because old married ladies like the bubbly.
i hope you and yours have a happy and healthy 2008.
feliz año nuevo!
31 December 2007
cheers!
because old married ladies like the bubbly.
i hope you and yours have a happy and healthy 2008.
feliz año nuevo!
19 December 2007
chili con carne, sin frijoles
i never put beans in my chili. chocolate and cinnamon, yes. beans, never. and i cook it in the oven. weird, i know. but my chili is the shiznit, and a lot of the reason why is how i cook it. i'm not going to post the recipe, but if you want it, shoot me an email at joolz.sexson@gmail.com.
still having computer problems. device driver issues, bios issues... i wish wen'l knew a lick about windows. well, he does... but not enough to figure out what the hell is going on with this damn thing.
just about done getting ready for xmas. bought a hoity-toity ham off the internet yesterday. a whole ham. for three people. the sammiches are gonna rock though.
i'm beginning to get burned out on cookies. shocking, i know. i think next year i'll be doing something else for wen'ls co-workers.
got a call from *restricted* yesterday. was in the middle of getting dinner ready, so it went to voicemail. didn't find out i had a voicemail till like 10pm. it was my dad. he didn't say anything but to give him a call, and i knew he wanted something. he never calls me unless there's a "favor" i can do for him.
wanted to be able to tell him to go f hisself, but unfortunately, i didn't win the mega millions last night. *sigh*
"I'm well on my way
I'm almost everything
And this is my day
You make me want to say
I'm freeee! Look at me!
Behold everything I'm allowed to see"
- cee-lo green
still having computer problems. device driver issues, bios issues... i wish wen'l knew a lick about windows. well, he does... but not enough to figure out what the hell is going on with this damn thing.
just about done getting ready for xmas. bought a hoity-toity ham off the internet yesterday. a whole ham. for three people. the sammiches are gonna rock though.
i'm beginning to get burned out on cookies. shocking, i know. i think next year i'll be doing something else for wen'ls co-workers.
got a call from *restricted* yesterday. was in the middle of getting dinner ready, so it went to voicemail. didn't find out i had a voicemail till like 10pm. it was my dad. he didn't say anything but to give him a call, and i knew he wanted something. he never calls me unless there's a "favor" i can do for him.
wanted to be able to tell him to go f hisself, but unfortunately, i didn't win the mega millions last night. *sigh*
"I'm well on my way
I'm almost everything
And this is my day
You make me want to say
I'm freeee! Look at me!
Behold everything I'm allowed to see"
- cee-lo green
18 December 2007
war, children... it's just a shot away
you look a whole lot older than your years, but happy birthday keef.
17 December 2007
suckage
k i haven't been real good the last couple days. i have an excuse of sorts, in that my computer has been a snarky bitch the last few days.
now that the problem has been rectified i will be better about posting... in fact, i might be inclined to post a couple times a day to catch up.
it's sposed to rain tomorrow. this is like the 3rd time in a month it's rained here. i'm thinking we're going to be paid a visit by el niño. as long as the hillsides that just burned manage to stay intact, i hope it keeps it up. we could sure use it.
anyhoo, i have to get my fat ass to bed. the cookie baking commences in the morning! i'll take pics n everything :).
now that the problem has been rectified i will be better about posting... in fact, i might be inclined to post a couple times a day to catch up.
it's sposed to rain tomorrow. this is like the 3rd time in a month it's rained here. i'm thinking we're going to be paid a visit by el niño. as long as the hillsides that just burned manage to stay intact, i hope it keeps it up. we could sure use it.
anyhoo, i have to get my fat ass to bed. the cookie baking commences in the morning! i'll take pics n everything :).
13 December 2007
inaugural thursday thirteen - the fromage edition
or would formaggio sound better?
1. parmigiano-reggiano. i refuse to use any other "parmesan". i have been on a stravecchio kick lately though. that means "extra old" in italian btw, and my stravecchio was aged 36 months. makes the world's best carbonara.
2. manchego. sheep's milk cheese from spain. they typically eat it with a quince paste called membrillo, but it's a bit difficult to find, and i prefer it with apples anyway.
3. cheddar. it should not be *mild* and it should certainly not be orange. i've had killer cheddar from all over though. vermont, quebec, even a raw-milk version from australia, and i love em all.
4. teleme. y'all can have your brie. this is my absolute favorite of the runny varieties.
5. gruyere. a bowl of french onion soup wouldn't be right without it, but i like eating it out of hand as well.
6. gorgonzola. did you know there are actually two different types of gorgonzola? there's gorgonzola dolce and the mountain variety as well. i like this best of all the blue cheeses because it is usually a lot creamier than, say, stilton.
7. gouda. another i love eating out of hand, and smoked gouda is great on a chicken breast sandwich.
8. chevre. this can mean any cheese made with goat's milk, but what i'm referring to is the young, soft cheese found normally in a log shape. the combination of this type of chevre paired with beets is divine, esp. when paired with walnuts (which i am unfortunately allergic to).
9. paneer. cheese you don't have to bread to fry!
10. burrata. it's a fresh italian cheese, made from mozzarella (di bufala) and cream (also di bufala). the outer shell is mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it a unique soft texture. if you can find it when tomatoes are at their peak, make an insalata caprese with it. you might find it hard to go back.
11. cotija. it's a dry, grainy cheese from michoacán. i'd rather have this on my frijoles refritos than that icky orange stuff one normally gets at a "mexican"restaurant. mmm @ the salty goodness.
12. mascarpone. italian super-creamy cream cheese. it's not as tangy as american cream cheese, and one of my all-time favorite desserts is built on it. april strawberries, mascarpone, and brown sugar *swoon* it got its name from "mas que bueno", spanish for "better than good".
13. feta. i prefer the sheep's milk version.
1. parmigiano-reggiano. i refuse to use any other "parmesan". i have been on a stravecchio kick lately though. that means "extra old" in italian btw, and my stravecchio was aged 36 months. makes the world's best carbonara.
2. manchego. sheep's milk cheese from spain. they typically eat it with a quince paste called membrillo, but it's a bit difficult to find, and i prefer it with apples anyway.
3. cheddar. it should not be *mild* and it should certainly not be orange. i've had killer cheddar from all over though. vermont, quebec, even a raw-milk version from australia, and i love em all.
4. teleme. y'all can have your brie. this is my absolute favorite of the runny varieties.
5. gruyere. a bowl of french onion soup wouldn't be right without it, but i like eating it out of hand as well.
6. gorgonzola. did you know there are actually two different types of gorgonzola? there's gorgonzola dolce and the mountain variety as well. i like this best of all the blue cheeses because it is usually a lot creamier than, say, stilton.
7. gouda. another i love eating out of hand, and smoked gouda is great on a chicken breast sandwich.
8. chevre. this can mean any cheese made with goat's milk, but what i'm referring to is the young, soft cheese found normally in a log shape. the combination of this type of chevre paired with beets is divine, esp. when paired with walnuts (which i am unfortunately allergic to).
9. paneer. cheese you don't have to bread to fry!
10. burrata. it's a fresh italian cheese, made from mozzarella (di bufala) and cream (also di bufala). the outer shell is mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it a unique soft texture. if you can find it when tomatoes are at their peak, make an insalata caprese with it. you might find it hard to go back.
11. cotija. it's a dry, grainy cheese from michoacán. i'd rather have this on my frijoles refritos than that icky orange stuff one normally gets at a "mexican"restaurant. mmm @ the salty goodness.
12. mascarpone. italian super-creamy cream cheese. it's not as tangy as american cream cheese, and one of my all-time favorite desserts is built on it. april strawberries, mascarpone, and brown sugar *swoon* it got its name from "mas que bueno", spanish for "better than good".
13. feta. i prefer the sheep's milk version.
12 December 2007
40 cloves..
ayup kids, it's time for another recipe!
