Wednesday, October 31, 2007

 

And now the earrings

Lovely aren't they? And a complete surprise. Monday night, I'm warming up the ribs, watching the potatoes so they don't boil over and The Boy comes in and asks "Hon, are these OK?" and hands me a small box. If you're a chick, anything in a small box is A-OK or better. I opened the box to find these and said "yes, they're wonderful, why wouldn't they be?" Seems he was concerned because he'd gotten me some hoop-type earrings set in silver/white gold with sapphires a few years ago, these might be too similar. I assured him. These are fantastic and different enough.
Funny thing is, I'm not THAT much of a jewelry person. Don't get me wrong, I've yet to turn any down and I doubt seriously that I ever would. I've even said a few times "you know, you don't HAVE to buy me jewelry" and he knows, but it's what he'd like to buy. Hard to argue with diamonds and sapphires......


Tuesday, October 30, 2007

 

He got ribs, I got earrings

Doesn't sound much like a fair deal for an anniversary, but these weren't any ribs as you shall see. They started out like this Friday night... They were seasoned with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Then they went in the fridge for a cool, seasoned evening.



Got them out Saturday and browned them in a big pot. No pix of the browned ribs. I forgot. You ever forget? Happened to me.

So here they are all browned, doused in a bottle of wine, all cozy and snug in the pot. Lovely pot, isn't it? Yes, The Boy treats me right. And I feed him well.


I checked on them a few times since I was halving the recipe. I didn't think 4 lbs of ribs would take as long to cook as the 8lbs in the recipe did. Turns out, it did take nearly 2 hours. If you're saying "two hours to cook! My what a hard recipe" relax. It's 2 hours where you're not doing anything to the food. You could be reading a book, working out, watching TV, flying a kite (near the house of course--don't leave an oven unattended), or doing laundry, which is what I was doing. This recipe has a long elapsed time, but very little active time.

After your 2 hours of you-not-actually-doing-anything-to-them you get a lovely pot of


Isn't it beautiful? Believe it or not, it gets better. Let this cool, slap the lid on and put in the fridge overnight. I said it was good and didn't require that much of you. I didn't say it was "instant".

The next day, lift off the layer of solidified fat. You'll be amazed at how much of it there is. Seriously. Make a dog in your life happy (although not all at once--it's a lot). Make some lovely mashed potatoes. Make gremolata called for in the recipe. For heaven's sake, MAKE the gremolata....it's delish and you already have all the ingredients from seasoning the meat 2 days ago. Plate it up and you get something like


Pair it with a Martin Ray Diamond Mountain District Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or other "Special Occasion" wine of your choice and you have a delightful dinner. Be sure to share it with someone you love, after all, you did work on this for a few days. Heck, spritz yourself with water and throw some flour on your shirt like the lady in the Rice Krispie commercials used to do. From the taste of the dish, no one will guess that you didn't slave over this. In fact, The Boy pronounced it one of the best dishes I've ever made. And we cook regularly.

My earrings are certainly lovely and I'm tickled as I can be about them. But the ribs deserve their own post, seeing as how I've been mentioning them a lot lately. I do like a project and a cooking project is all the better.

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Sunday, October 28, 2007

 

WSH, MIA and me

all of us beaten ungloriously today. Miami had a chance at the last minute. Unfortunately, WSH and I, not so much. I didn't expect Washington to beat the Patriots. Really, I didn't. But I didn't expect the miscues, the stupid mistakes on offense. Looking at my team, I couldn't have picked much better. I don't get why SD didn't run with LT any more than they did unless they're saving him for something. They play MIN next week, so it can't be that. Slight injury, perhaps? Dunno. Brees did very well against SF and honestly, I doubt Favre will do that well against the Broncos, but it rarely pays to bet against him.

I still can't get over the Detroit defense. Detroit, for goodness sake. And Sir Belichick.....I have to agree with what I know TMQ will say 2 days from now: running up the score unnecessarily doesn't make you a fierce competitor. It makes you an unsportsmanlike bully. I too hope the football gods smite you in The Battle of Good vs Evil next week.

 

50 pts behind

At this rate, I'll be lucky to BREAK 50. Frakking DET defense. DETROIT! Seriously. It's as wacky as Cleveland playing well. I have little hope for WSH to hang tough against NE.

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FFB update

Today, right this minute, I don't love playing fantasy football. I'm down 57 to 22. Yes, I know that my opponent only has 2 players in late games and I have 4 (Farvre and LT among them). Yes, I know that I'll have opportunity to catch up. I never would have guessed that Bulger and the DET defense would be studs for Big Easy today.

