The Four Chambered Heart

Gee Golly...

2011-12-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Good things a brewin'.

So much time has past since I have shared anything with the internet, and it's kinda hard to come back so sheepishly with not much to say. Just know that I have been a good girl. Doing yoga (not in a couple weeks, shame on me), cooking with and for friends and family. I have been making special gifts and getting goodies for other girls and boys. There is so much to be accomplished before Christmas! Maybe I will start sharing again. There is a lot to share.

Until then, here is what I look at daily, snuggled up with my little pup and my favorite man (besides my daddy and grandpa!)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

2011-03-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

I suppose a lot of my absence has to do a lot with winter, in fact, winter is my nemesis. I love the snow, and the copious amounts of snuggling, but as it drags on I get depressed, I get anxious and in the end it makes me feel like shit all around. However, through the rain and hail storms I am beginning to feel the sun breaks working on me. I feel changes a comin'.

Saturday, one of my dearest pals is planning a brunch, with such edibles as quiche, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cake delegated to several lovely ladies. I didn't offer my services when we chatted about it Monday, I was feeling rather anti-social. As the week wore on I still felt like a little self-pitying piece of crap.. Until today. I decided to make homemade breakfast sausage patties, because A) I love sausage B) I love the shit out of breakfast sausage and C) I really have to stop feeling like a Grade A piece of garbage.

Here we go:

Breakfast Sausage That I Have Never Made But Will Taste On Saturday
adapted from Food Renegade

1 tbsp rubbed sage
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp coarse ground pepper
1/2 tsp marjoram

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
pinch ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp blackstrap molasses
2 lbs ground beef or pork (and use some non-crap meat, please, for your health)
*I used 1 lb beef, 1 lb pork

Mix those dried spices in a small cute bowl.
Put your meat in a large bowl, add your molasses and and spices. Combine. Massage your meat. Mix it all up.
And because I am a lazy shit, I am not going to write any more. I am going to cut and paste, and use quotations marks to signify that the words are not my own. Thank you and goodnight.

"3. Line a cookie sheet with foil or wax paper. Line up your individual patties on the paper so that they’re not touching. When the bottom layer is full, add an additional layer of wax paper or foil and keep adding patties. When all the patties are lying flat on the cookie sheet, put the cookie sheet in your freezer. When patties are fully frozen, remove from the cookie sheet and place in a large freezer bag to store for later use.
4. To cook, saute the frozen patties over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes per side. Enjoy!"

Note: A shot of Jagermeister is not necessary, but highly encouraged.

Cooked results to come!

skipper's first

2011-01-31T07:51:00.001-08:00

Our Skip laid an egg after nearly being 11 months old. I thought she would never lay and we would have to eat her....

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

I love the holidays.

2010-12-10T23:31:00.001-08:00

Petite tree huggers. Stockings hung without much care. Vintage ornaments. Miniature people carrying trees. Pretty lights and tinsel garlands. Handmade wreaths. Pretty tree toppers. And lots more. Including Christmas beers.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

507 miles to go...

2010-09-23T20:02:00.001-07:00

A long ride to San Francisco. The day has so far been a huge blur. Now it's dark, too early to sleep. A lit of hilarity had ensued already and many kids are cozy with their beers. The end.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.0

Little egg.

2010-09-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

We got our first egg on Sunday! Such an exciting occasion. We had a lovely breakfast to celebrate, ate our first egg (double yolk!) and since then I have gotten an egg a day. I'm pretty sure both Beetlejuice and Gertrude are laying as the eggs are different colors, and found in different nesting areas. Gertrude can't seem to get her eggs in the same place while Beetlejuice lays hers in the back on the coop.

2nd, 3rd & 4th eggs, in order.

It's so lovely every morning to walk outside with and peek into the coop, hoping for just one egg. I love it.

Daydreams of simple things..

2010-08-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well, to start, I suppose the beginning would not be so simple as it includes designing, drawing up plans, procuring the supplies, and then building.
I have the location, it's been in my family for 60 years, plenty of room on the farm for a little shack to house me and my man when we go there. There's room the woods, there is room by the apple trees, plenty of places to tuck the little cabin into.
I can't think of anything more exciting, to chance to reclaim where I grew up, to reconnect me to my home. Yeah, sure there is plenty of space in the house to sleep in (one bedroom), but why sleep in the house when you can have something like this...

The Hermit's Cabin

...all to yourself!

Imagine the snuggling that could be done! The reading of books, the drinking of tea and coffee, the quiet!
Walking up to your own little cabin to sleep by lamplight.. I must have one. All I have to do in convince my dad, and then spend a couple weekends building it. Whitewashed inside, a teeny stove, a chair, a bed, cute linens..
Simple things. That is what I want.

Chapter 3, it's still July.

2010-08-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

And I have been eating.

Limes are a requirement.

So are sour cherry pies, slab pie.

And homemade pizza, delicious homemade pizza.

And lovely summer squash and ricotta galettes.

Chapter Two, don't drown.

2010-08-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

SWIMMING HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER. Even if it is in Greenlake. It's clean, I swear.

Bob, you look funny.

This happened a lot of times, I think eight times in one month! Not enough, but in Seattle, you get what you get.

July, month of awesomeness. Chapter One.

2010-08-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Also, extreme relaxation, exploratory missions, radicalness, mega fun, and more and more and more.
So much has happened. Long moped rides to far places, pig eating, fireworks, sleeping in tents, birthdays, tons of swimming, a moped rally, fire pits, moped races, crab eating, and trips into the wilderness to relax in nature made hot tubs.

Early July

First and foremost, a wet monkey after her haircut.

And then, a trip to Arlington, for friends, pig, explosives, and panning for gold.

Sleepy Donkey.

Stinky pigs, hogging all the food.

Scoobs, always trying to strike it rich.

Hams, Hams and more HAMS.

HAMS. Ready to eat.

Explosives.

More HAMS.

Last, of course, a floating sperm lantern.

Glorious Green Roof Part II

2010-06-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

All you need is a couple of hours, a cup of coffee and you end up with this:

And then this:

And then some rocks, and then some dirt, and then this:

It's kind of difficult to get a good photo from the ground when you are really little and the plants haven't had a chance to thrive yet. I will be planting more pretty things that will creep along the top onto the other side of the coop. Soon it will be magnificent! Soon it will be perfect! But for now, I am pretty damn pleased with my handy work today.

Stinging nettle is not berry good...

2010-06-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

But these are!
Salmonberry season is here! They are not the sweetest, or the most popular, but I love these sunny little berries. I love them enough to get stung be stinging nettle while picking them! Mixed with strawberries, they are great as a shortcake, or make them into jam.
Hopefully I find more this weekend while I am in the great wilderness of Arlington, Washington (Pig Roast! River! Explosives! Booze! Tents!)... Let there be salmonberries!

Team Building Exercises

2010-06-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

No need for stupid marital retreats! Just take your spousal unit outside and attempt to build something that neither of you have any clue how to build! It's fun! I swear! After the first ten minutes.

For example...

The Green Roof

Part One

Brendan did a superb job with his use of the Pythagorean Theorem to figure out our measurements (triangles! geometry! inclines!). I was completely impressed and thankful to know that I won't ever have to help with math homework or hire a tutor. We have a math whiz in our home!

We finished half of the work, installed the floor, the two long sides and the back.

Still to do:

The vinyl liner needs to be put into place, a front wall to keep in the soil, some painting, some trim work. pebbles laid, chicken wire on top of that (drainage), thin layer of soil laid, and sedums! Lots and lots of sedums, and maybe some lovely herbs.

Hey Bob,

Thanks for helping me! And being so smart and useful with a saw!

Everything happens after midnight...

2010-06-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

That is, all my brilliant ideas and inspiration.
Last night I was laying in bed listening to my husband and a couple of friends making all sorts of really obnoxious noises and exclamations while they were playing various games on the NES system. It was late, I had been working into the night on the bathroom project and was trying to figure out my shower curtain dilemma. The one I currently had put my out 60 bucks at Anthropologie a few months ago, but it did not suit the decor plan (I love tranformations). I've been perusing the internet like crazy trying to find a new shower curtain, and still nothing..
Anyway. Last night I had a brilliant idea (it happens a lot)... I would use all of my old ikea curtains for a new shower curtain. I would dip dye each one, and so -

Behold!

The hand dyed hand tied shower curtain, for 8 bucks.

So smart, and so affordable.

How to celebrate..

2010-06-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

A tutorial on celebrating your two year anniversary.

Step 1:

Go to work.

Step 2:

On your way home stop by

and buy your spouse a cute card, or two if you are feeling extra loving.

From Yellow Owl Workshop

Step 3:

Go home. Write sweet things in cards.

Step 4:

Make yourself pretty.

Step 5:

Walk to Neptune Coffee for a cappuccino,

making sure to pass by Terra Bella hinting at flowers.

Step 6:

Enter Terra Bella and pick out flowers for yourself, making your spouse purchase them with his debit card (he is buying you flowers!), and hand them to him to give back to you.

Step 7:

Have dinner at Gainsbourg because you are too lazy to go across the city to the place you had planned on going to. Champagne cocktail, Charcuterie, Poisson & Frites, French Dip, IPA, Cheesecake (free!).

Step 8:

Go to the bar you always go to, have a (free!) drink, get bored and pick up a bottle of the finest champagne they have, go home.

Step 9:

Have your man pick out some romantic music,

preferably something based off of an old NES game, possibly this

Step 10:

When you run out of champagne, crack open one of these

Hey! I still like you!

I guess this is something...

2010-06-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

That I have to do, update about my life and my goings on or something?
What to do...

CHICKENS!

Girl Pile

This is not Gertie, Skip, or Beetlejuice, this is a dead chicken.

Ever since the chickens made their homes at our residence I am pretty there has been no real free time. It's not the chicken's fault, not at all, but the acquisition of them started a whole project, and I should have known. One thing with me always starts many. The chickens needed a house, the house needed to be nice, I should plant pretty things in pots to set around their house, they need a green roof, and more and more. The roof isn't quite done, and they need a nesting box too, but Gertrude, Skip and Beetlejuice are so very happy, running around the yard daily, eating everything, get fed delicious kitchen scraps, scratching, pecking, doing their utmost at being chickens. I am happy that they are here.

