I don't even have much to say right now, so I'll just let you read on. Happy almost Friday!
Awkward:
- Day 2 of a headache that actually kept me from working yesterday. So instead I drove up north Tuesday night, hung out in bed/on the couch, and drove back down for class Wednesday afternoon. Awesome.
- Having a ton of stuff due this next week. It's time to buckle down and focus my energy. You know, the energy sucked up by my head.
- My desire to stay in bed all the day long. It does not help with my productivity. Not at all.
- How early it gets dark. It's like the day is over before it really gets going. And I hate driving to class in the dark. But just think, only three more months of this.
- The amount of blog reading and writing I do. Between this blog and my blog for school, plus all of the blogs I try to follow it's pretty much out of control.
- Irritating my face with apple cider vinegar. You can read more about on my "going green" blog.
Awesome:
- Whole Foods salad bar and Jamba Juice. So good. And healthy. Everybody wins (except my bank account).
- Dumpster diving (or hectoring as my dad would say) with friends from grad school (also having friends from grad school) that resulted in free chocolate.
- Being able to wear my sister's pants. This is a new development that brings so much wardrobe joy.
- Getting tickets from a friend to see some college basketball this weekend. So sweet!
- Power reading through two chapters before class last night.
- My cousins adorable little baby. I can't wait to meet him!!!
- Payday!
- Getting one of two presentations done for the quarter last night. Also, feeling pretty good about my grade for that class. Now I just need to build a website, no big deal.
11.10.2011
11.09.2011
Recent Food Stuff
Now that I don't live with the padres, I actually cook now and again. I try to cook ALL the time, so I just make really big batches and feast of leftovers.
Anyway, I thought I'd highlight a couple dishes I've cooked recently that turned out really, really delicious. And that I want to keep eating.
I should warn you that I don't actually cook by recipe much, unless I something pretty specific and new in mind. But I'll do my best to estimate for you.
First up are Sweet Potato Enchiladas. I'm seriously addicted to sweet potatoes. You'll see it a few times.
To make these I peeled, cut, and roasted three semi-large sweet potatoes. To roast, I left in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. While the sweet potatoes were roasting, I sauteed diced onion (1/2 an onion) and minced garlic (3 cloves--I love garlic!), added already cooked black beans (1 can) to let the flavor mix and stirred them into a bowl with corn (1 can, but I prefer frozen).
Once the potatoes were done, I heated tortillas to make them easy to work with. I opened up my enchilada sauce (1 large can, from scratch was not in the plans for this project) and spread a little along the bottom of the pan. Then, one-by-one, I filled tortillas with the sweet potatoes and vegetable mixture and rolled them up in the pan.
When the pan was full, I topped it with the remaining enchilada sauce and lots of grated cheese. I cooked the enchiladas at 350 for about 25 minutes--long enough for the cheese to melt and bubble.
A few notes: I probably wouldn't use the corn again, certainly not from the can. And I'd be tempted to add sauteed mushrooms. But then, I'm as addicted to mushrooms as I am to sweet potatoes. Finally, the enchilada sauce is pretty key. Make you pick a tasty one. I got El Pato and really liked it.
That's the recipe for this week. I'll do my best to continue share things I'm making. You know, the ones that actually taste good.
Anyway, I thought I'd highlight a couple dishes I've cooked recently that turned out really, really delicious. And that I want to keep eating.
I should warn you that I don't actually cook by recipe much, unless I something pretty specific and new in mind. But I'll do my best to estimate for you.
To make these I peeled, cut, and roasted three semi-large sweet potatoes. To roast, I left in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. While the sweet potatoes were roasting, I sauteed diced onion (1/2 an onion) and minced garlic (3 cloves--I love garlic!), added already cooked black beans (1 can) to let the flavor mix and stirred them into a bowl with corn (1 can, but I prefer frozen).
Once the potatoes were done, I heated tortillas to make them easy to work with. I opened up my enchilada sauce (1 large can, from scratch was not in the plans for this project) and spread a little along the bottom of the pan. Then, one-by-one, I filled tortillas with the sweet potatoes and vegetable mixture and rolled them up in the pan.
When the pan was full, I topped it with the remaining enchilada sauce and lots of grated cheese. I cooked the enchiladas at 350 for about 25 minutes--long enough for the cheese to melt and bubble.
