fancypance

My Week In Pictures 2.02.12 - 2.18.12

2012-02-19T08:35:00.001-05:00

The week got off to a snowy and rainy start, but Brenden and snuggled in and watched a lot of Torchwood.

Sunday 2/2: I love going to Whole Foods. I always find such interesting and delicious things, like this coconut spread. If you like coconuts, I definitely recommend this spread!

Monday 2/3: Lounging on the couch with my two favorite creatures after work. Brenden asks Wendy if there is a squirrel outside and she whips her head around and stares out the window.

Tuesday 2/4: I have a new policy. If I am in the produce section at the store and I am awestruck by a fruit of vegetable, I am buying it. It's the most sensible impulse purchase possible! Here are my golden beets and mini pears.

Wednesday 2/5: Lotto Wednesday continues. I was excited about the I love Lucy ticket. Still, no wins.

Thursday 2/6: Taking Wendy on a walk.

Friday 2/7: Carryout from Taj of India. Oh, Indian food, how we've missed you!

Saturday 2/8: I had a fantastic morning with Carolyn. We went to the winter farmer's market and then to my favorite divey Mexican restaurant, La Parada. I ordered elotes (seasoned corn on the cob) and it was really enormous, so Carolyn kindly took this picture.

My Week In Pictures 2.05.12 - 2.11.12

2012-02-12T20:59:00.002-05:00

It was a cold, grey week. I'm so over winter but trying to make the best of it.

Sunday 2/5: Cheddar, beer, and mustard pull-apart bread before it went into the oven. It was a good for munching during the Superbowl, even if it was a bit underdone in the center

Monday 2/6: Came home to discover two treats; a danish and a note from T. in the mail.

Tuesday 2/7: Lauren and I have taken the initiative to recycle all of our papers at work. We made a trip to the bin. Paper is heavy!

Wednesday 2/8: A new tradition we like to call Lotto Wednesday!

Thursday 2/9: One of my favorite meals in Indianapolis, the grilled chicken salad from Some Guys. The house made ranch is fantastic, the grilled chicken is from a wood fired oven, and for $5, you just can't find a better salad for the price!

Friday 2/10: I told Melissa, my stylist, that I was taking a picture every day. She said "let's take one when I'm waxing your eyebrows!" So, that's exactly what we did. I love her.

Sunday 2/11: After the Mini Marathon training 5k. After a really mild winter, we had a subzero windchill that day! I thought my face might freeze off.

My Week In Pictures 1.29.12 - 2.04.12

2012-02-07T21:34:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I've kept this project up for over 30 days. A new track record!

Sunday 1/29:Wendy was full of energy when we took her for a walk. She wouldn't stop prancing.. This photo was taken after we walked several miles! She is just frolicking on the driveway.

Monday 1/30: I call this one "cracker confusion". I was searching for everything crackers, and it must have taken 10 minutes to locate them. This is just about 1/3 of the available crackers at Meijer. America, I have a love/hate relationship with your abundant choices.

Tuesday 1/31: The everything crackers went into this lentil loaf. It was a quick and tasty recipe, especially when you make the lentils a day ahead.

Wednesday 2/1: Wendy loves to inhale all of the smells from her new bag of food.

Thursday 2/2: Sometimes it is hard to imagine how all of the product you're ordering will look together. That's when you have to cut out pictures and shuffle them around. It's low tech but it works!

Friday 2/3: This was the extent of my Indianapolis Superbowl mania. Jimmy Fallon taped a few shows here and I watched them on Hulu.

Saturday 2/4: My friend Xander shows off his science fair project; I was a test subject for his data gathering. (It is the Monty Hall problem.)

My Week In Pictures 1.22.12 - 1.28.12

2012-01-31T20:39:00.002-05:00

I saw friends, family, and took a business trip to Orlando.

Sunday 1/22: It was my cousin Carolyn's 21st birthday, so the family went to brunch at LePeep. Here she is with my mom. Afterwards, I went to lunch with my dear friend Cassie who was in town. With all of those meals I felt like a Hobbit!

Monday 1/23: I was quite put out in a very "first world problems" kind of way that Meijer was sold out of my preferred variety of almond milk. I've been having a cup for dessert nightly. I huffily chose this chocolate Almond Breeze instead and was pleasantly surprised. It's not very sweet - just how I like it.

Tuesday 1/24: I dressed in black from head to toe and made this half-hearted effort at adding some pizazz to my outfit. I suppose a smile would have helped, too.

Wednesday 1/25: My view as Brenden and Wendy drove Lauren and me to the airport.

Thursday 1/26: At the PGA Merchandise Show, I "met" Rory and Rickie!

Friday 1/27: I told these salesmen I was taking a picture every day in 2012. Without much convincing at all, they put on some flat billed caps and struck a pose! I've known them for two years and had no idea they were such hams!

Saturday 1/28: Unpacking. Sadly, I think my lime green suitcase only has a few more trips left before it breaks down. I thoroughly recommend brightly colored luggage. I never pick up the wrong bag from the carousel or gate check.

My Week In Pictures 1.15.12 - 1.21.12

2012-01-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

Sunday 1/15: After watching CBS Sunday morning I went back into the bedroom to find a dog and its master snuggling in bed.

Monday 1/16: Brenden and I played several rounds of Dominion (a card game) online. No shuffling required.

Tuesday 1/17: My dinner turned out bright and pretty. Those are Trader Joe's Masala Vegetable Patties.

Wednesday 1/18: Neighborhood association meeting night. Someone forgot the key that lets us into the church. I waited in the car and listened to NPR.

Thursday 1/19: Came home from work to find Brenden and Dad playing a game in the living room.

Friday 1/20: Brenden invited several people over to play the board game Arkham Horror. It is a very long game; I think they took 6 hours to play it. I chose to hang out with the kids instead. This is Zoe, Wendy's #1 fan!

Saturday 1/21: I mercilessly decluttered the spare bedroom closet, also known as "the junk room". I had tons of craft and art supplies which hadn't been touched in over a decade. Some were trashed and many items, everything in cardboard boxes, are destined for a garage sale.

My Week In Pictures 1.8.12 - 1.14.12

2012-01-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

It got colder. I didn't sleep well. And, then, it snowed. Welcome to January!

Sunday 1/8: When I slipped on these socks I realized I bought them at Nordstrom 11 years ago, when I worked at Circle Centre. When you dislike wearing socks as much as I do, you can make a pair last over a decade.

Monday 1/9: Wendy's dog friend, Emmitt, no longer cared for a few of his toys, so she got some hand-me-downs.

Tuesday 1/10: I felt broke down and we ordered pizza and wings. I don't recommend Papa Johns' wings. The skin is too wobbly.

Wednesday 1/11: Prepping "overnight oats" for tomorrow's breakfast. Did you know if you soak dry oats in milk and/or yogurt, in the morning they are all puffed up and you don't need to cook them? It makes a nice cold cereal. I add a banana when it is time to eat.

Thursday 1/12: It was our first real snow of the winter. I lucked out as it was Lauren's day to drive in our car pool. Here she is, getting ready to head home.

Friday 1/13: It snowed some more. Wendy rolled all around in it.

Saturday 1/14: I went to a recycling event at Broad Ripple Park. Since I was in the neighborhood I stopped in at Rusted Moon outfitters. There were so many fabulous coats and pullovers. I want them all!

My Week In Pictures 1.1.12 - 1.7.12

2012-01-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. - John Lennnon

My day-to-day isn't a circus, but I'm documenting it nonetheless!

Sunday 1/1: My morning routine now includes inhalers.

Monday 1/2: Wendy pre-washes the dishes.

Tuesday 1/3: An avocado with Red Hot makes the perfect lunch.

Wednesday 1/4: Had post-holiday lunch with my teammates and our photo stylist. She gave me an adorable handmade card.

Thursday 1/5: Cramming for book club at the end of the month. They are reading the sequel to Zippy, so I am behind!

Friday 1/6: Bought some beautiful Anaheim peppers. And, I discovered how to use the feature on my camera that makes one color pop.

Saturday 1/7: It was an unusually warm and sunny January day. Wendy and I took a nice long walk.

My Year in Cities

2011-12-13T19:40:00.002-05:00

Cities I slept in during 2011, other than my own.

Orlando, FL
Seattle, WA
Bethesda, MD
Memphis, TN
Carlsbad, CA
Cleveland, OH

Summer Sandwich

2011-11-13T20:09:00.000-05:00

I've been taking pictures all year long with the unrealized intention of featuring them in a blog post. For example, I documented how to make one of my favorite sandwiches ever, when my garden was exploding with basil and tomatoes. Now, this sandwich is but a memory and the garden is shriveled except for some lingering thyme and parsley.

I'll still tell you how to make it though! Get excited for summer, it's only 7 months away!

This is really all to taste, so here is a general list of ingredients needed:
Bread (I used sourdough)
Roma tomatoes, sliced, juicy seeds poked out
Fresh mozzarella, the kind that comes in a ball, not a brick
Basil aioli

Preheat a cast iron skillet on medium low heat.

Build the sandwich by spreading a thin layer of aioli on each slice of bread. It is delicious, so there may be temptation to slather it on. But, when the sandwich heats up, aioli gets runny. So that's why dividing it among both slices of bread is best. There is more surface area to absorb it.

Layer on the tomatoes and cheese. Marry up both sides of the sandwich and spray the exterior with olive oil.

Place the sandwiches in the skillet, weighing them down with a flat-bottomed pot. Fill the pot with heavy things, like jugs of oil or rum. There's no need to own a panini press, this method works just fine!

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Some cheese may bubble out, but don't worry, that only makes them tastier.

There will be leftover aioli, which was never a problem for me. I just made another batch of sandwiches the next night, or tossed it into some pasta.

Francophile

2011-11-10T21:20:00.001-05:00

Sometimes living a cliché is a really satisfying experience. For example, the time I was in France and ate a croissant and drank a cafe au lait for breakfast several mornings in a row. So French! So delicious!

This memory makes my heart yearn for a little pâtisserie to open around the corner so I could enjoy a fantastic pastry each morning.

Maybe it's time to try my hand at making my own croissants. Until I learn, I watch this video a every few months of a man making an absurd amount of pastries. The precision is zen like and soothing. Trust me. And don't blame me if you seek a buttery, flaky treat tomorrow!

A Few Notes

2011-11-08T22:03:00.000-05:00

It's election day! Of course I voted, I always feel oddly proud about it. I wore my "I voted" sticker all day.

I have always disliked Muhammad Ali. Today, with the news of Joe Frazier's death, a reporter noted that Ali was especially insulting to Frazier! What a jerk!

Why do some people pronounce jaguar as "jag-WIRE"? Stop that.

My daylight lamp arrives tomorrow! I plan to sun it up all day long in my windowless office until spring!

News comes (via my cousin on Twitter) that my aunt has replaced a family portrait on her wall with a squirrel collage. It is unclear if this is a homemade or store bought item. It has to be homemade, right? What retail outlet specializes in squirrel images?

Do you think you're computer savvy? Read Clients from Hell. If you can't tell why each entry is funny or maddening, find out from your local geek. You'll be better for it, and subsequently will lessen your chance of being a client from hell.

I Get Knocked Down (But I Get Up Again)

2011-11-07T20:33:00.001-05:00

A week ago, I had some dental work done. My 24 year old dentist perfectly administered numbing agents, drilled my offending tooth down to a nub, and glued on a temporary crown. For the past few days, all of the teeth on the left side of my mouth have been throbbing and aching. It's especially bad tonight.

