Days in the Life of This Girl

head in the clouds

2010-01-26T21:11:00.002-06:00

i've been starting to think about all the things i want to grow in my garden this year. beans, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peppers, chard, herbs, spinach, zuchinni, cabbage, many types of lettuce and greens, carrots, beets... if i had planned better i would have planted the garlic before the freeze came. maybe just maybe i can get some in just as the ground thaws and have results. anyone have experience with this?

i like winter and the things you can do in it, but it hasn't been that great of a winter. too cold to enjoy the snow or too warm so that it melts or even rains. gets dark by the time i'm home from work and is just barely light when i leave in the mornings. my scant weekend time is usually eaten up by just trying to do regular chores so there has been very little time to do anything outdoors. my snowshoes are feeling very neglected again.

looking forward to some time in warm sunshine, letting my bunnies exercise on the grass, having recreational fires in our firebowl, walks in the park, riding my bike, and maybe picking up a few fun new things to do during the warm weather.

until then, i'm going to be swathed in wool, covered with a blanket or cuddling a warm fuzzy animal (or my hubby the heater) in an attempt to feel less chilled. finding plenty of things which need to be done indoors and finding new ways to procrastinate doing them.

hunting and gathering

2009-11-21T11:14:00.002-06:00

it's that season again, when the menfolk head out into the woods in search of meat which will get us through the winter. i, for one, am hoping mine gets at least one to help with the food budget in these tight times. that leaves me what is commonly referred to as a "hunting widow". not that i mind that much. gives me some time to myself, me time.

this morning's me time is consisting of writing on my much-neglected blogs, figuring out that my hosting for some of the photos on said blog has been closed without notice and trying to ressurect them, making some excellent breakfast, drinking fair trade coffee with agave syrup and milk, washing some laundry, thinking about what i need at the store to complete the tortilla soup i plan to make, thinking about all the other things i also need to do today, and so on and so forth.

there is of course, the matter of the 6 heads of cabbage outside our house which i hope haven't spoiled that i should make into kraut before making said tortilla soup this evening. and there are all the leaves which have fallen all at once from the giant maple next to the livingroom window which should be bagged before it snows. oh and the garden which should be tilled under and the garlic planted for spring. and the mounds of crap in our house we have been meaning to weed through and simplify. and the checkbook to balance. and the floor to sweep and mop. and the list goes on.

for the moment, i will be peaceful and content in the consuming of my coffee and my experimental eggs (which have turned out delicious).

Experimental Eggs for one

Ingredients:
3 maple flavor breakfast sausage links chopped into 1/4" coins
1/2 very small yellow onion chopped
2 new potatoes (I used the tiny ones that came from our garden) chopped into 1/4" cubes
2 eggs
Tabasco sauce
salt

Directions:
Cook sausage, potatoes and onions in a skillet with a little bit of oil (of your choosing, I used Sunflower) over med/ low heat until potatoes are soft and sausage is done.
Scramble 2 eggs in a separate bowl and add some Tabasco. I think I added about 6-7 shakes.
Pour eggs over the cooked sausage potato mixture and cook like scrambled eggs. Turn over half way through to be sure neither side is really runny.
Sprinkle with a little salt and enjoy. Sweet Spicy Egg Scramble thing.

back from life

2009-10-20T22:41:00.008-05:00

The summer was jam packed with stuff and not enough time to do it. Working full time and trying to enjoy life is difficult when your days off are only the weekends (something I had not dealt with in years having worked a more regular retail job where your weekend tends to fall somewhere around Tuesday). We attempted a real garden (or gardens I should say) this year, having a yard and all. The results were mixed. The tomatoes were our biggest success story, which is told by how many of them I ate this summer in a tomato vinegrette salad and by how many quarts of tomato based products I have already canned this fall.

The frost came early, causing us to pick clean our garden in one evening. The green tomatoes have been pickled in various manners (3 different ways), the celery not quite all used and in the fridge, the hot peppers I will likely dry, the summer squash hoping I find a recipe to use all 7 of them, and the remaining herbs hanging to dry all over the house in bunches. That doesn't even take into account the bounty of produce gotten the weekend of the harvest party out at Driftless Organics CSA. We didn't get a share this year (due to our own garden), but knowing the farmers sure puts you in a good position for picking up your fair share of cabbage, potatoes, peppers, squash and other more exotic types of veggies.

This is the view of our "winter pantry" as it currently appears. Jars lined up, 2-deep full of delicious summer harvest. Tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, tomato basil soup, chicken noodle soup, pickled green tomatoes, piccalilli relish, dilled veggies, pickled beets, bread and butter pickles, chili con carne, sauerkraut, sweet and spicy pickled mini peppers and tomato corn salsa. Yet to come are more dilled veggies, dilled beans, more sauerkraut, chicken veggie soup, maybe some pickled garlic and maybe applesauce.

If I finally get some time, I plan to resume blogging recipies as well.

I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike...

2009-06-01T21:54:00.003-05:00

For my birthday present to myself in 2007, I purchased a lovely yellow and white road bike which I had had my eye on for a couple of months at the shop. It was my pride and joy. I took to road riding like I never thought I would.

In May of 2008, I became a bicycle commuter, riding 9 miles each way to my job at the bike shop. From then until the snow fell (I skipped 6-8 weeks while finishing wedding planning), I navigated the streets on this noble steed (with a few Metro Transit rides thrown in for good measure on tired or rainy days when I wanted to rest my legs). (When the snow finally did fall, I switched to a more appropriate bicycle for the weather and continued to bike, with the exception of a few exceedingly icy days during which time I cheated).

I have thoroughly loved this bicycle, logging nearly 1000 miles on it. I accessorized it with a cycling computer, a rack, panniers, head and tail light, clipless pedals, fancy saddle, matching helmet and gloves. I was debating which color of handlebar tape I should put on next now that the stock embossed white tape had turned a dingy color of brownish grey.

To my surprise, I found a crack in the frame on Bike to Work Day. It appears all the hard work of taking me to work through the not-so-well-kept streets of Minneapolis had taken it's toll on my trusty bike. My beloved bike frame was headed for warranty replacement land.

The new frame arrived a week ago, lovingly packed in bubble wrap. Before it had even arrived, I'd had three offers from co-workers to assemble it for me (not that I don't know how, but I find I'm a little busy this time of year). The first to offer, Dave, previously my service manager and teacher of many mechanical things. He would be the one to bring life to my new bike.

Today was the day. With the parts stripped from my old frame, Dave went to work, carefully piecing together a masterpiece. And when he was done, a quick spin inside the warehouse let me know, this bike would be loved as much, if not more than the last. It's sleek carbon frame, the new cables and housing, the way it didn't make any noise at all while coasting on the cement....beautiful.

On the way home, I stopped to get the finishing touch - pink handlebar tape. In my mind, I had envisioned this bike streaking down the street with it's hot pink handlebar tape blazing. Turns out, hot pink is a hard color to come by.

I had debated ordering some online, but was well aware that online photos are not always true to color and the tape I ordered could well have ended up being pastel pink or salmon. So I opted for the "hottest" pink stocked by the Erik's, Cinelli pepto pink (or is it bubble gum?). Either way, it looks pretty sweet.

So, should I wake early tomorrow and the sun be shining, I may take this wonder on her maiden voyage through the streets of New Brighton and possibly Long Lake Park. And from there, the horizon shall likely be my ultimate destination.

New recipes

2009-03-03T23:28:00.002-06:00

Some tasty things happening in our kitchen lately. Find them at http://edible-things.blogspot.com/ And if I get some time soon, a few snapshots from our Valentine's camping trip, my friend Carey's birthday and even the Fat Tuesday Chili Cookoff. But not tonight. Tonight is for sleeping.

One spoiled doggie

2009-02-06T21:25:00.000-06:00

A day in the life of Thor.

Baby Fishies

2009-01-08T10:19:00.005-06:00

Those of you who have been to our house know that the living room is a veritable "sea world". Over the last couple of years, our saltwater fishy family has grown. Until recently, we had a mated pair of Fire Clownfish. The larger (female) of the two was a wild-caught beauty whom we nursed to health after she didn't do so well on her trip from her native waters to the local tropical fish store where Matt once worked. Her original mate was not so fortunate. We got her a new little guy and they had been living happily in their anemone for some time.

A photo taken the day before her untimely demise.

A recent accident while doing some tank maintenance resulted in the death of the female. Feeling sad about losing her and about our little male being all alone, we decided to get a replacement, which soon became 3 replacements. Our little clownfish now has a brood of three tiny clowns who are already finding their favorite spot in the anemone even on their first day.

