I pulled the jars out of the boiling water about 1/2 hour ago, and so far, all looks good! Won't know for sure until tomorrow evening at the soonest.
Yay!Sunday, April 30, 2006
Adventures in canning
So, I have been all jazzed about home food preservation. I've been itching to get started on something... anything. So when I found this recipe for year round apricot jam I thought it would be just the ticket. I just knew it would satisfy my need to test out the process of home canning using the boiling water method (as opposed to the pressure cooker method, given that as yet I have no pressure cooker to speak of) AND, it can be made with readily available ingredients. So, as an added bonus, if I completely botched it I wouldn't have to cry over wasted freshly homegrown goods.
I pulled the jars out of the boiling water about 1/2 hour ago, and so far, all looks good! Won't know for sure until tomorrow evening at the soonest.
Yay!
I pulled the jars out of the boiling water about 1/2 hour ago, and so far, all looks good! Won't know for sure until tomorrow evening at the soonest.
Yay!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
M'm. Healthy!
I love blueberry muffins. Blueberry anything, for that matter. My favorite. So for breakfast this morning I thought I'd make up this packaged blueberry muffin mix that I bought. And, given my healthy / low (simple) carb / low fat & sugar orientation, of course, they are whole wheat blueberry muffins.
I whipped them up and doled them out into the mini-muffin pan and (by the magic of television) *poof* next thing you know I have hot blueberry muffins ready to eat.
I'm eating them thinking "well, these are OK. In fact, given that they are whole wheat, high fiber, etc., they're not bad." "AND, you know, since they're so healthy, you can't really feel too bad if you eat a bunch of them."
But then it hits me... Eating one doesn't really make you feel good. Why bother eating a bunch?
I mean, seriously. No one ever goes "M'm... These are so... healthy!"
I whipped them up and doled them out into the mini-muffin pan and (by the magic of television) *poof* next thing you know I have hot blueberry muffins ready to eat.
I'm eating them thinking "well, these are OK. In fact, given that they are whole wheat, high fiber, etc., they're not bad." "AND, you know, since they're so healthy, you can't really feel too bad if you eat a bunch of them."
But then it hits me... Eating one doesn't really make you feel good. Why bother eating a bunch?
I mean, seriously. No one ever goes "M'm... These are so... healthy!"
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Come on feel the noise
I'm not really sure why, but for some reason I've always had this aversion to being too direct in asking for what I want. Something in my upbringing has led me to be a person where being direct and specific somehow affronts my deep underlying understanding of propriety.
It's weird, because you know, it doesn't really bother me when people are direct and specific with me, in fact I prefer it. It's just this way I have of MY communication to others... Maybe it's fear. God, that's ugly. It's a hard light to look at myself under, but life on "easy" isn't worth it. I suspect that may be it. Fear. And fear of committing too strongly, coming down hard on one side or the other and finding out I'm wrong. I'm weak. Worthless and weak. Worse. Wishy-washy.
So what happens is that I take this nonconfrontational passive agressive approach to try to direct things, which often doesn't really work out the way I want it to. My fear is continually reinforced, though, because usually when I finally do break down to the point of being direct and specific, it comes off all harsh and inevitably ends up badly. I don't do direct often enough to learn the nuances, how to gently float the truth out there. I don't take time to polish the edges, just throw out the sharp jagged edged reality and hope it goes well. I toss it like a hand grenade, duck and cover. And I usually leave the outcome feeling like I'm the veteran, short a few body parts, thinking "wow, never do that again."
How to learn? How to nuance and massage the details into something presentable but still representative? It's my bane. It's my blind spot.
Floated some truths recently. I'm hoping I won't end up a victim of myself again.
It's weird, because you know, it doesn't really bother me when people are direct and specific with me, in fact I prefer it. It's just this way I have of MY communication to others... Maybe it's fear. God, that's ugly. It's a hard light to look at myself under, but life on "easy" isn't worth it. I suspect that may be it. Fear. And fear of committing too strongly, coming down hard on one side or the other and finding out I'm wrong. I'm weak. Worthless and weak. Worse. Wishy-washy.
So what happens is that I take this nonconfrontational passive agressive approach to try to direct things, which often doesn't really work out the way I want it to. My fear is continually reinforced, though, because usually when I finally do break down to the point of being direct and specific, it comes off all harsh and inevitably ends up badly. I don't do direct often enough to learn the nuances, how to gently float the truth out there. I don't take time to polish the edges, just throw out the sharp jagged edged reality and hope it goes well. I toss it like a hand grenade, duck and cover. And I usually leave the outcome feeling like I'm the veteran, short a few body parts, thinking "wow, never do that again."
How to learn? How to nuance and massage the details into something presentable but still representative? It's my bane. It's my blind spot.
Floated some truths recently. I'm hoping I won't end up a victim of myself again.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Wow. Disappointment.
Just when I thought I was going places, I discover I'm really going nowhere fast. Boy is that disappointing.
But I refuse to sit back and be a pawn played to someone else's plan... Winds of change are blowing.
But I refuse to sit back and be a pawn played to someone else's plan... Winds of change are blowing.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Gotta watch out for those tricksy plant dealers.
Bought a "Wild Ginger" plant, with handwritten tags indicating "Wild Ginger" and showing scientific name "hexastylis arifolia."
Long story short, what I bought is actually hexastylis arifolia, or little brownjug, and NOT, in fact, wild ginger, a.k.a. asarum canadense.
