joe's while she was home in Pittsburgh.  After some quick research, I discovered that Iberico, a blend of pasteurized milk from cows, goats, and sheep, is produced only in the province of Valladolid in central Spain.  I would describe its taste as very smooth and creamy - which paired wonderfully with the popovers that I made.  This will definitely be a cheese that I purchase and enjoy again!  YUMMY!

#35: Visit 5 restaurants I've never been to in my hometown/surrounding area (Blue Moose Bar & Grille)

Last night I met my mom for dinner at relatively new restaurant just up the road from my parents' house:  Blue Moose Bar & Grille.  The building in which the restaurant is located has been reincarnated many times over the years and I actually worked as a server when it was known as Sasha's Hideaway.  I will never forget the colorful interior decorations of a restaurant trying to tout itself as "fine dining" yet presenting its dessert menu on a rolling pin.

Oh the memories!

I started off doing well with remembering to document my experience last evening when I took a photo of my dinner salad, but as my mom and I got wrapped up in conversation, I completely forgot to take any other photos.

Exciting, right?

As an entree I had Pork Shanklets, which promised to be "fall-off-the-bone" tender and smothered in a chipotle BBQ sauce.  I would say they fulfilled their promise!  The pork was quite tasty and they gave me a hefty portion as well.  In addition to the dinner salad, after encouragement from my mom, I chose sweet potato wedges with maple syrup drizzle as a second side dish.  Honestly, they were SO yummy - the perfect balance of a crispy exterior and soft interior on the potato and the sweet addition of the maple syrup.  I wouldn't necessarily refer to them as "wedges" though - they were definitely shaped like steak fries.  

My mom had the Ginger Glazed Wild Salmon with a dinner salad and mashed potatoes.  I sampled a bit of her meal and it was good as well!

Overall, the food was not the best I've ever had and certainly did not knock my socks off - but it was tasty and nothing was overtly unappealing in any way.  I'm sure I'll be back at some point - especially given its proximity to my parents' house.

#26: Bake something from scratch once a month for 6 months (month #4)

For my October baking, I knew I wanted to do something that captured the essence of fall and I was drawn (yet again) to a really yummy sounding recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen.  The recipe, Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting, sounded just up my alley - especially the cream cheese frosting (omg omg omg)!!!  The cake was SUPER easy to make and, for once, I actually had most of the ingredients already in my pantry, with the exception of the applesauce and cream cheese.  As a side note - I bought applesauce from the store but, as the recipe recommends, I think the cake would be even BETTER if you were to use homemade applesauce.  After all, aren't most things better when they are homemade?

I originally made this recipe to take to a game night that Shannon and I were planning attend.  Unfortunately, our lives got too busy - coupled with both of us having what we lovingly referred to as "the plague" for what felt like months - and we were not able to make it.  Although we weren't able to take it to share with friends at the party, we did both taste the cake and thought it was delicious (Shan isn't a big dessert person, so I doubt she called it "delicious" but she did actually EAT some - so that should say something about its taste!).  She then brought it in to work and reported back that it was completely DEVOURED.  Hollerrrrr!

I'm also going to admit that I completely forgot to take ANY pictures of the cake - not making it, icing it, eating it - NOTHING.  Whoops!  Oh well, Smitten Kitchen has much better photos of the finished product anyway...I swear mine looked just as pretty.  :)

I am already brainstorming ideas for next month's baking challenge.  If anyone has any suggestions - feel free to leave a comment!

Since I forgot to take pictures to post on the blog, in honor of my favorite holiday, HALLOWEEN, here are some cute photos of babies in costume!

My future children are so screwed... :)

#37: Volunteer/participate in some form of community service 5 times (Dickinson Day of Service)

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from some of my colleagues in the Office of Religious Life & Community Services at Dickinson asking for my participation in the 1st Annual Dickinson Day of Service.  I'm going to be completely honest:  I read the email and deleted it rather quickly.  Now before you all pass judgment on me as a human being, please allow me to explain my rationale:  my office is down a number of staff members and I was relishing having day, since the students were on Fall Pause on the Day of Service, to catch up on work and organize my life.  Little did I know that I would become victim to a seriously effective guilt trip from my friend and colleague, Mira.  After Mira had me convinced that I was the only person in my office NOT participating (BLATANT LIE, PASTOR HEWLETT!), I changed my mind and decided to take part in the Day of Service.

Don't be fooled...she only LOOKS sweet and innocent!

