Brain Fluff

So I had this post all written out about how damned busy I am, but then I realized, I barely care about that. None of y'all will. So here's other miscellany that's floating around in my brain.

Remember that bag I wanted? I was too cheap to pay $50 + S&H for it, so I searched and searched (OK, I googled it once) and found it on closeout at REI for $30. If you do in-store pick up, no S&H. Woot. They have other bags and such on closeout too. Yay.

In case you want to know the fat and calorie content of Auntie Ida's super duper bacon and fried chicken casserole with cheesy topping, you can put in the recipe on Recipe Cal and they'll tell you how many hours you need to spend at the gym to work it off (i.e. all the nutritional info). Of course, some things are probably better to not know.

I do not have enough time on my hands. But some people must … otherwise, how could you make these. Absolutely incredible. Continue reading “Brain Fluff”

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

from: Hungry Girl

Ingredients
1/2 butternut squash
kosher salt

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and de-seed your butternut squash. If you're unfamiliar with handling them, you may have a little trouble at first. They're fairly easy to peel, but you'll need a sharp knife to cut them. Once your orange friend is peeled and seed-free, slice it in half. Then cut it up into french fry shapes. We like to use a crinkle cutter to make authentic looking crinkle cut fries, but they'll work any way you slice 'em.

Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Cover lightly with kosher salt (regular salt works, too, but we prefer kosher). Place tray in your pre-heated oven and bake for 40 minutes or so, flipping halfway through baking process. Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and get crispy. Serve with ketchup, or however else you enjoy fries or sweet potato fries!

Nutritional Info (5 oz(
Calories: 65; Fat: 0g; Sodium: 486mg (includes salt); Carbs: 16.5g; Fiber: 4g Sugar: 3g; Protein: 1g

from: Fitness Magazine June 2007

Ingredients
2 med potatoes, cut into 1.5 inch chunks
2 C broccoli florets (the nice part)
2 T EVOO
1 t kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Heat oven to 400. Toss the potatoes and broccoli with the oil; add salta and pepper. Spread the veggies on a baking sheet. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until paotoes are tender and golden, about 25 min.

from: Sunset Magazine March 2006

Ingredients
6 artichokes
2 T lemon juice
2 T olive oil
1 t salt
3 T butter
onion, chopped
6 C chicken broth
2 T all purpose flour
3 T whipping cream
salt and pepper
chervil to serve (optional)

Directions
Trim leaves, stems and fuzzy chokes from the artichokes. Drop the hearts into a bolw of ice water mxed with the lemon jice and olive oil. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 T salt. Drain hearts and add to boiling water; cook until tender. Drain. In a pan over med-high heat, melt 3 T butter. Add onion and stir until golden. Stir in flour and cook, stirring often 3-5 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and artichoke hearts; stir until mixture boils and thickens, 15-20 min. Whirl mexture in a blender until smooth. Return to pan and heat through. Add the cream and season with S&P to taste.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with chervil if desired.

from: Sunset Magazine March 2006

Ingredients
3 dozen baby artichokes
2 T lemon juice
2 T olive oil
1 T salt
1 oz pancetta, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 C dry white wine
1/4 C mint
salt and pepper
parmesan cheese

Directions
Trim leaves and stems from the baby artichokes, leaving just the tender yellow-green leaves. Drop the artichokes into a bowl of ice water mixed with the lemon juice and olive oil. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 T salt. Drain artichokes and add to boiling water; simmer until tender, 10-20 minutes. Cut any larger ones in half, removing any fuzz at the heart.

Set a frying pan over med-high heat. Add the pancetta and stir until fat is rendered. Add garlic and stir until golden. Add the wine and the artichokes. Cook until the wine is almost evaporated. Add mint and season with S&P to taste. Serve topped with shaved or shredded parmesan.

from: Adapted from Epicurian

Ingredients
2C sugar
3C Flour
1tsp. baking soda
1tsp. baking powder
1tsp.(each) cloves, cinnamon,allspice & salt
3 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C vegetable Oil (or 1/2 c apple sauce and 1/2 c veggie oil)
2 C grated Zucchini (unpeeled)
1 C raisins

Directions
Soften the raisins using hot tap water. While they are soaking, sift all dry ingredients together. Mix in the soaked (and drained) raisins with the flour, making sure to coat them well. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend. Bake at 350 degrees. 1 hour for bread, 20 minutes for muffins.

from: some website

Ingredients
1 chipotle chili, diced + 2 tsps adobo sauce (I used canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce from Whole Foods.)
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 medium vidalia onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 cup sherry
14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
4 Hass avocados
2 tablespoons dried cilantro
1/8 cup lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 corn tortillas
8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, grated

Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, brown sugar, cumin, and oregano; sauté until the onion is soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sherry, chipotle chili, adobo sauce, tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes, until thickened to stew consistency.

