for the lovely, crazy, beautiful pinkminx!
Sep. 3rd, 2013 09:29 amBehold, my new running shoes! (Considerably more muddy this morning, post run!)
PSA of zero import
Oct. 31st, 2012 11:27 amDid another Friend's List purge. Only cut people that seem to no longer be on LJ.
If I'm wrong and you were lurking---lemme know, and I'll be happy to add ya back!
If I'm wrong and you were lurking---lemme know, and I'll be happy to add ya back!
i'm your huckleberry
Mar. 4th, 2012 01:14 amGot up. Cleaned house. Got a call from a raptor (not veloci). And then got myself out the front door to get some groceries for the evening.
I came home. Remembered that I should eat sometime before dinner, and had some very unsatisfying Safeway deli chow mein. I know. I never thought I would be someone who didn't care about food, but for the first time in my life I see it largely as a nuisance. If I could take my daily nutrition and calories in a pill form first thing in the morning, I would be ecstatic. (Exception: when friends are coming over, like tonight. Then food is a celebration!) Mostly I've accepted that all I want to eat right now are saltines, frosted mini wheats, and tunafish. I can also handle Safeway soups and salads. Weird, huh? Really not in the mental space to cook, lately.
So I unpacked groceries.Juiced a thousand key limes. Chased Annouk around for a bit. And then Sarah arrived! She arrived early because we were going to go to Greenlake, and poor Neel's knees can't handle that right now, so she came alone. But then her eyeball was owie, so we walked back to Safeway to get some Visine and Claritin, and decided not to further offend her allergies by immersing her in nature.
We watched the addictive Gotye video.That guy is so my current imaginary boyfriend. He's adorable in interviews, too. I started to get dinner together. On the menu: homemade tortilla chips, guacamole, steak and black bean chili, jalapeño-cheddar biscuits, frozen key lime pie. Thank you, Pressure Cooker, for making life so much easier. This was my second time with this adaptation of the Smitten Kitchen chili, and this time I didn't scorch the bottom of the pot to hell. I think the spices were a little intense, a little raw tasting, but overall I was okay with it. Next time I would add the spices earlier, like with the garlic.
Neel arrived. And then, as the best nights go, we listened to music, shrieked with laughter, I cooked, we all ate. We'd decided upon the most bizarre double feature ever--First Wives Club and Tombstone. Connected thinly by our love for both Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. That was too much fun.
Tomorrow the horror of laundry awaits, but as it's only two loads, I can't really complain.
I came home. Remembered that I should eat sometime before dinner, and had some very unsatisfying Safeway deli chow mein. I know. I never thought I would be someone who didn't care about food, but for the first time in my life I see it largely as a nuisance. If I could take my daily nutrition and calories in a pill form first thing in the morning, I would be ecstatic. (Exception: when friends are coming over, like tonight. Then food is a celebration!) Mostly I've accepted that all I want to eat right now are saltines, frosted mini wheats, and tunafish. I can also handle Safeway soups and salads. Weird, huh? Really not in the mental space to cook, lately.
So I unpacked groceries.Juiced a thousand key limes. Chased Annouk around for a bit. And then Sarah arrived! She arrived early because we were going to go to Greenlake, and poor Neel's knees can't handle that right now, so she came alone. But then her eyeball was owie, so we walked back to Safeway to get some Visine and Claritin, and decided not to further offend her allergies by immersing her in nature.
We watched the addictive Gotye video.That guy is so my current imaginary boyfriend. He's adorable in interviews, too. I started to get dinner together. On the menu: homemade tortilla chips, guacamole, steak and black bean chili, jalapeño-cheddar biscuits, frozen key lime pie. Thank you, Pressure Cooker, for making life so much easier. This was my second time with this adaptation of the Smitten Kitchen chili, and this time I didn't scorch the bottom of the pot to hell. I think the spices were a little intense, a little raw tasting, but overall I was okay with it. Next time I would add the spices earlier, like with the garlic.
Neel arrived. And then, as the best nights go, we listened to music, shrieked with laughter, I cooked, we all ate. We'd decided upon the most bizarre double feature ever--First Wives Club and Tombstone. Connected thinly by our love for both Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. That was too much fun.
Tomorrow the horror of laundry awaits, but as it's only two loads, I can't really complain.
Why are you guys all so awesome? And why can't you all come over and hang out here while I feed you freshly baked cookies???
Feeling much less like there is CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER and more like, maybe I just have allergies. Whew. I mean, maybe I AM still about to die. But at least I'm less worried about it now? Whee!
Feeling much less like there is CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER and more like, maybe I just have allergies. Whew. I mean, maybe I AM still about to die. But at least I'm less worried about it now? Whee!
weekend blather
Jun. 26th, 2011 12:49 pmIt's been such a nice weekend. I think with the frenzy of socializing during the week, it's been especially nice to have some quiet time this weekend. It's gone alarmingly fast, but I'm not too worried since we have a four-day weekend next weekend. I'm thinking of bookending it with days off on Thursday and Tuesday because I have some home projects that are getting neglected by all the funtimes.
I slept in gloriously on Saturday and then went to meet my new hair person at ZeroZero. Her name is Estelle and she's sort of adorable. My cousin Mo told me about her, and her Yelp reviews were worshipful. I got my hair colored, and while I think it's a little too auburn, I am enjoying the novelty of my entire head being a different color, particularly one that is not BLACK. She was really enthusiastic with suggestions for my hair. She told me what she thought we should do, and then showed me a picture, and I really think it's an improvement. Also, I hated the shampoo/conditioner I tried from Mode (to the point that I'm going to call them to ask if I can return it--I've only used it twice) because it complete dried my already overly dry hair out. We got me a new shampoo/conditioner that I'm much happier with. So, that was fun. Also, and I don't know how this is but she charges $60 for coloring whereas everywhere else is like $120-200. So. That was exciting. She also specializes in coloring super dark, coarse hair--Asian/South Asian. And she got it to change color without bleach, which no one else ever has. It was awesome.
There was a fuckton of traffic, everywhere, on Saturday. So, I really did not want to go and run my errands. So, I stayed at home cleaning and it felt great. The day went by so damn fast. I watched some tv and read a bunch. We're reading Little Earthquakes for ChickLit book club and I'm making steady progress on A Clash of Kings as well.
