Xenopus: frogs that are stitched together

So, I decided that since I love food so much, and taking inspiration from my good friend who recently started his own hobby blog (TV), I decided to move the majority of my posts here. So, if you have any interest in food, you should check it out.
0 comments

So, I have been meaning to start posting more stuff about cooking. You know, that is a lot of my life now. Going to work, coming home, cooking dinner, watching some TV and then going to bed. Nothing really all that exciting. So, cooking is all I've got really. So, here is it is! Pumpkin pie from scratch!

(Recipe taken from the following website)

First, you need to get a pie pumpkin. This is very important as it is quite different from a carving pumpkin.

Then you should cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. Also, save the seeds. They toast up and are much yummier than carving pumpkin seeds.

Too cook the pumpkin, add some water and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. I did this in the microwave. If you use the cook top, it is supposed to take longer. Then cut off the rind and puree the pumpkin (I used an immersion blender). Then mix all the ingredients, also done with the immersion blender, and bake.

This recipe yielded a runnier batter than I expected and took WAY longer to bake. Also, I had too much batter and also make a pumpkin soufflé. But it was very good and I would go to the trouble of cooking it from scratch again. But maybe with a different recipe.

0 comments

I went to Charlotte to see Body Worlds this past weekend and it was way cool. Some of it was a little much, but I have to say what I loved the most was the serial sections through the body. I never really appreciated how 3-D the human body was before. Thinking about how the hands bend at rest, and the arms too. Getting only fingers or only palms on the sections. It was just too cool.

So, football starts this weekend. I am excited, but I am at a loss as to what to cook. I always start out the season slow, wondering what kind of spread we should make to celebrate the game. I know later on I will be more inspired. Fantastic food spreads will leap to life. But now, the best I have in mind is chili mac. That or pintos with jalepeno/cheddar cornbread. I guess I shall spend some time searching through my recipe books for something more inspired. Something more befitting of such a glorious occasion. Maybe blondies? (and a Dagwood? HaHaHaHa) Ok, I don't like sandwiches bigger than my head, but I am sure I will figure it out.
0 comments

I got to see the coolest thing the other week. And stupid me did not bring the camera. But thanks to the internet...anyway, it is a giant shopping cart (13 ft high) and it is motorized. Now, I have seen it before, but this was the first time that I saw it drive. It flew around the bases at the DBAP. Man, was it ever cool. I wish I could sit in the giant sized child seat on the shopping cart and drive it around the bases. Then everyone would want to be my friend.

Overheard:
Son: "I have this friend who threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game."
Dad: "How do you know him?"
Son: "MySpace."

Kid: "I'm magical, look at me!"

So, I had to get these nonstick sterile dressings a couple weeks ago, and I could not find them. I asked the guy who was stocking the aisle if he knew if they had and nonstick sterile bandages, and he was confused. So I repeated myself, do you have nonstick sterile pads (thinking he was getting confused about the nonstick and bandage in the same sentence). The guy abruptly turned around to the feminine hygiene section of the isle and asked if that was what I was looking for. Boy, I must be stupid. Looking for pads in the bandaid section.
0 comments

We made the ultimate veggie burgers tonight. They were really good! We melted cheese on them and added sauteed mushrooms. Jonathan decided we should kick it up a notch, and with our seconds, we added bacon. I know, that just seems wrong on veggie burgers, but then again, who cares, we am not vegetarians. Boy, let me tell you, they were really good with bacon, I highly recommend it.

Our neighbor kids have discovered that we have a Wii. And I think that makes them think that they have a Wii. They came over 3 times today asking to play. Once, I just said no. The second time, I said I was watching baseball, so they "watch" with me, turning the Wii on and wondering why it did not work. The last time I had to explain to them that we like to play sometimes and we also like alone time. I guess I will have to explain to them that there is a reason why we don't have kids. I just wonder if they can get it. And the most annoying part is I still have not met their parents. They just let their kids run around wild all the time. Sigh.

Well, I am off to spend some quality time with my better half. Here's wishing you a wonderful neighbor-kid free day!
1 comments

Stealing Thunder...at least that is what I would have called this post if I had a title field. Since I don't, then I will just get right to it. A good friend of mine recently posted of his glorious Wii accomplishment! Well, I took it as a personal challenge to surpass his score (you know, because I think everything in life is a competition). So, I Wii-bowled until I was an expert. And then I stole his thunder. See?

Well, I was so excited at work on Friday and while I was thinking about what I was going to say in my blog about my triumph, I get this phone call..."Where's the camera?"...oh shit, I just had my thunder stolen.