I was assigned to be a Team Leader for a group that would be doing work at a domestic violence shelter in Carlisle.  I can't say much about the shelter specifically, as we had to sign a confidentiality agreement upon our arrival there - but I will say that I am absolutely thrilled I chose to participate.  Members of my group spent almost three hours raking leaves, hanging curtains in a children's playroom, and cleaning. 

Me and Sarah

My awesome group!

I think this is also a good time to give a BIG shout out to my friend and colleague, Taylor, for all of her hard work in putting this awesome event together!  It was such a success!

YAY TAYLOR!

As I mentioned, I can't reveal details about the shelter that we visited, but I did want to take this opportunity to relay some information about domestic violence - and it seems fitting that I'm writing this post in October:  Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I took the following language from this website verbatim, mainly because I think it gave a accurate and succinct description.  I recommend visiting the website, as it provides a lot of very helpful information.  

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.  

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you. 

Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

Some additional facts...

• Every nine seconds a woman is beaten by her intimate partner
• One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime
• Only about half of domestic violence incidents are reported to the police
• Research suggests that domestic violence in LGBT relationships is just as widespread as domestic violence in relationships between heterosexual couples

No one should EVER have to feel unsafe or alone.  If you or anyone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. 

#16: Ask five people for their favorite books and read each one (Nanci)

While I was at the beach in Avalon, New Jersey at the end of July with my family, my Aunt Nanci finished reading the book "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay and recommended it to me.  I started reading it while we were on vacation but, embarrassingly enough, did not finish it until last evening.

 

My Aunt Nanci and Uncle Mark circa 1984

She hasn't changed a bit - soooo beautiful!

In an effort not to give away any parts of the book - I will only say that I found the book to be quite compelling, heart breaking, and well-written.  It was a very easy read and I would most definitely encourage anyone looking for a new book to give it a go!

Evidently this book is (or will be) made into a movie as well.  I have found that I normally hate the movie versions of books - Harry Potter being the only exception, and in that case, I enjoy both the movie AND book versions equally for different reasons. Who knows, maybe I'll go see it...probably not though...

#70: Visit 5 museums - The Franklin Institute, Mummies of the World Exhibit (SO DELAYED)

One of the difficulties with attempting to complete my 101 in 1001 project is that I find myself unable to recall many of the items on my list.  Often I have to choose one specific task on the list in advance and then set out to finish it.  As I was browsing my list this evening, I realized that over the summer, my mom and I visited the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to see Mummies of the World:  The Exhibition.  

For those of you who may not know - I have a serious fascination with mummies - one that began back when I was a child.  I remember going to museums, stopping at the mummy exhibits, and just staring with wide eyes and mouth agape, totally fixated.  I am happy to report that things haven't changed much!

One of my favorite mummies was that of a tattooed woman who was discovered in Peru.  I was amazed to see how much hair was still remaining on her head after such a long amount of time.  

 

Another takeaway message for me was the idea that the curators were intentional about creating an exhibit that showcased the mummies with reverence and dignity.  The bodies in front of me were once people who lived lives just as fully as I currently do - they loved, laugh, smiled, touched, tasted, smelled - I was keenly aware of how it important it is to never forget that fact. 

my souvenir :)

#35: Visit 5 restaurants I've never been to in my hometown/surrounding area (Chalit's Thai Bistro)

My mom and I decided that Friday night dinner together sounded like the perfect ending to a fairly hectic week!  We have a few restaurants in the area that we tend to frequent, which is partially why I decided to add #35 to my list!  Chalit's Thai Bistro (a local BYOB) has been open for around two years and, although I have heard good things, I just didn't have a chance to make it there yet. After a little Googling, I found that the owner Chalit "Chad" Kijcharoen, who grew up in Thailand, spent several years living and working in California before following his partner to the East Coast.

Chalit's Thai Bistro!

Following the theory that you can't go wrong ordering the specials, my mom and I started off with a papaya salad that was finished with shrimp and a spicy lime dressing.  It was absolutely delicious!  I loved the juxtaposition of the mildly sweet papaya with the spice of the dressing.  It hit me halfway through my entree that I should have been taking pictures - so I apologize in advance for the lack of photography (I took the above photo as I was leaving the restaurant...)! 

For our entrees, my mom chose the special spicy seafood wok and I ordered the special salmon and avocado curry.  As we usually do with Thai, we shared the entrees and I must say that both of them were absolutely DELICIOUS.  The ingredients tasted fresh and the dish contained just the right amount of spice. 

YUMMY

We thought the entire meal was great and we will definitely be returning sometime in the future!