I went to bed really early. SO nice.
Today was the day to do the things I didn't do yesterday--namely, laundry and groceries. It was one of those days where I'm super excited to go grocery shopping. My fridge was pretty bare, so it was high time to replenish fresh things. Also! I just bought these heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo (per David Lebovitz's rec) and they've already arrived! I bought a cannellini bean, a yellow bean, and these red beans. I AM SUPER EXCITED OMFG. I never work with dry beans because of the overnight soaking (or quick soaking required) method, but this is so exciting!!
I really want to recreate the flavors of that cannellini dish at Barolo, but all these cooking sites warn against adding tomatoes during the bean cooking process, because they're acidic. So, not sure if I must cook a tomato sauce separately and then combine? Because other recipes have you cook the tomatoes with everything else. Hrm. MUST EXPERIMENT!
I've soaked them and will have them for dinner tonight!! I'm feeling inspired by this cookbook that Amy T gave me as a spontaneous gift once upon a time, it's called The New California Cook. I've never used it before because there are ZERO pictures of the food and I need pictures to be inspired, dammit. But the recipes sound so good, and I am really in a California Cuisine sort of mood lately. Amy loves the cookbook and I also really trust her judgment!
Also, even though it's summer, I really want soups. I'm going to make my roasted tomato basil soup tonight. VERY excited about that!
I'm off to meet Sarah now forGreenlakea neighborhood walk* and then it's back home to cook!
* Sarah just called and pointed out that a sunny afternoon, one of the first nice sunny afternoons, on a Sunday are likely to be jam-packed at Greenlake. So we're going to do a less chaotic, but equally lengthy, neighborhood walk from my house.
I slept in gloriously on Saturday and then went to meet my new hair person at ZeroZero. Her name is Estelle and she's sort of adorable. My cousin Mo told me about her, and her Yelp reviews were worshipful. I got my hair colored, and while I think it's a little too auburn, I am enjoying the novelty of my entire head being a different color, particularly one that is not BLACK. She was really enthusiastic with suggestions for my hair. She told me what she thought we should do, and then showed me a picture, and I really think it's an improvement. Also, I hated the shampoo/conditioner I tried from Mode (to the point that I'm going to call them to ask if I can return it--I've only used it twice) because it complete dried my already overly dry hair out. We got me a new shampoo/conditioner that I'm much happier with. So, that was fun. Also, and I don't know how this is but she charges $60 for coloring whereas everywhere else is like $120-200. So. That was exciting. She also specializes in coloring super dark, coarse hair--Asian/South Asian. And she got it to change color without bleach, which no one else ever has. It was awesome.
There was a fuckton of traffic, everywhere, on Saturday. So, I really did not want to go and run my errands. So, I stayed at home cleaning and it felt great. The day went by so damn fast. I watched some tv and read a bunch. We're reading Little Earthquakes for ChickLit book club and I'm making steady progress on A Clash of Kings as well.
I went to bed really early. SO nice.
Today was the day to do the things I didn't do yesterday--namely, laundry and groceries. It was one of those days where I'm super excited to go grocery shopping. My fridge was pretty bare, so it was high time to replenish fresh things. Also! I just bought these heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo (per David Lebovitz's rec) and they've already arrived! I bought a cannellini bean, a yellow bean, and these red beans. I AM SUPER EXCITED OMFG. I never work with dry beans because of the overnight soaking (or quick soaking required) method, but this is so exciting!!
I really want to recreate the flavors of that cannellini dish at Barolo, but all these cooking sites warn against adding tomatoes during the bean cooking process, because they're acidic. So, not sure if I must cook a tomato sauce separately and then combine? Because other recipes have you cook the tomatoes with everything else. Hrm. MUST EXPERIMENT!
I've soaked them and will have them for dinner tonight!! I'm feeling inspired by this cookbook that Amy T gave me as a spontaneous gift once upon a time, it's called The New California Cook. I've never used it before because there are ZERO pictures of the food and I need pictures to be inspired, dammit. But the recipes sound so good, and I am really in a California Cuisine sort of mood lately. Amy loves the cookbook and I also really trust her judgment!
Also, even though it's summer, I really want soups. I'm going to make my roasted tomato basil soup tonight. VERY excited about that!
I'm off to meet Sarah now for
* Sarah just called and pointed out that a sunny afternoon, one of the first nice sunny afternoons, on a Sunday are likely to be jam-packed at Greenlake. So we're going to do a less chaotic, but equally lengthy, neighborhood walk from my house.
blah blah blah
Feb. 1st, 2011 08:50 pmOkay, I know the entire eastern side of the country is miserably buried in snow and we're having a mild winter, but my feet have been so freaking cold ALL DAY. And I'm not rebelliously running amok in bare feet either, I have fleece footie things on for once. I kept fantasizing about immersing them in really hot water. But then I didn't have a magic wand to make that appear, so.
I can haz spring?
Oddly, I am obsessed with ffwding to summer. I mentioned this to someone who said that maybe it was because we didn't get much of a summer last year. I'm dying for summer foods and they're just not available right now. (TOMATOES. I WANT TOMATOES. And I'm not even a big tomato person. WTF. I want to eat them sliced on a plate with some salt and pepper. Why?)
So, I made brownies. Because that is the answer to all woes. New recipe for me. (Test Kitchen.) Hope they are good. Will take them into office.
I'm still having vivid Black Swan flashbacks at night, which aren't helped by all the trailers for it that are still running everywhere. Also, I wish Sarah were here so we could play more Mario. We have a standing slacker-date for Monday nights, and it's beyond glorious. And that is all I want out of life. Mario with Sarah. And pizza. Oh, and cherry coke zero. But that's it. I swear.
I so desperately want a cherry coke zero right now. And we even have them in the house! But I'm insomniackish lately enough without pre-bed-time caffeine. BOO.
This being a grownup thing suuuuucks. I want a refund.
I can haz spring?
Oddly, I am obsessed with ffwding to summer. I mentioned this to someone who said that maybe it was because we didn't get much of a summer last year. I'm dying for summer foods and they're just not available right now. (TOMATOES. I WANT TOMATOES. And I'm not even a big tomato person. WTF. I want to eat them sliced on a plate with some salt and pepper. Why?)
