Shabbat at Rabbi Leila's

Yesterday we hosted Shabbat services at the house. It was really fun - 16 congregants came over to the rabbi's house, and we did a regular Jewish service with plenty of singing. In place of a traditional Torah reading, we took a "tour" of the house, learning about the significance of various Jewish ritual objects. And then onto the potluck (it's not just Methodists who eat whenever more than two of them are in a room)!

Becca Murders Every Asian Cuisine Style at Once...

...and it tastes bloody good.
Tonight's dinner creation:
1. Saute sweet red peppers in teriyaki sauce and sesame oil (or, since technically we don't have sesame oil, a shitake sesame oil-based dressing, and a honey teriyaki sauce).
2. Slowly cook small pieces of chicken in boiling teriyaki sauce.
3. Fast-fry scrambled eggs with some teriyaki sauce.
4. Boil Ramen noodles for two minutes and instantly drain.
5. Fry Ramen noodles in peanut butter, slowly adding a bit of water at a time to create a sauce base.
6. Stir peppers, chicken, and eggs into Ramen peanut butter and stir well.
7. Bring entire creation to boil while stirring, and wonder if this is going to be any good.
8. Eat...and realize that yes, it's going to be blasted good.

Culinary Genius

I have had an incredible day, culinarily-speaking. Made some French toast with cinnamon raisin bread and scrambled the remaining egg dip (flavored with half 'n' half and cinnamon). Did a bit of chicken seasoned with lemon pepper, paprika, chili, garlic, and dried onion. And...some chicken marinated in A1 for dinner. Not just for steaks, people.
Utterly delightful.

Totally has been "domestic day." I also took care of laundry, cleaned, and cuddled with the dog. Moving on to get some academic work done as well, now.

Love you all - and have a wonderful day, fathers out there! (And everyone else.)

Coin Collecting Dork-Out

I had a geek-out moment today, when I was told I know one of the designers of the 2005 nickel. The coin collecting dork instilled in me by Uncle Al got very, very excited.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Joe Fitzgerald. He designed the new Jefferson profile for the front of all nickles as well as the back "Lewis & Clark" scene.
Want an autographed nickel? I can make that happen!

MANDY PATINKIN!!

My hosts in DC and I got to go see Mandy Patinkin in concert tonight. (Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, among many other wonderful things.) Mandy's always great in concert - he sings mostly Broadway stuff (Becca's favorite) with some other fun melodies mixed in. Tonight I got to chant "trouble" while he sang "Trouble Right Here in River City" from The Music Man...and he suddenly turned political and subbed in "Bernie Madoff" for "Harold Hill." Sheer brilliance.
And he sang "Cat's in the Cradle," which always makes Gregory and I cry. But this time it was worse - because we had a special appearance by his son Gideon, who sang it with him. They then sang several others together and were thoroughly adorable.
Nothin' better to make the world seem like a wonderful place than some good ol' showtunes!

It's Friday!

Had another wonderful Shabbat dinner with friends of my hosts. This weekend I will be taking Amy her air mattress (she flew down, and I drove, so I brought it down for her with my much less limited luggage space). Other than that, I'm mostly researching like a fiend. One of these days I should have some writing to post. Until then, I hope everyone's summer is going well!