Those tricksy plant pushers.
After Note:
I posted something on the GNPS message boards about my disappointment in the mixup - to be fair, the info I received from Ellen there at their boards:
Long story short, what I bought is actually hexastylis arifolia, or little brownjug, and NOT, in fact, wild ginger, a.k.a. asarum canadense.
Those tricksy plant pushers.
After Note:
I posted something on the GNPS message boards about my disappointment in the mixup - to be fair, the info I received from Ellen there at their boards:
The confusion that you have encountered has to do with using a common name for a plant as well as some recent scientific name changes.
Hexastylis arifolia was up until recently classified as Asarum arifolia. Then the scientific classification for the evergreen gingers was changed to Hexastylis. Asarum canadense is a deciduous ginger and therefore retained the Asarum nomenclature.
Both plants are still widely referred to as "wild ginger" by common folk. Asarum canadense, while found in Georgia, is not as widely distributed as Hexastylis arifolia. Here is the distribution map on the USDA site for A. canadense:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Georgia&state
fips=13&symbol=ASCA
Neither plant is associated with Zingiber officinale, which is the ginger associated with cooking in many areas. However, as you said, many native plants were used by indigenous people for certain ailments. Perhaps if you research using the old name (asarum arifolia) you might find more references.
I have both plants in my garden and use them in exactly the same growing conditions: shade to partial sun, neither excessively moist or dry. I happen to enjoy the evergreen presence of the hexastylis plants during the winter. Another great plant is hexastylis shuttleworthii.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Light summer fare
For dinner tonight I made a medley of salads using miscellaneous left over pantry and fridge items. I made a straight boxed Tabouli (mixed with the three slightly overripe plum tomatoes I had left over), a mildly spicy potato salad with a bunch of bagged white potatoes I had left over from making samosa filling last week, and finally, a mixed white bean salad with a bunch of pantry items:
I was worried about the potato salad, my initial inclination was to go the sweet southern potato salad direction, but available ingredients just wouldn't support it, so I ended up incorporating red pepper paste and chili powder... It was mildly spicy, not quite what I had envisioned when I set out, but JB said it was the "best potato salad (he'd) ever eaten" - which is a HUGE compliment coming from someone that eats quite a bit and wide variety of potato salads! Hmm. Ingredients - 8-10 small white potatoes, peeled, boiled and coarsely chopped, lots of low fat mayo, regular and Dijon mustards, various dashes of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar and balsamic vinegar until I got some combination I liked with the right "kick" - dash of lemon juice, lots of dill, probably 3/4 cup chopped celery and the same of onion (sweet vidalia like)... Let me think. Chili paste, chili powder, spicy Hungarian paprika... I think that's it other than salt & pepper. I think. Oh yeah! Probably about 3-4 tablespoons of dill relish.
After note: And, 2 hard boiled eggs, finely chopped. This, coming to me in a dream - realization last night that I left them out of my recap. How sad must my life be, that not only am I dreaming about potato salad, but dreaming about my blog entry about my recipe for potato salad. * Sigh * I am an admitted homebody.
My personal fave was the white bean salad. I'm going through some kind of white bean enamoration phase right now, though, so I'm a bit biased. I do think possibly substituting Kalamata olives for the straight black olives would have been better, but it was a "use what you have" kind of evening. To make the salad, mix up the following in a big bowl:
1 can large black olives - drained and coarsely chopped
1 can great northern beans - drained and rinsed
1 6oz jar quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1/2 an orange bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
2 scallions - green and whites, finely chopped
3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes (dry, the ones in the bag, not the jar, preferably) - chopped
1/2 cup or so of chopped cilantro
2 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. garam masala
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 tbsp. lime juice
salt & pepper to taste
All the liquid and spice measurements are estimates, it was more "a dash of this, a bit of that" mixing it up, being careful not to go overboard with any one ingredient before mixing thoroughly and tasting for quality.
This was a good one and will definitely be on the agenda again.
I was worried about the potato salad, my initial inclination was to go the sweet southern potato salad direction, but available ingredients just wouldn't support it, so I ended up incorporating red pepper paste and chili powder... It was mildly spicy, not quite what I had envisioned when I set out, but JB said it was the "best potato salad (he'd) ever eaten" - which is a HUGE compliment coming from someone that eats quite a bit and wide variety of potato salads! Hmm. Ingredients - 8-10 small white potatoes, peeled, boiled and coarsely chopped, lots of low fat mayo, regular and Dijon mustards, various dashes of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar and balsamic vinegar until I got some combination I liked with the right "kick" - dash of lemon juice, lots of dill, probably 3/4 cup chopped celery and the same of onion (sweet vidalia like)... Let me think. Chili paste, chili powder, spicy Hungarian paprika... I think that's it other than salt & pepper. I think. Oh yeah! Probably about 3-4 tablespoons of dill relish.
After note: And, 2 hard boiled eggs, finely chopped. This, coming to me in a dream - realization last night that I left them out of my recap. How sad must my life be, that not only am I dreaming about potato salad, but dreaming about my blog entry about my recipe for potato salad. * Sigh * I am an admitted homebody.