So, I made brownies. Because that is the answer to all woes. New recipe for me. (Test Kitchen.) Hope they are good. Will take them into office.
I'm still having vivid Black Swan flashbacks at night, which aren't helped by all the trailers for it that are still running everywhere. Also, I wish Sarah were here so we could play more Mario. We have a standing slacker-date for Monday nights, and it's beyond glorious. And that is all I want out of life. Mario with Sarah. And pizza. Oh, and cherry coke zero. But that's it. I swear.
I so desperately want a cherry coke zero right now. And we even have them in the house! But I'm insomniackish lately enough without pre-bed-time caffeine. BOO.
This being a grownup thing suuuuucks. I want a refund.
quilting again
Jan. 9th, 2010 10:37 pmI did it! I finished Jeanne's quillow (quilt that converts into a pillow)! It's been, what, 3 years since I made the last one? It's totally effed up (Jeanne, I totally will make you a second one once I'm a bit more practiced!!) but I finished it! (Also, new icon! Which is a picture of my sewing machine model!)
Annouk helped!
Reloading the bobbin is the thing I most suck at; I'd forgotten that. I just looked, and it does appear that there are things such as automatic bobbin winders, and I may have to go buy one. I think only practice and patience will help me better cut fabric evenly. But still, it's done, and will be off in the mail to Jeanne on Monday!
I also screwed up the pillow part. I followed this diagram on the Web, since it'd been so long, and I didn't trust my instincts, so it doesn't fold the way I want it to. But as a first-after-years effort, it'll do.
I may have to take another sewing class. I'm so out of practice. I would never have gotten this one done today if I didn't already have the fabric, and have it mostly cut out to spec.
I have inspiration for my next project, too. I've been wholly unable to find place mats that I like that don't cost $1200/setting*. AND I have all this gorgeous fabric that I bought on a whim from Nancy's Sewing Room years ago, just pieces because I thought I might make a satin-y fancy-pants quilt. But I was thinking it might be cool to make a set of place mats, each with a different fabric. They're all in the same relative family of colors.
* This post may contain non-FDA approved levels of hyperbole.
Annouk helped!
 |
| From Annouk |
Reloading the bobbin is the thing I most suck at; I'd forgotten that. I just looked, and it does appear that there are things such as automatic bobbin winders, and I may have to go buy one. I think only practice and patience will help me better cut fabric evenly. But still, it's done, and will be off in the mail to Jeanne on Monday!
I also screwed up the pillow part. I followed this diagram on the Web, since it'd been so long, and I didn't trust my instincts, so it doesn't fold the way I want it to. But as a first-after-years effort, it'll do.
I may have to take another sewing class. I'm so out of practice. I would never have gotten this one done today if I didn't already have the fabric, and have it mostly cut out to spec.
I have inspiration for my next project, too. I've been wholly unable to find place mats that I like that don't cost $1200/setting*. AND I have all this gorgeous fabric that I bought on a whim from Nancy's Sewing Room years ago, just pieces because I thought I might make a satin-y fancy-pants quilt. But I was thinking it might be cool to make a set of place mats, each with a different fabric. They're all in the same relative family of colors.
* This post may contain non-FDA approved levels of hyperbole.
holy crap tomorrow is wednesday
Dec. 29th, 2009 11:32 pmI knew this final week of vacation would evaporate. (I know, I have no call to boo-hoo considering all the time off I've had. But returning to work gets harder the longer you've enjoyed a temporary a life of leisure!)
Mostly I just realized that this means that the day after tomorrow is NYE. I was so sanguinely blathering about my tentative menu when I absolutely must go to the liquor store and grocery store tomorrow and start cooking. I really don't want to be stuck in the kitchen all night on NYE, so everything that can be must be done in advance. I've decided to make the hot chocolate cake because I've been obsessed with it lately. I've also decided to make Ina Garten's recipe for steak au poivre, herbed fingerling potatoes, and spinach au gratin. Ina never lets me down.
Game plan:
Tomorrow, bake cakes, make frosting (since it needs to sit for 24-damn-hours), make marshmallows, and assemble spinach gratin.
Thursday morning I will start the six-hour process of making the French onion soup and prep the potatoes. I'll need to assemble and decorate the cake.
The only thing done a la moment will be the steaks and sauce since I think they'll be done best then. I'm going to have a mise en place ready, though, so I'm not frustrated-ly juggling measuring spoons and feeling hassled.
In other news, the pasta was a hit! I loved it, and Jeff and Ellie loved it! It is so much more fun to try out new recipes with friends instead of alone! I left them the leftovers and am going to use the rest of my ingredients to make another batch for tomorrow. The only thing I'm missing is a shallot, which I need to buy tomorrow anyway. I love that you don't have to heat up an entire enormous pot of water to boil the noodles. That's my least favorite part of making pasta. This was really flavorful and easy and it's going to be a staple, goddammit! Really easy to modify to vegetarian recipe, too. Just use veggie stock and don't add the chicken! Also, this was pretty forgiving. I kept screwing things up like letting the pasta nearly burn. I then packed it up and took it to Ellie and Jeff's and then we nuked it briefly to reheat and it still wasn't rubbery or anything. Go! Go make this now!!
( Here is the recipe! )
Mostly I just realized that this means that the day after tomorrow is NYE. I was so sanguinely blathering about my tentative menu when I absolutely must go to the liquor store and grocery store tomorrow and start cooking. I really don't want to be stuck in the kitchen all night on NYE, so everything that can be must be done in advance. I've decided to make the hot chocolate cake because I've been obsessed with it lately. I've also decided to make Ina Garten's recipe for steak au poivre, herbed fingerling potatoes, and spinach au gratin. Ina never lets me down.
Game plan:
Tomorrow, bake cakes, make frosting (since it needs to sit for 24-damn-hours), make marshmallows, and assemble spinach gratin.
Thursday morning I will start the six-hour process of making the French onion soup and prep the potatoes. I'll need to assemble and decorate the cake.
