And holy hell, it's winter!
I'm diving into the holiday madness bright and early tomorrow morning to finish most of my Christmas shopping, and then have to head back out with Didge later in the day to grab a few more things. Wednesday I'll probably be cooking (and I really need to wash my car...), and Thursday I'm planning to do nothing but wrap presents.
Yes, it *will* take an entire day to do the presents. I am a gift wrap fiend. My whole "thing" is that the word "from" really shouldn't have to be on the gift tag. Recipients should just know the gift is from me. And there will be paper cranes involved this year, so Thursday could turn out to be something else. On the flip side of that, it might turn out to only take a couple of hours and then I'll have the whole day to torture Didge with a jingle bell.
It's looking like Didge and I are non-planning an eighties kind of Christmas Eve, meaning that's what the evening is evolving into all on its own. He's just bought a slew of 80's flicks and I'm giving him an Atari 2600 system (with games!). So there'll be Pac Man, Defender, and "Beverly Hills Cop". What kind of food fits in with that whole "thing"?
(Note to self: Chex Mix. Don't forget to do Chex Mix.)
21 December 2009
18 December 2009
Pop star...
Didgeridoo Boy loves himself some popcorn. He will, on any given night, plow through a huge bowl all on his own; in fact, our house is developing a lingering popcorn smell from the amount of popcorn he will prepare.
And we're old school about it. None of that microwave nonsense for us, no, sir. We get our popcorn on via the stovetop. In a wok, even, which is by far the best way to pop popcorn on top of a stove. If you follow a very simple little method and apply vigilance as to when you take the wok off the heat, it's pretty much foolproof. Pretty much. Here's the method:
1. Pour about 1/8 cup oil in the wok.
2. Drop in a few kernels - keep track of how many. I like four.
3. Put on the lid.
4. Turn heat to medium-high.
5. Wait. Listen. When you hear a number of pops that corresponds to the number of kernels you put in the oil, remove the lid, and put in the rest of the popcorn - about 3/4 cup. Just leave the popped kernels in there.
6. Quickly, using a spatula, stir the kernels so they're all coated in oil.
7. Put the lid back on.
8. Wait for the pops. It'll happen.
9. When the popping slows down, move the wok off the heat. Let the popping stop.
10. Season to taste. Dump it all into a bowl, if you'd like. Nosh.
Didge has been having issues with this, but a few mornings ago I walked into the kitchen and found telltale signs he'd finally had success. That night, he decided to have another go - off to the kitchen he went, and set about honing his popcorn skills. I watched in awe. I even went into the kitchen to check out what he was doing - peering into the wok to see his test kernels (more than I would use, but whatever) beginning to sizzle. This alarmed him. "Foo! What are you doing putting your face over that hot oil? Once of those things might pop you in the eye!" He was right. That was foolish of me. I was very tired and didn't even consider the hazard.
Okay, darlings. Think with me for a moment. What was missing? It's okay if it takes you a second, I didn't realize it at the time, either. Like I said, I was tired. Exhausted, really. In fact, I was checking on the laundry when I was startled into realizing what I failed to realize that led Didge to chastise me. I heard a couple of loud POPs, followed by Didge shouting, "hooOWWWWW!", and turned to the sign of him rubbing his arm, hop/spinning through the kitchen. As he hopped/spun and hollered, another loud POP sent a piece of popcorn almost to the ceiling. We both swore a bit, and I collapsed into a giggle fit after making sure he was okay. Yes, I really did make sure he was okay first. He dumped in the rest of the popcorn, hurriedly put the lid on, and continued.
Are you with me yet? As he was salting the finished product and dumping it into his popcorn bowl (a dollar store find of which he is most fond), he said, "You know, I think doing it this way might actually be dangerous." And I agree, it is actually a little bit dangerous....
....if you forget step three.
Trust me on this - it's all about step three, baby.
And we're old school about it. None of that microwave nonsense for us, no, sir. We get our popcorn on via the stovetop. In a wok, even, which is by far the best way to pop popcorn on top of a stove. If you follow a very simple little method and apply vigilance as to when you take the wok off the heat, it's pretty much foolproof. Pretty much. Here's the method:
1. Pour about 1/8 cup oil in the wok.
2. Drop in a few kernels - keep track of how many. I like four.
3. Put on the lid.
4. Turn heat to medium-high.
5. Wait. Listen. When you hear a number of pops that corresponds to the number of kernels you put in the oil, remove the lid, and put in the rest of the popcorn - about 3/4 cup. Just leave the popped kernels in there.