Our new brood enjoying their anemone. They will all attain the dark red color as they mature.

Breakfast complete with shiny sun

2008-11-26T08:45:00.003-06:00

This morning, I decided to have a real morning, instead of going back to bed when Matt left for work. I had already assembled his lunch (homemade bean soup : pseudo recipe below and homemade apple crisp) and made him a breakfast sandwich (fried up a slice of homemade Goetta sausage on toast, and filled up his thermos with some fair trade organic dark breakfast blend coffee). Time for my breakfast. A slice of the Goetta with a fried egg on some lightly toasted whole wheat with a cup of that same coffee accented with some maple syrup and a dash of whole milk. Yum. I pulled up the shades in our office to let the morning sun shine in and decided I should blog just a smidge. I will be posting some photos a little later today, but I still don't have photo software on our main computer and mine is up in the cold cold attic.

And now the recipes.

Homemade bean soup
I started with pork bone broth (used the bones we had frozen from the pig from our wedding reception). Just simmered those bones in some water forever it seems until they were soft and all the remaining meat and cartiledge fell right off. I used dry beans for soup for the first time. Combining Northern White Beans, Pinto Beans and small Red Beans in a pot, washing them, soaking them, rinsing them, partially cooking them and rinsing again before they were ready for the soup.

Cut up some leftover ham, an onion, celery, carrots, 2 cloves of garlic, and some cabbage and sauted it ever so slightly in butter with some sage. Put about 1/2 cup of dry barley into the broth and set it to simmer for about 15 min before adding in the beans and the other goodies. Let the whole thing sit on low and simmer and hour or two. We had some for dinner last night with some crackers and it was super filling. Has to be all those beans.

Apple Crisp
Peeled and sliced 4 huge Cortland apples from Victoria Valley Orchard (bought for us by Matt's Grandma from the cutest little local orchard you would never know was there). Put them in a 9x13 pan with about 1/4 cup sugar (I used raw sugar), a whole bunch of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, a dash of cloves, and a dash of ginger. Mixed up the apples to spread out the spices.

In another bowl, mixed up 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cups oats, and about a cup of milk. (I also added about 2 tbsp butter this time around, but last time I made it without cause I didn't have any and it was still delicious). Stir this mixture up well until it's kinda crumbly. Spread it evenly on top of the apples. Bake until the topping is crispy and the apples are soft and they appear to be syrupy.

I have been eating this warmed and topped with yogurt.

Goetta Sausage
Ok, so this might make some of you go ew, but this sausage is made from leftover meat and oatmeal. It's kinda sloppy, but delicious. We had quite a bit of pork still left frozen from our wedding reception and didn'tknow what to do with it, so when we found this German delight on the internet, we thought it was worth a try.

I ground 2 lbs of leftover roast pork with an onion. Then I mixed in 2 1/2 cups of oatmeal and 8 cups of water. I also added a pinch of cayenne pepper. You take this whole sloppy mix, bring it to a boil and then simmer for a couple hours, stirring occassionally. It does get stuck to the bottom of the pan pretty badly otherwise.

Once it starts to look like it's thickening up some, put it into greased loaf pans and put it into the fridge to cool and set up. It's supposed to thicken up so you can slice it and fry it in a pan, but ours had a little more fat than we planned on, so it was a bit gloppy. I thought maybe baking the loaf or adding more oatmeal per pound of meat next time might be a good idea. But we still have sliced it up a bit, then squished the slices in the cast iron skillet to fry it up for breakfast. Currently this is what Matt is having as a favorite breakfast. If you make this, try not to judge it before you taste it.

Three months

2008-11-09T21:32:00.006-06:00

More coming soon, but I just got the DSL up and running at our new place and currently we only have one computer hooked up, and it doesn't have photoshop (and in case you didn't click on these photos, they are huge). Thanks to my good friend Amy for the beautiful photos.

no longer a city girl

2008-11-07T22:13:00.003-06:00

As much as I have loved the city and living so near to everything, the time came for us to move on and move out. We're in the 'burbs, but it doesn't remind me of what I remember the 'burbs to be. We're still rather close to things. Closer to work by a couple miles which makes biking there even easier. All our necessary things are within five miles, all reachable by human power. We have our own yard in which to play with the dog or plant a garden. We don't have to worry about being a little too loud at night if we get excited about something we see on tv or something we are discussing. It's a little sense of freedom, even if we still don't own anything. And I feel like from here it is just a hop, skip and jump into the "country" which is where we'd both ultimately like to end up. This urban hippie girl will someday just be a happy hippie.

Home sweet home - take 2

2008-10-26T18:11:00.003-05:00

New Blog

2008-09-19T21:46:00.003-05:00

Every now and then, I get a hankering for a new project. This one is a new blog about food, one of my favorite things. It's just getting started, but you can find it here.

Happy Birthday to You!

2008-09-05T20:12:00.000-05:00

Happy 3rd birthday baby girl. I love you. You make me smile.

Travelling the Silk Road

2008-08-19T22:35:00.002-05:00

Matt and I took a break from regular life to spend a little time at the Renaissance Festival this last weekend. It gave me a change to wear my belly dance get-up and to take him to see some dancing ( I got him to dress up a little like a pirate as well). We got to see some dance by the founder of the school I take lessons at. Also a little jousting. And of course there was a giant pickle, beef jerky and $5 glasses of beer.

another snapshot

2008-08-16T21:57:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Benson

2008-08-11T11:34:00.001-05:00

Far overdue

2008-07-16T11:47:00.008-05:00

Yes, I am far overdue for a new post. With the nice weather, working full time in sales again, planning our wedding and just plain attempting to have a life, I have rather neglected my blog. So here is time for some updates.

We are getting married in 24 days. The planning is coming along quickly due to some procrastination on my part. The site is reserved, the rental tent/tables/chairs ordered, the food figured out mostly, my dress/shoes/veil purchased, Matt's boots bought, invites mailed with RSVPs flooding back in. Of course there are some things yet to be ironed out, but all in all, I think we're on track. I lined up the most crucial part of the food this morning, and now officially we are having one of these at our wedding:

That's right, the deposit has been mailed. We're actually quite giddy about it. It's the one thing that we've really wanted to have from the very beginning of planning. There will be other food of course, this was just the hardest part to line up.

In non-wedding related news, my friends Chris and Kati welcomed their newest family member into the world just before the 4th of July. Her name is Ophelia and she's a beauty just like her big sister. Madame Ophelia is a big girl, weighing 10lbs 11oz at birth, born naturally, without any medication. Kati is my hero. I went down to visit just a day or two after they came home.

Way back when it was still cold, we started some seeds indoors for our potted garden. Well, they're outside now, the surviving plants having weathered a couple bad storms and some hail. Matt even bought us four huge heirloom tomato plants at a local organic gardening coop. Last week, we picked the first 5 beans from our garden. We ate them raw and shared them with our downstairs neighbors.

There are cucumbers, pea pods, more beans, lettuce, chard, herbs, and tomatos on their way. This is my first success with a potted garden and it makes me so happy. Some day we will have a place to live where we have a real garden plot to plant. We're also going to try our hand at hydroponics so we can grow our own veggies indoors all winter.

Well, I'm off, with more things to do before the day is out. Until later. - this girl

May Day and CS2

2008-05-08T23:40:00.003-05:00

On Sunday, we took the doggie with us to Powderhorn Park for the annual May Day parade and celebration. It was beautiful and warm and sunny. I'll post some photos soon. For now, here's us sitting on the curb watching the parade, edited in my new version of Photoshop.

Domestication

2008-04-13T20:59:00.005-05:00

For any of you who know me, I love to be domestic. Meaning, I love to cook, create, garden, clean and organize (though some may argue that my idea of organized is not really organized at all). I enjoy the process as well as the end result. Having something to show for all your hard work. Especially when it's a clean house (if it can stay that way I am doubly happy) or something delicious to eat.

Today was about cleaning and baking. Four loads of laundry (and more waiting for another day) and my second attempt at Baguette Normal (Parisian daily bread - or "the baguette"). The bread is a 4 hour or longer process which when done right, creates a crusty loaf with a delicate crumb the likes of which I have not tasted since my college choir tour in Europe (and even then the bread wasn't quite like this seeing how the Germans do it slightly different).

With my first attempt on Friday night being a success, I made a double batch - two baguettes and eight petits pains (one of which I devoured as soon as it was cool enough to cut).