Oh well....Cheerio Dolphins. Could you score once today...please? Won't effect my fantasy stats, but would make me happy.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

 

Hermit-y weekend

I've done little this weekend. And I'm glad. I've done the normal laundry, a little picking up, swapped out my sandals and boots and started on a braised short ribs dish (pictures when I get a chance, if they came out). I went out for pizza Friday night, thought about BBQ tonight but decided against it. I'll get a lot of social contact tomorrow at church, but after that, grocery and mom-in-law's, back home to finish the short ribs, work on the cookbook and watch football.

Talked to a friend and we watched TV together. Odd really. I'm in the middle of the US and he's on a coast, yet we're watching the same episode of a cable show discussing it. He's not feeling well, which is a little frustrating. Not much I could do if he were closer, but even less that he's not.

There's not much to write about when you don't do anything, but all the time in the world to write. So now V for Vendetta is on. A really good movie I probably wouldn't have watched without the suggestion of my illin' friend. Of course, there are tens or hundreds of movies he'd recommend that I should probably watch. Saw a V costume at a Halloween shop. Almost bought it, but it would have taken $80 to look like V. I can look like myself for much less.

 

Bad fantasy week

Again. Last week, my good players (LT, Brett) were on bye. This week, my best receivers (TJ and Randle El) are going against tough defenses, one of them mine (NE and PIT). My RBs are a mixed bag. I feel OK about LT and Mike Turner going up against Houston, but Sellers won't do squat against the Pats. Likewise, DeAngelo won't do much against the Colts.

My QB situation isn't much easier. Brees is coming back to life and they play the lackluster 49ers, but it's never a good idea to write Favre off, even when he's playing against the Broncos, who have finally decided to join the NFL season. TEs and defense are both pretty easy. I have 2 TE's, one's on bye; ditto with the defenses. Of course, the way Baltimore is playing these days, picking PIT is a pretty easy call. I did have to call Mrs. Parker last week and give her a hard time, however. Ben's erratic ball-handling took points away from my defense on a day I needed them.

So my lineup to go against someone I'm tied with in my division....
Favre, Brett GBP QB
Taylor, Fred JAC RB
Tomlinson, Ladainian SDC RB
Turner, Michael SDC RB
Bennett, Drew STL WR
Houshmandzadeh, T.J. CIN WR
Clark, Desmond CHI TE
Akers, David PHI PK
Steelers, Pittsburgh PIT Def

Last time I played Big Easy (in week 1), I got beat by 19 points. We'll see how I do this week. His better players are McGahee, Westbrook, Coles, Jones, Reggie Wayne. Both his defenses happen to be on bye this week. Should be interesting to see what he does.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

 

Weekend Project

With the cool, damp weather of the past few days, I'm feeling hermit-y and project-y. Which usually means I'm planning to cook something up. This time is no different. I bought short ribs yesterday and decided on the cover recipe from October's Bon Appetit: Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs. I probably will make the herb topping, since I'll need all the ingredients but one for the ribs, but not the polenta. I think mashed potatoes should make an adequate substitute.

The recipe has 43 reviews already and many the contain words like "incredible", "really delicious", "plate licking good". Most of the negative reviews were concerned with the grease/fat/gristle of the meat. Apparently, these cooks don't know the difference between short ribs and boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This is hearty comfort food, not spa food. One commenter decries "tastes like braised beef". Well. Can you imagine that? Take some beef, braise it, and it comes out tasting "like braised beef". Bon Appetit should be ashamed (not).

My weekend will be spent with http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/240108

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

 

You sure do have a purty mouth

Mine got x-rayed for 2.5 hours today, so I hope it IS, in fact, nice looking. You gotta love it when your DDS tells you that you're a case he'll share with his colleagues. I have TMJD and this is my latest effort in trying to get it fixed.

About a month ago, I saw a DDS in a nearby large town and one of the tests involved me opening wide, then shutting my mouth. If you have jaw issues, this will cause a "pop" sound. That time, the "pop" my jaws produced was barely perceptible to the equipment. Today, however, I made a much more pronounced sound. Apparently, the difference is enough to startle my new DDS. I almost laughed. Monday, my jaw was so sore and tight that opening my mouth took effort and was painful. I'd imagine my test results would have been worse then.