A few notes: I probably wouldn't use the corn again, certainly not from the can. And I'd be tempted to add sauteed mushrooms. But then, I'm as addicted to mushrooms as I am to sweet potatoes. Finally, the enchilada sauce is pretty key. Make you pick a tasty one. I got El Pato and really liked it.
That's the recipe for this week. I'll do my best to continue share things I'm making. You know, the ones that actually taste good.
11.08.2011
Ten on Tuesday: A Potpourri
As you can see, I'm busy working on reading for school. I actually finished a really dense chapter and promised myself a break. In the form of blogging. That's when you know you are addicted. For serious.
Head on over to Roots and Rings if you want to join in this week's Ten on Tuesday questions.
1. What's your favorite television show for each day of the week?
Sunday - The Good Wife
Monday - The Sing-Off
Tuesday - The New Girl
Wednesday - Criminal Minds
Thursday - Grey's Anatomy
Friday - Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Saturday - it's my day off
And yes, I do watch a lot of television.
2. How many times do you wear your jeans before you wash them?
Until I notice visible stains or they get really stretched out. It's an exact science.
3. What is your favorite pasta shape?
I like the "bite size" types. Spiral, bowtie, penne--that sort of thing.
4. Do you read newspapers?
Sometimes. I try to keep up on current events, but more often than not I read specific articles, not the whole paper.
5. Do you sleep in socks?
Never. They drive me nuts. My feet get hot. I kick them off. Then they are in the bed. Not okay. I'd rather tough out a short period of cold feet.
6. Favorite genre of movie?
It really depends on my mood. Sometimes I need comedy, other times it's a good chick flick, maybe some action. I am really all over the place.
7. How do you feel about wrestling?
Depends, are we talking WWF or freestyle/grecco-roman Olympic style. I worked for USA Wrestling (true story) so I have soft spot in my heart for those athletes. And once you understand it, it can be captivating. I still find the practice areas or "mat rooms" more than a little gross (even though they are cleaned A LOT).
8. Should men pluck their eyebrows?
How do the eyebrows look afterwards? That pretty much determines whether the plucking was a good idea, men and women alike.
9. Do you have dimples?
I'm dimple-less.
10. Do you like to camp?
Yes, definitely. I grew up camping. It's been a while and I definitely need to do some camping next spring/summer. And yes, I am a bit of a fair weather camper. It's self-preservation.
Head on over to Roots and Rings if you want to join in this week's Ten on Tuesday questions.
1. What's your favorite television show for each day of the week?
Sunday - The Good Wife
Monday - The Sing-Off
Tuesday - The New Girl
Wednesday - Criminal Minds
Thursday - Grey's Anatomy
Friday - Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Saturday - it's my day off
And yes, I do watch a lot of television.
2. How many times do you wear your jeans before you wash them?
Until I notice visible stains or they get really stretched out. It's an exact science.
3. What is your favorite pasta shape?
I like the "bite size" types. Spiral, bowtie, penne--that sort of thing.
4. Do you read newspapers?
Sometimes. I try to keep up on current events, but more often than not I read specific articles, not the whole paper.
5. Do you sleep in socks?
Never. They drive me nuts. My feet get hot. I kick them off. Then they are in the bed. Not okay. I'd rather tough out a short period of cold feet.
6. Favorite genre of movie?
It really depends on my mood. Sometimes I need comedy, other times it's a good chick flick, maybe some action. I am really all over the place.
7. How do you feel about wrestling?
Depends, are we talking WWF or freestyle/grecco-roman Olympic style. I worked for USA Wrestling (true story) so I have soft spot in my heart for those athletes. And once you understand it, it can be captivating. I still find the practice areas or "mat rooms" more than a little gross (even though they are cleaned A LOT).
8. Should men pluck their eyebrows?
How do the eyebrows look afterwards? That pretty much determines whether the plucking was a good idea, men and women alike.
9. Do you have dimples?
I'm dimple-less.
10. Do you like to camp?
Yes, definitely. I grew up camping. It's been a while and I definitely need to do some camping next spring/summer. And yes, I am a bit of a fair weather camper. It's self-preservation.
11.04.2011
Friday Photo Dump
It's been a while (and by a while, I mean 12 days) since I've shared some photos of life recently. Obviously, we're long over due.
Highlights from the past however long: two different Halloween outfits for which I bought nothing, a fresh hair cut (grow bangs grow!), new dishes cooked and eaten, beautiful fall colors and sunshine, and time with the family.
Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!
Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!