My personal fave was the white bean salad. I'm going through some kind of white bean enamoration phase right now, though, so I'm a bit biased. I do think possibly substituting Kalamata olives for the straight black olives would have been better, but it was a "use what you have" kind of evening. To make the salad, mix up the following in a big bowl:
1 can large black olives - drained and coarsely chopped
1 can great northern beans - drained and rinsed
1 6oz jar quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1/2 an orange bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
2 scallions - green and whites, finely chopped
3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes (dry, the ones in the bag, not the jar, preferably) - chopped
1/2 cup or so of chopped cilantro
2 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. garam masala
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 tbsp. lime juice
salt & pepper to taste
All the liquid and spice measurements are estimates, it was more "a dash of this, a bit of that" mixing it up, being careful not to go overboard with any one ingredient before mixing thoroughly and tasting for quality.
This was a good one and will definitely be on the agenda again.
Friday, April 21, 2006
"Nice pants."
I'm wearing some rather, well, loud 60's flower pattern / Pucci reminiscent pattern pants today.
I've mostly gotten compliments, but now that Paulie has called them my "Dillards paisley vomit botanical camouflage pants" I'm just not so sure.
I've mostly gotten compliments, but now that Paulie has called them my "Dillards paisley vomit botanical camouflage pants" I'm just not so sure.
Ahh. A weekend.
Looking forward to checking out the Georgia Native Plant Sale at Piedmont Park in the morning!
Here's the garden update:
The blackberries are flowering - they alternate flowering and fruiting years, so we may have fruit next year!
One of my blueberries' leaves are looking rather flaccid (hahaha...!). It has some type of wilt that I'm going to have to research further this weekend. Both are flowering currently, and I didn't have the heart to try to cut them back to encourage root growth as is recommended.
The Camellia Sinensis plants are planted.
Tomatos are all flowering and the peas are really starting to grow and leaf out.
Cucumbers are flowering and sending out climbers.
Broccoli are basically doing absolutely nothing. No growth, no nothing. They're just sitting there being dissapointingly tiny leafy plants. Hmm.
Squashes are getting bigger and leafier.
Strawberries are leafing like nobody's business but only one had flowers (now becoming fruit).
All the tea plants are well, some growing more heartily than others.
Here's the garden update:
The blackberries are flowering - they alternate flowering and fruiting years, so we may have fruit next year!
One of my blueberries' leaves are looking rather flaccid (hahaha...!). It has some type of wilt that I'm going to have to research further this weekend. Both are flowering currently, and I didn't have the heart to try to cut them back to encourage root growth as is recommended.
The Camellia Sinensis plants are planted.
Tomatos are all flowering and the peas are really starting to grow and leaf out.
Cucumbers are flowering and sending out climbers.
Broccoli are basically doing absolutely nothing. No growth, no nothing. They're just sitting there being dissapointingly tiny leafy plants. Hmm.
Squashes are getting bigger and leafier.
Strawberries are leafing like nobody's business but only one had flowers (now becoming fruit).
All the tea plants are well, some growing more heartily than others.
MAY is Eat Local month!
May is Eat Local month!
I'm going to have to exempt myself for May 6-15 because I'm not sure I can survive on coffee, pineapple and macadamia nuts while I'm in Hawaii, but I'm going to do my best for the rest of the month, and also try to be more aware going forward. The target is to stay with foods grown or produced within 100 miles.
Eat Local Challenge - My 100 Miles
I'm going to have to exempt myself for May 6-15 because I'm not sure I can survive on coffee, pineapple and macadamia nuts while I'm in Hawaii, but I'm going to do my best for the rest of the month, and also try to be more aware going forward. The target is to stay with foods grown or produced within 100 miles.
Eat Local Challenge - My 100 Miles
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Now, let's all put on our patience hats...
Peevsy.
New guy in our office has decided that I am the answer person... "What is {{person's}} name?," "Where does soandso sit?," "Who does XXX work for?," etc. etc.... I don't mind it, but I do cop a peeve when I am clearly on the telephone, engaged in doing something, etc. and new guy proceeds to hover at the corner of my desk waiting to ask. Even when I am OBVIOUSLY not making eye contact or acknowledging him. He just stands there. Forever. And ever. Sheesh. Ya know?!
Have an urgent customer/business need or question? Hover away!
Have a "hey, do you know..." question? LEAVE! Find someone else, or come back when I have time to deal with you!
Am I cold? Or just bitchy?
New guy in our office has decided that I am the answer person... "What is {{person's}} name?," "Where does soandso sit?," "Who does XXX work for?," etc. etc.... I don't mind it, but I do cop a peeve when I am clearly on the telephone, engaged in doing something, etc. and new guy proceeds to hover at the corner of my desk waiting to ask. Even when I am OBVIOUSLY not making eye contact or acknowledging him. He just stands there. Forever. And ever. Sheesh. Ya know?!
Have an urgent customer/business need or question? Hover away!
Have a "hey, do you know..." question? LEAVE! Find someone else, or come back when I have time to deal with you!
Am I cold? Or just bitchy?
Monday, April 17, 2006
Jekyll Island
JB navigating us over the ocean
Jekyll Island Club
Goofing around the resort
Jekyll Sunset
What a weekend!
Went to Jekyll Island for the weekend, whirlwind trip. The boy's plane is finally working!! Or, I guess I should say "our" plane is finally working, but since I am not a pilot and really had no interest in getting the money pit plane to begin with, I always consider it his toy.
But, finally got some advantage from it, so I may begin to appreciate it more now.
Seems like work is 'bout to get busy. I hope. I hope. I have a lot of hopes, and a lot of faith. Cross your fingers for me.
