Recording our lists here, deleting mom's and updating mine to get rid of anything I received already. I'll update yours too but not sure if I can remember everything you both got. So, review and update! I figured we'd leave the lists for the three of us up so we can update whenever we think of something we want :)
What Mom wants for Christmas
Gift cards to nicer chain restaurants around Northampton area - Rec'd
Gold hoop earrings about the size of a quarter - Rec'd
(also, I have noticed her Anne Geddes address book is falling apart)
Lapdesk - Rec'd
Keurig Coffee Maker - GETTING FOR BDAY
Chelsea's Wish List
books that youve read and enjoyed (fiction preferably) - Rec'd?
cheese grater - Rec'd?
cutting boards - Rec'd
one of those griddles that you put over burners (or an electric one)
egg sized skillet - Rec'd
christmas ornaments - Rec'd
(if mom asks) supernatural, season 2 on dvd - Rec'd?
(also if mom asks) knit sweaters, size medium. she tends to know what would look good...- Rec'd
Sarah's Wish List
(Fun)ctional socks - ankle or higher, not toe socks or slipper socks, no weird animal heads sewn on. - Rec'd! hehe
Audio Book Rentals (one at a time plan)
Head set for phone: Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-70 or similar for Sony Ericsson w810i
Charger for phone: CST-60 or like. may need charger for lap top too: wires getting a bit frayed laptop repair - Rec'd
Battlestar Galactica Miniseries/ First season on DVD (I'm a geek) - Rec'd
DVD player (cheap is fine) - Rec'd
southwest airlines gift certificate (even $20 would help, so I can come home more)
Gift certificate to old Navy
Jill's Wish List
New King book "Just After Sunset" - Rec'd
Smaller size spatula (for bowl scraping) - Rec'd
Mini whisk
Non-traditional whisk - Rec'd x 2!
Meat/Cheese Basket (Chels! haha) - Rec'd
Large Mixing Bowl(s)
Knee Socks (any color) - Rec'd
Super Tough Dog Toys/Balls
Stuffed Animal for River (w/out stuffing)
Sting CDs (not "Soul Cages" or "Mercury Falling")
Lost - Season 1 (on BluRay) - Rec'd
Yankee Candles (love linen/ jasmine/ ocean smells)
triplets ok... fine
Everything normal here... and messy. So extremely messy. Most of the basement floor has now been painted after an awesomely annoying fiasco with two different Home Depots and a Lowes. Why do the paint dept ppl not know what they do/don't sell and how to mix the color "Cedarwood"? grrrrr Hopefully in about two days we can do laundry again. And maybe we'll even be able to start moving some of these displaced boxes back into the basement.
Are you home yet Sarah? Hope the drive went well and the christmas zombie made it back in one piece ;)
Love you both!
jill
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Snow? Check! Presents? Check!
Well, we have enough snow to last through to July and I have all my presents bought and almost all of them wrapped (thanks for the help with both Chels!).
Only 2 1/2 more days of work to get through...
On other fronts, since our basement flooded due to the power outage, and the carpet was all ripped up in order to dry it out, we decided to just rip out everything and start over. Someone is at the house right now ripping out the walls and ceiling. When it's all back to concrete, we'll need to decide how we want it laid out and the first thing that will be put it is flooring. I'll have to post before, during and after pics. I'm just hoping we don't stall out in the middle and it ends up unfinished forever.
River loves the snow - it's so cute. I wish this was brighter but here's a pic of him after playing in the snow for a while. His whole face gets covered and snow/ice builds up on his whiskers.
Oh, one last thing, in a few days I think I'm going to memorialize our gift lists in a post so we can take them out of the side bar. We already know what we are going to get mom for her bday and when it gets closer to our bdays we can put up new lists. Of course if either of you wants to put up a list or leave up an existing, we can.
Love ya,
jill
Only 2 1/2 more days of work to get through...
On other fronts, since our basement flooded due to the power outage, and the carpet was all ripped up in order to dry it out, we decided to just rip out everything and start over. Someone is at the house right now ripping out the walls and ceiling. When it's all back to concrete, we'll need to decide how we want it laid out and the first thing that will be put it is flooring. I'll have to post before, during and after pics. I'm just hoping we don't stall out in the middle and it ends up unfinished forever.
River loves the snow - it's so cute. I wish this was brighter but here's a pic of him after playing in the snow for a while. His whole face gets covered and snow/ice builds up on his whiskers.
Oh, one last thing, in a few days I think I'm going to memorialize our gift lists in a post so we can take them out of the side bar. We already know what we are going to get mom for her bday and when it gets closer to our bdays we can put up new lists. Of course if either of you wants to put up a list or leave up an existing, we can.
Love ya,
jill
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
tree: decorated
holy crap a week left til christmas. here are some tree pictures. took some close ups cause everything seemed blurry from too far away.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New Easy Recipe to Try
Christmas Crack
40 Saltines
1 c Butter; don't use margarine
1 c LIGHT brown sugar; not dark
12 oz Chocolate chips
1 c Nuts; chopped, YOUR choice
Line up the saltines on a jelly roll pan that has been LINED with FOIL that makes a bigger rim then the pan. There should be 5 rows of 8.
Melt butter and add LIGHT brown sugar. Stir often and bring to a full rolling boil for EXACTLY 3 minutes.
Pour over the saltines and bake in a 400 oven for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and wait until they are almost melted; spread over all the saltines. Drop the nuts over top as evenly as possible. Refrigerate for two hours and then break up into pieces. Can be stored in a pretty tin with tissue paper or clear christmas bags with ribbon tied around.
(jill)
40 Saltines
1 c Butter; don't use margarine
1 c LIGHT brown sugar; not dark
12 oz Chocolate chips
1 c Nuts; chopped, YOUR choice
Line up the saltines on a jelly roll pan that has been LINED with FOIL that makes a bigger rim then the pan. There should be 5 rows of 8.
Melt butter and add LIGHT brown sugar. Stir often and bring to a full rolling boil for EXACTLY 3 minutes.
Pour over the saltines and bake in a 400 oven for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and wait until they are almost melted; spread over all the saltines. Drop the nuts over top as evenly as possible. Refrigerate for two hours and then break up into pieces. Can be stored in a pretty tin with tissue paper or clear christmas bags with ribbon tied around.
(jill)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Some sort of sick joke
Justin and i made it all weekend with power and heat and no problems whatsoever....
now we get word from jeff (friend who lives in the same apartment complex) that strawberry ridge lost power around 1030, because a tree came down a couple blocks away or something. they claim they will get the power back up by tomorrow, noon.
they also claimed that they would have maintenance fix the lock on the mail room 3 weeks ago, and im still having to call someone over at the leasing office so i can clear out our mailbox on saturdays (since the freaking office is only open while justin and i are not home). i trust the people at strawberry ridge bunches at this point.
of course... as soon as i convince myself that we are in the clear, that the ice is melting and we are fine, we lose power. awesome.
cajones
now we get word from jeff (friend who lives in the same apartment complex) that strawberry ridge lost power around 1030, because a tree came down a couple blocks away or something. they claim they will get the power back up by tomorrow, noon.
they also claimed that they would have maintenance fix the lock on the mail room 3 weeks ago, and im still having to call someone over at the leasing office so i can clear out our mailbox on saturdays (since the freaking office is only open while justin and i are not home). i trust the people at strawberry ridge bunches at this point.
of course... as soon as i convince myself that we are in the clear, that the ice is melting and we are fine, we lose power. awesome.
cajones
Power Hungry
Our power came back on last night! Yay! We had no power from Friday morning through Sunday late evening. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to walk into a dark room, flick a switch and have a light come on! It's crazy the little things we take for granted on a "normal" day.
Chelsea helped me do a little flooded basement cleanup yesterday and she even let me take a shower at her apt. Thanks, Chels!
I have a bunch of better quality pics to post of the ice aftermath. We gave Chelsea her birthday (haha) and xmas present yesterday so I should post a pic of that here too :)
Wow, 10 days till xmas already! I still need to get some presents... uh oh. Can't wait to see you, Sarah!
Love,
jill
Chelsea helped me do a little flooded basement cleanup yesterday and she even let me take a shower at her apt. Thanks, Chels!
I have a bunch of better quality pics to post of the ice aftermath. We gave Chelsea her birthday (haha) and xmas present yesterday so I should post a pic of that here too :)
Wow, 10 days till xmas already! I still need to get some presents... uh oh. Can't wait to see you, Sarah!
Love,
jill
Saturday, December 13, 2008
More Pictures
Friday, December 12, 2008
Ice
Oh how I dislike winter... Chelsea will know this so this is mostly for Sarah ;) We woke up this morning to a 1/2 inch layer of ice covering everything and several big broken pieces of tree hanging and laying in our yard. We were standing outside taking pics and could hear the CRAAAACK! of trees breaking and falling in the distance every few minutes. Crazy. Again, crappy quality pics but I thought you both might like to see them. Even though winter sucks, it can be beautiful :)
(the pics were supposed to be here but for some reason it won't let me click on them to make them bigger if they are here. weird...)
The roads driving in to work this morning were totally fine but it's supposed to get crappier out as the temp falls. It's half raining/half snowing and about 32 degrees right now in downtown Albany. *grumbles about winter*
Love ya!
jill
(the pics were supposed to be here but for some reason it won't let me click on them to make them bigger if they are here. weird...)
The roads driving in to work this morning were totally fine but it's supposed to get crappier out as the temp falls. It's half raining/half snowing and about 32 degrees right now in downtown Albany. *grumbles about winter*
Love ya!
jill
Monday, December 8, 2008
And then there were three
Puppies that is... They look a little lonely but I'm sure they are just fine :) Still cute as ever and way more active then they were during thanksgiving dinner prep! I want one.
Just an update from me:
Got our xmas tree yesterday. It was so cold and windy. Chels came with and helped us pick it out. I hope you'll come over sometime this week and help me decorate too :)
Crappy pic quality but you can kinda see what it looks like.
We also got a new dining room table over the weekend. It's huge! It has two leaves and with both in it can seat 10 people. With an extra person squished on one end we would have easily been able to fit all 11 of us at this table for thanksgiving. Can't wait till next year!
Sarah, laptop repair is coming along - it's looking like it will be possible to wipe and reinstall.
Lova ya both,
jill
Friday, December 5, 2008
Autumn, Ayumi, Amaya, Aki, Akoni and Ando
Those are the names of the puppies... I'll be sad when they finally go to their new homes.