Heat oven to 400° F. Put 1/2 cup olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until very hot but not smoking, about 4 to 5 minutes. Using tongs, fry the tortillas, one at a time, for 2 to 3 seconds on each side. Drain on paper towel-lined sheet to get rid of excess oil.

Peel and pit the avocados. Immediately toss with the lime juice (prevents browning), cilantro, salt and pepper. Mash well.

Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce into a small casserole dish. Spoon 2 tablespoons of avocado filling into each tortilla, sprinkle some Monterrey jack cheese on top, then roll the tortilla. Put it in the casserole dish, seam side down, against one edge. Repeat the process for the other tortillas, placing each rolled tortilla snugly against the one before it. Ladle the rest of the sauce over the rolled tortillas, top with remaining cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Note: These don’t reheat well because the avocado filling turns brown after a few hours. So it eat up while it’s fresh!

from:

Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup pitted fresh cherries or canned cherries, drained
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter

Directions
Directions for cherry muffins
Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; add cherries and stir gently to blend. In a separate bowl, beat egg until thick and light in color; stir in the milk and melted butter.

Quickly stir egg and milk mixture into the dry mixture. Butter and flour 12 muffin cups. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake cherry muffins at 375° for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 12 cherry muffins.

from: Just Jenn

Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1-1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare muffin pans with grease or liners, whichever you prefer. Mix sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Makes about 12.

Home Again


Can I tell you how good it is to be home? Really really good. I missed my own bed and kitchen and and and … everything … so much. It almost makes up for the fact that I am now so far behind on household things that I can hardly even justify writing this.

I got up an hour before my extra charge was due to arrive just so I could clean the kichen and pick up around here. It still looks like a hurricane struck. And I have got to get to the post office, pharmacy and library today without fail … and before any of them closes. I am in awe of you stay-at-home moms with two littles. The idea of dragging two under two with me on a birrage of errands seems something akin to running a 10K. I'm sure I can do it, it just sounds like absolutely no fun. Luckily they're being very good. Both sitting there watching Cars while I write this. Uh-oh someone needs a binky. Better go.

Somewhere in Missouri

This is my first mobile post. I'm using Matt's Treo on the road … doing 80 MPH on I-70. No, I'm not driving.

Nashville was fun. Matt's grandma is fighting a good fight, but it is only a matter of time, unfortunately. It was nice to see her and great that Tabby could see her great g'ma again. It feels rotten to have to leave, but we have little choice.

We had such a nice time visiting with everyone in N'ville. I think we both wish we could live in two places sometimes. Tabby loved meeting lots of new people. I keep expecting her to go into that fear of strangers phase, but so far, not so much. But I do notice that she looks for me or Matt if she gets a bit unsure. And I really think she remembered her Nashville family.

About 700 miles to go…

Update …

We're still chilling in Nashville. We'll probably take off for home tomorrow AM. It's been a pretty nice trip considering … we've gotten to see a lot of extended family and some college friends who we don't get to regularly, and that is great. I wanted to update with some photos, but I have been just lousy about taking out the camera. Somehow, it gets to be a lot to carry around with Tabby and her bucket and her diaper bag. But I am going to make more of an effort … hehhe.

Things that have happened since we came to N'ville:
* Loki jumped in Tabby's pack 'n' play … while she was in there. He didn't hurt her at all and we're pretty convinced that he had no idea she was in there. Still, it scared us really good and we haven't let him near it since.
* I smashed my foot in the door at the Frist Center (local art museum) and bled all over my favorite flip flops (Chacos, very cute). It still hurts like crazy.
* We had an amazing rain storm last night with some really really loud thunder. Woke both Matt and I up … but not Tabby. That girl can sleep!
* Loki went swimming with Matt's dad's two labs in their pool. He loved it.
* We went to CVS @ 2:30 AM because the *one* bottle that I brought (though I did get two nipples!) somehow got lost and Tabby got hungry in the middle of the night and we hadn't noticed that it was gone.

