Monthly Review: December 2012

The last monthly review for 2012!  What photos did I capture on my iPhone this month?

Interested in what we did in the past months?  Check them out for 2012: May, June, July, August, and November.

I love walking and running in DC, views like this don’t let me forget how lucky I am to be in such a great city!

Our friend Brittany celebrated her 30th birthday with a brunch at Granville Moore’s.  It was the first time for Sam and me, and we really enjoyed it- hope to come back to try the mussels and Belgian beer!

My friend Carrie and I went to the screening of Honor Flight, at DAR Constitution Hall, it’s a documentary about a network that brings World War II veterans to see the memorial in D.C.  If you haven’t seen this, please do- what a great organization!

Holiday Parties, I’m pretty sure everyone had many this month.  This is my attempt at one of them to decorate my cookie.  I don’t think Christmas dessert decoration is my thing…maybe next year!  If you’re as decorationally-challenged as me, try making this Creamy Winter Veg Soup.

We’ve had a number of friends find new homes the past couple of months- congrats to all!  I just thought this card was really cute!

For those that follow me on Twitter, you probably already know that I run with Back on My Feet in DC.  This is a great organization helping homeless attain various personal goals (school, homes, jobs, etc) while using running as a platform.  If you’d like more info about it, don’t hesitate to ask!

This was during our huddle right before the group ran the Jingle All the Way 8K!

During our last visit to the Penn Quarter Farmer’s Market we got: spaghetti squash, cheeses, sausages and brussels sprouts.  The market will be back in March, until then we’ll try to stop by the Dupont Farmer’s Market on Sunday’s!

Recipe ideas for the foods above: Leafy Brussels Sprouts with Nuts & Rigatoni with Vegetables Figs and Blue Cheese.

There have been a couple cold nights in December, so we like to stay in and enjoy some cheese, crackers and pear slices!  And we got to usa a wedding gift- a new cheese board (thanks to Steph and Jack!).

Other appetizer ideas: Apples, Blue Cheese & Honey; Beet Chips with Pistachio Dip; Fig & Arugula Flatbread; Roasted Mushrooms with Parsley; Tomatoes with Mozzarella & Basil.

Although we have had delicious dinners at Zengo DC, we had yet to try it for the new brunch option.  When our friends Josie and Nathan wanted to hang out, we suggested this $35 bottomless brunch!  Wonderful food, good service and those churros at the end were delicious!

With Back on My Feet DC I got a chance to visit the White House when it was beautifully decorated for the holiday season.  Check out my post on this little adventure!

Great photo of the Mall on Christmas Day!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!

When I’m sick, the only thing I crave is pho.  Does anyone have any favorite places around DC/NOVA?  I’d love to hear where you all go!  This one was takeout from Pho DC.

DC recently opened up its first gin distillery.  Green Hat is open for tours, but we snagged this in our local liquor store.  Have you tried it yet?

Rum Raisin Ice Cream

As there are different types of books, there are different types of desserts.  Sometimes you might be in the mood for something chocolatey, or gooey and sticky.  Other times a cake or a pie.  Other days, especially now that it’s so hot, everyone is in the mood for ice cream.

Whenever I go for a run around the Mall, I see so many children (and adults) enjoying various types of ice cream.  Whether it’s a popsicle or a fudgesicle or an ice cream bar.  So by the time I get home, I want something for me!

That’s where our ice cream maker has come in handy.  This is a very easy ice cream to make.  I’m not going to lie, raisins are not my favorite.  But Sam’s been talking about making this specific flavor of ice cream, and we had bought the rum, so he made some.  I’m glad he did, because it’s delicious.  It’s sweet, but not too sweet, just the perfect amount.  I don’t know if I’ve changed my opinion about raisins, but I definitely am up for the rum raisin ice cream any day.

While we’re on the topic of running around the Mall…I always wonder how many pictures I’m in?  All you ever see is people taking pictures on all corners of the Mall, so I wonder how many times I’m that random person running in someone’s picture?

Want to try other frozen desserts?  How about our Pear Sorbet or Kumquat & Orange Sorbet!

Rum Raisin Ice Cream

3 cups half-and-half
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup dark rum (we used Zaya)*
1 cup raisins

2 hours prior to making the ice cream, put the raisins and rum in a bowl to soak.  Drain raisins, but retain half of the rum.

Put cream, milk, and sugar in the ice cream maker for 20-30 minutes or until creamy.  Add the raisins and the remaining rum and allow it to incorporate.  Put the ice cream in the freezer for about an hour to set. Enjoy.

*Zaya incidentally is a wonderful sipping rum