Still some work, poor Kale and Brussels, the girls love them, sorry Jihee!

The garden, well, the garden has been a little neglected. Everything seemed to go to seed before the greens hit 6 inches tall, the tomatoes and my romaine are I must say the only things that are living up to my standards. This year I suppose I don't care as much, I seem to be utilizing the farmer's market a lot more, every time I go I get really excited about all the new things that are available and fresh. I do have though.... 11 tomato plants! One less that last year, almost completely different varieties, and lots of anticipation. A couple of the plants have baby tomatoes on them already and I am pretty sure I have been checking them everyday to see if they have gotten bigger.

Blah blah blah...
Took an aeroplane trip to Cincinnati, Ohio. I had small expectations of what the city would be like, but I knew I would have an insanely fun time (MOPED RALLY!). My husband and I were there for 5 days and I have to say it was the most fun I have ever had ever at a moped rally, on a vacation, in a strange city. I fell in love with Cincinnati, it's so beautiful, the buildings are amazing, the topography is great, the roads are (mostly... Hyde Park, yikes) super smooth, wide, traffic isn't bad. Rooftop hangouts, abandoned factory exploration, trampolines, fireworks, prom, loading dock barbecues, Jager shots before breakfast, kitty snuggles, accidentally using a dirty towel used by a Hells Satan (which one?!), lots of freeze pops, dead ally rat, slaughterhouse, Danes, friends, and lots and lots and lots of beer late into the night... I don't have a lot of pictures because we left our camera at home, I did bring my Holga, I have a few good shots, to be seen in the future.

And then..
Changes is the home...

Sounds scary?
Just painting!
That's enough words fore today, my mind is going blank, not enough coffee, I have things to do, speaking of painting.

Progress

2010-05-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks I have been working very hard with my friend Steve to build my chicken mansion. It still is not done, I would say construction wise it is 75% done, but then there is finishing work. And it needs to be moved.... It's really heavy. The coop will look great though, I swear, when it is all said and done, the painting, the green roof, it'll look awesome.

Day One:

Dirt pit!

Walls! Maggie!

My butt! I think my husband was not focusing on the construction.

Such a big hole, it was too small, I had to make it bigger.

Day Two:

Hardware cloth installation and a couple walls built.

Day Three:

More walls and more hardware cloth.

Roof supports!

Ouch. My nose got shredded by this nasty wire cloth.

View from main surface door. The OSB plywood will be covered with nice siding,

making the hen house and nesting box well insulated (double walls!).

Looking more like a coop, but still so far to go!

I need a main door, I need two more walls with service doors to the hen house and nesting box.

I need to finish the roof! Nail lath over the edges of the hardware cloth to provide extra protection and looks.

What else... Paint! Grey with red trim!

I have planted rhubarb, blueberries and two columnar apple trees in pots I painted blue, I will set them around the front of the coop. It will look so finished and nice, my landlord will love me.

Also I will plant sedums on my green roof because they will look supreme.

Can't Help Myself

2010-05-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy in with my garden, my yard and my chicken coop that I have had time for pretty much nothing else the last week. I still have a lot to do.. Today before work is dedicated 110% to the coop and soon I will provide pictures of the project, and the chickens who have grown a million times larger than I ever thought they could in 3.5 weeks.
For now, wants to cultivate my gardening soul, from Anthropologie of course..

So cute, I need them.

I am very intrigued by this and will have secret missions soon.

I need you, you would look so pretty under my cherry tree.

The end.

Nightmare...

2010-04-24T02:18:00.000-07:00

Like this, only more menacing...

Robots

2010-04-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

I dress like this when I am battling hair cutting robots who try to steal my job.

I dream about this often.

They can cut a head of hair in 4 minutes. I am practicing streamlining techniques so that I might win the next battle. Unlikely. They are dangerous and their arms have built in toasters.

Mania

2010-04-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

What to do!?

Things I have noted this morning:
-Allergies.
-Frost! Really? How will my garden grow with all of this inconsistent weather? Tell me!
-Sun, if only it would stick around.
-I was grumpy, what's new.

Things I will do today:
-Color my hair, I feel like Smudge probably feels when he is feeling Smudgy.
-Drink a million cups of coffee.
-Look into a rhubarb plant, a recent procrastination of mine.
-Reflect of my extreme propensity for procrastination.
-Purchase new jeans (crossing fingers). I am desperate. I am sure that 77.888% of the pairs I own have holes near nether regions, etc.
-Make some lentil soup, I think...
-Paint my nails.

Yesterday I felt generally crumb-like, but today is filled with possibility, mostly based on edibles... If you can believe that.

This is not an edible.

She will lay edibles in the future.

She might be an edible when she is old and won't lay anymore.

Poor Beetlejuice.

Pies For Couches

2010-04-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Last year Brendan and I needed a bigger, less awful couch. Since we previously lived in a gnome sized house we had a gnome sized couch. Our friend Jen was getting rid of hers because she lives in a gnome sized condo and she needed to make way for her Murphy Bed. There was a trade. A trade of haircuts and pie, a Rhubarb pie, or else!
Being the lazy good for nothin' I am I just got around to making that pie a couple weeks ago, but she didn't hold the lapse in time against me. My pies are that good.

Rhubarb Cherry Pie a la Kate Lebo

1 double pie crust recipe
2 ½ Cups rhubarb sliced ½ inch thick
2 ½ Cups fresh or canned our cherries
1 Cup sugar
1/3 Cup flour
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
extra sugar for dusting (optional)
1 egg (for egg wash, optional)

Make some crust! Refrigerate for one hour.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out the bottom crust and drape it into a pie pan. Chill while preparing the filling.

In a large bowl, combine fruit, sugar and lemon juice. Toss gently to mix. Sift the flour over fruit and mix again, I use my hands because it is thorough and easy. Pour filling into chilled bottom crust and smooth. Dot with butter,

Roll out top crust, drape it over the filling. Finish the edges of the pie however you want and be sure to make some steam vents. Lightly beat egg and brush wash over pie, sprinkle with sugar if desired.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown. Rotate pie front to back and reduce the heat to 375 degrees. Bake until bubbling, about 30-35 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack at least two hours before serving.

Not just any cherries, but cherries from my family's property.

The best best best sour cherries ever.

I maybe have eaten 7/8 of a pie myself... Maybe.

Newly Hatched

2010-04-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

I figured it out. I have been going and going and going for about a month without a moment to really breathe.Yes, I have plenty of time a couple days a week before I go to work at 3PM to get things done, to have time to myself, but it's usually scheduled out to cleaning and cooking, and I will admit that my methods lack efficiency. I go through phases of extreme order and then I hit a wall and I go through the motions without proper order. For me, I need order... Otherwise things hit catastrophic lows and I can't quite figure out if I am coming or going, and then I implode (not as devastating as it sounds, at least not this time).

I have been so socially busy these last few weeks that nothing has been going as smoothly as I would like them to go, but they have gone, and they have been successful, and I was left feeling rattled. I knew today that if I went to hang out and ride mopeds tonight I would been that much more drained (I do love my friends, I really do, but I spent at least 18 hours with them in four days, and worked extra hours in that time...). Yikes. It was time for me.

I wanted cookies, I wanted to watch a chick flick, I wanted to clean my house, I wanted snuggles with my little dog. So that is what I had, plus some wine. I tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe and it was awesome, I watched The September Issue and it was (not awesome) pretty good, Maggie snored a little while she lounged across me soaking in the snuggles, I did a million dishes, folded a million clothes, tried to give my chicks some real bonding time instead of hurried little pick-ups.

Gertie I can tell likes me the most, or at least is more accepting at this time of human interaction. She is not afraid to be picked up, so I held her for a bit, gently rubbing her head and she started to doze off and stayed there for a few seconds and repeated the sequence. As I set her down she stayed on my hand for a moment and lazily walked off. Beetlejuice is still trying to figure it out, she is half skittish and half calm. Skip picks on her and I think she is picking up Skip's attitude, trying to be the tough guy. And Skipper, well I don't know what to do with her, maybe I shouldn't have picked the chick that ran away from me, but I like a challenge. I tried to get some pictures of just her today, but I couldn't set her down because she was hellbent on running away, just like when I picked her out. I love them, I don't want to have favorites... It's obvious though, it's Gertrude all the way, and then Beetlejuice, just because she is damned cute. Maybe Skip takes after her Aunt Jihee, stubborn as all hell. She did name her after all...

My point was... That I have been doing stuff, really I have been making and creating and entertaining and growing stuff, without time to really think about it or reflect on it. I'm just happy to be cultivating. I have a mental list of fun projects to work on and will mark them off one by one. Spring is always full of excitement and adjustment. Trying to get out of the winter slumps and get working and moving is really difficult for me and had been always, but I will get in my routine and then it should be smooth sailing. I think tonight is the start of it.

Without further adieu (and without great excitement), here are some things that have been made.

Dyed with Coffee and Turmeric.

Coconut Cake for Easter. Homemade coconut milk cake with a coconut sour cream filling, seven minute frosting, more coconut and fondant Easter eggs made by yours truly.

The end.
I will give you pie tomorrow, maybe.

Also a teaser:

Chicken Little

2010-04-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest additions to the family:

Gertie, a Brit Red (hybrid of a Rhode Island Red).

Who's this?! Skipper/Skip, an Araucauna.

She was the smallest one, and she did not want to be picked up.

Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Brendan named her on Thursday, we didn't get her until this morning.

She is a Silver Laced Wyandotte, and if you look that up, you'll be so impressed.

She is going to be gorgeous.

Ahhh! So cute! Jihee held the box on the drive home and took a million pictures.

I was totally jealous of their bonding time, but I do get to live with them, and she doesn't.. So there.

Feeder! Skipper and Beetlejuice have shown their true colors, ultimate power struggles between the two.

Gertie is a lone star.

Sleepy! Skip sleeps the most and rests on her beak, rotating her head back and forth, pretty adorable.

Food discovery!

Yum!

Nap time.

Beetlejuice likes to scratch.

I'm so happy to have them in my home! I have about 6 weeks to build a coop and the design I have drawn up seems to be extremely functional and visually pleasing. This is going to be so fun, and even though my husband was not 100% behind the idea, not even 10%, I think he will like them. He even held Gertie...

