Mini Mensa Boy created this fleet of ships with the hotpads his grandmother makes for us.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Simple Pleasures
Here's a good, old-fashioned recipe for you:
Dice some leeks. Simmer them in 1/2 a stick of butter until soft.
Add some homemade chicken stock.
Add peeled and diced russet potatoes
Maybe some rosemary.
Salt
Simmer that until the potatoes are cooked through. Then get out your boat motor blender and blend until you've got it the consistency you want.
BUT...while those potatoes are cooking? Get out what's left of that whole-grain bakery bread you bought at Harris Teeter. Butter both sides of each slice and then sprinkle liberally with black and red pepper. Cube the slices. Toss the cubes in a pan and toast them, flipping them often, until they are browned up nicely.
The spicy-ness of the croutons on top of the potato soup? Oh. My. Gosh.
Dice some leeks. Simmer them in 1/2 a stick of butter until soft.
Add some homemade chicken stock.
Add peeled and diced russet potatoes
Maybe some rosemary.
Salt
Simmer that until the potatoes are cooked through. Then get out your boat motor blender and blend until you've got it the consistency you want.
BUT...while those potatoes are cooking? Get out what's left of that whole-grain bakery bread you bought at Harris Teeter. Butter both sides of each slice and then sprinkle liberally with black and red pepper. Cube the slices. Toss the cubes in a pan and toast them, flipping them often, until they are browned up nicely.
The spicy-ness of the croutons on top of the potato soup? Oh. My. Gosh.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
First Hurdle
Apparently I'm the "running writer." Yup. I've been given the Track & Field season to cover. It'll be fun. I won't be at all the meets, though. Many of them are far away and the travel would cost more than I get paid. But I'll no doubt make it to a few meets. The home ones, for sure.
This is a 7th grader jumping over hurdles for the very first time. Yes, I know she doesn't look that efficient in this shot. But like I said, this is her very first time. I took this a week ago at a practic, and I I imagine she looks better already. Their first meet is tonight. GO WARRIORS!
So that's part of the latest news I have to share with you. There are many other things that have been happening since I dropped off the blog world. I'll give them to you in bits and pieces over the next few days.
This is a 7th grader jumping over hurdles for the very first time. Yes, I know she doesn't look that efficient in this shot. But like I said, this is her very first time. I took this a week ago at a practic, and I I imagine she looks better already. Their first meet is tonight. GO WARRIORS!
So that's part of the latest news I have to share with you. There are many other things that have been happening since I dropped off the blog world. I'll give them to you in bits and pieces over the next few days.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Shadow
Taylor shadowed me as I worked a story the other day. The story was about the job shadowing program at the middle school. I gave him a camera and we drove the guidance counselor around to visit 8-10 students that were shadowing friends and family at their jobs.
At the end of the day Taylor had to write a brief reflection of his experience. He said he learned that photographers have to move around a lot. And he thinks he doesn't want to be one because he likes "to stay in one spot."
At the end of the day Taylor had to write a brief reflection of his experience. He said he learned that photographers have to move around a lot. And he thinks he doesn't want to be one because he likes "to stay in one spot."
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's Not Like I've Been Doing Nothing...
How do you like that for a double negative?
This has been a very busy week, with not much to show for it. But it looks like things are settling down just a little bit. I've spent most of the week getting the new laptop up-to-speed (still working on a nagging security issue with my connection to the Cleveland Company) and also have lost a lot of time on Nate's mp3 player issues.
Nate's Creative Zen V Plus was a great little player. Until it stopped playing with our computers. I found the Creative site to be no help at all with his particular issue. The player would not be recognized by either Napster or Windows Media Player. Even Creative's firmware that I downloaded fresh would not see that the player was connected. After losing several hours and plenty of hair, I finally toted it to Best Buy.
That ended up being a happy experience. When I bought the player last summer I paid for a Product Replacement Plan...not a "performance" plan. So when I showed them the player, they sent me to pick out a new one for the same price. They don't carry Creative anymore, so I chose an Insignia player (Best Buy's own brand) with 8GB of memory. And so here we are now with a happy guy and a nice mp3 player.
Nate's car is also being repaired and hopefully it will return home late next week. He has to have a new hood, headlight, radiator and air conditioner condenser. The original estimate called for many other repairs because they couldn't get the hood open so they made wild guesses. Once Mensa Boy and Nate popped the lid with crowbars, the damage was re-assessed and the repair bill went down $1000. So the total cost of the project will be $1600 and Nate will pay half. That will double the value of his car to us. We paid only $1800 when we bought it! But since it has a fairly new engine, it seems like a wise decision.
And this morning I'm finding myself to be pleasantly surprised by Windows Vista. I've been skeptical of the whole operating system. I never really felt like I had heard much positive about it. It is true that it's a nag, but you can control many of the nagging bits off. What I found this morning that I like is the parental controls. With Nate's new mp3 player only being usable on my computer right now (his computer needs some desperate overhauling), I'm having to set up a user account on my computer for him to use Napster and Media Player. I found that Vista allows me to control everything the guys can do on this computer, including which programs can be run. So I set up an account for them that is not password-protected that will only allow them to use those two programs. They will have to use their own computer for everything else, including surfing the net.
So. That's my story. Today I need to work on some accounting and then I can start doing some paying work. OH! I'm going to be covering the Track team! I guess I'm the "running writer" now.
This has been a very busy week, with not much to show for it. But it looks like things are settling down just a little bit. I've spent most of the week getting the new laptop up-to-speed (still working on a nagging security issue with my connection to the Cleveland Company) and also have lost a lot of time on Nate's mp3 player issues.
Nate's Creative Zen V Plus was a great little player. Until it stopped playing with our computers. I found the Creative site to be no help at all with his particular issue. The player would not be recognized by either Napster or Windows Media Player. Even Creative's firmware that I downloaded fresh would not see that the player was connected. After losing several hours and plenty of hair, I finally toted it to Best Buy.
That ended up being a happy experience. When I bought the player last summer I paid for a Product Replacement Plan...not a "performance" plan. So when I showed them the player, they sent me to pick out a new one for the same price. They don't carry Creative anymore, so I chose an Insignia player (Best Buy's own brand) with 8GB of memory. And so here we are now with a happy guy and a nice mp3 player.
Nate's car is also being repaired and hopefully it will return home late next week. He has to have a new hood, headlight, radiator and air conditioner condenser. The original estimate called for many other repairs because they couldn't get the hood open so they made wild guesses. Once Mensa Boy and Nate popped the lid with crowbars, the damage was re-assessed and the repair bill went down $1000. So the total cost of the project will be $1600 and Nate will pay half. That will double the value of his car to us. We paid only $1800 when we bought it! But since it has a fairly new engine, it seems like a wise decision.
And this morning I'm finding myself to be pleasantly surprised by Windows Vista. I've been skeptical of the whole operating system. I never really felt like I had heard much positive about it. It is true that it's a nag, but you can control many of the nagging bits off. What I found this morning that I like is the parental controls. With Nate's new mp3 player only being usable on my computer right now (his computer needs some desperate overhauling), I'm having to set up a user account on my computer for him to use Napster and Media Player. I found that Vista allows me to control everything the guys can do on this computer, including which programs can be run. So I set up an account for them that is not password-protected that will only allow them to use those two programs. They will have to use their own computer for everything else, including surfing the net.
So. That's my story. Today I need to work on some accounting and then I can start doing some paying work. OH! I'm going to be covering the Track team! I guess I'm the "running writer" now.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A Financial Tornado
To say these last couple of days have been "interesting" would definitely be an understatement.
On Valentine's Day this happened:
The boy is ok, but he's in mourning. And of course he's concerned about the state of his financial affairs. He'll have to help pay for the damage, that's for sure. But at this point he's really the only member of the family that has money that is not earmarked for bills or whatever. We are still waiting for estimates. We suspect the engine will be fine, but perhaps he'll need new motor mounts. Radiator, of course, and headlight.
