Here we were, there we are, away we go

Once again, we find ourselves surrounded by our lives - all packed up.

The laundry is done, suitcases are packed and boxes stacked. As I sit here surrounded by it, I'm struck how cluttered a place can be when its entirely packed up.

So, Jacob has made us all proud with his devoted and strong finish to this semester, not to mention this tremendous offer and opportunity for work. I have made us proud by rolling (mostly - only a couple of meltdowns) with the punches to get us all organized, arranged, domiciled and scheduled, with the notable help of two fabulous moms who broke all the "in-" laws to take a road trip through five states and spend a couple of days with their kiddos doing manual labor, aka packing (joys of family!).

Tomorrow we pick up the moving truck again (frequent flier discount anyone?) and head back to Kentucky to start our new era (our eras, in case you haven't noticed, tend to be pretty short, but hey it keeps things interesting), and even though there's so much change and uncertainty and insecurity in a way, I know that we're doing it together. We've changed everything up so many times in the last two years, but Jacob has been my constant, my partner, my gift from God. And for that I'm thankful. I know no matter where we go, how many times we pack, move, change, shift or drift, he'll be there.

It also happens that as we approach this Christmas season, we approach our anniversary, so here's to my husband. A little memory of us when we didn't know what it was like to live in wedded bliss in a dorm room with the bathroom down the hall, to be sick for entire months at a time, to be uncontrollably cold at all hours of the day and night, to learn Arabic only to be stuck attempting French, to revel in the discovery of french fries, to enjoy the security of American fast food in a way never imagined, to live without a toilet seat, to live constantly with sand, in short, to live in adventure - together.

Away we go! Photo by Michelle Young, Endearing Studios (the best photographer ever)

Peeling Carrots

I still peel carrots the way that Layla - the housekeeper and chef-in-residence in our house in Morocco - taught us. Without a sleek, swift, clean tool to strip off in even curls the outer skins of root vegetables. With just a paring knife, dragging and pressing it at angles to shear off the dermis, leaving cleaner rough edges on the carrots and a layer of orangey-sweet beta-carotine mist on my face and arms.

Layla and lentils (addis) in the villa kitchen in Morocco

Tonight I'm pre-preparing for dinner tomorrow night - a slow-cooked venison roast to serve Jacob and the roommate I displaced, Matthew; and courtesy of the Squires family, who shared of their recent take. It makes me think of our time abroad when we were so alone, but bonded with those around us because of the simple fact of our common lives and locales.

Now, as we look toward home again, I'm thinking of all those we missed and still miss, but who we hopefully will see soon, who we will re-integrate into our schedules and hopefully be marked into theirs.

Layla used to spend one or two evenings a week hosting cooking classes with us at the villa in addition to her regular work days. She shared her talents, comfort cooking and recipes with us and I always remember how she seemed to have a certain joy in the process of preparation and sharing with others. That, I think, is hospitality. Joy in such mundane things that, at their sum, are so much more than mundane because they serve and host others.

And that's why I still think of Layla while I'm peeling carrots.

Dead Air

Seeing as I've been blogging since Jacob and I married in December 2008 (nearly two years!), it seems impossible that I could have missed an entire location that we've lived, but here it is November 2010 and I've catalogued our lives through Morocco, Oman and the UAE, Kentucky and Ohio. I've noted our travels through our countries-of-residence as well as France, Italy, Egypt, Jordan...but I've somehow been silent through our stay in the South - Carolina, that is.

And now, our time here draws to a close. We found out recently that we'd be returning home to Lexington almost exactly two years from the time we left to travel the world, and about 6 months earlier than we expected to move at all! Jacob has been offered a wonderful opportunity for work that will bring us home - closer to our family, our friends, our church home, our favorite restaurants, and our respective football teams.

So, a small tribute to our time here with a few favorite photos...and stay tuned. I have a few other bits of news to share over the next couple of weeks.

 My favorite spot in our Cola, SC home

Not actually in SC - but my cousin got married this fall and we were so excited to travel to Nevada for the event

 Also not in SC, but a notable event: the first annual girls trip.

 Now we're talking. Mucho Margaritas in Five Points for Dave's birthday.