2008 Sushi Feast

2008-04-12T23:35:00.008-05:00

I can't remember how many pieces of sushi Chris said he and his crew made for us to enjoy on the first of April, but it was the most impressive spread I have seen. My personal favorite, both in the looks and taste category, blueberry and cucumber. No seriously, very tasty. Below is a collection of photos I took. I tried to get at least one of each kind. Also a few photos from the end of the preparation. They'd been hard at work all day by the time I got there.

March Snow

2008-03-30T00:12:00.009-05:00

A few photo excerpts from last week's romp in the freshly falling early spring snow. Thor loves snow, and we like to play with him in the snow. And when we were tired playing, we took a walk.

Thor wants to go outside and play. See the "please" in his eyes?

Thor trying to work his charms on Matt to go outside and play.

Play?

Play!

Thor loves his recycled bike tire toy.

Matt and Thor try tug-o-war with the tire.

Snowy doggie.

Boy and his dog.

Before and After

2008-03-18T12:38:00.003-05:00

I can't remember how long I've been letting my hair grow, but it has to have been at least 2 years, back to the last time time I had braids I think, which was the summer I went to Cornerstone.

It's been fun, but I've been needing a change lately. Something less heavy, less blah. I want to be able to wear my hair down and not feel overwhelmed by my hair, or have it get stuck under my arm or in my shirt or jacket. Time to have something lighter and more modern and lighter on my neck (been having more neck issues lately, probably connected to the sheer weight of my hair and putting it up at work every day.)

So today I made the switch. First, I perused several galleries to find styles I liked to print out a few for the stylist. Then I took some photos for posterity of my uber-long hair. I trekked down the street to Fantastic Sam's and the rest is history. See for yourself below.

Before:

After:

I think my new hair is fab and makes me appear to have lost some of my winter hibernation weight already (making my face look slimmer). Thank you stylist Diva at Fantastic Sam's in Uptown. You made my day.

Thor

2008-03-12T23:22:00.005-05:00

I'll have to get a photo of him sprawled out on the floor with his tongue hanging out for you to really see his personality. This photo doesn't do him any justice. Perhaps it' s his homely looks and his menacing underbite which turn people off to him (myself somewhat included). He can't help it he's an Olde English Bulldogge (yes spelling is correct, he's a recreations of the Bull-baiting breed whose genetics have been determined to have gone extinct).

He's really one of the most loving dogs I've ever met. Pretty much just lays around most of the day, like to go on short walks around the blog, really wants the cat to play with him, and loves to give kisses (slobbery licks). He's really Matt's dog, but I guess he's growing on me.

I said yes

2008-02-15T09:47:00.001-06:00

You smell like soup

2008-01-11T23:28:00.000-06:00

Feeling a bit under the weather today I stayed home and rested. While I was resting, my from scratch chicken noodle soup was doing it's thing on the stove for 10 hours. Yes, 10 hours. That's how long it takes to make chicken noodle soup really from scratch starting with making the stock.

It began with a gallon of water and 4 chicken thighs in a huge stock pot simmering away for hours and hours and hours with some celery, garlic, carrots and bacon. When the meat had fallen off the bone, most of the veggies had disintegrated, and the bones were soft, I strained the stock and began making the soup.

I put the chicken back in the stock, added chopped celery, onion and carrot along with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. When the veggies were nearly the perfect doneness (almost not crunchy), I added a box of noodles and brought the whole thing to a boil for about 10 min. That's about it. It had been simmering most of the day so it took my bowl of soup about 10 min to cool down before I could eat it and then I still had to blow in each spoonful.

I also made another loaf of egg bread to eat with the soup since the last loaf is down to it's last couple slices.

Failed to post

2008-01-06T22:16:00.000-06:00

I realized just now I failed to post this post about the homemade Christmas we had. I made a number of items for gifts, some of which I started before Thanksgiving.

These mittens I actually started last winter for Steph, but it got to be spring before they were done, so this year they were finished for her Christmas present. I lined them with a pink, orange and yellow flowered fleece. They are yellow at her request to match her yellow VW bug.

I made my sister a calorimetry similar to my own because I know she often wears her own long hair up and could use the extra warmth way up on the southern shore of Lake Superior. She nicknamed it a baboushka. Pattern from Knitty.com, though modified a bit.

Below is the wool wine cozy I made for my parents. Of course there was a bottle of red wine inside when I gave it to them, but it's meant to keep your wine bottle from warming up and also to keep it from clanking around when you take it on a picnic. Patten also from knitty.com.

Last, but certainly not least is the froggy hat made for Matt's youngest nephew. I got the pattern from Lion Brand Yarn's website. The yarn was hard to work with, but it was so cute when it was done.

We spent very little on Christmas this year, opting for homemade. And to be honest we also had a little bit of a "regifting" Christmas. I prefer to think of it as recycling, reusing, reducing waste and reducing consumerism. We also bought a few of our holiday gifts way back in October in a silent auction at a benefit for Driftless Organics farm.

From Scratch

2008-01-06T21:51:00.000-06:00

In attempts to make our food budget even smaller (most people would drop dead to hear we spend less than $200 in an average month on groceries - partially due to coupon and sale items), I have taken to making a greater number of things from scratch. Not only is this fun for me as I've always loved cooking and baking, but it's been really great to pick up some new skills. Mostly skills which our current culture has caused to become nearly extinct (except in some ethnic traditions where this kind of thing gets passed down as a family heirloom).

I have started baking bread regularily, up to 3 times a week. So far the favorite has been this "Rich Egg Bread". It's slightly chewy when cooked just a few minute less than the recipe calls for (which in my opinion is the better way than over cooked and dry) and good with just about anything on it, or nothing at all. I let the bread machine to most of the work on this one: mixing, kneeding, and the first rise. Then I take it out, punch it down, shape and let it ride again before baking.

Also tonight I attempted traditional flour tortillas. Though without the proper authentic equipment and no Abuelita to instruct me (being Scandinavian and all), they aren't quite circular an a little too thick in some places. I now long to own a Comal and Palote (tortilla griddle and wooden tortilla rolling pin) to have a better chance of getting it right. I'll have to update you on how they taste later as they are slated to be part of lunch tomorrow with a spicy sausage, onion and green chili filling: taco of sorts.

Last week, I made a pizza and two installments of calzones with dough made from scratch. Well really the whole thing was "from scratch" except I used a jarred spaghetti sauce. The sausage I used was some of the venison sausage we made previously. Oh, and I didn't make the cheese, but I did grate it off a large block.

of babes and Christmas

2007-12-22T00:27:00.000-06:00

Ok, lookee what I made.

Had to make a new sweater for madame baby girl cause at 2, she's long outgrown the crochet sweater I made her the year she was born (admittedly, it was like a 6mo sweater and I made it for her when she was like 1mo old). She loved her new garment, and immediately asked to wear it in place of her cutest brown sweater (one of my favs of hers). She and I really gotta hang out more, she's growing up way way too fast. Amazes me every time I see her. (below is her modeling the sweater that could not have been a more perfect size).

And had to make a little hat for Mimi and Steve's new bundle, Claire. She's adorable with those cheeks and her pretty little face. I had the joy of meeting her at just one week old on Tuesday. Need I say amazing.

This is the beautiful Claire.

And on Sunday, her big brother showed off his musical prowess at only 2 years of age.

Lookee what we made

2007-11-27T03:22:00.000-06:00

Yup, that's somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 pounds of venison sausage. Matt shot the deer, we ground the meat (and potatoes for some of it), mixed the sausage, stuffed the casings and twisted the links by hand. And of course, cooked up a couple links to wolf down after a couple hours hard work. You know you're jealous.

Pumpkin Muffins

2007-11-14T23:13:00.000-06:00

Tonight's domestic adventure was to make a tasty pumpkin muffin without going to the store for more ingredients. I had pumpkin in the freezer from one of our last CSA boxes that I had previously baked and pureed. I also had some flour, some maple syrup, some molasses, some baking powder, pumpkin pie spices, milk and oil. Apparently, this is all one needs, which was good cause there were only 2 eggs left after my waffle dinner.

I modified a vegan recipe I found online (raw milk instead of soy milk and maple syrup instead of sugar - in a smaller dose) to make a hot dozen. Hot out of the oven, they are moist on the inside, chewy on the outside (which is how I like my muffins) and have a lovely pumpkin spice flavor. I wolfed one down after melting some butter onto each half. These will be great on my way to work in the morning when I have over-slept and need some breakfast on the go.