Broken Promises and Hot Dogs

2010-03-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'm too busy for you. I have things to do, like make hot dogs out of fondant for my friend's surprise birthday party. We were asked to bring nothing but hot dogs and beer. So I did, plus some cupcakes.

I swear I have been cooking and baking often, in addition to celebrating the coming of spring with decent amounts of alcohol, a trip to Portland (I forgot my camera, bummer), making fun of my friends for being nerds, and finally starting my garden. I have in two days planted Walla Walla Onion sets, Raab, Cabbage, Beans, Peas, two types of Kale, Bok Choi, Arugula, two types of lettuce, Green Onions, Mizuna, and Bay. Indoors I have sown two types of tomato seeds gifted to me from a wonderful client of mine from his own garden, jalapenos, bell peppers and squash. And some grass seed. Also I am starting a new quilt. I think that's it.

But back to the point! HOT DOGS! From homemade fondant. So easy. I won't give you the recipe today, but I will give you pictures. They are a little ridiculous, and they may look questionable.

Hot dog color? Red, Orange and Green.

Interesting...

Nude and ready.

Grill Marks and Ketchup.

Smath, Smudge, Mad Dog, depending on his mood.

Detail!

Unfortunately Mad Dog didn't visit that night, I think it was Smath.

Husbands bring out the best.

2010-03-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

My husband participated in Beard and Stache Fest again this year and at the awards party everyone got their picture taken. Somehow there is always a picture that is somewhat questionable.

Scary eyes!

I like this one.

Oh hi!

Portland tonight! Mopeds! Good food! Too much booze! And warm weather! Oh sweet sunshine!

Bitches Need Sun

2010-03-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Must have it. All I can think about is:
1) Sun
A) Bikinis
B) Bourbon and Beer
C) Beaches
D) Boats

and collecting freckles, lots of them.

Enter Operation Bikini.

It's gonna happen, bikinis, all the time, shorts, Keds, and ponytails.

Also this:

Bikini Marines!?

And:

I want to live here.

And:

Sweet vans to get there.

Parsnips and procrastination, or just plain laziness.

2010-03-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

This week has flown by, with an amazing class taught by amazing hairdressers, complete with a new cut and color for me (still red!), parties for graduate students, card games, estate sales(!) with a very lovely lady, and very lackluster cooking. Some weeks I just don't have it in me. I can't tell you what I made this week, because I don't remember. I remember yakisoba, and that is it.

I did however make an amazing meal the week before, delicious and pretty, despite the very uninteresting parsnips, and I will give some recipes up here and there this next week, but again - I don't have it in me. Not today.

You just get pictures of parsnips. And maybe some other things.

No, just parsnips.

What else? I made a strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream, I made the white trashiest dip ever for my friend Kim Pot O' Gold's Potluck, Jalapeno Popper Dip, so good, so bad, so so so good.
And.... we got a 1973 version of the game Pit, it's in perfect condition, it's rad, and the bell is orange!
It was 2 bucks.
That's all I got. The most uninteresting week in the kitchen I could ever write about. Sorry dudes.

Pain and Illness

2010-03-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

I would be a diligent blogger, but A) I crashed my moped the 2 nights ago (or I rear ended a car, however you want to look at it) and B) I have a wretched cold. So between the bruises and hurty body parts, my head is full of crap and my throat is sore.
So that's that.
I will continue when I am not dying.

Herb Marinated Pork Loin, FTW

2010-03-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

Eat it. I started this yesterday and let the meat marinate overnight. It's easy and phenomenal. If you have fresh herbs in your garden this is a great way to utilize them.

Make It:

1 Tbsp Dijon
1 Tbsp Thyme, stems removed, chopped
1 Tbsp Rosemary, chopped
1 Tbsp Sage chopped
6 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 C Olive Oil
Juice of 1 Lemon
Pork Loin, approximately 1.5 Lbs
Kosher Salt
Pepper

Combine Dijon, herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, a large pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Coat pork in marinade and cover, or place marinade and pork in a large plastic bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil in a large pan (oven safe preferably) on Medium High, sear pork loin on both sides until golden brown and transfer to oven to finish cooking. Approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the thicket part reaches 137 degrees. Wrap tightly in foil and rest 10 minutes. Cut in 1/2 inch thick diagonal slices. Remember that it is okay for the meat to be pink in the thickest part, dry pork is the worst thing in the world.

I made a white wine and butter sauce with the drippings. It's pretty damn good.

Rosemary Treats

2010-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

We ate this for dessert on Valentine's Day.

Warm Chocolate Rosemary Pudding.

It was rad, but the recipe is a little sweet, so I need to work on it.

Until then, you can dream and drool.

Handmade Clothespin Bag!

2010-03-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

So easy! Made of an old curtain.Originally dyed yellow from boring white. It had been hanging out in the scrap fabric and needed to be used. The poor clothespins deserved something better than a plastic bag.

The trim was from the collection of ribbons and things my mother brought me back from my grandmother's house.

Experiments, or Adventures au Gratin.

2010-03-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

I started making dinner yesterday with no idea what my side dishes would be. I had potatoes, I had parsnips, I had swiss chard. The chicken was in the oven roasting away, and on a whim I decided that feta, swiss chard and potatoes probably go together. I reassured myself that if the gratin was an utter failure, I was okay with that. You can't succeed at everything. I made sure I mentally jotted down my proportions so I could share my discovery with the world, and since it was a success here it is.

Swiss Chard and Potato Gratin

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Bunch Swiss Chard (I used Red)
2 Medium Yellow or Red Potatoes
1/2 Medium Yellow Onion
2-4 Ounces Feta Cheese
1-1.5 C Chicken or Vegetable Stock
Salt and Pepper

This is really haphazard, so not matter how you slice it, the food will probably be awesome.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finely chop washed chard, set aside. Slice onion into small slivers. Heat olive oil in large pan over medium heat. Add onions and saute 3-4 minutes. Add chard and cook until just wilted, a couple minutes. Set aside.
Finely slice potatoes, as you would for a traditional potato gratin, approximately 1/8-1/4 inch thick.

Assemble!
In an oven safe dish (with lid please!) assemble gratin, starting with a potato layer first, season with salt and pepper, top with some of your chard and onion, sprinkle feta over greens, and repeat, and repeat, don't forget to season each potato layer.
When the assembly is complete pour 1-1.5 C stock over vegetables. I didn't measure how much liquid I used, but I am approximating that it was about 8 ounces. The liquid did not cover the vegetables, so make sure yours doesn't either. Cover with lid.

Place in oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes. Check at 30, and if there is still too much liquid in the dish, uncover for the last ten minutes or so.

Clean it yourself! V 1.2

2010-03-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Liquid Laundry Detergent. I didn't make it, I'm a busy girl. I don't have pictures of the process, but it is pretty straight forward, super simple and works just as well, possibly better than the powdered version.

You will need:

1/3 bar Fels-Naptha soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket

Grate 1/3 of your Fels-Naptha Soap. Put into a large stock pot and add 6 Cups of water. Heat on medium and stir until the soap melts. Add Washing Soda and Borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.

Add 4 Cups hot water to bucket, pour mixture into bucket and stir. Add more water (1 Gallon + 6 Cups hot water)! Stir and let 24 hours.You can add essential oils if you want to!

Use 1/2 Cup per large load.

Lentil Soup: Not your mother's recipe, unless you are from Greece.

2010-03-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

This soup is awesome, easy, and cheap. Cheap and easy, the way you like it. Good organic French Lentils (lentilles du Puy) are available in bulk at most rad grocery stores, they cost just under $2.00 a pound. Get some and make this, now.

Greek Lentil Soup or Fakes
Adapted From Alexis

1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Onion, Chopped
4 Carrots, Sliced 1/3 Inch Thick
3 Small Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cubed
2 Cups French Lentils
12 Cups Water
4 Bay Leaves (or more! I used 8 fresh from a friend's garden)
5 Cloves Garlic, Whole
2-3 Spoonfuls Tomato Paste
Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
Feta

Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add carrots, saute 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding more olive oil if needed. Add cubed potatoes and cook 5 minutes.

Mix in lentils, garlic and bay leaves. To ensure your lentils hold their shape, sweat them for a couple of minutes with the rest of your ingredients. Pour in 12 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, and reduce to medium to simmer for 45-60 minutes until water is absorbed and lentils are soft. Stir in tomato paste in the last ten minutes of cooking. Rectify your seasonings.... (Insert salt and pepper here).

Serve with a slab of Feta of top, and maybe some yummy bread.

Split Pea Soup

2010-02-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

Cause you are real cheap, and it's real easy, and good for you!
Organic Split Peas are about $1.69 a pound at my local grocer. Buying in bulk is great because you don't have to buy overwhelming quantities, if you store it in glass containers or jars you can see what you have and how much of it there is. I like knowing what food I have, that it's beckoning to me for use, I hate waste.

I kind of winged this, but it was really good.

Make it:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 smoked ham shank (or other bits of ham you have laying around
1 1/2 cups green split peas
8 cups water or stock
All Purpose Seasoning (I used Spike, salt free and no weird additives)
Salt and Pepper

Heat oil in heavy large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and carrots. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add pork and stir 1 minute. Add peas and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Partially cover pot; simmer soup until pork and vegetables are tender peas are falling apart, stirring often, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Remove ham parts and set aside. If you happen to have an immersion blender, it's the tool of choice here, but by all means break out the blender and puree your soup in batches. Remove pork from bones and chop, return to soup. Season with Spike or what have you, salt and pepper.

Clean it yourself!

2010-02-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Or how to make the stuff to clean with... By yourself.
Version 1.1

How to make your own powdered laundry detergent.
So cheap! Did I mention it was cheap? Did I mention there isn't weird stuff in it?

Fred Meyer carries all of these items, but you can find them elsewhere. Well, you can at least find the Borax ($4.29) and Fels Naptha ($1.79) elsewhere... Finding the Washing Soda ($3.79) (biodegradable!) can be tricky, but I swear it's worth it. Try your local hardware store. Also washing soda is not baking soda, so don't substitute, and don't try to eat it. The boxes of Borax and Washing Soda will last at least 5 batches, maybe more, probably way more. I mention it was cheap, right?
*Prices are approximate

What you need:

3/4 cup Borax
3/4 cup Washing Soda

1 bar Fels Naptha soap

Good luck, this is where the fun starts. I suggest you cover your mouth.