2 comments

I know several of my friends are into theater and live performances. Well, here is an opportunity you will not want to miss. Plus, since I am a Duke employee, I get a discount! I know you are all sorts of excited now. Well, here is the link to the great show! And don't forget to watch the preview video. It is super-fantastic. I have to place my order by Monday, so be sure to let me know how many tickets you want!
0 comments

So, I know I promised vacation pictures a long time ago, but first I got a crick in my neck that felt like someone was stabbing and twisting a knife in it for like 2 days. And then I had a lot of working late, and then sick building syndrome that gave me crazy allergies. So, that is why I have ignored you. Not because I don't care about you. Because I really do! So, without further ado, here is part one of the Arizona Adventure!

So, being the baseball fan that Jonathan is, no vacation is complete without a baseball game (that is why we only travel during baseball season). We got to see the Tucson Sidewinders at Electric Park. With a name like that, you would expect a lot of neon signs, but that is not the case. Anyway, here we are, enjoying baseball and $1 beer night.

We also went to the Titan Missile Museum where we saw the only remaining missile from the time of the Cold War. I did not have to wear a hard hat, because I was not tall enough to hit my head, but here is Jonathan sporting his new headgear!

One thing we loved about Arizona was all the cacti. Here are some of our favorites (I named the one I am posing with the "Muppet Head Cactus").



Stay tuned for the next installment where we will show you the gateway to hell and answer the age long question, is the Grand Canyon really grand?
1 comments

Ah, Arizona. How I miss you. A week without work, without responsibility, without alarm clocks. How hard Monday way. And now, a whole week later, things are still hard. And I don't even get to memorialize anyone on Monday. Nope, got to work. Still, as an employee, I was appreciated on Monday with BBQ and fried chicken. And, guess who sat next to me??? The PRESIDENT OF DUKE. I mean, how special am I now???

The rest of the week was ok, topped off with a free lunch meeting on Friday followed by an early release from work. I saw Spiderman and I like. After all the bad stuff I heard about it, I was kind of concerned, but it was just as good as the rest. In fact, I would call it delightful. There were only 4 people in the theater. Jonathan and I (of course) and this other couple. Of course they weren't just any movie going people, they had to be "those movie goers". They clapped when Spidie pulled out his old suit about 2/3 through the movie. I mean, he destroyed the black one. What did you think he was going to get? Maybe it was a tense cliffhanger lost on me. Who knows.

So, I shall show you some AZ pics later. I know you want to see them. I just want to find you the best ones possible. None of the ones of Jonathan peeing on the hiking trails (jk-that did not happen). Anyways, peace out.
0 comments

So, I got this letter today in my email. So, I decided to mix things up a bit. I call this:

Letter From Vermont Remix

Dear Friend

Sugaring season
Stops and starts
Boiled off
Sweeten the pan
Mostly water
14, the road after Easter
White steam
Increasing our taps up
On our see
Half-full supers
Corn syrup feeders
Colonies early swarming
Four more packages nice
Warm misplaced comb
(Bees would disagree.)
Alternatives to nonstick scrambled eggs!
Carbon-steel models.
Never with soap
Egg hunt farm
Spectacular lemon root cellar potatoes
Pontiac, Desiree, Finn, and Golden Sunburst.
Drier field,
Winter rye
Finish line.
Clapboards
Filming the pilot
Family vacation in Vietnam
Sticky rice
Segments of bamboo,
Sprinkling of chili salt,
Death-defying ride (filmed with a camcorder)
Equipment rating,
Behind-the-scenes action
Science segments
His name is Captain

Best
1 comments

So, it seems that my hubby and his friends have a new Thursday night $1.50 movie club. So...that means that I have a new sit on my ass and watch TV club. And really, Thursday night is the best night to watch TV. So, I have no complaints. (expect that Thursday night is one of Jonathan's nights to cook.)

Only 2 more weeks and I will be in Arizona! I can't wait. I am ready for a break from work. Work is really just not that fun anymore. My work computer desktop is completely filled with projects that I am currently working on. It is starting to annoy the crap out of me.

Monday night, we partook of a baseball game and sat behind the most wonderful people ever! They were from out of town (I guess on business) and kept talking about how they always wanted to see a game in Durham. They also quoted Bull Durham several times. One of their favorite topics though was their children's favorite TV shows. Obviously Jimmy Neutron has a lot of stuff in it especially for adults. Drake and Josh was discussed to be a favorite of a 3 and 4 year old. I guess that explains what that is not one of my favorites. But the best thing was when they were talking about famous people they would "do". The first guy picked Scarlet Johanson (good choice). This got the second one excited and he was all like, "well, you might make fun of me for this" (that got my ears especially perked up) and then he hemmed and hawed over remembering the name "you know, the one that took over for Rosie...Caroline Reah!!!" So, eat your heart out strange baseball dude!


