China-town, Microbiology and Moving

Sorry for the lapse! I've been busy packing these driving this

and then moving it all to live for 2 months in something that resembles this

(Go me! :) What complicated matters what that my body decided to feel like this

And I decided to start a masters and take a course from 6pm-11pm Mon/Wed involving looking at these guys (gross!) --streptococcus bacteria.
Meanwhile, Jared's off having a grand ole time in a faraway land where traffic police wear vests that say "traffic warden"

and food items are described as "captivating with relish"

He's seen

and been seen with

Can anyone guess where he's gone? Beijing China! His new home for almost two months. He'll come back to me on June 27th and I can hardly wait :) ... so he can move all those boxes out of our temporary residence and into our new one! ;-) There you have it. Our fantastic summer affairs.

Food frenzy

I guess my number #2 love, 2nd only to Jared, is coming out: FOOD!

Here's a deliciously nutritious recipe for... could it be.... icecream? I'm going to make it soon and let you know just how it stands up against the real thing.
BROWN SUGAR ICECREAM

ingredients
1 cup (195g) cooked short grain brown rice1 cup (245g) reduced fat plain yogurt1 cup (240 ml) non-fat, skim milk1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar2 tablespoons golden flax meal1 teaspoon lemon zest1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until the rice begins to break apart. Pour into an air-tight, freezable container.
Freeze for 3-4 hours or until firm.

Jared and I love trying new hummus recipes!
Here's some of our favorites. Let me know if you have any as well!

Black Bean Hummus
1 clove garlic 1 (15 ounce) can black beans; drain and reserve liquid 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon paprika 10 Greek olives

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup roasted red peppers
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Rosemary Artichoke Hummus

2 garlic cloves 3 to 4 tbls fresh rosemary, roughly chopped (I've used dried rosemary too, about 5 pinches) 1 - 15oz can of garbanzo beans 1 - 15oz can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained. (I've also used the marinated smaller cans to add more flavor) Juice of one lemon 3 to 4 tbls EVOO Salt to taste

Did you hear this?

I've just become a huge fan! Mostly of this song (though not as done by Tears for Fears--sorry guys), and also of Adam Lambert. For those of you who watched American Idol last night. He was the last performer, and definitely stole the show. Now I can't get Mad World out of my head.

For Danika

My current crochet project. Imagine this in 12 connected squares... w/o the hook in the middle. Retroness for sure. Sorry the picture's so dark.

And this little diddy is what I just completed a month or so ago. Cutest, most simple neck scarf you'll ever knit. Thanks Martha.

Visit one of my new favorite blogs for a chance at this lovely prize!

In search of more delicious Monte Cristos

Seriously guys. This is all you need to know about my birthday. (Well, almost...)
My compliments to the woman's blog from whenst this picture came. Thank you Ferguson family (no idea who you are... but there were other yummy treats featured, so take a look).

This is the deal though, folks. Monte Cristo (bit-of-heaven-in-10-lbs) sandwiches are hard to come by. Everyone I rave about them to is like "Monte Cristo... like the Count of?" And I have to be like "No, the sandwich!" They never know.

Who here has ever experienced the goodness of this sandwich?? Please let me know. I've had it at Disneyland (though for a pretty penny) and now Melt, here in Cleveland.

Tell me people: Where else can I get a Monte Cristo???

For those of you who don't know, a Monte Cristo is a ham, turkey and swiss sandwich on thick white bread, deep fried, sprinkled with powdered sugar and berry sauce on the side for dipping. A-MAZING.

Obviously there were other magical parts about the grand "golden birthday" (27 on the 27th), like Jared waking up early to draw me up a hot bath, rubbing my feet, making me waffles, buying me a plant, okaying the purchase of my new favorite hair toy--the Chi, and taking me to see Valkyrie. Great day. THE END.