I'll try to post again soon …

Funny Thing … sorta

So on the meme thing from yesterday, I sorta wrote that in advance cuz we're supposed to be on vacation and all … I was planning to go back and fill in the one about how far I traveled that day. But of course I forgot. Funny thing is, I've got a really good answer.

See, we left unexpectedly on Sun night for Nashville. So on Monday, we traveled from Hays, KS to Nashville, TN. This is all centering around a family emergency. Matt's grandma, who has been battling cancer for years now, has taken a turn for the worse and we're in town to say our goodbyes. It is very nice to see everyone, but obviously sad that we're here under these circumstances.

Don't know how often I'll be around. But that's what's going on.

Random Questions Meme

Stolen from Ani and Shanny.

The phone rings, who do you want it to be? Hmm… I don't know. Maybe Britney. She's got a lot of explaining to do.

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? I just park by a cart return. I take one from there when I go in and I put it back when I leave. That way I have a good transport for Tabby's heavy bucket.

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? If I'm comfortable, I'll talk … quite a lot. Otherwise, I”m quiet.

Do you take compliments well? One on one, yes, but like recognition for something, that makes me want to melt into a puddle on the ground. I hate it.

Do you play Sudoku? Yes! It's on BrainAge for my DS. Wonder if it's on Brain Age 2.

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? Oh maybe … I mean I know some of the principles of wilderness survival and all, but I'm not itching to test my mettle.

Do you like nipple rings? No. They look … dangerous. Continue reading “Random Questions Meme”

Link a Dink

Seems like by Friday my head is so mushy I can't do much but empty its contents here. So that's what I'll do. I've been amazingly busy at work. The kind where I'm barely at home. I've been missing Matt and Tabby loads. But I have next week to play with them, so yay!

We went to see Spamalot last night. I cannot say enough good things about this musical. I enjoyed it more than just about anything I've ever seen. It is completely irreverent, a bit bawdy, and utterly hilarious. It's sort of a cross between Monty Python's search for the Holy Grail and Camelot with a load of Brodaway humor thrown in. The absolute highlight of humor for me was the (Lady of the) Laker Girls cheerleading Routine. K-I-N-G-A-R-T-H-U-R ….. King Arthur, yea! King Arthur. Absolutely brilliant!!

Dinner @ Chedds wasn't bad either. I had roast beef and horseradish cheddar. Yum-O.

What else? Oh yes. I've collected some really brilliant links this week. Don't know what's going on, but there seems to be some really good stuff coming out lately. First and foremost, since I was just talking grilled cheese, I thought this article, with 10 tips to perfect grilled cheese, was worth a read. Personally, we use the George Foreman to make our grilled cheese sandwiches (and quesadillas for that matter), but the stovetop method is classic.

Before I forget, I must also share the latest bag that I.Must.Have!!!! My day-to-day bag, a lime green Ogio backpack, while very nice, has been feeling a bit large lately. I was cruising around ebags (luv that site) and found Overland Equipment. After perusing their website, I have decided that I must have a “Donner.” They come in great colors and are imminently functional. I am only sliiightly deterred that the bag seems to be named after a rather ill-fated family vacation. I also notice they sell a laptop bag that would actually hold my giant laptop. Continue reading “Link a Dink”

Yawn.

I am not very interesting today. I had a rant all planned out, but when I wrote it, I though it sounded dumb. So … no rant.

I could tell you about yesterday evening … except I went to bed around 7:30. No I'm not kidding.

I could tell you about the family vacation we're going on next week … except we're not going anywhere. Seriously.

I could tell you about my fabulous plans for the rest of the day … except I'm not going to get home 'til 7 cuz I'm working 12 hours today.

I could tell you about all the fabulous new products I've been trying … except I'm a bit broke right now and discretionary spending is at a minimum.

I could tell you how clean my house is … except that would be a bald-faced lie. It's a pit. And I need to clean it before the babysitter comes tomorrow.

I need to get out and have some fun. And I don't mean cleaning the house. 😛