More re: the weekend to come later, along with some cool Jekyll pics. That place is, well, simply put... it's perfect.
But, finally got some advantage from it, so I may begin to appreciate it more now.
Seems like work is 'bout to get busy. I hope. I hope. I have a lot of hopes, and a lot of faith. Cross your fingers for me.
More re: the weekend to come later, along with some cool Jekyll pics. That place is, well, simply put... it's perfect.
Friday, April 14, 2006
And, the word of the day: Flaccid
Sometimes I'm such a Beavis. That uber technical document I linked to related to the Camillia Sinensis info says something about the leaves becoming "flaccid"... I just kind of giggled to myself, I don't know if I've EVER seen the word used in relation to anything besides... Well... you know.
Latest additions to the tea garden
Stopped by Home Depot last night, intending to pick up some more strawberry plants. One of the four I have now is flowering, but of course I want more, more, more!!!
I also needed to pick up something to cover the pot my radishes are growing in, a couple of days ago I found that something has been quite enjoying some of them - a few were missing and there was a big hole where the something had nuzzled around a bit in there. I suspect squirrels, but who knows? I've seen possums in the woods behind our house, and I guess if they can climb trees they could be out there partying on our back deck all night too. I was looking for some type of chicken wire but couldn't find it immediately so settled for some plastic netting instead. I covered the pot with it and moved it over by the back door, so that hopefully the dogs can scare off whatever critters are eating MY radishes!
Anyway... I found a couple of great additions for the tea garden - a chamomile plant and added a spearmint plant. The chamomile smelled so nice I almost just uprooted the whole thing to immediately dunk it in hot water. Oh! And I got the Camellia Sinensis plants a couple of weeks ago - you have to gradually acclimate them to the outdoors from the shipping packages, and now they're acclimated, I just have to plant them. They're really small though. Patience... patience. Not my strong suit.
In non-tea related news, I also picked up a lavender and another summer squash plant.
I'll try to remember to get some updated shots of the garden to post this weekend.
I also needed to pick up something to cover the pot my radishes are growing in, a couple of days ago I found that something has been quite enjoying some of them - a few were missing and there was a big hole where the something had nuzzled around a bit in there. I suspect squirrels, but who knows? I've seen possums in the woods behind our house, and I guess if they can climb trees they could be out there partying on our back deck all night too. I was looking for some type of chicken wire but couldn't find it immediately so settled for some plastic netting instead. I covered the pot with it and moved it over by the back door, so that hopefully the dogs can scare off whatever critters are eating MY radishes!
Anyway... I found a couple of great additions for the tea garden - a chamomile plant and added a spearmint plant. The chamomile smelled so nice I almost just uprooted the whole thing to immediately dunk it in hot water. Oh! And I got the Camellia Sinensis plants a couple of weeks ago - you have to gradually acclimate them to the outdoors from the shipping packages, and now they're acclimated, I just have to plant them. They're really small though. Patience... patience. Not my strong suit.
In non-tea related news, I also picked up a lavender and another summer squash plant.
I'll try to remember to get some updated shots of the garden to post this weekend.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Crazy shi* happens to JB in the middle of the night.
Sometime after 2 o'clock in the morning this morning/last night, JB half-hacked and suddenly bolted out of bed toward the bathroom, clearly agitated and in distress. Groggy, I ask "what's wrong?" to no response; I hear him in the bathroom coughing. Escalating, I ask again: "what's going on? Are you OK?"
Finally he is able to respond "yeah, I had some kind of acid or something come up in my throat, it really burns." Me, over the next several minutes as he remains coughing over the bathroom sink - "drink some water;" "blow your nose - maybe the acid got up into your sinuses which is making it worse;" "there might be some cough drops in the closet;" "do you want me to bring you something to drink?" I am now fully awake, and wait and worry over him until he finally returns to bed.
As I lay in bed searching for peace I remember a similar incident a couple of months ago. The story begins much the same - sometime in the middle of the night, JB shrieks and suddenly bolts out of bed, clearly agitated and in distress. Groggy, I ask "what's wrong?" Somehow, he has dislocated his shoulder. In his sleep. He is finally able to pop it back in. Still in pain, he downs some Advil and lays down.
I just think it's pretty funny. Not funny, "ha, ha," but funny, "weird." I mean, isn't it a bit odd that these events occur in the middle of the night, while we are both sound asleep?
Meanwhile JB jokes this morning (what he considers a joke) "one day it will be a heart attack."
Not funny, mister. Not too funny.
Finally he is able to respond "yeah, I had some kind of acid or something come up in my throat, it really burns." Me, over the next several minutes as he remains coughing over the bathroom sink - "drink some water;" "blow your nose - maybe the acid got up into your sinuses which is making it worse;" "there might be some cough drops in the closet;" "do you want me to bring you something to drink?" I am now fully awake, and wait and worry over him until he finally returns to bed.
As I lay in bed searching for peace I remember a similar incident a couple of months ago. The story begins much the same - sometime in the middle of the night, JB shrieks and suddenly bolts out of bed, clearly agitated and in distress. Groggy, I ask "what's wrong?" Somehow, he has dislocated his shoulder. In his sleep. He is finally able to pop it back in. Still in pain, he downs some Advil and lays down.
I just think it's pretty funny. Not funny, "ha, ha," but funny, "weird." I mean, isn't it a bit odd that these events occur in the middle of the night, while we are both sound asleep?