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/news/ny-etpup215935964nov21,0,2095905.story
jill
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/news/ny-etpup215935964nov21,0,2095905.story
jill
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Pecan Tart Recipe
Cream Cheese Crust
1/2 cup of (unsalted) butter, at room temp.
1 (3 oz) pkg. of cream cheese, chilled
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pecan Filling
1 egg
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
2 Tbsp. (unsalted) butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1. Preheat oven to 350. Have ready 12-cup muffin pans (or mini would work too...). Spray with cooking spray. (im starting to think you could probably make them in paper muffin cups too, but i dont really know... it would definitely save on clean up)
2. Prepare crust. In large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until blended and smooth, about 45 seconds. Mix in flour until a smooth dough forms, about 30 seconds. Divide into pieces (about 1 Tbsp. each) and roll each piece into a smooth 1-inch ball. Put one ball of dough into prepared muffin cup. Use clean fingers to make an indentation in center of dough, then press dough up sides of each opening until even with top edge of each muffin cup (i didnt do this... i left them low so the crust wouldnt be super thin). Check to see that the bottom of each cup is covered completely with dough and that thickness of sides is even.
3. Mix filling. In a large bowl, whisk egg, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until smoothly blended. Use a large spoon to stir in 1/3 cup of the pecans. Fill each muffin cup with about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. filling. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup of pecans evenly over each tart. Wipe any drips off pan.
4. Bake until filling is firm and crust edges are lightly browned, about 18 to 2o minutes. Cool tarts in man until firm, about 20 minutes. Use a small knife to loosen each tart. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature. Store at room temperature or in refrigerator in an airtight container.
the recipe claims that it will make 18 of them. But i only had a 12 cup muffin tin and chose not to wait like an hour to make another 6. so i divided them into 12 cups and it was just fine.
1/2 cup of (unsalted) butter, at room temp.
1 (3 oz) pkg. of cream cheese, chilled
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pecan Filling
1 egg
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
2 Tbsp. (unsalted) butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1. Preheat oven to 350. Have ready 12-cup muffin pans (or mini would work too...). Spray with cooking spray. (im starting to think you could probably make them in paper muffin cups too, but i dont really know... it would definitely save on clean up)
2. Prepare crust. In large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until blended and smooth, about 45 seconds. Mix in flour until a smooth dough forms, about 30 seconds. Divide into pieces (about 1 Tbsp. each) and roll each piece into a smooth 1-inch ball. Put one ball of dough into prepared muffin cup. Use clean fingers to make an indentation in center of dough, then press dough up sides of each opening until even with top edge of each muffin cup (i didnt do this... i left them low so the crust wouldnt be super thin). Check to see that the bottom of each cup is covered completely with dough and that thickness of sides is even.
3. Mix filling. In a large bowl, whisk egg, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until smoothly blended. Use a large spoon to stir in 1/3 cup of the pecans. Fill each muffin cup with about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. filling. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup of pecans evenly over each tart. Wipe any drips off pan.
4. Bake until filling is firm and crust edges are lightly browned, about 18 to 2o minutes. Cool tarts in man until firm, about 20 minutes. Use a small knife to loosen each tart. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature. Store at room temperature or in refrigerator in an airtight container.
the recipe claims that it will make 18 of them. But i only had a 12 cup muffin tin and chose not to wait like an hour to make another 6. so i divided them into 12 cups and it was just fine.
Friday, November 28, 2008
after thanksgiving thoughts
sarah, did you get home safe? also, did you try that pecan tart? was it too sweet for you?
im curious if i could use the same sugary base but add a different nut to it and have it taste good as, say, an almond or walnut or cashew tart... is there a nut consistency that making a tart/pie would require? hmm
the sweet potatoes turned out alright. couldve made them less sweet and had them turn out better. the crumbly topping made me consider a sweet potato pie and i found an alton brown recipe. the images i saw looked very similar to a pumpkin pie. i might have to try it it see how it turns out...
justin and i went to the store today (black friday... it was crazy parking wise, but since we went noonish, the stores werent mobbed). we got a fake tree. it was fairly cheap and it doesnt look bad. im also not worried about the cats leaving their little mice in the water filled tree stand. justin had a fake one growing up, so i bent to his tradition. brought it home, put some lights on it. im procrastinating doing anything else with it. i wouldve waited to put it up, but i wanted to see how it looked. the display model at target was up on a platform that was like 4 feet high, so i had no real idea. i'll post pictures when i hang some things on it.
i love you guys lots!
cajones
im curious if i could use the same sugary base but add a different nut to it and have it taste good as, say, an almond or walnut or cashew tart... is there a nut consistency that making a tart/pie would require? hmm
the sweet potatoes turned out alright. couldve made them less sweet and had them turn out better. the crumbly topping made me consider a sweet potato pie and i found an alton brown recipe. the images i saw looked very similar to a pumpkin pie. i might have to try it it see how it turns out...
justin and i went to the store today (black friday... it was crazy parking wise, but since we went noonish, the stores werent mobbed). we got a fake tree. it was fairly cheap and it doesnt look bad. im also not worried about the cats leaving their little mice in the water filled tree stand. justin had a fake one growing up, so i bent to his tradition. brought it home, put some lights on it. im procrastinating doing anything else with it. i wouldve waited to put it up, but i wanted to see how it looked. the display model at target was up on a platform that was like 4 feet high, so i had no real idea. i'll post pictures when i hang some things on it.
i love you guys lots!
cajones
Love you, Sarah!
Always awesome to have us all together. I agree, we should definitely get some sisterly bonding in at xmas time.
Have a safe trip home.
lots of *hugs*
jill
p.s. if you ever feel sad, click the link below ;)
http://cdn1.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.49.swf?cid=317016
Have a safe trip home.
lots of *hugs*
jill
p.s. if you ever feel sad, click the link below ;)
http://cdn1.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.49.swf?cid=317016
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanks!
Dear Sisters,
Thanks for welcoming me home for Thanksgiving. The food was amazing, and while I wish I had got more "just the three of us" time, it was great to see you. When I am in town for xmas, we should have some sister bonding. I miss you both already.
I love love love you. I am especially thankful for both of you.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sarah
Thanks for welcoming me home for Thanksgiving. The food was amazing, and while I wish I had got more "just the three of us" time, it was great to see you. When I am in town for xmas, we should have some sister bonding. I miss you both already.
I love love love you. I am especially thankful for both of you.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sarah
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Food Line-up and WHY AM I STILL AT WORK?
Ugh, why oh why am I still at work? *sigh*
Anyway, I figured since I am just waiting on work things to finish I would post what is on the menu for tomorrow!
Turkey
Ham
Stuffing
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes in some form
Carrots
Peas
Waldorf Salad
Cranberry Salad
Can-berry Sauce
Gravy (hopefully!)
Home-made Rolls
Mini Pecan Pies
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
YUMMY! I don't think I forgot anything but if I did I'll be back to edit. See you two tomorrow!!
jill
Anyway, I figured since I am just waiting on work things to finish I would post what is on the menu for tomorrow!
Turkey
Ham
Stuffing
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes in some form
Carrots
Peas
Waldorf Salad
Cranberry Salad
Can-berry Sauce
Gravy (hopefully!)
Home-made Rolls
Mini Pecan Pies
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
YUMMY! I don't think I forgot anything but if I did I'll be back to edit. See you two tomorrow!!
jill
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
kitten update
octavian seems to be doing fine again. occasionally he limps for a few minutes after waking up, but i think thats because roland sleeps on his legs.
glad to hear youre coming, sarah. i miss you :)
cajones
glad to hear youre coming, sarah. i miss you :)
cajones
Friday, November 21, 2008
Ignore that last one
Jill,
Ignore that last post and set one more place at the table. I am coming home.
Chelsea happened to be online when everything went down, so she has the details, but basically I am coming home for Mon to Fri, and coming with mom to Thanksgiving dinner.
I love you and I am excited to see you both, although the circumstances aren't ideal.
xoxo
Sarah
Ignore that last post and set one more place at the table. I am coming home.
Chelsea happened to be online when everything went down, so she has the details, but basically I am coming home for Mon to Fri, and coming with mom to Thanksgiving dinner.
I love you and I am excited to see you both, although the circumstances aren't ideal.
xoxo
Sarah
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thanksgiving
Chelsea left me a message today informing me that Jill was considering purchasing a plane ticket for me to get home for Thanksgiving, as a Xmas present.
First, let me say that I am so touched and appreciate it very much. Unfortunately, about a week ago I became aware that I couldn't afford to go home, so I volunteered to cover a ton of extra hours in the lab and the bookstore. At this point, as much as I would love to take you up on your offer, I am obligated to work through my Thanksgiving break. In return, I have requested an extra long break over xmas, so I can come home for maybe 2 weeks.
I hope you guys have an awesome awesome time and I will be thinking about you. Will try to call in a few days, once things stop being so crazy (covering classes for one of my colleagues this week.)
My love and gratitude,
Sarah
First, let me say that I am so touched and appreciate it very much. Unfortunately, about a week ago I became aware that I couldn't afford to go home, so I volunteered to cover a ton of extra hours in the lab and the bookstore. At this point, as much as I would love to take you up on your offer, I am obligated to work through my Thanksgiving break. In return, I have requested an extra long break over xmas, so I can come home for maybe 2 weeks.
I hope you guys have an awesome awesome time and I will be thinking about you. Will try to call in a few days, once things stop being so crazy (covering classes for one of my colleagues this week.)
