Hot Pocket!

I've never had Hot Pockets, but I'm not sure I want to try one now...

12 days of Christmas

Fun take on the Twelve Days of Christmas

Post Office

From the US Postal Service Website, from the section under Hold Mail:

"We do not disclose your personal information to anyone, except in accordance with the Privacy Act."

Ummm, doesn't disclosing my info take away my privacy?

Vespas & coyotes

This young woman rides her Vespa from San Francisco to NYC.

On her trip, she falls in love with Wyoming, and after getting to NYC, decides she wants to live back in Wyoming. She now lives there, and is raising a baby coyote that's super cute!

Argh for the day

Ok people, if I want to listen to music at work I bring my own music, and play it quietly through my computer at my desk. I do not make everyone listen to it. I do not make it loud. I can control the volume and if I want to listen to a song, I can, or I can skip it, or whatever.

Please tell me why you must now play Christmas music over the intercom throughout our office.
1. I did not ask for you to broadcast music,
2. The intercom broadcasting should be used for paging people for calls or meetings
only, not extra stuff,
3. I do not want to listen to your guitar/Kenny G/country/acoustic/etc Christmas
music that you like, or that’s “tame” enough to be broadcast office-wide,
4. Please turn it down. Come sit at my desk and try to talk on the phone, see how it
works for you without music volume control.
5. These songs are getting stuck in my head and it’s only been going for 10 minutes,
6. It’s still NO-VEM-BER! NOT DECEMBER! I.E. NOT CHRISTMAS YET! I’m not interested
in Christmas yet, or having Christmas forced on me yet.

Pumpkin waffles

Pumpkin waffles found here - mmmm, mmmm, good.

Banana cake heaven

My friend Sara makes this wonderful Banana cake. I made some last weekend for a potluck. It's great by itself, without any frosting. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it would also be fabulous with peanut butter frosting. I've yet to make more, but my tastebuds are hungry for it.

Sara’s Banana Cake

1/2 c oil
1.5 c sugar
2 egg yolks
1 c milk
1 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c mashed banana
2 c sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Grease & flour 9x13 or equivalent pan. Cream oil & sugar & add egg yolks. Beat well. Add milk, lemon juice, vanilla & beat well. Add mashed bananas & dry ingredients. Stir until combined.

Bake 350F for 35-40 minutes.


Peanut Butter Frosting

5 TBSP butter, softened
1.5 c plus 2 TBSP confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c smooth peanut butter
2 to 5 TBSP 2 percent low-fat milk

To make frosting, mix butter & confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer. Add vanilla & peanut butter & beat well. Add 2 TBSP milk slowly, beating with a mixer until very creamy. Add up to 3 additional TBSP milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency.

PB&J

I have no idea why, but this video struck me as greatly amusing.

I'm not a great fan of PB&J sandwiches, and if I have one, I generally like to dunk it in a glass of milk. One way I really like PB&J is in french toast. Yes, french toast. I take my slice of bread, spread peanut butter on it, then some jam, then slap another slice of bread on it, dip the whole thing in the eggy batter, and fry. It makes the PB&J kinda warm and melty, and is just yummy.

Crust Topped Broccoli Cheese Bake

Yesterday I was trying to figure out what food to make this weekend. I found a Kraft food & family magazine, plus a couple other recipes sitting here by the computer. In looking through the food & family, I found the recipe for Crust Topped Broccoli Cheese Bake. It sounded kinda good. Fred Meyers also had broccoli on sale this week, so it sounded even better.

Thanks to Kraft, I found a good recipe with easy ingredients. I'm not into the prepackaged everything to make meals, so I used fresh broccoli, fairly finely chopped, lightly steamed, and added plain cream cheese and homegrown chives to the mix. Turned out quite well... (though next time maybe I'll try making my own puff pastry)


variation of Kraft food's
Crust Topped Broccoli Cheese Bake

8-oz. cream cheese, softened
2-3 TBSP chopped fresh chives
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup, low sodium
1 cup water
5 cups finely chopped fresh broccoli
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 thawed frozen puff pastry sheet (1/2 of 17.3-oz. pkg.)
oil, to brush over the top of the puff pastry

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly steam broccoli, so it's still just crisp but warmed. Mix cream cheese, chives, soup and water until well blended. Stir in broccoli and cheddar cheese. Spoon into 2-1/2- to 3-qt. shallow baking dish.