Meanwhile JB jokes this morning (what he considers a joke) "one day it will be a heart attack."
Not funny, mister. Not too funny.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
"On the record..."
I just want to go on the record here and say, I would LOVE to live and/or work overseas, y je parlais un petit peu l'français. Pas très bien, mais j'étudierais et j'ai des amis qui habitent et travaille dans france pour l'assist moi. C'est suffice.
Pants on fire.
while the truth is putting on its shoes.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), (attributed)
Ms. Nasty Pants also has this habit of making up stories. The last time this happened, she stopped by my desk and said "don't you think we should ****?" (After note as result of comment - NO, it is NOT something sick/perverted. See comments for more detail). And I said "I don't care. We could **** if you want to. I'll participate."
Next thing you know, she's parading around the office, telling everybody "C-rella wants to ****." Then we **** and she reiterates it - "Well, C-rella really wanted to ****." "You know, C-rella thought we should ****." "C-rella kept begging for us to ****, so I got with soandso and we made it happen."
Not once. Not twice. Not just the day that we ****, but a month later. Not to one person, to every person that would listen. Over. And Over. And Over.
Whatever.
Shut the f*up.
Now when she comes around and asks "don't you want to ****?", my answer is a loud, resounding, "NO!" I'm not going to be known as the "requestor" for ****.
If she wants to ****, she can just dam* well say it.
Instigator.
Review: Asian Chicken and Chili Soup
OK, so here's my review of the Asian Chicken and Chili Soup. Good overall flavor, but somehow lacked depth. When you got spoonfuls with the freshly chopped scallion, it had a really nice almost onion soup quality flavor that gave it what the rest was missing.
Possibly the soup would be better in 2nd day status, though I'm a bit skeptical about that since the recipe specifically called for you to reheat/cook some of the ingredients for only a few moments just before eating.
But, the flip side of the light flavor is a benefit... As JB noted, you don't feel bad about eating a whole big bowl of it, and soaking up the bottom with bread since it's pretty light!
I did bring some in for my friend Leah to try, perhaps she'll give us an Iron Chef guest judge review in a comment later, though I can't picture her with a high shy voice constantly giggling in between comments or anything (thinking old school IC here). She'd be more the serious food columnist reviewer, though hopefully not as harsh.
And tonight - Tostadas!
Possibly the soup would be better in 2nd day status, though I'm a bit skeptical about that since the recipe specifically called for you to reheat/cook some of the ingredients for only a few moments just before eating.
But, the flip side of the light flavor is a benefit... As JB noted, you don't feel bad about eating a whole big bowl of it, and soaking up the bottom with bread since it's pretty light!
I did bring some in for my friend Leah to try, perhaps she'll give us an Iron Chef guest judge review in a comment later, though I can't picture her with a high shy voice constantly giggling in between comments or anything (thinking old school IC here). She'd be more the serious food columnist reviewer, though hopefully not as harsh.
And tonight - Tostadas!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Busy day yesterday
Yesterday was another good and full day. Started out making lemon curd, inspired by Jamie's post from a few days ago, recipe courtesy of Bakerina. It looked simple enough, and I've been really dying to make something and be able to put it in a jar. It was SOOO simple. And it is SOOO delicious!!! Yummy. Now I just need to pick up some mini tart shells and whipped cream, and stop eating it right out of the jar.
Back to all the activities... I planted the 2nd blackberry bush (finally, poor thing).
After the planting I watered in the blackberry, and Murph got thoroughly soaked playing "chase the sprayer" (I have to admit that I encouraged it, spraying in circles and figure 8's while laughing my ass off as the dog chased it at full speed). So, a bath for each dog immediately followed.
Both dogs clean and me soaking wet (and still muddy from planting), my sis called, spent an hour or so on the phone catching up (she had never heard of a food dehydrator {!}).
Finally gave myself a shower, then off to the library with JB.
Back from the library, took a quick nap... And finally, woke up, ate pizza from the farmer's market (yum!), then made Poached Chicken and Chicken Broth so that tonight I can use those to make Asian Chicken and Chili Soup and tomorrow Tostadas Salsa Verde . (Part of my personal Cooking 101 - Independent Study!)
Back to all the activities... I planted the 2nd blackberry bush (finally, poor thing).
After the planting I watered in the blackberry, and Murph got thoroughly soaked playing "chase the sprayer" (I have to admit that I encouraged it, spraying in circles and figure 8's while laughing my ass off as the dog chased it at full speed). So, a bath for each dog immediately followed.
Both dogs clean and me soaking wet (and still muddy from planting), my sis called, spent an hour or so on the phone catching up (she had never heard of a food dehydrator {!}).
Finally gave myself a shower, then off to the library with JB.
Back from the library, took a quick nap... And finally, woke up, ate pizza from the farmer's market (yum!), then made Poached Chicken and Chicken Broth so that tonight I can use those to make Asian Chicken and Chili Soup and tomorrow Tostadas Salsa Verde . (Part of my personal Cooking 101 - Independent Study!)
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Last Night's Feast
Had a couple of friends over for dinner last night. We made a run to the DeKalb Farmer's Market and came home with a great mix of wonderful goodies! For dinner JB made his famous cedar plank salmon on the grill (topped with fresh basil - yay spring!). As a side we had our staple, Basmati rice, and I made a delightful Mango and Hearts of Palm Salad with Lime Vinaigrette (from Jan/Feb issue of Everyday Food).