 The South Carolina State Fair. This is big time here. Big. Time. We stopped for food first...mmm fair food...

 More fair

 And more fair food.

 Foley Beach during a day in and around Charleston.

 Foley Beach.

 Mums and pumpkins for Halloween.

And the resulting Jack-O-Lanterns. From left to right: Anne, Clinton, Jacob.

Wedding Gift, wedding gift, where are you?

I have so many fab wedding gifts. I have no idea why people got us such cool stuff. Or why they got us presents at all. I'm thankful, though. Piles of notecards that nearly exhausted my stationary stash thankful (except for my amazing girlfriends who gave me a stationary shower to help replenish the stock of paper goods that feed my fetish). 

You can find Match at one of my fave Lexington boutiques, Mulberry+Lime on N Limestone

There are some things that I will have no trouble using - like my beautiful Match accessories (also a special shower given by other girlfriends who pitched in and got gorgeous pewter candlesticks). There are other things that I may have to push myself to incorporate. I feel like I took a step with the torch (FIRE!), and now I'm not scared of it and I know how to fill it and I know what butane looks like (you should have seen the look on my mechanically-inclined brother's face when I told him I had to carry my dainty little chef's torch into Menard's to show everyone so they would know what I wanted).

You can find this gem at Williams Sonoma. If you're in Lex, ask for my sister in law. She's the really cute one. 

Even my All-Clad Waffle Iron is a little intimidating. It seriously weighs about 50 lbs and it has a lock on it! a LOCK. Like the waffles are going to check to see if the coast is clear, then hop out and bail. Peace out, waffles. I don't know. I used to cook a lot. I love cooking - I even really enjoy breakfast food, but I didn't cook a lot of breakfast food because, let's face it. Brunch is for late-waking recovery Saturday mornings or fancy Sundays. Neither of those times do I particularly want to cook or do dishes. C'est la vie, though. Marriage changes you, they say, and I guess if that means hosting more brunches it could sure be a lot worse.

Mimosas anyone?

Summertime

Cleveland's cooler weather has its perks (like the fact that there's no AC in the Party Time and it's still comfortable up in N Ohio, if not in Lexington), but being down here in Kentucky, I'm willing to trade the AC for some friend time.

We celebrated Elisabeth with a good old fashioned summertime cookout, and it was a perfect Kentucky summer evening. Just after a thunderstorm the night before, so it was a touch cooler, but still a bit of misty humidity in the warm air. There was a gorgeous sunset over the fields and hills, and best of all: friends.

I'll even take the bugs that go along with my perfect Kentucky summertime...

The Biz Buzz

My former employer, Smiley Pete, keeps in its stable my former publications, The Chevy Chaser and The Southsider, as well as Lexington's Business Journal, Business Lexington. I absolutely love this whole group and am so thankful that I can continue working and writing for them.

These are the latest:
Tarter, a Dunville, KY-based company is the largest producer of animal management and farm equipment in North America. I had a blast spending an afternoon with great-grandson of the founder, Keith Tarter. These guys are truly 100% country, 100% Kentucky and 100% impressive. Believe me, driving into middle-of-seemingly-nowhere-Kentucky, I was not expecting what I found there. Read it here.

And, yes, between Elisabeth and another gf who works at a law firm, I feel like I sort of own a little bit of legal knowledge. So, here's an article that is a perfect showcase of one reason I (heart) writing so much: I get to learn about new things! Did you know you can hire a lawyer and NOT have to pay $250/hour straight up? It's true! Read it here.

Whataweek!

Well, between moving and Jacob's and my work and finding a new place, you'd think we had enough to keep us busy, but nooo...we had so much more!

And happily. 

Last week, before we returned to Lexington for some different revelry, P&J welcomed their sweet new babe to the world! Say hello, Gabriel!

Then, I scooted over to U of K to celebrate Elisabeth's Law Grad Ceremony. Congrats Elisabeth!

While I hung out with the girls, Jacob was practicing up for the wedding of these two crazy kids, which took up our Saturday. Yay for marriage! Yay for Tommy and Ashley - hope you guys are enjoying MX (you picked a good time to leave since it's cold and rainy here - boo).

