First Signs of Spring: Calla Lilies and Chives

This time last year, I was itching for Spring. It had rained a lot, I was working long hours, and the winter had seemed to drag on. There should be no complaining since I had just moved from New England, but the promise of a Mid-Atlantic summer seemed as thought it would never come to fruition. And then it happened.

I found a mystery plant growing in a patch of dirt along the path to my door. Little shoots sprouting up holding promise of spring. But I could not for the life of me figure out what these plants were. They were too pretty to be weeds, but I certainly did not plant them. Nor did I expect that my landloard had planted them since the area around the house remained largely unkept. (it actually remains unkept for fear of disturbing my beautiful surprise!)

And then they bloomed, beautiful calla lilies. Some green and some white, they came out of no where. Well...now they are back, greeting me each afternoon as I walk home. Welcoming me to my apartment.

I love them. They are my first sign of Spring.

This past weekend was a bit rainy (to say the least) and it was the first time I really noticed that my Chives were growing back too! I planted them last summer and was so happy to have fresh herbs through the fall. But for some odd reason, it did not occur to me that they could come back. Well, they are sitting out back, looking beautiful, catching the rain drops. And in my own excitement, I am cooking every recipe I can think of that includes fresh chives! Sunday night was potato soup. Probably the last potato soup I will make until it gets cold again during football season. But boy did those chives taste good!

Curried Chicken Salad

This weekend, I made the best chicken salad ever! Growing up, there was a bakery near by with delicious curried chicken salad. Mmm...it was so good, but I could never figure out how to make it. The past year, I have learned a lot about cooking. When I found this recipe, I made a few modifications and gave it a try.

Ingredients:
1 cup lowfat yogurt, drained (to get all the juice out)
1 rotisserie chicken breast, diced
1 cup diced English cucumber
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped - you really can't have too much!
1 cup dried cranberries
Zest and juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise - the recipe called for this, but I am not sure I needed it...

1. Put the yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined colander set in a bowl and set it aside to drain for at least 30 minutes.
2. Dice chicken, cucumber and chop cilantro and combine them with the dried cranberries in a medium bowl.
3. In another medium bowl, whisk together the drained yogurt and remaining ingredients until combined. Add the dressing to the chicken, mixture and stir well to coat.
It is super easy, and a light twist on the chicken salad classic! I am so excited to have it for lunch all week!

During February...oh, and March too!

February flew by, and I can hardly believe that March is almost over! Here is what has been going on the past few weeks.

1. I got a new job. I am working in communications and LOVE what I do. It has kept me pretty busy, which is why my blogging suffered. Now that I am more settled with my new responsibilities, I am back!

In celebration of my new job, Mark got me this great blouse from Lilly Pulitzer:

(I love it!)

2. We spent Valentine's Day in Annapolis with our best friends - the guys all grew up together and the girls have become best friends. We are glad that we all live close enough to meet up. Here is a picture of the crew after we had dinner at El Toro Bravo - best Mexican food ever!

Then some of went out for drinks at Ram's Head, which might be my new favorite bar!

3. Then we went skiing with our friends Phil and Kami, the couple on the right in the picture above. We went out to McHenry, Maryland to go skiing at Wisp Mountain. Kami's college friends get together each year, and this is our second year tagging along. We had good snow conditions and more importantly a lot of fun. Here is a picture of the whole crew:


4. We took a road trip through Lancaster, PA to see my sister Brooke play basketball in the state tournament. Unfortunately her team lost, but it was great to see the family. Here is a picture of My mom, me, sister Julia, and Grandmom before the basketball game started:


5. We were also able to stay with our friends Faith and Kyle and their son Noah. While we were there we taught Noah how to wave! It was pretty cool.

6. We went to baby Dillon's baptism. She is getting so big so fast, I cannot believe it. It was great to see her and Tommy and Fallon. Here is a picture of them right after the baptism:

7. We joined our church, Grace Presbyterian, DC. We have been going for about a year and love it. We have found great fellowship and look forward to growing deeper in this church.

8. My birthday! My best guy friends from high school and their girlfriends came down to help celebrate. We hung out at our house and then toured Georgetown and the recent Bob Marley exhibit at the Govinda Gallery. It was an awesome weekend!


9. Mark had friends from church surprise me on Sunday night for Mark's special homemade pizza and cake, Coconut Cake! It was such a surprise and wonderful to have everyone over!

10. Mark and I went out to dinner for my birthday to this great little Belgian/French cafe, Belga. We heard about Belga when we first moved to the city, but had never gotten there. It was such a treat to go for my birthday. We ate a delicious dinner. Now I can't wait to go back. Mark did a wonderful job planning; it was the perfect birthday!

So that is most of what has been going on...

Oh yeah, we are also house hunting. Just another thing to add into the mix. I look forward to keeping you posted on that!