He says there was a driver behind him that was weaving in and out of traffic and then riding his bumper. He was coming up to a light and was watching the guy behind him rather than the one in front. So he didn't stop at the light in time. Apparently the hit-ee was pretty nice. He said he didn't care. Old truck. He was one of the original construction guys on our neighborhood many years ago. He rehabs Camaros for a hobby. Has several in fact. We are glad he wasn't driving one at the time!
So Nate is without wheels for now and that means Mom's taxi service is back in business. yippee.
Friday morning I woke up to new computer problems. My desktop computer was built to my specs in 2001. It has served me very well. But for the past few years it has had a steady diet of new RAM, new hard drives, power supplies, etc. Friday morning it was just rebooting over and over. It's done that before, and probably could be fixed. But I thought it was time for a new computer. The old one just does not have the kind of power to run multiple programs. Especially that I need for processing photos. So I bought a new laptop. Cha-ching!
When I brought the new laptop home I set it up and downloaded my email. In my inbox was a notification from the SC Department of Education. They are awarding Nate $3,200 in grant money if he attends a private SC college! {{head spinning around}}
SO! That part is pretty cool!
He says there was a driver behind him that was weaving in and out of traffic and then riding his bumper. He was coming up to a light and was watching the guy behind him rather than the one in front. So he didn't stop at the light in time. Apparently the hit-ee was pretty nice. He said he didn't care. Old truck. He was one of the original construction guys on our neighborhood many years ago. He rehabs Camaros for a hobby. Has several in fact. We are glad he wasn't driving one at the time!
So Nate is without wheels for now and that means Mom's taxi service is back in business. yippee.
Friday morning I woke up to new computer problems. My desktop computer was built to my specs in 2001. It has served me very well. But for the past few years it has had a steady diet of new RAM, new hard drives, power supplies, etc. Friday morning it was just rebooting over and over. It's done that before, and probably could be fixed. But I thought it was time for a new computer. The old one just does not have the kind of power to run multiple programs. Especially that I need for processing photos. So I bought a new laptop. Cha-ching!
When I brought the new laptop home I set it up and downloaded my email. In my inbox was a notification from the SC Department of Education. They are awarding Nate $3,200 in grant money if he attends a private SC college! {{head spinning around}}
SO! That part is pretty cool!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Do Not Touch!
Originally uploaded by Food Fanatic
I found this folder in a Sunday School room at the church.
Friday, February 08, 2008
The Shot in the Arm We Needed!
A letter from Erskine College informing Nate that he is the recipient of the Garnet Scholarship. This is an $8,000 per year scholarship. HOO HOO! Only $20,000 more to find!
Pretty soon I'll have to break the news to him that he needs to take the SAT again. Or the ACT. Or both. He's 10 points shy of getting a $5000 per year grant from the state of South Carolina. He's taken it twice already, and his scores improved quite well the second time around, but his combined Critical Reading and Math are 10 points shy. So. We'll do that!
Pretty soon I'll have to break the news to him that he needs to take the SAT again. Or the ACT. Or both. He's 10 points shy of getting a $5000 per year grant from the state of South Carolina. He's taken it twice already, and his scores improved quite well the second time around, but his combined Critical Reading and Math are 10 points shy. So. We'll do that!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Ash Wednesday
"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Pastor Ed Galloway, who is the minister at our sister church, gave a short sermon tonight at the Ash Wednesday service. He said "There's a longing in our hearts to come before our Lord and acknowledge our sin. Only He can redeem us. Only He can cleanse us from our sin.
Ed reminded us that we can wash the ashes off our foreheads, but "We have been marked with an indelible blessing that has been inscribed on our hearts."
Pastor Ed Galloway, who is the minister at our sister church, gave a short sermon tonight at the Ash Wednesday service. He said "There's a longing in our hearts to come before our Lord and acknowledge our sin. Only He can redeem us. Only He can cleanse us from our sin.
Ed reminded us that we can wash the ashes off our foreheads, but "We have been marked with an indelible blessing that has been inscribed on our hearts."
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Electile Dysfunction
Electile Dysfunction : the inability to become aroused over any of the
choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election
year.
choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election
year.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Searching for Money
With all the talk about our economy and the shrinking buying power of the dollar, it's a little daunting (actually a LOT daunting)to think about trying to gather funds for Nate to go to college.
This weekend I hope to have the last bits of documentation I need to get our taxes done. For some reason our mortgage interest statement hasn't arrived yet. Usually it's one of the first things. And I don't have a 1099 from the paper, but I can easily total up my earnings from 2007 so that we can at least get a start.
After the taxes are done...next week, I know because our accountant promised he'll do ours right away because of college money search...I will navigate through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form is apparently the be all and end all to getting financial assistance for college.
We have divided up the money search responsibilities. I am to do searching, paperwork, and number crunching. Nate will complete scholarship applications and write essays. Mensa Boy will be his cheerleader, helping him to decide which scholarships interest him and might be worth spending time on, and editing & proofreading his essays. So far Nate has done 3 or 4 applications and last night he wrote an essay. Hopefully the two of them can work on 2 or 3 scholarships a week.
So that's what's going on here. I fully anticipate that the bush beating for money will be my third parttime job. And I'm ok with that.
This weekend I hope to have the last bits of documentation I need to get our taxes done. For some reason our mortgage interest statement hasn't arrived yet. Usually it's one of the first things. And I don't have a 1099 from the paper, but I can easily total up my earnings from 2007 so that we can at least get a start.
After the taxes are done...next week, I know because our accountant promised he'll do ours right away because of college money search...I will navigate through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form is apparently the be all and end all to getting financial assistance for college.
We have divided up the money search responsibilities. I am to do searching, paperwork, and number crunching. Nate will complete scholarship applications and write essays. Mensa Boy will be his cheerleader, helping him to decide which scholarships interest him and might be worth spending time on, and editing & proofreading his essays. So far Nate has done 3 or 4 applications and last night he wrote an essay. Hopefully the two of them can work on 2 or 3 scholarships a week.
So that's what's going on here. I fully anticipate that the bush beating for money will be my third parttime job. And I'm ok with that.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wine Notes: Francis Ford Coppola Rosso Bianco 2005
This is a blend of reds. It's easy to find in the just about every grocery store. It's pretty much okay. Not as smooth as my favorite reds, but not too tannic. I'd buy it again if it were on sale (although it's cheap anyway) and I couldn't find Marietta Cellars or Wolf Blass.
Yesterday I played. Well, I did do some work. I got up and wrote a story about our middle school dedication ceremony that we had on Sunday. I got that thing down on the screen and filed by 8:30. My friend Cassie turned 50 on Sunday and took yesterday off, so I did too. We had both worked all weekend...the primary on Saturday and then I worked a story on Sunday. So yesterday we spent the day together. Here is a rundown of what we did:
Jazzercise
Lunch: Nothing but Noodles. You know, I had eaten there once before and thought "eh." Sort of a middle-of-the-road that meal was. But yesterday was excellent and really hit the spot. We liked both of our dishes. I had Sesame Lo Mein with shrimp and Cassie had Southwest Chipolte with shrimp.
Movie: "Atonement." Now, for about the first 40 minutes Cassie was getting a little nervous. Had she pulled a boner choosing this movie? Would it be "White Oleander" all over again? Cassie and I love to go to movies but if one of us chooses a movie that is hideous, then they are in the doghouse until they choose what we call a "redemption movie." My last doghouse flick was "Little Miss Sunshine," the blame for which I lay completely on my friend Julie. That movie was so awful that I started apologizing within the first 10 minutes and then apologized for every week until my redemption flick many months later...which was "Waitress." Cassie had to admit that "Waitress" was SO good that I probably had not only redeemed myself for the "Sunshine" movie, but I had also banked up points against the next poor choice.
But I digress. "Atonement." Neither of us had read the book. I generally wouldn't have anyway. I don't like seeing movies when I've read the book. I'm pretty much always disappointed. So the movie was very slow starting out the gate and then had a couple of "lookback" scenes that took too long for the viewer to realize they were looking back. It just took TOO LONG for the movie to get to the bad thing that needed atonement.
But once the bad thing occurred, then the movie went along right well. And it ended well. Not a happy ending, but a good ending.
So. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I'd say "when you go, don't give up." We both agreed that if we were watching it on TV or had it on DVD? We would have clicked off and missed a nice movie. No rave reviews, though.