I have employed two remedies: Advil and this video of They Might Be Giants performing a cover of Tubthumping. It's magical and joyful and always makes me smile, no matter what. (P.S. Hurry up, Advil.)

Please note:

I would like to be a part of that group of dorks in the tiny, round room.
The faces the drummer makes are awesome.
If you have a chance to see TMBG live, you must, because they really rock.

They Might Be Giants covers Chumbawamba

Sunday Blues

2011-11-06T21:20:00.003-05:00

I exercised more than usual this weekend, and coincidentally, I don't have the depression I normally feel on Sunday evenings. It's such a cliche to hate Mondays, but I do. But, I even looked at this picture of the view from my office chair, and it didn't feel awful. A shift has occurred.

So, all it takes to cure a decades-long bout of Sunday evening depression is plenty exercise? Now I've got to come to terms with the idea of jogging a total of 5 miles, walking Wendy 3 miles, and an hour long toning class...every weekend? Why couldn't the cure be more ice cream?!

Have You Seen My Horse?

2011-11-05T20:37:00.002-04:00

Behold Wendy's second costume! She is a horse, I suppose, as she appears to be pulling a centurion on a chariot. (I can't think of centurions without being reminded of Michael Palin's lisping character in The Life of Brian and having a little giggle.)

I tried to get her to smile for the picture, but she would only stand dutifully, staring straight ahead.

Have You Seen the Most Beautiful Dog in the World?

2011-11-04T20:05:00.000-04:00

Wendy is nearly six years old and she has never had a Halloween costume. So when I saw pet costumes for 70% off at Target today, and I couldn't resist buying two of them! (I'll show you the other one tomorrow.)

This little flower number was just $1.90.

I can't believe I have missed out on this cuteness for so many years!

An Arsenal of Ice

2011-11-03T21:58:00.000-04:00

For years, I kept a bottle of ReaLemon in the fridge, for whenever a recipe asked for lemon juice. My mother and her whole family had always used it. Though I kept increasing my cooking skills and learning new things, I never rethought that old bottle of ReaLemon. It was a bad habit!

Sometime last year, I started using actual, real lemons, not just a product that has "real" in its name. The difference in taste was amazing! The favors were so much brighter, fresher, and zesty.

Even in the bliss of fresh, lemony flavor, I was missing the convenience of having lemon juice on standby at all times. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a high quality bottled juice, Lakewood brand, at Whole Foods! It tastes nearly as good as freshly-squeezed lemons.

To keep it tasting its best, I freeze it in an ice cube tray, pop out the cubes, and store them in a nice, big freezer bag. The cubes are easily defrosted with a quick zap in the microwave. Hooray for delicious, lemony sauces even without a fresh lemon around.

In fact, I have many frozen, cubed ingredients. They serve me well: chipotles in adobo sauce, tomato paste, and coconut milk. It makes it easy to all flavor to many meals and reduces waste! Try it!

96 Percent

2011-11-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

You know what my problem is? Wait, don't answer that; my ego is delicate.

I'll tell you what my problem is. It's the glorification of perfection. Unless I can go at 100%, I give up! So when I missed the first day of NaBloPoMo, my first instinct was to abandon the project entirely. Unless I'm writing 30 posts in 30 days, what's the point?

That may be my whole issue with blogging in general. (Hello, first world problems.) Unless I am sure I will type out a masterpiece, I don't even bother getting started. But, unless I get started, how will I ever knows what I can make? I've got to crank out some possible duds. Among the daily work, perhaps I can find something to be proud of.

It's time to wake up. Twenty-nine posts in thirty days is still a lot. In fact, that's 96% of thirty days. Why I thought that was a failure is a mystery. Today is a fine day to get started, too.

I'm excited to be here, and ready to write. There's been so much I've been waiting to share, including these words from Ira Glass.

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

- Ira Glass

The News

2011-08-08T19:59:00.000-04:00

Bad news:
My camera broke.
Very loud birds are living in the chimney.
Wendy has fleas.
I had jet lag all weekend.
My hair is thinning in front.

Good news:
I got a new camera and it takes fantastic pictures.
Wendy's fancy collar lays over her flea collar and hides it perfectly.
I spent a few days in San Diego and it was beautiful. There is a little sand left in my suitcase.

Yachting, anyone?

2011-07-21T22:17:00.000-04:00

For at least six months, an issue of Yachting magazine has arrived in the mail for Brenden. Sometimes, we get two at a time. How we got on the mailing list remains a mystery.

We each leafed though an issue and were amazed to find that 75% of the magazine consists of ads for yachts. Who else reads Yachting besides current yacht owners? Are the publishers hoping to sell them an additional yacht? We are but poor kayak owners and do not understand.

The Tamale Place

2011-07-19T21:41:00.001-04:00

If loving The Tamale place is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Located in a generic little strip mall on Rockville Road near where I work, I kept hearing people making their way back to the office after lunch and raving about the food.

I had eaten there a few years ago, and found it satisfactory, but I'm not really a tamale lover. Since then, they moved a few doors down and expanded their menu. So, a group of us decided to try it at the beginning of the summer. Coincidentally, it was the day after The Tamale Place had been featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. It was packed.

The ordering process and checkout lines are chaotic, and not everything on the menu is available. You're not really sure how much food you'll get, what comes with your meal, or what size guacamole or salsa to order. You might get your food while you are waiting to pay, or some random person may wander around shouting your name with food in hand. The dining room is is furnished with picnic tables and patio furniture.

Strangely, none of this craziness turns me off. I am charmed by this little independent business cooking their hearts out. And the best part? The food is damned good. Delicious. Mouth watering. Fresh as can be!

The first visit, I ordered three tacos because that's how many I could eat at Taco Bell. The Tamale Place tacos were stuffed with melty cheese that was browned on the edges, savory meat, cilantro, onions and were grilled on the outside. Truly amazing stuff. I couldn't even finish eating two, I was so full!

Also, only a certain number of tamales are made each day. When they're out - they're out! Some see this as a negative. I see it as a guarantee of freshness.

Since then, we've been back often and sometimes the line is out the door. I regularly, cheerfully burn my mouth on their hot salsa (you can see minced jalapeno floating about in it). Sometimes I order something new and they ask if I want "everything" on it. I have no idea what that includes, but I always say yes. Because whatever they make, I will happily eat it.

Two New Recipes

2011-07-17T20:54:00.000-04:00

I tried some new recipes last weekend to take to a cookout. I'm so excited that they came out successfully that I must share.

First, this Peanut Slaw was nice and crunchy and perfect for summer. Beware, it could serve at least a dozen people as a side dish, so half (halve?) the recipe for small gatherings. I think it would pair really well with grilled meat, or even tossed with noodles to make a complete meal. The dressing was so tasty I could have eaten it with a spoon. It would make a lovely dip for fried tofu.

Then, these Peach Hand Pies were so light and not too sweet. Smitten Kitchen has never steered me wrong. The dough was easy to work with and baked up tenderly. These are definitely going into my regular rotation!

Here I Am

2011-07-17T20:29:00.000-04:00

I've had a lot of ideas for my blog lately. But, I've had a real mental block about actually sitting down and making them happen so anyone can read them. I compose them in my head day and night, for no reason, for nobody. Pitiful? Weird?

Basically I've fallen out of love with broadcasting my own voice. Not in any self-loathing sort of way, mind you. We all have so many outlets for expressing ourselves online, and I wonder if I'm even interested in adding to your information overload. Hell, I'm so overloaded that it's hard to come up with something valuable to share.

Still, I want to create something; I need a hobby. Since I'm never going to take up crafting, and people have told me I'm a decent writer, for better or for worse, I must blog. Those entries that have been head-written need to be type-written.

Fresh Market Finds

2011-03-05T20:45:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't ordinarily blog about buying groceries, however, I am excited about the fate of each item I bought at The Fresh Market today. So, I have to share! I love how the Fresh Market is filled with ingredients, instead of 20 facings of plain peanut butter and random convenience foods.

Coconut Juice. I find this incredibly refreshing. It's unlike anything I've tasted, and not very sweet. I don't care for most juices, but this is an exception. (I am a picky drinker.) There are some long miles coming up in my Mini Marathon training schedule, and I will use the coconut juice as a reward at the end of each work out to rehydrate.

Old Bay Seasoning. Last week, I made seitan for the first time. If you're not familiar with seitan, it's a high-protein meat substitute made from wheat gluten. It can be bought packaged, but I thought it would probably taste better made fresh. It ended up looking pretty gross, but it actually tasted good! It gave a nice chew to vegetarian meals that wouldn't be as filling without the protein boost from seitan. Anyway, I want to try out several recipes to find the best taste. The next recipe in the line up calls for Old Bay.

JIF Peanut Butter. I know you've seen peanut butter before, but I picked this up specifically to try a Paula Deen recipe for flourless peanut butter cookies. They are made from only peanut butter, Splenda, eggs, and vanilla. Even though I'm trying to reduce the amount of artificial sweeter I eat, I do have a large bag of Splenda to use up, so I am trying them anyway. I wonder if the cookies would make a good breakfast?

Stubb's BBQ Sauce. I have been very curious about trying this recipe for sweet and spicy BBQ beans, which specifically mentions Stubb's! It even has kale, which is a favorite of mine.

Ginger Hard Candy. I love the flavor of ginger. In fact, I made some delightful ginger muffins last weekend. But, these candies are to take to work. After lunch I want something a little bit sweet and breath-freshening. Sometimes, when I chew gum, I chew with such ferocity that I get a headache. Hopefully these candies will be a good alternative and leave me headache-free.

And, lastly, I bought some bread. I thought it would go well with the butternut squash soup I made tonight, but the soup is on the sweet side, and needs something more zesty to balance it out. I should have used the condiments the recipe suggests; salted nuts and green onions. Note to self: listen to Ina Garten.

Red Lentils with Tomatoes

2011-02-20T21:10:00.000-05:00

Ah, Indian food - I love it. Once you have the right ingredients in your pantry, it's hard to find a cheaper, quicker, and more delicious meal. Here's one of my favorites. Since not everyone has whole spices on hand, I've added my suggestions for dried/ground. It's tasty either way.

Dal Makhni (Red Lentils)
adapted from Vegan Yum Yum.

1 cup red lentils
1 3/4 cups water
2 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 whole cloves (or 1/8 t ground cloves)
1 cinnamon stick (or 1/2 t ground cinnamon)
1 bay leaf
2 green cardamon pods (or 1/8 t ground cardamom)
2 t grated fresh ginger (or 1 t ground ginger)
1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed
1 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1/2 t salt (or to taste)

Start by bringing the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the dry lentils, cover, and reduce the heat to low. My lentils are split, so they take just 15 minutes to cook. Allow more time for whole lentils. And, never substitute brown lentils (you'll be sorry)!

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the onions, stirring occasionally until starting to brown. Add the whole spices and cook for two minutes more. Add the garlic and fresh ginger, cook for 1 minute.

The aroma will be incredible! Add the dried spices and cook for a minute more.

Add the tomatoes and salt. Let simmer for a few minutes. By this time your lentils should be done, so stir them in.

Thin with water or cream if desired. Pluck out the bay leaf, cardmom pods, and cloves if you can find them.

I like these lentils with cottage cheese on the side or a piece of Trader Joe's garlic naan.Yum!

Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros Acoustic Cover (Jorge & Alex...

2011-01-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

Neck , Out

2010-11-30T20:45:00.002-05:00

It takes a long time to get life, and one's self, figured out. I'm grateful for what I've learned so far, and look forward to being more aware in the future.

