I’m heading to Miami this weekend for a meeting and my mom is meeting me there. Does anyone have suggestions on what to see and do (aside from the obligatory shopping)?

We here in the VanKat household love things with character. You might remember that charming GREEN house we tried (and failed) to bid on. And thank goodness for that. Among other things, Shirley’s floor plan is much more accommodating to the furniture we already owned. And let me tell you, we do not have the greatest luck when it comes to finding and ordering furniture.

So now that we’ve owned our little abode for a year, we’re definitely ready to add our personal touch.

This plea is part of our overall landscaping/curb appeal/sprucing up efforts this spring, so I thought I’d re-introduce the landscape by committee posts and hope for some good feedback. (hint hint, please comment)

Since last fall we’ve been tossing around the idea to put an awning up on our dormer bungalow (I think that’s the name for this style house), and just haven’t taken the leap. Partly due to the snow and bitter cold that only waxed and never waned this winter, and partly due to the nagging thought that perhaps awnings are a bit passé and we should try something else to add some umpf. Maybe shutters on each side of the door like this adorable cottage:

If an awning is what we decide on, we’re thinking about a dome awning above the front door. After watching this HGTV clip we’re kind of toying with white and yellow striped canvas. But solid black or maybe black and white stripe would be a classier choice.

Eclipse on HGTV’s Curb Appeal

Eclipse Awning Systems | MySpace Video

Add your thoughts and suggestions and stay tuned for some exciting changes this Spring and Summer.

If you needed to refer to the initial landscape by committee post because you forgot what we’re working with, or haven’t seen it in person, get on over here and stay for a drink or two. If you’re lucky, I might make a meal. Or bake something. (which is more likely, anyway. Raspberry scones for tomorrow morning!)

Today is snow day number two (for me, not Ben, unfortunately), and the extra free time has allowed for a little productivity with odd jobs around the house, as well as time to catch up on some old Sunday New York Times that have been piling up (my anniversary gift to Ben was a subscription to the New York Times…and for some reason I find it hard to keep up!)

Anyway, last night we decided to retry a dish we made some time ago. It was good then, but we made the mistake of using a generic (read: bland) for the key ingredient…curry powder. Big, flavorless mistake. So after a trip to Penzeys Spices (did you know it was a chain? I didn’t.) we were all set for take two. I think it turned out quite good this time so I thought I’d share it with all of Ben’s dedicated readers…

With some olive oil, over medium heat, soften a large onion and 3 carrots.

Then add two cloves of garlic and two teaspoons of curry (we used Maharajah) and stir it all up for about two minutes (oh it smelled so good!) Then toss in one cup of (uncooked) long grain white rice, 2 1/2 cups of water, some S&P and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. After that, “nestle in” 1 1/2 pounds of thawed large shrimp (the precooked, peeled and deveined kind) that have been seasoned with S&P, and cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes.

Fold in 1/2 cup of fresh basil and…voila!

I’m a wimp when it comes to spicy foods, so the Maharajah curry was perfect. But next time I might get a bit daring and try a spicier one. Suggestions?

Does anyone have a favorite brand or a place to buy spices?

Don’t ask where the recipe is from. I have no idea…all through college and grad school I collected recipes that “looked good” and Ben and I have spent the past year eating our way through the pile.

We’ve made a few trips in the past month to the Devil Store, but haven’t taken the time to share…

From September 18:
1 golf umbrella
1 bottle Jet Dry
1 stick Dove deodorant
1 bottle Aveeno shaving cream
1 tube Sonia mascara
1 package wood pant hangers
1 package paper towels, 12 count
1 bag of litter

Total: $62.43

From October 10:
1 package Target brand “dry swiffer” floor wipes
1 bottle Watkins dishsoap
1 bag Method dishwasher tabs
1 bottle 7th Generation laundry detergent
1 bottle Lever 2000 body wash
1 box snack size ziplocks
1 container of litter

Total: $46.30

From October 18:
1 Revlon hairdryer
1 package Q-tips
1 package nail files, 2 count
1 OXO travel mug, and it’s the best coffee mug I’ve ever owned
1 box sandwich bags

Total: $66.75