The worst part of the day (aside from writing the check at the end) was when they took the impression of my top teeth. A goo-filled tray pushed up against the roof of my mouth for the longest minute of my life. All in all, I'm not sure why that is so traumatic. The total mass was probably less than I encounter while eating a peanut butter sandwich when I'm in a hurry. I had no problem breathing, I was in no danger of any kind, yet my heart was beating faster and I had a distinct feeling of panic. The bottom impression was a breeze, save for me being rather slobbery. I warned the tech that I might get a bit jumpy and apparently, it's a common thing. Oh well.

So hopefully, I'm on the road to this getting better.....

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

 

Weekend Project

Since it's RocktoberFest weekend, I've decided on a project for myself: braised short ribs. I've read recipes on all my favorite sites....Epicurious, Food Network, Cooking Light. I haven't hit the Julia Child cookbook yet, but that will be next. No recipe seems "just right". I guess all my work on the church cookbook has made me hungry to try something new.

I'll see about getting good short ribs tomorrow at a local really good grocery store. I can't think of any wacky ingredients you'd put in short ribs, so I guess my trip there will be short. I made a recent visit right before dinner and in addition to some chocolate for a friend, proscuitto for The Boy, all my favorite yogurt, I racked up a fair bill. It was worth it, especially the proscuitto.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

 

Typing and football

Seriously, I'm typed out. I'm working on a cookbook for my church and rather than be cooped in my office all day, I've been spending my Sunday afternoons sitting on the loveseat and typing. My posture is less than desirable, so now my left knee (the bad one), rear, back and neck are less than thrilled with me. I've typed in some looooong recipes today. Just for fun, I'm taking a break to fold clothes and iron. I did moderately well on the FFB team considering that my #1 QB and nearly all my RB's had a bye this week.
My opponent this week has 3 players in tomorrow night's contest, so my 62-37 lead won't hold for long. I need for PIT to have a HUGE defensive night to add a little more insurance or I'll be under .500
Would post about the weekend....actually had some fun, but I'm typed out.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

 

It's that time of year

For The Boy to go to RoctoberFest. It's a camping, four-wheel drive, rock crawling, trail riding weekend. And because I don't sleep outside, go to the bathroom sans a sheetrock room around me or enjoy hanging out outside, I'm staying on top of the hill here. It seems that RF starts earlier nearly each year. This year, folks are going down Wed and Thurs. So my batch'in it starts early.

Friday, October 19, 2007

 

Headhunted

I got headhunted today. The position was VERY interesting, would draw on the last two major topic areas I've worked in and would be a leadership position. (Of course, I have to wonder about anyone that wants ME as the visible leader for any area.) Then I asked the magic question...."where would this position be located?" Minnesota. I think it would be hard to be a director 700 miles away.

I'm not sure why a query about a position I'm barely qualified for in a location I would never live cheered me a bit today, but it did. As I say "A girl likes to be asked".

Thursday, October 18, 2007

 

Oops! I did it again....

No, I'm not getting out of limos and flashing Miss Kitty to one and all, I'm not wearing clothes that bare my "Rubenesque" tummy, I haven't lost custody of my kids to my once-laughable-but-now-seems-not-so-bad ex-husband (heck, I don't HAVE an ex hub).

Nope, my "sin" is much more mundane and in the direction of gluttony. I ate a whole pork stuffed baked potato from Whole Hog Cafe. Yes, it's the third time in as many weeks that I've been there. Yes I realize I haven't ordered anything else off their menu but this item. Yes, I know that leaving off the sour cream really didn't lower the calorie total *that* much. Yes, I know that I should make 2 meals out of one and not 1. Yes, I already have that heavy "all swole" feeling in my tummy.

But it was reeeeeally good.....

Monday, October 15, 2007

 

 

testing, testing

By the way, TO and TJ, teams that beat you ARE generally better than you are. They may not be consistently better, but for that one game, they are. Don't like that? Work with your locker room and win more games. (Ups to TO for not dropping as many balls as usual.)

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 

Wow

All I had to do was post that the Pats were playing flat....suddenly, they come to life. Making tackles, good passes, putting their heads down and making plays. You know, what you expect from New England.

 

flat....

I was really looking forward to the NE Patriots vs Dallas Cowboys game. I figured that the Pats would hand Dallas their hats. Little did I know that the Pats would miss routes, have bad throws, miss assignments, half-ass their tackles. They're playing flat. I've seen other games this season where they had a significant lead and played better than they're doing now. Yet, Dallas is playing them close and they're wandering. Dallas is playing with passion.....New England is playing like a pancake.