Nothing like cider when winter approaches

2007-11-07T22:56:00.001-06:00

This post is less about the warm apple cider in my new favorite mug (scavenged from the dumpster along with a red dish drainer, a vintage end table, a wooden stool, a Britta pitcher, some tupperware, and a boombox when our upstairs neighbors moved out) and more about my new photographic toy - the Canon D60.

Having spent the last 2 years shooting with a Digital Rebel XT (which is a nice camera, just not the quite enough pro and more prosumer than I ended up needing), I found myself without a digital SLR for 6 weeks post selling it on Craigslist. Two events came up where I found myself left to shoot film (and with only expired rolls left in my possession).

Film is a little scary in unpredictable situations for me these days (how did I ever shoot full weddings with only film?). I also found out that all the processing equipment has changed to be more digital and less film oriented, lending to a frustrating print color issue (ie. green martian skin) and to an accentuated film grain.

After fighting with the prints I did for Keziah's birth, I decided enough was enough. Searching local camera shops, I finally found a very lightly used D60 body for an amount of cash I actually had left in my bank account from the sale of the previous camera. I ran out immediately and bought it and proceeded to play (still playing a bit since the buttons are all in a different spot than on the Rebel.) You ought to be seeing quite a few more photos from me now that I'm appropriately armed again.

Speaking of photos, here are two favorites from last week.

And one of Matt's Elephant Ear Mushroom Polyp (taken with the D60).

Forthcoming will be excerpts from the Driftless Farm Benefit (shot on film and needing to be scanned and edited first) and whatever photos I find myself "at play" shooting.

11/4/2007 Gathering

2007-11-04T22:13:00.000-06:00

More Halloween photos

2007-11-04T14:53:00.001-06:00

Halloween: Porch-style

2007-11-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

Since Matt was working and didn't want to dress up for Halloween this year, I attended the Porch dinner/Mafia/Halloween party. I also didn't want to spend any money on a costume, so I pieced together my fairy garb from things I already owned. A pair of purple wings and false eyelashes purchased in the after-Halloween sales last year, two of my favorite shirts layered, my pink skirt, some flower print tights I've had since junior high and the black ballet slippers from my college ballet class.

The eyelashes were something else. I'd never worn false eyelashes before, and these were out of this world long and sparkly. It took me a few tries to get them positioned just right and to get the "glue" to stick well. And contrary to popular belief, they aren't uncomfortable. Once the "glue" gets really tacky, you hardly know they are there (except for the tips hitting your brow bone or brushing the inside of your nose). And yes, this photo is kinda a goofy perspective on my face. I did if for effect.

Dan and Rachel came as Team Zissou from "The Life Aquatic". Very creative. You can't see it, but Rachel had her iPod stuck under the strings of the guitar with a little speaker playing parts of the soundtrack from the movie.

Dinner was followed up by many rounds of the game Mafia (and variations on it) with sets of very cool Mafia specific cards created by Luke. I got a good laugh out of the antics of the new characters introduced to this game by my friends.

I started the night photographing with film and when the roll was finished shot digitally until my batteries gave out (which wasn't very many shots). Hopefully I'll be able to complete the purchase of my new digital SLR in the next week and be back in full digital swing before Thanksgiving. I may add a few more shots once the film photos are done tomorrow. Afterall, my scanner has been feeling lonely.

Welcome Keziah Charisma!

2007-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had the distinct honor and joy of being present at the birth of my good friends' first child. She is a beauty. Just one quick photo snapped via cell phone in the dim light of the birthing room. More to come later (real actual photos from a real camera), but first I have to finish them and get them to her parents so they can make a brag book and show the world their pride and joy.

Free Taco on Tuesday

2007-10-27T11:49:00.000-05:00

A little something the just arrived in my email by way of a free things to do web group I'm a part of:

Free Tacos For America
10/30/07/-2pm-5pm

A base has been stolen in the 2007 MLB World Series, now America gets a free taco. Run on down to any participating Taco Bell between 2pm & 5pm local on Tuesday,October 30th to get one free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco (limit one per person).

Baby on board

2007-10-27T01:07:00.000-05:00

Some friends of mine are expecting their first child next week. A few weeks back, I took a series of maternity photos for them. I haven't done much of this kind of work, but I really like it. These are a few of my favorites.

Warning: prolonged cooking may elevate the temperature in your kitchen as well as your appetite

2007-10-12T22:34:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last 4 hours or so in the kitchen again. I did the same last night. Partially in an attempt to cook, freeze, can, prepare, etc four CSA boxes worth of veggies before they turn and partially out of the pure joy of having the house all to myself and the time these evenings (now that my job is more of a M-F daytime type) to participate in something I have long loved - culinary arts.

Last night, I bottle my first brew of kombucha tea. I am impatient to let it do it's second fermentation, but I know in the long run it will be so so much tastier if I let it sit another week. I plan to get an additional jar this weekend so I can have two alternating batches brewing at all times. (oh and if anyone else wants a culture, mine seems to have the skill of making a new one each batch and I will soon have more than I know what to do with and will gladly give them away to loving homes.)

I was going to buy fancy home brew bottles, but opted for a much more budget minded approach. Fuze drinks are on sale for $1 each at Lunds and I bought a dozen just for the bottles which are the perfect size and shape for my brew. Quite a savings since the home brew store sells a dozen of the 16oz grolsch bottles for $22! I probably won't feel as bad if one of us happens to break, recycle or loose one either. I would guess that each bottle of this brew cost about 25 cents (not factoring in the bottles which will be reused countless times). Now compare to about $3 a bottle at the co-op! Whoo, hoo!

My next dilemma has been what to do with 4 large heads of beautiful purple cabbage (or red as it is technically named). One can only eat so much steamed cabbage and borscht isn't really something I want to spend time over a hot stove making. Matt's idea was to turn it into sauerkraut. I'd never thought about purple kraut, but I didn't see why not. He loves the stuff, and in cold storage, it practically lasts forever (there is a partial jar made this summer still in our fridge that is better than ever). Two heads (minus the 1/4 he steamed and ate) have been krauted and are awaiting their turn for cold storage.

In our most recent CSA boxes, we received green top radishes. With so much food in our fridge, they lost their crisp edge before Matt got to eating them. Not wanting to waste them, I researched pickled radish (at his suggestion). I ended up with a very simple recipe i think might end up a little like something from a Kim chi spread at the Korean restaurant. They turned a little pink because of leaving the skin on and some of them being red. Actually, they are quite pretty. Hope they taste as good as they look.

My second loaf ever of honey oat bread is in the bread machine and should be done before midnight. I decided to use my bread machine to get a more consistent result with my bread. The kitchen heats up rapidly when the oven or stove are in use (both of which were and raised the temp to 86 degrees) so I had the window open and I just am not sure what the effects on yeast are with that kind of thing (seeing how it's a little wintry out). Not only that, the machine allows me to put in my ingredients and be free to do other things which the machine pays attention for 4 hours to bake my bread.

Last, but certainly not least the stew: root vegetables with beef. Very simple and not really a recipe I could write down in proportions. What's it got in it? Well, let me just make a list. Parsnips, potatoes, onion, turnips (complete with greens), chiogga beets (the pretty striped ones), sweet potatoes, beef stock, a 2 pound beef round roast cut and browned in extra virgin olive oil, and some cornmeal to help thicken it up (a trick I learned a while back when I used some cornbread topped zucchini in a stew). It's going to be good eats for quite a while. I used my huge stockpot, the one that's probably 18 inches tall, and the thing is over half full!

on being domestic

2007-10-08T21:51:00.000-05:00

It's been a very long time since I felt the urge to create domestically. Nothing new in the realm of recipes on this blog, and very little in the way of culinary adventures. Inspired once again to be incredibly domestic, I have made 3 kinds of bread in the last week, started my first batch of kombucha tea, and ventured out to use every kind of vegetable which packs our fridge so full we cannot see the light when we open it.

We have our friends at Driftless Organics to thank for this bounty. We won 2 boxes of veggies (twice our bi-weekly CSA box amount) in a silent auction at the benefit for their farm this weekend. That's not counting the entire box of squash and potatoes which don't currently fit in cold storage. (more on the plight of farms in the Kickapoo River valley and the benefit in a coming post).

The country white bread (not made with all white flour) was thick and rich. The banana berry bread (banana, strawberry and blueberry) was a big hit. My favorite was the crab apple bread made with crab apples that grow on trees right outside my work.

Today for lunch, I had leftover Garlic, mushroom and kale linguine pomodoro. Earlier in the week, we had baked fish with spicy wturnip greens and steamed delicata squash w/ butter.

