Summer Scenes [in humid 105 degree] DC

Please forgive my absence during the past 10 days. The combination of 105 degree sticky weather and a rager head cold that has kicked my asthma into full gear (tactile necessity= rescue inhalers and nyquil) has put my head into a no-computer-no-think-after-work mode. I spent the weekend inside sleeping, eating freeze-pops and watching movies. Not too bad really. I can't complain about that. 

I turn 26 on Thursday. Can't really complain about that either. But that's a post for later..

I leave you with photos from the few moments I did spend outdoors over the past 10 days.

black-eyed susans always remind me of my mother. She would plant them in our gardens and the moment the yard was full of black and yellow, she would clip a bunch and bring them indoors.

butterfly bush

bamboo

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Rock Creek

Crape Myrtle outside the Capitol

 

Hope you all are having a great week! Stay cool. (Tactile Necessity: AC, Fans, Freeze-Pops)

Easy Baked Omlette

I love Sundays. Sundays are all about 10:00 am (or, 11:30 if you are me..) coffee and homemade breakfast. Today's breakfast was my quick and easy version of my grandmother's 24-hour omlette which has been a Christmas tradition in her household—and mine—since she was a little girl.

 You'll need:

two slices of bread (I chose wheat for health reasons) 

butter

skim milk

grated cheddar cheese

two eggs

2 tsp. ground mustard

salt & pepper to taste

a small baking dish

1. Pre-heat the oven to 345

 2. Butter both sides of the bread, cut off the crust, and then cube

3. butter or spray (with a little bit of oil) your small baking dish and line the bottom with the bread cubes

4. Sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese

 5. In a separate dish whisk two eggs, milk, mustard powder, salt, and pepper together. Pour mixture over the bread cubes making sure the bread soaks up the liquids.  

6. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the edges are brown and crunchy.

 

 enjoy!

*note- this recipe also works great as a french toast base. Just substitute cheese and mustard for vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Equally delicious!

As a bonus, I leave you with a picture of my National Archives kitchen find—Rulers of the Kitchen. Yes, that is my beloved Julia Child's face and a breakdown of "rulers" of the kitchen on it. I couldn't resist.

Have a great week!

Collections: Magic Lantern Slides

 I have been holding onto this post for several months now in hopes that I would have done something with these babies by now. Perhaps I was waiting to build up a bigger collection- who knows. I found these Magic Lantern glass slides at Eastern Market mixed in with old atlas maps, vintage postcards, and other imagery from the past. I fell in love with these beautiful objects with images of who knows what and their beautiful borders. What is a magic lantern you ask? Basically it is the original slide projector. Check it out here.
While I do not own a magic lantern (I am not sure I want one either) I am now in possession of a handful of slides with beautiful and unique images on them. Most of these images are from the 30's and 40's, but I was told the one above is from 1912.

for all of you Tudors fans, that is an image of the big-bad Cardinal Wolsey

I am still trying to figure out how to display this new found collection, and when I do, I am sure it will land a post. More later...

on a side note:

I usually do not blog about others' blog posts, however today, I feel I have to share this. AuraJoon is a fabulous blog and her post from Friday truly represents the "tactile necessity" I wish I could so eloquently describe. Sometimes it is the simplest object that can store up so much meaning just by being there- present and serving as a reminder of the dirt, grime, and happiness of everyday moments- and some more monumental ones as well. (I will note that I don't entirely agree that a bracelet is an "unhealthy" attachment, but that is her life, not mine) Make sure to check it out (Her photography is gorgeous as well.)

day dreaming: ms. austen style

love this

From Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Jane Austen Style

http://onedeepbreath.tumblr.com/

all images: pinterest

lake dreams

in my dreams, i live here. foggy, rainy days are comforting on the lake.

everything is still. motionless. anticipation as the rain rolls in over the water.

first drops summon towels, blankets, and tea.  

in my dreams, i live here.

Fourth of July Weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day (and weekend)

 

i spent most of the weekend cooking, cake decorating, assembling a Lego White House, and hanging out in the rain. 

 

Lego Architecture Series

best of all was 9:10 on Monday night when we literally ran to the mall to get a good view of what may be some of the best fireworks I have ever seen

we watched the fireworks and then hung out for a little while after. what a beautiful night!

 

 hope you all are having a great week!