Friday, October 12, 2007

 

Worth.less

The best way to describe me today. Yes, it's barely 9 am and I already know that my mind is elsewhere and not likely to come back. Where is it? Who knows....didn't leave a note.

The start of cool weather (and cool is a relative here...I do live in AR) always perks me up and leaves me feisty. Last night's low was in the high 40's and it's 57 right now. It will get up to 74, which isn't *that* cool, but better than the 90's of last week. When we start having 60's for highs, I'll really get happy. After I get used to it, I'm sure I'll have fewer bouts of worthlessness, but for now....Fall Fever, Baby!

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

 

Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbecue

Usually, I'm not the BBQ fan in my house. It's good, I like it, but it's really The Boy's comfort food, not mine. That is until a Whole Hog Cafe opened in our town. There is one in a nearby larger city (which is where it started--local chain), but it's not convenient to where I am when I'm in town for lunch and it closes down early for dinner. Twice in the past week, I've had a BBQ stuffed baked potato. Good smoky pork, almost velvety soft and meaty. Good baked potato, baked with salt on the outside. I'm not much for potato salad, but theirs is pretty good. Haven't tried their beans, but I'm sure I will.

Yummmmmm

Sunday, October 07, 2007

 

Afternoon nap

not for me, but for Emma, our dog. I'd love to snap a picture of her, but I know that if I get up, she'll wake up. It's been a big day, so far. She got a bath last night and slept in the house. She woke me up at 1, 3:30, 5 and 6 am. We went out at 6 and she promptly fell asleep until I got out of the shower around 8am. I guess if I'd taken her out at 1, we'd have slept all night. However, many trips in the middle of the night are nothing more than her being bored. I'm not so much in favor of those.

She twitches every once in a while and wakes up to ensure that nothing exciting has happened. Sure looks like fun.....

Saturday, October 06, 2007

 

<>

Every once in a while, I have a vivid dream that I actually remember upon waking. Not headline news, I realize, but they're usually positive, if not logical. Today's however is a full-on nightmare. You see, I dreamed I was Bill Belichick's lovah. Fortunately there were no scenes of us fully "expressing our relationship", but we did say some lover-ly things to each other.

Don't get me wrong, other than the cheating stuff, I think he's a great coach. I do believe he cheated in the Jets game, I think it's possible he cheated in other games, but we'll never know the extent of it and now, the NFL has destroyed the evidence. He makes a lot out of seemingly average players, has developed loyalties with NFL players that are very strong (and this is not exactly a group known for small egos). How many other coaches could cut a good player and that guy wait around for the org to come back and re-sign him? How many other coaches are inspirational enough for a guy whose had a stroke to work hard to come back?

But at the end of the day, I'm a Miami fan. New England whips us regularly. Heck, the past few years, they've whipped everyone regularly. So while I can admire their style of play, the precision of execution, the willingness of the team to play like a TEAM (and not just a highly paid group of players), I don't like New England and I don't like Belichick. If suddenly The Boy is out of the picture and I have my choice of NFL coaches to live in leisure with, it's not going to be Belichick. Jack Del Rio tops that list.

 

Is she really all that?

Lots of turmoil and virtual ink over the scalping of "Hannah Montana" tickets. My state AG is getting involved and Ticketmaster is being called to task for selling to scalpers. Here's a thought: If you're paying upwards of $60 to see a 14 year old and her "band" perform, the scalpers aren't ripping you off. You're being ripped off already. I'm sure your tween is sure she won't live another day without seeing Billy "Achy Breaky Heart" Cyrus's daughter, but the truth is, she will. Don't want to be scalped (by Ticketmaster, Disney or scalpers)? Don't pay an outrageous amount to any outlet for a show you can watch on TV for free.

Signed,
Your local crank

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

 

More like a Monday

I'm amazed that it's Wednesday. Practically everything that's gone on today has been very Monday-ish.
Wake up way too early.
Go get coffee/cereal and find that BOTH skylights in kitchen are leaking.
Clean that up.
Set out containers to catch water.
Get to work at 7:40 am.
No hot ports in conf. rm, so I call in a ticket.
Meeting starts at 8 am.
Meeting actually goes well.
Meeting interrupted by person calling at 9:40 am to ask questions about turning on the port. I tell him that at this point, it's not an issue.
Get to my desk, over 50 emails from when I checked at 6.
Co-Worker....nowhere to be found.
No emails from co-worker, no sign that he's been doing any work
CW finally comes to my office with a story about a popular online game.
I'm afraid I cut him off.
I just cannot deal with coming in early, getting right to work and finding that I'm practically the only one doing anything.

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