My love and gratitude,
Sarah
Thursday, November 13, 2008
kitten news
back story:
octavian was limping for like a week. started off like he was a gangster or something and he was just trying to be cool, but then it got better... then got worse... then better again... then on monday he was refusing to put any weight on it at all. so i called a vet and got him an appointment. brought them both in to get checked out. roland was all shivery. octavian was kinda nervous too. neither liked getting their temperature taken via the backdoor. but they didnt meow all pathetic like or try to get away from the doctor or hiss and scratch anyone. they have the beginning signs of gingervitis. the vet extended octavians leg and felt all the joints and everything. he didnt make any noises or have any issues. so she gave us some anti-inflammatory medicine and sent us on our way. told us to call them if it got worse.
new stuffs:
octavian isnt limping at all with the medicine in his system. hes getting rough with roland again... being the instigator. i separate them when they are getting crazy. he doesnt seem to mind me squirting a syringe of goop into his mouth and swallows it just fine. hopefully it gets better soon. i only have enough stuff to last til the weekend. the vet suggested we make him take it easy, but with roland it would require us keeping them locked in separate rooms all day while we're at work just to be sure. and im just not willing to do that when they tend to sleep all day anyway. we are not letting them chase eachother around when we're home and octavian seems hesitant to jump up on anything, so hopefully that will be enough of a rest for things to get better.
as for the gingervitis, the vet gave us some trial thing of toothpaste. i dont plan on doing it regularly, but i tried to get both cats to let me rub their back teeth last night. roland wasnt pleased but let me do it after i forced him to stop puckering his lips. and octavian seemed to have no issue with it at all. i put a little of the poultry flavored paste on my finger for them to taste and they both seemed to like it. so maybe i'll make a go of it.... im not buying a freaking cat toothbrush though.
octavian was limping for like a week. started off like he was a gangster or something and he was just trying to be cool, but then it got better... then got worse... then better again... then on monday he was refusing to put any weight on it at all. so i called a vet and got him an appointment. brought them both in to get checked out. roland was all shivery. octavian was kinda nervous too. neither liked getting their temperature taken via the backdoor. but they didnt meow all pathetic like or try to get away from the doctor or hiss and scratch anyone. they have the beginning signs of gingervitis. the vet extended octavians leg and felt all the joints and everything. he didnt make any noises or have any issues. so she gave us some anti-inflammatory medicine and sent us on our way. told us to call them if it got worse.
new stuffs:
octavian isnt limping at all with the medicine in his system. hes getting rough with roland again... being the instigator. i separate them when they are getting crazy. he doesnt seem to mind me squirting a syringe of goop into his mouth and swallows it just fine. hopefully it gets better soon. i only have enough stuff to last til the weekend. the vet suggested we make him take it easy, but with roland it would require us keeping them locked in separate rooms all day while we're at work just to be sure. and im just not willing to do that when they tend to sleep all day anyway. we are not letting them chase eachother around when we're home and octavian seems hesitant to jump up on anything, so hopefully that will be enough of a rest for things to get better.
as for the gingervitis, the vet gave us some trial thing of toothpaste. i dont plan on doing it regularly, but i tried to get both cats to let me rub their back teeth last night. roland wasnt pleased but let me do it after i forced him to stop puckering his lips. and octavian seemed to have no issue with it at all. i put a little of the poultry flavored paste on my finger for them to taste and they both seemed to like it. so maybe i'll make a go of it.... im not buying a freaking cat toothbrush though.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Have you read the following?
Lamb (by Christopher Moore)
World War Z
The Dark is Rising series
The trashy vampire novels by charlaine harris
World War Z
The Dark is Rising series
The trashy vampire novels by charlaine harris
Gift for mom
Hey ladies.
I have an interesting gift idea for mom, but it seems a little pricey and I was wondering if you guys wanted to go in on it with me.
Silly, overpriced memorabilia
Its a game from when mom was a teenager (almost) called Flip Your Wig, and its a Beatles game.
In decent condition, it sells for $100-200. Like I said, pricey. But I think it would just tickle her pink.
If you guys are stumped on a present we could go in on this. But it may be too much. What do you think?
Also, do you guys know of any books she wants?
Sarah
I have an interesting gift idea for mom, but it seems a little pricey and I was wondering if you guys wanted to go in on it with me.
Silly, overpriced memorabilia
Its a game from when mom was a teenager (almost) called Flip Your Wig, and its a Beatles game.
In decent condition, it sells for $100-200. Like I said, pricey. But I think it would just tickle her pink.
If you guys are stumped on a present we could go in on this. But it may be too much. What do you think?
Also, do you guys know of any books she wants?
Sarah
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Recipe Request
this one's for you, sarah. i know you have a recipe for it somewhere... in your brain perhaps.
i want a recipe for challah bread. the simpler the better. not planning on making it like right now. but it is a recipe i want to make some time this winter. :)
cajones
i want a recipe for challah bread. the simpler the better. not planning on making it like right now. but it is a recipe i want to make some time this winter. :)
cajones
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Don't Take it to geeksquad!
Hey there Sarah. Nice to see a post from you :)
Don't take your laptop to geeksquad or any other computer fix-it place. Not only will it cost way too much money but we have also... tweeked... your laptop and those places wouldn't appreciate the tweeks. That's a nice way of putting it anyway haha
Rich can probably fix it but not over the phone. He'll have to see it. I'd say just bring it with you at Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you are really eager and it doesn't cost a ton, feel free to UPS it back to us.
Sounds like you had a crazy Halloween. I haven't dressed up in forever. It would be nice to do that again. We get basically no trick-or-treaters though. Only 4 total this year.
You should update your list on here with some stuff you want/need for christmas. I don't have a cool idea already planned for you this year like I did last!
*hugs*
jill
Don't take your laptop to geeksquad or any other computer fix-it place. Not only will it cost way too much money but we have also... tweeked... your laptop and those places wouldn't appreciate the tweeks. That's a nice way of putting it anyway haha
Rich can probably fix it but not over the phone. He'll have to see it. I'd say just bring it with you at Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you are really eager and it doesn't cost a ton, feel free to UPS it back to us.
Sounds like you had a crazy Halloween. I haven't dressed up in forever. It would be nice to do that again. We get basically no trick-or-treaters though. Only 4 total this year.
You should update your list on here with some stuff you want/need for christmas. I don't have a cool idea already planned for you this year like I did last!
*hugs*
jill
Friday, October 31, 2008
I am lame.
So its been a busy busy few weeks. Exams. Anniversary. Halloween party. Grant due. grading papers. Its been crazy.
So the reason I have neither been posting nor reading is that my laptop has a virus. I don't know how, since I don't download anything on it or open weird email attachments, but it says its a trojan (not like the condom, I am assuming). I tried to run a virus scan, and it nearly killed the computer and wouldn't finish. I tried calling Rich about 2 weeks ago, but he was at work, and since then my only free time has been the middle of the night and it seems like a bad time to call and wake Rich up to ask him what I should do. Instead, I disabled the internet connection and shut the computer down. I miss it. It misses me too. Should I pack it up and UPS it to Rich, or call him during the weekend, or bypass Rich altogether and pay out the ass for geeksquad?
As far as Halloween, if I can EVER get out of the freaking lab, I am going to 3 parties. In a row.
After alot of deliberation, I decided on a costume. I am going as "your mom". Basically, I am an all-night your mom joke. I am dressed like a totally trashy hooker, but with a too tight cardigan and an acid green hawaiian print mini skirt. And a name tag that says "Hello, my name is YOUR MOM". It intend to offend as many people as possible.
But one of the parties involves small children, so I have to put on another costume OVER my costume so as not to be offensive or indecent. I can't bring myself to corrupt the young. No smoking in front of them, no buying liquor for underage kids, and no indecent your mom comments.
I don't know what my Turkey Day plans are yet. I miss you guys and would like to come home, but I need to replace my catalytic converter (unless, god-willing, its only the sensors that are broken) and get some work done on my teeth, so I may not have enough money. Will let you know in about a week or so.
How are things with you?
And chelsea, I think the creepy smiling picture of you is adorable. Just like Wednesday Addams.
Love,
Sarah
So the reason I have neither been posting nor reading is that my laptop has a virus. I don't know how, since I don't download anything on it or open weird email attachments, but it says its a trojan (not like the condom, I am assuming). I tried to run a virus scan, and it nearly killed the computer and wouldn't finish. I tried calling Rich about 2 weeks ago, but he was at work, and since then my only free time has been the middle of the night and it seems like a bad time to call and wake Rich up to ask him what I should do. Instead, I disabled the internet connection and shut the computer down. I miss it. It misses me too. Should I pack it up and UPS it to Rich, or call him during the weekend, or bypass Rich altogether and pay out the ass for geeksquad?
As far as Halloween, if I can EVER get out of the freaking lab, I am going to 3 parties. In a row.
After alot of deliberation, I decided on a costume. I am going as "your mom". Basically, I am an all-night your mom joke. I am dressed like a totally trashy hooker, but with a too tight cardigan and an acid green hawaiian print mini skirt. And a name tag that says "Hello, my name is YOUR MOM". It intend to offend as many people as possible.
But one of the parties involves small children, so I have to put on another costume OVER my costume so as not to be offensive or indecent. I can't bring myself to corrupt the young. No smoking in front of them, no buying liquor for underage kids, and no indecent your mom comments.
I don't know what my Turkey Day plans are yet. I miss you guys and would like to come home, but I need to replace my catalytic converter (unless, god-willing, its only the sensors that are broken) and get some work done on my teeth, so I may not have enough money. Will let you know in about a week or so.
How are things with you?
And chelsea, I think the creepy smiling picture of you is adorable. Just like Wednesday Addams.
Love,
Sarah
i think someones messing with me...
ive been at work just over an hour and already ive gotten a phone call from someone who got a message and NO ONE in the office will own up to leaving said message. And a maintenance guy showed up about a complaint someone called about 15 minutes ago and no one would admit to calling him either. what the fuck....
cajones
cajones
Happy Halloween
Chels, are you coming over tonight?
It's 37 degrees outside right now... that's way too cold! Summer went by so fast. I feel like I was just saying how happy I was that spring was here. Christmas present shopping time here we come :)
jill
It's 37 degrees outside right now... that's way too cold! Summer went by so fast. I feel like I was just saying how happy I was that spring was here. Christmas present shopping time here we come :)
jill
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
oh god so funny looking...
sarah, you asked via myspace why i never "smile" in pictures... its because i look like this:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
First Snow
It's snowing and raining at the same time right now - first snow of the season. This is kind of yucky but really I don't mind snow. The bad thing is it reminds me that there are 6 months before it starts to warm up again.... blech.
At least River will be happy.
jill
At least River will be happy.
jill
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday Again!?
Well, I didn't have to work all weekend like I thought I would. I basically ignored work for the most part - except for checking emails which I automatically do whether I'm thinking about it or not. I only worked for maybe an hour this weekend which was nice. Especially because I submitted my time for work this morning and I worked ~52 hours from 10/20 - 10/24. bleh.