Tonight, the house is a mixture of smells: honey oat bread baking, bacon clapshot (I'll explain what this is in a moment) and steamed acorn squash.

Ok, Bacon Clapshot. It's a Scottish dish, but I never would have found it nor had a reason to make it if not for the 3 bunches of purple top turnips in our CSA boxes which I was determined to find a way to prepare. I don't believe I've ever eaten turnip, at least not knowingly. Maybe in something with a lot of cheese, like an au gratin dish.

Bacon Clapshot consists of all things delicious, so I thought no matter what turnip could not ruin it. Potatoes, turnips, butter, milk, bacon, nutmeg, salt and pepper (and in my version a little cheddar cheese). Basically, you make mashed taters with the potatoes and turnips, milk and butter. Then add in cooked crumbled bacon, cheese, dash of nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Delicious!

For sale: 1992 Honda Civic

2007-09-25T22:58:00.001-05:00

It's come to this, I need to find a new loving home for my Honda Civic. It's got some quirks and is by no means perfect, but it's a great car and would be perfect for a college student or someone looking to replace an SUV or truck and save a bundle on gas. Contact me off this blog for more details. I might be willing to work out a "someone I know" discount.

Does your belly dance?

2007-09-25T22:44:00.000-05:00

Mine is learning. Tonight was my first class in Middle Eastern/Oriental Dance class (commonly known as Belly Dancing). No, that's not me on the right, but I hope someday to be proficient enough to perform in some capacity, even if it's only some form of recital. It feels really good to be active in that way again. I have been feeling really sedentary lately. Makes me feel tired and foggy. After class tonight, I felt enviorated, refreshed and ready to learn more. The teacher is really fun and she makes it easy to learn the techniques. Now if I can just get my awkward body to coordinate. I'm sure time will do the trick.

Mom's new kitty

2007-09-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

My mom, after a year of kitty withdrawl, got a new kitty today. We went to the St. Paul Humane Society. There were not as many kitties as I thought there would be. We played with a few of them before mom settled on Sadie. I think mom was looking for a younger kitty than Sadie (who is nearly 5). But in the end, Sadie's lovable personality won mom over (not to mention her very beautiful calico tabby coloring). Sadie doesn't look as happy in this photo cause she's in the kitty carrier in mom's car just before heading home. Lucky day for both Sadie (who has been at the shelter since Christmas) and mom.

Two Years

2007-09-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Baby girl, hard to believe you are two already. Love you bunches. I'll stop by with your present when the mailman brings it to me :)

Blingo

2007-08-29T09:15:00.000-05:00

Normally, I don't refer people to register for websites or sweepstakes, but since you're likely to Google things anyways, I should tell you about Blingo. It's Google with prizes. You sign up, you Google like usual and if you win, a window pops up and you get a prize. Many many given away each day. Most of them are little, but you never know. Besides, you're going to Google anyways, so why not have a chance to get something free. You can click on the link below to join me in Googling for prizes. :)

On the 29th anniversary of my birth

2007-08-27T08:40:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, for my birthday, Matt and I cashed in our certificates for a public sightseeing riverboat cruise which had been given to us by his mom some time ago. Departing from Harriet Island in St. Paul, the boat (or barge dressed up like a paddleboat as it was) headed up the river towards Fort Snelling. It was a beautiful day to be out in the fresh air and the sunshine and on the Muddy Mississippi.

For dinner, we dined on pizza at Green Mill in uptown (making good use of a buy one, get one free pizza coupon to ensure stuffed bellies and leftovers without breaking the bank). And to end the night, we made a quick dash to Caribou to cash in my free birthday drink and buy a second one with a $1 off coupon and a gift card Matt found in his car when he bought it. Talk about your thrifty birthday. One of the best ones yet.

marvelous day for a monday

2007-08-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Went to work yesterday like it was any ordinary day. The air was muggy, the sun trying to shine through, a bunch of people with bicycles broken or acting up over the weekend for me to contend with. Mondays never fail to be busier than one expects. The season is winding down for us, people receiving notice of their impending layoffs (not I, having three seasons seniority), others going off to school. Myself wondering just how much work and how many hours one can expect in such a shop over the winter months and daydreaming about some form of perfect job where I might get to enjoy my weekends out doing things or simply at home relaxing.

Daydream interrupted by the Regional Manager wishing to speak in private (which means one of a few things, many of them have the possibility of being negative). Fearing a bit for the worse (a layoff even after my years of servitude), I went forward to this pow-wow.

To my great shock, delight, surprise, speechlessness, and internal conflictedness, I was offered a new opportunity. A new job had been created at our Burnsville store with myself in mind for primary candidate to fill it. A job which works normal people hours during the week with weekends off. Spends most of my time behind the scenes and little of it face to face with customers. The catch, I had to decide quickly. I'd be starting immediately. The downside, I would have to continue to drive to work, my bicycle commuting plans put on hold (and at the time, I though my plans for purchasing my new bicycle I've been saving for in order to fix said troublesome automobile).

Standing in the parking lot, looking at my sad little Honda and thinking about my great co-workers and my current job of fixing things from 10am-9pm many days and how much my hands hurt from a summer's worth of wrenching and my weekends which could be freed for thing neglected (such as biking and camping), I just took the job. Reached out and grabbed it with both hands. It was mine and all the great benefits that go with it.

Starting Thursday, I am in charge of store operations at our Burnsville location. My bike is ordered with an interest free loan courtesy of my company, my car will most likely be posted for sale soon with plans to purchase a different one with a few less issues, and my weekends are now open for whatever I wish :)

Put Me in the Zzzzzzzoooooo!

2007-08-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

At the end of July, baby girl, her mama and I made a trip to the zoo on my day off. We made use of the Mpls library museum pass to get in for free (baby girl is still young enough to get in for free anyways). We had a great time hanging out for several hours, seeing the butterfly garden, the Tropics Trail, the monkeys, and the fish building.

Baby girl sporting her new favorite 'do: ponies .

Not sure who was more excited about the butterfly garden, me or the babe.

As I was trying to take this, I was being instructed "Nenie sit" (yes, nenie. J is a hard sound)

If you've been to our house and met our fish Betty, she will grow up to look like this, only probably not be 18" long like the one in the coral reef exhibit.

Baby loves her fishes.

Watching mama's favorite: the monkeys.

The most fun part of the whole visit, splashing in the dolphin fountain in front of the zoo entrance. Maybe next time we'll just do that on the next hot day.

One Year

2007-08-05T19:13:00.000-05:00

Bridge fell down, but we're okay

2007-08-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

At about 6pm today, the 35W bridge spanning the Mississippi River fell down into the river. On a normal day, Matt would be on his way home from work and likely on that bridge. Today he was at home having had a commitment at 1pm downtown to attend to. After hearing on the news about the ridge collapse, he and our upstairs neighbor booked it on their bikes down to the scene. Below are a few of the very surreal photos Matt took with my camera (which he grabbed in his quick thinking on the way out the door). There are some pretty incredible photos on the websites of local news channels like KSTP, KMSP, WCCO, and KARE11.

Flashback to Palm Sunday

2007-07-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

Baby baby

2007-07-19T11:31:00.000-05:00

I miss you and your mama and daddy. Tell them I might have to come visit on my next day off to play.

found photos

2007-07-17T19:18:00.000-05:00

While clearing my digital media cards recently, I realized there were some photos I had not yet downloaded, edited or blogged about. Yikes. They'd been sitting there for quite some time. Some of them are from as far back as Easter! I hope to page through them soon and put up a few for all to see. The following are a few from one warm June church day.

To sorta quote Nietsche "Blog is Dead"

2007-07-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

My blog isn't "all dead", it's only "mostly dead". (see the Princess Bride if you didn't get the reference). I have been neglecting it in favor of spending my free time (when not working) creating life with someone I love. I find I'm much rather be in the presence of another human than creating things electronically.

Seems many of my friends have also let their blogs go. Every so often, I look to see what people are up to if I haven't had the chance to see them lately (which is happening more and more as my work schedule gets longer). Or maybe everyone's out camping. :)

I haven't taken all that many photos lately (something I mean to remedy), but I did just finish a wedding album which was shot over Memorial Day weekend in Pennsylvania (that's them on the right). It's gotta get mailed out Monday morning. I have another waiting on deck from 4th of July weekend.

