In the Kitchen: January 2013

Having now been stateside for about five months, the Mrs. is catching up on her cooking blog and getting back into the swing of things as far as dumpster-diving-inspired meals are concerned. As per the good ole days, Melissa is enjoying her fair share of jamming, jellying, and canning as well as baking and cooking. New to this season of diving is her new found art of preparing homemade Vinegars such as: Banana Vinegar and Blueberry Vinegar, with Apple Cider Vinegar of course being the favorite.

With family, the Harringtons rung in the New Year while enjoying some scrumptious appetizers including sweet and savory filled wontons.

The new year has also ushered in a few bread experiments, especially in using the bread machine. Sometimes the misses is just making dough for pizza crust, other times she's using up old bananas for a Banana Sandwich Loaf.

Stories from the Couch: Room-mate for a Week

Every once in a while, a Couchsurfer comes along that melds into your daily life so flawlessly, easily and flexibly that as his plans change and his car needs repairs you don't even hesitate to welcome him to continue on with crashing the floor, dumpster diving and being "that guy" who would fit a sitcom so perfectly well. For the Harringtons, that Couchsurfer arrived early in September and spent about a week joining the couple for all manner of activities from dumpster diving, dinner in 519 Kitchen, attending fundraisers (with nearly endless supplies of micro-brews, bluegrass music and Laramie CS'ers), attending Homecoming parades and games, rescuing friends who were lost in the woods and complimenting tons and tons of dumpstergourmet delicacies.

Ross was truly the type of guest that every host (or at least the Harrington hosts) love to meet. He was able to chat about just about anything whether deep or entertaining, thought-provoking or laugh-inducing. He shared honey from out East, shared his efforts in diving and washed dishes day after day. He joyfully went out on his own every once in a while, leaving the Harringtons to take care of any other needs they may have had. Not at all imposing and entirely gracious, Ross was a great way to break into CS hosting on the US return.