Great finds at the Goodwill yesterday
Went to the local Goodwill yesterday to drop off some clothes, and wound up coming home with some great finds! The first thing JB found was a food dehydrator - I've been wanting one, and this one was 1/3 the price of the same model new (I know, cause I've been looking!). It works, looks super clean (even cleaner since I scrubbed it down).
The second thing I stumbled across and was super excited about was this small greenhouse shelf unit:
And finally, JB found this kerosene heater (we can run it on veggie oil, of course) that he was all jazzed about:
All in all, a great day, super finds for (of course) a super price!!!
The second thing I stumbled across and was super excited about was this small greenhouse shelf unit:
And finally, JB found this kerosene heater (we can run it on veggie oil, of course) that he was all jazzed about:
All in all, a great day, super finds for (of course) a super price!!!
Bye, bye Bella.
She is a sweet girl and going to a great home - the lady + 3 small children (oldest is 5) came to pick Bella up yesterday (husband was out of town on business or some such). It made me feel a bit better about giving up baby Bella bear to hear the lady talk about how this is going to be the dog that the children grow up with and remember as their childhood pet (the 5 year old will know the dog into her teenage years, etc.).
Bye, bye Bella. All the luck and love in the world to you. We'll miss you.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Change my evil ways
So currently I'm a big house person. What I mean by that is that my S.O. and I, and our two dogs Gracie and Murphy, occupy a 3 story (two story plus daylight basement), 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath house. I've often thought and voiced to the S.O. that it's a waste, too much house for the two of us. Two of the bedrooms pretty much stay closed at all times, except on the rare occasion we have guests.
It goes to the whole overly consumeristic and bigger is better mentality that many of us have. It's a bad mentality. More isn't actually better, it's just, well, more. Not to mention the whole environmental unfriendliness of it.
I'm not moving immediately. I'm too damn comfortable, and sometimes thats a bad thing - too much comfort can soak up all those resolutions to do the right things - do the right thing, or do the easy thing. Often I choose the easy one. I don't always practice what I preach right away, but I keep preaching anyway, because just because I'm lazy doesn't mean I don't believe it. And when the time comes I'll choose smarter.
So, for those of you that want to do the right things, eventually, a little help and information never hurts:
The Small House Society
Wee Houses
And, if you don't believe in global warming (and, yes, big houses are a contributor), read this, or this, or this.
It goes to the whole overly consumeristic and bigger is better mentality that many of us have. It's a bad mentality. More isn't actually better, it's just, well, more. Not to mention the whole environmental unfriendliness of it.
I'm not moving immediately. I'm too damn comfortable, and sometimes thats a bad thing - too much comfort can soak up all those resolutions to do the right things - do the right thing, or do the easy thing. Often I choose the easy one. I don't always practice what I preach right away, but I keep preaching anyway, because just because I'm lazy doesn't mean I don't believe it. And when the time comes I'll choose smarter.
So, for those of you that want to do the right things, eventually, a little help and information never hurts:
The Small House Society
Wee Houses
And, if you don't believe in global warming (and, yes, big houses are a contributor), read this, or this, or this.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Welcome to Preserving Food at Home: A Self-Study
Yay! This site has a free internet self study course... I'm registered!
I've got to take those next steps for my goals, start penciling in times and days to devote to getting to everything I want to do more of. It's great that I want to do so much, but it really doesn't matter if I never actually take the steps to pursue it because I'm busy, what, watching really bad reality TV? Ya know?
Next steps, develop a plan - less TV, more progress.
I've got to take those next steps for my goals, start penciling in times and days to devote to getting to everything I want to do more of. It's great that I want to do so much, but it really doesn't matter if I never actually take the steps to pursue it because I'm busy, what, watching really bad reality TV? Ya know?
Next steps, develop a plan - less TV, more progress.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Saving myself
OK so I saved myself. I had to. *whew*
Bad enough I have to explain how humiliating it would be to someone. And, of course, someone who's still wearing rose colored glasses about the intent and characteristics of our team.
Blech. What a lovely day. Not only do I get to experience deep hurt and humiliation once (on my birthday, no less! with my SO out of town until 11pm that night!), but I get to relive it again (and again).
I'm definitely going to leave here for lunch today. I need a sun bath for my mood.
-----
Eww. After note because I feel it is necessary to add something here. We do have some VERY nice people on our team that I am totally not crediting for their niceness (I realize it sounds like the whole team sucks, and truthfully it doesn't). Just that for the most part the nice people are, well, men. What that means is that they have no involvement in any birthday well wishing responsibilities. And, of the non-catty women, they know that particular people manage the birthday calendars, so they don't worry too much about it.
Oh well. I am Over It. As they said once on the show "Friends"... "Bitter, party of one? Your table is available."
And damn if life isn't just too short to be bitter.
Bad enough I have to explain how humiliating it would be to someone. And, of course, someone who's still wearing rose colored glasses about the intent and characteristics of our team.
Blech. What a lovely day. Not only do I get to experience deep hurt and humiliation once (on my birthday, no less! with my SO out of town until 11pm that night!), but I get to relive it again (and again).
I'm definitely going to leave here for lunch today. I need a sun bath for my mood.