Fishing on Big Marine

2007-07-02T17:32:00.001-05:00

CSA - fresh veggies on the way

2007-06-18T17:01:00.001-05:00

So for years I've wanted to get a share in a CSA ("community supported agriculture" - for those of you not in the loop it's farm fresh boxes of veggies delivered either weekly or biweekly to support local small farms, organic ones in particular). It's usually more food than one person could eat and more money than I could shell out by myself so I never did. This year will be different.

When at the Living Green Expo this spring, Matt and I stumbled upon some of his college friends who have a small organic farm (once only potatoes, now much more called Driftless Organics) and they had the option to buy a CSA share. After very little discussion (since we were both very excited about it) and deciding to share our box with Matt's mom, we enrolled in the half share (every other week), though we may upgrade to an every week box depending on how much is in the box and how much we can chow down on.

I'm excited to be supporting a CSA and one of people we know and to be getting fresh veggies twice a month so affordably! Our first box gets picked up on Thursday! I can hardly wait! You can pretty much count on my taking pictures of it and posting them here (not necessarily in a timely manner, but eventually).

Happy 26th to my Sweetie

2007-06-09T07:58:00.000-05:00

Goodbye Grandpa

2007-05-01T13:24:00.000-05:00

My grandpa died last night. He was old and very sick with cancer. Friday is his funeral, the first I will ever attend. I will miss you grandpa.

I know, I know, I promised....

2007-04-28T09:50:00.000-05:00

I promised the blogging would return. Life sometimes has a habit of getting in the way of recording life. I've spent the last few weeks tying up loose ends on a new place to live with the landlord being hard to get a hold of, packing my belongings, taking carloads to the thrift store, picking out paint colors, and putting new hues on nearly every wall. The painting isn't quite done, but the part that's left can be done once the move is over. That's our house to the right. No we didn't win the lottery, we will live in a one bedroom unit of this converted 1908 mansion. It's cute, has "character", and lots of windows. It's not perfect, but I'm excited to live there.

The big move is tomorrow, at least the big part of it. My current roommates and I have our house for the next month to get our odds and ends moved and get it returned to it's original state. The blogging will return, hopefully soon, but as of yet, Matt and I have not figured out what our mode of internet connectedness will be at our new home. For the short-term, I can use the connection here (that is until it's disconnected). Boy do I wish Mpls would get their game together on that city-wide wireless thing.

Here's signing off until life settles down a bit and gets rearranged by us a bit. But never fear, I will return :)

The Drought Will Soon Be Over

2007-04-04T23:15:00.000-05:00

Dear blog readers,

I'm sorry I have neglected you. Rest assured, the blogging will return, and very soon. In the meantime, enjoy this photograph taken mid-March. It is entitled, "Springtime Beauty Rituals" (well no, it's not, but it was a funny title that came to mind).

-this girl

Spring gave summer and autumn a miss and went straight on into winter again.

2007-03-01T21:57:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know the real quote is "Winter changed into spring; Spring changed into summer; Summer changed back into winter; And winter gave spring and summer a miss and went straight on into autumn." But that doesn't fit with the current weather pattern at all.

We were forced to close the store at 4pm today with a call from the company president due to crazy winter weather for the 1st of March. It only took me a half hour to get home via Lyndale because all the smart people had already left work or stayed home this morning.

It was so beautiful with the daylight waning and the snow falling that I took a walk to the Co-op to get a few foodstuffs and to start a new photo essay. I wanted to capture the beauty I see in the fresh snow, but more-so, I am drawn to the forms of things blanketed by several inches of it - specifically bicycles. Bicycles are a common sight here, and the variety of them is wonderful. They are a true form of transportation for many here. Without a sheltered place to be parked when weather like this hits, they stand lonely and cold, buried in snowbanks.

I think I may get up tomorrow morning with time to go out for another walk and another photo essay (or add to this one). Although, if the snow is blowing less, I will take my good camera. I'm also contemplating turning this into a many seasons photo essay with the subject matter being the "secret life of bicycles" centering on Uptown and perhaps downtown and Lake st.

Midwinter Sky

2007-02-28T22:26:00.000-06:00

Everywhere I look, I see a cold white buffet.

2007-02-28T21:56:00.000-06:00

I came prepared to play in the snow with the kids today and it was perfect weather for it. I built a snowman which Maddie promptly wanted to knock down and when I instructed her not to, her comeback was "Jenie knock it down". It was still standing when I left this afternoon. The kids also have this obsession with eating snow (especially the youngest). Really, every time I turned around, one of them was picking up a new chunk of snow and munching on it. Personally, I'd rather play in it. I have added a few captions to some of the photos below to add to the comedy of the day.

Destructo Baby just before she broke the arm off my snowman.

Miss Emily pouting about doing homework and not playing in the snow.

The tunnel turned cave which might be his super hero lair.

I call this one "Children chowing down on snow like it was their last meal".

My snowman. Notice his really cool stocking cap made of snow. I felt bad cause I didn't have a hat or scarf to keep him warm.

Sporting my new "head wrap" or whatever people are calling them.

"I'm writing a variation on Chopsticks"

2007-02-28T21:54:00.000-06:00

Minnesota snowpants come out of retirement

2007-02-27T20:23:00.000-06:00

Winter : finally!

2007-02-26T22:07:00.000-06:00

The little Minnesotan girl still living inside the grown-up looking me has been wishing for some real winter snow for years. I have missed the drifts and banks and piles and blankets where I once dug tunnels and made forts and painted with food coloring and made snow angels + snowmen and rolled around and lost an occasional mitten or boot.

It's that storybook snow, legendary of Minnesota, the kind that stalls out the world for a few days. Anyone new to the area would think all my childhood stories of big snow were nothing more than the elaborate imagination and perspective of someone 4 feet or shorter. Even with adult responsibilities of getting work on time on the morning of such a first snow, and the shovelling around our house which is required to be done by us adults, I was giddy to hear we would get at least a foot of snow this last weekend (I am extra giddy at the prospect of an even larger storm in the next few days).

I woke a couple hours early on Sunday morning to ensure I could eat some breakfast and have time to dig out my car, also allowing for extra drive time. I peeked out the bathroom window to see an amazing wonderland of white and a smile came over me. For a moment, I contemplated calling in to work and telling them my car was stuck and playing the whole day away in the lovely piles of sticky snow. Of course, I didn't. Instead, Alyssa and I spent a good hour shovelling before our neighbor finished it for us with his snow blower. I showered and went to work. But not before climbing on the big pile we had made. I will yet spend a whole day playing in the yard before this snow is melted, I promise.

Spring Fever

2007-02-22T23:30:00.000-06:00

As you have noticed by now, my blog has received a facelift for spring. I have really started to feel winter ending. Even if more snow is emminent, spring is definately on it's way. My cravings for fresh fruits and veggies has returned, as has my desire to be outside. I nearly opened the windows in my house yesterday (before realizing it was 20 degrees colder out there than inside) in a quest for fresh air. I've begun to plot how I might commute to work by bike.

And have been itching to simplify again. Spring cleaning must be on the horizon. I've become bored to tears with my surroundings and need to change some things for the new season. Long ago I became less than impressed by the layout and color scheme of my blog. It seemed so droll, so dreary, so dead. I needed to freshen it up and give it new life.

So, after much searching for the perfect template (which I found, but it doesn't work for Blogger) and some tweaking of said template to reflect the perfect image already created in my mind, this is the final result. Perhaps this will start a return to more regular blogging - but don't hold your breath.

3rd Annual Fat Tuesday Chili Cook-off

2007-02-21T23:50:00.000-06:00

Yesterday's Fat Tuesday Chili Cook-off was a smashing success. A huge "Thank you" to everyone who brought food, helped out with set-up and clean up. It wouldn't have happened without you. 16 kinds of chili, a table full of cornbread, another full of desserts, and many many friends to share it with. We raised $207.29 to buy textbooks for Upward Bound last night too! Way to go!

Calling All Chili Lovers!

2007-02-08T14:48:00.000-06:00

The presence of your homemade chili is requested for the annual Fat Tuesday Chili Cook-off at Solomon's Porch on February 20th, 2007. Come join in the fun and the stuffing of faces. It's definately one of my favorite events all year long.

Enter your chili into the contest for the chance to win fabulous prizes. (a contest for cornbread may also be run but is TBD).

If you can commit to one of the following, please let me know via email (or phone if you have my number), or leave your commitment in the comments.

-chili
-cornbread
-corn chips
-cheddar cheese and sour cream
-salad
-dessert (spots will be limited)
-extra crock pots for those without who make chili

Dinner will start at 6:30pm. Please bring your own beverage (21+ can bring adult beverages). Those who sign up and bring a food item can eat for free, for others who just want to eat we will ask a $5 per person donation with proceeds going to buy books for the Upward Bound program.