Roll pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to fit baking dish. Cover dish completely with pastry. Press pastry edges against rim of dish to seal. Brush entire surface lightly with oil; pierce with knife five to six times to vent.

Bake 30 min. or until heated through and pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Original recipe found here

Vay-cay-shun!

So it's still a few months off, but we've got tickets -

Depart: our hometown at 8:30 am
Arrive: Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico at 5:31 pm

Hoorah!

Argh

At work, my phone rings, I answer: "Hello, this is --"

Lady who called: "Oh, hello is [my boss] available?"

me: "No, I'm sorry, he's out. Can I give him a message?"

Lady: "oh, well, I'm from blah blah blah and blah blah... Um, can I put you on hold for a minute?"

me: "uhh, sure"

Seriously, one of my biggest pet peeves at work is that people call ME, then ask if they can put ME on hold. Like I have nothing better to do than wait around, phone to my ear, to find out why it was they called me?

citizenship test

So I'm not really sure I would pass the US citizenship test, considering I only get 6 of 11 on this short section of it...

thanksgiving

You all are invited to my house for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Joke

Richard was in trouble. He had forgotten his wedding anniversary two days before. Amy was really angry. She told him “Tomorrow morning I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0-200 in less than 5.8 seconds. AND IT BETTER BE THERE!”

The next morning Richard got up early and left for work. When Amy woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, she put on her robe and ran out to the driveway and brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale!

Richard has been missing since Friday. Please pray for him.

book to read

If I Am Missing or Dead A Sister's Story of Love, Murder and Liberation by Janine Latus is a great book. Makes me very happy for a wonderful husband.

Excerpt from the book cover:

In April 2002, Janine Latus's youngest sister, Amy, wrote a note and taped it to the inside of her desk drawer. "Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved," it read, "but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me..."

That same spring Janine Latus was struggling to leave her marriage -- a marriage to a handsome and successful man. A marriage others emulated. A marriage in which she felt she could do nothing right and everything wrong. A marriage in which she felt afraid, controlled, inadequate, and trapped.

Ten weeks later, Janine Latus had left her marriage. She was on a business trip to the East Coast, savoring her freedom, attending a work conference, when she received a call from her sister Jane asking if she'd heard from Amy. Immediately, Janine's blood ran cold. Amy was missing.

I was gonna do some work but then I got high

They're doing some remodeling here in our office. Pretty much right next to my desk/cubicle. We've had days of super loud noises (hammering, sawing, drilling, etc), days of painting, days of horrible smells, and days of quiet. Lately we've had mostly quiet, because stuff they've been doing is like moving a door around or fixing the edging.

However, today remodel guy comes in and sands the walls (loud noise), then proceeds to texturize the wall with spray can stuff (HORRIBLE smell).

My nose starts to burn, I get a headache, my stomach feels sick and I am lightheaded. Door opens down the hall, and barely makes some air come to me. There's many more having problems with the smell as well. I escaped down the hall to a coworker's office to do some work, but the smell still lightly permeated the whole building.

The unfortunate thing is that no one has cared to ask us (sitting right next to the construction) how we're handling the sounds, smells, etc. Give me a mask, or another place to work, or some aspirin, or have the work done when I'm not right next to it... So, since no one's asked, I will go share :)

The whole smelly experience made me think of the song Because I Got High, by Afroman. Not sure he has a positive message overall, but I do like the song.

Baked beans

I'm not a big fan of baked beans really. Most of my experience with baked beans has come from opening the can and eating them at picnics or while camping. Or sometimes in between two mayo slathered slices of bread. My dad started it, and actually it's good every so often. Interestingly enough, after dad died, a couple brought over homemade baked beans. The baked beans were, I think, the best food we received from people. I wished my dad were there to taste them - I know he'd like them.

So, we said thanks to the people who brought them, and got the recipe.

Easy Baked Beans

Saute:
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
3-4 slices corned beef, bologna, bacon or equivalent in veggie food, torn into small pieces (optional)

Add to:
2 lg cans Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans
1 regular size can Heinz Baked Beans
1/4 c not packed, but rounded top, brown sugar
1/2 c ketchup
2 tsp prepared mustard

Bake at 350F, uncovered, for about 2 hours.