This week, I've had an epiphany about myself. I think I've known all along, but never really clarified it: to accomplish good things, I need to make a public commitment in order to force myself to follow through.

Case in point: NaBloPoMo. I rarely blog unless I declare that I intend to post daily for 30 days. Yeah, I'm motivated by not appearing to be a quitter. But once my intention is out there, I feel like it is locked in! More than I hate looking flaky, I hate being flaky.

I once had a habit of waking up early and heading to the gym before work. Brenden bought the gym membership for me and I promised him that I would use it. I also told a bunch of my friends that I was going to be a morning exerciser.

And now that I have realized this, I want to maximize my tendencies as much as possible. Should my new motto should be, "Stick your neck out, and the rest of you will follow!" or "Bite off more than you can chew, and find a way to swallow!" Well, I never said my strength was slogan making.

This is a scary realization. Making a big commitment in the open is is like jumping first and checking your parachute later. It's so much easier to fail in secret. Perhaps for now I'll stick with blog posting marathons. But know this: I do have an itch to chronicle and accomplish some bigger jumps.

Let Me Be Frank

2010-11-29T21:51:00.000-05:00

This is my least favorite haircut a man can have. Those stringy, over-gelled bangs really flatter no one.

I always associated this look with an unsophisticated set, but there was something else bothering me about this "hair-don't" that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Tonight, it dawned on me:

Really, who wants to have a look in common with Frankenstein's monster?

Back to the Library: 11/27/10

2010-11-28T21:22:00.000-05:00

Deadliest Catch: Season One
I could only stand to watch one episode of this with Brenden, and he didn't even finish watching the whole set. It just seemed like an endless tale of a terrible and exhausting job on the cold, angry seas. Now I'll feel guilty the next time I see Alaskan crab on a menu.

The Sarah Silverman Program: Season Two, Vol. One
This show is so totally wrong which is why I enjoy it. I think the second season is better than the first. I am intrigued by Mini Coffee, the drag queen with a five o'clock shadow, and host of Cookie Party.

Man vs. Wild, Collection 1
Bear Grylls is ridiculous! This program is like a freak show. Bear falls into an icy lake on purpose, eats a scorpion, and drinks his own urine to rehydrate. All the while, he spouts non-specific facts. "One time a guy died out here!" I am left wondering how they have milked this concept into so many seasons.

A Morning With Brenden

2010-11-27T22:02:00.006-05:00

My husband is in a fake huff that he isn't mentioned enough on this blog. I reminded him that I am never mentioned on his blog, but this answer did not satisfy him.

Actually, Brenden and I did have a pleasant morning together. First, we went to Orvis and I didn't even complain! I got some great ideas for his Christmas gifts there; outerwear, a reel, fancy fishing socks, etc. Of course, Brenden also kindly mentioned that he wants a gaming console so I now have the opportunity to spend even more on his gifts.

We tried a new place for brunch; Ruth's Keystone Cafe. Our waiter was charming and helpful without being in our faces. Brenden ate breakfast and I had lunch. My warm mushroom salad was delicious.

We agreed that there are more things on the menu we want to try and since it is close to home we will be back.

Then, we popped over to Bed Bath and Beyond for a new pillow for him and a new spice grinder for me. Last, we hit Trader Joe's. Brenden can't get enough of their cannolis. We came home and ate them while giggling on the couch. I do love these days when we hang out together.

The Mac and Cheese

2010-11-26T16:29:00.006-05:00

I was really excited to try a new macaroni and cheese recipe for Thanksgiving. It's from Martha Stewart, promised a "grown up" taste, and was big enough to feed a crowd. I spent $15 on the cheese alone.

I grated boiled the cavatappi to a perfect state pf partial doneness, shredded pounds of quality cheese, made a cheese sauce, and my own bread cube topping. I have to admit it looked pretty good!

People seemed to like it, as it was all bubbling with cheesy goodness. But when I tasted it, it was pretty much a "so what" experience. Sometimes when I make a time consuming recipe, by the time I actually get to sample some, I am just over it. After I have put forth so much effort and dirtied my kitchen, I'd rather go hibernate than eat.

Also, at big gatherings I tend to get a little anxious. The process of going through a buffet line, finding a seat, and balancing cutlery and my beverage is a little jangling for my delicate nerves. Then, to keep up with 5 conversations swirling about me make it hard for me to truly taste what I am eating.

I'll still continue to make new things, because I like the process. I'm just bummed that it's hard to enjoy the results.

Overload

2010-11-25T21:49:00.003-05:00

Today I woke up too early.

Next, I baked two pies, assembled a green bean casserole, and a large pan of unbaked macaroni and cheese (with bechamel sauce).

Then I got to the Thanksgiving venue, and was alarmed to discover that the oven's temperatures had long been worn off the dials so I had to guess at the setting. I guessed too cold. But after some adjustments the casseroles I made were hot and served on time.

During the meal, I tried to be in too many conversations at once, not really getting a grasp on any of them. It left me too perplexed to eat dessert. I was thirsty, there was no water.

Everyone seemed pooped today. Even my young cousins put their heads down on the table after dinner. My uncle showed slides, then a few board games broke out. It seemed like as soon as the games were complete, everyone decided to leave at once, and we cleaned up and cleared out at record speed.

I'm tired and thankful to home.

Awakeness Fail

2010-11-25T04:41:00.005-05:00

I was doing great; 23 posts during the first 23 days of November. Now, I've woken up to realize that I'm 5 hours late in making my 24th post.

Here's my pathetic story. On Tuesday night I had an awful headache. When I woke up on Wednesday, it was even more painful. So I puttered about for a bit and laid back down, since that was all I felt I could manage. I woke up past noon, feeling slightly better, and my headache faded over the rest of the day.

After dinner, Brenden and I cuddled in with Wendy and watched TV. I was so warm, so relaxed, that I fell asleep! Who does that? Who falls asleep when they have only been awake 9 hours that day? Me.

I should have known better. I fall asleep so easily when it's cold out. If I'm under a blanket and reclined, forget about it! I'm out! I thought there was no way that I'd doze off last night since I'd already slept so much. Now, I know that doesn't matter.

What's the remedy here? Stay cold and upright until I want to sleep? That doesn't sound very fun either!

Full Throttle Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T19:33:00.001-05:00

Tonight I have a headache, but even this made me laugh.

A Word to the Holiday Eaters

2010-11-22T18:50:00.005-05:00

About this time of year, I start seeing news bits everywhere on "lightening up" holiday meals. My aunt posted on Facebook that she will not make her favorite pecan pie for Thanksgiving because it contains the devil's nectar, also known as corn syrup. I've seen many alarmist articles proclaiming that a holiday meal can reach epic calorie levels. Others I know are wringing their hands about possible holiday butter consumption.

I have one thing to say to all of this: oh, please. Thanksgiving dinner is one meal. One! Meal! Christmas dinner is also...wait for it...ONE MEAL!

So, OK maybe you have multiple sides of the family to visit. Now we're up to four meals for the end of year holidays. And, there are other holidays and celebrations throughout the year, like Memorial Day and your birthday. Maybe that's ten to a dozen indulgent meals for the year, right?

I do appreciate everyone's vigilance concerning a healthy diet. But looking at the big picture, I seriously doubt that some buttery mashed potatoes and a slice of pie on Thanksgiving are the reasons for anyone's health or weight management problems.

Of course, we know that eating these indulgent foods daily would be unwise. Can't we have a few days a year where we proclaim we are celebrating by eating treats? America is such a strange place. People eat huge portions and processed crap on the average day, but when it comes time to feast, half the world is on a diet. They're called treats because you're not supposed to eat them all of the time! Enough!

Three Olives

2010-11-21T21:39:00.005-05:00

I like it when TMC comes over for dinner. She is easygoing, agreeable and always brings a treat to snack on. Tonight she brought a special cheese and three varieties of olives. The dark ones were very sultry-tasting. As an added bonus, I got to use the little vintage spears I bought at a garage sale a few summers back. As it turns out, they are so perfect for picking up olives, it seems that is their designed use.

I always wondered who bought from the olive buffet at the grocery store. Now I know: wise dinner guests!

Back to the Library 11/20/10

2010-11-20T17:56:00.003-05:00

My Secret Public Journal Live by Mike Birbiglia
I first heard Mike Birbiglia on an episode of This American Life in which he told a story of his severe sleepwalking problem...yet it was very funny. So, now I've discovered he's a comedian not just a guy who was on TAL once time. It's like he's a good friend just telling you stories from him life, but he's way funnier than any of your friends.

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season
I normally dislike any show with a laugh track, but I make an exception for this one. I love Sheldon. And, sometimes you actually learn a thing of two from the nerdy characters.

A Night Out

2010-11-19T22:17:00.004-05:00

We went out for sushi with friends.

My drink had a flower in it, but it was actually quite strong. Oh, and we also had sake bombs.

Then we ate a whole bunch of sushi!

The End.

Daily Mugshot

2010-11-18T21:22:00.003-05:00

Forgot I made this over the summer...must resume.

Daily Mugshot

Ode to Aldi

2010-11-17T20:11:00.004-05:00

I used to think that Aldi was just for poor people and all of the food just had to be totally disgusting, since very little is brand name.

Then I found out that Aldi and Trader Joe's have the same German owners. I began to see Aldi's lack of selection as German efficiency, rather than being sub-standard. Seriously, do you need to choose between multitudes of brands and flavorings of canned diced tomatoes? Just buy the one style Aldi has, and quit over thinking it. Just buy the Aldi sour cream, it all comes from cows, no matter what the label says. About 95% of the time I can't taste any difference between what Aldi offers and the big name brands.

I even noticed some items are strikingly similar to Trader Joe's, just with different packaging. And, many German treats are stocked; Ritter Sport, pumpernickel, and frozen black forest cakes. Brenden is loving it!

I love their shopping cart system that requires you insert a quarter before you can release one. If you're too lazy to put your cart away, someone is always willing to pluck a cart from the lot and get the quarter back out. The lot is always neat and tidy

I admire that if you don't bring your own shopping bag, you have to pay for each paper or plastic one of theirs you use. They can pass that savings on to me! And, my goodness is it cheap! I can already tell that after a month of buying just 50% of our groceries there, it has made a difference in the budget. (Their produce selection is utilitarian at best so I get most fresh vegetables and specialty items at Meijer.) Just be sure to bring cash or your debit card, because Aldi doesn't take credit cards.

Back to the Library: 11/8/10

2010-11-16T20:41:00.002-05:00

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home by Rhoda Janzen

The book jacket promises a tale of what happens to the author after her husband leaves her, she gets in a severe accident, and moves in with her parents to recover. Except, I wouldn't so much call this a "memoir of going home" as I would call it a memoir of growing up Mennonite and a memoir of being married to an emotionally-abusive crazy person.

I can read a book about anything if it is written amusingly. And I must say this book brings out the LOLs. Yes, I laughed out loud, which is not something I do often when reading. By far, the descriptions of her perpetually cheerful (and gassy) mother are the best. The language does get R-rated when describing her ex-husband, so for those of you with baby-eyes, consider yourselves warned.

This would be a great read for traveling; funny, sweet, and with a narrative that would be easy to pick up and put down.

Fun with Flowers

2010-11-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday night, Loretah had some light-up flowers on display because her grandchildren think they are beautiful.

All that is needed to turn on the flower's light is for the sensors to be immersed on water. So we got to thinking...what if you just licked the flowers?

I tried it...(even though you can't see my light going on because of the flash

Zoe tried it...

Yep! Licking works!