11.03.2011
Awkward and Awesome: It Keeps Coming
I've hit that point in the quarter, with the driving and the class, where I really just want to sleep. I'm lucky if I fall asleep before midnight. I've spent more on gas than the past year or so prior combined.
But this program, school, is totally worth it. And I have my days of non-work when I don't have to get up at a set time. You better believe I take advantage of that.
Anyways, on to the awkward and awesomes...
Awkward:
- Having my gas cap fall off and roll under my car Tuesday night. I was stopped at 11:30 at night. The perfect time for a girl by herself to gas up. And it was cold. I did what anyone would do--put my car in neutral and Fred Flintstoned it. Nothing like a little foot power to get the car moving and gas cap recovered without having to crawl on the ground.
- Finding a cheap gas option and that gas station being closed for the evening.
- Giving in to a craving for fast food last night. Let's be real though, it was delicious and I made it halfway through the quarter before giving in.
- The first time having to scrape my windshield this year. Never an enjoyable task.
- Hitting that point in the quarter at school where it doesn't seem possible to get everything done in the time left.
- My parallel parking attempt last night. It was dismal at best. And that's usually something I excel at. Always have.
Awesome:
- Having a class cancelled today at work--giving me time to run a few errands and drive south early enough to miss traffic.
- A fun Halloween weekend. Old friends, new friends, outfits that I paid $0 for.
- Egg Nog lattes. They pretty much make my life this time of year.
- Feeling like I know a little bit about web programming. I can't really do it at this point, but I can speak a little of the language.
- the combination of Target, happy hour, and froyo. Pretty hard to beat.
- Sunny fall days. We've been having them regularly interspersed between the rain/fog/dark normal stuff and I love it. It makes the shorter days doable.
- Skyping with our Finnish cousins. It was so good to see them and catch up!
- My cousin should be having her baby in the next few days. She's due tomorrow. I can't wait to meet little JR.
- Finding out another cousin is having a baby later this year. So many babies. Except for me. That's not going to happen for quite a while.
But this program, school, is totally worth it. And I have my days of non-work when I don't have to get up at a set time. You better believe I take advantage of that.
Anyways, on to the awkward and awesomes...
Awkward:
- Having my gas cap fall off and roll under my car Tuesday night. I was stopped at 11:30 at night. The perfect time for a girl by herself to gas up. And it was cold. I did what anyone would do--put my car in neutral and Fred Flintstoned it. Nothing like a little foot power to get the car moving and gas cap recovered without having to crawl on the ground.
- Finding a cheap gas option and that gas station being closed for the evening.
- Giving in to a craving for fast food last night. Let's be real though, it was delicious and I made it halfway through the quarter before giving in.
- The first time having to scrape my windshield this year. Never an enjoyable task.
- Hitting that point in the quarter at school where it doesn't seem possible to get everything done in the time left.
- My parallel parking attempt last night. It was dismal at best. And that's usually something I excel at. Always have.
- Feeling like I have a lot to do and I"m making the most of my time. What are your keys to efficiency?
Awesome:
- Having a class cancelled today at work--giving me time to run a few errands and drive south early enough to miss traffic.
- A fun Halloween weekend. Old friends, new friends, outfits that I paid $0 for.
- Egg Nog lattes. They pretty much make my life this time of year.
- Feeling like I know a little bit about web programming. I can't really do it at this point, but I can speak a little of the language.
- the combination of Target, happy hour, and froyo. Pretty hard to beat.
- Sunny fall days. We've been having them regularly interspersed between the rain/fog/dark normal stuff and I love it. It makes the shorter days doable.
- Skyping with our Finnish cousins. It was so good to see them and catch up!
- My cousin should be having her baby in the next few days. She's due tomorrow. I can't wait to meet little JR.
- Finding out another cousin is having a baby later this year. So many babies. Except for me. That's not going to happen for quite a while.
11.02.2011
My Other Blog
I swear I'm not cheating on you all with another blog. I mentioned last week that I had started up a blog for a class at school. It's something I'm pretty excited about and wanted to share with all my readers here.
The blog is Using This, Not That over on Wordpress. It's about my transition to making better choices in the products I'm using, both for environmental and personal health reasons.
I think it's easy to become passive as a consumer and it's really important for us to be critical of how, where, and on what we're spending our money.
I don't think there's one "right" way to live, but I do think we can also make small changes that will have an impact on our own lives and the world around us. Those changes can even be easy and more cost effective than what we are currently doing. For real.