The only thing done a la moment will be the steaks and sauce since I think they'll be done best then. I'm going to have a mise en place ready, though, so I'm not frustrated-ly juggling measuring spoons and feeling hassled.
In other news, the pasta was a hit! I loved it, and Jeff and Ellie loved it! It is so much more fun to try out new recipes with friends instead of alone! I left them the leftovers and am going to use the rest of my ingredients to make another batch for tomorrow. The only thing I'm missing is a shallot, which I need to buy tomorrow anyway. I love that you don't have to heat up an entire enormous pot of water to boil the noodles. That's my least favorite part of making pasta. This was really flavorful and easy and it's going to be a staple, goddammit! Really easy to modify to vegetarian recipe, too. Just use veggie stock and don't add the chicken! Also, this was pretty forgiving. I kept screwing things up like letting the pasta nearly burn. I then packed it up and took it to Ellie and Jeff's and then we nuked it briefly to reheat and it still wasn't rubbery or anything. Go! Go make this now!!
( Here is the recipe! )
today's edition of what not to do
Aug. 15th, 2009 01:51 pmDon't be careless with your newly sharpened kitchen knives.
(But if you do, be sure to have an experienced surgeon around who will keep you calm and take you to the ER because she doesn't have a suture kit on her. Thank you, Jeanne!)
 |
| From Misc |
(But if you do, be sure to have an experienced surgeon around who will keep you calm and take you to the ER because she doesn't have a suture kit on her. Thank you, Jeanne!)
You know what's a good friend? A good friend is the friend you write in the morning, saying "omg I just saw these adorable mittens that you can put a metro card in! here's a picture! can you make me these!!" --and the friend responds a few hours later with "I know exactly the ones you mean!! I just started them for you in burgundy!!"
Bonus points are awarded when you look over and see that same friend's freaking Christmas present STILL on your bureau.
I love you, Jeanne. You are AMAZING. I totally don't deserve you.
Bonus points are awarded when you look over and see that same friend's freaking Christmas present STILL on your bureau.
I love you, Jeanne. You are AMAZING. I totally don't deserve you.
(no subject)
Feb. 18th, 2009 09:28 amThank you guys so much for voting. the feedback was very helpful!!
My final menu is:
(I know. Can you tell I love Ina Garten?)
- Cheese platter/tapenade/marcona almonds/champagne-marinated grapes
- Mini steak and roasted veggie sandwiches on foccacia
- Roasted shrimp with chile dipping sauce
- Tomato goat cheese tarts
- Stuffed mushrooms (meat and meatless versions)
- Garden salad - roasted red pepper dressing, sunflower seeds, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes
- Dulce de Leches Brownies and I'm going to try an upside down pear cake. It's based on the Alton Brown upside down peach cake. But this time I'm going to try to do one cake instead of four minis and as always, I'm using pear instead of peach. If it's an epic fail, I'll have the brownies for sure!
And, if I can find mini popcorn boxes locally (it's too late to have them shipped) I was thinking it would be fun to make white cheddar popcorn and serve it in little boxes while we watch! Maybe if Pete and I decide to suck it up and go to see Benjamin Button on Saturday I can buy some from the theater.
And I've decided to give a bottle of wine as the prize, because I'm going to be doing so much cooking, I just don't want to deal with making another item. I figure, I foist my baking endeavors onto my friends often enough as it is!
As with anything trivial, it's fun to set a goal. I really wanted to see as many nominated films as I could.
( More Oscar Tawk )
My final menu is:
(I know. Can you tell I love Ina Garten?)
- Cheese platter/tapenade/marcona almonds/champagne-marinated grapes
- Mini steak and roasted veggie sandwiches on foccacia
- Roasted shrimp with chile dipping sauce
- Tomato goat cheese tarts
- Stuffed mushrooms (meat and meatless versions)
- Garden salad - roasted red pepper dressing, sunflower seeds, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes
- Dulce de Leches Brownies and I'm going to try an upside down pear cake. It's based on the Alton Brown upside down peach cake. But this time I'm going to try to do one cake instead of four minis and as always, I'm using pear instead of peach. If it's an epic fail, I'll have the brownies for sure!
And, if I can find mini popcorn boxes locally (it's too late to have them shipped) I was thinking it would be fun to make white cheddar popcorn and serve it in little boxes while we watch! Maybe if Pete and I decide to suck it up and go to see Benjamin Button on Saturday I can buy some from the theater.
And I've decided to give a bottle of wine as the prize, because I'm going to be doing so much cooking, I just don't want to deal with making another item. I figure, I foist my baking endeavors onto my friends often enough as it is!
As with anything trivial, it's fun to set a goal. I really wanted to see as many nominated films as I could.
( More Oscar Tawk )
oscar night approaches!
Feb. 17th, 2009 11:35 amSo you guys voted, and by a narrow, narrow margin the hors d'oeuvres won. It does seem to suit the occasion, so I'm happy with it!
I'm not sure it's enough, though. It's a small devoted group of film buffs, about 5-6 people. Here's the menu so far:
Cheese platter with tapenade, crostini, and champagne-marinated grapes
Steak or roasted veggie sliders with bleu cheese and caramelized onions
Individual tomato/goat cheese tarts
Roasted shrimp with chile-cocktail dipping sauce
A really good salad - undecided so far, but will include fruit/nuts/cheese
Mango mousse cake, unless I screw it up in which case I'll make something else
What do you think?
[Poll #1350898]
Also, I'm going to print ballots and want to have a prize for whoever gets the most right. Trying to decide what to give. A bottle of wine? Some homemade goodie? Another poll!
[Poll #1350899]
I'm not sure it's enough, though. It's a small devoted group of film buffs, about 5-6 people. Here's the menu so far:
Cheese platter with tapenade, crostini, and champagne-marinated grapes
Steak or roasted veggie sliders with bleu cheese and caramelized onions
Individual tomato/goat cheese tarts
Roasted shrimp with chile-cocktail dipping sauce
A really good salad - undecided so far, but will include fruit/nuts/cheese
Mango mousse cake, unless I screw it up in which case I'll make something else
What do you think?
[Poll #1350898]
Also, I'm going to print ballots and want to have a prize for whoever gets the most right. Trying to decide what to give. A bottle of wine? Some homemade goodie? Another poll!