After the movie: Yoga. You might think that two hour-long workouts in one day is too many. But I will say here that the yoga is really helping a lot. The stretching and the breathing goes a long way to relieving fatigue and body pain. It increases mobility, too. Monday is the only day I do two workouts in one day, though.
After yoga: Library Board meeting. Pretty uneventful.
Then a late supper while watching Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. BBC shows reruns it every day at 6. If it weren't for the language and the bleeping, I'd really really enjoy it. Now I just really enjoy it!
So. After all that playing yesterday I have a ton a work to do today. And in a couple of days I'll be adding a third full time job: Nate's financial aid researcher. Right after the taxes are done.
Yesterday I played. Well, I did do some work. I got up and wrote a story about our middle school dedication ceremony that we had on Sunday. I got that thing down on the screen and filed by 8:30. My friend Cassie turned 50 on Sunday and took yesterday off, so I did too. We had both worked all weekend...the primary on Saturday and then I worked a story on Sunday. So yesterday we spent the day together. Here is a rundown of what we did:
Jazzercise
Lunch: Nothing but Noodles. You know, I had eaten there once before and thought "eh." Sort of a middle-of-the-road that meal was. But yesterday was excellent and really hit the spot. We liked both of our dishes. I had Sesame Lo Mein with shrimp and Cassie had Southwest Chipolte with shrimp.
Movie: "Atonement." Now, for about the first 40 minutes Cassie was getting a little nervous. Had she pulled a boner choosing this movie? Would it be "White Oleander" all over again? Cassie and I love to go to movies but if one of us chooses a movie that is hideous, then they are in the doghouse until they choose what we call a "redemption movie." My last doghouse flick was "Little Miss Sunshine," the blame for which I lay completely on my friend Julie. That movie was so awful that I started apologizing within the first 10 minutes and then apologized for every week until my redemption flick many months later...which was "Waitress." Cassie had to admit that "Waitress" was SO good that I probably had not only redeemed myself for the "Sunshine" movie, but I had also banked up points against the next poor choice.
But I digress. "Atonement." Neither of us had read the book. I generally wouldn't have anyway. I don't like seeing movies when I've read the book. I'm pretty much always disappointed. So the movie was very slow starting out the gate and then had a couple of "lookback" scenes that took too long for the viewer to realize they were looking back. It just took TOO LONG for the movie to get to the bad thing that needed atonement.
But once the bad thing occurred, then the movie went along right well. And it ended well. Not a happy ending, but a good ending.
So. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I'd say "when you go, don't give up." We both agreed that if we were watching it on TV or had it on DVD? We would have clicked off and missed a nice movie. No rave reviews, though.
After the movie: Yoga. You might think that two hour-long workouts in one day is too many. But I will say here that the yoga is really helping a lot. The stretching and the breathing goes a long way to relieving fatigue and body pain. It increases mobility, too. Monday is the only day I do two workouts in one day, though.
After yoga: Library Board meeting. Pretty uneventful.
Then a late supper while watching Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. BBC shows reruns it every day at 6. If it weren't for the language and the bleeping, I'd really really enjoy it. Now I just really enjoy it!
So. After all that playing yesterday I have a ton a work to do today. And in a couple of days I'll be adding a third full time job: Nate's financial aid researcher. Right after the taxes are done.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
How do I Get Out of This?
Yesterday's self-portrait theme was "upside-down." Yes, I could have just hung my head over the edge of a couch or chair. Or even just bent over at the waist and peered through my legs. But no! That would have been too easy!
So I put my camera on my tripod, which I had threaded through the spindles of the upstairs landing rail. I then tied the neckstrap to the spindles. Set the camera to fire by remote, and went downstairs to contemplate how I was going to get on my hands.
Everything went really well until I got to this point.
I did get Nate to help me later. He stood me on my hands while I shot another photo. But I didn't really like those as much. I had wanted to use a moderate depth of field, with my feet in focus and gradually losing focus as you looked down toward my head. But instead I ended up with my belt in focus. In the end, this outtake seemed better than the original idea.
On an unrelated note: We are going to be parents of an Erskine student! Nate was accepted to Erskine College, which is a private Presbyterian College in Due West, SC. The setting and college is remarkably similar to our alma mater. Unfortunately, it is a private college, with a corresponding private college tuition. Visit Erskine online at http://www.erskine.edu.
So I put my camera on my tripod, which I had threaded through the spindles of the upstairs landing rail. I then tied the neckstrap to the spindles. Set the camera to fire by remote, and went downstairs to contemplate how I was going to get on my hands.
Everything went really well until I got to this point.
I did get Nate to help me later. He stood me on my hands while I shot another photo. But I didn't really like those as much. I had wanted to use a moderate depth of field, with my feet in focus and gradually losing focus as you looked down toward my head. But instead I ended up with my belt in focus. In the end, this outtake seemed better than the original idea.
On an unrelated note: We are going to be parents of an Erskine student! Nate was accepted to Erskine College, which is a private Presbyterian College in Due West, SC. The setting and college is remarkably similar to our alma mater. Unfortunately, it is a private college, with a corresponding private college tuition. Visit Erskine online at http://www.erskine.edu.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The photographer and His Subject
Actually, his real subject was peanut butter. A tiny dab on the back of the camera.
Mensa Boy had the idea for this shot. I came in from Jazz and said, "I haven't done my self-portrait for today." And he right away popped out with this idea. I have no idea what I'll do today. Tomorrow is upside-down day in the group.
Mensa Boy had the idea for this shot. I came in from Jazz and said, "I haven't done my self-portrait for today." And he right away popped out with this idea. I have no idea what I'll do today. Tomorrow is upside-down day in the group.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Wine Notes: Orleans Hill Cote Zero
This wine definitely rated a big fat ZERO. In fact, below zero. I've never just poured out an entire bottle before. It was simply nasty. I probably should have taken it back to the store. Maybe there was just a bad batch or something.
When I pulled the cork, there were all these crystals on the bottom of it. The wine itself was pale and sickly looking. Holding the bottle up to the light, I could see sediment.
Sulfite Free. Organic, California Red Wine. 2006.
When I pulled the cork, there were all these crystals on the bottom of it. The wine itself was pale and sickly looking. Holding the bottle up to the light, I could see sediment.
Sulfite Free. Organic, California Red Wine. 2006.
m-m-m These Dreams...
I've been having some pretty vivid dreams these past few months. For most of my life I haven't really remembered many dreams. But in the past several months I've had several that are very memorable. Probably because, for the most part, they've been about mundane things.
I dreamed once about pouring coffee into a cup. After the cup filled I just kept pouring. I was looking right at what I was doing. I was pouring from my little 4-cup pot and the pot never emptied. The cup filled and overflowed and the coffee just kept coming from the pot.
I dreamed about making scrambled eggs for my friend Rena.
But the really interesting one was yesterday morning. I dreamed we had a white armadillo living under our couch. I don't know how I knew it was even an armadillo. All I saw in the dream was a flash of tail. The dream centered around the fact that he got out into the main part of the living room and bonus room and pooped all over. Yup. The dream was about me having to clean up armadillo poop.
I dreamed once about pouring coffee into a cup. After the cup filled I just kept pouring. I was looking right at what I was doing. I was pouring from my little 4-cup pot and the pot never emptied. The cup filled and overflowed and the coffee just kept coming from the pot.
I dreamed about making scrambled eggs for my friend Rena.
But the really interesting one was yesterday morning. I dreamed we had a white armadillo living under our couch. I don't know how I knew it was even an armadillo. All I saw in the dream was a flash of tail. The dream centered around the fact that he got out into the main part of the living room and bonus room and pooped all over. Yup. The dream was about me having to clean up armadillo poop.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Off I Go a-Rovering
It's 5:58 a.m. and I'm off to my three precincts to see how they are doing with their machines. I should be done at all three by 7 when the polls open. Then, it's just a lot of a waiting around, waiting for a problem. But there won't be one. Once everyone is up, the machines just click right along. We are well-prepared and the machines have been properly set up.