Also, I could use about 5 volunteers to help on Feb 20th to set up and 5 to help with tear down.

Wait... what's your name again?

2007-01-24T20:18:00.000-06:00

Say what? I coulda sworn that less than 2 years ago, Cingular ate my beloved AT&T wireless (which I'd had since 1998 with no problems ever and the greatest coverage ever) and made me buy a new phone and be on their new network.

Yes, that's right, less than 2 years ago it was. And just about a year after they made me get a new phone, said phone decided to start puking on me on a weekly basis by not recognizing new voice-mail or text messages and sometimes not even ringing for incoming calls. Most of this was finally fixed after about 50 trips to the retail location and a couple calls to tech support in Timbuktu and one massive download sent by the only technician to have a freaking clue. At which point, I missed my AT&T so very much.

Looks like I"ll be getting them back, though I'm sure it will never be the same again.

Playing in the Snow with Cuite-patooties

2007-01-22T23:50:00.000-06:00

This is part of what I enjoyed this afternoon. Just two more reasons (2 of an entire series really) to always carry my camera and at least one fully charged battery.

Sushi-Fest

2007-01-22T23:27:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, Chris Gott made the best Sushi buffet I have ever seen and/or had the pleasure of eating. Something like 35 people packed into the Gott's house to enjoy this wide array of Japanese tastiness. There was of course, more food than anyone could eat and plenty of conversation to boot. This will forever go down in the annals of history as "Sushi Fest".

Amelie's first sketch

2007-01-22T23:19:00.000-06:00

This photo was actually taken last week, but was stuck on my camera until I got my battery all charged up. Miss Amelie created her first crayon 'work of art' (aka independent scribble) during the gathering last week. She's well on her way to becoming the next big thing in abstract art. Though it might be best when she becomes famous if her momma doesn't write her name across the top of the page.

Lost in Translation

2007-01-07T14:11:00.000-06:00

A good portion of my heritage is Danish and my last name stems from that land as well (quite a long story with the originator of the name defecting from Sweden and changing his name). While I was online translating a Danish website today, I plugged in my last name to find out if it had a deeper meaning in my ancestor's' native tongue. Lo and behold, it means "foods, foodstuffs, or provisions". Strange, but true.

Hopes and Dreams for 2007

2007-01-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Taking a page from Michelle's blog, I have decided to write down my so called New Year's Resolutions, but instead to call them my Hopes and Dreams for the New Year because I do not prefer the whole convention of making resolutions. It seems far too often we make them without intent to follow through or without real belief that these things can or will be completed. My list of Hopes and Dreams are things I have asprirations to pursue in the coming year.

1. take up belly dancing (and other various forms of Mideast dancing)
2. pare down my belongings to a set of things which are both useful and lovely
3. become a Minnesota "compacter"
4. take at least one road trip, preferably spontaneous with little direction and to locations yet unvisited by me
5. open a savings account and make regular deposits to it
6. dirty my mountain bike on the River Bottoms trails with Matt
7. try winter camping at least once and regular backpacking at least once more
8. learn to snowboard
9. ride my bike to work [weather-permitting]
10. create a list of long-term goals and dreams for myself (ie. 5-years, 10-years)
11. enter at least one art contest/show with new work

And that's what I've got for now. No doubt I'll find a way to add to this list before the year is well under way.

New 'do

2006-12-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

My self-portrait hardly does justice to the lovely job my new hairstylist did on my hair today, but it's a little bit Kate Beckinsale in Van Helsing (according to the stylist) and I love it.

Just wish I could replicate it at home (I'm not that great with a curling iron). She's not very expensive, so maybe I'll have her do my hair next time I have a big event.

I kept most of the length, but got a much better cut to make it more lively and less flat. Today's cut was free cause she's trying to get new clients in the area. She's won me over.

Chasing McDonald's out of town!

2006-12-26T10:39:00.000-06:00

Read how it happened in this British town!

One more wedding finished

2006-12-23T01:33:00.001-06:00

My second referral wedding of November, a couple who reside in sunny Hawaii. The indoor garden court at the Embasy Suites Airport made for a fitting backdrop for their Minnesota wedding (they had already been married on the beach in Hawaii).

It was a big to-do with family from all over the country in town. And I ended up being asked to stay until the very end and loaded up my digital media with as many shots as I could. The end result, a great big album full of great memories which I will ship to them tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to standing in line at the post office, but at least it will be one less thing I need to finish.

celebrating the solstice : light on the darkest day

2006-12-23T01:33:00.000-06:00

Now THIS is more like it!

2006-12-21T23:35:00.000-06:00

4 year olds say the darndest things

2006-12-19T17:39:00.000-06:00

While waiting for the farmer when picking up my milk today, the little daughter of another waiting lady came over to talk with me. She had just visited with another waiting family at their van where most of the children were napping.

In our small-talk, the 4 year old asked me "where are your children?"
"I don't have any children" I responded.
To which she said (very matter-of-factly), "yes you do".
I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Congratulations / Chukha hamnida

2006-12-19T01:31:00.000-06:00

Preston and Alyssa received the rank of Black Sash in Hwa Rang Do on Saturday night.

note: more photos to come, it's just past my bedtime.

Our own Mastercard commercial

2006-12-19T01:19:00.000-06:00

One handmade crocheted elfin hat and fleece-lined pair of baby mittens made to match handmade poncho - $5 (and about 15 hours)

One vintage homemade toddler dress coat found at a local thrift store in mint condition - $3

Festive gift wrap, matching ribbons and gift tags - $2

Watching as child enjoys playing with and on wrapped box - PRICELESS!

Of course, I had to spoil her more than that, but these are the only parts of her present I have photos of. She was so disinterested in removing the paper or opening the box. It was hilarious. She had the most fun using it to play super-baby and pretending to fly.

The Devil's Punchbowl

2006-12-09T23:50:00.000-06:00

Matt could not have ordered a nicer day to take me on a hike into the Devil's Punchbowl in the rolling river valley of Wisconsin. He had been hoping for more water flow (the ground water flows from the side of the rock and forms really really cool ice flows) to create a more spectacular view, but the enormity of this mini-canyon itself was enough to make me oh and ah. The limestone walls stretching up, up, up and the trees on the ridge above, and beyond that the perfectly blue sky and the sun pouring down. Not to mention my new Patagonia fleece keeping me plenty warm.

Taking a breather

2006-12-07T19:31:00.000-06:00

Spent the last 5 hours editing photos from November wedding number one. 305 photos going to the printer tomorrow (unless i get up the energy to finish another one tonight, but that's highly unlikely as it would take me into the wee hours). Here's one of my absolute favorite shots.

Decided to read blogs and realized very few people are blogging regularily anymore. I know I have been among the slackers, but I'm back (not that anyone except Christy has really noticed in the last 2-3 days and not like that stupid Kinja thing - which is supposed to source all the new posts - has picked up anything I posted to let Porchers who rely on it know I blogged, and I probably lost a few loyal readers during my recent down time.)

A day frittered away

2006-12-05T20:21:00.000-06:00

Not sure what my title actually means, but it sounded good in my head. Didn't have any pressing plans for the day, so I slept in, ate some lunch, dropped by the co-op, finished shopping for gifts for the sponsored family at church which I had committed to getting, tried ear candling, made some dinner and relaxed some more. All of that sounds rather normal to most people except the ear candling thing. I hadn't ever experienced it before, though had helped Eric once and heard a lot about it (mixed reviews on whether or not it works, or what it's really supposed to do). Knew that it might be a remedy for the stuffy, squishy ear thing I've had going on since getting sick a couple months ago. Now that everything is draining and getting better, my ears have seemed to be full of soggy cotton balls. And I found out ear candling is awesome! (whether or not it does one of the many things it is said to do that cannot really be proven). My ears feel so much clearer and the soggy feel is totally gone. And that really was the result I was hoping for anyways. :) Time to get moving on a few more Christmas projects and the 3 weddings of photos I have to finish in the next week.

Comfort food 101 - Pumpkin Pie

2006-12-05T01:46:00.000-06:00

Last holiday season, the thing I missed most was pumpkin pie. It has long been my favorite pie and a central part of the holidays for me. Being freshly off sugar last year, I felt quite cheated out of the full experience at both Thanksgiving and Christmas without my pumpkin pie.