I've made it without the Heinz beans, mainly because I've not found them at the store. Maybe they don't make them anymore? Who knows. I've also not added meat/veggie meat. Doesn't seem to affect the taste though.

I SO want to play this game

link to another one, because I can't get it to post for play

Smell-y

Two of the worst smells first thing in the morning –
deviled eggs
pinto beans cooking

puff

This would be so awesome to see in real life!

pimp my snack

Some people have way too much time on their hands (along with money), but I really do think this cake is awesome. I also really like the giant sushi.

yummy weather

I'm totally loving this weather. It's time to start making Slurpees.

MMM, yum!

Snail mail me

Kind of a cool idea. Though something about it makes me kind of wary. It doesn't seem normal (though maybe that's my cynical side coming through, not believing there's people who want to do good just to help others and do good...)

While looking for more info on it, I came across The Letter Project, which is also pretty cool. I wish it did different pictures each time though...

various responses

"Hey, do you know if Joe is in with Schmoe?"

Now, what answer do you give here? Yes, you know that Joe is in with Schmoe. So you say yes.

Then, person asking the question takes off, mumbling that ok, Joe is in with Schmoe.

However, that is not what you were saying. You were simply saying you knew the answer to the question of whether or not Joe was in with Schmoe.

Along the same lines - "Is Joe around?"

Yes, Joe is around. Is he available is really what you want to know, so when I say yes, he's around, and then you ask to talk to him and I say he's not available, you're a little perturbed that you went through that and I said yes he's around...

Ask the question you really want the answer to people. Think about it just a second more and be real.

Coolest shops in Leavenworth

We recently went to Leavenworth, WA with my family for a few days. We had a really nice time. The coolest shop in Leavenworth is The Metal Waterfall Gallery. The guy does his own work, in a small space behind the counter. We got a cool grape vine wall sculpture. There were so many cool things, I'm kinda glad I don't live there (or closer), as I'd have to go back and buy more.

The next coolest shop in Leavenworth was a little shop that sold things from all over the world. They get things from different sections of the world - art, woven baskets, greeting cards, drums, jewelry, clothing, carvings from wood, bones, rocks... I think that was about it. The stuff in the shop was neat and some really cool things, plus it was decently priced. Most of the cards had very realistic sayings on them - like 'I wanted to change the world, but I wanted to do it from the comfort of my own home'. Some made me sad, because they were so true. It again made me realize how blessed I am in my life and to be an American, but also of how selfish and uncaring I/Americans can be about the suffering in the rest of the world.

The coolest thing about the shop was how it operated. The people that worked there were volunteers and they kept business expenses to a minimum. They raised the prices of items 10% over cost (I think that's what the lady said). The money from the sold item went back to the person who made it, and their community, then 5% to the local food pantry and 5% to the local Habitat for Humanity.

The third coolest shop was a Belgian chocolate shop. What made it great was that the lady there was super nice and friendly - not in an annoying way though. She just made you feel at home. I felt the chocolate was good. The chocolate covered espresso beans were the best though I think.

busting my hump... for nothing

Each year at this time I have a big project, due on Feb. 28. And each year I kind of run down to the wire getting it done. Mainly because the job is VERY time consuming - I usually have to talk with at least 3 people to get answers to things I can’t figure out on my own, and because I still have at least 3 other jobs to keep up on at the same time (plus a little procrastination thrown in). I always stress about it and end up working overtime to get it done. I don’t hate the project, but I don’t love it either. I do feel satisfaction when I have it done. And I do kinda feel superior, because I’m pretty much the only one in my workplace who understands what to do and how to do it (and even I’m still learning!).

So, now it’s again the end of February, and I’m busting my hump to get this completed by the end of today. I’m now well past my “regular” 38 hours for the week. Last night I was considering why I even was working so hard, as nothing happens if it’s not done on time. Nothing blows up, nothing falls apart, no one is fined - nothing.

So just a bit ago, I had to ask another person for help on a question (I’d already talked with her at least 3 times), and she told me that there had been an extension granted this year for completion of this project. They extended the deadline to May 29. I have another 3 whole months!

