Southwest Salad with Black Beans, Butternut Squash, Corn, and Tomatoes

I just got back from Mexico last last night.  I went to La Paz, which is in Baja California.  My brother and his family is spending several months there, and I went down to visit with my parents.

It was a great trip.  The water was beautiful, it was warm, and I really enjoyed visiting family.  

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Happy Martin Luther King Junior Day!  I am not working today because it is a federal holiday.  I celebrated by going to a waffle brunch.

The host made lots of waffles, and everyone else brought accompaniments.  It was very fun.  

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Black Beans and Chili Dressing

Happy New Year! The last year went by quickly.  I guess I'm ready for 2018.  I hope 2018 brings change and a little adventure.

I haven't returned to work yet.  I am still at home visiting family.  I fly back tomorrow.  I had a great vacation.

Chicken Tinga

A couple of years ago, I moved into a new apartment.  Thanks to my roommate, I had access to a slow cooker for the first time since I moved from home.  

I have become a fan of dishes made in a slow cooker.  It is so convenient to put all the ingredients into the slow cooker and then walk away for a few hours.  It is my preferred method of cooking on Sundays.

Root Beer Barbeque Chicken Quesadillas with Caramelized Onions

Today I got completely drenched riding my bike back to my apartment.  It had started raining when I first set out, but it became a torrential downpour  after five minutes of riding.

I found it enjoyable.  I enjoy the feel of rain, on my skin, and everything looks so beautiful in the rain.  It smells clean and refreshing.  

Black Bean Burgers with Mango Salsa

Last weekend I went to Williamsburg.  I have been a few times before, but it is always a fun city to visit.

There is a section of the old part of town that has been converted into colonial Williamsburg.  You enter the shops and see people dressed up in 1770s garb and practicing a time appropriate trade.

Slow-Cooked Tex-Mex Chicken and Beans

I keep hoping that as I go to the gym regularly, exercise will feel easier and easier.  I went to the gym after work today, and I was worthless by the end of my class.

I am going to think I was so lethargic because I was hungry.  By the end of the class, I stopped performing the circuit well before the bell to rest.  Oh well, some days I just don't feel up to par.

Pozole

Next week is Valentine's Day.  I don't have a significant other or any exciting plans, but Valentine's Day is a perfect excuse for me to buy myself a little chocolate.  I bought myself a couple of bars of fancy chocolate last night in preparation for the upcoming holiday.

There is a store in DC called Chocolate Chocolate.  I bet you can guess what they sell.  They sell the most interesting chocolate.  They sell beautiful pieces of chocolate by the pound.  They have sophisticated flavors like honey lavender and rosemary caramel, and each flavor has a unique and colorful design.

Caramelized Apple and Sharp Cheddar Cheese Quesadillas

I started a knitting project last Thursday.  I have a tendency of doing things to extremes.  If I get into a TV show on Net-flicks, I binge until I finish all the seasons.  When I find a book I really enjoy, I finish it in a few days.

On Friday and Saturday, I probably knit between four to five hour each day.  

Tomato, Black Bean, and Corn Salad

Fall is in the air.  It is my favorite season.  I like the crisp weather and the colorful leaves.  I even think the barren leaves at the end of the season are beautiful.  Fall starts getting me excited for my two favorite holidays, Christmas and Thanksgiving.

I'm not crazy about winter, but I can survive it.  I have a electric heating pad I put on my bed and warm winter books.

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

I had a long and enjoyable weekend.  I went with a couple of friends to Rhode Island.  It was my first trip to Rhode Island.

It was a long drive, but it was well worth the journey.  We went to a city names Newport, Rhode Island.  This city have many large, Gilded Age mansions.  Wealthy families would build these large homes just to enjoy during the summers.

Southwest Roasted Vegetable Bowl with Shredded Chicken

On Thursday I rode my bike back from the city to my apartment in the dark.  In DC, it wasn't a big problem because the streets are well lighted at night.  It was spooky on the trail in-between DC and my apartment.

I wasn't prepared.  My headlamp's batteries were dead, so I couldn't see much.  I went very slowly and cautiously.  I'm glad I didn't run across someone on the path because we probably would have crashed.  

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

I had henna painted on my left hand when I made these enchiladas.  I'm new to henna, but I really enjoy it.  I had it painted on my left hand again since these pictures.

Henna give me something to look at.  The delate and intricate patterns are beautiful.  The second henna tattoo was even more elaborate and elegant than the first one. 

Corn and Chorizo Soup

Every once in a while I make a recipe that tastes fantastic but looks unappealing.  This hearty corn and chorizo soup is a perfect example of a yummy dish that's a little weird looking.

Corn was domesticated in modern day Mexico.  Starting around 2500 BC corn crops spread throughout the Americas.  Corn spread to what is currently the United States in 2100 BC in what is now New Mexico and Arizona.  

Chicken and Pineapple Salsa Cornbread

When I was going to college, my older sister and her family lived in the same town as I.  I would go to her house at least once a week to hang out, eat, and do my laundry.  I was a bit of a sponge really.

Sometimes we would watch movies or bake cookies.  She introduced me to many wonderful BBC miniseries like "North and South," a favorite of mine.  

Carnitas

Last week I was in San Diego for a conference.  It is a beautiful town, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly.  I ate Mexican food every day.  A former classmate suggested I try a restaurant that happened to be a couple of blocks from my hotel.

There was a long line of customers waiting.  They had a simple menu: tacos, tamales, and rolled tacos.  Everything was greasy and delicious.  I ordered a tamale filled with carnitas, among other things.  The meat was tender and flavorful.

Spinach, Mushroom, and Tomato Quesadillas

I am the most scatterbrained person I know.  When I flew home for Christmas, I went to the wrong airport.  Who does that?

Today I went to a restaurant to have dinner with friends.  I was on time and waited ten minutes.  I was about to text them when I quickly checked my calendar.