It's the farmer's market, hon!

This may seem a strange time to post about the farmer's market, but perhaps we all need a little something to remind us that winter is not eternal. Soon enough, things will be green and Sunday mornings will begin with a trip to the farmer's market.

The first thing to do at the market is stand in the Zeke's coffee line while Ben procures the weekly curry pockets:


Here's Ben, waiting for the goods:


The goods:


So good!



Of course, the farmer's market offers lots of options for those who choose not to curry pocket.

Like Magnificent Mini-Donuts:


And hot steamed Chinese buns:


Eventually, you'll finish with your breakfast and get on with the week's shopping:







This particular trip was in November (look! no coats!), just after Baltimore rocked the vote:


On our way home, we saw this flag. Look closely. Notice anything? We're stumped.


So, there you have it. Only (only!?) three (THREE!) months 'til the farmer's market is back in full swing. Sigh.

Oysters

I'm sitting in my apartment, enjoying my SECOND snow day, and feeling pretty guilty about the state of the blog. So I've decided to post about oysters. Not too long ago, we believed that oysters, particularly raw oysters, were best left to professionals. We were happy to pay exorbitant sums for the privilege of having oyster experts offer up large platters of shucked bivalves, nestled neatly in ice and lemon wedges. While I'm certain that at some future date you'll find us swaying on Neptune's bar stools, woozily full of brine and wine, now you'll be more likely to find us in the same state at our own dining room table. Here's why: they sell oysters at Whole Foods. Delicious oysters. And, perhaps more importantly in these troubled times, these oysters are CHEAP. I kid you not.

There is some work involved, but it's minimal. Particularly if you're not the one doing it.




But the results! Definitely worth a few of Ben's fingers.




I thought we'd gone a bit overboard. Turns out, we hadn't.



Lest you think Ben did all the heavy lifting, I made scallops in a shallot-lemon-parmesan-cream sauce. Because, you know, sometimes you just need things.




Here's to the luxuries that make the lean times a little fatter.

OSU vs. Howard - Basketball

On Friday, we attended the season opener for the Oregon State Beavers basketball team at Howard University in DC.



Howard is just down the road, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the Beavers' new coach, Craig Robinson.


Robinson is Michelle Obama's brother; he encouraged Barack to make a bid for the presidency. Here he is, giving Barack a pep talk.


Here he is last night, giving the Beavs a pep talk. Since the Beavs were losing, we imagine that the tone was a bit different.


Some of Coach Robinson's teammates from the 1983 Princeton basketball team were in attendance and sporting school colors.


Conveniently, Oregon State's school colors are also black and orange. Flattering, all around.



Even though the Beavs didn't win, we had a great time at Howard, and they put on a fantastic halftime show. The first video shows the band, the cheerleaders, the pom-pom squad, the dance team, and the didn't-quite-make-the-dance-team team (in jeans on the far side of the band). Count 'em - four separate spirit squads and a band. It was awesome. The second video captures two fans getting caught up in the moment. The videos are a little wobbly, but well worth a watch.





We'll definitely be going back to Howard for another game. If you're in DC looking for something fun to do, tickets are $15 at the door. After the game, we recommend a trip to Nellie's, the best damn gay sports bar ever.

The Aforementioned Boot Scrapes

Baltimore is rich in boot scrapes.



Boot scrapes in action.



Griffins are a popular style.




And curlicues.


Some are squatty.




Some are slender.




Some are minimalist.



Baltimore boot scrapes. A very charming Charm City detail.

It's Halloween, hon!

This Halloween, we went as the scariest thing we could imagine.





The hair was easy. The cocksure incompetence, a little harder.




The camera just doesn't do him justice. His "my friends" was spot-on.



In the end, it was all in good fun. Yes, we did.

Falltimore

The view at Robert E. Lee state park. Who knew that Maryland was a Southern state?

Sunflowers from the farmers' market.

Check out my gourd.


Apples grow on trees. It's wild.





Apples have many health benefits.



Broccoli fields.

Falltimore