Chels and I had a lovely walk around sunset yesterday with River. Very quiet neighborhoods, pretty houses - kinda chilly though. I even got some work done on the SECRET PROJECT this weekend! amazing :)
So, today is Monday. Is it me or was it just Monday about 7 days ago? I think I am sensing a pattern here...
jill
Chels and I had a lovely walk around sunset yesterday with River. Very quiet neighborhoods, pretty houses - kinda chilly though. I even got some work done on the SECRET PROJECT this weekend! amazing :)
So, today is Monday. Is it me or was it just Monday about 7 days ago? I think I am sensing a pattern here...
jill
Friday, October 24, 2008
Working All Weekend
Sadly I'm probably going to be working most of the weekend. I'm still at work now and was needing to take a little break so I figured I'd update our blog colors for Halloween.
Sarah - havent heard from you in forever! Take 5 mins and post to us! *hugs* What are your turkey day plans?
Chels - no clue what I'll have time for this weekend but we should try to plan to cook up something yummy at the very least. Glad you havent been evicted yet ;)
So tired of working...
jill
Sarah - havent heard from you in forever! Take 5 mins and post to us! *hugs* What are your turkey day plans?
Chels - no clue what I'll have time for this weekend but we should try to plan to cook up something yummy at the very least. Glad you havent been evicted yet ;)
So tired of working...
jill
Thursday, October 23, 2008
update on cat eviction
no word from... well anyone yet. as far as we can tell, maintenance hasnt been to our apartment. we check the heat filter thing when we get home and it looks as old and busted as ever. (it says on it "30 day air filter" and has not been changed since we moved in in feb. way to go guys)
though oddly enough the cats both smelled like clementines the other day and we dont have any citrus in the house. do maintenance guys usually smell like fruit? and would they cuddle a kitten if it rubbed up against them while they were changing the filter? hmmm probably not.
we'll see if they ever get around to us... maybe they changed it before we moved in and they dont change it more than once a year or something.
:: shrug ::
cajones
though oddly enough the cats both smelled like clementines the other day and we dont have any citrus in the house. do maintenance guys usually smell like fruit? and would they cuddle a kitten if it rubbed up against them while they were changing the filter? hmmm probably not.
we'll see if they ever get around to us... maybe they changed it before we moved in and they dont change it more than once a year or something.
:: shrug ::
cajones
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
potential "ruh roh"
justin and i came home yesterday to a note on our door saying the apartment people were sending maintenance around starting wednesday (today) to do "preventative maintenance", ie. change heating/ac filters.
so now we're all hyper paranoid. we never told them about roland and octavian and we dont know if they are gonna inform management or not. if they do, i'll have to make up some lie about them and possible pay the retarded pet owning fee ($200 per cat). but im really hoping they dont... i mean, theyre maintenance guys. they are going to how many apartments in a few days? and would they even know that we arent supposed to have cats?
i really hope things go smoothly and they keep their repair-man mouths shut. i hate having to play dumb and lying about having cats. :: sigh ::
also! i ordered coffee over the weekend with a gift certificate i won in some weird online thing. i got an email saying it would be fedex'ed on tuesday and would be standard 5-7 business day delivery. but it was at the apartment when we got home last night. hurray for fastness :D
cajones
so now we're all hyper paranoid. we never told them about roland and octavian and we dont know if they are gonna inform management or not. if they do, i'll have to make up some lie about them and possible pay the retarded pet owning fee ($200 per cat). but im really hoping they dont... i mean, theyre maintenance guys. they are going to how many apartments in a few days? and would they even know that we arent supposed to have cats?
i really hope things go smoothly and they keep their repair-man mouths shut. i hate having to play dumb and lying about having cats. :: sigh ::
also! i ordered coffee over the weekend with a gift certificate i won in some weird online thing. i got an email saying it would be fedex'ed on tuesday and would be standard 5-7 business day delivery. but it was at the apartment when we got home last night. hurray for fastness :D
cajones
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Poll Related
on our way to wendys last night, justin and i passed someones lawn that had about 10 giant blow up halloween things on it. pumpkins and ghosts and other random crap.
one might be alright... but when you have a mini forest of blow up junk in front of your house, you have an issue.
cajones
one might be alright... but when you have a mini forest of blow up junk in front of your house, you have an issue.
cajones
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
chicken soup
so im making soup for dinner tonight. and i think i know how to do it, but im not entirely sure. every recipe i find is different.
i figured id cook the veggies first and season those with thyme and rosemary that i have. then add broth. bring up to a boil or simmering or something and add cut up chicken. then once that was cooked id add the tortellini i have and boil that til those were cooked through.
does that sound right?
cajones
i figured id cook the veggies first and season those with thyme and rosemary that i have. then add broth. bring up to a boil or simmering or something and add cut up chicken. then once that was cooked id add the tortellini i have and boil that til those were cooked through.
does that sound right?
cajones
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Last Week for Pumpkin Gelato
Chels, "A Cone of Their Own" (or whatever) is closing, at least for the season, this coming Friday. So, if you want more pumpkin gelato you should go tomorrow. I got some this afternoon and they didnt have a ton left.
mmmm pumpkin gelato...
jill
mmmm pumpkin gelato...
jill
Monday, October 6, 2008
Yum
Clam chowder for lunch was yummy. Thanks for leaving me your portion, Chels! I think we did very well for our first try. Next time I go to Hannaford I'll pick up some seafood broth if I see it.
Monday's suck - I need a nap.
*hugs*
jill
Monday's suck - I need a nap.
*hugs*
jill
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sigh
Can't I go home yet? Why do people have to work for a living? Why can't I just stay home and clean my house, cook and play with River?
Just a few of the questions I'm obsessing over right now....
jill
p.s. {for chelsea} the banana granola hannaford cereal was yummy. i think rich threw what was left away on me though...
Just a few of the questions I'm obsessing over right now....
jill
p.s. {for chelsea} the banana granola hannaford cereal was yummy. i think rich threw what was left away on me though...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
the last poll
i forgot to add my favorite thing about this season (or rather... october) to the last poll!
its horror movie time on tv. amc is gonna start playing things at the end of the month. and scifi and abc family will have things too. and i think someone has a twilight zone marathon around halloween
also! turner classic movies (which i recently started watching more of) is gonna be having a marathon on the 30th and 31st. and the movies look awesome.....
Freaks (1932)
A lady trapeze artist violates the code of the side show when she plots to murder her midget husband.
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)
Travelers stumble on a Southern town out for revenge for losing the Civil War.
The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)
A man's obsession with his dead wife leads to trouble for his new bride.
cajones
its horror movie time on tv. amc is gonna start playing things at the end of the month. and scifi and abc family will have things too. and i think someone has a twilight zone marathon around halloween
also! turner classic movies (which i recently started watching more of) is gonna be having a marathon on the 30th and 31st. and the movies look awesome.....
Freaks (1932)
A lady trapeze artist violates the code of the side show when she plots to murder her midget husband.
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)
Travelers stumble on a Southern town out for revenge for losing the Civil War.
The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)
A man's obsession with his dead wife leads to trouble for his new bride.
cajones
Monday, September 29, 2008
word yo
i already have a do-rag jill, geez.... and i never wear it.
since halloween is on a friday, im gonna dress up like a gangsta and come to your house. do-rag, justins jeans... what would classify a "gangsta" shirt? hooded sweatshirt? wife beater? im pretty sure my care bear tshirt wouldnt fall under that category....
and you'll have to give me candy (i know you guys give out the big candy bars!) cause i'll be trick or treating.... and because i'll put a cap in your ass... whatever that means.
since halloween is on a friday, im gonna dress up like a gangsta and come to your house. do-rag, justins jeans... what would classify a "gangsta" shirt? hooded sweatshirt? wife beater? im pretty sure my care bear tshirt wouldnt fall under that category....
and you'll have to give me candy (i know you guys give out the big candy bars!) cause i'll be trick or treating.... and because i'll put a cap in your ass... whatever that means.
Wish Lists and Fall Colors
I've added three lists to the right hand side of the blog, under the blog archive. These are obviously for christmas but we could just leave them up if we wanted to use them as bday reference as well. Just make sure to update! Oh and feel free to delete my test entries ;)
Sarah: Hope you are feeling better *hug*
Chelsea: the kitten pic link does work without having to sign in. Sooo cute! :)
Love yas,
jill
Sarah: Hope you are feeling better *hug*
Chelsea: the kitten pic link does work without having to sign in. Sooo cute! :)
Love yas,
jill
pictures
Kitten link
im testing this out.... i think it will direct you to pictures of roland and octavian, some of which are new.
if it doesnt work or you cant view them without "signing in", i'll try to figure out how to change it and edit this post.
cajones
im testing this out.... i think it will direct you to pictures of roland and octavian, some of which are new.
if it doesnt work or you cant view them without "signing in", i'll try to figure out how to change it and edit this post.
cajones
Monday, September 22, 2008
Don't Cry - School Won't Last Forever
Seriously - I'm sad too that you can't be close to us and do things with us but school won't last forever (if you don't want it to anyway!) It's much better to stick it out now than to drop out and hope to go back later. When it's done you'll be so happy you stuck with it and then you can move to where ever you want.
Unless of course you want to give up on school all together and find a career somewhere instead - obviously that's fine too.
I'm sorry you're sad. *hug* When you come out if you want to stay with me for the whole time or just a day, you are welcome to.
jill
Unless of course you want to give up on school all together and find a career somewhere instead - obviously that's fine too.
I'm sorry you're sad. *hug* When you come out if you want to stay with me for the whole time or just a day, you are welcome to.
jill
Friday, September 19, 2008
Broken-hearted dreams
I have been trying not to cry for the last few minutes, imagining a life in which I get to go apple picking with you, go to the big E with you, visit mom on the weekends, and watch the leaves change.
I am so homesick.
I really hate it here. I think about dropping out and coming home all the time. And I might do it eventually, but that doesn't make me feel better about the fact that I can't come home right now.
I get paid on October 1st, and I am thinking about spending several hundred dollars just to come home for a weekend. I miss you guys so much more than you know.
And I have a great apple recipe for you. Will try to post it soon.
Today I am going to a county fair, but it is just not the same. Carve a pumpkin and pour a cup of cider for me.
I love you both.
Sarah
I am so homesick.
I really hate it here. I think about dropping out and coming home all the time. And I might do it eventually, but that doesn't make me feel better about the fact that I can't come home right now.
I get paid on October 1st, and I am thinking about spending several hundred dollars just to come home for a weekend. I miss you guys so much more than you know.
And I have a great apple recipe for you. Will try to post it soon.
Today I am going to a county fair, but it is just not the same. Carve a pumpkin and pour a cup of cider for me.