Gather the goods.

Washing Soda!

Borax!

Fels Naptha and Fine Grater

Grate your bar of soap forever. And forever. And forever. You really should cover your mouth.

Have a cute dog to keep you company.

Ugh, finally done.

Put your grated soap in a bowl, add 3/4 C each Borax and Washing Soda to your bowl, mix and funnel into a cute jar or container!

Only use 1 Tablespoon per large load. And if you are doing smaller loads, wing it!

If you are looking for a liquid solution, you'll have to wait a couple of days.

New York New York or Valentine's Day Was a While Ago

2010-02-25T18:59:00.000-08:00

I never finished this post, so I am going to let you read it without many words or explanation. Or Valentine's Day dinner was rad. 99% Local and Organic. New York Steaks, Truffled Fromage Blanc, potatoes, greens from the farmer's market, leeks from my garden, wine from the store. It was so amazing. Oh, and warm rosemary chocolate pudding. With cold heavy cream, from a local creamery.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Oh baby...

Fried Truffled Fromage Blanc

You know what these are.

Hot romance.

Late Harvests

2010-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

I have been avoiding harvesting my leeks for a long while. They didn't call to me, whisper my name, nothin'. They just stood upright, perky in the soil, bored out of their little roots. I planted them last June, and don't ask me how long they are supposed to be grown, if I should have waited a few more months, I have no clue. I just knew it was time. So, out most of them came, the soil and little baby earthworms brushed off the roots, a rinse, a trim, another rinse. And then they went for the braise...
Well, with high hopes for Braised Leeks (why waste homegrown beauties on a pedestrian potato leek soup?) I ventured forth, even went out of my way to go back to the store for thyme (Why am I not growing this?!) and white wine.
They looked so pretty and fresh, they felt to nice in my hands! I was thrilled about trying this. But oh, the disappointment. I'm still pouting.

Braised Leeks
from here

6 large leeks (or a million little ones)
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (I used a lot less, because I'm cheap)
1 cup sliced shallots
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Remove bruised or filthy (garden!) outer layers from the leeks. Trim off to the roots, leaving the root end intact, or don't. If your leeks are dirty and you are too lazy to meticulously clean then just chop that sucker off. Trim the tops of the leeks on the diagonal, leaving 2 inches of the green part attached. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and submerge in a large bowl of cold water to clean them. Shake the leeks well to dislodge the dirt stuck inside. Let them sit a few minutes, to allow any grit inside the layers to fall to the bottom of the bowl. Clean 'em again. Place the leeks, cut side down, on a towel and pat dry completely.

Season your leeks on both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat for two minutes. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil, and heat for one minute. Place the leeks cut side down into the pan, being careful not to crowd them. You probably need to do this in two batches, adding more oil as necessary. Sear them 4-5 minutes, until they are golden brown. Turn them over and cook another 3-4 minutes. Transfer them to a large gratin dish, cut sides up, in a nice little row. I would reccomend doing this, I didn't, and remember, I was disappointed...

Add 1/4 cup olive oil into the pan, heated on medium heat. Add shallots, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Saute 5 minutes, or until shallots begin to color. Add white wine and reduce by half, add 1 1/2 cups stock, and bring to a boil on high heat.

Pour the liquid over the leeks. The stock should not quite cover them; add more stock if necessary.

Braise in the oven 30 minutes, until the leeks are tender when pierced.

Well, I made this for Valentine's Day. It was supposed to go with the New York Steaks, the salad of fresh, local greens and fried truffled fromage blanc, the mashed potatoes with cream and chives... And the delicious warm chocolate rosemary pudding.
It was plated, served, and bitten into. I swallowed one bite, after struggling with the chewy, slimy, viscosity or the leeks. Brendan hadn't tried them yet, he was into his steak and his truffle cheese. He started to poke at the leeks, picking some up with his fork as I currently had a mouthful of them. I swallowed, told him not to bother, that they felt like a lougie in my mouth.
He made a really grossed out face and we ignored the leeks for the rest of the meal, which was fine since it was almost too much food for us to consume.
But, you cannot have successes without utter failures. So, I will forge ahead, and try this again, in a while... Not tomorrow.

Monkey

2010-02-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am so glad she's in my life.

Fresh

2010-02-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

Instead of a bouquet that dies in one week, I get flowers that promise to bloom year after year.

Last year was the first time we took our (now) annual Valentine's Day trip to the nursery to pick out some flowering bulbs and I chose Tulips, bright and cheerful. I was going for tulips again this year, but I couldn't help myself, all around me were the prettiest little things. Sure, some were not in bloom but the pictures showing them inspired me to try something new, and for 25 dollars I got a really nice little collection. I don't have pictures of everything, but here are a few.

A ranunculus in bloom, one of my favorite flowers.

A pink Hyacinth just waiting to show her pretty face. They smell phenomenal.

Brendan helped pick out this Muscari, also called Grape Hyacinth.

The pre-existing daffodils in our yard, so eager to shine!

Now... I can't wait for our dinner.

Everyone in class got one.

2010-02-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

I made Lollipops for all of my coworkers and clients today. So in the fashion of our old elementary school days, everyone got a Valentine.

Pom Poms & Pink Champagne

2010-02-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

Last night my friend April held a craft night and only two girls showed up, myself and my friend Rosanna. Despite the small numbers of attendees, we had a blast. We had a tutorial on pom pom making, we shared bottles of pink champagne (festive for Valentine's day), and then ended up downstairs with April in her Pretty Little Photos studio.

Maggie's a Star!

We had a lot of fun and it definitely inspired me to host a craft night of my own, even if it is only a couple people. Sometimes, it's just got to be ladies night.

Space of the Valentine's Day

2010-02-11T22:05:00.000-08:00

It's cheesy, it dumb. However, in all the right ways, I like this day. Remember when we were in elementary school and everyone gave everyone Valentine's? That was awesome. I wish it was like that still.

That's the right kind of Valentine.

Taking Care Of Chickens...

2010-02-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

...gives you pretty little eggs.
I got to take care of three chickens over the weekend, and for the life of me I can never remember their names. But one of the lovely little hens is nicknamed "Neckbeard".
I got locked in the coup and fortunately my mom was there to let me out, I wouldn't want to find out the outcome of being locked up with three hens who think your fingers are worms.
Also, I don't think digging for earthworms has ever been more fun.

Scotch Pancakes

2010-02-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

No, there is no Scotch in them. These babies are in the Scottish style of pancakes, and they are damn good. Like the best pancake ever. Traditionally they are smaller than I have made them, so the next time I have a hankering I will make them ultra mini. But these, well they work in just plain small size too.

Make 'em!
(8 small pancakes or a lot of little bitty ones)

120g Self-Rising Flour (Roughly 4.2 oz or 1/2 C)
Small pinch of Salt
30g Castor Sugar (Roughly 1 oz or 1 Tablespoon)
1 Egg
1/4 C Milk

Sift flour, salt and sugar together in a medium bowl.
Beat egg and milk in a small bowl and pour steadily into flour mixture while stirring. The batter will be quite thick, but if you think it is just too thick, well... add another splash of milk.
Grease your griddle or pan with vegetable oil. Depending on your griddle or stove heat pan on medium-low or medium, mine if set to medium generally for these little gems.

I like to fry them in butter, which has a tendency to brown or burn if the heat is too high, to combat this a mixture of butter and oil is helpful, or if you don't mind wiping out your pan and starting with fresh better like me, go for it, use the butter straight up.

Drop a tablespoon of batter (or more depending on the size you desire) on the griddle for each pancake. Cook on one side until the pancake begins to rise and bubble and is browned on the bottom. Turn over and finish cooking, about one minute. Remove from heat and wrap in a clean tea towel to retain moisture.

Castor Sugar, you can make this yourself by grinding it in your blender.

Please do not use fake maple syrup on these.. They deserve more that that. I like to use Grade B, it has more complexity than Grade A Maple Syrup, it's darker and a little less sweet. Also wonderful - homemade jams and preserves and lots of butter.
If you want to feed more than 2.5 people, I suggest you double the recipe.

The Best Chicken Ever

2010-02-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Local, organic chicken from Olympia.

At the Ballard Farmer's Market the Stokesberry Sustainable Farm has a stand.
I think it was probably one of the best ways to spend 12 dollars.
This chicken is out of this world good. Indescribable. You'd have to taste it yourself.
I want more. I will get more. Good food is worth it when it's fresh, better for you, and happy.

The oldest man I know.

2010-02-05T09:24:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Jim.

Birthday Cake For a 95 Year Old Man.

Another Risque cake seemed a little dangerous because he's old.

I didn't have the time, nor the energy to make it anything but simple.
But it was a 6 layer white cake with blood orange curd and vanilla buttercream.

Time off & We Grow

2010-01-31T22:14:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy month, I haven't had any energy these last few days for anything but me, my Maggie, and Brendan. So, I have blog posts in the works, but for now...

We are growing up.
Changes are happening, and I am excited! Full of future! Full of fortune!
There are things to look forward to.

We have grown.

2006

NAEROK DOOF SRDAWKCAB

2010-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

That's Korean Food Backwards.

Much

Food

We're hungry!

This last weekend was way too much fun, too many late nights and go-karting. Birthdays should be celebrated in full force (3 days). So much moped riding, nature hikes and premium booze.

Breakfast is good for you.

2010-01-17T20:24:00.001-08:00

Especially when you share it with friends.
Brendan's parents got me this for my birthday! It's awesome. Thank you so so so much.

JIHOO

2010-01-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

It's this girl's birthday:

And I like her a lot!

Happy Birthday! I'm so glad she is in the world.

Oral Travel

2010-01-14T07:45:00.001-08:00

Or Indian Food.
So good, so good for you, and so easy to make.

Do it!

Carrots Forever

2010-01-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

My husband hates carrots. He cringes every time he sees them. I happen to like them a lot. They are a perfect food, crisp, sweet, bright and have fun little greens that come out of the top. How could you deny such a little beauty?
I sneak them into foods, grated so finely he can't detect them. I make him eat them and I love seeing the look on his face when they are on his plate. My mission in life is to make him eat as many vegetables as I can stuff into him, I love it. Luckily, it's not that difficult since he likes most of them and he is a trooper to put up with the carrot antics.
-
Last week I had nearly 3 pounds of carrots in my fridge and I had to do something with them, I hate letting produce go to waste, even if it is becoming compost. What do you do with that many carrots?! Well you eat a few as snacks while your husband watched in horror, and while he is away at work, you secretly concoct it into soup that you hope he'll like.