3 whole heads garlic, about 40 cloves
3 lbs chicken thighs salt and pepper
1 T unsalted butter
2 T good olive oil
3 T Cognac
1½ c dry white wine
1 T fresh thyme leaves
2 T all-purpose flour
2 T heavy cream
separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. drain the garlic and peel. set aside.
dry the chicken with paper towels. season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. heat the butter and oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. in batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. if the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium. when a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches. remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot. lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. add cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.
remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. in a small bowl, whisk together ½ c of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot. raise the heat, add the cream, and boil for 3 minutes. add salt and pepper, to taste. pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.
we're having this with couscous and a spinach, dried cranberry, candied pecan and blue cheese salad with raspberry vinaigrette. it's a packaged salad from trader joe's... pick it up if you've got one near!
3 whole heads garlic, about 40 cloves
3 lbs chicken thighs salt and pepper
1 T unsalted butter
2 T good olive oil
3 T Cognac
1½ c dry white wine
1 T fresh thyme leaves
2 T all-purpose flour
2 T heavy cream
separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. drain the garlic and peel. set aside.
dry the chicken with paper towels. season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. heat the butter and oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. in batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. if the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium. when a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches. remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot. lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. add cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.
remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. in a small bowl, whisk together ½ c of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot. raise the heat, add the cream, and boil for 3 minutes. add salt and pepper, to taste. pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.
we're having this with couscous and a spinach, dried cranberry, candied pecan and blue cheese salad with raspberry vinaigrette. it's a packaged salad from trader joe's... pick it up if you've got one near!
11 December 2007
finding another way to work *suck* into one's title, well.. it sucks
k, yesterday's post sucked, AND i never came back.
started feeling a bit illish, and hit the sack early. my brother decided to share wotever icky intestinal thing he picked up, and i'm tired of counting the tiles on my bathroom floor. i think the anti-trots pills are finally kicking in though. *praisin jeebus*
i've had enough of being sick this autumn. first, i had that nasty cold from hell. you know, the one that killed like 10 people? well, it didn't kill me, but there were a few occasions when i was thinking the end was nigh. have you ever coughed so much your ribcage ached? well, that was me the week before thanksgiving. the aching ribs, the throbbing head, the green snot and i had the bad taste to pass it along to my husband.
i've had cases of the flu that kicked my ass less than that cold. took me three fucking weeks to get over it!
the bizza left me a comment on one of my previous posts, about how there's a 360, a PS3 AND a Wii (suck it, bitches!!) in my house and he wondered how i'd ever get anything done? i don't play them. i watch other people play them sometimes, but that's about it. more important to me is that the PS3 and 360 will play the hi-def dvd's. i think i might give the Wii a try though. i read something yesterday about how old folks' rec centers have em, and how they duke it out over who gets to bowl next.. i figure if the peeps at a "retirement community" can play it, i should be able to.
i've probably overshared today, but wtf.
one tip for ya: if you have the trots and no immodium, try poppin a tums or 2. it'll firm things right up.
started feeling a bit illish, and hit the sack early. my brother decided to share wotever icky intestinal thing he picked up, and i'm tired of counting the tiles on my bathroom floor. i think the anti-trots pills are finally kicking in though. *praisin jeebus*
i've had enough of being sick this autumn. first, i had that nasty cold from hell. you know, the one that killed like 10 people? well, it didn't kill me, but there were a few occasions when i was thinking the end was nigh. have you ever coughed so much your ribcage ached? well, that was me the week before thanksgiving. the aching ribs, the throbbing head, the green snot and i had the bad taste to pass it along to my husband.
i've had cases of the flu that kicked my ass less than that cold. took me three fucking weeks to get over it!
the bizza left me a comment on one of my previous posts, about how there's a 360, a PS3 AND a Wii (suck it, bitches!!) in my house and he wondered how i'd ever get anything done? i don't play them. i watch other people play them sometimes, but that's about it. more important to me is that the PS3 and 360 will play the hi-def dvd's. i think i might give the Wii a try though. i read something yesterday about how old folks' rec centers have em, and how they duke it out over who gets to bowl next.. i figure if the peeps at a "retirement community" can play it, i should be able to.
i've probably overshared today, but wtf.
one tip for ya: if you have the trots and no immodium, try poppin a tums or 2. it'll firm things right up.
10 December 2007
movin' to montana soon...
gonna be a dental floss tycoon
*snaps to konagod*
i know this doesn't count, but i'll be back later!
*snaps to konagod*
i know this doesn't count, but i'll be back later!
09 December 2007
sucking lessons, part deux
k, i forgot to thank the bizza for inviting me to his xmas potluck. his url is in my sidebar over there... look for *trite cliches and inevitable truisms* and check that shit out!
anyhoo... we did our usual sunday morning trip to tha LBC. breakfast @ grounds, a trip to trader joe's, and usually one additional market. sometimes bristol farms, sometimes stater bros. today it was the latter, and we picked up tonite's chow. we're having a super-slow roasted standing rib roast. also, some roasted potatoes and asparagus. should be a lovely meal.
tonite's our first colts game in lovely 1080p. wen'l tells me the lions are ahead of the cowgirls, and have the ball w/ under 6 mins remaining. also, the raiders are goin down like paris hilton on grainy video to green bay. i didn't used to give a fuck about football, but being married to a die-hard colts fan will do that to a person. mind you, i was always into sports. even played me a little ball back in the day, mostly 3 or 4, altho the coach did let me play some 1 in garbage time. that was always my favorite position. (and damn ain't YOU a perv!)
as i was sayin, i always liked sports. basketball and baseball for as long as i can remember. i think it was because there was no way in hell i'd ever play it (even if coach walsh had been the kinda dude to let a girl play). now i'm married to a perfect specimen for a quarterback... big brain, 6'4", 230, big in the shoulders and ass, and enormous hands... but the worst feet that ever lived.
he can ride the shit out of a bicycle though. not too long ago, he was doing 36 mi a DAY, back and forth to work. not lately though. my fucktard dad cleaned out the garage, including tools n wotnot that didn't belong to him. namely, the charger for wen'ls headlights. besides, he works a lot further away now, and he's taking metrolink and amtrak to get around.
bleh. i need to figure out how to cook this roast and prolly be thinking about getting it in the oven. but i'm gonna make a hot crab dip first! i'll bbl to tell you all about it!
anyhoo... we did our usual sunday morning trip to tha LBC. breakfast @ grounds, a trip to trader joe's, and usually one additional market. sometimes bristol farms, sometimes stater bros. today it was the latter, and we picked up tonite's chow. we're having a super-slow roasted standing rib roast. also, some roasted potatoes and asparagus. should be a lovely meal.
tonite's our first colts game in lovely 1080p. wen'l tells me the lions are ahead of the cowgirls, and have the ball w/ under 6 mins remaining. also, the raiders are goin down like paris hilton on grainy video to green bay. i didn't used to give a fuck about football, but being married to a die-hard colts fan will do that to a person. mind you, i was always into sports. even played me a little ball back in the day, mostly 3 or 4, altho the coach did let me play some 1 in garbage time. that was always my favorite position. (and damn ain't YOU a perv!)
as i was sayin, i always liked sports. basketball and baseball for as long as i can remember. i think it was because there was no way in hell i'd ever play it (even if coach walsh had been the kinda dude to let a girl play). now i'm married to a perfect specimen for a quarterback... big brain, 6'4", 230, big in the shoulders and ass, and enormous hands... but the worst feet that ever lived.
he can ride the shit out of a bicycle though. not too long ago, he was doing 36 mi a DAY, back and forth to work. not lately though. my fucktard dad cleaned out the garage, including tools n wotnot that didn't belong to him. namely, the charger for wen'ls headlights. besides, he works a lot further away now, and he's taking metrolink and amtrak to get around.
bleh. i need to figure out how to cook this roast and prolly be thinking about getting it in the oven. but i'm gonna make a hot crab dip first! i'll bbl to tell you all about it!