Then we scored a very relaxing Sunday just hanging with Jacob's family (after sleeping through church - whoops!).

Happy Mother's Day to both our mommas and to my Grannie - we love you all so much!

What's for Dinner Part 2

Sorry for the delay, it's been a wild couple of days (more on this later). Here's the finishing to your dinner plans for...sometime...but maybe never. But...maybe sometime!

So, the salad...my favorite salad (except a close second is the grilled chicken and peach salad) is this gorgonzola apple salad.

Take your favorite salad mix or lettuces and toss with balsamic dressing. Add one small package walnut pieces, about 1/2 c gorgonzola and one granny smith apple chopped into small pieces. THIS IS IT! It's so great though, yum.

And now for the "light" (ha) dessert. Let mascarpone reach room temperature. Put in a mixing bowl or stand mixer. Mix on a low setting until the cheese is smooth, slowly add 1/2 cup of cream while mixing on low (be careful not to mix too much or too fast once the cream is in). When the two begin to incorporate, slowly begin to add 1/4 c powdered sugar and then a couple of drops of mint extract. Continue blending until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture begins to expand just slightly with air. Slice strawberries and set in dishes (you can use any berry - or fruit - of your liking). Scoop mixture next to or on top of berries and garnish with mint.

Now I'm kind of sad that I already made this and it's gone...sure sounds good on this lovely evening.

What's for dinner, Part 1

If you're looking for something for dinner tonight, here's an easy menu from our last evening with Jacob's sister and her husband. The whole thing is super easy and totally tasty, but did I mention a light custard? I meant it tastes light...not much diet here...

This roasted chicken + mashed potatoes + apple walnut salad + insert dessert here = classic around my house and has been for a long time. Chances are if you've been over for dinner you've had it...

Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary
Purchase a whole roaster (3-4lbs)
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 lemon
2-3 sprigs rosemary
3 T olive oil
1 t salt
2T pepper

Remove any interior leftovers from the chicken and make sure cavity is clean. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic and set aside. Quarter lemon and set aside. Spoon olive oil mixture over chicken and rub in all over the skin. Also spoon mixture inside and rub inside cavity. After all the mixture is gone, insert the quartered lemon into the cavity along with two sprigs of rosemary. Insert one sprig of rosemary under the skin at the neck. Bake at 450 degrees for :30 on the center rack and then turn down heat to 350 and continue baking for an additional hour.

While the chicken is baking, work on your potatoes

Mashed Red potatoes
Red potatoes (depending on size, I usually choose 3-4 potatoes per person), chopped into large chunks
1/2 stick of butter
Milk or cream to taste
salt
pepper

Put potatoes in a large pot, cover with cool water and set to boil. When the potatoes are soft enough to mash with only a little resistance, drain them and return to pot or mixing bowl. Put in butter, milk or cream and salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes, mixing in other ingredients as you go. Once they are mostly mashed, take a little test bite and add butter or milk if they aren't creamy enough or a bit of additional salt and pepper.

I'll be back in just a few for the salad and dessert recipes.

If you're making your grocery list, though, you'll also need a package of your favorite salad greens or raw lettuces to mix, Ken's steakhouse lite balsamic dressing, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, 1 sm pkg mascarpone cheese, 1 pint whipping cream, powdered sugar, berries and mint.

Hammocky Afternoon to you, too

We know sooner rather than later, we won't have afternoons with the only demands pressing on us those that can be handled from a shared hammock. But for now, we'll take it.

I just started fixing dinner and this is going to be a meal I share recipes for (probably tomorrow so I can return to the stoveside and not ruin it for tonight!).

Mmmm. My favorite roasted chicken; no-fail mashed potatoes; a classic salad and a yummy yummy Italian custard with berries and mint.

Spring Green

 Ange, Me and Elisabeth (and Bama) working it out on the trails

The Arboretum was packed this afternoon with people and dogs walking and running and playing and generally being friendly. It was a blissful way to spend time being friendly with some of my friends.

And it was a heel day - a productive one at that! Plus we were friendly and we ran (a little) before devouring pasta with a butter-garlic-cheese sauce.

