This is AJ. He’s nearly two and he says, “Oh snap! Mariel’s back in the US errybody!”

I wasn’t going to post a Tourist Tuesday today, but the one thing I should know by now is that every time I come back to the US and see people, everybody wants a shout out. So here it is, part 1 one of my adventures back in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia).

Ryan and I arrived on Friday and immediately went to CVS so I could buy giant bottles of Dayquil and Nyquil and so he could get a Gatorade. We marveled at the coldness of the Gatorade and the large size of everything. We then walked over to a nearby Mexican restaurant and got the most giant basket of chips, which they refilled when we ate them all. I love America and the refills. Speaking of food – we have been eating well. We went to Bon Chon, which is a delicious Korean fried chicken place. I have never tasted crispier skin. Amazing. I also bought Tagalongs from some Girl Scouts outside of the super market. I would’ve bought more but, I didn’t have any more cash – and then I found out Ryan was holding out and had more cash. But, it was ok because we also have Berger cookies, which are super fudgey cookies made in Baltimore. And yesterday my friends gave me a bag of crab chips – so to reiterate, I’m eating well (and by well I mean I’m eating tasty, not healthy).

Now I have done some other things besides eat. The main reason I’m here this week is for my best friend Mala’s wedding this coming Saturday. Her bridal shower was this past Saturday because her first one got snowed out. Needless to say, I was glad her first one was canceled because then I got to attend! Unfortunately, I behaved like a food blogger and only took pictures of the food at her bridal shower and I took no photos of people. Oops. But, the shower was really lovely especially because I got to hang out with Mala and catch up with my college friends Jackie, Kim, Lynn, and Norma. It was fun to tell old stories and hear new stories about babies and houses and running half marathons in the rain. I also tried on my sari for Mala and she and her sister helped me pin it. For the actual wedding, I’ll be sure to take picture of the sari and not just the food. Speaking of food, on Sunday we had brunch with my parents. We went to a nearby diner and my dad had French toast with bread that was an inch thick! It was astounding.

Yesterday I drove to Maryland to spend the day with my friends Emily, Emily, Kelly, Lisa, and Rachel. They are my oldest friends and I’ve known them for over twenty years. We went to my friend Emily’s house, and it’s her son AJ who is at the top of the post. I won that kid over pretty well thanks to all my experience at the Science Museum. I made a bubble carousel, which also impressed the grown ups, and I made him a house made out of letter tiles. Also I got in his tiny tent that has a ball pit in it, and he thought that was pretty hilarious.

But, most importantly, I got to see my friends. We sat around all day and talked. We also went on a short walk and talked. Ryan had said to me that when you’re a kid, you never understand why adults have so much fun just sitting around together, but now that we are adults it’s easy to see that it’s fun just to be together and laugh – you don’t always have to do something.

To be honest, it’s been both nice and weird to be back here. I know how to get around, I have favorite restaurants, and everything feels familiar. At the same time, it feels a little weird. I’m staying in a hotel less than half a mile from where I used to live. I’m driving a lot. And all the buildings are so new and things are so clean and spacious. It feels foreign from what feels like home now. It was jarring to feel both like I belong and like I don’t. But, spending time with my friends and family felt wonderful and like I still have a home here even if I don’t have an address. It’s cheesy I know, but I liked seeing that I can have a roots in two places.

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On Monday I was in Baltimore for the American Alliance of Museums‘ annual conference. Before I get to the recipe, allow me to dork out on museums for a bit. I felt so lucky that I got to attend, because registration is a little expensive by my standards. But, my job is awesome and let our department share time at the conference. It was wonderful to be surrounded by people excited to meet each other and learn about new museums. In the presentations I learned interesting advice to use at some undetermined point in the future, I listened to energizing recollections of first-museum-visits, and I heard inspiring stories  that I could not wait to take back to the office and immediately apply to my current projects. I also had a museum related celebrity sighting. Across a hallway I saw Nina Simon, which I’m sure means nothing to most of you. But if you’re a museum geek then you know she’s kind of great and well-known. And so I saw her and in my head was all, “gasp! It’s Nina Simon!” But I couldn’t think of anything to say except for, “I read your book,” so I left her alone to enjoy the conference. And overall it was awesome. Three years ago I left my home base to move to New York and get a degree in Museum Studies, and so it felt gratifying to actual be a professional, with an actual job, who can actually use the information I learn. Awesome.