He really liked it. And if you want to be vegan for a day, use vegetable broth and no yogurt.

Indian Spiced Carrot Soup with Ginger
adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2008

1 Teaspoon ground coriander
1.5 Teaspoon ground mustard powder
3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or whatever you have on hand)
1.5 Teaspoons Madras Curry powder
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
2 C yellow onions, chopped
1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
zest and juice of 1 lime
5 cups (or more) chicken/vegetable broth
salt and fresh ground pepper
Greek Yogurt (optional)

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add coriander, mustard and curry powder, stir until fragrant, no longer than one minute. Add ginger and stir one minute, add onion, carrots and lime zest, season with salt and pepper and sauté until onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly. Puree with immersion blender or work in batches and puree in blender until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add 1/4 C broth. Stir in lime juice, season with salt and pepper.

Garnish with plain Greek yogurt if desired.

Pride & Gnudi

2010-01-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Things I did for my health yesterday, to my health:

Added bee pollen and flax seeds to my fruit smoothie.
Drank a cup of tea when I really wanted to have coffee (but then had coffee again later...)
Continued on day 3 of cleansing my face with oil, experimental, my skin's lookin' good.
Ate fruit for snacks, because fruit was made for snacking.
Drank 3 cups of water with lemon at Moped Monday instead of 2 whiskeys.
Walked a mile with Maggie.
Let myself have a chocolate chip cookie, cause they are homemade with love, and that cannot be bad for you.
And this:

Gnudi!
The pasta that makes itself!

I have wanted to try this out for a while but never happened to have a pound of ricotta hanging around, until recently. So I tried it, it's incredibly simple, and now I wait. They will be made into dinner probably, well, I have no clue when. I'm busy.

1 Pound Ricotta
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
1/4 C Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt and Pepper to taste

Lots of Semolina Flour

Mix Mix Mix.
Grab your pastry bag, fitted with a large round tip, fill!
Make a bed of semolina flour in a large dish,
pipe little dollops into the flour,
cover them with more flour. Etc.

Refrigerate uncovered 24 hours,
use them in the best recipe you can find,
let them sit in the fridge, covered, until you figure it out, or
wing it!

To wing it:
Bring water to a boil in the pot you think seems fit, reduce heat (simmer!) gently place your Gnudi into the water,
simmer 3 minutes or until they float.
Remove with care and toss in your favorite sauce, crappy store bought sauce,
or whatever you come up with.

Good luck!

Winter, or Precursor to Spring.

2010-01-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

Well it seems as if predictions were true, it was said the Pacific Northwest (or Land Made of Evergreen and Sweetness and Gold) would have a mild winter. During late Fall we had a cold snap, and it was bitter cold, but it lasted a week or two at most. Since then we have had relatively nice weather, frost, rain here, sun there, bright days and days of utter gloom. Then something happened, and because I might just have a knack for noticing things that go unnoticed - I noticed it. Okay, so maybe everyone else did too, but I like to think I am special and am all-aware. The air changed. The air changed and it feels so good. It's full of a lightness and breath (figuratively speaking), you can feel the warmth dancing it's way in, degree by degree. Spring walked up to the window, looked in and is biding her time, waiting to make her grand entrance. It's starting to stir me, making me anxious to garden, to watch my little plants grow, to collect sunshine. I might even be departing from my Gray period. Today I wore all blue and greens, save for the gray tights and brown shoes. Watch out!

I got outside to do yard work! My front planters (I use the word "Planters" loosely) are a shame, terrible dirt with paint chips strewn throughout due to the old house paint chipping. Random pieces of plastic trash, pine cones, and who knows what else. I had such great hopes for these planters, an herb garden - lush, green, a perfect "Hello!" to every visitor who approaches my doorstep. The scent would induce bliss and hunger. But you cannot by any means plant edibles that you intend to eat in such filth. You may as well be injecting yourself straight up with all the chemicals in that soil. The idea wreaks of cancer. Next best thing: Move all your pots and containers holding your precious (maybe dead) herbs to them, at least you can pretend that your herb garden will seduce the senses, making you seem like the old lady in Hansel and Gretel, only instead of baking sweets, you slave away over savory souffles and the like. So I did just that. It looks measly, not impressive at all, but it will. I promise. To make up for the fact that I cannot use that trashy soil for delicious herbs I decided that wildflowers and ground cover could survive it, and might brighten up the dark facade of our humble home (it's gray if you don't already know that, it doesn't scream, "Hey! Happy cute home!").

As I said I am anxious. My green thumb itches. So, against my better judgment I went to the store and got myself some flower seeds. And if I am lucky, there will be no more frost. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Pink, lavender and white ground cover, wild flowers that grow three feet tall! Pretty little things to greet you as you walk in!

Oh... I can see her face, we're both waiting to throw our arms around each other, but it's too soon.

Please Spring, hurry up and get here, we miss you.

2010, 24

2010-01-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

So I decided a few days before New Years rolled around that 2010 would be a year of growth, and the ultimate resolution would be to take better care of myself. Yeah, I know that is the most vague resolution to commit yourself to, but it makes sense to me. If I try to change something immediately, drastically, it never happens. So I thought day by day I will treat myself a little better. Even if it's a smoothie in the morning (fruit, local yogurt, local bee pollen, flax seeds), or a bottle of kombucha, remembering to pound water, take my vitamins, ingest a melange of tinctures, stretch - any one of those means I'm doing something better for myself.

I have a feeling in myself that I need to clean out my body and my home, a clean slate, live more consciously. So I am going to do just that. Also I will read more! And cram more and more vegetables into meals, even though I think I already do a good job of that. I will pack more everything that is good for you into everything thing I make.

First accomplishment:

Whole Wheat Bread. Now the recipe must be perfected, but it's getting there. The best all whole wheat bread I have made so far, so I know I am close to ultimate success. Because I'm a hippie I added blackstrap molasses, and flax seed and for the 1/4 oil I did a 50/50 mixture of flax oil and walnut oil.

----------------------
A new decade! How exciting. I turned 24 yesterday. I wrecked my body over the weekend between the up till 4 AM welcoming the new year and my birthday party where I was lucky to be the first one to sleep. I think yesterday I was still in recovery mode.
I worked the morning shift so I could spend the evening with Brendan and by the time I got home (6 hours of work - what a baby) I was exhausted. I could fathom what I wanted to do that evening. I wanted to relax. I made my way to PCC, bought myself some fresh herbs cause mine are dead dead dead for a bath and some kombucha. I steeped my herbs for 20 minutes and had the nicest bath ever.
Thai food.
PCC again for dessert (the smallest priciest dessert ever) - Raspberry Cheesecake that is raw, vegan, organic and made locally. I was a little skeptical, but it sounded pretty good. It was awesome and so worth the 7 dollars because I couldn't finish that little thing, it is waiting for me in the fridge. I think I will eat it for breakfast.
Movie.
Universe Series episode.
Back rub.
Sleep.

It was a great great great birthday. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Monochromania

2009-12-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

The last couple years I have noticed that I go through different phases, or as I like to call them "Periods" (not that one). And if you're any friend of mine, you probably know this happens.

The Ketchup and Mustard Period, The Brown Period, The Gray, Taupe and Yellow. A couple of months ago I was in a Blue Period (navy, precisely). Now, the Gray Period.

I can't get enough. Tights, jeans, t-shirts, long sleeves, dresses, sweaters, scarves. I can't get enough. Now I do add in a little black, some beige, navy, a pop of mustard, but the very base structure of my outfit is gray. I go shopping (one must have a great technique - I have one) and I scan quickly, gray, gray, not gray, gray. I find something amazing, and I get this feeling of great success, a true sign of someone with a problem...

It just may be getting out of hand this time.

Yesterday I went through my closet and pulled nearly all my colorful and printed items, to be stored for another time. This makes sense. Why use the space if you don't consider it? When I had a large closet all to myself (excuse me, Brendan, your t-shirts are prohibiting my expansion - please purge to make room for all those hanging items in your dresser, thank you) I organized colors accordingly. It was beautiful, and there was a system. Pink Red Yellow Green Blue Purple Black Brown White, it went something like that. No need to separate dresses or skirts from blouses and sweaters. Everything hung out together and my monochromania was a breeze. I miss those days. These days I may as well not put away my clothes because I can't find what I am looking for in those crammed drawers anyway.

Back to the point -
It's getting out of hand. I got home from work today and looked at my couch. It looks like technicolor vomit, which is wonderful for the summer when it's all ultraviolet and you're listening to Animal Collective, expanding your conciousness. But I want to get down to business, I'm going to give my living room a little face lift, colors be gone. You are going gray, and a little white). I did this last year, at our little itty bitty cottage. I had done up my living room in green and black when we moved in. Black furniture, green throws, pillows, etcetera, I got bored, gave it all away and started over.
I have a new plan just in case I want to go back to my bright rush of color. Remove the covers I made for my pillows, make new ones, luckily it takes five minutes, and make a new quilt with my white vintage linens. I will look with fervor for a new coffee table (I have wanted one for a while) to go with the rad old piece our TV sits on and the NES hides in. More wall hangings will be sought out to go with the current pieces framed in gold. I need to hang our curtains up finally, but while I'm at it I may as well make some new ones.

I'm excited. I am going to purge more crap, minimize. I feel a good year coming on, and it all starts with gray.

First step:
Remove the Christmas tree, (I can't believe I am saying this) it's getting on my nerves.

I forgot to add:

My summer 1940s/1950s Period, and the fact that I am totally utterly in love with loose draping shirts in this current Gray Period.

Tan Tan Men

2009-12-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

Not the golden bodies hangin' by the beach, this TanTan Men is some amazing ramen. It's so good, so sesame-y, a great warmer and fills you up to boot.