I’m excited that I don’t have to feel stressed about getting this done today. I can finish it off tomorrow and still be way ahead of the game. I am a little ticked though, as I would bet someone I work with knows there was an extension given, but they didn’t bother to tell me…

Chocolate frosting

So the end of my day was total CRAP, so I think it's time for some chocolate frosting...

1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 c baking cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 TBSP hot water

Mix margarine/butter, powdered sugar, baking cocoa and vanilla. Add enough hot water to the spreadable consistency you desire.

Enjoy!

Overheard

3 men walk by, one says "We're practicing marching like Pathfinders. Left!"

email is NOT on the internet

said by a dear sweet person: "That's just email right, it doesn't have to go through the internet?"

Great books

Over the last 6 weeks, I've read 4 great books. I'd decided that I needed to make time for exercise in each day, and I decided to get up earlier every day and use our elliptical machine. For those who really know me, I'm not a fan of early morning, especially when it's still dark outside. I get into things and am ready to really talk with you if it's after 10am. Before that, I'm still waking up. So, if I have nothing to do while working out, at 5:20am in the cold, dark morning, I get extremely bored and it's no fun. So from the library I gathered some books that looked interesting.

The first book I read was Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. My sister had loaned me this book, knowing I'd like it. It's the story of a family who get a yellow lab puppy, and how this puppy doesn't fit the mold of "normal dog". I'm not a great dog fan, but the story was light-hearted, funny, and amusing to read of all the embarrassing situations they ended up in because of the crazy dog. It also brings to life the love and devotion between man and animal.

The next book I read was Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan by Elizabeth Kim. This is her story, born to a Korean mother and an American Father. She's adopted to a fundamental Christian family in the US. A very intense story. I had a hard time putting the book down. I kept hoping things would get "better" for her. The things she was taught as a Christian make me very sad though, as it's not a portrayal of a loving God that I know.

The third book I read was Escape Through the Balkans: The Autobiography of Irene Grunbaum. This story is of Irene Grunbaum, a Jew, during WWII in Belgrade. This book wasn't as interesting as the others. It seemed a bit slow at times, and it seemed she was always running, tring to find a way out, or a place to hide. A good book, but didn't really draw me in completely.

The most recent book I read was Swimming Across: A Memoir
by Andrew S. Grove. This story is also of a Jew, Andris Grof, during WWII. (He helped found Intel.) He shares the story of his first 20 some years of life, beginning in Hungary, and later the US. A bit more lighthearted, easy to read.

Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting

So a few weeks ago we were to take dessert for a lunch gathering. I decided I needed to get out of the "usuals" & make something different. I have quite a collection of recipes that I've never even made, so I looked through them. I came across this one that I got out of some newspaper magazine thing some time ago. The picture of the cake was appealing.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the cake I made, but everyone loved it. Even the little kids (ages 3 & 1), who shoveled it in super fast, with frosting and crumbs still on their faces and hands & still chewing the last bite, held out their plates asking for more.

I found I wasn't super fond of the cake itself - I think it needs a more chocolatey taste, and maybe be a bit more moist. I'll have to do some tweaking. The frosting though - if I had this and chocolate frosting I have a recipe for, I'd be very fat and happy! I gave a small taste to husband, and he didn't say anything. I wondered if maybe he didn't like it. He told me he was trying to figure out how to get rid of me so he could eat it all. We've come up with many more uses and variations on it.

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Cake:
3/4 c granulated sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
2 c all purpose flour
2/3 c cocoa
1.5 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c buttermilk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c boiling water

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.

2. To make the cake, combine sugars, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; whisk vigorously until smooth. Stir in boiling water. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

Frosting:
5 TBSP butter, softened
1.5 c, plus 2 TBSP confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c smooth peanut butter
2 to 5 TBSP 2 percent low-fat milk

3. To make frosting, mix butter & confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer. Add vanilla & peanut butter & beat well. Add 2 TBSP milk slowly, beating with a mixer until very creamy. Add up to 3 additional TBSP milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency. When cake has cooled, frost top.

Serves 20.

Spiders on drugs

I found this in the paper recently. Greatly amusing.

Crappy parker

Man, Janell and I could have really used these a few years ago in college... We found so many crappy parkers. It was pathetic.