-----
Eww. After note because I feel it is necessary to add something here. We do have some VERY nice people on our team that I am totally not crediting for their niceness (I realize it sounds like the whole team sucks, and truthfully it doesn't). Just that for the most part the nice people are, well, men. What that means is that they have no involvement in any birthday well wishing responsibilities. And, of the non-catty women, they know that particular people manage the birthday calendars, so they don't worry too much about it.
Oh well. I am Over It. As they said once on the show "Friends"... "Bitter, party of one? Your table is available."
And damn if life isn't just too short to be bitter.
Bunches of Birthdays
Happy birthday Fuzzy, happy soon to be birthday Rhi!
Today has got me thinking birthdays. Yesterday we celebrated our boss' birthday, and while we were all gathered together around the communal goodies, the coordinator I work with asked me when my birthday is. "January" I whispered. Why did I whisper, you ask? Because my birthday was conveniently "forgotten" by my team this year. Or, more specifically, what I believe to be true is, my birthday was subjected to selective memory by the catty haters I work with that are the birthday ringleaders. And, realistically, I am just fine with that. Actually, no I'm not, I'm hurt. But I think it's pretty dumb of me to feel hurt by the actions of shallow and vindictive people. So, I know. Get over it. But whatever, I do have feelings.
And, you know, I'm normally the optimistic benefit of the doubt person, but I had "BDAY" written on my VERY publicly displayed calendar in BIG, PINK letters, and I know I saw a few different people eyeing it openly in the days beforehand. Not to mention, my birthday was conveniently forgotten and belatedly celebrated last year as well. If anyone felt even a little bad about it then, they would have noted it down for future reference.
So (cut back to me, standing in the conference room holding my bowl of sugar free ice cream), of course my coordinator (a very nice and naive lady) looked at me with horror and whispered back "but, why didn't we....?" and I promptly shushed her and changed the topic. So today she asked me "you're going to be here Friday, aren't you?"
How do I explain - "thanks very much for your kind thoughts and friendliness, but it would be absolutely, utterly HUMILIATING to me to now have a ridiculously belated birthday celebration, and I really prefer not to give all the catty bitches the satisfaction of the public display of my pretend forgotten birthday three months after the fact"???????
Help. Just kill me now.
After note # 2: Yeah, I'm nothing if not proud.
Today has got me thinking birthdays. Yesterday we celebrated our boss' birthday, and while we were all gathered together around the communal goodies, the coordinator I work with asked me when my birthday is. "January" I whispered. Why did I whisper, you ask? Because my birthday was conveniently "forgotten" by my team this year. Or, more specifically, what I believe to be true is, my birthday was subjected to selective memory by the catty haters I work with that are the birthday ringleaders. And, realistically, I am just fine with that. Actually, no I'm not, I'm hurt. But I think it's pretty dumb of me to feel hurt by the actions of shallow and vindictive people. So, I know. Get over it. But whatever, I do have feelings.
And, you know, I'm normally the optimistic benefit of the doubt person, but I had "BDAY" written on my VERY publicly displayed calendar in BIG, PINK letters, and I know I saw a few different people eyeing it openly in the days beforehand. Not to mention, my birthday was conveniently forgotten and belatedly celebrated last year as well. If anyone felt even a little bad about it then, they would have noted it down for future reference.
So (cut back to me, standing in the conference room holding my bowl of sugar free ice cream), of course my coordinator (a very nice and naive lady) looked at me with horror and whispered back "but, why didn't we....?" and I promptly shushed her and changed the topic. So today she asked me "you're going to be here Friday, aren't you?"
How do I explain - "thanks very much for your kind thoughts and friendliness, but it would be absolutely, utterly HUMILIATING to me to now have a ridiculously belated birthday celebration, and I really prefer not to give all the catty bitches the satisfaction of the public display of my pretend forgotten birthday three months after the fact"???????
Help. Just kill me now.
After note # 2: Yeah, I'm nothing if not proud.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Things to do before I die Things to do before I get senile and forget who I am
Is it me or is my post title morbid? But what else can I call it? Things to do before I get senile and forget who I am? There. Pablo reminded me, but this actually dates back to my "goals" post a long time ago (which, of course, I never sat down and did).
- Learn to fluently speak at least one other language.
- Learn to REALLY knit (like make stuff other than scarves!).
- Learn to crochet.
- Learn to identify wild edibles and other species of plants, tree species, etc.
- Learn to live "stuff" free to the fullest extent possible. Remember to ask myself "yes, but do I LOVE it?" every time.
- Start a fire, once, without matches or lighter. Just to say I did.
- Learn to can vegetables and make jam.
- Become highly literate in theology.
- Become highly literate in holistic healing, herbs, etc.
- Learn to really cook (like, more than 5-6 things, and without recipes).
- Let people in and connect with them. Be there - mind and body. Call friends and get together with them sometimes.
- Be "cut" - have a great superhero bod, like Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tombraider. But realistically I'll settle for "be not flabby," and preferably "be toned"
- Volunteer in some way for one of the causes I believe in and at least once walk away feeling like I made a difference.
- Learn to ride, and control, a horse.
- Keep track (keep journals, blogs, etc.) & make goals.
- Travel to (this list is really long and in fact not comprehensive)
* Alaska
* New Zealand / Australia (these two are *almost* interchangeable for me right now)
* Germany
* Russia
* Switzerland
* Austria
* Belgium
* Spain
* Every single US National Park
Things I've done already that I'm glad about:
- Learned a very small smattering (about enough to say "I don't know") of French & Spanish, and cussed a French guy out in French
- Skydived twice
- Scuba dived Cozumel, California, etc.