I love you both.
Sarah
talked to mom
jill, in case i forget to tell you/dont have a chance to tell you before sunday (which probably wont be the case because i want my apple cider), i asked mom if she would like to come with us to the bigE. she said no thank you, she would pass on the bigE but if we wanted to stop by and visit her either on the way there or on the way back, she would be home. she knows its out of the way, but she wanted to offer anyway.
i told her i didnt know if we would but i would mention it to you. i also said that justin and i would definitely be seeing her next weekend since we will be visiting my friend in northampton.
cajones
i told her i didnt know if we would but i would mention it to you. i also said that justin and i would definitely be seeing her next weekend since we will be visiting my friend in northampton.
cajones
Thursday, September 18, 2008
im sure she wont accept the big E invite, but i will offer it to her. i'll give her a call tonight.
sunday is fine with me. just let me know when you want to head out. did you ask j1 too or just pat?
on a sidenote, i really want to enjoy flavored seltzer but they always taste so funny to me. maybe it'll grow on my if i drink more of it...
sunday is fine with me. just let me know when you want to head out. did you ask j1 too or just pat?
on a sidenote, i really want to enjoy flavored seltzer but they always taste so funny to me. maybe it'll grow on my if i drink more of it...
All of the Above!
Haha I love your poll and I voted for each one. Though I'm the very most excited about having the windows open instead of the AC! yay!
You weren't a dumb little kid - it's just the way you see things when you are young before you know all the details. I used to think that MA and the US were the same thing because the shape of the state was similar to the shape of the country. I got them confused :) and I also used to use the word, tounkie (however you spell it) *chuckle*
So, Big E this weekend on Sunday? Cody has a wedding on Saturday so it would be better for me (and River) if we could go on Sunday. If Sunday is bad for you let me know - we can figure something out I'm sure. I invited Pat, he's interested but not positive he will go.
I spoke to mom last night - apparently she's been having a bad time lately and wants you (Chels) to call her. She said she was worried about us and I told her we were fine. Do you want to invite her to go to the Big E with us?
Love ya,
jill
You weren't a dumb little kid - it's just the way you see things when you are young before you know all the details. I used to think that MA and the US were the same thing because the shape of the state was similar to the shape of the country. I got them confused :) and I also used to use the word, tounkie (however you spell it) *chuckle*
So, Big E this weekend on Sunday? Cody has a wedding on Saturday so it would be better for me (and River) if we could go on Sunday. If Sunday is bad for you let me know - we can figure something out I'm sure. I invited Pat, he's interested but not positive he will go.
I spoke to mom last night - apparently she's been having a bad time lately and wants you (Chels) to call her. She said she was worried about us and I told her we were fine. Do you want to invite her to go to the Big E with us?
Love ya,
jill
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
i hate the cold
i wish they would stop using the air conditioner in this office. my fingers and toes are threatening to go numb.
maybe i should just keep a pair of fleece socks in the drawer at my desk....
also, i was watching the end of The King and I last night. im pretty sure i had no idea what that movie was about when i was younger, much like the sound of music and nazis. first of all, he dies? really? huh.... i didnt remember that. and second, that little siamese dancing play they put on for the king and a bunch of white people was an interpretation of Uncle Tom's Cabin.... about a slave running away from Kentucky to Ohio. i had no freaking clue. apparently the names of the characters NOT being asian in the slightest didnt stop me from assuming the story was supposed to take place in siam.
im starting to think i was a dumb little kid ;)
cajones
maybe i should just keep a pair of fleece socks in the drawer at my desk....
also, i was watching the end of The King and I last night. im pretty sure i had no idea what that movie was about when i was younger, much like the sound of music and nazis. first of all, he dies? really? huh.... i didnt remember that. and second, that little siamese dancing play they put on for the king and a bunch of white people was an interpretation of Uncle Tom's Cabin.... about a slave running away from Kentucky to Ohio. i had no freaking clue. apparently the names of the characters NOT being asian in the slightest didnt stop me from assuming the story was supposed to take place in siam.
im starting to think i was a dumb little kid ;)
cajones
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Stuff - Yes, It's another really late-night post :P
Hah that's an awesome story about the squirrel Chels. Did you see it again? If he does it alot we could make a craisin commercial or something :) and uh, scary about the creepy old woman...
Yes! We NEEEEEED to go apple picking. Thanks for posting the schedule. Maybe we could go this weekend? I'm up for some Macintosh/Cortlands. Then we'll need to find some appley recipes 'cause I have no idea what we'll do with them all! haha
And finally, mmmm about the pumpkin pie pudding. We should make that after we go apple picking and at the same time as we are making other appley recipes! ;)
(Hi Sarah!)
Ok, I'm goin to bed.
Love ya both,
jill
Yes! We NEEEEEED to go apple picking. Thanks for posting the schedule. Maybe we could go this weekend? I'm up for some Macintosh/Cortlands. Then we'll need to find some appley recipes 'cause I have no idea what we'll do with them all! haha
And finally, mmmm about the pumpkin pie pudding. We should make that after we go apple picking and at the same time as we are making other appley recipes! ;)
(Hi Sarah!)
Ok, I'm goin to bed.
Love ya both,
jill
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Pumpkin Pudding
posting this so i can find it easily later.... and try it.
1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (12 fluid ounce) can Evaporated Milk
1 (15 ounce) can Pure Pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (i used 1/2teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg instead)
whipped cream
DIRECTIONS
BEAT pudding mix and evaporated milk according to package directions in large bowl; refrigerate for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until ready to serve. Top with whipped cream.
1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (12 fluid ounce) can Evaporated Milk
1 (15 ounce) can Pure Pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (i used 1/2teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg instead)
whipped cream
DIRECTIONS
BEAT pudding mix and evaporated milk according to package directions in large bowl; refrigerate for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until ready to serve. Top with whipped cream.
Monday, September 8, 2008
also...
jill - this is from the place we went strawberry picking. theres probably other orchards closer to us, but this is an idea of when we could go picking for what...
APPLE PICKING STARTS SEPTEMBER 6, 2008
HOURS: WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS 10 am-4 pm
PICKING ORDER
EARLY SEPTEMBER: MACINTOSH, CORTLAND
LATE SEPTEMBER: CORTLAND, RED DELICIOUS
OCTOBER: EMPIRE, MUSTU, FORTUNE, SPY, JONAGOLD
MID OCTOBER: FUJI
hewwwwooooo?
no. ive not heard back from the job. i assume they are interviewing other people. :: shrug ::
i made friends with a squirrel today.
i was sitting on a park bench out near a coffee shop i like and a squirrel came up to me on the back of the bench. he was like 4 feet away from me and just stood there looking at me. i reached into my bag to get a craisin (for me) and he jumped down cause my arm moved in his direction. but he just sat on the ground looking at me. so i took out a big-ish craisin and dropped it in front of him. he sniffed the ground then sat there and ate it. he moved around to the front of the bench and sat up to look at me. so i put another one down. he grabbed it and moved back behind me. at this point i was talking at it. he was cute but has those creepy little squirrel hands. and then some older woman who looked borderline homeless walked past me and looked at me like "get the eff off my bench!" so i dropped one last craisin in front of the little guy and left. i looked back to see if the squirrel was still there but only saw the old woman sit down on my bench
i hope he comes back tomorrow :D
cajones
i made friends with a squirrel today.
i was sitting on a park bench out near a coffee shop i like and a squirrel came up to me on the back of the bench. he was like 4 feet away from me and just stood there looking at me. i reached into my bag to get a craisin (for me) and he jumped down cause my arm moved in his direction. but he just sat on the ground looking at me. so i took out a big-ish craisin and dropped it in front of him. he sniffed the ground then sat there and ate it. he moved around to the front of the bench and sat up to look at me. so i put another one down. he grabbed it and moved back behind me. at this point i was talking at it. he was cute but has those creepy little squirrel hands. and then some older woman who looked borderline homeless walked past me and looked at me like "get the eff off my bench!" so i dropped one last craisin in front of the little guy and left. i looked back to see if the squirrel was still there but only saw the old woman sit down on my bench
i hope he comes back tomorrow :D
cajones
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chirp, Chirp Chirp
Sooooo quiet in here.... shhhhhhh
Happy Friday to both my sisters!!
Amazingly I'm not feeling totally overwhelmed and stressed at the moment. Very weird. Let's hope I don't have to work too much this weekend.
How're you both doing? Sarah have you George-Forman-grilled anything yet? ;) Chelsea, did you hear anything from the latest job interview??
Love you both,
jill
Happy Friday to both my sisters!!
Amazingly I'm not feeling totally overwhelmed and stressed at the moment. Very weird. Let's hope I don't have to work too much this weekend.
How're you both doing? Sarah have you George-Forman-grilled anything yet? ;) Chelsea, did you hear anything from the latest job interview??
Love you both,
jill
Thursday, August 28, 2008
meh
did not get the job. the administrative whatever was wanting to hire me, but the attorney guy who came and met me yesterday said i was overqualified and wanted to hire the other applicant, some chick who is friends with his secretary or something. and apparently, though he has very little dealing with the receptionist compared to the administrative whatever, he got the final say.
the recruiter said she had another, slightly better paying position that she would offer me up for. we shall see.
im bitter. big surprise
the recruiter said she had another, slightly better paying position that she would offer me up for. we shall see.
im bitter. big surprise
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Another Bday!!
Happy Birthday, Sarah!!
Hope you have a good day today. You didn't respond to my question of what you want, so I'll just renew your subscription for you :)
Do you have anything fun planned? Thinkin' of ya...
*hugs*
jill
Hope you have a good day today. You didn't respond to my question of what you want, so I'll just renew your subscription for you :)
Do you have anything fun planned? Thinkin' of ya...
*hugs*
jill
Friday, August 22, 2008
sunday
lets aim to go to moms on sunday. i'll give mom a call and see when shes planning on going to the fair. if she was gonna go on sunday, we can change plans and go another weekend.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
This is very late but...
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, CHELSEA!!
I didn't ever get a chance to post but I really wanted to! I hope you had a good day.
I don't really care if we go to see mom this weekend or not. If we go, I'd rather go on Sunday. If you'd rather not go we can go some other weekend.
We should get together and make dinner or something yummy soon!
