We always knew the Obamas were eatin’ good in the neighborhood, but we didn’t realize how good until last night’s special Iron Chef America, which pitted Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali against Bobby Flay and White House Chef Cristeta Comerford. The secret ingredient: anything from the White House Garden. The four chefs scavenged the garden for their pick of seasonal produce, then returned to the DC set of Kitchen Stadium to make good on Michelle’s challenge: create a meal that inspires Americans, and focuses on eating healthy and locally.
Fashion faux pas survey: To match your Crocs to the First Lady's dress? (AP Photo)
Team Flay and Comerford won handily with: a fennel and apple salad with oysters; Fresh garden salad with fried lobster and squid in carrot juice, sweet and sour eggplant with pine nuts and currants; Broccoli clam “chowder” with a hint of ginger; all American BBQ with pork, slaw, collard green tamale, cauliflower gratin and watermelon radish pickles; sweet potato tart with honey, topped with pecan brittle and ginger ice cream.
Isn't it considered cheating to smear caviar all over your dish? (Food Network)
This wasn’t Flay’s first interaction with the Obamas, though. Our POTUS got a little training in the art of grilling from the master…
Obama spread a little holiday cheer with a visit to the Boys and Girls Club in northeast DC, where he read “The Polar Express” and shared a basket of cookies with the kids. He also took the opportunity to chat about the meaning of Christmas. Although the cookies don’t exactly fall in line with FLOTUS’ children’s nutrition work, can you blame POTUS for handing out Bo-shaped cookies?
I was up baking these all night! (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Obama expressed surprised at the technologically advanced gifts the kids were hoping for. His response to hopes for Playstations and cell phones? “Whatever happened to like, asking for a bike?”
The Kennedy Center was abuzz last night with yet another red carpet event–who needs LA when you’ve got the glitterati visiting DC every week? The Honors went to Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Grace Bumbry, and Dave Brubeck. Attendees included everyone from Eddie Vedder to Nancy Pelosi to Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Of course, the First Couple were in attendance looking glam as ever. At the reception, Obama showed some respect, saying “On a day like this remember, I’m the president, but he’s the Boss.”
Lovely, as usual! (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst, US Politics Entertainment)
Hillary's in heaven--who wouldn't be when sandwiched between the Taxi Driver and the Boss! (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Just remember who the REAL Boss is... (AFP/Mandel Ngan)
Even Wonder Woman made an appearance! (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
MODOC and FLODOC-Mayor and First Lady of the District of Columbia, of course! (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
The First Family apparently isn’t letting a piddly security breach stop them from rooting against the home team. The entire First Family cheered for Oregon State this weekend in their basketball game against GW. Why did they traitorously root against the home team? Because FLOTUS’ bro, Craig Robinson, is the coach, of course! All that presidential cheering must’ve worked–Oregon State beat GW 3-2. Maybe Obama and co. should start cheering for the Redskins…
Just whisper your secret to health care reform...(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Come on! Robinson's DON'T LOSE!!! (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Maybe Craig can give his bro-in-law a few tips on the art of dunking. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
As the country gears up to celebrate Thanksgiving, Obama followed a tradition started by George Bush in 1989–that of pardoning a turkey. Courage was this year’s lucky fowl, and Sasha and Malia helped with the pardon. One may ask–what does a POTUS-pardoned turkey do after Thanksgiving? Go to Disney World, of course! After Courage serves as grand marshal at the Disney parade, he’ll spend the rest of his days there in safety and solitude.
Can we keep him, Dad? I'm sure Bo wouldn't mind! (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Later in the day, the entire First Family traveled to Martha’s Table, an organization serving DC’s neediest, to volunteer for an hour handing out pies, stuffing, fresh veggies, and turkeys (not all gobblers were so lucky this season!). The Obamas were joined by FLOTUS’ mother Marian Robinson and POTUS’ sister and brother-in-law Maya and Konrad Ng. What a family–going from a gala dinner to serving food to those in need!