Intense boredom will set in around 10 a.m. and last through 7 p.m. tonight. I have books and movies and my cameras to entertain me. One of the polling places is in an historic Presbyterian church near here. They have a very picturesque cemetery, so I hope to take some shots in there. We are expecting 1-3 inches of snow throughout the day, so that could make photos even more fun.
Intense boredom will set in around 10 a.m. and last through 7 p.m. tonight. I have books and movies and my cameras to entertain me. One of the polling places is in an historic Presbyterian church near here. They have a very picturesque cemetery, so I hope to take some shots in there. We are expecting 1-3 inches of snow throughout the day, so that could make photos even more fun.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A Snowy Day
Our first snow of the year. Schools were delayed 2 hours this morning. I don't know how much we got. But as I was drinking my coffee this morning the editor called asking me to go out in the cold, wet snow and take photos. This bird one does not show much snow. I took it on my friend's backyard deck.
I took this one as I walked to the back steps of their deck.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Don't Be Deceived
I know you are looking at this and thinking, "Oh My! What a perfect little brain! I wonder what animal this is from?"
But if you look very very closely, you'll see that it is actually a model that Taylor sculpted from Hershey Kiss wrappers.
Yup.
But if you look very very closely, you'll see that it is actually a model that Taylor sculpted from Hershey Kiss wrappers.
Yup.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Dummies
This dog of ours is sharp as a tack. His people, however are constantly cramming for the tests he throws at them.
He's good with "sit," "stay," "down," "roll over," "leave it," and "watch." He goes to his bed when we tell him, and he notifies us one way or another that he needs to go out.
But when he gets outside, he has a serious case of ADD. You know he has to go. He has to go so bad that he's nearly frantic inside. But once he's out there, his nose overtakes his bowels and he simply is overcome with all the fragrances that are in the wind, on the ground, and under the ground.
And so each afternoon between about 3:30 and 6:30, he leads us to the door and we take him out. To stomp around and wait and pace up and down while he does everything except his business. And then back in we go for 5 or 6 minutes until he takes us to the door again.
There is nothing written anywhere about this that I can find. Somewhere on a magical mystical shelf lies a small booklet that tells exactly how to train your dog in this area. And I'm sure it's placed right next to the little pamphlet that explains how to teach your toddler to blow his nose.
He's good with "sit," "stay," "down," "roll over," "leave it," and "watch." He goes to his bed when we tell him, and he notifies us one way or another that he needs to go out.
But when he gets outside, he has a serious case of ADD. You know he has to go. He has to go so bad that he's nearly frantic inside. But once he's out there, his nose overtakes his bowels and he simply is overcome with all the fragrances that are in the wind, on the ground, and under the ground.
And so each afternoon between about 3:30 and 6:30, he leads us to the door and we take him out. To stomp around and wait and pace up and down while he does everything except his business. And then back in we go for 5 or 6 minutes until he takes us to the door again.
There is nothing written anywhere about this that I can find. Somewhere on a magical mystical shelf lies a small booklet that tells exactly how to train your dog in this area. And I'm sure it's placed right next to the little pamphlet that explains how to teach your toddler to blow his nose.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Rover Rover
Last night I went to the training session for poll workers for the upcoming primaries. dull dull dull. It wouldn't be, really, except that it's pretty much the same thing every time, and since I work every election...you get the picture.
Anyway, for yesterday's self-portrait I put kit on the table and stuck my hand in there so it could be called an sp.
Anyway, for yesterday's self-portrait I put kit on the table and stuck my hand in there so it could be called an sp.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Childress Vineyards Wine
Let me apologize up front for the quality of the upcoming wine photos. They all just are...bad! But I had collected quite a few empty bottles on my windowsill and just needed to get them into the garbage.
This is a North Carolina Vineyard in Lexington. I was first introduced to their dessert wine when buddy Tambri brought a bottle of it to Thanksgiving dinner. It was a delightfully sweet blueberry dessert wine and we just about polished off the bottle that day.
Since then I have tried this Classic Red table wine and also a red blend called Pinnacle. I'm not sure which red blend I liked better: this Classic one or the Pinnacle, but I did like them all. They have just the right amount of sweetness to me. Not too harsh, like some reds can be.
I'm definitely becoming a fan of red blends. I haven't had a bad one yet.
This is a North Carolina Vineyard in Lexington. I was first introduced to their dessert wine when buddy Tambri brought a bottle of it to Thanksgiving dinner. It was a delightfully sweet blueberry dessert wine and we just about polished off the bottle that day.
Since then I have tried this Classic Red table wine and also a red blend called Pinnacle. I'm not sure which red blend I liked better: this Classic one or the Pinnacle, but I did like them all. They have just the right amount of sweetness to me. Not too harsh, like some reds can be.
I'm definitely becoming a fan of red blends. I haven't had a bad one yet.
I love these new shoes
I bought a pair of the new Ryka studio shoes to start the new year and I absolutely LOVE them! They are light as a feather, which I find with most of the shoes I buy from them (these are actually an ounce heavier than my last pair), but I especially like the heel structure.
The heels on these are rounded so you have better range of motion when dancing. Some might see that as a negative...maybe a greater likelihood for twisting an ankle. But I like it because then the shoe does not determine the angle as which my foot extends during some of the poses and dance moves.
Rare for me to write about shoes, I know. But there you have it.
The heels on these are rounded so you have better range of motion when dancing. Some might see that as a negative...maybe a greater likelihood for twisting an ankle. But I like it because then the shoe does not determine the angle as which my foot extends during some of the poses and dance moves.
Rare for me to write about shoes, I know. But there you have it.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Switched-Up Schnitzel
My buddy Tambri gave me some cubed venison loins. My other buddy Sarah told me about a dish her mom made for her every year on her birthday. Mom would dredge the loins in milk, then egg, then a
mixture of saltines, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, pepper and thyme. Then she would fry them in butter. Serve with lemon wedges.
Well. This sounds like schnitzel to me, with the exception of the Parmesan. Austrians do not put Parmesan in the breading. And of course it's usually veal or pork.
Time to play with the food.
First, I decided I wanted to use Panko instead of cracker crumbs. Big fan of the Panko. Love the Panko. I also decided to raise the smoke point of the butter by adding some olive oil. Less chance of burnage that way.
Since I was using Panko mixed with Parmesan rather than saltines, I thought maybe I should not use milk as my first dip. That would add more liquid to the eggs and I really wanted more of a sticking effect, to hold onto that Parmesan and Panko. Panko being much coarser than saltine crumbs would be.
Also? At the very last moment I noticed I did not have LEMON! That, my dear foodie, is a mortal sin in the schnitzel world! I could not send someone to get lemon...Nate is down with flu and Mensa Boy was working hard at home on a big project.
So? Lemon pepper became one of the seasonings in the Panko mixture.
Here is an approximate list of ingredients:
1 # cubed venison loin
First coating:
3/4 cup flour
Second coating:
2 whole eggs
Dredge:
2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan (I used Parmigiano Reggiano, which was what I had, but I think it'd be better to go with something CHEAPER!)
2/3 cup Panko crumbs
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon thyme
Fry over medium-high heat in 1 stick of unsalted butter cut with about 4 tablespoons of olive oil. (Turn to second side when the blood rises to the top) Check for doneness by prodding with your finger. Should firm up, but not become hard.
I think if the heat in the skillet were too high, and the crumbs were in danger of burning, it would be a good idea to just fry to a golden brown and then finish in the oven. Especially if you have an electric oven. A gas oven will lend moisture and keep it from being quite as crisp.
Oh. The lemon in the photo...Neighbor Mary to the rescue!
Now this was an exciting meal! The guys became more and more animated as the schnitzel cooked, although Mensa Boy was sad that the meat wasn't actually cube-shaped. uh yuh.
mixture of saltines, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, pepper and thyme. Then she would fry them in butter. Serve with lemon wedges.
Well. This sounds like schnitzel to me, with the exception of the Parmesan. Austrians do not put Parmesan in the breading. And of course it's usually veal or pork.
Time to play with the food.
First, I decided I wanted to use Panko instead of cracker crumbs. Big fan of the Panko. Love the Panko. I also decided to raise the smoke point of the butter by adding some olive oil. Less chance of burnage that way.