Ingredients (4 servings):

Adapted from My Kitchen

Noodles for 4 (Fresh Wheat is what you are supposed to use, I used Udon.)
6 cups chicken stock

Sesame Paste
6 tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp castor sugar (regular granulated sugar is fine)
2 tbsp chili oil
1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 tbsp chopped green onion

Topping
7 oz ground beef
3.5 oz ground chicken
1 tbsp miso paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp chili oil
3 tbsp cooking oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp chopped ginger
3 tbsp chopped green onion
1 small can bamboo shoots

Garnish
3 tbsp black sesame, toasted and crushed lightly
Fine strips of green onion (white part), rinsed and drained
Bok Choy

Directions:

Sesame paste - Crush and grind toasted sesame with mortar and pestle. or small food processor. Add in all other ingredients and mix well to form smooth paste. Set aside for later use.
Topping - Heat oil in wok and stir fry the mince almost done. Add in miso, chili oil and soy sauce, and mix well. Stir in garlic, ginger, bamboo shoots and green onion then cook until the sauce is reduced. Set aside.
Soup – In a medium pot, bring stock to boil. I boiled my udon in the stock at this point, but if you were using fresh noodles you wouldn't need to. Add in your bok choy and cook for a minute.
Assemble – Place a tablespoon full of sesame paste in a serving bowl and add in enough soup and noodles. Top with meat topping and garnish with green onion strips and lightly boiled bok choy. Sprinkle some black sesame on top.

Home for Christmas

2009-12-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

Lailey came home from New York for Christmas and because she is ever so popular hang out time is slim, but we got a good four hours in and I am grateful for that.
We fit in some snacking on amazing cheese, we made two batches of fudge, made dinner together and cut her hair. I love being in the kitchen with her, it reminds me of House of Babes, our old place in Ballard. Warm fuzzy feelings, memories of eating lots and lots of Rosemary Diamante bread from Essential, the fire place, never ending piles of clothes, the extremely heavy couch, and the fig tree we had hoped to eat from, but never did.

Hanging out with Lailey would not be complete without coffee and snacks.

She did a grand job of opening the sweetened condensed milk.

I poured it in, très difficile.

Melt away, you chocolate, you butter, you canned good.

Fudge. 1, 2, 3.

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 Cups Chips (Chocolate or whatever you choose, mix 'em!)
4 Tbsp Butter

Put everything in a double boiler, or a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water. DO NOT let the water touch the bowl, no no no. Have your burner of Med-Low, and melt away. Pour into a buttered dish. If you're fancy like me and used dark chocolate chips, you can sprinkle
Fleur de Sal on your fudge and you can tell all your pals, and they'll say,
"Oh my! How great you are! Merveilleux!"
Even a lab rat could make this.

Mr. Claus

2009-12-21T17:00:00.001-08:00

Can you please put my in your special bag and take me back to space?

Space of the Day Month Year

2009-12-20T01:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Space,
I haven't visited you lately, and for that I am deeply sorry. I do like you, a lot. I've missed you... But I have been busy and my mind has been busy gathering knowledge in different arenas.
Nice to see you again, I will visit soon.

Sincerely,

Arianna

Christmas Feast or being French for a few.

2009-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Oh, the preparations... Cooking for approximately 13.758926621 people.
I ordered a 10-12 pound goose. And that bastard better be worth it, they are expensive. Luckily I have a slight hookup with a local meat distributor and my cost per pound, oh, just about 5.50. Cheaper by 1.5o-3.5o. That's great!

I'm nervous, however. Last year's Christmas dinner was amazing, how do I top that? The menu is set, some things stay, are altered, some things have changed.
Well, the goose stays, but I am trying something new, not anything fancy, just a new technique. And she will be stuffed with aromatics, some orange, apple, onion, sage, etcetera.
Due to the fact that fact that goose is in fact not laden with meat, and is not mass produced like turkeys and such to be fat and have gigantic breasts, one must have a back up.
So...
We shall have ham, again, and I have chosen the recipe (my dad is in charge of this one) which involves simmering the ham in cranberry and apple juice, and allspice and cinnamon sticks and onions..

Good Housekeeping, 1935.
My ham will be better than this ham.

The stuffing recipe is Italian and is at least from the 1930s. I'm stoked about this one because A) I love stuffing, I love it. So much. B) I wish I lived during the 30s, and was wealthy. The dresses, the fur, the hair. C) SAGE. Which is my ultimate - most favorite- can't live without herb ever. Really. D) I am using Essential Bread, potato and pulgliese I believe. It's gonna be more than good.
There will be gravy, and it will be awesome, cause my dad is the king of gravy, which means I am the princess of it, which I do in fact agree with.
Maple glazed parsnips and carrots. Do you like parsnips? I do. The forgotten root.
Green beans with Lemon butter, whatever. I would prefer Choux de Bruxelles, or brussel sprouts, but I don't know exactly who is coming and I am being nice. Unfortunately not all people like them, and I must say they should try again, because I think they are amazing.
Chestnut Soup because I can't get enough of it, with fresh roasted chestnuts, brown butter and fried sage. And a crap load of thyme. Très brillant, Jihee!
Maybe a salad, definitely Christmas Wreath Bread which is basically Pain d'Epi made in a round. Assez facile.
Chocolate Ginger cake with Bourbon sauce and crème fraiche, and a delicious punch that has Cointreau, Brandy, and Champagne in it. Garnish with Frozen Cranberries and Fresh Orange slices. Voilà.

Ahh! I almost forgot! The potatoes! Parboiled, dredged in semolina, roasted in goose fat. Vraiment magnifique!

Ornamental

2009-12-14T17:53:00.001-08:00

I like these:

Breakfast of Kings, Queens, or Christmas Elves

2009-12-12T13:16:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Waffles. With Cinnamon Whipped Cream.

They awesome, and I think you should make them for yourself, your sweetheart, or your best friends. If you have kids, then you can share with them too, I suppose.

These are not healthy in any shape or form, except for the fact that they have molasses in them, and molasses is chock full of vitamins and minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. One tablespoon will give you up to 20% of the daily value of said nutrients. And I think molasses is tasty. Also, if you're savvy and go to a Town and Country Market you can get blackstrap molasses bulk, a large plastic container will run you about $1.20. You can make all the pancakes, waffles, cookies and gingerbread houses you want.

So without further adieu, I give to you...

Gingerbread Waffles

Makes 7-8 medium sized Belgian Waffles

2 C All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Brown Sugar
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/8 Tsp ground ginger (fresh would be rad and I think you could go for 1/4 Tsp, because it's good)
1 C Milk
1/3 C Blackstrap Molasses
1/4 C Canola or Vegetable Oil
1 Egg

Preheat your waffle iron!

Fry your bacon! On medium low so your timing is right!

Naturally you want to bring your egg out a few minutes before you use it to bring it to room temperature, they behave better that way.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger in a medium mixing bowl.

Add your milk, molasses, oil and egg, mix well. If you find your batter too thick, just add more milk to desired consistency, however these are meant to be a little cakey, so if it is thick, whatever.

Add 1/4 C batter to your iron, this will yield a medium sized waffle. Cook for 90 seconds or however long it takes your iron to magically transform the batter into waffle.

Eat. With:

Delicious Butter

REAL Maple Syrup (Grade B is the best!)
Cinnamon Whipped Cream:

Heavy whipping cream, cinnamon (to taste), sugar (to taste), a dash of vanilla.
You know how to make whipped cream, you need no instructions.

And bacon.

Wow, or vintage holiday do or don'ts.

2009-12-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

I can't decide if I want to do this, or I don't want to do this.

Gingerbread boxes for other edible treats.

To be continued...

Mountaining

2009-12-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

A few of us are going to Snoqualmie Friday.
"What for?" you ask.. Well, sledding of course, and warm boozy beverages of course.
Currently it is 3 degrees Fahrenheit at the pass (holy shit!)with a high of 16, Friday the forecast seems much more reasonable. 25/21. Not bad.

Opening of Snoqualmie Ski Park, 1934

1935 at Snoqualmie

Sledding! Not at the mountain, but this is what we will be doing, but with more years, less old fashioned sleds, and more alcohol. Oh hello Ski Lodge, so glad to meet you.

Baby it's cold outside...

2009-12-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Trim your tree!

Trim it, I say!

Also attempt Spritz cookies, have major difficulties, try again sans parchment.

And cozy up with whatever or whomever you have close by, cause it is freezing, below freezing outside.

Oh Santa

2009-12-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

I swear I heard you on the rooftop when I was little, I could hear the bells and all the reindeer hooves. I was so excited that you were visiting, I could barely sleep. And then you turned out to be non-existent. Jerk.

Ho Ho Ho.

Oh, hi Prancer!

Finally

2009-12-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was trying to get myself in to the holiday spirit and attempted to do so by setting out a few decorations, nothing outlandish or spectacular, but small simple things to ease into it. I even tried to listen to A Very Rosie Christmas the other day and just about died... I could not do it. I think I listened to it every day, multiple times a day last December.
I so wanted to feel that magic that springs up right after Thanksgiving (in most un-jaded people, you icky grinches). But alas, nothing.
Until I woke up! Here it is! I wish I didn't have a coffee date today so I could satiate my overwhelming desire to go to the craft store, get ornament makings, things for garlands, tinsel, fabric for stocking.s.. A wreath, a tree, an advent calender, fake snow, anything and everything!

I want to make these:

Pretty little garlands with dried pomegranates and fresh bay leaves. The scent must be incredible!

And I wish I had a few of these little guys:

Oh, little elves, how I love you.

Not many of you know this but, for many years I had a great aspiration to be a Nordstrom Christmas Elf, I tried and tried to figure out how to apply the position. To no avail, HR didn't even know how I could apply for the position. All I wanted was to wear those cute hats! The pointy shoes! An elf dress! Is that too much to ask for? No. Now I think I am a little too qualified and employed to be elf, I just wish I had some excuse...

So as I am unable to fulfill my holidays desires today, I will dedicate Friday to the wonderland in the making that is my home. Brendan will be so excited (disgusted, annoyed, irritated, generally Grinch like). I bet he can't wait to go pick out our tree!

Welcome Christmas.

Chestnuts, or secrets time has lost.

2009-11-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

A long long time ago, in a far away place, chestnuts ruled the holiday table. Somewhere along the way they were lost in the great chasm of time. No one knew what gold their little shells held, but last year a fair skinned lass discovered them and vowed to never let their miraculous flavor be lost again, she proclaimed, "Christmas feasts everywhere shall know tradition! They will taste the divine creature that is the Chestnut!"
Chestnuts are expensive, as most nuts are. They run about 17 bucks a jar, 8 bucks for a tin or puree, or, about 6 for whole, fresh, unpeeled nuts. A pound will give you twice what a jar will, but you have to figure out how to get their lovely meat out of the shell. I've done all the work for you, here are your instructions.