Inspired by Rue's recipe (the downstairs neighbor) and prepared by my sweet friend Elisabeth, here's a delightful indulgence for when you've earned it (or at least dressed for it or thought about it or wanted to do it).

Rue de la Pasta
Penne Pasta
1 pkg. Gorgonzola
1 stick butter
3 cloves garlic (or to taste)
Olive Oil
Fresh basil, chopped
Squeeze of lemon
salt
pepper

Boil water with a pinch of salt and prepare Penne al dente.

While pasta is cooking, put about a tablespoon of butter in a shallow, wide saucepan and sautee garlic until tender. Add remaining butter and melt slowly, adding gorgonzola after the butter is mostly melted and stir until incorporated. Salt to taste and grind fresh pepper into sauce, then squeeze a quarter of a lemon into the sauce.

Drain pasta and toss with sauce until pasta is coated, scoop onto plates and sprinkle with fresh basil.

Friday Night Special

I've mentioned before that being married has great benefits - one of my favorites is getting to meet new friends (it's especially fun when the friends have known your hubbie since high school and have all the good old dirt on him!). We had a fab Friday night with a couple-a-couples and their baby beans. There was baby bonding with the adorable Cali and Hudson...

Grant and Cali at the O Homestead

As well as adult time centered around the first grilled meal of the season (cheers! It was so good, I added the recipe below), storytelling and responsible levels of goofiness. Thanks to Bo, G, Grant, Kendall and the kiddos for a fab Friday!

Yup, that's wine with a straw. Why? How do you do it?

And, to spread the cookout cheer and head into official spring, here's a tasty grilled salad that guys and girls alike can dig. And it's easy! Credit: Kendall by way of a back issue of Real Simple (man, I love that magazine). 

Serves 4

2 Peaches, sliced, pitted

3 Red onions, sliced generously

4 Chicken Breasts

Spring Mix (or other green mix as you like)

Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Balsamic Vinegar

Brush peach and onion slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper (yes, even the peaches - you might be surprised to find the sweetness of the onion that results from the caramelizing sometimes makes them even sweeter than the peaches!). Also season chicken breasts with olive oil and salt and pepper. Grill all three until chicken is cooked through and onions and peaches are cooked to taste (I like mine blackened a bit and cooked past crispy, but still a bit firm). Spread greens on a plate and top with sliced chicken, peaches and onions, sprinkle with gorgonzola and dress with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

Delicious! Happy grilling and happy spring!

Jumpin' Java

Remember what I said about those days with heels? How I feel so much better about myself? Well, today's one of those days and it's starting out (as many of the heel-days do) as an early one. Now I'm wondering if I feel so much better about myself because of the heels or because of the caffeine that gets into my blood stream earlier and in higher quantity.

Speaking of caffeine...it's getting close to 6:30 am and I can hear the finishing percolation calling my name. 

PS-Cats make it through first round of NCAA tourney! March Madness continues in the Bluegrass!

Sushi Staycation

Life has changed a lot for us in the last few months, right? No surprise there. Our vacations used to include spots like Morocco, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, France, Egypt and Jordan.

Now our spot is mainly Chez Brown. Whenever my girlfriend and her hubbie take time away from the old homestead we step in as house- and dogsitters/squatters/vacationers. This time they even took the adorable pup with them, and we've been left with a real staycation. Still in town, still working, but when we come home at the end of the night - it's just to each other, and all the goofiness and lightheartedness of the life of two young marrieds (sans kiddos) on their own.

Tonight, for example, we reveled in the bliss of a living room all to ourselves, takeout sushi, and a few adult bevvies while enjoying a St. Pats marathon of mythbusters (all focused on busting at least one drinking myth) and contemplating how we plan to execute the master plan of making salad cars out of the newest VW model Routan (by labeling them all with an additional C).

 

I love laughing with Jacob and just being goofy. I'm so lucky to have a fun and equally goofy husband.

Milk...does a body good

One of the great things (most of the time) about our crazy little situation (intermittent work and unusual living arrangements) is that we get to have a lot of time together - I especially love time in the mornings, probably because I enjoy morning time anyway. It's also a time that, once "normal" life (what? what is that?) resumes, we might not have.