Feasting Party

2010-11-14T19:49:00.009-05:00

Last night, I got together with some old family friends (Loretah, Chris, and Joy) and my mother to sample some recipes. We sampled a lot of food. When there's any variety of fun things to taste, I call that a feast!

Loretah's kitchen was a frenzy of activity, we were rotating things in and out of the oven nonstop. Timers were beeping every few minutes!

There was a crescent roll ring stuffed with cheese and veggies, a baked bread bowl filled with artichoke dip, and angel food cupcakes topped with creamy pineapple.

I made wonton artichoke cups, brought 1000 day old gouda with apples, and a Ritter Sport chocolate sampler pack.

The most adventurous eaters of the bunch, Chris and I were the only ones who liked the very strong-tasting aged gouda.

So naturally, Chris made the most palate-challenging dish of the evening: baked bone marrow.

I thought it might look more appetizing once cooked. Not so.

Chris scooped the marrow onto a thin slice of toasted baguette. I asked that the lights be dimmed for my tasting.

I expected a spongey meat texture, but was surprised to find that the marrow was very oily. A bite or two would make an OK appetizer, but I certainly wouldn't make a meal of it. Good thing we had lots of other things to eat!

It was a really fun, delicious evening. I love cooking and feasting with friends.

Back to the Library 11/13/10

2010-11-13T16:48:00.003-05:00

Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them by Clinton Kelly

I've loved Clinton for years, especially back when we had cable and I could watch him on What Not To Wear marathons. The problem is, there is a fundamental flaw regarding his advice: those who most need it couldn't care less about heeding it.

Once I was watching WNTW in the office kitchen. In walks a coworker who always wore the most unflattering pants; pulled up very high with her shirt tucked in, accenting her belly. They were polyester and bright purple. She was not overweight but those pants were not making the most of her figure, while also making her look about 10 years older. She declared, "I don't like that show! People should just have their own style!"

Oh, dear. Audrey Hepburn had her own style. I don't think it included a Mickey Mouse jean jacket.

So, as I read this book I was thinking that Clinton was really speaking The Truth. He hit on some of my personal fashion pet peeves; mom jeans, slogan/cartoon character t-shirts, wearing athletic shoes when not working out, tucking in, and holiday sweaters on anyone under 75 years of age.

But then when I read things I might be guilty of, I bristled a little. Maybe he's right about everything, except the points that might apply to me. Nope, I can't think about it that way. If he knows what he's talking about, I've got to accept that he's talking to me too!

Now it looks like I need to modify the following: wearing less black, wearing fewer plain, solid shirts, and finding generally more flattering shirts. He suggests shirts with structure that don't cling to my belly. That seems like a tall order, but I will keep an eye out for it.

This I Believe Lite

2010-11-12T20:00:00.003-05:00

Have you heard the This I believe essays on NPR? They're excellent but they are generally serious or noble. People believe in the good of the human soul, the power of tradition, the joys of hugging, stuff like that.

For now, I am considering some of my less serious beliefs, but they are still strongly held!

I believe canned peas should be banned and never produced again.

I believe that if you don't check your email at least every other day, you no have no business having an email account.

I believe that bringing only a bag of chips to a pitch-in is pretty lame.

I believe that you shouldn't save seats in a busy order-at-the-counter restaurant. It backs everything up! Go through the line, and by the time you've ordered, a seat will free up!

I believe that people who overuse the word awesome don't understand what the word even means.

I believe in the power of bacon.

I believe, sometimes, that my husband was raised by wolves....or born in a barn. Take your pick.

Biff!

2010-11-11T19:43:00.002-05:00

So...I drank a high alcohol content beer before dinner and I'm a smidge buzzed. I recommend the Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout, oh yes I do!

Meanwhile you really should watch this, even if I may have linked to it before. It is Back to the Future's 25th anniversary!!

Church Free

2010-11-10T19:38:00.005-05:00

The majority of people in my life are religious. And being as such, they proclaim their gladness about what God has done and how pleased they are to go to church, go to Bible study, sing in the church choir, participate in the ladies book club, and go on church picnics. I do not begrudge them these pleasures and activities. I'm glad that they are glad.

But, since this is my blog, may I just proclaim my own gladness? I am every bit as satisfied to NOT go to church or any accompanying activities. Every weekend, I'm 100% happy to have as my own. Can I just say I LOVE not being in a religion and going to church? Love it!

I'm happy that I don't have to pretend the sermon was interesting. I'm happy I don't have to over-analyze every thing I do. (Following the golden rule seems to work OK.) I feel free.

I'm sure the church goers pity me or think I'm bitter. Please, please don't. I am happily unchurched.

Thoughts as I Browse the Internet and Eat Dinner

2010-11-09T19:29:00.005-05:00

25 years ago Christopher Lloyd looked old, frazzled and crazy...and today he looks just the same. What's his secret?

I wish Antoine Dodson would have his own talk show.

They make muffin tops, what about lasagna tops? The top it is so cheesy and crunchy, to hell with the supporting layers.

Who in their right mind would want to go see that movie where James Franco plays the guy who got his arm trapped under a boulder and has to chop it off. I mean, how long can you watch a guy lying trapped by a huge rock? And then when he starts to cut...gross!

Why, NO I am not going to watch a YouTube clip about a dog's brave last days with cancer, and his subsequent euthanization. I'd have to call in sick tomorrow due to a broken heart.

I will never be the type of woman who wears a headscarf. (Unless I'm in the woods and need to keep ticks out of my hair.)

So Bret Michaels allegedly slept with Miley Cyrus's mom. All those skanks on the Love Bus, and he gets with a woman kind of close to his own age. It's kind of cool, except it's not. But, score one for the older woman!

New York has a 311 line? What's a 311 line? I want one!

Know what walking three half marathons has taught me? I am never, ever, ever, ever, running or walking a whole marathon.

I think I like the Big Bang Theory because I identify with Sheldon. Some social conventions are so strange.

Come, Join My Tiers

2010-11-08T20:10:00.004-05:00

At my last job, we categorized our clients into threes tiers, based on their sales. For example, Best Buy was in tier 1. They bought a lot from us. The independently owned convenience store, well, they were tier 3.

As I got used to this categorizing system, I started categorizing my friends in tiers. Among my tier 1 friends, we've even started classifying secrets, "Oh this is tier 1 level clearance!"

Now, I'm not too rigid about this, the tiers are just for fun and forever changing. I know a lot of people who need my friendship intermittently. Some people would be offended by the lack of consistency. But, if someone needs a friend, I'm here. I don't mind where you've been or who you've been hanging out with instead of me. There's always a place for you with me, if you want it.

If you're coming and going in and out of my life, that's usually OK with me. I know my needs for companionship can change with the seasons, too. Really, who am I to get fussy about people who want to spend time with me? You need friend, and you're not a jerk? I'm there.

Far too many friends have come and gone in my life. Years-long relationships have been ruined by hateful words. I'm no longer part of the religious community I grew up in, and many, many friends faded away. I am happy to know the people I do; I'm not about to be denied the chance to hang out with cool people!

Now, if I would get over my shyness about inviting people to do things...

My New Party Classic

2010-11-07T19:37:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I wonder how a song becomes a classic. Wherever there is a party, you're more than likely to hear Kool and the Gang's "Celebration". Did it become a hit, then the DJ's just never stopped playing it?

Also, it is possible to identify a song that will become a classic when the song is current? I'm going to take a stab at it. I think The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" is the next ubiquitous party song. Maybe it's because it always cheers me up. It gives me the feeling I always got when I was younger, setting out for a night on the town.

A while back I couldn't stop watching this lipdub to "I Gotta Feeling" by some French Canadian students. It's filled with some clever moves and a youthful energy that never fails to make me smile.

Back to the Library: 11/6/10

2010-11-06T18:51:00.003-04:00

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With
Lately I've been on simultaneous Jeff Garlin and Sarah Silverman kicks, so since this movie stars both of them, it was an easy choice. It's kind of simple and low budget, but there were some laughs, for sure. It reminded me of Curb Your Enthusiasm without all of the cringe-worthy moments and a yelling Larry David. Overall, it was worth watching

Paper Heart
Charlyne Yi claims to be filming a documentary about love, but when she starts dating Michael Cera, it becomes clear that this isn't really a documentary. Are they acting? Is this her real boyfriend? Who knows! Even the Wikipedia page says the stars have given conflicting reports of whether they were a couple in real life. It all felt quite strange, yet pleasantly quirky. Except, I fell asleep about 75% of the way through, so don't ask me how it ends.

One Small Thing

2010-11-05T19:03:00.004-04:00

As I was scrolling through some pictures I stumbled on the smoothie I drank for breakfast last winter and spring.

Various healthy living blogs I was reading claimed that adding leafy greens to a smoothie didn't change the overall taste. My friend Brooke confirmed that his was true so I tried it. The internet has dubbed such a drink, "The Green Monster".

I made mine with spinach, soymilk, chocolate GREENSuperFood, a banana, flax seed meal, and ice.

I was excited to drink this shake every morning because it was refreshing and delicious, but it came with some unanticipated benefits.

1. It was a good feeling to start the day with servings of fruits and vegetables. I think it led to me making better choices the rest of the day, food wise. And even if I didn't choose wisely, I was assured of that one healthy meal.

2. My car stayed so clean. I have breakfast while I am driving to work. When I don't have the shake, I have something bready, and that means crumbs. Crumbs, everywhere. Shakes have no crumbs!

3. My kitchen stayed cleaner. (Confession: I don't always do the dishes every night.) Using a blender daily meant that I had to wash it daily, or it wouldn't be ready for breakfast. And while I was at the sink, I just went ahead and cleaned the whole kitchen most of the time.

And now I've convinced myself to go back to this breakfast!

Back to the Library: May 2010, part 2

2010-11-04T21:56:00.004-04:00

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
All of the Sookie Stackhouse books started to blend together after the first few. Actually, each one is a little less entertaining than the one before. I'm still going to read them though, because they're like candy; not Godiva, just a Crunch Bar.

Good Calories Bad Calories by Gary Taubes
I like to geek out on nutrition studies but this was way beyond what I would consider pleasure reading. It was like a textbook, citing study after study, with no pizazz. I skimmed, and basically I think the take away here is that refined carbs (flour, sugar) make you gain weight, not fats. So, be more afraid of the toast than the butter.

Born Rich
Once I popped this in the DVD player I realized that I had seen this on HBO years ago. The heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune made this film to document the feelings of his friends who were born into extreme wealth. Their families may not have to work for generations. Being rich had various results on these young people; from the classic spoiled douchebag, to the humble heir who really just wanted to be a normal person. I was most fascinated by the scene where Donald Trump's daughter goes back her childhood bedroom in Manhattan, left exactly as it was when she was about 13. The view was amazing. It's some of the world's most expensive real estate, and they could just afford to close the door and visit as a curiosity several years later.

Back to the Library: May 2010

2010-11-03T21:30:00.003-04:00

I have a huge backlog of library items to report on!

This was an interesting set because I ended up buying two of these! (It will be easy to figure out which ones.)

Vegan Yum Yum by Lauren Ulm
This has become one of our favorite cookbooks. Well, I like cooking from it, and Brenden likes eating the results. There is a photo of every meal, which I love. And while I am not vegan, this cookbook actually offers some great flavors an omnivore might not normally experience. And, of course, vegan cooking is a great way to heed Michael Pollan's motto: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants".

My only criticism would be that the recipe instructions are not ordered how I would have done them, but this was easily solved when I made something a second time. Also, the author admits she isn't into onions, so she skimps on them. I usually add more onions quite liberally with great results.