0 comments

So, married life. It's pretty good. It is like having this roommate that has to do stuff for you. Like cook your dinner or clean the house or make money to take you out to dinner with.

Say this morning, with all the snow, I had to be at an appointment near the airport by 7am. So, I made my "I work out of the home" hubby come with me. The roads were covered, but we made it. And then made it back home. And I felt safer just knowing someone was with me.

Or take Tuesday for example. I spilt food on myself at lunch time and that was my last clean pair of jeans. And as I was working late and not getting home until 9pm or so, I had him do laundry for me. Unfortunately, he has problems telling his jeans from mine and so, I still had no clean clothes when I tried to get dressed the next morning. His excuse (spoken in the drowseyness of 6am) was "I looked at the tag and I thought they were lady jeans." So, next time you see him, make sure to tell him you love his "lady jeans". I just know he will LOVE it. (or at the very least will giggle)

Lessons to be learned. When you are making a cobbler with frozen berries, don't skip the step where you are supposed to let them defrost. If you do, the cobbler will totally not rise and then you will have no crispy deliciousness on the top of your dessert. Let's just say this is one cooking tragedy that I will not soon repeat.

And on to Kitty news, Linus is depressed, or at least is when I am out of town and so is now on amitriptyline. I have been singing the John Vanderslice song of the same name to him. I think he likes it (the song, not the pill). So, maybe with the two therapies, he will get better. At least I hope he can adjust to us being out of town when ever we have to leave him for a weekend.

So, that's the round up of the news! (I always feel like I need to sign off from a post, but it always sounds so contrived or stupid - like I am in the third grade or something. Anyway, maybe I will make a change. I guess you will have to stay posted.)
0 comments

So, I have not been here in a while. I wonder if anyone still cares? Anyway, I guess I don't care if you care, so don't give me a pity comment. They suck.

Most of you know that I am all sorts of married by now. The hubbie and I got married in the great state of South Carolina in a barn. The only thing that could have made our union better would have been to honeymoon in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, that was not in the cards for us, but there is always our one year anniversary!

Last night, we went to the Panthers game. It was good fun. Oh, except for the jerks sitting around us. The people behind us were wasted before they even got to the game and then proceeded to drink themselves into even more of a stupor the rest of the game. Early on, one of them got too drunk to stand up and hold his drink at the same time and spilt it all over our coats. Thanks a lot dumb fuck. We were planning on wearing those.

The guy two seats down from us was a regular sports commentator. He kept his girlfriend in the know about all the players and where the ball was and all sorts of thing. And she was there to make out with him after every Panther's touch down (quickly followed by a gloating call to one of her friends, "Did you see that touch down? Yeah, I am at the game. Don't you hear the noise?"). Anyway, he let me in on a little secret that I thought the rest of you might need to know. It's about Hoover. So, he surmises that he is going to get the ax in the next year or two because he is not that good and there are tons of other people in the NFL that are big and have more skill than him. Actually (he goes on to say) do you know why they have kept him on as long as they have? Because of his name. HOOOOOO-Ver. You see, if you have a great name the crowd can get behind, it does not matter if you suck.

And that is my wisdom gleaned from the game. I hope you all walk away from this blog post more enlightened than ever!
2 comments

4:00am. I am awakened suddenly from sleep. Why? I check my arms and legs, no, they are not tingley from lack of blood. How about the cats? They are no where to be found. Do I have to pee? Well, no. Did I have a bad dream? Not that I remember. Then it hits me. The most shrill and annoying sound. A cricket. It sounds like he is sitting on my head. I get up to find this beast and locate him outside around the porch. I open the apartment door and remove the cover from my grill. No cricket noise. Yeah, I scared the hell out if him and he is gone forever. Placing my head on my pillow, all the while congratulating myself, when it happens again. The cricket scream is back. I bolt out of bed, take my broom and start hitting everything outside I can find, making as much noise as possible. This will show him, I thought to myself. I will make so much noise that he will be too scared to come back. Again, placing my head on my pillow, feeling good about the next 2 hours of sleep and what do I hear? That damn cricket. So, I wonder around my apartment, trying to decide what to do. I can't hear him in the back room, but the chair is not comfortable. I go back outside for some evasive maneuvering, but no dice. It is slowly creeping to 5:00am and I have to be up at 6:30. That bastard cricket. Ruining my beauty sleep. Finally I decide this is a lose-lose situation so I do what every good concert goer will do when things get loud and annoying, I put in my ear plugs. Now let me tell you, they do not feel too good to sleep in, but I had no choice. The cricket had me in a corner and I had no way out. I finally managed to drift off to sleep. Just you wait til next time cricket. Just you wait.
0 comments