*hugs*
jill
visit mom?
i talked to mom last night. she said she did cancel her camping plans with wil for this weekend. but wil and kevin will be coming down because the cummington fair will be happening and they like the demolition derby (.....meh). mom said that we are welcome to go there and visit with her. but if we cant fit it into our schedule or dont want to come down then, she understands. she didnt seem bothered by the idea of us not coming
i dont know what you are wanting to do, jill. im not a big fan of demolition derbies. and since she does have things to do this weekend and isnt sitting around home alone and bored, id be ok skipping the trip this weekend. but if you were wanting to head out that way, we could do that too.
let me know what you think.
cajones
i dont know what you are wanting to do, jill. im not a big fan of demolition derbies. and since she does have things to do this weekend and isnt sitting around home alone and bored, id be ok skipping the trip this weekend. but if you were wanting to head out that way, we could do that too.
let me know what you think.
cajones
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
In case anyone is totally stumped...
In case anyone is stumped as to what to get me for my birthday, I have included the following link.
Check it out even if you are NOT stumped, because it is AWESOME.
http://www.neverwear.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4
Check it out even if you are NOT stumped, because it is AWESOME.
http://www.neverwear.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
the human tv guide strikes again!
im sure you'll get very excited about this news, but please try to contain yourself
90210 is coming back on the air in september. they are apparently making, like 90210: the next generation. all new characters in high school. and kelly, brandon and brenda are all gonna come back as recurring characters.
i dont even know what to say about this.... O_o
cajones
90210 is coming back on the air in september. they are apparently making, like 90210: the next generation. all new characters in high school. and kelly, brandon and brenda are all gonna come back as recurring characters.
i dont even know what to say about this.... O_o
cajones
Another Bunny Update
The bunnies have left the nest. Yesterday morning I checked on them and they were still in there - this morning the hole is empty. Oh great - another four bunnies to poo and have babies in my yard... haha
jill
p.s. is it time to go home yet?
jill
p.s. is it time to go home yet?
birthday update
jill-
i talked to mom last night about birthday plans. this weekend isnt good for her (i dont remember why) and next weekend is up in the air. she is supposed to go camping with wil and kevin (23rd and 24th) but shes wanting to cancel it because she is worried it will rain. but she hasnt actually told them that yet.
she said she'll keep me posted on when shes available to do the birthday thing with us.
really, im not in any hurry.
cajones
i talked to mom last night about birthday plans. this weekend isnt good for her (i dont remember why) and next weekend is up in the air. she is supposed to go camping with wil and kevin (23rd and 24th) but shes wanting to cancel it because she is worried it will rain. but she hasnt actually told them that yet.
she said she'll keep me posted on when shes available to do the birthday thing with us.
really, im not in any hurry.
cajones
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bunny Update
I wish I had a pic to post but I'm digital camera impaired.
The bunnies are much bigger now - they are all upright in the bottom of the hole, their eyes are open and their little noses are wiggling :) So cute. There are only three now because River was sniffing one on Saturday morning and I think it hopped out of the yard. I'm not sure if he poked his nose in the nest and the top one jumped out or if it was out in the yard already.
Ohhh Chelsea - can't wait to give you your bday present!! hehe
Sarah, haven't heard from you in a while. How's everything?
Love ya!
jill
The bunnies are much bigger now - they are all upright in the bottom of the hole, their eyes are open and their little noses are wiggling :) So cute. There are only three now because River was sniffing one on Saturday morning and I think it hopped out of the yard. I'm not sure if he poked his nose in the nest and the top one jumped out or if it was out in the yard already.
Ohhh Chelsea - can't wait to give you your bday present!! hehe
Sarah, haven't heard from you in a while. How's everything?
Love ya!
jill
Monday, August 11, 2008
A variation on the badger song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY6mpaVEaTg&NR=1
Watch for the subtle (or not so subtle) changes, too.
Watch for the subtle (or not so subtle) changes, too.
olympics
::::: EDIT ::::: YouTube was forced to take down all Olympic videos (damn chinese/nbc) so the link doesnt work anymore. so sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-hNteEIKRk
i dont know if either of you saw the opening ceremonies of the olympics. i watched part of it. this was the very beginning and was by far the most impressive part if you ask me.
cajones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-hNteEIKRk
i dont know if either of you saw the opening ceremonies of the olympics. i watched part of it. this was the very beginning and was by far the most impressive part if you ask me.
cajones
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
bunnies
the pictures are blurry. sorry. its my fault. but the last one is pretty much fine... thats how they looked to me anyway.
cajones
Monday, August 4, 2008
In the Bag
Chelsea!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laDp0tLEtU
We did make those apple thingys and they were yummy but I think I need a lot more practice deep frying stuff. I don't think they were cooked properly. They were almost as good leftover as they were fresh but I did throw out a bunch of them.
That chicken stew recipe post made me want to make that - I think it'll be dinner one of these days.
Sarah - on friday Chelsea and I were in the backyard with river and I found newborn baby bunnies in a hole in the middle of my yard. It was scary, I moved a big pile of dead grass to throw it away and saw pink fuzzy things squirming around. It made me jump back and yell "oh my gosh!!" which then scared Chelsea haha I thought they were mice or rats at first but they are definitely bunnies. I have a ton of adult bunnies in my yard (darn rabbit poo everywhere....)and last year there were baby bunnies in my garage. But, they are sooo cute! Wish you could be here to see them. Hopefully we can take a pic and post it up here soon before they leave the nest.
Love ya!
jill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laDp0tLEtU
We did make those apple thingys and they were yummy but I think I need a lot more practice deep frying stuff. I don't think they were cooked properly. They were almost as good leftover as they were fresh but I did throw out a bunch of them.
That chicken stew recipe post made me want to make that - I think it'll be dinner one of these days.
Sarah - on friday Chelsea and I were in the backyard with river and I found newborn baby bunnies in a hole in the middle of my yard. It was scary, I moved a big pile of dead grass to throw it away and saw pink fuzzy things squirming around. It made me jump back and yell "oh my gosh!!" which then scared Chelsea haha I thought they were mice or rats at first but they are definitely bunnies. I have a ton of adult bunnies in my yard (darn rabbit poo everywhere....)and last year there were baby bunnies in my garage. But, they are sooo cute! Wish you could be here to see them. Hopefully we can take a pic and post it up here soon before they leave the nest.
Love ya!
jill
Sunday, August 3, 2008
recipes
we did try the zeppole (or however it was spelled) recipe and it was pretty good. i couldnt taste the olive oil taste. they seemed to be a little moist on the inside as though they were undercooked but they were getting really dark on the outside. they tasted good especially with the whipped cream, but it made a lot and we couldnt finish them... dont know how good they were the next day. jill said not bad, but she did throw some away.
in terms of recipes i want to try, im intrigued by this cheesecake you speak of. but i dont think we have a springform pan. also! thinking of your lemon cake, they SELL lemon curd in like the jelly/jam section at our grocery store. i was amazed.
for things for you to try:
jill and i have made this a few times (and i think we should make it again!!). we added pasta once (those little star type pasta that youd get in chicken and stars soup) and it made it better, in my opinion. we also tried rice, but we added a bit too much to the soup. quite good, you should make it.
Chicken Stew
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 stalks celery, cut into bite-size pieces
1 carrot, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 chicken breast with ribs (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
1 (15-ounce) can organic kidney beans, drained (rinsed if not organic)
in terms of recipes i want to try, im intrigued by this cheesecake you speak of. but i dont think we have a springform pan. also! thinking of your lemon cake, they SELL lemon curd in like the jelly/jam section at our grocery store. i was amazed.
for things for you to try:
jill and i have made this a few times (and i think we should make it again!!). we added pasta once (those little star type pasta that youd get in chicken and stars soup) and it made it better, in my opinion. we also tried rice, but we added a bit too much to the soup. quite good, you should make it.
Chicken Stew
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 stalks celery, cut into bite-size pieces
1 carrot, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 chicken breast with ribs (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
1 (15-ounce) can organic kidney beans, drained (rinsed if not organic)
Serving suggestion: crusty bread
Heat the oil in a heavy 5 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, and onion. Saute the vegetables until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, basil, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. Add the chicken breasts; press to submerge.
Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently uncovered until the chicken is almost cooked through, turning the chicken breasts over and stirring the mixture occasionally, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken breasts to a work surface and cool for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Add the kidney beans to the pot and simmer until the liquid has reduced into a stew consistency, about 10 minutes.
Discard the skin and bones from the chicken breasts. Shred or cut the chicken into bite- size pieces. Return the chicken meat to the stew. Bring the stew just to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Ladle the stew into serving bowls and serve with the bread.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Ham and cheese love
You guys have inspired me to get into the kitchen more.
Last night, Natalie and I hosted a poker night (Texas Hold 'em). It was my first time playing poker. I picked it up quickly and was surprisingly not bad. My friend PT, who swears he doesn't know anything about cards, couldn't remember which chips were worth what, and bet even though he had NO IDEA what hand he was playing, won. He won. The whole game. When he would put down his cards, shrug sheepishly and say "Do I have anything?" and, in fact, he had a straight that trumped the rest of our two-pair, he almost got shot.
So anyway, for poker night, I made a bunch of ham and cheese rolls. Natalie was openly hostile when they were gone before the night was half-over. (I think she stays with me for my cooking.) A lot of Natalie's friends indulge in the kind of smoking I don't do, so I called the rolls Scooby-Snacks. They were a hit.
I am trying to pull it together to make one of my more fancy schmancy recipes. Maybe lemon cake, or lemon tart, or vanilla cheesecake, or OR apple pie with lemon custard. I have too many recipes and not enough free time.
Is there anything you guys would really like a recipe for? Please discuss amongst yourselves and let me know what my our next culinary adventure should be.
ps. Ever make those apple things with cinnamon whipped cream? They sound awesome, although I would use vegetable oil rather than olive oil due to olive oil's distinctive flavor. Maybe I should try those next....
Love,
Sarah
Last night, Natalie and I hosted a poker night (Texas Hold 'em). It was my first time playing poker. I picked it up quickly and was surprisingly not bad. My friend PT, who swears he doesn't know anything about cards, couldn't remember which chips were worth what, and bet even though he had NO IDEA what hand he was playing, won. He won. The whole game. When he would put down his cards, shrug sheepishly and say "Do I have anything?" and, in fact, he had a straight that trumped the rest of our two-pair, he almost got shot.
So anyway, for poker night, I made a bunch of ham and cheese rolls. Natalie was openly hostile when they were gone before the night was half-over. (I think she stays with me for my cooking.) A lot of Natalie's friends indulge in the kind of smoking I don't do, so I called the rolls Scooby-Snacks. They were a hit.