Since I was using Panko mixed with Parmesan rather than saltines, I thought maybe I should not use milk as my first dip. That would add more liquid to the eggs and I really wanted more of a sticking effect, to hold onto that Parmesan and Panko. Panko being much coarser than saltine crumbs would be.
Also? At the very last moment I noticed I did not have LEMON! That, my dear foodie, is a mortal sin in the schnitzel world! I could not send someone to get lemon...Nate is down with flu and Mensa Boy was working hard at home on a big project.
So? Lemon pepper became one of the seasonings in the Panko mixture.
Here is an approximate list of ingredients:
1 # cubed venison loin
First coating:
3/4 cup flour
Second coating:
2 whole eggs
Dredge:
2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan (I used Parmigiano Reggiano, which was what I had, but I think it'd be better to go with something CHEAPER!)
2/3 cup Panko crumbs
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon thyme
Fry over medium-high heat in 1 stick of unsalted butter cut with about 4 tablespoons of olive oil. (Turn to second side when the blood rises to the top) Check for doneness by prodding with your finger. Should firm up, but not become hard.
I think if the heat in the skillet were too high, and the crumbs were in danger of burning, it would be a good idea to just fry to a golden brown and then finish in the oven. Especially if you have an electric oven. A gas oven will lend moisture and keep it from being quite as crisp.
Oh. The lemon in the photo...Neighbor Mary to the rescue!
Now this was an exciting meal! The guys became more and more animated as the schnitzel cooked, although Mensa Boy was sad that the meat wasn't actually cube-shaped. uh yuh.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Cellar No. 8
2005 California Zinfandel.
I don't know why I buy this every once in a while. I read about it in the paper one Wednesday and the reviewer liked it, and I like the reviewer, so I guess I just can't let go.
But the truth is, I really don't think much of this one. Not sweet enough. It's just too tannic for me. I really like a Marietta Cellars table wine, but sometimes I can't find it, and this one often seems to be near where the other should be.
Oh. And it had a cork. I've been wanting wines with corks. Just because I got an electric cork puller for Christmas!
I don't know why I buy this every once in a while. I read about it in the paper one Wednesday and the reviewer liked it, and I like the reviewer, so I guess I just can't let go.
But the truth is, I really don't think much of this one. Not sweet enough. It's just too tannic for me. I really like a Marietta Cellars table wine, but sometimes I can't find it, and this one often seems to be near where the other should be.
Oh. And it had a cork. I've been wanting wines with corks. Just because I got an electric cork puller for Christmas!
Quote for today
My friend Jenny said this yesterday on her blog when she wrote about a Weight Watcher's pizza idea:
"I resisted trying this recipe for a long time because it was frequently described as a good cure to a pizza craving. You know what is a good cure for a pizza craving? An entire Papa John’s pizza."
p.s. She did like the pizza idea, which involved a "Flat out" wrap.
"I resisted trying this recipe for a long time because it was frequently described as a good cure to a pizza craving. You know what is a good cure for a pizza craving? An entire Papa John’s pizza."
p.s. She did like the pizza idea, which involved a "Flat out" wrap.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Supper
"What will you have for supper tonight?" my friend asked.
"Oh...I'll probably just open a can..." I replied.
"Oh...I'll probably just open a can..." I replied.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Foray into Sourdough
Well, this is a food blog, right? At least it used to be. And it's been a while since I wrote about food. This entry is especially easy to write about because I'm so excited about the topic: Sourdough!
My guys love sourdough bread. They like to buy it at the grocery store on Sunday after church. And anytime I tell them I'm going shopping they ask me to pick up some. Well, I like to make bread. (I don't use a bread machine. I use my KitchenAid stand mixer) So I decided to do some reading about sourdough.
I found this recipe in my favorite book, "Cookwise," by Shirley O. Corriher. She has a recipe for starter with yeast, which only needs 10 to 12 hours, rather than a week, to ferment. So I made the starter Tuesday night and then the bread on Wednesday. Altogether it was a 20 hour process, but the bread! Oh. My. Gosh. And to really make it all worthwhile, the bread used all the starter! So I didn't have to begin a long-term relationship with a bowl of fermented flour.
I have skipped all the instructions about how to form loaves.
Starter with Yeast
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour*
1/2 cup semolina (durum) flour
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 3/4 cups cool water (65 to 70 degrees)
Combine flours in a mixer bowl. Stir yeast into warm water in a small cup. Let stand 2 minutes, until foam appears, indicating yeast is alive and well (I skipped this. I use instant yeast and I use yeast so much that I always know it's alive). Add dissolved yeast and cool water into flour. Blend on low speed about 1 minute. Knead on low-medium speed for 5 minutes. Place in a plastic or glass container and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the starter to prevent crusting. Let stand in a draft-free area at a temperature about 71 degrees for 10 to 12 hours. The starter is now ready to to make bread. This is enough to combine with 1 pound (about 3 cups) or enough for two loaves, or one large round.
*I used an unbleached, "white whole wheat" flour by King Arthur. Normally I buy unbleached white flour, but I was intrigued by the whole wheat, so thought it might be good to try. I've had mixed results. The first time I baked bread with it, I made a basic cuban-style bread and I thought it was too dry. I really think whole wheat flour requires more moisture. This flour worked great in this recipe. When I made the bread, I added bread flour to this whole wheat starter for a bread that was darker in color but not so dense as all whole wheat.
Yeast Starter Bread
makes one 10-inch round, or two 7-inch rounds
1 recipe Starter with yeast
1/4 500-mg vitamin C tablet, crushed*
1 teaspoon barley malt syrup**
1/4 cup crushed ice
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon oil for bowl
Coarse cornmeal as needed
Place the starter, vitamin C, barley malt syrup, and ice in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer with the dough hook. Mix on low speed just to blend. Add the bread flour and salt and knead on low-medium speed for 5 minutes, until dough is very elastic. The dough should be firm. Add a little flour or liquid if needed.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning so that it is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down the dough, and divide in half if making two loaves. Let rest for 15 minutes.
Shape the round loaf (or loaves). Place on a baking sheet that is heavily sprinkled with cornmeal. Sprinkle the loaf with some flour, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let the the dough rise until doubled, about 3 to 4 hours.
About 30 minutes before baking, place a baking stone on the lowest slot of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. (I use 4 unglazed quarry tiles.) About 5 minutes before baking, turn the oven down to 375 degrees and carefully place a shallow pan with 1/2 inch of boiling water on the oven floor. Slash the loaves and place the pan directly on the hot stone.
(I put my tiled rack on the second slot, and in the bottom slot I put another rack with another baking sheet on it. I preheated the oven with the other baking sheet in there so that it was nice and hot. When I put the bread in, I first tossed a dozen or so ice cubes on the preheated baking sheet. Then I put the bread on the tiled rack above that to bake.)
Bake until well-browned, 45 to 55 minutes total baking time.
*I skipped the vitamin C because I was out. I do usually do this, though. Corriher says it helps gluten development and produces lighter breads. I tend to agree with her on this.
**A couple of months ago, I accidentally pulled the jar of barley malt syrup off the shelf while reaching for something else. Broken, sticky glass all over the place. YUCK! I used Agave nectar in its place for this recipe because I was giving a loaf to a diabetic. But really any liquid sweetener would do: honey, molasses, corn syrup, etc.
We really enjoyed this bread! And I was so pleased with how photogenic it was! It had a wonderful crunchy crust and a nice crumb. I'll make more this weekend using all white flour to achieve a lighter texture.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Boom! It's Winter!
It's 21 degrees here this morning. Downright frigid for our part of the U.S. The skies are clear as a bell, so really the only indicator of the weather visually is the ice on the bird bath. I need to get the extension cord out and plug that in. Water is so scarce that it's even more important this winter to keep it full and thawed. We did have a couple of inches of rain last week, but of course that is still a couple of FEET less than we really need.
Taylor and I watched a FABULOUS movie last night: "The Prestige." It's about two turn-of-the-century magicians who spend their professional and personal lives destroying each other. Very very good. Taylor had seen it already but said it was hard to follow so he wanted to watch again. I had no trouble, but I had the captions on. That always helps.