- Traveled to Paris, Lyon, London, Geneva (just for dinner); Florence, Pisa, Rome
- Gone on a buncha cruises and seen the Carribean and the Bahamas, wedding-mooned in St. Lucia
- Camping in Yosemite. Just, "wow."
- Started to learn to knit
- Quit smoking (even though I gained 50 pounds, I'm still glad!)
- Subsequently lost 25 pounds (still working on losing 5-10 more, but that's about it ; I was a bit less than my ideal weight before at 5'10" and 135, size 4)
- Learned to sew (with a sewing machine)
- Have begun my self-teaching via experimentation in cooking lessons
- Taken horseback riding lessons
- Started using the elliptical machine purchased this past weekend
- Learn to fluently speak at least one other language.
- Learn to REALLY knit (like make stuff other than scarves!).
- Learn to crochet.
- Learn to identify wild edibles and other species of plants, tree species, etc.
- Learn to live "stuff" free to the fullest extent possible. Remember to ask myself "yes, but do I LOVE it?" every time.
- Start a fire, once, without matches or lighter. Just to say I did.
- Learn to can vegetables and make jam.
- Become highly literate in theology.
- Become highly literate in holistic healing, herbs, etc.
- Learn to really cook (like, more than 5-6 things, and without recipes).
- Let people in and connect with them. Be there - mind and body. Call friends and get together with them sometimes.
- Be "cut" - have a great superhero bod, like Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tombraider. But realistically I'll settle for "be not flabby," and preferably "be toned"
- Volunteer in some way for one of the causes I believe in and at least once walk away feeling like I made a difference.
- Learn to ride, and control, a horse.
- Keep track (keep journals, blogs, etc.) & make goals.
- Travel to (this list is really long and in fact not comprehensive)
* Alaska
* New Zealand / Australia (these two are *almost* interchangeable for me right now)
* Germany
* Russia
* Switzerland
* Austria
* Belgium
* Spain
* Every single US National Park
Things I've done already that I'm glad about:
- Learned a very small smattering (about enough to say "I don't know") of French & Spanish, and cussed a French guy out in French
- Skydived twice
- Scuba dived Cozumel, California, etc.
- Traveled to Paris, Lyon, London, Geneva (just for dinner); Florence, Pisa, Rome
- Gone on a buncha cruises and seen the Carribean and the Bahamas, wedding-mooned in St. Lucia
- Camping in Yosemite. Just, "wow."
- Started to learn to knit
- Quit smoking (even though I gained 50 pounds, I'm still glad!)
- Subsequently lost 25 pounds (still working on losing 5-10 more, but that's about it ; I was a bit less than my ideal weight before at 5'10" and 135, size 4)
- Learned to sew (with a sewing machine)
- Have begun my self-teaching via experimentation in cooking lessons
- Taken horseback riding lessons
- Started using the elliptical machine purchased this past weekend
Playing in the dirt again
I am really loving gardening this year! Something about the prospect of literal "fruits of my labor" that really appeals to me. Last year it was small time, red peppers and cherry tomatoes in containers on the deck. This year we're pulling out all the stops. Hopefully we wind up with something to show for it (keep those fingers crossed)!
Yesterday was spent playing in the dirt once more. Here's my list:
- Replaced the tomatoes that I thought had been killed in the frost (when I started to dig them up, at the base of the plants two actually look as if they could come back, so I ended up just moving them)
- Planted a new red pepper plant for the one that died in that same cold snap
- Moved the strawberry plants out of the raised bed and into big planter bowls (bowls which I found out after the fact, when I noticed that after watering I had strawberry soup [!wt?!], have no drainage holes - luckily they are plastic so we just drilled some)
- Planted 2x cucumber plants
- Planted some lemon balm (thanks again to my secret santa - who has continued to remain anonymous [[aarrgghh!]], I noticed that the Lemon Rose Herb Tea has Lemon Balm in it so I bought some)
And....the finale
- Planted one of the two blackberry bushes I bought (yay!)
I am thinking of buying one of those watcha callits... Dehydrator thingies? So that I can easily dry and store my tea herbs, and maybe fruits too (if and when we have any) for the winter.
Oh, yeah, and I want to learn about canning and jam-making.
Pioneer C-rella.
Yesterday was spent playing in the dirt once more. Here's my list:
- Replaced the tomatoes that I thought had been killed in the frost (when I started to dig them up, at the base of the plants two actually look as if they could come back, so I ended up just moving them)
- Planted a new red pepper plant for the one that died in that same cold snap
- Moved the strawberry plants out of the raised bed and into big planter bowls (bowls which I found out after the fact, when I noticed that after watering I had strawberry soup [!wt?!], have no drainage holes - luckily they are plastic so we just drilled some)
- Planted 2x cucumber plants
- Planted some lemon balm (thanks again to my secret santa - who has continued to remain anonymous [[aarrgghh!]], I noticed that the Lemon Rose Herb Tea has Lemon Balm in it so I bought some)
And....the finale
- Planted one of the two blackberry bushes I bought (yay!)
I am thinking of buying one of those watcha callits... Dehydrator thingies? So that I can easily dry and store my tea herbs, and maybe fruits too (if and when we have any) for the winter.
Oh, yeah, and I want to learn about canning and jam-making.
Pioneer C-rella.
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