6. Quickly, using a spatula, stir the kernels so they're all coated in oil.
7. Put the lid back on.
8. Wait for the pops. It'll happen.
9. When the popping slows down, move the wok off the heat. Let the popping stop.
10. Season to taste. Dump it all into a bowl, if you'd like. Nosh.
Didge has been having issues with this, but a few mornings ago I walked into the kitchen and found telltale signs he'd finally had success. That night, he decided to have another go - off to the kitchen he went, and set about honing his popcorn skills. I watched in awe. I even went into the kitchen to check out what he was doing - peering into the wok to see his test kernels (more than I would use, but whatever) beginning to sizzle. This alarmed him. "Foo! What are you doing putting your face over that hot oil? Once of those things might pop you in the eye!" He was right. That was foolish of me. I was very tired and didn't even consider the hazard.
Okay, darlings. Think with me for a moment. What was missing? It's okay if it takes you a second, I didn't realize it at the time, either. Like I said, I was tired. Exhausted, really. In fact, I was checking on the laundry when I was startled into realizing what I failed to realize that led Didge to chastise me. I heard a couple of loud POPs, followed by Didge shouting, "hooOWWWWW!", and turned to the sign of him rubbing his arm, hop/spinning through the kitchen. As he hopped/spun and hollered, another loud POP sent a piece of popcorn almost to the ceiling. We both swore a bit, and I collapsed into a giggle fit after making sure he was okay. Yes, I really did make sure he was okay first. He dumped in the rest of the popcorn, hurriedly put the lid on, and continued.
Are you with me yet? As he was salting the finished product and dumping it into his popcorn bowl (a dollar store find of which he is most fond), he said, "You know, I think doing it this way might actually be dangerous." And I agree, it is actually a little bit dangerous....
....if you forget step three.
Trust me on this - it's all about step three, baby.
14 December 2009
Dang, I've slipped...
At the beginning of the summer, I severely sprained my ankle jumping out of a swing. (Went for height, not distance. Peach margaritas involved. Extraordinarily unpleasant.) Just as I had recovered from that, my ex boyfriend's motorcycle took a topple, which resulted in a shoulder *and* hip injury. Then I got sick, as in SICK. And what happened as a result?
I've taken to snacking. Bad habits from about six years ago are creeping back in. I'm totally out of the habit of working out. Little Miss Cardio, Pilates, and Kundalini Yoga has turned into Little Miss Couch Potato With a Side of Goldfish Crackers, and Two Cups of Hot Chocolate a Day. I feel like *shit*. I look a tad puffy. My clothes all still fit, but not as comfortably as they once did.
Oh, it gets better. I've been convincing myself that I need to "ease back into" my old pattern. Meaning "ease back into while sitting on the couch all the time". I'm not easing back into a thing, I'm sitting on my butt - which is likely to expand from all this slackery. NOT acceptable.
Oh, hell. This just hit me:
How ironic is it that I am sitting on the couch blogging about it?
I've taken to snacking. Bad habits from about six years ago are creeping back in. I'm totally out of the habit of working out. Little Miss Cardio, Pilates, and Kundalini Yoga has turned into Little Miss Couch Potato With a Side of Goldfish Crackers, and Two Cups of Hot Chocolate a Day. I feel like *shit*. I look a tad puffy. My clothes all still fit, but not as comfortably as they once did.
Oh, it gets better. I've been convincing myself that I need to "ease back into" my old pattern. Meaning "ease back into while sitting on the couch all the time". I'm not easing back into a thing, I'm sitting on my butt - which is likely to expand from all this slackery. NOT acceptable.
Oh, hell. This just hit me:
How ironic is it that I am sitting on the couch blogging about it?
13 December 2009
Should be...
I should be up and finishing whipping the house into shape for the holidays, but instead, I'm camped out on the couch trying to stir up blog entries. And I just saw something in an advert on a website that blew my mind a little, so naturally, I *have* to procrastinate further so I can write.