08 December 2007
i could give lessons in how to suck
and before we go any further, get your mind out of the gutter!
konagod just left a comment on my blog and reminded me (HA!) that i haven't blogged in awhile. i haven't quit, i just haven't been inspired. plus, i've been busy helping my brother move in. yes, we're no longer alone (!), but this isn't as bad as i was afraid it might be.
anyhow, he came with a whole bunch of shit that had to be moved. most importantly, several knives we were lacking, a baby ball python that apparently likes me, and a GINORMOUS tv. we're talking 60" of hi-def goodness.
all of its various components are being hooked up today, at long last. the 360, the PS3, the surround sound, and the Wii (suck it bitches!). i'm listening to (1.)"suite: judy blue eyes" and smoking a bowl. i been doing housework for several hrs now and i decided i was entitled to a break.
it was then i spotted the email saying i had a comment from konagod (you know the drill... his url is in my sidebar). i've just now decided i'm going to join another blog buddy and observe the (now) 17 days for christmas. this means i'm going to post every (fucking) day till then. i don't think i've ever posted everyday. hell, i haven't posted 2 days in a row since i first got this thing i don't think.
now we're on to (2.)"take five" by the dave brubeck quartet. i think i'll hang around to do a random 10 today. who knows what i'll say in the meantime.
am i wrong for wanting to wring mike huckabee's scrawny neck? back in 1992, while campaigning for the US House of Representatives, he said that AIDS patients should be isolated. k, i'm just a housewife (with a decent education), but i knew in the 80's that you had to do a whole lot more than just be around someone who had the hiv to get AIDS.
are these whackjob handitards in the republican party going to give me no fucking choice but to move to europe? well, europe or melbourne, australia. which is only now an option (mad props to the ozzies for kicking john howard to teh curb, btw).
3. "september" by earth, wind & fire. "our hearts are ringing.. in the key that our souls are singing"
o the memories tied up with this song... hanging out in the summer before the 4th grade at the el dorado park rec center, getting taught how to dance. i have beefs galore with my parents, but one thing i'll forever be grateful to them for is allowing me to grow up where i did. it was way multi-culti and diverse even back then.
say do you remember
dancing in september
never was a cloudy day
4. "intro", by lupe fiasco
i've posted about that kid before. do yourself and go buy a copy of "food and liquor".
5. "spirits in the material world", the police. i know sting did practically all the writing for this band, but it's sooooooooo stewart copeland's band. *taking another rip* i wish i could do one thing as well as that man plays the drums. any one thing, i don't care what really.
6. "too many puppies", primus. another musical genius. the bastard child of frank zappa and dr. seuss. being a youngin and watching a 1000 young men overdose on testosterone simultaneously. their moshpit was performance art all by itself though. one thing you might not have known about me was i was at one time willing to be in a moshpit, and wore dr. martens everyday.
7. "gimme shelter", the rolling stones. i was the stones freak in a family of beatles fans. i was about 8 months old when it was first released.
8. "bury me", smashing pumpkins. o, "gish", how i loved thee. i'm gonna go fold some clothes... brb!
9. "rubber ring", the smiths... still folding!
10. "like suicide" (acoustic), soundgarden... putting away!
k... i think that's enough for the day. i'll bb tomorrow though. same bat time, same bat channel.
konagod just left a comment on my blog and reminded me (HA!) that i haven't blogged in awhile. i haven't quit, i just haven't been inspired. plus, i've been busy helping my brother move in. yes, we're no longer alone (!), but this isn't as bad as i was afraid it might be.
anyhow, he came with a whole bunch of shit that had to be moved. most importantly, several knives we were lacking, a baby ball python that apparently likes me, and a GINORMOUS tv. we're talking 60" of hi-def goodness.
all of its various components are being hooked up today, at long last. the 360, the PS3, the surround sound, and the Wii (suck it bitches!). i'm listening to (1.)"suite: judy blue eyes" and smoking a bowl. i been doing housework for several hrs now and i decided i was entitled to a break.
it was then i spotted the email saying i had a comment from konagod (you know the drill... his url is in my sidebar). i've just now decided i'm going to join another blog buddy and observe the (now) 17 days for christmas. this means i'm going to post every (fucking) day till then. i don't think i've ever posted everyday. hell, i haven't posted 2 days in a row since i first got this thing i don't think.
now we're on to (2.)"take five" by the dave brubeck quartet. i think i'll hang around to do a random 10 today. who knows what i'll say in the meantime.
am i wrong for wanting to wring mike huckabee's scrawny neck? back in 1992, while campaigning for the US House of Representatives, he said that AIDS patients should be isolated. k, i'm just a housewife (with a decent education), but i knew in the 80's that you had to do a whole lot more than just be around someone who had the hiv to get AIDS.
are these whackjob handitards in the republican party going to give me no fucking choice but to move to europe? well, europe or melbourne, australia. which is only now an option (mad props to the ozzies for kicking john howard to teh curb, btw).
3. "september" by earth, wind & fire. "our hearts are ringing.. in the key that our souls are singing"
o the memories tied up with this song... hanging out in the summer before the 4th grade at the el dorado park rec center, getting taught how to dance. i have beefs galore with my parents, but one thing i'll forever be grateful to them for is allowing me to grow up where i did. it was way multi-culti and diverse even back then.
say do you remember
dancing in september
never was a cloudy day
4. "intro", by lupe fiasco
i've posted about that kid before. do yourself and go buy a copy of "food and liquor".
5. "spirits in the material world", the police. i know sting did practically all the writing for this band, but it's sooooooooo stewart copeland's band. *taking another rip* i wish i could do one thing as well as that man plays the drums. any one thing, i don't care what really.
6. "too many puppies", primus. another musical genius. the bastard child of frank zappa and dr. seuss. being a youngin and watching a 1000 young men overdose on testosterone simultaneously. their moshpit was performance art all by itself though. one thing you might not have known about me was i was at one time willing to be in a moshpit, and wore dr. martens everyday.
7. "gimme shelter", the rolling stones. i was the stones freak in a family of beatles fans. i was about 8 months old when it was first released.
8. "bury me", smashing pumpkins. o, "gish", how i loved thee. i'm gonna go fold some clothes... brb!
9. "rubber ring", the smiths... still folding!
10. "like suicide" (acoustic), soundgarden... putting away!
k... i think that's enough for the day. i'll bb tomorrow though. same bat time, same bat channel.
24 September 2007
fer ozz... a lovely lemony digestivo
limoncello is a wonderful after-dinner drink from the island of capri in the bay of naples. one can also make an assortment of cocktails and desserts like cheesecake and granita with it.
here's the recipe:
the zest of 10-12 lemons
1 liter vodka
1½ cups sugar
1 cup water
place vodka and zest in a sealable jar, like a mason jar and allow to sit in a cool, dark place for at least 7 days. at least 7 days later, place the sugar and the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. allow to cook 5 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool. add simple syrup to the vodka mixture and allow to stand overnight. strain through a layer of cheesecloth in a conical sieve, pressing the solids firmly. strain again through a second layer in the same manner. chill and allow to stand 1 week.
serve very cold. we keep our jar of it in the freezer.
here's the recipe:
the zest of 10-12 lemons
1 liter vodka
1½ cups sugar
1 cup water
place vodka and zest in a sealable jar, like a mason jar and allow to sit in a cool, dark place for at least 7 days. at least 7 days later, place the sugar and the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. allow to cook 5 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool. add simple syrup to the vodka mixture and allow to stand overnight. strain through a layer of cheesecloth in a conical sieve, pressing the solids firmly. strain again through a second layer in the same manner. chill and allow to stand 1 week.
serve very cold. we keep our jar of it in the freezer.