I've published a total of four posts so far, so I'm pretty much an expert already (SF).
You can check out my latest post here. I'd love to get your feedback, hear your knowledge, and have you call me out on anything that doesn't really make sense.
The blog is Using This, Not That over on Wordpress. It's about my transition to making better choices in the products I'm using, both for environmental and personal health reasons.
I think it's easy to become passive as a consumer and it's really important for us to be critical of how, where, and on what we're spending our money.
I don't think there's one "right" way to live, but I do think we can also make small changes that will have an impact on our own lives and the world around us. Those changes can even be easy and more cost effective than what we are currently doing. For real.
I've published a total of four posts so far, so I'm pretty much an expert already (SF).
You can check out my latest post here. I'd love to get your feedback, hear your knowledge, and have you call me out on anything that doesn't really make sense.
11.01.2011
Ten on Tuesday: Back from a Hiatus
I'm feeling a little bit behind schedule this morning, ahem, afternoon. Now how did that happen? Obviously, putting together a blog post will only help this feeling. Right?
Anyways, I'm back for Ten on Tuesday this week. Head on over to Chelsea's blog to join in on the fun.
1. What is your favorite month?
I really love June. The days are long and somewhat sunny, the promise of the whole summer is before you, the grass is beautifully green, and my birthday is fast approaching.
2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?
I love anything chocolate and peanut butter. Reese's peanut butter cups were always the best.
3. What kind of pen do you use?
I use whatever pen happens to be lying around. I actually can't remember the last time I purchased a pen. Is that weird?
4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
Probably some sort of seafood pasta or a stuffed ravioli. But with a side of salad so it's really healthy.
5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
I really love Zooey Deschenal's hair, minus the bangs because they would drive me batty. Really, this question should read, what celebrity's hair stylist would you like to do your hair, because you know their hair doesn't look that great magically.
Also Diane Lane's hair in Under the Tuscan Sun is glorious.
6. What’s your favorite board game?
How about some of my favorites from childhood -- Sorry, Clue, and Yahtzee (I know, not really a boardgame).
7. Do you know how to play poker?
I've been known to play now again, but I'm not serious about it. I can deal Texas Hold 'Em if I need to.
8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
Let's be honest, Old Navy commercials have never really be pieces of art, or creative genius, but the current campaign is even worse than usual.
9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
That could be pretty situational dependent. A cardboard cut is absolutely awful. But if you stubbed your toe hard enough to break it? That's no fun either. Most of the time, I'd probably rather have a stubbed toe. It hurts for a bit and then you get over it. With a papercut, you are reminded every time the wrong liquid hits it.
10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
I'll be honest. I'm not much of a pie person. I love eating raw pie dough, though. And anything with a cookie crust is pretty yummy.
Anyways, I'm back for Ten on Tuesday this week. Head on over to Chelsea's blog to join in on the fun.
1. What is your favorite month?
I really love June. The days are long and somewhat sunny, the promise of the whole summer is before you, the grass is beautifully green, and my birthday is fast approaching.
2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?
I love anything chocolate and peanut butter. Reese's peanut butter cups were always the best.
3. What kind of pen do you use?
I use whatever pen happens to be lying around. I actually can't remember the last time I purchased a pen. Is that weird?
4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
Probably some sort of seafood pasta or a stuffed ravioli. But with a side of salad so it's really healthy.
5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
I really love Zooey Deschenal's hair, minus the bangs because they would drive me batty. Really, this question should read, what celebrity's hair stylist would you like to do your hair, because you know their hair doesn't look that great magically.
Also Diane Lane's hair in Under the Tuscan Sun is glorious.
6. What’s your favorite board game?
How about some of my favorites from childhood -- Sorry, Clue, and Yahtzee (I know, not really a boardgame).
7. Do you know how to play poker?
I've been known to play now again, but I'm not serious about it. I can deal Texas Hold 'Em if I need to.
8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
Let's be honest, Old Navy commercials have never really be pieces of art, or creative genius, but the current campaign is even worse than usual.
9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
That could be pretty situational dependent. A cardboard cut is absolutely awful. But if you stubbed your toe hard enough to break it? That's no fun either. Most of the time, I'd probably rather have a stubbed toe. It hurts for a bit and then you get over it. With a papercut, you are reminded every time the wrong liquid hits it.
10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
I'll be honest. I'm not much of a pie person. I love eating raw pie dough, though. And anything with a cookie crust is pretty yummy.
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