![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0hW5iyDQ7vfWcn42lER_MrHU05V8G6L_sLZjU06pRzIbhwEms97pMIZRN4kGHomrHoAJNrJh23QRLdqmYjfu08KD8SQFk1qu5LNRI8q078O_JuY_DjArwUg-eE-brwHjx0XWSeElMMQ/s400/plaid.JPG)
As blogger is being problematic with uploading photos, instead of a real post I'll share with you an adventure from my weekend. A friend from NYC who had never visited DC decided to come down for the weekend as my guest and see the sights.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKSmWMdj4cuxIpgu81o41s9czJ-yTJoMXPrU0dJzV9ZFF4YJjoPZDKl5-8lhhCNxE7CsDqEc_aAm6KGzMcm_P8Wds3c6KW-oaD24F1__cVL7JWKe77TUoS-1oti9Efpb3LHnRRv1Qwq0/s400/steak.JPG)
After a busy Saturday walking around the National Mall visiting the monuments and the Smithsonian museums, we decided to make a simple, filling meal at home: a salad followed by a steak, potatoes and asparagus.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pcz7l5lFQcN0FDQPtEg6N7rFHwOW4VOrBV0Ngj2M7LSVNj0lGPXuhyphenhyphenIqdhd3ja4U1wKf8kM5m9UCbLtZGs1M0cjGtyjhkDI_x25oB_fW6jOYNiymZGWdbj5YvKlgIbpLEj8VpH8hczM/s400/atmosphere+2.JPG)
For the steak, I thought I would take a tip from Jacques Pepin and fry it in butter. BAD PLAN, Jacques! After 2 minutes my apartment was filled with so much heavy smoke that you could barely see 2 hands in front of your face, setting off my smoke detector. Regrettably, I opened my windows and then the door to my condo's hallway -which then set off the entire building's fire alarm system!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0EBHSSx2squ-qH0zlkop1UHWLeuAUD3DM_30N87k2BXFJt93bqZOsspubWPn1SuLBrhsFFxD6z3pgBxS69OVu5ww13ZmAHTl3QDmRvCOnRWOQ7CmHobc1C3CvFIUiVK628LYP3wLsDY/s400/too+bright.JPG)
Sirens blaring, an annoying electronic voice repeating *WARNING WARNING* every 30 SECONDS, elevators and doors disabled for 30 minutes, I then had to explain to not only about 30 of my neighbors that it was a false alarm but also to about 10 very kind (and annoyed) firemen! All said and done, after the excitement ceased, the meal was delicious. So much for a relaxing meal for two! How was your weekend?