15 September 2007
*snort*
thx for the link eden... y'all go visit her at http://blog.piggyhawk.net
to get yours, go here: http://www.careercruising.com
log in as “nycareers” and the pw is “landmark”
and take the “Career Matchmaker” test.
my results:
1. Chef ¤
2. Website Designer
3. Family and Consumer Scientist ¤
4. Industrial Designer
5. Desktop Publisher
6. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
7. Sign Maker ¤
8. Fashion Designer
9. Interior Designer ¤
10. Security Systems Technician
11. Criminologist ¤
12. Electrician *
13. Plumber *
14. Electronics Assembler *
15. Animator
16. Cabinetmaker
17. Multimedia Developer
18. Food Scientist ¤
19. Anthropologist ¤
20. Professor ¤
21. Personal Financial Planner ¤
22. Electrical Engineering Tech *
23. Electronics Engineering Tech *
24. Butcher ¤
25. Cook ¤
26. Graphic Designer
27. Artist ¤
28. Activist ¤
29. Political Aide ¤
30. Exhibit Designer
31. Bicycle Mechanic *
32. Musical Instrument Builder and Repairer *
33. Computer Animator
34. Print Journalist ¤
35. Picture Framer
36. Furniture Finisher ¤
37. Writer ¤
38. Market Research Analyst ¤
39. Public Policy Analyst ¤
40. Communications Specialist
¤ = i'd &%$#@! rawk.
* = i'd &%$#@! suck.
to get yours, go here: http://www.careercruising.com
log in as “nycareers” and the pw is “landmark”
and take the “Career Matchmaker” test.
my results:
1. Chef ¤
2. Website Designer
3. Family and Consumer Scientist ¤
4. Industrial Designer
5. Desktop Publisher
6. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
7. Sign Maker ¤
8. Fashion Designer
9. Interior Designer ¤
10. Security Systems Technician
11. Criminologist ¤
12. Electrician *
13. Plumber *
14. Electronics Assembler *
15. Animator
16. Cabinetmaker
17. Multimedia Developer
18. Food Scientist ¤
19. Anthropologist ¤
20. Professor ¤
21. Personal Financial Planner ¤
22. Electrical Engineering Tech *
23. Electronics Engineering Tech *
24. Butcher ¤
25. Cook ¤
26. Graphic Designer
27. Artist ¤
28. Activist ¤
29. Political Aide ¤
30. Exhibit Designer
31. Bicycle Mechanic *
32. Musical Instrument Builder and Repairer *
33. Computer Animator
34. Print Journalist ¤
35. Picture Framer
36. Furniture Finisher ¤
37. Writer ¤
38. Market Research Analyst ¤
39. Public Policy Analyst ¤
40. Communications Specialist
¤ = i'd &%$#@! rawk.
* = i'd &%$#@! suck.
06 September 2007
03 September 2007
is it EVER gonna cool off?
this is today @ 3:25pm. weather.com has been saying for a week that it's going to cool down. all it's done is get hotter. wtF?? it was 102° yesterday. this morning, they forecast a hi temp of 97° for today. so, i'm going to look at what they say tomorrow morning and add 10°.
it's cooler in the motherfucking IE than it is here right now. what gives? and will it ever fucking end?
p.s.- click that pic to enlarge.
01 September 2007
shit in my house, a meme
snagged from tense teacher:
What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Sea Island Cotton body wash from Bath & Body Works (me) and Sea Salt Body Scrub from Anthony Logistics (Wen'l)
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No.
What would you change about your living room? Rip up the carpet and refinish the hardwood floors, and I'd paint. Also, I'd get a slipcover for the inherited couch.
Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? There aren't many, and they're dirty. Even though we have a dishwasher, we still do most of them by hand.
What is in your fridge? We just got back from Trader Joe's, so there's fruit, beer (three kinds... it's Labor Day weekend after all!), salumi/charcuterie, cheese (fromage/formaggio? *lol*), milk, meat for carne asada, plenty of green veg, eggs and breakfast-type pork products.
White or wheat bread? Wen'ls homemade brioche, so white.
What is on top of your refrigerator? The cutting board, Wen'ls lunch bucket and the crock containing his sourdough starter.
What color or design is on your shower curtain? It's embroidered white cotton.
How many plants are in your home? No plants inside the house. Plenty outside though.
Is your bed made right now? Yep. I make it every day.
Comet or Soft Scrub? Barkeeper's Friend.
Is your closet organized? Other than the shelf containing my Coach collection (all in their dustbags I might add) it's a total fucking mess, and there isn't really that much in it. Most of my clothes are of the fold-up variety.
Can you describe your flashlight? If I could find it, I could.
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Water gets dispensed from the fridge into a plastic glass. I'd drink sweet tea out of the same glass. Coke always gets drank straight from the can.
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No, but as hot as it's been lately, I should have a pitcher of sun tea in there. Maybe I'll go get a pitcher started right now.
If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Um, yes, and most of the shit in it isn't even ours!
Curtains or blinds? Actually, most of the windows only have valances on them.
How many pillows do you sleep with? Normally one, but sometimes none.
Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Nope. The darker it is, the better.
How often do you vacuum? Wen'l does it every Saturday.
Standard toothbrush or electric? Old-school Oral-B.
What color is your toothbrush? It's pink and white, like always. My flosser gizmo is pink and I like them to match.
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yep. It's one of those coir ones and it does indeed say “Welcome” on it.
What is in your oven right now? Just the pizza stone.
Is there anything under your bed? This month's copy of Real Simple. That's it.
Chore you hate doing the most? Vacuuming and mopping.
What retro items are in your home? Well, the toaster looks sort of retro? It's a Cuisinart and only a couple years old though.
Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yep, and praise jeebus for it. I'd hate to have our computers and shit cluttering up another room.
How many mirrors are in your home? Let's see... 2 in the bathrooms, one in the the living room and one in the bedroom. 4.
Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? There's money, but not it's not hidden nor is it for emergencies. I have about $40 in change that I need to take to the bank soon.
What color are your walls? Oh boy... the TV room is the color of a camel hair coat, the kitchen is “hopsack”*, the living room and dining room are sage green, the office is “tour eiffel”*, the half bath is “biscuit”**, the foyer and hallway are white, the full bath and bedroom are both blue (different, though related, shades) and the guest room is “thyme”.
Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Would Wen'ls 10” chef's knife count?
What does your home smell like right now? Cannabis de mist (snort) and fabric softener sheets.
Fave candle scent? Diptyque Heliotrope.
What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Sliced and whole kosher dills.
What color is your favorite bible? I'm an atheist. Hello!
Ever been on your roof? Hell no!
Do you own a stereo? There's a receiver in the home theater package, but other than that, our tunes are played on our computers. Mine has 5.1 surround sound though.
How many tvs do you have? Two. One hi-def and one lo-def.
How many house phones? Two. The cordless and the one in the kitchen.
Do you have a housekeeper? I fucking wish!
What style do you decorate in? Minimalist.
Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Both?
Is there a smoke detector in your home? One in every bedroom (ie, three), one in the kitchen and one in the TV room. The batteries get replaced every “spring forward”.
Case of fire, what are the items you'd grab if you only could make 1 quick trip? Wedding photos and wedding rings. I'd miss the hell out of my stand mixer though.
* = taupe. tour eiffel is darker than hopsack.
** = beige.
one of my biggest pet peeves is how totally fucking clever everyone has to be when naming colors.
feel free to gank, k?
What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Sea Island Cotton body wash from Bath & Body Works (me) and Sea Salt Body Scrub from Anthony Logistics (Wen'l)
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No.
What would you change about your living room? Rip up the carpet and refinish the hardwood floors, and I'd paint. Also, I'd get a slipcover for the inherited couch.
Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? There aren't many, and they're dirty. Even though we have a dishwasher, we still do most of them by hand.
What is in your fridge? We just got back from Trader Joe's, so there's fruit, beer (three kinds... it's Labor Day weekend after all!), salumi/charcuterie, cheese (fromage/formaggio? *lol*), milk, meat for carne asada, plenty of green veg, eggs and breakfast-type pork products.
White or wheat bread? Wen'ls homemade brioche, so white.