30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels
Did you know that in just 20 short minutes it is possible to go from a normal human to someone who feels like dying and simultaneously wants to punch Jillian Michaels? This workout is hard, very hard (the Amazon reviewers agree). And it is short, so I can talk myself into using this DVD from time to time.

F Word Series 3 by Gordon Ramsay
I rather enjoyed the first two seasons of this show. The formats changed up a bit. But series 3 was too similar to series 2, so I grew bored and didn't finish watching it. There's only so much of his yelling I can take.

My Office

2010-11-02T21:53:00.002-04:00

In 1999, working at a tiny market research company, I had an office. It was very retro, and featured wood paneling. I found some 1970's motivational plaques featuring distressed-looking kittens to complete the decor. I left that job to go work at the mall, a decision I have never regretted, except that I had to sacrifice an office.

Since rejoining the masses of desk-based workers in 2002, I have sat at some form of cubicle or out-in-the-open desk. For years, I have complained about excessive noise, distractions, lack of privacy, and people coming by to sniff my lunch.

On Monday, I moved into my new office.

When I dribbled part of my lunch on my pants yesterday, no one saw. I sneezed and no one said "bless you". Someone had a question and they knocked instead of standing two inches from my chair. This is going to take some adjustment.

And I must admit I'm a little lonely. Not lonely enough to move out, of course, but it's so peaceful.

Everyday Annoyance

2010-11-01T21:47:00.004-04:00

I should never have started reading the (very funny) blog of a woman who proofreads for a living. It's like any other humorous personal blog, except June peppers her posts with comments about grammatical shortcomings of others.

People, I do not need to be aware of any more grammar issues. I'm already driving myself batty with the old standby annoyances like "suppose to" and "use to". Don't even get me started on people who see a cute baby and respond with "awe" when I am pretty sure they mean "aww". Unless, they are indeed truly awe-stricken?

Anyway, back to June and Bye Bye, Pie. She has shown me the light concerning "every day" and "everyday". Now, I am painfully aware of the difference and I am just NOTICING it everywhere. You see, when you eat breakfast as a habit, you do it every day. But when you combine every and day into everyday, they become an adjective! Sly Stone, he loves everyday people!

OK, so maybe that is not the best way to explain it. Review this grammar website. Or, buy this mug from June's Cafe Press store as a reminder.

Oh! What a nice tie-in. Today is the first day of NaBloPoMo, in which I will attempt to blog every day. Huzzah!

Summer 2010

2010-09-12T20:27:00.021-04:00

My blogging has been sparse all summer long. Everyone seems to wonder where the summer went. But, I looked at my camera and realized I actually filled the time up quite nicely. Here's what went down.

MAY

At work, Brad got a big promotion and was transferred to the east coast. To send him off, we went to BW3 and made faces at the camera.

Brenden gave Wendy her annual summer haircut.

I walked the Mini Marathon and was pretty sure I might die. I even cried a little, but I finished, all 13.1 miles of it.

Kathy and I went to the 500 Festival Parade because I got fabulous seats through work. It was so hot (and embarassingly sweaty!) that we left halfway through and spent the rest of the afternoon watching VH-1 reality shows.

JUNE

For the third straight year, Brooke and I saw Lord of the Yum Yum at the Indiana Music and Arts Festival at the Harrison Center. Here is LoTYY wearing a newspaper hat and pretending a cardboard box is a musical instrument.

I went to the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (for work). On the way back to the airport we walked around San Francisco.

JULY

My engaged cousin Debbie was in town from Milwaukee, so my family threw her a wedding shower. My home was the venue - I got to make lunch for everyone! (The cakes are from Shapiro's)

Embracing me as the resident word nerd, my coworkers decorated my desk accordingly for my birthday.

I went to the tea party my stepmother Patti hosts annually for all of the ladies she loves.

I have worked with Cassie (on the left) for over five years and at two different jobs. She is one of my best, most caring friends. Events in her life aligned so that moving back to her hometown made great sense, so she found a new job. We went to El Rodeo frequently for lunch and ordered "the acapulco". Angi (on the right) always tells new diners that she'll give you a million dollars if you don't think it tastes great. Thank goodness, Angi has never had to pay out!

AUGUST

Alycia came to visit and didn't waste any time! She installed a shelf in my laundry room, put up my chalkboard, and helped me clean out our junky spare bedroom (resulting in trips to a dumpster and Goodwill). Later, she helped me pick out a new Dyson vacuum cleaner and then proceeded to vacuum most of my house from top to bottom.

Between feats of home improvement, Alycia and I went to Carrabba's to celebrate my cousin Robin's 22nd birthday. Robin and her sisters are the best (L-R); Robin, Kathy, and Carolyn.

Then, I went to the PGA championships in Kohler, Wisconsin at Whistling Straits (for work). The trip home was a debacle, with a canceled flight and an overnight bus ride home from Milwaukee to Indianapolis.

A week later, I returned to Wisconsin under better circumstances!

Debbie got married to her sweetheart, Mike. Brenden and I had a great time taking a mini vacation to Milwaukee and celebrating with family.

The favors at each table at the reception? Tiny frogs that could squirt water and kazoos!

SEPTEMBER

Another one bites the dust. My dear friend and coworker Sean found new job. We said farewell at the Rathskeller Biergarten.

I've known about the Artcraft Theater in Franklin for years, but finally made it there to see a movie. My friend Siobhan loves Gone with the Wind, I was happy to be included in her ultimate fan experience. I can't wait to go back to the Artcraft to see another (shorter) movie!

Overall, it was a good summer with family and friends. I just hope next year has fewer goodbyes.

Back to the Library 6/27/01

2010-06-29T20:06:00.000-04:00

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain
I liked Kitchen Confidential, but I didn't finish this book. It was due back and I didn't really care. He rambles, each chapter having no connection to the one previous. I used to be a big fan, but now I'm wondering why we're supposed to care what this guy says any more.

Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations Collection 2
I watched about half of the episodes and grew pretty tired of the same old schtick. Old Tony ambles into town and eats a delicious plate of curried sheep brains, a raw seal eyeball, or squirming tentacles of a recently-living sea creature. He sees something that makes me squirm culturally like a cock fight. A new appreciation for the exotic locate is formed. The End.

California, California!

2010-06-28T20:18:00.000-04:00

I didn't expect my first trip to California to be for business, but that's where I found myself a few weeks ago; going from the San Francisco airport to Pebble Beach, and back again.

Many hours were spent driving, and I totally geeked out over the plants we passed. I tried to identify the vegetables growing in the fields (mostly strawberries and artichokes). I was even fascinated by the different and beautiful ground coverings along the roadside. Oh, and mountains! And the ocean!

One day, we stopped at farmer's market and loaded up on the region's specialties. There was a truck selling fried and battered artichoke hearts. I got an order all to myself with a side of ranch dressing for dipping. That was the best, most delicious lunch I have had in ages.

There were a few hours to kill before we caught our flight home, so we walked Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco for about an hour. Look, there's Alcatraz off in the distance!

Hello, Bay Bridge!

Everyone said that In-N-Out burger is a must-try and so we ate that too (split in half for sharing).

California, I knew you too briefly. As the Governor would say, "I'll be back!"

The Sauce

2010-06-27T19:41:00.005-04:00

One of the biggest targets of foodie mockery is jarred tomato sauce. Though, honestly, I've never looked down upon the Ragus, Bertollis, and Pregos of the world.

Oh, friends have slaved over a hot stove, creating their special sauces. It simmers for hours, it's grandmother's recipe, it's FROM SCRATCH! Oh my, the build up! Then I taste it and wonder what the big deal is. It's tomato...sauce. For the effort required, I just haven't been impressed.

So when I saw this Smitten Kitchen post about homemade sauce, I kind of shrugged. She does mention that it was so delicious that she didn't even want to use Parmesan on top of her spaghetti, the sauce was flavorful enough on its own. That sounded too ridiculous to be true.

Alas, one cold spring night, I was hungry and my cupboards were nearly bare. But, I did have a can of tomatoes (from Big Lots!), butter, and an onion on hand. The simple sauce recipe from Smitten Kitchen seemed like a better option than the drive through.

This sauce is beyond simple; simmer a large can of whole tomatoes, 5 tablespoons of butter, and half of an onion (unchopped) for 45 minutes. Remove onion, smash tomatoes up.

I slathered it onto my noodles, and hoped it would be edible. One bite, and I was hooked. The butter creates a rich, velvety texture. True tomato taste shines though. I put on my normal liberal sprinkle of Parmesan, and resented it for covering up the taste of the luscious sauce.

I had to make it a second time about a week later. This time I just poured the sauce into a bowl and dunked my focaccia into it. It's simple comfort food at its finest.

Now, there is finally a good reason for foodies to hate on Ragu.

Back to the Library: 3/15/10

2010-06-03T22:22:00.006-04:00

Born Round by Frank Bruni
I'm not sure what this book was supposed to be. Yes, the underlying theme throughout was the author's binge eating and the way his negative self image drove him to do some crazy dieting. But, as he tells his life story, the eating parts didn't seem to fit. He recounts how he followed George W. Bush on the campaign trail as a reporter (interesting) and later become a New York City restaurant critic (also interesting). In the end, he solves his weight problem by getting a trainer and doing intense workouts. It felt like three stories mashed together with some family anecdotes mixed in.

100 Days, 100 Nights and Naturally by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. I was shopping a few months ago and found myself grooving to the music being played. I had to stop and ask the clerk; what is this wonderful music? He was a Sharon Jones mega-fan, and happily wrote down the names of these two albums for me. This is great retro funk/soul. If you're seen Up In The Air, you may recognize This Land is Your Land from the opening credits. Love it!

Here's Sharon Jones on SNL with the lovely Michale Buble.

Just Sing

2010-06-02T20:55:00.001-04:00

Freshman year of college, my friend Katie's mother came to visit campus. Her mother is a gifted pianist, and sat down at the piano to play songs for Katie, me, and our friends to sing along with.

I said I couldn't sing very well, so maybe I should just listen. Katie and her mother looked at me like I was nuts.

"It doesn't matter! Just sing!" And so I sang, simply because it feels good.

I've felt freer ever since.

Now.

2010-06-01T20:27:00.003-04:00

The NaBloPoMo theme of the month is "NOW". As a chronic blogging procrastinator, this topic spoke to me. Rather than interpreting "now" as a subject, I'm taking it as a call to action. The universe is urging me: get going!

Also tucking neatly into the theme, is that I've been thinking about my birthday next month. As I get closer to the point where there are more birthdays behind me than ahead of me, I want to fit more in. I've had some items on my "to do" list for literally years.

I need to do the not so fun things like purchase life insurance, and straighten out our retirement savings. I want to make my house more homey, with more couches, a guest bedroom, and family pictures on the wall. Experiences await me, like trying the cool new pizzerias in town, and completing a half marathon with a time I can be proud of (are those wishes incongruent?).

Dear readers, I need you, now. Help me to make a list of the things a person needs to do both dutiful and fun. It will be the list I carry with me the year I'm 35. So, when I turn 36, I will face that birthday all buttoned up and rich with new experiences. What do you think?

Shorter and Blonder, part 2

2010-05-25T18:33:00.002-04:00

I do love having wifi at the salon.

Back to the Library: 3/7/10

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand. For me, what makes Russell Brand so entertaining is the way he talks; the accent, his inflection. So, when I read his book, I tried to imagine his voice as I read. That's a lot of work, so I didn't end up finishing this one. I wonder if I can get it on CD?