I am trying to pull it together to make one of my more fancy schmancy recipes. Maybe lemon cake, or lemon tart, or vanilla cheesecake, or OR apple pie with lemon custard. I have too many recipes and not enough free time.
Is there anything you guys would really like a recipe for? Please discuss amongst yourselves and let me know what my our next culinary adventure should be.
ps. Ever make those apple things with cinnamon whipped cream? They sound awesome, although I would use vegetable oil rather than olive oil due to olive oil's distinctive flavor. Maybe I should try those next....
Love,
Sarah
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
More pictures for your viewing pleasure...
it DID flower! and then this happened.... :D
also......
this is how i play video games now.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
For easy finding later...
(cajones)
Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
1 large apple, peeled and grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting 1
teaspoon cinnamon
Olive oil for frying
In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return the pan to medium heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, one at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. Add the grated apple and stir to combine. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
Combine the whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whip until medium soft peaks form. Transfer the whipping cream to a serving dish.
Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F.
Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a rounded tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil. Turn the zeppole once or twice, and cook until golden and puffed up, about 4 minutes. Fry the zeppole in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan. Drain on paper towels. Transfer the zeppole to a serving dish and sprinkle with powdered sugar using a small sieve. Serve with the cinnamon whipped cream alongside for dipping.
Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
1 large apple, peeled and grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting 1
teaspoon cinnamon
Olive oil for frying
In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return the pan to medium heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, one at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. Add the grated apple and stir to combine. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
Combine the whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whip until medium soft peaks form. Transfer the whipping cream to a serving dish.
Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F.
Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a rounded tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil. Turn the zeppole once or twice, and cook until golden and puffed up, about 4 minutes. Fry the zeppole in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan. Drain on paper towels. Transfer the zeppole to a serving dish and sprinkle with powdered sugar using a small sieve. Serve with the cinnamon whipped cream alongside for dipping.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Bunny Tin
I hate grad school. Just wanted to put that out there, in case you were wondering.
But I have asked around, and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE hates grad school. So that makes me feel better. I also live in constant fear of being kicked out, but then again, I hate it, so maybe that would work out in the long run.
I have picked up working part time at a book store. Its cute and overrun by hippies. We are thatclose to singing kumbaya. They don't believe in carding people when they pay with a check or, I don't know, use a credit card that is in someone else's name. (A woman with a card that says George, for example.)
They don't have a safe. When I was being trained on how to close, I was instructed to put all the cash from the register (which doesn't close, much less lock) into "the bunny tin".
"I'm sorry," I said, convinced I had misheard my boss. "Where do I put the money?"
"In the 'safe'," she told me, using her fingers (which, by the way are disfigured, so it was kind of hard to tell what exactly she was doing: her gestures all look kind of the same) to show the quotation marks. "Its a bunny tin."
Sure enough, all the money gets put into a cookie tin with a bunny printed on it. The tin then goes under the counter. And the walls are mostly windows, so anyone can look in and see me doing this.
I horrify my coworkers at every staff meeting by being hopelessly capitalistic. Yeah. They are so hippie-tastic that I look like a right-wing capitalist. They almost shot me when I pointed out that one of our weaknesses is being a staff of entirely white middle-class women. They were not prepared for any insinuation that they might not be sensitive to the cultures, tastes, and lifestyles of the primarily lower-class minority population that makes up most of the surrounding areas. White people really like to believe that they understand everyone else and that they are in no way, ever, EVER even accidentally racist.
I am not pretending to be super-opened minding and more sensitive or any of that nonsense. I have just gotten sick of the two faced mentality in academia that we are too smart to be racist (but also unwilling to associate with locals, who we all assume are on drugs.) I am not perfect, but at least I admit that I, as a white person from a nice family and a nice town, who makes a nice paycheck, am too sheltered not to be at least a little ignorant.
Wow. That was a rant. Didn't really know that was all rolling around in my head.
Anyway.
Life is hectic, but its never boring.
I miss you guys. I love you.
Sarah
But I have asked around, and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE hates grad school. So that makes me feel better. I also live in constant fear of being kicked out, but then again, I hate it, so maybe that would work out in the long run.
I have picked up working part time at a book store. Its cute and overrun by hippies. We are thatclose to singing kumbaya. They don't believe in carding people when they pay with a check or, I don't know, use a credit card that is in someone else's name. (A woman with a card that says George, for example.)
They don't have a safe. When I was being trained on how to close, I was instructed to put all the cash from the register (which doesn't close, much less lock) into "the bunny tin".
"I'm sorry," I said, convinced I had misheard my boss. "Where do I put the money?"
"In the 'safe'," she told me, using her fingers (which, by the way are disfigured, so it was kind of hard to tell what exactly she was doing: her gestures all look kind of the same) to show the quotation marks. "Its a bunny tin."
Sure enough, all the money gets put into a cookie tin with a bunny printed on it. The tin then goes under the counter. And the walls are mostly windows, so anyone can look in and see me doing this.
I horrify my coworkers at every staff meeting by being hopelessly capitalistic. Yeah. They are so hippie-tastic that I look like a right-wing capitalist. They almost shot me when I pointed out that one of our weaknesses is being a staff of entirely white middle-class women. They were not prepared for any insinuation that they might not be sensitive to the cultures, tastes, and lifestyles of the primarily lower-class minority population that makes up most of the surrounding areas. White people really like to believe that they understand everyone else and that they are in no way, ever, EVER even accidentally racist.
I am not pretending to be super-opened minding and more sensitive or any of that nonsense. I have just gotten sick of the two faced mentality in academia that we are too smart to be racist (but also unwilling to associate with locals, who we all assume are on drugs.) I am not perfect, but at least I admit that I, as a white person from a nice family and a nice town, who makes a nice paycheck, am too sheltered not to be at least a little ignorant.
Wow. That was a rant. Didn't really know that was all rolling around in my head.
Anyway.
Life is hectic, but its never boring.
I miss you guys. I love you.
Sarah
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
i like how all your posts are done at like midnight. haha
i read up a little on kneading and i think we werent doing it enough. said that if you pinch it, it should feel like an earlobe when its properly kneaded. :: shrug ::
i did see children of men. i really liked it. i watched it right after i finished a film studies class so i was watching for its artistic quality. i kinda feel dumb saying that...
the director was the same guy that did the 3rd harry potter movie (prisoner of azkaban)... the one with the hippogryphs and werewolf... and theres a similar dark, faded quality to the actual visual aspects/color of both. also interesting: at the end of the movie where they are running around in the buildings with the baby and there guns firing and all sorts of shit... theres a really long shot that had to be done in one take. at one point, blood splatters on the lens of the camera and stays there for the rest of the shot, but the director really liked it so he didnt yell cut. later, he digitally made the blood fade away so that it wouldnt become a serious distraction when the camera moved inside a building.
ok. im done now...
cajones
i read up a little on kneading and i think we werent doing it enough. said that if you pinch it, it should feel like an earlobe when its properly kneaded. :: shrug ::
i did see children of men. i really liked it. i watched it right after i finished a film studies class so i was watching for its artistic quality. i kinda feel dumb saying that...
the director was the same guy that did the 3rd harry potter movie (prisoner of azkaban)... the one with the hippogryphs and werewolf... and theres a similar dark, faded quality to the actual visual aspects/color of both. also interesting: at the end of the movie where they are running around in the buildings with the baby and there guns firing and all sorts of shit... theres a really long shot that had to be done in one take. at one point, blood splatters on the lens of the camera and stays there for the rest of the shot, but the director really liked it so he didnt yell cut. later, he digitally made the blood fade away so that it wouldnt become a serious distraction when the camera moved inside a building.
ok. im done now...
cajones
Better Kneading?
Um ew Chels... that sounds gross. I do like sourdough but I think I'd need to know a little more about that starter before I'd actually eat bread made from it haha I'm up for anything cooking though!
So, maybe our bread has come out so dense because of our kneading technique. I was watching some youtube videos on kneading bread and I definitely wasn't doing it correctly. I think that's why the loaf you kneaded (Chels) came out way better than the one I tried to do and you fixed. Next time - this weekend? - I am going to knead it until it is smooth.
I watched the movie 'Children of Men' last night while Rich was playing WoW. I think I liked it but I'm not sure... did either of you ever see it?
Sarah! where are youuuuuuu??
*hugs*
jill
So, maybe our bread has come out so dense because of our kneading technique. I was watching some youtube videos on kneading bread and I definitely wasn't doing it correctly. I think that's why the loaf you kneaded (Chels) came out way better than the one I tried to do and you fixed. Next time - this weekend? - I am going to knead it until it is smooth.
I watched the movie 'Children of Men' last night while Rich was playing WoW. I think I liked it but I'm not sure... did either of you ever see it?
Sarah! where are youuuuuuu??
*hugs*
jill
Monday, July 21, 2008
i dont want to do work, big surprise
...so im posting instead!
i wanna try to make sourdough bread now that im on this bread kick. sarah, have you ever made it before? if so, any tips?
there was some online blog article whatever from some guy who apparently makes sourdough and keeps a starter. made reference to it (the colony of bacteria/yeast) as his pet. it was weird. he said you start with a cup of flour and a cup of water in a jar or whatever. leave it out at (warm) room temp, 70s/80s. said you could cover it if you want but you dont have to. feed it half a cup of flour and half a cup of water every 24 hours... pour out half of it if the jar gets too full from feeding it. after 3 days to a week, it should be bubbly and borderline frothy because of the yeast that just kinda developed in there. creeps me out that it would happen just with the air and all, but it tastes good so i'll try to ignore that part. after that you put it in the fridge and feed it once a week til you wanna use it
justin said he doesnt mind the yeasty-beer smell that will go along with it, and its warm enough in the apartment for it, so i might try to make a starter. id put it in a big ziplock bag like those amish friendship bread starter things. and id probably put it in the pantry since the cats are known to knock things off the counter and play with them and thats not a mess i wanna clean out of the carpet.
thoughts? suggestions?
cajones
ps. ooo pink.
i wanna try to make sourdough bread now that im on this bread kick. sarah, have you ever made it before? if so, any tips?
there was some online blog article whatever from some guy who apparently makes sourdough and keeps a starter. made reference to it (the colony of bacteria/yeast) as his pet. it was weird. he said you start with a cup of flour and a cup of water in a jar or whatever. leave it out at (warm) room temp, 70s/80s. said you could cover it if you want but you dont have to. feed it half a cup of flour and half a cup of water every 24 hours... pour out half of it if the jar gets too full from feeding it. after 3 days to a week, it should be bubbly and borderline frothy because of the yeast that just kinda developed in there. creeps me out that it would happen just with the air and all, but it tastes good so i'll try to ignore that part. after that you put it in the fridge and feed it once a week til you wanna use it
justin said he doesnt mind the yeasty-beer smell that will go along with it, and its warm enough in the apartment for it, so i might try to make a starter. id put it in a big ziplock bag like those amish friendship bread starter things. and id probably put it in the pantry since the cats are known to knock things off the counter and play with them and thats not a mess i wanna clean out of the carpet.
thoughts? suggestions?
cajones
ps. ooo pink.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
We Made Rolls!