What is on top of your refrigerator? The cutting board, Wen'ls lunch bucket and the crock containing his sourdough starter.
What color or design is on your shower curtain? It's embroidered white cotton.
How many plants are in your home? No plants inside the house. Plenty outside though.
Is your bed made right now? Yep. I make it every day.
Comet or Soft Scrub? Barkeeper's Friend.
Is your closet organized? Other than the shelf containing my Coach collection (all in their dustbags I might add) it's a total fucking mess, and there isn't really that much in it. Most of my clothes are of the fold-up variety.
Can you describe your flashlight? If I could find it, I could.
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Water gets dispensed from the fridge into a plastic glass. I'd drink sweet tea out of the same glass. Coke always gets drank straight from the can.
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No, but as hot as it's been lately, I should have a pitcher of sun tea in there. Maybe I'll go get a pitcher started right now.
If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Um, yes, and most of the shit in it isn't even ours!
Curtains or blinds? Actually, most of the windows only have valances on them.
How many pillows do you sleep with? Normally one, but sometimes none.
Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Nope. The darker it is, the better.
How often do you vacuum? Wen'l does it every Saturday.
Standard toothbrush or electric? Old-school Oral-B.
What color is your toothbrush? It's pink and white, like always. My flosser gizmo is pink and I like them to match.
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yep. It's one of those coir ones and it does indeed say “Welcome” on it.
What is in your oven right now? Just the pizza stone.
Is there anything under your bed? This month's copy of Real Simple. That's it.
Chore you hate doing the most? Vacuuming and mopping.
What retro items are in your home? Well, the toaster looks sort of retro? It's a Cuisinart and only a couple years old though.
Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yep, and praise jeebus for it. I'd hate to have our computers and shit cluttering up another room.
How many mirrors are in your home? Let's see... 2 in the bathrooms, one in the the living room and one in the bedroom. 4.
Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? There's money, but not it's not hidden nor is it for emergencies. I have about $40 in change that I need to take to the bank soon.
What color are your walls? Oh boy... the TV room is the color of a camel hair coat, the kitchen is “hopsack”*, the living room and dining room are sage green, the office is “tour eiffel”*, the half bath is “biscuit”**, the foyer and hallway are white, the full bath and bedroom are both blue (different, though related, shades) and the guest room is “thyme”.
Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Would Wen'ls 10” chef's knife count?
What does your home smell like right now? Cannabis de mist (snort) and fabric softener sheets.
Fave candle scent? Diptyque Heliotrope.
What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Sliced and whole kosher dills.
What color is your favorite bible? I'm an atheist. Hello!
Ever been on your roof? Hell no!
Do you own a stereo? There's a receiver in the home theater package, but other than that, our tunes are played on our computers. Mine has 5.1 surround sound though.
How many tvs do you have? Two. One hi-def and one lo-def.
How many house phones? Two. The cordless and the one in the kitchen.
Do you have a housekeeper? I fucking wish!
What style do you decorate in? Minimalist.
Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Both?
Is there a smoke detector in your home? One in every bedroom (ie, three), one in the kitchen and one in the TV room. The batteries get replaced every “spring forward”.
Case of fire, what are the items you'd grab if you only could make 1 quick trip? Wedding photos and wedding rings. I'd miss the hell out of my stand mixer though.
* = taupe. tour eiffel is darker than hopsack.
** = beige.
one of my biggest pet peeves is how totally fucking clever everyone has to be when naming colors.
feel free to gank, k?
15 August 2007
south coast plaza can still suck my dick
"the ink of a scholar is worth a thousand times more than the blood of a martyr"
-"american terrorist", lupe fiasco
told you i was crushin on this kid. i'm just sitting here waiting for wen'l to get home. we had lunch today, at our usual payday place. i hit the mall afterward and did some shopping. one of our best friends is expecting her first baby. we were all on pins and needles for a couple weeks in re this baby, and that's all i'm sayin. when we heard that all was indeed well, it was a huge relief. so i hit the baby gap and picked up the wee princess some kewl baby togs.
you all know, or should by now, that i'm not going to bear any progeny. i am a little concerned having a (sure to be) adorable little one in such close proximity is going to make me baby hungry. wen'l and i are supposed to visit this subject when i turn 40. i do know if it turns out i'm jonesing that we're going to adopt.
if a 34 yr old gets to go thru the drama this friend has been thru lately, i'm sure my 38+ yr old ova are probably far too broken to be messing with.
who knows tho... maybe being auntie joolz will be sufficient.
-"american terrorist", lupe fiasco
told you i was crushin on this kid. i'm just sitting here waiting for wen'l to get home. we had lunch today, at our usual payday place. i hit the mall afterward and did some shopping. one of our best friends is expecting her first baby. we were all on pins and needles for a couple weeks in re this baby, and that's all i'm sayin. when we heard that all was indeed well, it was a huge relief. so i hit the baby gap and picked up the wee princess some kewl baby togs.
you all know, or should by now, that i'm not going to bear any progeny. i am a little concerned having a (sure to be) adorable little one in such close proximity is going to make me baby hungry. wen'l and i are supposed to visit this subject when i turn 40. i do know if it turns out i'm jonesing that we're going to adopt.
if a 34 yr old gets to go thru the drama this friend has been thru lately, i'm sure my 38+ yr old ova are probably far too broken to be messing with.
who knows tho... maybe being auntie joolz will be sufficient.
heh
well, i'm learning how to have a green thumb. i've got just about everything ripped out of the flower beds in the front yard. i'm going to plant some herbs in one section. basil, thyme, oregano, some chives where there's a little shade. i'm going to incorporate rosemary plants into the rest of the landscaping. they grow great here year round, and the smell is great. they're drought-tolerant, which is a must for me. also going to plant a bunch of lavender. same reasons. and today at the behemoth megacorp home center, wen'l spotted some salvia. it's sage people. comes with all kinds of pretty colored flowers, and the leaves go in your thanksgiving stuffing.
i need to come up with something that's got white blooms on it and i'll be all set.
the dirt's in good shape. full of worms. worm poop is great fertilizer.
when the desire to have a green thumb happen? i think it's i'm trying to reconnect with my mom. i've been very angry at her, and it finally hit me that it's not getting me anywhere. she always had the nicest yard on the block, back in the day. even after she got sick the first time. i think it's what put her back together. getting all sweaty in the yard with dirt all over me, it hit me. it's very meditative. i've tried knitting, and for me, this is better.
i need to come up with something that's got white blooms on it and i'll be all set.
the dirt's in good shape. full of worms. worm poop is great fertilizer.
when the desire to have a green thumb happen? i think it's i'm trying to reconnect with my mom. i've been very angry at her, and it finally hit me that it's not getting me anywhere. she always had the nicest yard on the block, back in the day. even after she got sick the first time. i think it's what put her back together. getting all sweaty in the yard with dirt all over me, it hit me. it's very meditative. i've tried knitting, and for me, this is better.
14 August 2007
food & liquor
see.. i got this philosophy right
i think the world, and everything in it
is made up of a mix of two things
you got your good, y'know,
and your bad
you got your food,
and your liquor
"intro", lupe fiasco
i'm crushing musically on that kid. i've long had a soft spot for intelligent rap music. click on the title of this post to visit his home on the web.
i think the world, and everything in it
is made up of a mix of two things
you got your good, y'know,
and your bad
you got your food,
and your liquor
"intro", lupe fiasco
i'm crushing musically on that kid. i've long had a soft spot for intelligent rap music. click on the title of this post to visit his home on the web.
04 August 2007
23 July 2007
house burgers a la wen'l
so wen'l made brioche hamburger buns yesterday. i'm not posting the recipe (mostly because i don't understand it), but you can click on the title of this post to find the book he got it from.
w/ further ado, the food porn:
piping hot from the oven :)
an artfully styled house burger, as done by wen'l
yes, i know i'm lucky.
w/ further ado, the food porn:
piping hot from the oven :)
an artfully styled house burger, as done by wen'l
yes, i know i'm lucky.