[Poll #1350899]
second chance at sunday
Feb. 16th, 2009 09:26 amMondays off from work are so freaking glorious. It lets you properly enjoy Sunday without the phantom spectre of the work week looking above.
So yesterday was nice. I met Pete and Kirsten downtown and we watched Coraline in 3D. I have to say, I didn't much care for the 3D. Pete felt a little sick afterward and we all had slight headaches. All the previews for coming movies are in 3D, too, which means we'll probably have to keep driving to Lynnwood to see the 2D versions. But it was still fun to see the movie. We hung out over coffee to discuss and then I went to Nordstrom to have them take the electronic tag off the pants Jeff bought on Saturday and to see if I could find my dad a comfy and cute tracksuit (not at Nordstrom, apparently).
Then home, where I successfully made my mom's dal recipe and had that with rice and kababs for dinner.
Jeff and I watched Desperate Housewives. Sometimes I enjoy the show in a pleasant mindless way, and sometimes I so hate the selfish pettiness of all the characters that I wonder why I ever watch it. Unfortunately, last night was the latter experience.
( I also finished Dead Until Dark about which I have surprisingly strong opinions. )
Today's chores:
laundry
recycling
general-room-tidy-ing
putting laundry away
grocery store to buy another lovely piece of Tilapia and some veggies
going to container store to buy some, um, containers
picking up prescription from drugstore
drop off dry cleaning
packaging up a few things that I need to mail (including, dear god the shame, Jeanne's Christmas present)
bake some banana bread
French homework
I guess I better get to it!
So yesterday was nice. I met Pete and Kirsten downtown and we watched Coraline in 3D. I have to say, I didn't much care for the 3D. Pete felt a little sick afterward and we all had slight headaches. All the previews for coming movies are in 3D, too, which means we'll probably have to keep driving to Lynnwood to see the 2D versions. But it was still fun to see the movie. We hung out over coffee to discuss and then I went to Nordstrom to have them take the electronic tag off the pants Jeff bought on Saturday and to see if I could find my dad a comfy and cute tracksuit (not at Nordstrom, apparently).
Then home, where I successfully made my mom's dal recipe and had that with rice and kababs for dinner.
Jeff and I watched Desperate Housewives. Sometimes I enjoy the show in a pleasant mindless way, and sometimes I so hate the selfish pettiness of all the characters that I wonder why I ever watch it. Unfortunately, last night was the latter experience.
( I also finished Dead Until Dark about which I have surprisingly strong opinions. )
Today's chores:
recycling
general-room-tidy-ing
putting laundry away
grocery store to buy another lovely piece of Tilapia and some veggies
going to container store to buy some, um, containers
picking up prescription from drugstore
drop off dry cleaning
packaging up a few things that I need to mail (including, dear god the shame, Jeanne's Christmas present)
bake some banana bread
French homework
I guess I better get to it!
things that make you go squeeeeeeeee
Feb. 13th, 2009 09:47 amIn no particular order.
1. I'm making my mom's Aloo Gosht (beef/potato curry) recipe. It was my childhood and adult favorite meal (i.e., what I would want for my last meal). My mom would sometimes not have potatoes and would make it with turnips and I would HOWL at her, "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME OMG THIS IS CHILDABUSE HOW COULD YOU DO THAT! EWWWWWW TURNIPS ARE LIKE MEMBRANOUS BAGS OF GOOOOOOOOO" and she would shake her head at me, laughing, and say, "I didn't have any potatoes!!" And I would carry on for like 5 hours and refuse to eat it and whine at her to make me something else.
This glimmering insight into my childhood should surprise no one.
Anyhow, as I'm cooking, I realize I'm having conversations with her. And it was really comforting. "Should I chop the potatoes this big? A little smaller? Okay."
I hope it turns out okay. I only have some vague instructions and nowhere near her skills. I'm letting the memories of watching her make it a million times guide me.
2. I am really looking forward to a chatty-chat fest with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
serenity_valley today. Schedules being what they are, we've had to wait to find a good time for both of us. AND THAT TIME IS ALMOST HERE! (Though I also really enjoyed the sneak preview call we had yesterday.)
3. Sarah is coming over for a Wii Play Date and then Tanielle is going to come, too! And I'm going to make the roasted chicken with yukon gold potatoes and carrots because I'm obsessed. But also I'm going to do roasted tomatoes to go with it. Yay! AND AND individual upside-down pear cakes with ice cream.
4. So, OMG. My childhood hero was Judy Blume. I voraciously consumed her books. They were a religion to me. Those books are probably what lit the reading bug under my ass. She just turned 71. She has a blog. And I went there to wish her a happy birthday (along with a lot of 7, 8, and 9 year old children), AND SHE WROTE BACK! It was the sweetest note!!
Thanks so much for your warm note. I'm touched by how well you remember my books. Readers like you have made my career, and I can never thank you enough. If you have a chance check out my blog and let me know what you think. I'm trying to add a new post every week.
Love,
Judy
That's right, bitches! Judy Blume loves me! I can die happy now.
Also, how much of a phenomenal badass is she? Blogging at 71? Probably still working on another book? I love her. I feel an epic re-read of everything from SuperFudge to Forever coming on. Too bad I can't include those in my 50 Books in a Year thing.
Hokayso. I have to go do things. And then I will come back.
AND OH YEAH IT'S A LONG WEEKEND, BABY! *AWHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*
(This is without caffeine or sugar. PH34R ME!!! *thumps chest*)
1. I'm making my mom's Aloo Gosht (beef/potato curry) recipe. It was my childhood and adult favorite meal (i.e., what I would want for my last meal). My mom would sometimes not have potatoes and would make it with turnips and I would HOWL at her, "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME OMG THIS IS CHILDABUSE HOW COULD YOU DO THAT! EWWWWWW TURNIPS ARE LIKE MEMBRANOUS BAGS OF GOOOOOOOOO" and she would shake her head at me, laughing, and say, "I didn't have any potatoes!!" And I would carry on for like 5 hours and refuse to eat it and whine at her to make me something else.
This glimmering insight into my childhood should surprise no one.
Anyhow, as I'm cooking, I realize I'm having conversations with her. And it was really comforting. "Should I chop the potatoes this big? A little smaller? Okay."
