winter weekend

it has been a cool thirty degrees here in DC and that kind of weather calls for lots of friends, fun and of course, food.

i bundled up and embraced the winter weather at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink on thursday.  it is a quaint little rink settled right in the middle of downtown DC that is usually packed with tourists and the like, but jessica, christina and i lucked out with minimal crowds and had fun skating circles around everyone there.

i loved the white lights around the perimeter of the rink

with jessica & christina. no falls = success!

after braving the cold all weekend i was craving a hearty meal and i had been desperate to try out the bouef bourguignon soup recipe from december's martha stewart living and to use my new (santa gifted) le creuset dutch ovem.  today was the perfect opportunity to hibernate in my apartment with a big pot of stew simmering in the kitchen...i'll have to say it was absolutely delicious and as an added bonus i got the company of dave & lindsay and a glass of pinot noir. 

i substituted a pinot noir for burgundy. highly recommend
the Rex Goliath pinot noir

this is the best pot ever

delicious