Sarah, we made ham and cheese rolls on Sat. and they came out great! Thanks again for the recipe :) I just ate the very last roll and now I'm sad. Next time we will have to make a double batch!
Right now Popcorn is meowing annoyingly. I'm sure she wants food. I don't want to get up and feed her because then the next thing is to go to bed and then the morning will get here and I'll have to go to work... bleh.
Chels, that sucks about the fireworks in the middle of the night. I would have been thinking about calling the police too. Maybe the next thing will be listening to your apt neighbors conceiving their child like Rich and I had to listen to :/
Sigh... I can hear Rich snoring. I guess I'll go to bed. Night you two! *hug*
Still need to post that pie recipe....
jill
p.s. I wonder why the post time is totally off - preference setting somewhere for time zone maybe? It says it's almost 9pm but actually it's 12am right now.
p.p.s. Found it! We were on pacific time hehe
Right now Popcorn is meowing annoyingly. I'm sure she wants food. I don't want to get up and feed her because then the next thing is to go to bed and then the morning will get here and I'll have to go to work... bleh.
Chels, that sucks about the fireworks in the middle of the night. I would have been thinking about calling the police too. Maybe the next thing will be listening to your apt neighbors conceiving their child like Rich and I had to listen to :/
Sigh... I can hear Rich snoring. I guess I'll go to bed. Night you two! *hug*
Still need to post that pie recipe....
jill
p.s. I wonder why the post time is totally off - preference setting somewhere for time zone maybe? It says it's almost 9pm but actually it's 12am right now.
p.p.s. Found it! We were on pacific time hehe
Thursday, July 17, 2008
im no good with titles...
damn straight we're making rolls. i could use more bread too. i have fluff and nothing to put it on ;)
i have no idea about plants. i know that aloe on my sunny porch definitely doesnt do well. i know african violets do best with filtered light, so if SOME light comes in those would work. mine were blooming really well in a east facing window where most morning sun was blocked by buildings and there was a gauzy shade over it to help with the rest of the sun. i know that all my rosemary plants in the past have died because of too much sun... and my bean plants are bleached out and pathetic looking for the same reason. but i dont know if theyd actually grow in shady-tree areas.
maybe you should try to grow fiddleheads. those are ferny and will seem productive, though the idea has always seemed icky to me.
sidenote: can someone explain to me why a fellow apartment renter decided to set off fireworks last night at 4am? when is that ever a good idea? justin was very close to calling the cops, but then they stopped and probably fled the scene.
oh well.... back to work type activities
cajones
i have no idea about plants. i know that aloe on my sunny porch definitely doesnt do well. i know african violets do best with filtered light, so if SOME light comes in those would work. mine were blooming really well in a east facing window where most morning sun was blocked by buildings and there was a gauzy shade over it to help with the rest of the sun. i know that all my rosemary plants in the past have died because of too much sun... and my bean plants are bleached out and pathetic looking for the same reason. but i dont know if theyd actually grow in shady-tree areas.
maybe you should try to grow fiddleheads. those are ferny and will seem productive, though the idea has always seemed icky to me.
sidenote: can someone explain to me why a fellow apartment renter decided to set off fireworks last night at 4am? when is that ever a good idea? justin was very close to calling the cops, but then they stopped and probably fled the scene.
oh well.... back to work type activities
cajones
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Feeling the Overwhelming NEED to Make Rolls
Holy YUM!! Thanks, Sarah! I think I know what we will be doing this weekend, Chelsea! *jumps up and down*
Nice hint there - I wish we could take a road trip to see you. I think you should start trying to convince Rich that I can quit my job! hehe
I actually have a black thumb, too. Mostly because I forget to water everything :/ and I don't have a lot of windows that get good sun. Ferns love shade and I know there are a lot more but I don't know their names off the top of my head. I don't know of any food producing plants or herbs that can survive in shade but there must be some. If I come across any I'll let you know. Maybe you should start a shroom garden ;)
Still need to remember to post the pie recipe.....
jill
Nice hint there - I wish we could take a road trip to see you. I think you should start trying to convince Rich that I can quit my job! hehe
I actually have a black thumb, too. Mostly because I forget to water everything :/ and I don't have a lot of windows that get good sun. Ferns love shade and I know there are a lot more but I don't know their names off the top of my head. I don't know of any food producing plants or herbs that can survive in shade but there must be some. If I come across any I'll let you know. Maybe you should start a shroom garden ;)
Still need to remember to post the pie recipe.....
jill
Indirect semi-shade: It's good for the plants, Or Dad's Yummy Rolls and Sarah's black thumb
Jill, I would LOVE your applesauce pie recipe.
Chelsea, cute peppers.
I am totally swamped with work right now, but I have a question for you two, who are more botanically inclined than myself. Do you know any plants/veggies/flowers/herbs that grow well in shade? We have so many trees around here that nothing really grows. I would like to start a mini-garden with Natalie, especially a kitchen garden (ie. edibles), but we are totally stumped as to what might be able to survive the shade.
Also, a quick note on ham and cheese rolls:
Make daddy bread, let rise, and punch down.
Instead of rolling into a loaf, punch down flat (with your hands). Stretch it, whatever, but I would not use a rolling pin unless I was having a really hard time with it. Yeast dough + Rolling pin = sticky puffy mess, I think.
When it is roughly in a rectangle with the long ends at top and bottom (from you), and thin (maybe 1/2 inch?), spread with melted butter ALL EXCEPT THE TOP INCH.
Cover with shredded white chedder and sliced ham, again all except the top inch.
Roll up from the bottom, trying to keep the ingredients from escaping.
The inch at the top that you didn't put anything on will serve as a built in adhesive, sticking to the roll. You will have what looks like a large jelly roll.
Slice along the roll about every 1 inch, like you were making cinnamon buns.
Place on a cookie tray, swirl side up, again like cinnamon buns.
Let rise and glaze with a little bit of egg+milk(beaten) before baking. (This will make them shiny and pretty.)
Bake until golden brown.
Excellent for road trips, like the one you guys could take to come visit me someday.
Love you both.
Sarah
Chelsea, cute peppers.
I am totally swamped with work right now, but I have a question for you two, who are more botanically inclined than myself. Do you know any plants/veggies/flowers/herbs that grow well in shade? We have so many trees around here that nothing really grows. I would like to start a mini-garden with Natalie, especially a kitchen garden (ie. edibles), but we are totally stumped as to what might be able to survive the shade.
Also, a quick note on ham and cheese rolls:
Make daddy bread, let rise, and punch down.
Instead of rolling into a loaf, punch down flat (with your hands). Stretch it, whatever, but I would not use a rolling pin unless I was having a really hard time with it. Yeast dough + Rolling pin = sticky puffy mess, I think.
When it is roughly in a rectangle with the long ends at top and bottom (from you), and thin (maybe 1/2 inch?), spread with melted butter ALL EXCEPT THE TOP INCH.
Cover with shredded white chedder and sliced ham, again all except the top inch.
Roll up from the bottom, trying to keep the ingredients from escaping.
The inch at the top that you didn't put anything on will serve as a built in adhesive, sticking to the roll. You will have what looks like a large jelly roll.
Slice along the roll about every 1 inch, like you were making cinnamon buns.
Place on a cookie tray, swirl side up, again like cinnamon buns.
Let rise and glaze with a little bit of egg+milk(beaten) before baking. (This will make them shiny and pretty.)
Bake until golden brown.
Excellent for road trips, like the one you guys could take to come visit me someday.
Love you both.
Sarah
Yay for baby Jalapenos!
Ooooh they do look like the beginnings of flowers! That means mine aren't far behind. The ones I never transplanted are totally stunted but the ones in the long planter are growing pretty well... as long as I don't keep forgetting to water them.
I really want to post the world famous Applesauce Pie recipe for Sarah soon. Maybe I will tonight if I don't die from a work overdose... I swear my list of people I want to kill has doubled in the past 10 hours alone. grrrrrrrrr
Where is Sarah!!?! :)
*hugs*
jill
I really want to post the world famous Applesauce Pie recipe for Sarah soon. Maybe I will tonight if I don't die from a work overdose... I swear my list of people I want to kill has doubled in the past 10 hours alone. grrrrrrrrr
Where is Sarah!!?! :)
*hugs*
jill
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
spicy!
are these gonna be jalapenos? i sure hope so! hurray for being able to leave my pepper plants on the porch!cajones
Hi Girlies!!
Here is our blog :)
Even for the completely computer-impaired person this blogging set-up seems pretty cool. You can change the template, colors, arrangement, edit posts, put in a profile, etc. Feel free to go crazy! I just put in the most generic template and left all the default colors for now.
I'm assuming it'll be a small problem if we are trying to log in at the same time so make sure to save the post you are writing outside the blog somewhere and paste it in, just in case someone tries to log on and kicks you out. I can't imagine that will happen too often though.
Don't forget to sign so we know who said what! I have the default sig for every post set as "One of the Three" hehe
Going to go email you two with the info now...
Love ya!!
jill
Even for the completely computer-impaired person this blogging set-up seems pretty cool. You can change the template, colors, arrangement, edit posts, put in a profile, etc. Feel free to go crazy! I just put in the most generic template and left all the default colors for now.
I'm assuming it'll be a small problem if we are trying to log in at the same time so make sure to save the post you are writing outside the blog somewhere and paste it in, just in case someone tries to log on and kicks you out. I can't imagine that will happen too often though.
Don't forget to sign so we know who said what! I have the default sig for every post set as "One of the Three" hehe
Going to go email you two with the info now...
Love ya!!
jill
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