28 June 2007
like i been sayin for years...
the code one is sposed to copy and paste here is quite broken,
so click on the title of this post to rate YOUR blog!
18 June 2007
i'm 15% conservative? lol
from eden @ so anyway... (click title of this post)
| Your Political Profile: |
 Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal |
02 June 2007
the winters are gonna kill him if i don't first
so i inform my father, henceforth the fucktard, that i know of his plans to move to michigan. he wants to know who i heard it from. what does it matter who i heard it from? you trying to remember what story you told to whom? my brother, dipshit. were ya lying to him too?
look, at this point, i'm glad. i don't ever have to deal with the prick again if this what he's doing. but... and this is a huge but: my grandma (his mother, for fuck's sake) is almost 90. she doesn't remember what day of the week it is anymore, and she's not remembering to take her meds. which means her life is in more jeopardy than we can allow to continue. she cannot live alone any longer. he should be a part of getting her to accept this. she thinks my aunt is malicious (she's not. she's definitely not). she's not accepting my being part of her care. i go over there to check her meds, see if she needs anything from the store, give her some company. all she's been doing lately is nursing 30 year old grudges she has with people. it's hard to just sit there and listen to it. i do, but it's no fucking picnic.
and when i tell her she needs to be better about taking her pills, and that she'd feel better if she would, she shines me on. she, all on her own, stopped taking one of her blood pressure meds. strokes run in her family. is she trying to court one? she has long since been claiming to want to die already.
like i really want to hear that. ME. my mom ain't been gone a year yet. but then i think: maybe things really are that bad. she's almost blind and practically deaf and she's had so much death for so very long. she wants to hang in till she's 90. her life insurance doubles when she's 90, and she says she's too mean to die.
she's not. back in the day she was the best grandma a kid could hope for. she took us kids to disneyland and went on all the rides with us. she'd take us out to her place in the desert and it was always a blast. since my cousin stephen died, it's all been downhill. she was still independent, still took good care of herself. but she got so bitter, and she never recovered.
and her dipshit, fucktard son thinks she's doin ok.
he'll be back in the state eventually. he's got some shit to do for his future welfare that he can only do here, in person. i think the line to kick his ass will be quite long.
look, at this point, i'm glad. i don't ever have to deal with the prick again if this what he's doing. but... and this is a huge but: my grandma (his mother, for fuck's sake) is almost 90. she doesn't remember what day of the week it is anymore, and she's not remembering to take her meds. which means her life is in more jeopardy than we can allow to continue. she cannot live alone any longer. he should be a part of getting her to accept this. she thinks my aunt is malicious (she's not. she's definitely not). she's not accepting my being part of her care. i go over there to check her meds, see if she needs anything from the store, give her some company. all she's been doing lately is nursing 30 year old grudges she has with people. it's hard to just sit there and listen to it. i do, but it's no fucking picnic.
and when i tell her she needs to be better about taking her pills, and that she'd feel better if she would, she shines me on. she, all on her own, stopped taking one of her blood pressure meds. strokes run in her family. is she trying to court one? she has long since been claiming to want to die already.
like i really want to hear that. ME. my mom ain't been gone a year yet. but then i think: maybe things really are that bad. she's almost blind and practically deaf and she's had so much death for so very long. she wants to hang in till she's 90. her life insurance doubles when she's 90, and she says she's too mean to die.
she's not. back in the day she was the best grandma a kid could hope for. she took us kids to disneyland and went on all the rides with us. she'd take us out to her place in the desert and it was always a blast. since my cousin stephen died, it's all been downhill. she was still independent, still took good care of herself. but she got so bitter, and she never recovered.
and her dipshit, fucktard son thinks she's doin ok.
he'll be back in the state eventually. he's got some shit to do for his future welfare that he can only do here, in person. i think the line to kick his ass will be quite long.
27 May 2007
i'm gonna make homemade mayo...
with this:
i just got it from amazon.com for $149.99 with a $20 rebate and free shipping.
we have the old-skool 11-cup model in *empire red*. it needs many replacement parts. the work bowl is getting all cracked up and the lid's kinda trashed too, among other things. probably $100 worth all told.
so for another $30, we're gonna have a whole new food processor. :)
25 May 2007
another thing...
so i took a trip to BevMo! today. bought that (see above). now i'm imaginin all the kick-ass stuff i can make with it. amaretto ice cream. amaretto cheesecake. amaretto french toast.
i guess it's no surprise i'm on the portly side, eh?
i also got some hoity-toity old-timey pop. boylan's grape soda is the shiznit. and san pellegrino limonata makes a delightful cocktail, esp when you have a bit of limoncello to mix in. mmm.. limoncello cheesecake.
fuck.. i'll be makin dessert all weekend.
no subject redux
the soupe l'oignon survived its stay in the freezer quite well. i should have gone a little easier on the cognac i added to it, or let it cook a little longer though. it was a bit, umm.. boozy.
hell, who am i kidding? we all eat french onion soup for the cheese anyway.
hell, who am i kidding? we all eat french onion soup for the cheese anyway.
23 May 2007
no subject
i heart new herbal refreshments. if i weren't so sure the nsa is keeping an eye on me, i'd post a pic of it. there's a nug in here well over ¼oz. :)
i really should have a prescription for this shit. i have these ungodly headaches once in awhile, the result of a head injury i sustained over 30 yrs ago. they come complete with scintillating scotoma. it's my aura that makes me wanna barf, not the headache. and pot is the only thing that helps.
acourse, i like smoking it for its nonmedicinal purposes too. i'll wait while you roll your eyes. :)
dad's met someone back in the hinterlands. i had to go to the dmv for the fuckwit yet again. i'd love to go upside his head.
we're having french onion soup for dinner. it was in the freezer. i hope it survived its stay there.
i really should have a prescription for this shit. i have these ungodly headaches once in awhile, the result of a head injury i sustained over 30 yrs ago. they come complete with scintillating scotoma. it's my aura that makes me wanna barf, not the headache. and pot is the only thing that helps.
acourse, i like smoking it for its nonmedicinal purposes too. i'll wait while you roll your eyes. :)
dad's met someone back in the hinterlands. i had to go to the dmv for the fuckwit yet again. i'd love to go upside his head.
we're having french onion soup for dinner. it was in the freezer. i hope it survived its stay there.
22 May 2007
a recipe!
you better have some skillz if you think you're going to try this recipe. having a stand mixer wouldn't hurt either.
i know most cooks don't bake, and most bakers don't cook... but i could be either. all baking is is measuring properly and in the case of this recipe below, knowing how to not overwork your batter/dough.
chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting:
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t kosher salt
1 c buttermilk, shaken
½ c vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 t pure vanilla extract
1 c freshly brewed espresso
chocolate buttercream, recipe follows
preheat the oven to 350° F. butter 2 (8 or 9 inch) round cake pans. line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans. sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. in another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. with the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. with mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30 to 40 min, until a cake tester comes out clean. if you're using 9" pans, you'll definitely want to check them after 30 min. cool in the pans for 30 min, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
place 1 layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. with a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.
i know most cooks don't bake, and most bakers don't cook... but i could be either. all baking is is measuring properly and in the case of this recipe below, knowing how to not overwork your batter/dough.
chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting:
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t kosher salt
1 c buttermilk, shaken
½ c vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 t pure vanilla extract
1 c freshly brewed espresso
chocolate buttercream, recipe follows
preheat the oven to 350° F. butter 2 (8 or 9 inch) round cake pans. line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans. sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. in another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. with the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. with mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30 to 40 min, until a cake tester comes out clean. if you're using 9" pans, you'll definitely want to check them after 30 min. cool in the pans for 30 min, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
place 1 layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. with a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.
chocolate buttercream:
6 oz good semisweet chocolate (recommended: callebaut, valhrona or scharffen berger)
½ lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 t vanilla
1¼ cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 T instant coffee powder (i use medaglia d'oro instant espresso powder)
chop the chocolate into fairly small placesand place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of just simmering water. stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 min. add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 min. turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. dissolve the coffee powder in 2 t of hot tap water. on low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. don't whip! spread immediately on the cooled cake.