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris. This is the sixth book I've read in the Sookie Stackhouse series, upon which the HBO series True Blood is based. Overall I've liked the series, each book is a fun, easy read full of vampires, shape shifters, and fairies. It's not great literature, but I don't care. This installment was the most disappointing of the books. There is apparently a short story in the time line between book 5 and 6, which I didn't know I was supposed to read. So, I was a little unclear on some plot points. Also, my favorite character Eric was way too scarce!

Epic Apple Pie

2010-03-11T11:00:00.003-05:00

I was reading an America's Test Kitchen recipe. The description of Apple Slab Pie might have been daunting to some, but to me it seemed like a challenge, "Slab pie is made in a baking sheet and can feed up to 20 people". The very idea of such an enormous pie seemed absurd. I was compelled to conquer this recipe challenge, but I had to wait for the right occasion.

Last weekend, Brenden's fishing group was hosting a fundraiser. Perfect! I bought the required 7 pounds of apples and peeled and peeled....

This would have been a great recipe to tackle with a friend, because peeling 15 apples takes a long, long time. Thanks go out to the Fresh Air podcast for keeping me entertained during the peeling, coring, and slicing process, which was the length of an entire episode.

Under a tight time line, and feeling buried by dishes and a mountain of apple peels, I lost my will to document this process in photos.

The rest is pretty easy after the apples are prepped. Of course by this time I wanted to lie on the couch, but it was too late to turn back!

You drain off some of their juices to make a glaze with later. Pillsbury pie crusts are joined and rolled in crushed animal cookies and sugar to form double-wide pie crust. I pressed the crust into a sheet pan, brushed it with butter, poured in a mountain of apples, and topped with another huge crust.

Later came the glaze. I never actually got to taste this epic pie, I only got to lick the spatula I used to spread the glaze. The glaze was amazing, so I had high hopes. The fishermen stared when I delivered the pie. Brenden returned with an empty pan, so I consider it a success.

Later, on Brenden's fishing message board, someone commented about the night's festivities, "My favorite part of the show was that apple desert! Maybe the best I've ever had, but don't tell my wife!"

(Smitten Kitchen's Sour Cherry Slab Pie seems like a similar beast, and the photos there are superior to any I can take. So, check it out!)

Now, if anyone requests a dessert for 20, I am ready!

Food Con 2010

2010-03-10T11:00:00.005-05:00

On Friday I made it to Food Con with Brooke and TMC at The Harrison Center, which promised a sampling of food and art, all in one place.

Food Con is really difficult to define. The crowd was diverse; from hippies to yuppies, from babies to grannies. The art was in galleries, and artists' studios, and in interactive exhibits.

The Harrison Center has many floors and nooks and crannies, so you never knew was was lurking behind each corner. It piqued my curiosity, but at times was overwhelmingly chaotic.

The best part was the gym, in which local food purveyors had set up with samples galore! At the entrance, a sign instructed to grab a plate and spork and head on in!

We had roasted pork neck, caramel puffcorn, roasted squash with adzuki beans, artisan cheese, a fig stuffed with herby cheese, and so much more.

I learned about some new farmers market to check out, and got some new recipes to try. TMC added lines to an interactive story, and we wrote some haikus on the basement wall.

I'd go again if this becomes an annual event. It's a great way to tray new tastes. But, I'd skip those claustrophobia inducing art studios!

Oak of Mamre

2010-03-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

On Friday, my pal TMC suggested we have dinner at Oak of Mamre, an Eritrean restaurant. Apparently Eritrea is a state near Ethiopia, who knew? Brooke and I had a hard time finding the place (just like the real Eritrea), but we finally found it, TMC was waiting inside with Eritrean fact sheets printed from the internet!

Oak of Mamre is like visiting the home of an old Eritrean friend for dinner, if you had such a friend. The space is warm (like Africa!) and cozy (small), and I concluded the nice lady running the place does everything from greeting guests to cooking each morsel of food. So, settle in and just live in the moment of a unique dining experience. This isn't Applebee's.

The meal starts with roasted chick peas (pictured above) and tea. They have an interesting mouth feel and are slightly salty, so I was happy to nibble away.

Meals are served on a communal plate over injera bread with no utensils. Just tear off a piece of bread, pinch up some food, and eat! To enjoy this food, you need to be OK with some rich and hot spices, and ingredients like lentils, beans, and greens. Oh yeah, and you have to be comfortable with sharing a plate with your friends!

At the end of the meal, the sweet owner looked completely crushed that we had not eaten every morsel of food. It broke my heart a little. If you are willing to have a food adventure for about $10 per person, check out The Oak of Mamre. And, by all means, be a good dinner guest and clean your plate!

Shorter, Blonder, and Ready for Spring

2010-03-08T11:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, I sat down in Melissa's chair. She asked, "so what are we doing with your hair today?"

"I want it shorter and blonder!"

Always one to encourage adventures in hair, she replied, "I'll go get the bleach!"

This is the shortest I have ever had the back of my hair. My only stipulation was that I didn't want to shave my neck. Having our first warm day after nearly a solid month of snow made something within me snap. My hair is ready for spring, so the weather had better follow suit!

Back to the Library: 3/2/10

2010-03-07T15:38:00.004-05:00

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts. I looked at every single page and was delighted by all of the beauty. Of course! Martha doesn't do tacky crafts. I think I would love making any item shown, but I know myself well. I would make a pom-pom chick or a glittered card and think "now what?". Alas, if I ever become a crafter, this book would be an essential.

Zack and Miri. (not pictured) Don't be fooled. The full title of this movie is Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I knew what we were getting into, but I actually cringed more at Seth Rogen's character's romantic actions than the porno jokes. His hot roommate finding him attractive was more unbelievable than the fact that they would make an adult film. Justin Long was the highlight of the movie, unfortunately he was on screen less than 5 minutes. If you've seen the preview, you've seen the funniest parts.

Wendy's True Love is a Cookie

2010-03-02T12:15:00.002-05:00

Wendy loves, loves, loves, cookies. Her dog friend Emmitt got her a belated Valentines Day treat last week. She has a funny way of knowing what is for her, so as soon as I took the cookie form my tote, her snout went to it like a magnet.

It was gone in flash! I bet she didn't even think of Emmitt!

Back to the Library: 2/28/10

2010-02-28T17:40:00.003-05:00

I keep meaning to comment on all of great (and not so great) materials I get from the library. There's always something I'm reading or watching, but the time slips by and I forget them. Chronicling is a cherished habit of mine. I concluded it's probably easiest to snap a picture of each movie and book as they are returned, then come home and to evaluate.

Yesterday, I returned Away We Go (not pictured). I wanted to love and get excited by this movie because it seemed like it would be my "type". The main characters' search for a city to settle in wasn't a compelling enough conflict to fill up a whole movie. They went from city to city, meeting one dimensional and ridiculous people. The Maya Rudolph character was so blah, I didn't really care what happened to her.

The One Hundred by Nina Garcia. I have discovered that outside of Project Runway, Nina Garcia is not as fun. Her book is a list of classic fashion pieces a woman must own. While I admit my fashion sense could always use improvement, I am not buying pearls, a motorcycle jacket, cowboy boots, or a Chanel handbag, as she suggests. I skimmed about of half of this and then took it back.

A Serious Man, by Joel and Ethan Cohen. Since my favorite movie (O Brother Where Art Thou) was produced by the Cohens and the DVD case was abundant with 4-star reviews, I thought Brenden and I would love it!
Instead, we were presented with the Biblical tale of Job. A few moments amused us, however the rest of the movie was just one crappy thing after another happening to the main character. And, like the God of the Old Testament, the Cohens don't really explain why.

Russian (Un)Dressing

2010-02-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

I'll watch any Olympic sport, but I'm not especially thrilled by figure skating like many Americans are.

Yet, I've always been intrigued by the stern looking Russian, Plushenko. He has a mullet, and looks like a visitor from the 80's! When I saw this clip of him doing a routine to Sex Bomb (one of the most danceable songs ever!), I knew I had to share. It's gold!

(link via Kathy)

Moosewood Macaroni

2010-02-15T19:43:00.004-05:00

For many reasons, I'm just not that into eating meat. (It's fascinating how many people get so riled up by the idea.) But, finding meatless dinners that don't feel like you're eating a side dish are hard to come by.

I think I've finally found the vegetarian cookbook that best suits my tastes: The Moosewood Cookbook. As soon as I have to return the copy from the library, I'm getting one of my own.

Within the last week, I've made this vegetable heavy macaroni and cheese from the Moosewood book twice. Brenden and I love it, even though it doesn't look like much. He loves the flavor of the caraway seeds, so please don't skip them if you decide to try this.

I've tweaked it to be less fatty and to include my new favorite vegetable: kale!

My Version of Moosewood Macaroni Lite

Ingredients:

8 ounces dry pasta
1 T butter or margarine
1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounce package sliced mushrooms
4 cups shredded cabbage
1 t salt
1 t caraway seeds
1 bunch kale, chopped
2 cups lowfat cottage cheese
1/2 c buttermilk
1 t dried dill
black pepper, to taste
6 ounces grated cheddar

Here's what to do:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 inch pan

Cook the pasta until just barely tender and drain.

Meanwhile, Melt the butter in a large (seriously, it needs to be large), deep skillet, and add the onions. Sautee for about 5 minutes.

Add garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, salt and caraway. Stir, cover and cook 10 minutes until the cabbage is just tender. About halfway through, stir the cabbage mixture and add the kale.

Stir in cottage cheese, pasta, buttermilk, dill, black pepper and half the cheddar. (You might need to use a giant bowl for this part) Spread into the greased pan. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and bake uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes until bubbly.

Exactly!

2010-01-09T13:32:00.002-05:00

(via Pharyngula)

Libby's Devotee

2009-11-24T19:02:00.003-05:00

I am very concerned with the work to tastiness ratios in recipes. I am unfazed by foods that require many complicated steps as long as the results are delicious. I will make that 25 ingredient sauce if the taste is stunning!

This time of year, I get upset as only a cooking geek can. You see, it's pumpkin pie season. People start to boast that they have made REAL pumpkin desserts with REAL pumpkins. Here's where I want to do some condescending golf claps. Guess what, real pumpkin people! You just wasted a bunch of time!

Every time I've had a pumpkin pie made with fresh pumpkin, the taste has always been pretty weak. The pie is watery, and the pumpkin flavor is too mild.

People go through all of the expense and effort to chop, peel, roast, and puree a large vegetable. I buy a $1 can of pumpkin, get a yummier pie, and go through hours less work. Ha!

The Reveal

2009-11-23T21:05:00.002-05:00

I am watching Find My Family. This episode reunites parents who gave up their daughter for adoption due to their young age. I'm so impatient for the reunion!

It's the same with home decorating shows, makeovers, and The Biggest Loser. I want to see the new room, the new clothes, the transformed bodies! The whole show is building to the reveal, and meanwhile I sometimes have a love/hate relationship with the journey to get there. The end is where the magic happens!

There's a lesson here. The moment wouldn't be nearly as important and meaningful without the backstory. You've got to see Project Runway from fabric selection and Tim Gunn's advice to truly appreciate the fashion show at the end.

Waiting for the reveal is a great way to build your ability to delay gratification. Don't let anyone tell you reality TV is without merit. These days, I never skip straight to the end; I try to enjoy the whole show. It's a pretty good metaphor for life!

Bring It, Monday!

2009-11-22T21:18:00.003-05:00

It doesn't matter if I like my job or hate it. It hasn't mattered if I didn't have class until the afternoon. I have always, always hated Mondays. Fiercely. I never liked going to school, so this is where my dread likely originated.