How To Roast Chestnuts

You need:
-a paring knife
-a cutting board or a dish towel
-a cookie sheet

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F

Be sure your nuts are free of debris!

Place your nuts flat side down on the cutting board (I used a dish towel so the nuts would not slide), and make an X on one side of each nut. This allows the steam to escape. If you omit this step, your nuts will explode. Nobody wants this.

Put the chestnuts on the baking sheet, X facing up, and roast for 20-25 minutes. The shells should burst open, revealing the golden brown flesh. If your X is too small (which mine were) they will just have a small crack, either way it is relatively easy to know when they are done using your nose. If you smell burning, STOP, remove them from the oven.

To ease the shell removal process wrap your nuts in a dish towel and place them in a plastic bag, let them sit for about 5 minutes. Remove and peel away. Your technique is up to you, just make sure you remove all inner skin, you don't want that in your food.

The end.

Force feed yourself a crap ton of calorie laden food, or Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

Yikes.

Going to the farm, 18 (a million) people, and a million foods.

I'm making:
Red Soup, (beet and cranberry soup FYI)
Root Vegetable Gratin
Chestnut Cheesecake

I will be really upset if
A) the turkey is dry
B) the stuffing is super soggy and/or runs out
C) the gravy is lumpy and has hard giblets in it
D) there are only canned cranberries
B) there isn't enough wine
C) the mashed potatoes are too smooth (as in smoothed whipped boxed etcetera, not mashed)
..
I think that is it.
Godspeed, Good Luck, don't have a heart attack!

Happy Thanksgiving.

San Fransisco and Pet Peeves, or things that gross me out.

2009-11-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

We went to San Fransisco, it was okay.
Things that made me happy:
-Good Coffee
-My husband getting old. 26! Oh dear god, save us from aging.
-Amazing Pizza
-Cocktails
-Thai Food
-3.015 pound steak
-Coconut Juice
-Sunsets
-Riding doubles with Brendan, annoying, but inherently romantic
-19th
-Photobooths
-Croissants!
-Making art with Brett, even though he would not document it
-Brett, Kathleen and Elanor
-Etc.

Big Meat.

What my brain felt like most of the time.

Sunset in the Sunset.

Oh romance.

Brendan always must make funny faces when we have a photo together, no matter what.

Now for our featured presentation:

Icky and annoying.

-Dirty Toilet Bowls, just the bowl
-Dust, and I'm not talking a light layer, I am talking months of dust... Eww.
-General disarray
-Dust
-Clutter (I am at peace with organized clutter)
-Dust
-Dirty bathroom floors

I think that's it.

Sharing is Caring

2009-11-19T16:24:00.001-08:00

Let me share with you my sick sense of humor. I could watch this multiple times, day after day.

November Harvests and ways to eat them.

2009-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Itty bitty green onions. They went into breakfast.

Some of one million carrots.

Did you know that if you get a bucket and some sand you can store your carrots in the sand
for up to two months or so?

Now what to do with a million carrots, or two cups of a million.
Sweet Carrot Zeppole!

Sweet Carrot Zeppole
Adapted from Always Order Dessert

Ingredients
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional if dough is too wet
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Dash Vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 tablspoons bourbon or dark rum (I used scotch)
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded carrots
coconut or vegetable oil for deep frying
confectioners sugar for dusting

1. Pour about 4 inches of coconut or vegetable oil in a medium dutch oven or pot with a heavy bottom. Set on medium heat with a thermometer in place to check the temperature. The oil will be ready for deep frying when it reaches 350 degrees. (should take about 10 minutes)

2. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves).

3. In the base of your electric mixer or by hand, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Split the vanilla bean in half and scrape in the seeds. Whisk until incorporated. Add the bourbon or dark rum and the heavy cream and beat quickly until incorporated.

4. Gently mix in the dry ingredients and mix well until fully incorporated.

5. Fold in the carrots. The dough should be wet, but still stiff enough to scoop and hold a loose shape in the oil. If it's too watery, sprinkle in some additional flour until it thickens slightly.

6. Check the oil with a candy/deep fat thermometer and see if it has reach 350 degrees. If so, use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop round spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil in batches (about 2 tablespoons each), being careful not to crowd the pot. Let fry for about 2-4 minutes, or until the fritter is golden on all sides.

7. Remove the fritters from the hot oil and let drain on paper towels while you continue frying the rest.

8. Serve immediately, dusted with confectioners sugar.

Cook's note: The fritters should be eaten immediately, but the batter can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance and kept refrigerated in an air-tight container.

Wintering.

2009-11-06T20:14:00.001-08:00

We could dream of going here:

Or here:

And hope to never see this:

We will go here.

2009-11-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

This winter, this is where we shall be.

I can't wait till we get there.

Halloween AKA Trina and Naz got married and we all got fun.

2009-11-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

Not the best photos, but I can't change that fact.

My Christmas Tree

To Sally From Santa

Ahhh!Pocahaunted!

Miss Pot O' Gold!

Mr. And Mrs. TriNaz

What a day.

November, and the darkest evenings in the history of man.

2009-11-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Daylight Savings is a big load of crap if you ask me, my idea of fun is not walking the dog in the dark at 4:55 PM since I live in the most safe of neighborhoods (I'm kidding).

But, it happens, and it's dark, and I know I will be tired, my skin will be so pale, my freckles will retire until next summer, we must think of things to do! I decided that I am going to try again to become a knitter. I know how to knit, I have known for six years, but at some point I just stopped enjoying it, and I have never been able to successfully execute anything but a scarf. After six years, that is pretty sad. I have attempted a hat, but it was a miserable failure, so back to the drawing board.. I will make another scarf to warm me up. Figuratively and literally. And maybe I will learn how to crochet while I am at it, my grandmother used to crochet up a storm, but I never was a patient student, so her attempts were in vain. Maybe even some embroidery, I've tried, but the whole reading directions thing... Hard for me. I suppose trying wouldn't hurt me..
Who wouldn't want to make pretty things from vintage patterns, or funny hats for your man, and feel oh-so-domestic while you are sitting on your butt in front of the television.

I hope it works out this time.

Dear Christmas and/or Winter and/or Santa

2009-10-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

I love you, a lot. You're only a couple of months away! Being that you are my favorite Holiday and time of year (not to be outside playing, but to be inside, baking, making, cuddling, enjoying toasty beverages, etcetera) I cannot help but to get a little excited already... Call me sick. Now, things are going to get good this year, my tree will be better, there will be more cookies, the squirrels will have stashed more nuts and there will be more snow! I hope. It was miserable, and I loved every second of that white icy wreck.

I want felted wool slippers. That is what I want. I wanted them last year, I still want them.
I want more red and white in my home for the season. I have amazing toweling I got in Portland
to make myself some holiday dish towels, the fabric is well, red and white (cream).
I have an amazing new tree topper! It's vintage, it's tinsel, it's red, silver and green. The green lights flash or burn steadily. I can't wait to use it.
I want to make Brendan and I stockings. I never got around to it last year. Red and white.
I would like Brendan to stuff my stocking, I always do it (he put a couple small things in last year, I shan't forget the cute ornament, I hope he gets one for me every year).
We will cut down a tree!
We will drink hot buttered rum!
It will be amazing!

Maybe another little me:

Maybe some cozy feets?

Maybe some little friends to sled with?

It will be just like this, but Brendan will be playing the Farfisa.

I like this guy:

2009-10-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

A General Slowness of the Brain, or Postless Post, or about my Grandma

2009-10-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

It's taken over, well for the last 9 hours. My brain is broken, just slightly.
I should have slept more, but I asked my husband, "Would your day be better if I made you lunch?" He said, "Maybe. Breakfast is nice." So, despite the objections in my mind, I got up, and despite the objections again, I put on the kettle.

I have too much to do this week to sleep in, there must be costumes made! I have a tree to create, and either get convinced by mine, or start anew. The coffee previously mentioned is now being utilized. As is peanut butter and toast! I love it, my current go to breakfast. Not the most balanced, but decent enough and very tasty. Makes me want to make Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwiches... My Grandma Mary used to make them for me when I was little, she was from the South (more Wild West South or Mid West South than Southern Belle South), she always served them with a glass of milk. She watched Press Your Luck all of the time, and some other game shows, but all I can remember is "No whammies! No whammies!" If you need your memory jogged, see below.

She was, by all means a wonderful woman, even though I only knew her for five years, from the time I was five, to the time I was ten. She died when she was 68 years old due to terrrrrrible cancer. Being ten I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I could tell she was sick, and it was awful to see her go. She took me to the bus stop when I was in Kindergarten, she picked me up, made me lunch (even if it was those awful Chef Boyardee microwaveable cups.

I was probably that happy eating them, I loved her, a lot.
She drove a Lincoln Continental, she was proud of it. Her cat's name was Tuffy, and he was proud of it. He wasn't the nicest little thing. And that's it. That is all I remember, you don't need to know the details of the end of her life, the nursing home, none of that. You don't need to know that she looked ninety, or that she smoked for 50 years and that is why.
So remember her this way, the way you imagined she was always like:

She's the one in the fur. It runs in the family.

See? My brain is broken, I didn't mean to write about my grandmother, I can't even remember what I intended to post about. Happy Tuesday.

Early Mornings

2009-10-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

Being woken up at 6 AM by helicopters is not my favorite thing. Wondering why they are there is even worse. Murder? Car Crash? Another Arson?

The Great White North has been filled with crime this year, 4 arsons, a couple stabbings, a brutal beating, and nearby a couple armed robberies. Knowing all this makes me feel rather unsafe sometimes especially because these all happened in Greenwood proper, not on Aurora. Now, I do live 1/2 a block from Aurora (bedlam of drugs, hookers, ne'er do wells), but generally speaking they keep to themselves. Sometimes, if you are unlucky, they (the hookers) do their business on your property, leaving evidence behind that your poor husband has to clean up, sometimes when you are walking your dog they (again, the hookers) say hi. Not so bad, I haven't seen a needle, just a couple condoms here and there.

