Everything is Better

Brussels sprouts. They make everything better. And apparently there's an "s" at the end of their name, I never knew that until just now as spell check yelled at me.

Think they taste nasty? Chances are you've only ever experienced the bitter, frozen stuff. Don't buy those things, they're nasty. Get the best brussels sprouts fresh, in the organic section. These little buggers are the only produce item that I insist on buying organic.

Peel off a couple of the outer leaves, and slice off the base. I usually end up slicing them in half, tossing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and putting them in the oven. I'll do 350 for about 20 minutes, and finish them off under the broiler for about 5 minutes to get them a bit crispy. Parsnips are fun to chop up and add to the mix. Bacon pairs well with brussels sprouts, too (no surprise there, it pairs well with everything).

My favorite preparation - is raw! Peel and cut each bud as before, but then shred them as you would cabbage. Brussels sprouts make excellent salads and slaws.

I'm not going to pretend I came up with this recipe, but it's my favorite. Here's my version of it, but go here for the original recipe.

Lord Rudy of Cuteville

I'm typically a clean, organized person. I arrange my nail polish by color and have a drawer specifically for tights. Sometimes I leave a sock on the floor.

Currently, I live with my sister and brother-in-law, and they're moving to LA in a week. While there are many wonderful and sad things associated with this, the one that I hate is constant open houses. Keeping my space continuously spotless, with personal knick-knacks tucked away, is less than fun. It's also why I woke up at 5 today, and am getting kicked out of the house an hour before work.

At least there's lots of coffee this morning, and a darling chocolate lab cuddled up on my bed. I can't believe Rudy is going to become a big city dog, I'm going to miss him oh so very much.

The Collected Poems

Stephen kissed me in the spring,
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.

Stephen's kiss was lost in jest,
Robin's lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin's eyes
Haunts me to this day.

-Sara Teasdale

Required

This "update post" is required, since it's been so long since I've updated. Of all the things in this world that I dislike, I dislike these posts the most. But we all have to do things we don't like from time to time. It's called being an adult.

I've been doing some cool things lately. School is not one of them. I'm enjoying doing graphics work and learning, but my school is a sad, sad place where souls die. It's like going to work in a cubicle, but worse. Because I'm paying them thousands of dollars to be there.

Acting is one of the cool things. I'm enjoying a break from the rigors of choral singing and am fully submerged in musical theatre. I do miss choral singing - mainly because I miss being around people who can read music - but I love the people I'm surrounded by now. I get to spend almost every evening with people who are happy to give up their free time to run around and play make-believe. There is also awesome music, cool costumes, and frequently celebratory drinks. The only complaint is that it doesn't pay, so I have to work.

I conveniently love my job, though, so it's all good. I get to sell the best kitchen gadgets and goodies to other foodies. I've always worked retail, except when I was a teacher, and even then I worked retail in the summers. It has recently dawned on me that I might like, if not love, retail, and I'm pretty good at selling things to people. Which is why...

...I can't stop dreaming of my future chocolate shop. I'm going to run the best chocolate shop in Northern Minnesota. One day.

Chopped Marathons

They're dangerous.

Tonight, after supper, I turned to my trusty Food Network and enjoyed about 2 episodes of Chopped before I couldn't take it anymore. I had to eat something.

I baked some chicken with sriracha, and made a sriracha sauce to put on top. About 2 parts Greek yogurt to 1 part sriracha, a clove of garlic, and some kosher salt. Boiled up some potatoes, mashed them with cream cheese, milk, butter, and shredded cheese.

And that's why I had an amazing day.

Update 2013!

I used to be a teacher, but couldn't tolerate the toxic environment of the public schools. Kids are great, it's the adults that are difficult. I'm now much happier, back in Duluth, studying graphic design. The goal - work with local musicians and artists on websites and other marketing needs.

Not being a teacher has it's downfalls - like not having steady, decent paychecks. Now that I'm working 3 jobs, I rarely have free time. And that's ok. Busy is good. If only the paychecks reflected the time spent.

The snowplow just drove by, and it looks like I'm slightly plowed in to my driveway! Every year I understand more and more why snowbirds do what they do. Uffda.

These days I spend a lot of time dreaming of my garden this summer, the new plants and vegetables I'll plant, and all the cooking I'll do from the garden. It's hard to imagine on snowy days like this, but I just placed an order on some bulbs, and will be gardening in a couple months!

New recipe challenges are coming my way soon. Yum.

Back in the Saddle

I plan to get this thing going now, once and for all. Unfortunately, this decision comes at a very cliché time of year. Today is New Year's Eve, and the only thing that means to me is that I get to get all dolled up and have a fun girls' night. I don't do resolutions. Everyone always makes the resolution to lose weight, and I did that, so that covers all of my resolutions for the rest of my life.

There is a giant recipe project in the works. I am gathering together all of my favorite recipes, and will be collecting all of my friends best recipes. These will all be compiled into one of those fabulously tacky church-style cookbooks, which I plan to sell to raise a little bit of extra moo-la. I'll be highlighting some of the best or most under-appreciated recipes here, where you will become inspired to try them for yourself!

Fearsome women always act and look fearsome...and today I'm obsessed with the "looking" aspect of it all. However, today was definitely my most frumpy day in a while - tromping around the mall in too big and short jeans, no make-up, hair a frizzy humid mess, glasses, and a gigantic winter coat. The best part of me today would have to be my Pumas...which have that lovely white line that appears from the salt in the wintertime. But I digress. I spent a lot of time online today, shopping for the right pair of boots, which I have yet to find. I rejoiced when one of the shirts I bought today rung up at $6 instead of the $15 I had expected. Going home with three new blouses that will look great with jeans or pencil skirts, all in colors that are lacking in my closet...well, I'm just elated with how today went.

Also purchased today: cookie dough scoop, pastry brush, coffee scoop, Glad Press N Seal, and 50% off Christmas stuff. My mom and I are masters at finding great deals, and while a deal is not hard to find this time of year, that doesn't make them any less satisfying.

Off to watch The Office while I sort through recipes!