21 May 2007
13 May 2007
happy mother's day
i'm not a mom. never going to be a mom. don't have one anymore either. :(
but i hope any of you out there who are moms have a wonderful day today, surrounded by the people who love you.
but i hope any of you out there who are moms have a wonderful day today, surrounded by the people who love you.
12 May 2007
09 May 2007
a cooling trend...
(AP photo)
let's hope it continues. it's been hellishly hot here the last few days. yesterday broke the century mark here in da OC.
makes me sick to see griffith park burning. AGAIN. apparently, this fire was started by some jackass that tossed a still smoldering cigarette butt out the window of his/her automobile. i smoke. i don't ever ditch my butts out the window. this sort of shit is what happens when one does that in so cal. i imagine this isn't the last time a fire will be started this year by this method. the hillsides are fucking crispy already from our lack of rain, and this kind of fire is fucking avoidable goddammit!
anyhoo, after weeks of no interest, i've got someone coming to look at the house tomorrow. time to get off my sorry ass and get back to the apartment hunt. i don't know quite what the deal is with the places i've been looking, but i think one needs a fico score in excess of 800 to get into any of them. even the place we looked at over in *rose park*. there was a dude behind what would have been our stairs smoking crack. !!
um, if my fico score was in excess of 800 and i could afford the fuckin rents these clowns think they can charge, i'd fuckin buy a place! as it is, i can only afford the rent.
how is it that someone in debt up to their eyeballs (who makes only the minimum payments on any of it) has no problem renting a place but someone who has NO credit card debt gets hosed?
fucked up society we live in, eh?
26 April 2007
again, from konagod
-3% Republican. | "You're a damn Commie! Where's Tailgunner Joe when we need him?" |
22 April 2007
20 April 2007
10 April 2007
yet another meme
I ganked this from Konagod. Click the title of this post to check out his blog!
1. How tall are you barefoot?
Six feet.
1. How tall are you barefoot?
Six feet.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
Hell to the no!
3. Do you own a gun?
Again, hell to the no.(!)
4. Who's your best friend?
My husband.
5. Do you get nervous before "meeting the parents"?
It was "parent", and no.
6. What music are you embarrassed to admit that you listen to?
Actually, I don't listen to anything that embarrasses me.
7. What's your favourite Christmas song?
It isn't actually an XMAS tune, but "2000 Miles" by The Pretenders.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
A good cuppa joe.
9. Can you do push-ups?
Not if my life depended on it.
10. Why does one question always disappear?
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" That's what Kelly and Konagod said. I can't think of a better answer.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring.
12. Do you like painkillers?
For breakfast, lunch and dinner!
13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
My big brain. Or my prodigious cooking skills.
14. Do you own a knife?
I own several actually. I prefer Wüstof.
15. Do you have A.D.D.?
I am like the anti-A.D.D.
16. Middle Name?
Diane.
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
Why isn't this spliff kicking in?
Why can't I find a fucking apartment already?
Does wanting a footrub tonight when I got one last night make me a greedy bitch?
18. Name the last 3 things you have bought:
Dinner tonight, a blended from It's a Grind, and smokes, in that order.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
Coke, coffee, San Pellegrino Limonata.
20. What time did you wake up today?
About 9:15.
22. Current worry?
That this fucking house will sell before I can find an apartment!
23. Current hate?
Same as it's been since January of 2001... The Prezteldent.
24. Favourite place to be?
Wherever Wen'l happens to be.
25. Least favourite place to be?
Anywhere near Wen'ls office. Irvine can suck my dick.
26. Where would you like to go?
Besides Long Beach, to my new crib? I'd like to go back to Napa.
27. Do you own slippers?
Ayup. A well-worn pair of UGGs.
28. What shirt are you wearing?
A gray t-shirt.
29. Do you burn or tan?
I tan eventually.
30. Favorite colour(s)?
Blue-black. (Props to Mr. Ries, my 11th grade English teacher)
31. Would you be a pirate?
Um, I think my bum wheels would preclude that as a career choice.
32. Last time you had an alcoholic drink?
A week and a half ago. I had a rum and coke.
33. What songs do you sing in the shower?
O man, my ears couldn't take it.
34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
Oddly enough, I didn't develop that kind of fear till I was an adult.
35. What's in your pockets right now?
No pockets. I'm wearing a pair of lounge-y type shorts.
36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Michael Chiarello getting *pazzo* on Napa Style, about green ketchup.
37. Best bed sheets you had as a child?
What, like you had Frette linens as a kid?
38. Worst injury you've ever had?
A concussion that rendered me comatose.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Two. Only one has TiVo though, so it's the only one that gets used.
41. Who is your loudest friend?
My friends are all on the quiet side.
42. Who is your most silent friend?
None of them are actually silent however.
43. Does someone have a crush on you?
Does my husband count?
44. Do you wish on shooting stars?
Nope. I live in the greater L.A. area. Can't see em to wish on em.
45. What is your favourite book?
"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole.
46. What is your favorite candy?
Perugina Baci!
47. What song do you want played at your wedding?
Already got married. Everything I wanted to hear got heard.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
I'm not going to have a funeral, per se. I want everyone who knew me/loved me to throw one hell of a party though, and they can play whatever they want.
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Doing a crossword, trying to get to sleep.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
Is today the day I find home?
31 March 2007
apartment hunting sucks
long beach palms @ sunset
i've decided i want to live in bluff heights over in long beach. it's a neighborhood about 1 sq mi in size, and leafy and full of craftsman bungaloes. wen'l and i looked at a place over there this afternoon, and i'm still swooning but trying to tell myself that i'm not going to get it. i think my not working doesn't look real good, and unfortunately i don't have the time to also find a job.
it's hard out there. our choice of neighborhoods is pretty much limited to the southeastern part of town, right along the ocean. the rents on places i've looked at range from $975 to $1500. the low end of that is because i stupidly started my search looking for a 1 bedroom place. i've pretty much come to the conclusion since that we kinda have to have a 2 bedroom. several have greatly exceeded my expectations, but all but 2 were the 1 bedrooms i started with. tiny tiny places with all the period architecture one would expect in this part of town. the floors in a couple of them have just taken my breath away. heart pine makes me swoon.
anyway, it's gonna be a task and ½ to find a place i'm afraid. and then we have to pass muster thru the financial portion of the enterprise. salaries are pretty high around these parts. having 2 in the household would definitely be preferable. neither of us has the best credit in the world (you try being unemployed for a couple years sometimes. it sucks worse than anything short of losing someone close to you.) certain things will become luxuries, and that's alright with me. and, i'm finally gonna quit smoking. no one will allow you to smoke inside the property anymore, and if i were unlazy enough to go outside to smoke now, i'd be doing it.
we all know how badly i need to quit. i need lots of fresh starts, namely a semi-estrangement of indeterminate length with my father. it will be very good for me to not have to deal with him anymore. he's moving to arizona allegedly, and that's more miles than i'd drive to visit him.
the thing i don't quite have figured out yet is if i'd go any more often if my mom was still alive and making this move. i can't quite get over being angry with her. all the crap she allowed to go unchecked with boberto that's currently biting me on the ass. the man has no idea how to pay his bills. checks will be bouncing, things will be late.. i don't think i'm the only person in the world who taught herself to be financially responsible (which is currently also biting me in the ass... my credit problems are not having enough of it. i don't believe in credit cards, but that's another story...). i just figured if i couldn't pay cash for something, i didn't need it.
i live pretty well, but i live well within my means. my grandma and my aunt gripe are the only 2 people i know of on that side of the family that have any sort of grasp on that concept.
fuck... well i feel better having gotten some shit off my chest, but i think it's time to go watch some tivo and have a cocktail. boylan's sugar cane cola (remember what coke was like back in the day? it's like that.) and cruzan estate dark rum. life is too fucking short to drink cheap booze.
