http://benandemilie.net The random ramblings of Ben and Emilie Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:57:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Some time in mid February Ben and I were gripeing to each other about our weight gain and Ben had a great idea. He propsed a friendly in- house biggest loser competition. And by friendly I mean utterly brutual because given the right circumstances both Ben and I can be very competitive. So with the ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2010/03/16/biggest-loser-kahn-edition/ Ben and I are spending the day relaxing. His mother drove her RV up from Southern California to spend the holiday with us.  We're making a turkey breast, asparagus, mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing. A small and relaxing holiday. This is the time of year that it's hard to be ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving/ This is a list I started while I was in college. I will add to it and cross items off as time goes on. Own a house Have children Get married Buy a brand new car Travel to Tibet Visit all 7 continents Put my kids through college Visit Mt. St. Helens Visit Mt. Hood Go Scuba-diving (preferably somewhere pretty) Go ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/07/06/list-of-things-i-want-to-do-during-my-lifetime/ While most of the plants in our garden seem to be growing in size but not producing much due to temperatures hovering in the low 70’s I couldn’t help but notice the size the herbs were getting to be.  The basil had grown to what may be considered a “bumper ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/06/24/oh-you-pesto/ Click the picture to check out new pictures of our vegetable garden. The new pictures are at the bottom of the page. http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/06/13/its-groooooowing/ I have to say that two months ago I thought Portland’s growing season would never arrive. Now that it’s here, I’m practically beside myself with glee. I have spent just about every weekend outside either planting or pulling weeds or just admiring my plants’ progress. In fact, I’m so proud ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/06/01/garden-update/ I planted the tomatoes and herbs in the raised bed we built this morning. In the bed: (back left) Viva Italia Roma Tomato, Fantastic Tomato, Shady Lady Tomato, (back right) Sweet Millions Cherry Tomato.  (Front Left) Sage, 10 Sweet Basil Sprouts, (front right) Greek Oregeno. In the middle of the ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/05/17/garden-2009-is-planted/ It’s 7am, Ben is still sleeping, and I am sitting out on our back deck enjoying a cup of coffee and the sounds of a spring morning. The weather forecast predicted a high in the upper 70s today, something for Portlanders to get excited about and cause to start making ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/05/16/an-early-morning-in-the-garden/ For the past 4 months, I have been going to the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club every Tuesday. I joined the club as an apprentice member which means I learn about and work on the huge HO scale train layout with the senior members. After the 9 month apprenticeship, the ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/03/22/my-tuesday-nights-are-busy/ We all know how the dead of winter can inspire the desire to stay home and make warm comforting foods. About a month ago my company had a “Chili Cook-off”, and while I did not enter I managed to go home with an amazing chili recipe. I thought I would ... http://benandemilie.net/index.php/2009/03/17/when-the-weather-is-frightful/