So, we do have a little bit of a routine, which involves me getting up and making coffee and usually flipping on the Today Show (I know, I know) and then Jacob comes in and gets a bowl of cereal and we both work on our computers for a little bit.

Recently, I've been reflecting on this little tradition and I've gotten a glimpse of ourselves as a much older version of ourselves (possibly living in our kids' basement instead of my in-laws basement). It's funny because it's true and it involves Jacob persisting with his argument that "there's just nothing better in the morning than a little milk and a little fiber to get you started," explaining why he likes cereal only for breakfast and me continuing to make excuses for watching ridiculous shows like the Today Show's fourth hour with Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford (there really is no excuse, btw).

Love and Basketball

It's no secret I bleed blue. Go Blue, Big Blue, Blue Nation. But my blue game has always been horse, not cat. Of course, I've supported the hometown team, and I've even been to several games, but now that I'm officially married into a Kentucky family, basketball is officially mixing with love.

But that's ok, it's actually pretty fun. And it's a nice salve on the end of glorious football seasons that always leave me feeling so hollow. Plus, this year's been a banner year for the C-A-T-S Cats, Cats Cats!

Congrats to the SEC Champs and here's to you looking forward to this year's trip to my own hometown: Indy! PS-Blue is a great color to wear up there.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

In our time of transience, I've been doing what I can to stay productive, helpful and sane. That roughly translates to a partial stay-at-home mom existence of daytime bible studies, laundry, workouts and getting kids off the bus partnered with the working girl dream of doing freelance writing and marketing/PR consulting work on a very flexible schedule (I'm available! Call me!).

Of course, that flexible schedule sometimes means meetings at odd hours, like this morning, when I'll be doing some client work. And I'll be doing it from the couch - in my bathrobe (have I mentioned that I love this flex schedule thing?). It's a good thing that I have some meetings that get me out of the house, though. I dig the bathrobe thing, but I think I respect myself more when I'm wearing a pair of heels...

This works for the time being.

Trying on a Life

Nearly three months ago, we made our big return - to our friends, family, lives - in a way. But, however you feel about the statement "you can't go home," (is it metaphorical or literal?) when you try, it's always different. 

So, I find myself tonight trying on a life (and blogging about it - because even though I don't think my day to day is that interesting, the last couple of weeks have brought requests for revival) even though I'm home.

There are some things to which return and they are blissfully the same - my iTunes library (recently re-discovered), The Bachelor wine nights with my best girlfriends in Lex (and, puzzlingly, the bachelorettes - same drama), the fact that I love driving around with the windows down, and working.

There are lots of things, however, that are incredibly, disturbingly, wonderfully different. My best friend has a baby! Not just any baby - a miracle baby who I adore. Lots of buds have babies, actually. I could have a baby (no, we aren't even trying, but it's that whole marriage thing - I could! Whoa...) I don't have a steady job, so I'm doing marketing and pr consulting work as well as freelancing (too bad for Obama my entrepreneurial efforts don't count for the jobs numbers) - which I have discovered I love (lots of freedom, but also allows me to be self-motivated). My fab husband and I are homeless homeowners (the house is rented, remember), so we live in my in-laws basement (remember?), which brings me to trying on a life today...

My sweet mother in law (yep, actually really love her) is on a vacation with a friend - for 10 days! There is no one in the world who deserves this more, and I'm so happy she could take this break and we can be here to help support the family in the mean time, but that leaves me the sole female in a house with my father- and brothers-in-law as well as my husband. So I've just sent the hubbie to BSF, the in-laws to boyscouts and I'm left with the dishes.

Don't cry for me, though, I only cooked a frozen casserole pre-prepared by said genius MIL and I'm also left with a miraculously quiet house (except the blaring iTunes!) and a glass of wine as I tidy up and wonder about the future...

Just a little fun sample from a new discovery (the hipstamatic app for iPhone - LOVE IT! Must for medium format photography lovers/owners/wishers):

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

FAQ - Again

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Most of you all know that we've made the move back to the states, but there are still questions that pop up everywhere, so here are the answers and updates.

First of all, let's clarify this question, "What does a move mean to you?"
For us right now, a move constitutes a timeframe longer than a month that includes the transportation of necessary posessions, which include for us - clothes, books and toiletries sufficient for a long trip. It may or may not include permanent housing, jobs or private toilets.