The ad, for a reality show, promotes "drama you can't believe". Which leaves me wondering what the hell is up with the obsession with drama, anyway? I used to dive into the concept, to be honest, but one day it struck me that it's all so - - - asinine. There, that's the word. Why focus on people bitching, whining, and screaming? Why add fuel to the fire? How are we learning to behave (or not) by desensitizing ourselves to such frankly declasse antics?
I don't know. Maybe I'm just stressed and subsequently grumpy from house redux/wedding planning/holiday stuff, and perhaps I'm remaining right smack, dab in the middle of it by even writing this entry. But - do you know how good it feels to stretch the morning after the best sleep of your life? That's how it feels to roll my eyes at drama becoming a viable product.
The ad, for a reality show, promotes "drama you can't believe". Which leaves me wondering what the hell is up with the obsession with drama, anyway? I used to dive into the concept, to be honest, but one day it struck me that it's all so - - - asinine. There, that's the word. Why focus on people bitching, whining, and screaming? Why add fuel to the fire? How are we learning to behave (or not) by desensitizing ourselves to such frankly declasse antics?
I don't know. Maybe I'm just stressed and subsequently grumpy from house redux/wedding planning/holiday stuff, and perhaps I'm remaining right smack, dab in the middle of it by even writing this entry. But - do you know how good it feels to stretch the morning after the best sleep of your life? That's how it feels to roll my eyes at drama becoming a viable product.
12 December 2009
Whoo...
Liquor Store.
Kroger.
Waffle House.
Jager.
PBR Chaser.
Sleep.
Why is the house so cold?
Christmas tree toppled - by dog and cat? By Didgeridoo Boy?
Back door left open a little bit on a very cold night.
Somebody kept misplacing a beer and getting another.
Why is the floor by the chairs damp?
Holy hell, the cat could have gotten out because the screen was unlatched.
Robbers! We might have had a robber get *in*!
Where did the shot glass go?
The tree is smooshed in a very strange way.
Kind of thinking the dog and cat had nothing to do with knocking the tree over.
Kroger.
Waffle House.
Jager.
PBR Chaser.
Sleep.
Why is the house so cold?
Christmas tree toppled - by dog and cat? By Didgeridoo Boy?
Back door left open a little bit on a very cold night.
Somebody kept misplacing a beer and getting another.
Why is the floor by the chairs damp?
Holy hell, the cat could have gotten out because the screen was unlatched.
Robbers! We might have had a robber get *in*!
Where did the shot glass go?
The tree is smooshed in a very strange way.
Kind of thinking the dog and cat had nothing to do with knocking the tree over.
06 December 2009
Trees...parades....pizza
You will likely be peeved at just how boring this entry will be, but there's no hope for my writing skills at present.
Didge and I took a break from the recent swirl of stress and headed out to the Evans, GA Christmas parade today. We were there, primarily, to see Drew Exposition's entry - it wound up near the very beginning, and turned out to be the Seattle Wheel (all folded up on its trailer, of course). After that, we went to the Pizza Joint, made a quick stop at Lowes to see if the rumored carnival ride models were really, truly there (they weren't) and then headed home. Right now, we're pondering our main Christmas tree, which is in severe need of a lot of finishing work.
I indulged in a little retail therapy yesterday - black boots (flat, kind of slouchy), lip gloss, and a bag. Oh, and an eyeliner pencil. Every little bit helps.
And - - that's it. OH! Didge has been on a quest to find out where he can obtain Hostess Fruit Pies. He's finally found them, which means we can all rest soundly now.
Didge and I took a break from the recent swirl of stress and headed out to the Evans, GA Christmas parade today. We were there, primarily, to see Drew Exposition's entry - it wound up near the very beginning, and turned out to be the Seattle Wheel (all folded up on its trailer, of course). After that, we went to the Pizza Joint, made a quick stop at Lowes to see if the rumored carnival ride models were really, truly there (they weren't) and then headed home. Right now, we're pondering our main Christmas tree, which is in severe need of a lot of finishing work.
I indulged in a little retail therapy yesterday - black boots (flat, kind of slouchy), lip gloss, and a bag. Oh, and an eyeliner pencil. Every little bit helps.
And - - that's it. OH! Didge has been on a quest to find out where he can obtain Hostess Fruit Pies. He's finally found them, which means we can all rest soundly now.
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