I hope it turns out okay. I only have some vague instructions and nowhere near her skills. I'm letting the memories of watching her make it a million times guide me.
2. I am really looking forward to a chatty-chat fest with
serenity_valley today. Schedules being what they are, we've had to wait to find a good time for both of us. AND THAT TIME IS ALMOST HERE! (Though I also really enjoyed the sneak preview call we had yesterday.)3. Sarah is coming over for a Wii Play Date and then Tanielle is going to come, too! And I'm going to make the roasted chicken with yukon gold potatoes and carrots because I'm obsessed. But also I'm going to do roasted tomatoes to go with it. Yay! AND AND individual upside-down pear cakes with ice cream.
4. So, OMG. My childhood hero was Judy Blume. I voraciously consumed her books. They were a religion to me. Those books are probably what lit the reading bug under my ass. She just turned 71. She has a blog. And I went there to wish her a happy birthday (along with a lot of 7, 8, and 9 year old children), AND SHE WROTE BACK! It was the sweetest note!!
Thanks so much for your warm note. I'm touched by how well you remember my books. Readers like you have made my career, and I can never thank you enough. If you have a chance check out my blog and let me know what you think. I'm trying to add a new post every week.
Love,
Judy
That's right, bitches! Judy Blume loves me! I can die happy now.
Also, how much of a phenomenal badass is she? Blogging at 71? Probably still working on another book? I love her. I feel an epic re-read of everything from SuperFudge to Forever coming on. Too bad I can't include those in my 50 Books in a Year thing.
Hokayso. I have to go do things. And then I will come back.
AND OH YEAH IT'S A LONG WEEKEND, BABY! *AWHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*
(This is without caffeine or sugar. PH34R ME!!! *thumps chest*)
saturday with pete
Jan. 31st, 2009 10:46 pmSo today pretty much ruled, from start to finish.
I met Becky from my French class and we gabbed happily for about an hour. If I didn't have to meet Pete, we could have gone on longer. And except for a few desperate forays into English, we spoke French the entire time. We both have our own irritations with the class (I think Amina needs to stop berating us for stupid reasons; Becky gets annoyed with her somewhat condescending socialist bent--which she argues about inappropriately). I really like this woman. It was a great way to start the day and we're going to try to meet every weekend and maybe email for support during the week! She's a playwright and very cool! We kept cracking each other up!
Then I scurried home and Pete was just arriving at my front door. We went in for a few seconds and then had to hustle over to Ballard for Slumdog Millionaire. After the movie, we grabbed a bite at Matador, stopped by my house again for a few minutes, and then we left for Pacific Place to see Revolutionary Road. A quick stop for some dessert and then we headed back toward Greenwood. I'd asked Safeway to set aside some chicken wings, and there was some miscommunication and they were out. So we stopped by Greenwood Market and they had all the wings I needed--whew!
Pete came up to keep me company and I made the potato salad and dulce de leches brownies for tomorrow's party.
Speaking of which--I can't fucking believe it worked. I threw a can of sweetened condensed milk into my big stock pot and boiled the hell out of it for four hours (taking care to submerge it underneath 3-4 inches of water to prevent the can from exploding). And then it was time to go to Sarah's, so I didn't open the can until tonight. I'm so glad Pete was there because it was a moment to be shared. I opened the can slowly, somehow not believing that it was going to have worked--but it did! It was a can full of sweet, caramelized milk. It tasted fucking AWESOME!!! So, that is definitely happening again. Because--AWESOME!! Big shout out and thank you tostr8ontilmornin for introducing me to the concept!!
So easy. Who knew?? I wonder how long a boiled can will keep? Must research!!
I met Becky from my French class and we gabbed happily for about an hour. If I didn't have to meet Pete, we could have gone on longer. And except for a few desperate forays into English, we spoke French the entire time. We both have our own irritations with the class (I think Amina needs to stop berating us for stupid reasons; Becky gets annoyed with her somewhat condescending socialist bent--which she argues about inappropriately). I really like this woman. It was a great way to start the day and we're going to try to meet every weekend and maybe email for support during the week! She's a playwright and very cool! We kept cracking each other up!
Then I scurried home and Pete was just arriving at my front door. We went in for a few seconds and then had to hustle over to Ballard for Slumdog Millionaire. After the movie, we grabbed a bite at Matador, stopped by my house again for a few minutes, and then we left for Pacific Place to see Revolutionary Road. A quick stop for some dessert and then we headed back toward Greenwood. I'd asked Safeway to set aside some chicken wings, and there was some miscommunication and they were out. So we stopped by Greenwood Market and they had all the wings I needed--whew!
Pete came up to keep me company and I made the potato salad and dulce de leches brownies for tomorrow's party.
Speaking of which--I can't fucking believe it worked. I threw a can of sweetened condensed milk into my big stock pot and boiled the hell out of it for four hours (taking care to submerge it underneath 3-4 inches of water to prevent the can from exploding). And then it was time to go to Sarah's, so I didn't open the can until tonight. I'm so glad Pete was there because it was a moment to be shared. I opened the can slowly, somehow not believing that it was going to have worked--but it did! It was a can full of sweet, caramelized milk. It tasted fucking AWESOME!!! So, that is definitely happening again. Because--AWESOME!! Big shout out and thank you to
str8ontilmornin for introducing me to the concept!!So easy. Who knew?? I wonder how long a boiled can will keep? Must research!!
Bleh. I've been having more headaches lately, which hasn't been much fun. And last night a headache started that lasted through the night and has persisted through this afternoon. There's also some exciting fatigue and mucous to liven up my life. Jeff bought me some ginger ale last night which is keeping me sane today.
So, I'm home. Which is really good. I think things would have been dreadful if I'd tried to go to work. My hope is that enough hydration and ibuprofen will make it possible for me to go to French class tonight. I really don't feel I can afford to miss a class. I feel behind enough as it is.
I have no patience for being sick right now. Too much I want to do.
I'm throwing a small I Hate the Super Bowl party on Sunday. I don't really hate the Super Bowl, but I have zero interest in football. But any excuse to have people over to feed.
