Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas

Before I run out of days in January, I am posting my first "new recipe" entry.  I decided that one of my new years resolutions (I had many this year) was to try 1 or 2 new recipes a month, and then blog about them here (for accountability).

For my first post, I decided to go easy...and what's easier than enchiladas!  Well, at least using this recipe I found on a blog I recently discovered called Vegan Heartland.  (It also has lots of yummy desserts, so I'll have to try one of those recipes too!)  Except for not having any tomatoes, I actually had all the rest of the ingredients on hand (which made it easier as well).

[Note, I only had reduced fat Kaas cheese, and it doesn't shred that well.  The regular version shreds much better, so I'll be sure to use that next time.]

Here are a few pics:
Before...

After...

 Not super pretty, but they tasted good...

Recipe credits:  Vegan Heartland (http://www.vegan-heartland.com/2011/12/black-bean-and-rice-enchiladas.html)

National Day of Service

This past Saturday, my friend and I participated in the National Day of Service by heading to the DC Armory to help stuff bags with toiletries and whatnot for our troops and emergency first responders.  Lines were long to get in and you had to go through security, so we speculated at who might show up.  When the speakers started, they introduced Janet Napolitano (Secretary of Homeland Security, and former AZ Governor when I lived there) and so we figured that was it.

(bad cell phone pick of Napolitano from a distance) 

We made one pass through the assembly line set-up, filling up some bags.  Our line took quite awhile, so we decided to pick a different line for our second pass (there were about 8 lines total).  And boy did we pick a winner!  After awhile, the line stopped and they told us there would be a delay, but it was worth it.  It turns out Dr Jill and VP Joe Biden showed up to help hand out the goodies for the bags.

Thinking we wouldn't get up there before they left, I got up as close as I could and snapped this picture:

But then we started moving again, and my friend and I realized we were going to get to meet the Bidens!  I apologize for the really bad cell phone pics...but you can tell who it is, and I was trying to keep moving, fill my bags, and still get a few pics...

Getting closer...

Almost there...

I exchanged a few words with Joe...of course in hindsight I've thought of a hundred things I could have said or asked. Oh well, maybe next time I run into him.

Cannot forget to mention that we also got to see the target dog :-)

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013!  Hope you brought in the New Year with good cheer.  I think I skipped doing an official virtual holiday "photo" card last year, so here you go this year. Wishing everyone a healthy, happy new year!

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As per usual for me, I did a lot of traveling this year.  Many trips were for work (check out this recap blog post), but I went on more fun trips that I thought when I sat down to write this blog post.

JANUARY - After a busy end to 2011 (wrapping up much of ARRA - aka the Recovery Act - work) and not being able to take off any time over the holidays, I took a few days off in January to visit my brother in CA.  Check out the blog posts here, here, here, and here.

MAY - I called this my official vacation for the year...a full week in the outer banks! http://kkwatergirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/obx.html

JUNE - I made it to my 49th State...North Dakota!!  (now I just have Alaska left).  I haven't gotten time to post pictures from this trip yet, but will soon.  So check back here later!

JULY - To continue the tradition (see our first trip here), I went on a multi-generational road trip again with my mom and my niece.  This time we headed to KY, via OH, for a long weekend.  Check out the blog posts:  Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4

NOVEMBER - I kinda last minute decided to visit my dad for Thanksgiving, and he picked me up in Denver.  (remember what happened last time he picked me up in Denver? Denver to Moab trip)  It didn't snow this trip, until I was back in Denver.  Check out the blog posts:  Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, and Days 5 & 6

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I also made two fun trips to NYC this year with a friend (in addition to the work trip there). We started this tradition a few years ago.  Here are a few pics from those trips since I did not do a separate blog post for them.

February Trip - Museum of the City of New York (there was a cool exhibit about redoing the roads in NYC)

Significant progress on the new World Trade Tower:

Dinner:

September Trip - Transit Museum this time
But first, lunch in Little Italy:

Then we walked to Brooklyn over the bridge:

Then on to the Transit Museum, which was inside an old subway station:

The cat who lived inside the museum...

 Only in New York:

Last stop...Top of the Rock:

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I also had a few "firsts" for me with regard to sporting events...

First Caps Game:

First Orioles Game (and last home game of the season)...how did I never make it to Camden Yards for a game all those years I lived and worked in Baltimore??

(oww...this looks painful!)

First Grand Prix of Baltimore - I do want to do a whole post for this one...one of these days - but here are a few pics for now...

The winner...Number 28...Hunter-Reay:

My brother's girlfriend (heehee):

Winners Podium:

And the guys you'd recognize...Ashley Judd's husband:

Dancing with Helio:

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I attend two weddings (and thankfully no funerals)

Former Coworker:

College Roommate:

 (no, we don't who the extra guy is on the right...)

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With a bum hip...I only did a few (shorter) races this year...

Baltimore St Paddy's Day Run:

Walked the Francie's 5k with my mom (my brother ran it):

Veterans Day 10k in DC:

My running club - DC Capital Striders - manned the water stop:

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And last but not least...a few more annual traditions...

Cherry Blossoms (walked to the Tidal Basin on my lunch break one day):

 Kite Festival (for mom's bday):

Miniature Golf with my niece and nephews:

(celebrating afterwards...shh, don't tell their dad!)

National Book Festival:
I've gone every year for the past five years with my mom (shown below, with mother/daughter authors Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella)

Bob Balaban (better known not as an author...but as Russell on Seinfeld, among other roles)

 A childhood idol, Maria from Sesame Street (aka Sonia Manzano)

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What a year!  Here's to 2013 being even better...with more adventures and sightseeing!  (one New Years resolution is to post in a more timely manner this year, so check back!)