Brendan got a text this morning at about 6:40, it was Isaac telling us somewhere on 85th and Greenwood was on fire, just about 6 blocks from us. A 3 Alarm fire, engulfing 4 businesses in the Eleanor Roosevelt building. I really hope it is not another arson, that scares the shit out of me.

I'm getting renter's insurance.

Road Trips and Pumpkins and Cider, Oh my!

2009-10-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday Jihee, Kim (Jihee Kim and Kim) and I went on a date.
Our plan of attack involved hitting up Frost Doughnuts in Mill Creek (mildly disappointing), finding the perfect pumpkins at Carleton Farms near Snohomish, and working on our Halloween Costumes. It was the best day I have spent with my friends in a long time, and by the end of the day Kim Gold thought I was autistic. Thanks.

I-5! Glamourous!

Mr. Albuquerque Turkey. He's not my turkey, he's feathered and he's not fine.

A mini horse of course. He was cute, or she. It was cute.

Where Swamp Thing lives. Pretty nice for a monster.

We had perfect fall weather, overcast, mild, and a break in the rain.

Miss Kim loading our wheel barrow. In tow were around 14 pumpkins, 9 were mine.

Miss Kim Gold looking funny.

Eww. Kim said it had syphilis.

This is where you would find a mouse living. Hiding, being too cute for it's own good.

And that's it.

Doughnuts, Pumpkins, Apple Cider Slushies, JoAnn Fabrics (boo), Liquor Store, Costumes. A fine day, indeed.

Things that may happen in October:

2009-10-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

You might make tagliatelle with homemade pumpkin puree, brown butter and fried sage.

You might add some Parmesan to your puree.

You might make your Maggie a Sweater and take a blurry picture of it.

You might make a preemptive strike against the cold and flu season,
harvesting rosehips in the rain, bloodied by the thorny rose bush.

You may turn these scarlet pods into syrup.

You might blend them into a pulpy mass, add some water and simmer away.

You may add some sugar, maybe some brown rice syrup.

And out of all that, you may just end up with 8 ounces of what you didn't expect.
Maybe don't blend it next time.
I'm hoping that the Vitamin C does her job. I'm hoping a teaspoon a day is enough.
You may get soaked in the week long rains...

When in doubt:

2009-10-12T18:54:00.001-07:00

-Make your little dog a sweater. Re-fashioning one from an old sweater of yours will do, but make sure it's pink.
-Make Pumpkin Bread. Husbands love this. I imagine boyfriends do too. It's especially swell with cream cheese spread on your warm slice.
-Make yourself a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It's better than any of that Starbucks stuff. Husbands like these too, especially when they've never experienced one.
-Turn on the heat! Dear god it's already frigid!
-Use an extra blanket, or comforter, because one comforter, one quilt, and one bedspread will just not do.
-Pine after rain boots, even if you have two pair already.
-Search for the perfect winter coat. Preferably one you can A) afford B) look great in even when C) you're wearing 15 layers underneath it.
-Wear your homeless lady coat, even if you look homeless in it.
-Roast a chicken, roast a chicken, roast a chicken.
-And then make some spicy soup with it. So good... Don't forget the cilantro, the million garlic cloves, the lime juice, the Sri Racha, the ginger, the jalapeno, the lemongrass, the onion, the scallion, the red bell pepper, the snow peas, the rice noodles, and whatever else your husband decides to add in.

For help with your looming winter doom, follow me.

Pumpkin Spice Latte! for 2

Disclaimer:
This will make more than enough, so much more that you might die trying to drink it all.

2 C Milk
2 Tbsp Canned Pumpkin, or homemade pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp Sugar (I used Brown Sugar)
2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (or a blend of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon)
1 C Strongly Brewed Coffee, or 2 Shots espresso per cup

Combine the milk, pumpkin, and sugar in a sauce pan, cook on medium high heat, stirring all the while til steaming. Remove from heat and add spices and vanilla. Place milk in blender and blitz away until you find it suitably foamy, or whisk the crap out of it.
Pour 1/2 of coffee into mugs, add your milk, die.
Oh, you can add whipped cream if you want.

I would buy this, this would be my coat:

It is not affordable, but I bet I could layer under it. It's $348.00.

I pine after these. These boots are boots I pine after.

These are affordable. I will not purchase them. In case you are wondering, they cost $70.00.

I hope these few things have helped you as you traverse the treacherous ways of Fall, the daunting darkness of winter.

Lies.

2009-10-09T16:42:00.001-07:00

I lied. I still don't feel like blogging. I've been busy. I've been in California, I've been watching mopeds race, I've been hours on a broken bus, I've been up to no good with Jihee, I've been sleeping, working, taking care of little dog, trying to keep warm, trying to get into the fall groove.
I'm stealing a few photos to highlight the excitement that is my life, some may be mine. Maybe.

Brendan and I helped Jihee make t-shirts in support of our friend Josh to wear at the
Moped Races.

Jupiter and I had a special moment before the sun rose.
I was delirious, he was pleased to meet me.

Jihee and I were transported to childhood.
We didn't plan our outfits.

In other news tonight will be filled with Spaghetti on a bed of pureed pumpkin with brown butter and sage, tonight will be filled with secrets. And drinks. And friends. And puppy dog tails.

Promise and your daily Space

2009-09-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

I promise a real post soon, I'm just really lazy. I have one in the works. This should tide you over.

My Milky Way, Your Milky Way, we are in it.

We are in that!
I'm so glad.

A Morning Filled with Four Hundred Billion Suns: Your Space of the Day

2009-09-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Awesome.

Space Love Scene Du Jour

2009-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

In the year 2467 we will live on the planet Cassius, everyone will be space babes, and everyone will wear silver platforms.

All men will have mustaches, all chicks will be blonde.

The end.

Space Babe of the Day

2009-09-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is what I would look like as an astronaut. A drunk babe of an astronaut.

1966 Smirnoff Ad

Space of the Day

2009-09-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hey, remember those Aliens I was telling you about? These are them. And thems is ugly.

"La Nave de los Monstruos"

Venusian Babe and Scary Alien
1960

Also:
This just in... They found a thin coat of water on the Moon. Water my friends! That is H2O! The Elixir of Life, for us, there is no life on the moon, you know that.

Space of the Day

2009-09-23T14:29:00.001-07:00

"Now kids, if you look really close, you just might see them aliens."

Jr. Astronomy Club
Greeley, Colorado
Life

Their clothing choices are superb, check out those cuffs and stripes.

Wednesday "Sick Day"

2009-09-23T14:18:00.001-07:00

Drinking late, sleeping in, Vietnamese sammies for breakfast, successful jeans shopping.
Now it's video games for him, more shopping for me, maybe some Ramen at Aloha Ramen tonight (which my friends is so good, the garlic fried rice is tops) with Kurt.

I like middle of the week days off, I like not working.

Here's something stupid to look at, I was trying to get my lip to stick to my snaggle tooth.

Space of the Day

2009-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Destination The Moon

1950
Life

How awesome to pretend you are on the moon, in a silky space suit - 19 years before the first ever manned lunar landing.

Space of the Day

2009-09-21T16:19:00.001-07:00

Caution:
Unofficial add to The Four Chambered Heart. You may or may not receive a Space of the Day. Viewing of this material may cause extreme desire for space travel, becoming a Space cop, or the need to decorate your future son's bedroom in vintage Space decor.

What we will wear in space, or as labeled "Real Estate on the Moon"
1955
Life

Cold Feet

2009-09-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

I'm lusting after these:

Too bad they are an arm and a leg, or rather, a foot and a leg...
Literally.
Thanks Hansel from Basel for making me want things I can't afford or shouldn't buy... I might get one pair though. Just one...

The Kind of Uncle You Always Wanted

2009-09-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have a few uncles, and the only one I have ever spent time with (really spent time with) is Uncle Mark. He's rad, we aren't related one bit, he's just my dad's best friend for life. Never changes, boots, Levis, t-shirt with cigarettes rolled into the sleeve, long hair, amazing 'stache, cheap 100s and Swisher Sweets, oh, and lots of cars.

I remember when I was really little I stayed over at his house, a log house he built 30 years ago,
he made me pancakes and introduced me to putting peanut butter and syrup on them, so good.

He bought this one from his dad when he was 19, he won't give it to me.

Leading us into the woods. This was not a part of the hang out plan, but with Brendan around I don't think he could resist taking us out on the ATVs. I rode on the back of Brendan's with my legs around his waist, lots of dust, lots of bushes, lots of bugs.

And then this:

All dolled up to go shooting. Uncle Mark taught me how to shoot a gun with the old 1920s shotgun he bought when he was 11, he taught me when I was about 10. We took out the rifle he got for 90 bucks at a pawn shop and we got to fire off a bunch of rounds.

He wants to get us back out there sooner than later for a couple days so we can pitch a tent in his yard. He's going to take me fishing (never been!) and we'll get to ride and shoot some more.
Also, he heats his house with a wood stove, has 12 or 13 old cars, and 3 motorcycles.

How to Start a September

2009-09-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

With some Perfume Samples from Wiggle Perfume

With Basil Ice Cream

With Lamb, Roasted Eggplant, Baked Potatoes and Green Beans

With some Boating

With a Wedding (historical graveyard included)

With some Ketchup and Mustard

4 AM/Via Lactea

2009-09-02T08:13:00.001-07:00

For some reason last weekend I magically obtained a great ability to stay up ultra late. Saturday night was great fun, and to follow up my Jupiter sighting I spotted something in the sky to the north, traveling east (around 4AM). Isaac being so ultra smart quickly answered my, "What is that!?"
It was the space station. Rad. Totally tubular. I'm now convinced I want to go to space. There is no friction there. There are billions of galaxies in our viewable universe (more unseen!), there are between 200 and 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone! Via Lactea is also approximately 100,000 light years in diameter. That is gigantic, huge, unfathomably large. Just those few facts make me believe that there is other life, conscious life. I mean, we haven't been able to fully explore our own galaxy, and there are -are you reading this?- BILLIONS. So aliens or not, cute little weird creatures or blobs of goo, I'm determined that there are plenty of planets out there millions of light years away that are full of awesome things that will never be discovered. Or maybe they will, but not for couple hundred years, maybe not by us...

Brendan and I began watching Carl Sagan's series, Cosmos last night.. I'm stoked to have my mind blown.

The Milky Way from Death Valley, 2007