But enough about museums. Another reason Monday was great was because I was in Baltimore. I love Baltimore. Baltimore is my  hometown. I grew up just north of the city. I attended school in Baltimore for 11 years. I celebrated birthdays and rang in many New Years at the Inner Harbor. I root for the Ravens, no matter where I’ve lived. And I got married in Baltimore. I’ve always had an affinity for Baltimore, but I’ve become a little crazier in the last few months. My parents recently moved to Connecticut, and as a result I’ve become a bit nostalgic for my younger days and a little fierce about holding on to my Baltimore identity.

And one of the ways I identify with Baltimore is through food – both the good and the less-good. To start with the less-good, Ryan and I were in North Carolina last month at a beer festival, when a giant Natty Boh (National Bohemian) mascot walked by. “I NEED A PICTURE!!!” I yelped. I ran after him, pushed through the crowds and made Ryan snap a picture. There’s a drunk weirdo in the background, but it’s my picture with an “important” Baltimore icon. I also love Berger cookies, which if you haven’t had one, you should drive to Baltimore and try it now. Unless you don’t like chocolate, then you probably have larger problems to deal with. Also, if you live in Arlington, the Italian store on Lee Highway sometimes sells them. Basically Berger’s are short bread cookies drenched in creamy chocolate fudge. Sounds awesome right? I was recently at my 10-year high school reunion and a server came out with a plate and the alumni swarmed and devoured. Ryan looked me like, “they’re good, but they’re not that good.”

But what Baltimore is best known for, is Old Bay and crab cakes. Old Bay is my go-to spice. Last week I was helping my friend Charlotte prepare dinner and we had this conversation:

Charlotte: I have all these fancy spice mixes. What should I put on the tater tots?

Me: Old Bay

Charlotte: That’s not one of the fancy spices. But ok.

I will put Old Bay on lots of things. Broccoli, french fries, eggs. I’ve even been pondering a way to make my own recipe for Old Bay steamed shrimp sushi. So, as I left Baltimore and drove home, I wanted to hold on to the day’s good feelings. I decided to make some crab cakes with lots of Old Bay. Isn’t Ryan lucky that my whims and nostalgia result in crab cakes?

Now, just like when you make burgers or meatloaf or sauce, it’s all about the balance of seasonings. And so below is what I did, and what I thought tasted good. Feel free to change the proportions or leave things out as it appeals to your tastes. The great things about crab meat though is that when you buy it at the grocery store it general comes in the tin and it’s already steamed. I recommend mixing the crab and seasonings first then do a taste test. If you like it, move on to adding the eggs and bread crumbs. If you don’t like it, add until you get a flavor you like. Without further ado, here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 pound crab meat

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 – 1 1/2 tsp of Old Bay

1 tbsp mustard powder

1 1/2 tsp dried parsley (you could use fresh too)

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 egg beaten

2+ tbsp bread crumbs

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl mix crab meat, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, mustard powder, parsley, salt and mayonnaise together. Once it’s thoroughly mixed do a taste test.

2. Mix in the egg and 2 tbsp bread crumbs. If it seems too liquidy add more bread crumbs one tbsp at a time. What you want is a patty that will hold together well when you put it in the pan and when you flip it. You can add a lot of bread crumbs, but it’s a crab cake, so obviously you want it to be more crabby. If you think it’s getting too dry, you can add some more mayo.

3. Form patties. I made 5 big ones and 1 small one.

4. If you have time, let the patties set in the fridge for 20 minutes.

5. Heat a pan on medium. Fry until golden brown on each side. This takes less than 10 minutes total. You can also broil them in the oven until golden brown. If you’re feeling like your patties are still too sticky, you can lightly coat each side with flour. Just put a tbsp of flour on a plate and plop the patty on the plate. This will help the patty dry out a bit and stick together in the pan.

Messy Level: Low. The only messy part is making the patties because it makes your hands sticky. But, it takes very few dishes and utensils to make so there’s  little clean up after.

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