It's a back-to-work day today.
Taylor and I watched a FABULOUS movie last night: "The Prestige." It's about two turn-of-the-century magicians who spend their professional and personal lives destroying each other. Very very good. Taylor had seen it already but said it was hard to follow so he wanted to watch again. I had no trouble, but I had the captions on. That always helps.
It's a back-to-work day today.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!
I have to say, except for the neighborhood sounding like a war zone (fireworks started around 6 and lasted until past midnight), the New Year slid in very quietly at our house. My bout with some virus (I'm suspecting flu) caused us to stay home rather than going to the neighbor's for the annual New Year gathering. They assured me they would tip a glass in my honor, and that it wouldn't be any kind of Chardonnay or anything with a Yellow Tail label. So that base was covered. I started sleeping Sunday and pretty much kept that up until 8 this morning. I'm still a little dragged-out, but I feel hopeful that it will all pass.
Resolutions? I really have none. Actually maybe one. I'm going to cut down on the number of adjectives I use in my speech. I won't eliminate them entirely, but just cut way back. Fewer adjectives. That's it.
Foodwise, I'm going to follow The Hungry Fox's idea to add more of these items to my diet. squash, bok choy, turkey, edamame, quinoa, mango, salmon, buttermilk, beef, and chickpeas.
These are all part of my diet now, but I'm going to choose two each week and plan menus around them.
Resolutions? I really have none. Actually maybe one. I'm going to cut down on the number of adjectives I use in my speech. I won't eliminate them entirely, but just cut way back. Fewer adjectives. That's it.
Foodwise, I'm going to follow The Hungry Fox's idea to add more of these items to my diet. squash, bok choy, turkey, edamame, quinoa, mango, salmon, buttermilk, beef, and chickpeas.
These are all part of my diet now, but I'm going to choose two each week and plan menus around them.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Playing
I learned how to fire my speedlight wirelessly by using my camera's on-board flash. Now that was fun! I'm going to play with use the two flashes and the photo light, umbrella and light stand I have. FUN!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Bear's Christmas Gift
It can be difficult to tell where the gift ends and the recipient begins! 
Bear's Christmas Gift
Originally uploaded by Food Fanatic
Originally uploaded by Food Fanatic
Sunday, December 23, 2007
No Photo. Just Words.
Hm. I guess it has been a long time. I see I haven't written since last Saturday. I think most of it has been that I've been busy, and some of it has been that I haven't had much to say.
Mensa Boy came home from his trip to Indonesia. He had a terrible cold. This happens a lot when he travels. Especially if it's several time zones. He was in flight for 30 hours. 30 hours of breathing all that recycled air. Yuck. So he basically stayed home sick for the rest of the week. He did go to the chiropractor on Thursday and had an adjustment, which really helped his sinuses. I had him get a massage on Wednesday and he thought that helped, too. Now he's just got a lingering ear thing.
I worked fast and furious for the paper and then running around to do last minute Christmas stuff, spent almost an entire day getting a new spring for our garage door. ours sheared in two while Bob was gone. Fortunately I have a backup spouse for these emergency repairs. Buddy Rena's husband. He was able to put the new spring on. And unclogged the garbage disposal after Taylor and I tried to grind up peeling for 10 pounds of potatoes.
Taylor and I made lefse. That was a really fun project. Not nearly as spooky as I thought it would be. I've always been told that it was hard to master. We didn't have any trouble at all. Buddy Sarah's daughters helped me make the last half of the batch on Thursday. Then Sarah and I relaxed with giant salads, spicy peel & eat shrimp, and a bottle of Pozzi Scilia Bianco wine. We did that to celebrate her birthday.
Yesterday Mensa Boy and I took Bear to do his Christmas shopping. He ascribes to the theory that his gifts to people should be stuff that he would enjoy getting. He bought a new kennel cab for Nate, a biscuit pouch for me to clip to my waistband, and squeaky toy for Taylor and Mensa Boy.
So now I'm off to church and this afternoon I'll lay around a lot.
Mensa Boy came home from his trip to Indonesia. He had a terrible cold. This happens a lot when he travels. Especially if it's several time zones. He was in flight for 30 hours. 30 hours of breathing all that recycled air. Yuck. So he basically stayed home sick for the rest of the week. He did go to the chiropractor on Thursday and had an adjustment, which really helped his sinuses. I had him get a massage on Wednesday and he thought that helped, too. Now he's just got a lingering ear thing.
I worked fast and furious for the paper and then running around to do last minute Christmas stuff, spent almost an entire day getting a new spring for our garage door. ours sheared in two while Bob was gone. Fortunately I have a backup spouse for these emergency repairs. Buddy Rena's husband. He was able to put the new spring on. And unclogged the garbage disposal after Taylor and I tried to grind up peeling for 10 pounds of potatoes.
Taylor and I made lefse. That was a really fun project. Not nearly as spooky as I thought it would be. I've always been told that it was hard to master. We didn't have any trouble at all. Buddy Sarah's daughters helped me make the last half of the batch on Thursday. Then Sarah and I relaxed with giant salads, spicy peel & eat shrimp, and a bottle of Pozzi Scilia Bianco wine. We did that to celebrate her birthday.
Yesterday Mensa Boy and I took Bear to do his Christmas shopping. He ascribes to the theory that his gifts to people should be stuff that he would enjoy getting. He bought a new kennel cab for Nate, a biscuit pouch for me to clip to my waistband, and squeaky toy for Taylor and Mensa Boy.
So now I'm off to church and this afternoon I'll lay around a lot.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Accidental Exposure
Yesterday I ran like a crazy woman, from school to school, interviewing and taking photos. At one point I walked into the high school after leaving the elementary, and got a call on my cell. The editor. Asking me to go to the new middle school to shoot some teachers taking a tour. They are going to move into the building around January 15.
Fortunately, I've learned enough about my photography skills to know that I should take several shots at several different exposures when I'm shooting for pay.
This is my HUGE SHADOW on the wall behind a group shot I took at the new middle school. I corrected the angles, exposure and lighting so that I could get a good, printable photo. But I thought the shadow was cool enough that I played around with some color and texture in Photoshop and submitted it for my self-portrait for yesterday. I'm in the mid-60s now with the self-portraits. Some are well-planned, but many are quite accidental.
Fortunately, I've learned enough about my photography skills to know that I should take several shots at several different exposures when I'm shooting for pay.
This is my HUGE SHADOW on the wall behind a group shot I took at the new middle school. I corrected the angles, exposure and lighting so that I could get a good, printable photo. But I thought the shadow was cool enough that I played around with some color and texture in Photoshop and submitted it for my self-portrait for yesterday. I'm in the mid-60s now with the self-portraits. Some are well-planned, but many are quite accidental.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wrestling? What Will I Do Next?
When I started this freelance gig, I was writing food stories for our local newspaper. After a couple of weeks of writing and waiting around for the newspaper photographer to come shoot my food, I bought a little Fuji FinePix F10.
And so the photography thing began.
After a short bit, I was getting requests from the paper to "Run over there and take a photo."
Then it was "Can you write a short bit about that while you are there?"
And so I became an all-around writer/photographer. A lot of school features, then church features, some human interest stories. Then new business introductions. Then they asked me if I'd like to be the reporter/photographer for our school's Cross Country team. I've done that for 2 seasons now.
Last week my editor was telling me that the photographer is going to start taking Wednesdays off for a while. I said "Well, just let me know if I can help pick up the slack with some photography."
"Would you like to shoot the wrestling meet Tuesday night? You should be able to just get in there, take a few shots, and get out."
Sure. Why not?
I was there for almost 2 hours. It was interesting. I had no idea what most of the rules were. But I do know the coach, so he explained a couple of things to me before I started. Just to give me an idea what to look for. This is the best shot I got all night. I wish I had their entire bodies in there, but hey! I tried, right? I doubt I'll do this very much. I get only $10 per photo and they will probably only publish one shot. So $10 for almost 2 hours of my time doesn't really make a lot of sense. But I did enjoy working the camera.
And so the photography thing began.
After a short bit, I was getting requests from the paper to "Run over there and take a photo."
