Natty Boh Shandy

Natty Boh Shandy is National Bohemian Beer combined with carbonated lemonade or ginger ale. Light beer works better and you can use any brand you desire but us Marylanders use Natty Boh. This is a simple cocktail and a fun way to lighten up your backyard BBQs or lacrosse pregames.

1/3 fizzy lemonade to 2/3 Natty Boh
garnish with a lemon slice -optional

Mary McDonald

All of these spaces are designed by Mary McDonald. The environments she creates are vibrant yet still conventional...they all have just the right amount of playfulness. I truly admire the use of the lovely blue and white porcelain accessories.

French Onion

French Onion soup is one of my favorite things to order at restaurant. I can be fully satisfied with a crock of French Onion and a house salad.

During the blizzard week we didn't have a lot to do besides eat, so we decided to make French Onion soup. This is one of the best things (in my opinion) that JCW cooks. The fresh thyme and gruyere make the soup.

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray, makes 5 bowls.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter 6 medium onions, thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, picked and chopped or poultry seasoning

1 bay leaf, fresh or dried

1/2 cup dry sherry

6 cups beef stock

4 thick slices crusty bread, toasted

2 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese

Directions

Heat a deep pot over medium to medium high heat. Work next to the stove to slice onions. Add oil and butter to the pot. Add onions to the pot as you slice them. When all the onions are in the pot, season with salt and pepper and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme. Cook onions 15 to 18 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender, sweet and caramel colored. Add bay leaf and sherry to the pot and deglaze the pan drippings. Add 6 cups stock and cover pot to bring soup up to a quick boil. Arrange 4 small, deep soup bowls or crocks on a cookie sheet. Preheat broiler to high. Once soup reaches a boil, ladle it into bowls. Float toasted crusty bread on soup and cover each bowl with a mound of cheese. Sprinkle remaining fresh thyme on cheese and place cookie sheet with soup bowls on it under hot broiler until cheese melts and bubbles.

We prepared the soup and prepped the bread before we headed out into the snow.

EAS & JCW

It was dusk by the time we headed home.

This was the perfect meal after coming in from the cold. Part of the fun of making this soup is getting to use our Lion’s Head Soup Bowls from Williams Sonoma...I think anything tastes better in them.

Special thanks to JCW for always trying to accommodate a picky eater. xx

Jury Duty

Yesterday I performed my civic duty.

In preparation for jury duty I picked out the colors to start my long overdue needlepoint project.

After all of the jurors checked in and received their $15.oo...they turned on Meet The Parents.

The next feature film was Monster In Law. My number still hadn't been called and they told us to break for lunch, halfway through the movie. I walked across the street and got some udon soup...this is a great meal when you are nursing yourself back to health from a cold.

Next up was Radio. I had already seen all of these movies but it's the same as being on a plane...you will take whatever you can get. Before the movie was over we were released.

I managed to put a dent in my belt project. The saying starting is the hardest part definitely holds true when it comes to needlepoint...I didn't want to put it down once I got started.

G.M. Collin

I have tried a few products by G.M. Collin. I have started using the Hydramucine Optimal Cream as my daily moisturizer. This product also comes in a gel, but I prefer the cream during the winter...when my skin is at it's driest. The cream is still light enough that your face feels clean after it's applied.

The Intensive Exfoliating Gel is another one of my favorite products. Most exfoliates I have used are very harsh. This product isn't grainy and leaves my skin feeling radiant as oppose to red and raw.

Lobster Night

Last Friday was Lobster Night at the Maryland Club.

The bread was shaped like lobsters.

I couldn't wait to dip my lobster in butter.

We managed to pass off the lobster opening task to our gracious dinner partners.

Even the famous bear was spruced up for the lobster festivities.

JCW, EAS, Lawyer Liz & her Beau

This is the night before Lawyer Liz & her Beau got engaged! Congratulations to you both...I think your pup Otho would make an excellent ring bearer! xx

RL Moose and Reindeer

Ralph Lauren Team USA Opening Ceremony Hat
This hat featuring the Canadian moose is the most coveted Team U.S.A. item from 2010.

Ralph Lauren Mockneck Sweater
RL always pays such close attention to detail. I love that the date is incorporated into this sweater...it's like you are buying a collectors piece.

Ralph Lauren Sweater 2010 Olympics
RL really out did themselves with the Team U.S.A gear for 2010...it's true Americana. They took some of their classic designs and all things red, white and blue to create an extraordinary Olympic collection.

Ralph Lauren Cotton Reindeer Boys Sweater
The Reindeer had become a symbol of RL over the past few years.

JCW's nephew, Mr. APK sporting his RL Reindeer sweater. When it comes to dressing APK has superior taste.