Where are you?
We are basing our little operation in Lexington, Ky., since that's been the most recent professional home for both of us and also includes a lot of contacts and enough family to help us out with things in the near-term. We are making frequent trips to Indianapolis, of course, especially until February when football season lamentably ends.

So...where do you live?
Why? You know a place? Just kidding (sort of).

We bumped around from family spot to family spot during the holidays, then a quick stint as house- and dog-sitters for our buds, the Browns. This week we officially make home in the basement of Jacob's parents.

Every time I tell people this, they give me a look that is dubious and questioning and sympathetic, then say something along the lines of, "Oh. And how is that?" The answer is, there are two younger brothers and a mother and father living full time in the house, plus two other sisters who come and go a bunch, plus us - the newest addition to this boiling stew of madness. It's nearly always buzzing in that place and there are enough people milling through to take up every room in the house if they so chose to divide in such a manner. But that comes with a lot of really fun stuff like impromptu movie afternoons with roaring fires and lots of people stuffed onto couches together, family dinners, and lots of opportunity to catch a member of my new family for a little chat. Plus, need I say it? Toilets that flush. Toilets. That. FLUSH. Like, without a bucket. Woohoo!

Where are you going next?
Ha. If I knew, I'd let you know (as soon as I packed...again). Places on the dockett include returning to the middle east as well as European locales, but the closer we inch to the summer, the longer of a shot those spots are. More likely destinations include Lexington, South Carolina, Florida, California, Nebraska, Arizona, Washington and, basically, anywhere in the United States.

We move to South Carolina in August for Jacob's final two semesters of graduate school and will stay there through graduation in May of 2011.

What are you doing right now?
Why? You want to hang out? Just kidding (sort of).

Jacob continues in the internship search, so he is following up on a lot of applications and resume submissions and is interviewing for positions. He is searching for work in operations and/or product management. He needs three months of experience before we start school again in August.

I am working on self-busyness and improvement by enrolling in Bible Study Fellowship and begining freelance work, the first article coming in Business Lexington last week (yay!) See it here. I'm also doing all the things I always thought about doing when I was working full time and thinking about all the people parading by my window. Those things include cooking, organizing (whatever I have unpacked, that is), socializing and volunteering.

How long have you been married?
Yay! Fun question. Just over a year!

Are you crazy?
Still yes. :)

How's married life?
Still good, humdul'allah! We have a whole new set of things to adjust to right now like both of us being between work, having lots of available friends and things to do, living with family and, hello, being in the United States of America, but everything is good. In the words of my mom, "I'm so glad you still like each other even after the last year." Then Jacob, "We even still LOVE each other." Ahhh...and I do. Love that guy.

Are you abroad-sick? Do you miss things from back there?
Of course! We miss lots of things from overseas, like our friends (both expat and local), being in the midst of a culture that requires constant learning and flexibility and the 70-degree weather we just left (though I'm LOVING the snow!). Not to mention all the Indian food we are used to eating!

What are some of the best things about being home?
Of course family and friends, my dog; plus driving on my own and SNOW (did I mention it's been snowing here?), seeing Mia (check her progress here) and Britt, my hair guru (check her out, too - and if you're in Lex, you should just go).

Where did you go, again?
Morocco for two months, including stops in Fez, Meknes, Volubulis and Marrakech. We also hit up Italy (Rome and Florence) and then made the move to Oman, during which time we traveled to Sohar and Muscat and also Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Emirates. We went to Jordan in the spring and then the US and on our way back we spent a week in France, with our final stop before home in Egypt. Most of the photos have made it to facebook via the blog or albums. Check them out!

Any other questions? Just let me know.

By(line) the way...

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Former colleagues (though thankfully not former friends) at Smiley Pete Publishing are the first to give me (and my new byline) the opportunity to re-start writing - at least in a freelance capacity.

One small step for Anne...one giant leap for Anne Sabatino Hardy.

Business Lexington-Breaking News
January 08, 2010
Mayor avoids layoffs in budget cuts
$12.5 million slashed from budget includes employee furloughs
by Anne Sabatino Hardy

Check it out!