Then it was "Can you write a short bit about that while you are there?"
And so I became an all-around writer/photographer. A lot of school features, then church features, some human interest stories. Then new business introductions. Then they asked me if I'd like to be the reporter/photographer for our school's Cross Country team. I've done that for 2 seasons now.
Last week my editor was telling me that the photographer is going to start taking Wednesdays off for a while. I said "Well, just let me know if I can help pick up the slack with some photography."
"Would you like to shoot the wrestling meet Tuesday night? You should be able to just get in there, take a few shots, and get out."
Sure. Why not?
I was there for almost 2 hours. It was interesting. I had no idea what most of the rules were. But I do know the coach, so he explained a couple of things to me before I started. Just to give me an idea what to look for. This is the best shot I got all night. I wish I had their entire bodies in there, but hey! I tried, right? I doubt I'll do this very much. I get only $10 per photo and they will probably only publish one shot. So $10 for almost 2 hours of my time doesn't really make a lot of sense. But I did enjoy working the camera.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Christmas Preparations Underway
Well, we finally got the tree and outside lights up this weekend. It was a struggle, to be honest. Every year we all kind of galump around, wishing someone else would do it. This year I got Taylor to help me put out the outside lights by promising that whoever did that wouldn't have to be involved in taking them back down. I am short a string of clear lights, and trying to buy another at Target proved fruitless. Clear lights seem to be all the rage these days. At least in our neighborhood. I think we might be almost the only ones that have multi-colored lights outside. I want to put clear ones on the two tall bushes. I also have several strings on the pergola that stay up year round, but they have quite a few bulbs burned out and I think I'm going to just replace the strings. I've been trying to fix them and it's just very complicated.
The tree took essentially 3 days. Not that it's a particularly great tree, but we all just pretty much kept running out of steam.
So. Next is the shopping, which I imagine we'll do online. Mensa Boy's list is completely shot, leaving Nate and me nothing to get for him. This happens all the time. Nate didn't even publish a list this year.
Wow...looking back at this, it seems all pretty dismal. But actually, things are looking pretty nice around here. And restful.
The tree took essentially 3 days. Not that it's a particularly great tree, but we all just pretty much kept running out of steam.
So. Next is the shopping, which I imagine we'll do online. Mensa Boy's list is completely shot, leaving Nate and me nothing to get for him. This happens all the time. Nate didn't even publish a list this year.
Wow...looking back at this, it seems all pretty dismal. But actually, things are looking pretty nice around here. And restful.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Lancaster Christmas Parade
Saturday my friend Tambri had her dance school in the Lancaster Christmas Parade. We had 50 little girls, most of whom rode on a trailer we decorated with posters and Christmas lights. Although I do not have a kid in her classes, or even have girl for that matter (thank goodness!), I always help Tambri with her big productions.
All I can say is, we seriously underestimated Lancaster. This was one cool parade. And they had the downtown well-decorated.
This is my friend Tambri, decked out in her Christmas finery, riding to the parade route. You can see me and my camera peeking over her shoulder. I really enjoy this shot.
All I can say is, we seriously underestimated Lancaster. This was one cool parade. And they had the downtown well-decorated.
This is my friend Tambri, decked out in her Christmas finery, riding to the parade route. You can see me and my camera peeking over her shoulder. I really enjoy this shot.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Tyvek Notebook
When Mensa Boy goes on a trip to a particularly humid or rainy location, he likes to make himself a Tyvek Reporter's notebook. He meticulously cuts and punches holes into pieces of Tyvek and then puts them on the binder and between the covers of a regular reporter's notebook. I've always wondered why he can't just buy something like that, but he says he's tried to find them and can't. I guess one day someone did tell him they have such an animal at REI. He checked there, and they do carry notebooks like this, but they are not REPORTERS notebooks. Wrong size. Must be the RIGHT SIZE!!
Here he is demonstrating, with sound effects of course, his writing across his latest Tyvek notebook.
Here he is demonstrating, with sound effects of course, his writing across his latest Tyvek notebook.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Luigi's
I have seen this before. I have no idea why this sign is upside down, but certainly catches the eye. This is on South Boulevard between Tyvola and 485. I had lunch with a friend at Spoon's BBQ yesterday and captured this on the way home.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Apple Crisp
A little Wednesday afternoon treat. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a bag of dried cherries. I decided to put those in this crisp instead of raisins. I made the crisp from 1 1/2 Granny Smith apples and 1 Gala apple. It's always a big hit at our house. But I just make it in an 8 x8 pan...everyone likes it fine the day it's made but then it never gets eaten after that.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Product Review: Kashi Granola
I had a pleasant surprise this morning. Breakfast in my mailbox! And it was delicious, too!
I do not normally eat cereal for breakfast, but this, as I find all Kashi products, was excellent. The right amount of crunch, the right amount of chewiness. Just a great way to start the day.
I do not normally eat cereal for breakfast, but this, as I find all Kashi products, was excellent. The right amount of crunch, the right amount of chewiness. Just a great way to start the day.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Scam Soap
Mensa Boy and mini-MB call foaming hand soap "Scam Soap."
MB's theory is that it is not more cost-effective than regular liquid soap. Apparently that's been part of the marketing? I can't really confirm that. I don't pay close enough attention to that kind of thing.
Anyway, at MB's work they have dispensers in the restrooms for both kinds...foaming and regular liquid soap. He says the foaming ones are always emptying faster than regular ones.
My thinking is that people might be gravitating to the foaming soap because it's lighter and rinses off faster.
MB's theory is that it is not more cost-effective than regular liquid soap. Apparently that's been part of the marketing? I can't really confirm that. I don't pay close enough attention to that kind of thing.
Anyway, at MB's work they have dispensers in the restrooms for both kinds...foaming and regular liquid soap. He says the foaming ones are always emptying faster than regular ones.
My thinking is that people might be gravitating to the foaming soap because it's lighter and rinses off faster.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
It's love...
Taylor and his beloved Clementines. He asks for them every year as soon as they come out.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Product Review: Brown Basmati Rice
I have to admit I've had this a while. Okay...months. I did a pot of it when I bought it, stuck the bag in the cupboard and forgot about it again until last week.
My family loves Basmati rice. I buy it at Sam's Club in 25-lb bags. If I do happen to run out, Taylor will mention it. "What's this rice, Mom? It doesn't have much flavor," he'll say of regular long-grain rice.
I thought maybe I'd step up the fiber by trying this brown variety. I don't remember how much it was, but I'm quite sure it was significantly pricier than the other. I've bought Lundberg stuff before and liked it. I think I've even reviewed it, but I'm too lazy to do a [rather simple] search of the blog.
Anyway, great stuff! Takes a loooonnnnng time to cook though. Like most brown rice.
My family loves Basmati rice. I buy it at Sam's Club in 25-lb bags. If I do happen to run out, Taylor will mention it. "What's this rice, Mom? It doesn't have much flavor," he'll say of regular long-grain rice.
I thought maybe I'd step up the fiber by trying this brown variety. I don't remember how much it was, but I'm quite sure it was significantly pricier than the other. I've bought Lundberg stuff before and liked it. I think I've even reviewed it, but I'm too lazy to do a [rather simple] search of the blog.
Anyway, great stuff! Takes a loooonnnnng time to cook though. Like most brown rice.
Ruining His Life-Part 2
Okay. The scene:
Bear is barking at me. Sitting by my chair, barking. This usually means he desperately needs to go OUT! But of course he’d JUST been out. Pooped. Peed. I think he mainly wants attention. The guys are home and he usually really just wants to play when they get here.
So I yell across the house: “Someone needs to take this dog out and do something with him!”
[[silence]]
“SOMEBODY!!!”
[[dead silence]]
Taylor has already run him around the block. He was the guy on poop watch when it happened too. So I yell:
“NATE!!!”
Still no response.
I walk to the dining room. Both guys are hunched over books, not looking up. Pencils scritching across paper.
“Nate, take the dog out and play with him.”
[[big sigh]]
He hauls himself up from his chair. “OKAY! If you want me to forget about my future!!!”