But I can't figure out why I'm still such a Monday hater, so many years after completing public school! Should it be at least a little more exciting to go earn money on a Monday morning? Nope.

Along with the Monday hate syndrome comes an even worse affliction: Sunday night discontent. That's right, I let irrational Monday dread ruin half of a weekend day! Then, I spiral into an even worse mood, getting very disappointed that I'm not enjoying my whole Sunday!

I've known the antidote to these problems for quite some time: fun Sunday night plans. But, Sunday fun is hard to come by, especially when you don't like church or football.

Tonight, I had a great time seeing New Moon with three friends, then grabbing cocktails and sushi afterward. We laughed, we debated vampires vs. werewolves, we gossiped.

Know what? I am totally ready to face Monday this week!

What Not to Wear

2009-11-21T21:32:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid, I barely had any clothes. We didn't have a ton of money, but c'mon! I asked my mom about the no-cool-clothes situation years later, and she said, "well, you were so hard to fit..."

Hard to fit? I was a skinny child! Sure, maybe I was cranky when we shopped, because my mom had a series of tests to run me through for each garment, "Sit Indian style! Do a jumping jack! Touch your toes! Can you put that on and take it off by yourself?" Oh, the scrutiny phase of shopping was misery!

OK, so in case you haven't noticed, there are a few issues I am really fussy about, and one of them concerns what is dislike and don't approve of wearing. The picky ways had to start somewhere, because I distinctly remember refusing to wear red as a child. I hated wearing smocked dresses (this broke my mother's heart), lace socks, and undershirts.

I wonder if this classic struggle between mother and daughter is what brought me to having such a long list of "will not wear" items in present day. I just want it the way I want it, now that I can decide. (Too bad all of these rules don't necessarily make me look stunning, they only make me less annoyed!)

The Disapproved:

NFL, NBA or any team logo’d item
Shorts any shorter than Bermuda length
Ugg boots
Pantyhose
White shoes
Slips
Track pants that make a whooshing noise
Belts
Suspenders
Socks
Whimsical socks
Gold (colored) jewelry
Linen
White underwear and white bras
Jangly, dangly bracelets
Bows
Matching jewelry sets
Very high heels
Pleated pants
Men’s cut tee shirts
Horizontal stripes
Wizard sleeves
Lace
Tucked in shirts
Athletic shoes when not working out
Uniforms
Post earrings

Mind Curiosities

2009-11-20T22:12:00.003-05:00

When reading kottke.org today, I came across this statement:

Our brain has been designed to believe itself, wired so that our prejudices feel like facts, our opinions indistinguishable from the actual sensation. If we think a wine is cheap, it will taste cheap.

Ah, we are so easily tricked, and the trickiest one of all is your own self!

Rather than fight this tendency, why not use it to my advantage? This made me remember how Dilbert's creator, Scott Adams, has achieved results in his life with affirmations. He advises to wrote your goals 15 times a day. He explains,

It seems to work much of the time, at least in my experience, but presumably not because of any magic. At least one probable explanation for its perceived effectiveness is that focusing on goals changes the person who is doing the focusing.

So it looks like old Henry Ford knew what he was talking about: "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right."

Now if I could pinpoint what I want to work on, I'd be all set!

Twilight

2009-11-19T22:06:00.003-05:00

I have a theory that everyone likes some form of geeky entertainment. What fun would anyone be if they didn't seek out a way to amuse themself?

So, mock me all you want for being a Twilight fan. Yes, it's for teenage girls. I find it incredibly fun to get caught up in teenage girl thoughts, if only for a few moments.

Isn't that what entertainments is for - an escape to an imaginary world?

I can't wait to go see New Moon this weekend and represent for Team Edward!

Meltdown

2009-11-18T21:21:00.003-05:00

Just two hours ago, I was telling Brenden how I wish I could just write procedures and instructions at work all day. I said I want to edit written materials and think of new ideas for my workplace!

So here I sit, struggling to generate any ideas for my blog. And, when I do have ideas, I rush them out, not putting in the extra effort to make an entry my best work.

What's that old expression, the cobbler's children have no shoes? It's like me; the lover of language, speech, and the ten dollar word half asses her blog.

Still, I must keep NaBloPoMo-ing. Trying to write daily might to result in a few good entries along the way. At least there is a better chance of creating a gem than there would be by writing nothing at all.

Uni-taskers

2009-11-17T19:33:00.003-05:00

I'm with Alton Brown: I hate uni-taskers. That is, a (kitchen) device which serves but one, limited purpose. Uni-taskers are a plague of a society that has all its needs fulfilled, and needs to create useless wants.

Today, I got a Crate and Barrel catalog in the mail. Their furniture and kitchen wares, they are delicious looking.

But, oh my goodness, Crate and Barrel, I mock your uni-taskers!

Fondue set: I have only once in my life seen a fondue set in use in an actual American home. The person using it was French and always kept fine chocolate and cream handy in case she needed to whip up a fondue for a guest. Trust me, you're not that sophisticated.

Wine Aerator: How about you just pour your wine into a glass and drink it? The way some people carry on about proper wine drinking you'd think they were trying to get it into bed.

Hot Cocoa Maker: I have one! It's called a saucepan and my stovetop.

Popcorn Popper: Ok, I get it, some people love popcorn. But who has room to dedicate that much space to one kind of snack? Did you know you can make popcorn in a plain old pot?

Cocktail Shaker: Again, I have never seen one of these used in a home setting. James Bond is not coming over for a beverage.

Site Stats

2009-11-16T21:43:00.002-05:00

From time to time, I do look at where my web traffic comes from.

The three most popular web searches that bring people by are:
1. Qdoba pronunciation
2. Strongest boy alive
3. Pee pee tube

Wow, do I feel famous! The strangest part is, people from Dubai to the Czech Republic are seeking information on the Internets for pee pee tubes. Why?!

Also, someone from Milwaukee visits daily. I can't imagine my relatives in Milwaukee wanting to read my nonsense, so I'm mystified. Hi, Milwaukee reader!

I do get about a third of my hits via the link on The Heidelberger Papers, which is a very cool photoblog about Indianapolis. I am honored for the linkage.

My Week In Pictures 11.08.09 - 11.14.09

2009-11-15T20:51:00.010-05:00

Hmm, I guess it was a pretty food-centric week. Sometimes the only thing that makes one day different from the next is what I've eaten or cooked.

Sunday 11/8: Tried this recipe for pork shoulder. I think the the scientific quantity for this amount of pulled pork is a mess. As in, "dang, this makes a mess of pulled pork!" We ate it for dinner three nights in a row (twice in burritos, once as BBQ sandwiches), and finally got so tired of it we gave the rest to Wendy.

Monday 11/9: Wendy has a move we call unsolicited paw. Sometimes she likes to approach you and give you her paw in hopes of connecting with you. It's very sweet (except when you don't anticipate it, and she accidentally scratches your neck).

Tuesday 11/10: You know you've been spending a lot of working hours with someone when you unintentionally come in dressed in matching outfits, right down to the shoe color.

Wednesday 11/11: I never make tea for myself, but sure do like a cup when it is offered at the salon.

Thursday 11/12: My Christmas-manic friend Sean had already purchased the holiday Pez for me (below), but when I got to work on Thursday, he added two additional dispensers to my collection.

Friday 11/13: I should have documented the lunchtime crowd at the new Five Guys in Avon. It was insanity!

Saturday 11/14: I wanted to experiment with a mashed potato casserole recipe and see if it was suitable for Thanksgiving (verdict: tastes yummy, only serves 6-8 nicely but would be too laborious to make many pans of it when you need to serve more people). I had to have something to go along with it and made some saucy meatballs, comfort food at its finest. My mom came over to help us eat it.

Recipe Rant

2009-11-14T23:12:00.003-05:00

I've been cooking long enough to know what kind of recipes I like:

Picture of the completed food.
Story of the recipe's origin or author's notes.
Detailed instructions.
Listed preparation time.

But tonight, after making two simple dishes, I think all recipes are missing one key component. Each item I prepared today required SIX large dishes from skillets, to baking pans, to mixing bowls. This doesn't even include vegetable peelers, knives, whisks, and tongs! That's over 20 items for two recipes!

All recipes need to quantify how much of a mess you'll make! It would go something like, "Meatballs. Serves 4. Preparation time 30 minutes. Soils 3 large non-dishwasher safe vessels, and 5 utensils."

Consumer Lust

2009-11-13T19:19:00.005-05:00

Won't you come along with me as I do some internet wish-shopping?

Pura water bottles
I like the wide mouth on these; the narrow openings on Siggs annoy me.

Warming Tray
It's disappointing to serve a special meal at unsatisfactory temperatures. I've been wanting a warming tray for years, and I should go ahead and take the plunge. Didn't I mention this a year ago?

Coach Wristlets
I could imagine collecting dozens of these, all colors, all sizes....

Red House

2009-11-12T19:36:00.008-05:00

I would like to share this commercial with you, because I think it is highly quotable. And as you know, among my stock phrases, there is not one bit of original material.

Why can't I have a nickname like Ten Gauge?

(Thanks Adele G. for the link!)

Looking for Bubbles

2009-11-11T20:45:00.003-05:00

I can't help it. If I drive though a "bad" neighborhood, I start humming the theme song for The Wire. I sang several choruses tonight.

After my haircut, I encountered some road closures and detours on my way home from the salon I visit downtown. I was always moving in the right direction, but not though the best neighborhoods.

Once I saw bright lights ahead, my heart soared at the prospect of familiar civilization! Sadly, it was a Safeway, the store which makes never makes me feel safe.

Passing through areas with miles of variety stores, liquor stores, and a Popeye's chicken, I finally got back into familiar territory. It was a tour of Indianapolis I never intended to take.

Now, enjoy The Wire's opening credits. (If you have never watched The Wire, pity yourself.)

All My Chilis: Spicy Steak

2009-11-10T19:32:00.006-05:00

Of all places, I found this very satisfying beef chili recipe in a diet cookbook. When I made it for the first time a few winters ago, I didn't have high hopes for robust flavors. Calorie conscious eating and deliciousness don't often go together.

Fortunately, after smelling it simmer for over an hour, we couldn't wait to dig in. The only problem we have with this spicy recipe is the small amount it makes. Isn't that just like a diet cookbook to not let you make enough for gluttony?

Here's what you'll need:

1 pound top round steak, cut into bite sized pieces
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic
3 jalapenos, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups beef broth
green onions, sliced

-Brown the meat over medium-high heat. Go ahead and add some oil if things start to stick.

-Add the onions and cook until they are soft.

-Stir in jalapenos, garlic, and the powdered spices. Keep stirring for a minute or two until everything smells nice. (This is called "blooming" the spices, a great tip I learned from America's Test Kitchen)

-Add the broth, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for and hour and a half.

-Serve with green onions sprinkled on top.

If you can take the heat, I hope you'll try this one. It's like meaty French onion soup with a kick!

Stupid Food: Chocolate Toffee Crackers

2009-11-09T21:11:00.003-05:00

The most popular cookie I make for my family is by far the easiest one in my recipe binder. I do like to cook, but that doesn't mean I like to do anything the hard way. If I can make something delicious without rolling dough or waiting for it to chill, bring it!

I found this recipe in an ad for saltine crackers. The hardest part is keeping the crackers straight, but even if they get crooked, they taste delicious.

My pan can fit more than 35 crackers so I scale up the other ingredients. Yay, math!