29 March 2007
card catalog generator
click on the title of this post to make yer own!
snaps to eden @ http://piggyhawk.wordpress.com for directing me to make my own :)
20 March 2007
more food porn
cookies!! cool disher, no?
the hardest picture i've ever taken.
golden brown and delicious!
19 March 2007
18 March 2007
he still has his chops
k i didn't bake this lovely loaf of sesame semolina bread, but it was so purdy that i just had to post a pic.
i won't torture you with the recipe or the procedure... hell, i barely understand how sourdough bread works myself, and i live with the world's bestest amateur baker. suffice it to say, this was the best version of this particular loaf ever.
so, w/o further ado:
sesame semolina loaf, version 2.0
a boy and his bread
can you see why i'll never do the atkins diet? and... can you see why i proposed? i'm gonna cook him a lovely breakfast tomorrow morning, and this is gonna make the best damn toast!
15 March 2007
what i SHOULD be doing
right now is posting the recipe for the penne alla pecoraio i made last night.
hammer and the sickle, the news is at a trickle
the commissars are fickle but the stockpile grows
bombers keep acoming, engines softly humming
the stars and stripes are running for their own big show
another little flare up, storm brewed in a tea cup
imagine any mix up and the lot would go
nothing ever happens, nothing really matters
no one ever tells me so what am I to know
"read about it", midnight oil
(hirst/moginie/garrett)
what i am doing right now is sitting here sort of ashamed. ashamed that i live in the so-called first world. we keep perpetrating the same bullshit. this time it's the iraqis' turn. i'm sure the cambodians know exactly how they feel.
how many times does this have to happen before we make it stop? and exactly how many of us actually know what's going on in the world? or give a fuck about it? and why is it i haven't given up, seeing that i do? on both counts.
i keep hoping enough of us will say no more. haven't we got enough problems right the fuck here? kids are getting a shittier education than ever, you know. the kids that will be paying for your health care. do you really want to entrust your life to someone who learned nothing more than how to pass some standardized test? that's what will happen you know. there won't be many of them making the big bucks, therefore not kicking up a lot for your premiums. you'll be making do with far less than you should.
the country is falling apart. new orleans is still a wreck. can you believe the dutch, the masters at controlling flooding, offered to come help rebuild and our government turned them down? not enough money, apparently. oh, they can spend half a trillion dollars on their bogus, illegal, immoral war, but they'll be damned if they'll help americans? regular, often not white, hardworking and underpaid americans. who've had to give up their homes and move all over the country to get their lives even halfway back together.
i wish someone could tell me why chimpy and all his cronies are still free to walk amongst the rest of us? fuck being unemployed... how many laws do they get to break?
hammer and the sickle, the news is at a trickle
the commissars are fickle but the stockpile grows
bombers keep acoming, engines softly humming
the stars and stripes are running for their own big show
another little flare up, storm brewed in a tea cup
imagine any mix up and the lot would go
nothing ever happens, nothing really matters
no one ever tells me so what am I to know
"read about it", midnight oil
(hirst/moginie/garrett)
what i am doing right now is sitting here sort of ashamed. ashamed that i live in the so-called first world. we keep perpetrating the same bullshit. this time it's the iraqis' turn. i'm sure the cambodians know exactly how they feel.
how many times does this have to happen before we make it stop? and exactly how many of us actually know what's going on in the world? or give a fuck about it? and why is it i haven't given up, seeing that i do? on both counts.
i keep hoping enough of us will say no more. haven't we got enough problems right the fuck here? kids are getting a shittier education than ever, you know. the kids that will be paying for your health care. do you really want to entrust your life to someone who learned nothing more than how to pass some standardized test? that's what will happen you know. there won't be many of them making the big bucks, therefore not kicking up a lot for your premiums. you'll be making do with far less than you should.
the country is falling apart. new orleans is still a wreck. can you believe the dutch, the masters at controlling flooding, offered to come help rebuild and our government turned them down? not enough money, apparently. oh, they can spend half a trillion dollars on their bogus, illegal, immoral war, but they'll be damned if they'll help americans? regular, often not white, hardworking and underpaid americans. who've had to give up their homes and move all over the country to get their lives even halfway back together.
i wish someone could tell me why chimpy and all his cronies are still free to walk amongst the rest of us? fuck being unemployed... how many laws do they get to break?
i heart chris rock
from http://socialitelife.com:
In the latest issue of Life magazine, featuring Chris on the cover, Rock is asked, "Is this country ready for an African American president?" Rock answered, "It's ready for a retarded president, why wouldn't it be ready for an African American president?"
Oh no he didn't!
Rock went on to say that he likes Al Gore, and that he doesn't expect to see a black president in his lifetime.
14 March 2007
talk about labor intensive!
ever watch the sopranos? remember shfweeadell? they're actually called sfogliatelle. they were developed by nuns in napoli... because they had the time to devote to making them. they're certainly tres yummy.
i would recommend not tackling these if you're not very comfortable with pastry, and having some experience laminating dough would definitely be a plus.
so, without further ado:
pastry:
1 ½ c flour (you may need more tho)
½ c sugar
½ t salt
½ c butter (very cold, cut into small cubes)
1 c ice water
¾ c melted butter or shortening
ricotta filling:
1 lb ricotta cheese
2 t milk
¼ t vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
¼ c sugar
1 t grated orange zest
1 c mini chocolate chips (optional)
for filling: combine ricotta, milk, egg, sugar and vanilla and run through sieve. add orange peel and chocolate chips, if including. store in refrigerator until ready to use.
for pastry: sift together flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. mix in cold butter with fingers. gradually add enough ice water to hold ingredients together. toss on lightly floured board and knead about 8 minutes or until dough is smooth. cover and set aside in cool place ½ hour.
divide dough into four even parts. roll out each piece with rolling pin on lightly floured board, making rectangular sheets about 20" long. if necessary, pull and stretch dough with hands while rolling, to make tissue thin and almost transparent. brush each sheet and place sheets on top of each other. when four sheets are piled up, brush top with melted butter or shortening. let stand 5 minutes, then roll tightly as for jelly roll. roll in waxed paper. set aside 30 minutes or more in refrigerator.
with sharp knife, cut roll into ½" slices, which will resemble narrow rolls of ribbon. place on board or platter, cover with towel and set aside 15 minutes in cool place. place each slice on palm of left hand. with right thumb on center of roll, gently press through slice so that it forms a ribbed cone; make sure that ribs do not become entirely separated. carefully work around cone with thumb and index finger until it is well shaped, 3-inches across mouth and ½" at tip. press tip together.
fill each cone with 1 heaping T of filling. flatten cones slightly between palms of hands; place on lightly buttered cookie sheet; bake in a preheated 375° oven about 30 minutes or until sfogliatelle are golden color and crisp and filling is firm. remove from oven, cool, dust with confectioners sugar.
04 March 2007
spaghetti with wine and seafood
fyi... the recipe follows the porn.
ready... set... go!
boil, boil, toil and trouble
mise en place.. not much, eh?
about to clamp on the lid!
19,000 BTU's, hard at work
the finished product!
w/o further ado:
1 lb spaghetti
¼ c olive oil
3 shallots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
¾ c chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1½ c pinot grigio (or any other fairly dry white wine)
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 lb clams, washed
1 t salt (sea salt please!)
1 t freshly ground black pepper
2 c baby arugula
bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. drain pasta.
meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. add the shallots and the garlic and cook for 3 minutes, until tender but not brown. add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. add the wine, shrimp, and clams. bring the liquid to a boil. reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the shrimp are pink and the clams have opened, about 5 minutes.
add the spaghetti to the seafood mixture. add the salt and pepper and stir to combine. add the arugula. stir gently and place on a serving platter. serve immediately.
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