Read Part 1 of ruining his life.Wine Notes: Wolf Blass Shiraz 2004
This is my "house wine." This is the one (and the cab-shiraz blend by the same vineyard) that I have around all the time. The one that I go back to whenever I can't think of anything new to try.
I read about Wolf Blass in an article somewhere. That it's the number one selling wine in Australia. Judging by the wine selection in our grocery stores, I'd have to assume that the number one Australian wine in America is Yellowtail. I have to assume Yellowtail's success here in the U.S. is all due to marketing. It has to be some of the worst wine I've ever had. I can get a migraine from 3 sips of it...any of the grapes. Without fail, every time. Even when I don't know what wine I'm drinking!
Anyway, Wolf Blass. It's not acrid. It's quite smooth and fruity and just begs for a piece of dark chocolate. I like it on a cool evening after supper. And the price is right. It's always under $10. Usually around $8.99.
I read about Wolf Blass in an article somewhere. That it's the number one selling wine in Australia. Judging by the wine selection in our grocery stores, I'd have to assume that the number one Australian wine in America is Yellowtail. I have to assume Yellowtail's success here in the U.S. is all due to marketing. It has to be some of the worst wine I've ever had. I can get a migraine from 3 sips of it...any of the grapes. Without fail, every time. Even when I don't know what wine I'm drinking!
Anyway, Wolf Blass. It's not acrid. It's quite smooth and fruity and just begs for a piece of dark chocolate. I like it on a cool evening after supper. And the price is right. It's always under $10. Usually around $8.99.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wine Notes: Alice White Red Lexia 2007
This is not bad stuff. I had read a wine comment about Alice White Lexia. That it's sweet and pretty good for a sort of dessert wine. And that is true. Actually, I found the Lexia to be almost too sweet.
But this Red Lexia isn't quite as syrupy. Drunk cold, it's very refreshing on a warm day.
But this Red Lexia isn't quite as syrupy. Drunk cold, it's very refreshing on a warm day.
Stop Reading if I've Told You This Before
The stress from the drought is really seeping into everyone's lives around here. There are people with wells drying up now. Last night at the library board meeting one of the members said she has a couple of students whose wells have been dry for a couple of months now. Those families have no choice but to have a new well drilled or pay a tap fee to the county to be added to county water and sewer. I read in the paper yesterday that many older wells have pipes that are only 2 inches in diameter and don't go down more than 100 feet. Current wells average 200 to 300 feet and use 6-inch pipe. New wells can cost $6,000 or more to drill and tap fees to be added to city or county water can cost a couple thousand, as well.
So even the folks with wells are into the water conservation habit now. I'm glad to hear that. But concerned for them. We may face fines and even the prospect of having our water turned off if we don't comply, but at least we will probably have some water.
But it's also darkening our day-to-day thoughts at times. A friend told me the other day that when he woke up in the morning and heard the [very very light] rain falling, he caught himself saying, "God! If you're going to send us rain, at least do it right!" Or something to that effect. He felt so guilty after that.
Last night the teacher library board member also said that when her class had their prayer time yesterday, a little girl prayed "Lord. We'd really like to go out to recess today, but if you want to let it rain instead, that would be okay."
We are now 20-24 inches behind in our rainfall here.
So even the folks with wells are into the water conservation habit now. I'm glad to hear that. But concerned for them. We may face fines and even the prospect of having our water turned off if we don't comply, but at least we will probably have some water.
But it's also darkening our day-to-day thoughts at times. A friend told me the other day that when he woke up in the morning and heard the [very very light] rain falling, he caught himself saying, "God! If you're going to send us rain, at least do it right!" Or something to that effect. He felt so guilty after that.
Last night the teacher library board member also said that when her class had their prayer time yesterday, a little girl prayed "Lord. We'd really like to go out to recess today, but if you want to let it rain instead, that would be okay."
We are now 20-24 inches behind in our rainfall here.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sprouting up all over
A couple of weeks ago, Tony popped up in church with the beginnings of a beard. He does that a couple of times a year.
Then a member of the congregation, a retired gentleman named Jack, showed up with the same thing. "What's with the beard, Jack?" everyone asked.
"I'm growing it because Tony is," he said.
Yesterday I was sitting in church when I realized that Mensa Boy's face also was getting a bit hairy. He'll do that...not shave on weekends. Since it's been a long weekend of course, his face was pretty scruffy by yesterday.
"I'm going to tell people that I'm growing a beard because Jack is!" he whispered.
Then a member of the congregation, a retired gentleman named Jack, showed up with the same thing. "What's with the beard, Jack?" everyone asked.
"I'm growing it because Tony is," he said.
Yesterday I was sitting in church when I realized that Mensa Boy's face also was getting a bit hairy. He'll do that...not shave on weekends. Since it's been a long weekend of course, his face was pretty scruffy by yesterday.
"I'm going to tell people that I'm growing a beard because Jack is!" he whispered.
"I have a dear old daddy,
For whom I nightly pray,
He has a set of whiskers
That are always in the way.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
Father had a strong back,
Now it's all caved in,
He stepped upon his whiskers
And walked up to his chin.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
Father has a daughter,
Her name is Ella Mae,
She climbs up father's whiskers
And braids them all the way.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
I have a dear old mother,
She likes the whiskers, too,
She uses them for dusting
And cleaning out the flue.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way."
For whom I nightly pray,
He has a set of whiskers
That are always in the way.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
Father had a strong back,
Now it's all caved in,
He stepped upon his whiskers
And walked up to his chin.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
Father has a daughter,
Her name is Ella Mae,
She climbs up father's whiskers
And braids them all the way.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way.
I have a dear old mother,
She likes the whiskers, too,
She uses them for dusting
And cleaning out the flue.
Oh, they're always in the way,
The cows eat them for hay,
They hide the dirt on Daddy's shirt,
They're always in the way."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving
How do you like this? Two blog entries in less than an hour. I was sifting through my recent photos and thought I'd stick these up.
This is my friend Tambri (left), Chris and me in front of part of our meal. Peeking out behind Tambri is Chris' daughter Samantha. I have to say it was one of the best Thanksgivings we've had. Food, talking about food, preparing food, laughing, games....just a wonderful day.
Bear also had a good day, even though he didn't get a single bit of people food. The poor little guy hasn't figured out how useful chairs can be:
This is my friend Tambri (left), Chris and me in front of part of our meal. Peeking out behind Tambri is Chris' daughter Samantha. I have to say it was one of the best Thanksgivings we've had. Food, talking about food, preparing food, laughing, games....just a wonderful day.
Bear also had a good day, even though he didn't get a single bit of people food. The poor little guy hasn't figured out how useful chairs can be:
Wine Notes: Old Fart's Wife Merlot 2004
Just want to take a moment to note that I'm not drinking myself into oblivion each night. I like to have a glass in the evening while I'm cooking or with my meal, and my friends also enjoy it, so we usually have a glass when we get together. That's it. The reason why there will be so many kinds mentioned all at once is because the bottles from the past month have been accumulating on my desk waiting to be cataloged and photographed.
This? Was terrible. Chris bought it because she was charmed by the name. I wouldn't have done that. I'm not charmed by the name and the wine was hideous. It has to be pretty bad for me to dump down the drain. We each drank 1/2 glass and then glug glug glug down the garbage disposal.
It's been a quiet weekend here. Last night I made the traditional post-Thanksgiving turkey gumbo. A photo and recipe are here.
I watched the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane" yesterday afternoon. It was pretty cute. And then while I made the gumbo I revisited my all-time favorite movie, "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
In the evening I did more moon shooting. It was a full moon, so I was able to capture this:
This? Was terrible. Chris bought it because she was charmed by the name. I wouldn't have done that. I'm not charmed by the name and the wine was hideous. It has to be pretty bad for me to dump down the drain. We each drank 1/2 glass and then glug glug glug down the garbage disposal.
It's been a quiet weekend here. Last night I made the traditional post-Thanksgiving turkey gumbo. A photo and recipe are here.
I watched the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane" yesterday afternoon. It was pretty cute. And then while I made the gumbo I revisited my all-time favorite movie, "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
In the evening I did more moon shooting. It was a full moon, so I was able to capture this:
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