Ingredients:

35 saltines
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees
-Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil (Reynolds Release), place crackers in single layer edge-to-edge.
-Melt butter in saucepan on low heat, add brown sugar and combine thoroughly.
-Bring butter and sugar to a boil; let boil for 3 minutes without stirring. Spread evenly over the crackers; work quickly!
-Bake for 7 minutes.
-Upon removing from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips.

-Wait 5 minutes, then spread the melty chocolate to completely cover each cracker.
-Sprinkle on the nuts. (I like to press them in or they fall off.)
-Let cool then break into pieces.
-Try not to eat the whole batch by yourself.

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

2009-11-08T21:40:00.002-05:00

In recent weeks, I've learned some simple lessons.

The cheesy crumbs left on my fingers after eating Cheetos come off more easily with a napkin. My whole life I've been licking my fingers, and looking decidedly unsophisticated. A napkin, who knew?

If you buy a large cutting board, you don't make a huge mess while cooking! Why, oh, why did I wait this long to get a cutting board big enough to contain an entire chopped onion?

Don't "yuck" anyone's "yum". It's not important for me to declare what you like is something I don't care for. Why would anyone care that I dislike what makes them happy? Note to self: shut up. (Philosophy courtesy of Michael Pollan's Rules to Eat By, New York Times online)

Wish List:: Domestic Travel

2009-11-07T20:49:00.002-05:00

Bucket list seems like a such a cheesy term. These are the places I hope to visit, eventually.

Newport, Rhode Island
I've been before over a decade ago, but it was a short visit. Lavish historic home tours, seaside dining, and shops would make for a perfect girlfriends getaway.

Savannah, Georgia
From what I've seen, this looks like a gorgeous city, and unlike anything we have in the North.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I want to eat a Philly cheesesteak.

Los Angeles, California
I'd like to be the next contestant on the Price is Right.

Austin, Texas
From all accounts, just sounds cool.

Portland, Oregon
Again, it just sounds cool.

New York, New York
I've been several times, and I want to go many times more. I love everything about this city.

Indy's Top 5 Eats

2009-11-06T20:52:00.004-05:00

The Indy Star has a feature in which various community leaders are asked to list their 5 favorite things to eat in the city. Since the Star isn't going to be interviewing me anytime soon, here are my picks.

Sizzling Wok: Rice Noodle Combination

I can't recall the Vietnamese name for this dish, but everyone I've introduced to it likes it and comes back for more. Rice noodles are served on a bed of herbs, lettuce and bean spouts, with sizzling beef and a sliced eggroll-like item on top. Go ahead, pour on the whole bowl of thin, savory-sweet sauce that is served on the side. You won't regret it.

Some Guys Pizza: The Special
This thin crust pizza is a vehicle for plenty of cheese toppped with garlic, basil and sundried tomatoes. When getting this as a carryout item, it's hard not to break open the box and sneak a few bites on the car ride home.

Brugge Brasserie: L'Enorme Pommes Frites

If you order the enormous cone of fries, bring friends. With a few Belgian ales, this could make a meal. Sampling back and forth among the 10 accompanying sauces is not only delicious, but great for conversation. My favorite sauce is the sherry vinegar.

Taste Cafe: Cheddar Biscuits and Gravy
Tender biscuits are topped with velvety smooth sausage gravy and sharp cheddar cheese. The gravy has none of the gluey floury taste I often despise. Sometimes, it's hard to keep the "mmmm" sounds under control.

96th Street Steakburgers: Steakburger with Cheese

I admire a restaurant that does one thing, and does that one thing well. Everything in this burger is great. The lettuce is always icy crisp, the special sauce is applied in just the right amount, and even the pickle (which I pick off everywhere else) is perfect.

I Can't Help Myself

2009-11-05T21:27:00.006-05:00

When I see a unique individual, I often feel a strong urge to take their picture. I suppress my inhibitions, and ask them for permission. They are normally delighted to comply.

It takes only a moment to gather the courage, by the image lasts forever.

This is It

2009-11-04T19:55:00.004-05:00

As a child of the 80's, growing up in one of the first households in Beech Grove to have cable, I never remember a time without music videos.

Sometimes, I got Michael Jackson and Prince confused. I didn't have the words to describe it then, how they didn't remind me of any men I knew in real life. I didn't understand what most of the songs on MTV were about, anyway. Thriller gave me nightmares.

For me, Weird Al was the real deal. Like A Virgin made my mother call the lady on the TV names, but Like a Surgeon was something we could all enjoy. Who needs Beat It, when you can listen to Eat It?

So when Brooke suggested seeing This Is It over the weekend, I was surprised to find myself agreeing. I'm not a huge Michael Jackson fan, but I found this movie fascinating.

First, I love anything "behind the scenes". His concert was going to be epic. Seeing the work going into it was bittersweet. So many talented people from costume designers to choreographers were excited for the show. The world didn't get to see the results, and now they're out of a job.

Second, I have a staring problem, especially where unusual humans are concerned. This Is It allowed me hours of uninterrupted staring at MJ in his element. He wasn't in a scripted video, or under the glare of an interviewer's lighting. He was just doing his normal thing, wearing his not-normal clothing (Ed Hardy lounge pants being the most normal item), showing his really not-normal face. I ate that up!

Lastly, I was blown away by the dancing. Young, muscular men danced behind MJ with the most precise and athletic of moves. Fifty year old Michael moved with them in harmony, never showing fatigue. This movie made me respect him as one of the greatest dancers ever. I was inspired to move.

I'm left with one problem. Where does a person like myself learn to dance like that?

Erase/Rewind

2009-11-03T21:19:00.005-05:00

I've been aware of the Cardigans since 1996, when their hit Lovefool was all over the radio. I sang and sang along, loving the way my voice blended with Nina Persson's. Perhaps it's just an easy song to sing.

A few months ago, I added some Cardigans tracks to my iPod, courtesy of my Dad's music collection. As these songs came by randomly on shuffle mode, they slowly grew on me.

Then, while browsing felted brooches and latte bowls at Anthropologie, I found myself grooving to a familiar voice. It was a new song to me, but I knew it was the Cardigans. It didn't take long to find Erase/Rewind on iTunes and download it.

I've had this song has been on repeat ever since. (Before that, it was Rock by Lexicon)

Sunday Lunch

2009-11-02T20:31:00.005-05:00

Like it or not, among my circle of friends, I'm labeled The One Who Knows About the Food. I think of myself as The Woman Who Ate Lots. There is some consolation to this reputation: planning eating adventures with interesting people!

A few weeks back, TMC, my friend from the Internets, asked for a Thai restaurant recommendation, because she wanted to try some Pad Woon Sen. Always craving Thai food and good conversation, I offered to come along with her to Jasmine Thai.

Our gathering grew to include some other digital friends, Rebecca and Stacy. It was a leisurely, gentle Sunday meal. Spoonfuls of our entrees were slid onto Stacy's plate as samples for her first Thai experience. Tea was sipped, soup was slurped, noodles were twirled. Chats happened, Tales were told, women laughed.

*TMC requested the smiley face over her own smiling face.

Blarg, Day 1

2009-11-01T21:38:00.003-05:00

Hi, remember my blog?

I think I got a little sick of my own voice, and went away to hide. But, hey, it's NaBloPoMo, and I'm compelled to write every day this month. Traditions are so few in my life, I want to at least keep this one up.

This would be a whole lot easier if my netbook didn't have internet connectivity issues. I don't even know who to call or what to do. Ghostbusters?!

All My Chilis: Havana Moon

2009-10-12T20:29:00.006-04:00

I've known Jeremy since my college days in Texas. I count him among one of my first internet friends, though. In the late 90's, we both had AOL instant messenger and time to chat. It was then that I really got it - being online could not only maintain a friendship, the internet could help it grow.

Jeremy suggested that I give Havana Moon chili a whirl several months ago. Finally, I decided to tackle it yesterday, noticing the recipe is by the great food and culture writers Jane and Michael Stern. Fabulous! (I must have checked the Sterns' Encyclopedia of Bad Taste out at the library 10 times during high school.)

It's an odd mix of ingredients, I was lucky to randomly have most of it on hand already besides the meat.

No kidding, olives, raisins, and almonds are all included. With non standard ingredients and blend of spices, I thought the flavor would be startling.

The chili simmered for over an hour, becoming like a loose taco filling. It is served on a bed of plain rice and beans. I could see a lime wedge and some hot tortillas rounding out the meal next time.

Havana Moon was surprisingly gentle comfort food. In each bite, there was possibly a hint of sweetness (raisin), sometimes a bit of extra salty flavor (olive), or maybe some crunch (almond). The flavor on each spoonful varied only enough to keep it interesting.

Do try it, if you dare. It pays to have friends on the internet.

No Kiosks, Please

2009-10-04T20:26:00.008-04:00

I woke up Saturday with a pain my neck from sleeping on it funny. Despite my limited neck turning ability I had a perfect fall morning.

I met some friends at Taste for brunch and then headed to the Indieana Handicraft Exchange. The fall craft show was twice as large as the one we went to in June! Later, we went to Starbucks and Three Dog Bakery. So, basically, I got to go most of my favorite places with people I enjoy every much.

My neck was still bugging me when I got home, and becoming more painful. On a whim, I went to the mall, because I'd seen a little chair massage kiosk there a few weeks ago.

I approached the massage area and the Chinese masseur instantly started taking charge. I pointed at my neck, but he was already guiding me to the chair, putting a service menu in my face, taking off my jacket, clipping my hair up out of the way, and putting a large blanket over me. I chose the cheapest 12 minute massage and he said, "No good. 20 minutes. Best value". OK, dude.

This guy did not mess around. He couldn't have weighed more than a buck twenty, but it felt like a rhinoceros was poking me all over my back. My breath was pushed out of me, my feet curled up, and I thought my eyes might pop out from all of the intense pressure. As he fiercely massaged my very tender right side, I started to get really scared, because it was the left side of my neck that was originally painful!

Next, the big blanket he'd laid over me started to make sense. He started pushing on my upper butt. The blanket is for modesty, in case my pants would fall down! Does a blanket barrier make it OK for him to massage my butt in the middle of the mall? At that point I felt so beaten it was easier to sit there and take it, waiting for him to finish my legs, arms, hands, and ears.

Finally, it was over, and I'm wandering the mall a little dazed with a messy mop of hair. Normally, I quickly reject anyone beckoning to me from a kiosk. In my confusion I started talking to a foreign man who sat me down on a stool by his kiosk. He starts talking to me about my hair (thanks a lot Chinese masseur).

As I start coming back into my right mind, I realize Emilio, allegedly from Italy, is straightening my hair with a flat iron and he's in the middle of his well rehearsed sales pitch. It's kind of charming at first, quite a contrast to the massage. Even though he's not supposed to, he does my whole head of hair. He's supposed to leave half of it undone so I can be a walking before and after.

I can't get away from Emilio. He thinks I would look great with hair extensions. He thinks I should only wash my hair twice a week. He scolds me when I ask questions.

The price of the hair iron starts at $250, eventually getting lowered to $100. He offers gifts with purchases which I reject. He tries to use every sales approach in the book, it's like I'm trapped in an informercial.

He continues with questions. Isn't a person's hair the first thing you notice about them? Do I want to damage my hair with inferior styling appliances? Do I realize that if you divide the cost of this device over 60 months it is less than $4 a month for my improved appearance?!

Finally I level with him. I don't need to have great hair every day. It's not my top priority. I don't care about the price, I just don't like to do my hair. Emilio winces with disbelief. He sighs, "I just don't understand you."

I shake his hand, thank him for his time, and slip into Gap Kids as quickly as possible. I am never, ever talking to a stranger at the mall again!