Besides, it's a good opportunity to try some new recipes—most of them are from Tyler Florence's Tailgate show. I love that guy.
So, I want to make:
- deviled eggs (because lately I've been craving them)
- roasted asparagus with garlic yogurt dip
- chicken wings with Thai red chili butter sauce (I thought I could fry up some tofu and toss it in the same sauce for Jeff/Pete.)
- grilled kielbasa (and veggie sausage) with dipping sauces
- some sort of rolls - homemade if I feel extra studly
- potato salad
- citrus-y granita sno-cones (served in dixie cups)
- Dulce de Leche brownies (David Lebovitz's recipe)
Pete got me this fun Wii game where you're a short order cook. I think it'd be a fun party game. And of course there's Wii sports. Or board games. I'm really looking forward to it. I think it'll be mostly low stress because all of the dishes are easy to make. I'm really excited to make dulce de leche. I was just introduced to the concept (boiling a can of condensed milk to caramelize it) bystr8ontilmornin and have been dying to try it!
I also can't stop obsessing about Paris. It's still just so damn far away!! I've been noting shops and restaurants and alternating between feeling giddy about going and terrified that some horrible thing will happen to keep me from going.
Okay, should go drink something and lie down. Mrh.
So, I'm home. Which is really good. I think things would have been dreadful if I'd tried to go to work. My hope is that enough hydration and ibuprofen will make it possible for me to go to French class tonight. I really don't feel I can afford to miss a class. I feel behind enough as it is.
I have no patience for being sick right now. Too much I want to do.
I'm throwing a small I Hate the Super Bowl party on Sunday. I don't really hate the Super Bowl, but I have zero interest in football. But any excuse to have people over to feed.
Besides, it's a good opportunity to try some new recipes—most of them are from Tyler Florence's Tailgate show. I love that guy.
So, I want to make:
- deviled eggs (because lately I've been craving them)
- roasted asparagus with garlic yogurt dip
- chicken wings with Thai red chili butter sauce (I thought I could fry up some tofu and toss it in the same sauce for Jeff/Pete.)
- grilled kielbasa (and veggie sausage) with dipping sauces
- some sort of rolls - homemade if I feel extra studly
- potato salad
- citrus-y granita sno-cones (served in dixie cups)
- Dulce de Leche brownies (David Lebovitz's recipe)
Pete got me this fun Wii game where you're a short order cook. I think it'd be a fun party game. And of course there's Wii sports. Or board games. I'm really looking forward to it. I think it'll be mostly low stress because all of the dishes are easy to make. I'm really excited to make dulce de leche. I was just introduced to the concept (boiling a can of condensed milk to caramelize it) by
str8ontilmornin and have been dying to try it!I also can't stop obsessing about Paris. It's still just so damn far away!! I've been noting shops and restaurants and alternating between feeling giddy about going and terrified that some horrible thing will happen to keep me from going.
Okay, should go drink something and lie down. Mrh.
I wonder if I'm coming down with something. I feel so totally sacked out. And a little queasy. And parched. Bleh.
I did end up taking a nap, but not feeling much rested for it. Then I drill-sargented myself out of bed and ran to the store for the powdered sugar. And let me tell you --it was totally worth it. I would have died a little if I didn't get to make Jeff's birthday cake. The bittersweet-chocolate orange frosting's made and it's as tasty as I remembered. The crumb coat's on and it's chilling in the fridge. I'm anxious about having enough to pipe a border on top, but I think it'll be okay.
Dinner reservations are at 6, on the eastside. Brian is supposed to chauffeur us all in his car, but not if it snows. Oh, right. It's fucking snowing out there. Just tiny little feathery puffs that seem to be saying, "Yeah. It's THAT cold, bitches."
While the crumb coat chills, I think I need to take a shower so I can look semi human tonight.
And I forgot to hit Submit, so I'm now freshly showered and feeling MUCH better. The final frosting layer is on and the cake looks fine. I even have enough to pipe a border, I think. I just need to transfer it to my cake plate and do the final touches there. Whew.
I'm bummed that all the random events of the weekend kept me from spending more time with Jeff and Ni. They're off at a movie now, and I can't help but think if I'd done more yesterday, I could be hanging out with them now. Boo.
Today's tip: don't drink spicy v-8 if you're not feeling great. You will reflux v-8 all day and want to barf.
Okay. Must finish cake.
I did end up taking a nap, but not feeling much rested for it. Then I drill-sargented myself out of bed and ran to the store for the powdered sugar. And let me tell you --it was totally worth it. I would have died a little if I didn't get to make Jeff's birthday cake. The bittersweet-chocolate orange frosting's made and it's as tasty as I remembered. The crumb coat's on and it's chilling in the fridge. I'm anxious about having enough to pipe a border on top, but I think it'll be okay.
Dinner reservations are at 6, on the eastside. Brian is supposed to chauffeur us all in his car, but not if it snows. Oh, right. It's fucking snowing out there. Just tiny little feathery puffs that seem to be saying, "Yeah. It's THAT cold, bitches."
While the crumb coat chills, I think I need to take a shower so I can look semi human tonight.
And I forgot to hit Submit, so I'm now freshly showered and feeling MUCH better. The final frosting layer is on and the cake looks fine. I even have enough to pipe a border, I think. I just need to transfer it to my cake plate and do the final touches there. Whew.
I'm bummed that all the random events of the weekend kept me from spending more time with Jeff and Ni. They're off at a movie now, and I can't help but think if I'd done more yesterday, I could be hanging out with them now. Boo.
Today's tip: don't drink spicy v-8 if you're not feeling great. You will reflux v-8 all day and want to barf.
Okay. Must finish cake.
sunday already?
Jan. 25th, 2009 12:39 pmI am so sleepy.
Got to bed late, after watching a Tivo'd Battlestar with Jeff. I went to sleep pretty quickly, but I didn't sleep well. I kept waking up with nightmare after nightmare. That was...unpleasant. And then Jeff got up early and while I can normally sleep through anything, I guess my mind just wanted to be awake already. So, got out of bed.
But now I'm so tired. And I wish so much that I could just sleep and idle the day away. But, nope. Too much to do.