This year, I vowed to change all that and I did. What you see here is the fruits of my labor to find a recipie for pumpkin pie which does not use refined sugar and still tastes like the pumpkin pie I have come to know and love. The recipe wasn't quite perfect the first pie or two, but the third time's a charm as they say.

Since Halloween, I have eaten the better part of 4 pumpkin pies by myself. I had a little help from Matt and shared some of the pie I brought to grandma's on Thanksgiving. The good thing is, most of the ingredients are not bound to make me fat, as the only sweetener in the pie is a 1/2 cup of honey. I may find myself burned out on it soon and will be looking for other recipes to modify.

Random

2006-12-05T01:42:00.000-06:00

Found this photo among many I have taken and neglected in the last month or so. My two boys, how sweet.

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

2006-12-05T01:22:00.000-06:00

Thought I've been sorta slacking on the blogging, one thing I have been doing a lot of is crochet. I have however forgotten to photograph a few of the hats I've made recently, but they're all really a variation on the hat I made for Matt (pictured below). So, running around, you will see Matt's hat, my own blue version, Doug's green hat, and a red one with a black stripe made for a coworker at the restaurant.

And there is this one, one of the very first, made for Frank who can't find a hat to fit him well. I have yet to see him again since it's been done (more than a month now). Frank, if you read my blog, we need to cross paths soon or your ears might fall off in the sub-zero temps.

There are of course, some Christmas gifts in the works which will have to be photographed before giving and posted later so as not to ruin surprise. Anyone still wanting me to make something for a Christmas gift, there is a little time left yet, but large projects will have to wait until after the new year. Hats, mittens, scarves, etc I should still have time for, at least right now.

Chuck E Cheese's

2006-12-05T00:50:00.000-06:00

I hadn't been to Chuck E Cheese in probably 20 years, but I've had an itch to go be silly little kids in the past few months. So I convinced Matt and his friend Jason to go with me to play silly juvenille video games and win mostly worthless prizes like a superball.

I think the boys spent 95% of their tokens between the racecar driving game and the monster truck car smashing game. The rest of theirs probably went into the shoot 'em up Egyptian tomb game. I played a lot of pinball and skeeball, and a little bit of just about everything else for good measure.

And of course, I made Matt sit and laugh with me in the photo booth (which turned out sketches for 1 token). Oh, did I mention that basically everything in the place is one token, and when you have coupons like I do, that means each game costs 12.5 cents!!

Thanksgiving for 32!

2006-12-04T20:15:00.000-06:00

This is what Thanksgiving looks like when grandma goes all out and invites every relative I could think of. I think there ended up being 32 actual guests, and not everyone invited could make it.

Swamped

2006-11-30T01:29:00.000-06:00

I'm drowning in a sea of photos to edit, crochet projects to finish, Christmas presents to make, chores to do, and other work. So here's what you get from my 2 minutes of play time on the computer today.

The wisdom of children - now with photos!

2006-11-17T19:25:00.000-06:00

Because I spend 3 days a week playing with children, I am now being reminded of what it is like to be a child and to enjoy life just cause you're living it. As adults, we often complain too much, expect too much, and subsequently disappoint ourselves.

On Wednesday, I was reminded that the cold isn't a bad thing, nor should we shy away from it (though proper attire does make it less daunting). The cold simply means that snow is on it's way and all the fun things one can do in the snow.

The kids were so excited about it being cold enough to snow, they felt the urge to sled. My adult self said "you can't sled without any snow". Boy was I wrong! You can sled without snow and it's quite fun. And you don't get wet from melted snow on your clothing and you don't end up face first in a snowbank and you can easily get back to the top of the hill without slipping down.

In fact, sledding without snow might just be more fun than sledding with snow, only you just can't go as far. It was much more fun to stop thinking like an "adult" and start sledding instead.

Rust in Peace

2006-11-07T20:41:00.000-06:00

Tonight marks the last night of the gold Honda. I sold it to the junk yard for $75. That may not seem like much, but for a car that no longer starts, has a body that is rusting through, four bald tires, a broken out window, nearly no clutch and no exhaust, it seems like a steal to get someone to come tow it away and pay me. So I figure I got about $125 worth out of the deal including the tow. I also removed the stereo system and put the good wheels and tires from my old car on the new one before junking it. I am sad to see it go. It was a great car, just the car I wanted when I was looking for my first Honda, and exactly the right color. So long, gold Civic, you were a good friend, too bad you had to come to a rusty end in the street in front of my house. Rust in peace.

p.s. I will miss my bumper stickers too. If anyone wants to get me replacements for Christmas to put on the new car, you can see what I already had in the photo above and they came from Northern Sun.

Nov. 2nd is the day to bake your Bubbs-o-lantern

2006-11-03T00:35:00.000-06:00

Turns out I baked last year's pumpkin head on this same date. I just couldn't let it sit around and get funny or it would be wasted. Don't want to waste one morsel of that lovely orange flesh. This year's pumpkin was considerably heavier and obviously taller than last year's (not sure on the overall size, but pretty sure it was bigger).

I nearly had trouble getting him into the oven in one piece (not to mention without dropping him on the floor). Bubbs has been baked and cubed and is chilling out in the fridge awaiting his chance to become chili and pie and who knows what else.

Pumpkin disection 201

2006-11-03T00:17:00.000-06:00

On Halloween night, Matt and I carved the pumpkin his mom bought for us. It was a big huge awesome pumpkin, full of seeds and thick flesh, great for carving. I wanted to carve Strong Bad, but I let Matt help me pick. Not knowing Homestarrunner characters and picking mearly on looks, he chose Bubbs, and so it was, the Bubbs-o-lantern was born.

I printed and traced the stencil and carved the first two teeth. Not to miss out on the fun, Matt, the master carver, did the rest. It looked super awesome and we put it out on the railing of our deck with a candle in it so the Trick-or-Treaters could see it. (and yes we had some and they got plastic spider rings cause it was all we had). Much much cooler than my regular jack-o-lantern last year.

Plans for this year's pumpkin feast include more chili, sugarless pie and who knows what else. We're already munching the seeds.

First ever Solomon's Porch potluck dinner

2006-11-03T00:02:00.000-06:00

However "Lutheran" of us this was, I have to commend people on all the non-hotdish options. This is definately on the list of "must do this again" moments. And perhaps now we might qualify as a "grownup church", whatever that means.

Happy October Birthdays to them.

2006-11-02T23:53:00.000-06:00

Both my Grandpa Matt and my cousin, Brandon, have October birthdays. In the tradition that is our family's, we had a double birthday party for them on Sunday, complete with home-cooked pot roast dinner and two kinds of dessert. (it is tradition that the birthday person gets to choose their birthday dessert and each person is entitled to their own dessert on which their candles will be placed.)

Grandpa especially likes double (or more) birthdays because he gets more desserts. I, of course, bought him chocolate for his present, as is tradition when giving gifts to Grandpa.

All dressed up with places to go

2006-11-02T23:48:00.000-06:00

Steph, Matt and I got decked out for Halloween a few days early to attend some festivities. (Steph and I spent many hours one night making her costume from scratch and I spent another 3 making my cape). We went to a party at a friend's house and then attempted to attend a Wookie Foot concert.

The venue was completely packed and we got there early. We ended up in the middle on the floor next to an impromptu drum circle before Wookie Foot took the stage (we got there during an opening band). The crowd began pushing and claustrophobia set in. We tried to get out and got smashed in further, and I got choked with my cape when it became intangled in the crowd. We decided the crowd might be getting a little bit viscious for our usually quiet selves and left.

We'll have to see Wookie Foot another day, but we did get home in time to order a pizza from Galactic and watch a movie in front of the fireplace. All in all, a good Halloween romp.

First hat of the season, or last hat of last season, you decide

2006-11-02T23:46:00.000-06:00

Finally finished the hat and mittens set I began last winter for Kayla. Didn't seem pressing since it got warm before it was done last year, but winter caught up with us and Kayla was freezing her ears and fingers off on her morning walks. Guess this starts my crochet season off. Already people are asking me to make them hats.

Mustard?!?, don't be ridiculous!

2006-11-02T23:00:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I've been super stressed trying to complete both a set of wedding photos and a set of baby photos before this weekend's wedding shoot and the other two pending for November. So, here's playing catch-up on my blog again.

Last Thursday, I got to spend some time with my good friend Luke and we went biking. In our travels, we found that the enchanted garden at Como Zoo which is still enchanting, even with winter approaching. There's just something about the anticipation of spring winking at winter in those plants. Just take a look for yourself.