Packaged biscuits? What would the Pilgrims think? (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
As for Thanksgiving dinner, the White House has been mum on plans. Maybe they’ll have leftovers from yesterday’s State Dinner?
An otherwise ordinary meal of grilled cheese and tater tots turned into one of the most coveted power lunches for students at Viers Mill Elementary School in Silver Spring when they got a surprise visit from POTUS himself! According to the WaPo, “students shook with excitement and some started crying at the sight of their famous guest.” Apparently he was on his way home from parent-teacher conferences at Sidwell Friends School where his two daughers are enrolled.
The President spent most of his 30 minute visit shaking hands and talking about what they’ve been reading. He also put in a plug for the Harry Potter books (which he read with daughter Malia) and for the book and the movie “Where the Wild Things Are” (which happens to be POTUS’ favorite book while growing up).
Cutest quote award goes to a little girl named Maya — who said that “this is the best day of my life …. in school.”
Okay folks, who wants to trade a bologna & cheese and a fruit roll up for a grilled cheese and some tots? (REUTERS/Jason Reed)
You guys got thoughts on the run-off election in Afghanistan? (REUTERS/Jason Reed)
The White House hosted “Fiesta Latina” last night, and were joined by the likes of Gloria Estefan, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez, and Jimmy Smits, among many others. The event was part of FLOTUS’ musical series.
Button up, Marc. There are children here! (2009 Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
The rhythm is gonna get you! (Getty Images/Pool/Getty Images)
Obama said a few words to the audience, then proceeded to bring the whole family up for some impromptu gettin’ jiggy. Obama showed marginally more skill than during his infamous Ellen visit. Could Sasha and Malia be grooming themselves for some tween “Dancing With the Stars?”
PBS will air the entire performance Oct 15 at 8 pm est. Bailamos!
It’s been a busy weekend for POTUS. On Saturday night, POTUS opened for Lady Gaga at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual dinner. Commenting on this honor, President Obama said…”It is a privilege to be here tonight to open for Lady Gaga… I’ve made it.”
POTUS and FLOTUS celebrated 17 years of marriage this past weekend, also known as the Furniture Anniversary. Unsure if Obama gifted Michelle with a chair or two, but they did celebrate with a romantic dinner in Georgetown’s Blue Duck Tavern. The first couple were married October 3, 1992 in Chicago. Feel the romance!
"You look as spicy hot as you did 17 years ago!" (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Some favorite BoL moments of romance:
First Kiss as the newly elected First Couple (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Inauguration Night (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Dancing to Earth, Wind, and Fire (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
You had us at "fist bump" (Scott Olsen/Getty Images)
Apparently a private vegetable garden isn’t enough for the Obama family. Their need for vitamins A to zinc drew the First Lady to the newly established FRESHFARM Market on Vermont Avenue “by the White House.” Only a week ago, our FLOTUS reportedly submitted a request to the city for the appropriate road closures, etc. Usually, such a request takes months/years to be okayed. Not the case here!
FLOTUS addressed the 300-person crowd, saying “I’ve never seen so many people excited about fruits and vegetables. Yay for vegetables!!!”
"I'm so excited about vegetables THAT I CAN'T CONTAIN MYSELF!!!" (Photo by Win McNamee, Getty Images)
What did the First Lady purchase, you ask? For a total of $28, she bought: a wheel of organic Camembert, chocolate milk, eggs, Tuscan kale, cherry tomatoes, Asian pears, “patriotic” potatoes (red, blue and German butterball), and hot peppers.
The Cheese Whisperer (Photo by Win McNamee, Getty Images)
At one point, a fellow produce-junkie chided, “Don’t forget the brussel sprouts!,” to which Mrs. Obama replied “I don’t know if the president likes brussel sprouts.”
“Don’t forget the brussel sprouts!” (flanked by Sam Kass, White House Chef, and Adrian Fenty, DC Mayor) (Photo by Win McNamee, Getty Images)
When will FLOTUS start hawking the White House Garden wares?
Posted by obamniac 
Barack of Love 