Jeff's birthday cake's done. It's a sour cream fudge cake and it smells and looks pretty good. I need to go to the store because with all the baking this weekend, I'm out of powdered sugar again. I really go through baking supplies so fast, I could have sworn I just bought another two pound sack. The frosting is going to be a chocolate orange buttercream that I've made before.
The tangerine cupcakes were a big hit, but I didn't like them as much this time. Not sure why.
Wah. I so don't want to get dressed and trundle out to the store in the cold. But I need to go do that NOW because I'm supposed to hang out with Jeff and N. today at a coffee shop --they both have some work to do and I really need to do my French homework and it'll be so much more pleasant to do it with friends in a cafe than whining about it on Monday night at home.
If I could only just get some sleep first. SO TIRED.
Got to bed late, after watching a Tivo'd Battlestar with Jeff. I went to sleep pretty quickly, but I didn't sleep well. I kept waking up with nightmare after nightmare. That was...unpleasant. And then Jeff got up early and while I can normally sleep through anything, I guess my mind just wanted to be awake already. So, got out of bed.
But now I'm so tired. And I wish so much that I could just sleep and idle the day away. But, nope. Too much to do.
Jeff's birthday cake's done. It's a sour cream fudge cake and it smells and looks pretty good. I need to go to the store because with all the baking this weekend, I'm out of powdered sugar again. I really go through baking supplies so fast, I could have sworn I just bought another two pound sack. The frosting is going to be a chocolate orange buttercream that I've made before.
The tangerine cupcakes were a big hit, but I didn't like them as much this time. Not sure why.
Wah. I so don't want to get dressed and trundle out to the store in the cold. But I need to go do that NOW because I'm supposed to hang out with Jeff and N. today at a coffee shop --they both have some work to do and I really need to do my French homework and it'll be so much more pleasant to do it with friends in a cafe than whining about it on Monday night at home.
If I could only just get some sleep first. SO TIRED.
Sarah just made the phenomenal mistake of asking me how Sunday night went.
*may have prattled on like an over-exuberant toddler for half an hour*
In other news, if you were ever a fan of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, the magnificent Leigh Butler is doing a re-cap and commentary on the series on the Tor Web site. This is all in honor of the release of the final book.
I just read her first post, and it is as awesome and funny as expected!
I stopped reading approximately a hundred years ago, but now that the series is actually ending, I'm thinking that maybe I could pick up where I left off (I don't think I have the patience to re-read everything, but maybe) and finish the series for once and for all. I admit, I'm curious to hear what happens At The End, and all.
*may have prattled on like an over-exuberant toddler for half an hour*
In other news, if you were ever a fan of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, the magnificent Leigh Butler is doing a re-cap and commentary on the series on the Tor Web site. This is all in honor of the release of the final book.
I just read her first post, and it is as awesome and funny as expected!
I stopped reading approximately a hundred years ago, but now that the series is actually ending, I'm thinking that maybe I could pick up where I left off (I don't think I have the patience to re-read everything, but maybe) and finish the series for once and for all. I admit, I'm curious to hear what happens At The End, and all.
sunday was a really good day
Jan. 19th, 2009 10:39 pmIt started in the kitchen, and that's usually a good thing. Sarah stopped by in the early afternoon with a random awesome present (!). She saw this gorgeous photograph of a kitchen in Avignon, France, and decided to get it for me. The photographer is someone whose work Sarah (and I) love at a local shop in Ballard. We visited for awhile, I forced her to try random food bits, and then it was back to the kitchen for me and she left for home.
Jeff and I were lucky enough to haveserenity_valley and str8ontilmornin come to visit us for dinner. While I didn't post about it (because I wanted to surprise them) there were months of Fantasy Menu Planning and obsessing. Because they are both such lovely foodies and because str8ontilmornin is a chef (and instructor at a culinary institute), I really wanted to do something special for them.
There were no full blown panic attacks, but I was a little, um, focused at points and I almost threw out the amuse 30 minutes before they were due to arrive because I wasn't sure it was going to work (Jeff convinced me to keep it). It was the only dish that I felt slightly obsessed about creating instead of stealing from a cookbook. The salad was also my own creation, but loosely based on this terrific salad Jeff once had at Crave. There was a second dessert course that flopped, so I eliminated it. And Jeff also obviously knows me a little too well, because when I'm preparing for a party, I tend to forget to eat all day. So when he went out to pick up a few things for me, he brought us back some lunch because he didn't want me to pass out before they arrived. I thought that was very sweet.
I was feeling extra bashful and becauseserenity_valley and str8ontilmornin are such dear people who instantly make you comfortable, I forget that we've only had the chance to hang out a couple of times and that I am basically intensely shy. But the minute they walked through the door, I remembered why I like them so damn much. They are just wonderfulness personified. They came bearing gifts--three amazing loaves of homemade bread as well as a beautiful jar of finishing salt from The Meadow.
( Le Menu et autre )
Jeff and I were lucky enough to have
serenity_valley and str8ontilmornin come to visit us for dinner. While I didn't post about it (because I wanted to surprise them) there were months of Fantasy Menu Planning and obsessing. Because they are both such lovely foodies and because str8ontilmornin is a chef (and instructor at a culinary institute), I really wanted to do something special for them. There were no full blown panic attacks, but I was a little, um, focused at points and I almost threw out the amuse 30 minutes before they were due to arrive because I wasn't sure it was going to work (Jeff convinced me to keep it). It was the only dish that I felt slightly obsessed about creating instead of stealing from a cookbook. The salad was also my own creation, but loosely based on this terrific salad Jeff once had at Crave. There was a second dessert course that flopped, so I eliminated it. And Jeff also obviously knows me a little too well, because when I'm preparing for a party, I tend to forget to eat all day. So when he went out to pick up a few things for me, he brought us back some lunch because he didn't want me to pass out before they arrived. I thought that was very sweet.
I was feeling extra bashful and because
serenity_valley and str8ontilmornin are such dear people who instantly make you comfortable, I forget that we've only had the chance to hang out a couple of times and that I am basically intensely shy. But the minute they walked through the door, I remembered why I like them so damn much. They are just wonderfulness personified. They came bearing gifts--three amazing loaves of homemade bread as well as a beautiful jar of finishing salt from The Meadow. ( Le Menu et autre )
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