Things I love/Good Eats/This Week In Photos

This Week In Photos: (L-R) New purse brought into the store,

Scully Cat suns himself, sewing with The Bear, Carrot Ginger Miso Soup

and Whiskey Ginger drinks, Baked Egg, Super Salad with rainbow carrots 

and homemade garlic croutons, homemade blueberry pancakes 

and a lovely lazy day

This week there were so many things to love. Actually, each week there are so many things to love but sometimes I just don't take the time to look because I'm too worried about something or because one of the various "Femotion" triggers has started me crying. This past week I took the time to notice and I'm continuing the trend of "Things I Love [This Day]" and posting mine... As a photo collage!

 What are the little things that made you smile this week? Are there things that happen every week that help you remember there are good things in life despite the crap that is all around you on an hourly basis.

My things I love list has a lot to do with food. Which brings me to a question: What are some of your favorite things to cook and then eat? This can be an extravagant three course dinner a simple egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I have some favorite things I like to make and eat and cook for my other. This past week I made some simply extravagant things: Baked Egg with Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms; Fresh cut potatoes baked with chili powder and rosemary with homemade sesame oil and teriyaki vinegar dip.

What are your favorite "For One" simple recipes and what are your favorite "I'm Going To Wine and Dine You" recipes. My favorite Breakfast Sandwich to Make: Toast with melted cheese on one side, mayo on the other. Fried Egg and tomato in the middle. Salt Pepper and Fresh Dill all over. These recipes don't have to be fancy. I tried to make things with the things I had in the apartment. My aunt's favorite go-to dinner for one is: Canned tuna (drained) with sliced sharp white cheddar cheese on top. Stick the whole can in the toaster oven and let the cheese get all bubbly and golden on top. Let me tell you, she made this for me, and it's now on my list of "Favorite Things to eat when I'm by myself."

Also This:

Scully is a poof ball. He likes to sun his belly.

In Praise of Childhood Memories

Tonight, I made out like a bandit.

Maybe I should back up a step or three. 

You see, I have a slight obsession with Lisa Frank. You know who I'm talking about- the woman whose collection of bright, glittery, neon creatures invaded the hearts and minds of every little girl in the '80's & '90's? 

That's the one! 

My initial love of art and introduction to color theory can all be traced back to the days I spent scouring the aisles of Rose's with my grand-dad, Dude. He was a sucker for his cute, little grand babies so all it took to get myself some free stickers was to say the magical sentence, "Doood, will woo take me to Wose's?" And BAM! off like a shot we'd be there and back. Me proudly parading down the hallway of our house, my little arms filled with swag, Dude chuckling at me. 

Which brings us to tonight! Now, Dude's not around anymore so I kind of have to buy my own stickers. But to be honest, buying your own stickers just isn't as much fun. Plus at the ripe old age of twenty-eight, I think my sticker collecting days are pretty much over. Tonight though- tonight was the exception. 

I hadn't seen many Lisa Frank items around anymore. Especially not the traditional Lisa Frank, the best Lisa Frank. These days little girls have to settle for lamer things like Bratz. Yeck. 

But I'll let you in on a little secret- if you want to find some Swag of Yore, git thee to thine Dollar General! (Or whatever your run of the mill, last stop on Desperation Street dollar store in your area.) And head to a back wall, that's where all the good stuff is. That's where all the Lisa Frank the loose change in your piggy bank will buy you. 

That back wall is not a depository for battered, beaten, used goods. No. That back wall is salvation! It is a shrine to our Lady of Glitter– Lisa.  

That is where I made out like a bandit. And proudly toted my Swag Bag back home. 

This is going to be a fun weekend. ;)  

Things I Love, again

Let me tell you, internet, I don't think I've ever been so tired after doing nothing. I had the day off yesterday and I celebrated by sitting on the sofa, in my pajamas, playing games. Oh yeah, the sweet life.

I'm taking the easy route again this post by doing another Things I Love, New Year's style.

• Finally feeling confident enough to flirt a little.
• A day of care-free shopping with Miss Lucy; perfect weather, a great bookstore, and nice scenery. (Am I right, Miss Lucy?)
• Staying in by myself for New Year's Eve and not feeling lonely or sad.
• Eating a lucky meal of pork chops, greens, and black-eyed peas with my parents by the pond on a simply beautiful New Year's day.
• Finishing The Hobbit. Thorin, honey, I'm sorry I called you an @$$ (but you totally were).
• Doing some very early spring cleaning; who knew clearing out old clothes could be so therapeutic.
• A lazy day spent playing my favorite game. Poor Miss Lucy has already had to put up with me rabbiting on about my latest character.
• Having a neighbor who doesn't actually live in the building.
• BROWNIES!

And now it is time for tea, and killing balverines. :D

Happy New Year: Words To Live By

Happy New Year, Spatulans! A new beginning, a fresh start, a new day year!

I have my new resolutions and things to accomplish this year as, I'm sure, you have as well.

But, what about words (or a quote) to live by this year? I've been reading The Northern Clemency, by Philip Hensher (a book I recommend. It's very British and very wonderful) and one of the characters tells another character, "Start as you mean to go on." This, I've decided, will be my quote to live by for 2012.

I've also found some really great 2012 words to live by from The Doctor. Who? Oh, come on. You know.
Check them out, find some other words, and share them with us.



What words will you try to live by this new 2012?

How To Do Alone: Feel Better

Liquids and Biscuits 

Let's pretend that you had a lot of fun during Christmas but also worked every day this past week and all of a sudden you wake up one morning and you feel... sweaty, phlegmy, run down. And you can't taste anything.

Yep. It's happened. You, my dear Spatulan, are under the weather. Well, let's also pretend that I am feeling the same way. (Which, I am. No pretending here.) But just to keep it interesting, let's pretend that you are still able to go to work. You just feel crappy. You don't really have a fever and your snot isn't bright green or yellow. You're probably just "breathing warm air out of [your runny] nose" and you don't have any nasal spray. This post is how to make your self feel a little bit better if you're feeling plum wore out after the holiday chaos festivities.

What You Need:
♥Rest. Take a nap during the day if you can manage it. Go to bed early if you can't.
♥Liquids. Drink up me hearties, yo ho!
♥Comfortable clothing. If you can go to work in your PJs and not get called out: awesome.
♥A scarf. I really like my neck warm when I don't feel well.
♥Healthy things to eat. I know, I know. But comfort food can be healthy too. You do need to eat something.
♥Something Soft. A cozy blanket, that giant sweatshirt you love, or your favorite stuffed animal.
♥Green Smoothie. Cause they taste so good and are so good for you. (I'll give you my variations)
♥Ginger lemon tea. A friend gave me this recipe and I love how it's Spicy, Tangy, Sweet! Almost like a TLC album!
♥Vitamins. Yeah, well. You knew this was coming.
♥Face Tissues. By the truck load. And make sure they are soft so you don't chap up your nostrils.
♥Hand lotion, Chapstick, a good book, a good movie, some knitting. Just... you need this stuff.
♥Dark chocolate. Because it's a cure-all. And it is so too a healthy food. So there. *pout*

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Ahh, New Year's! I love it! I might even love it more than Christmas. (Shh, don't tell on me!) But the saying good-bye to one year and the greeting of a brand new one conjures up all kinds of memories for me.

There were multiple lock-in's at church where we played foxes & hounds, video games, and watched one too many episodes of "Veggie Tales". There was the time a guy drove all the way from Michigan to hang out with me in my friend's basement. I've sat around on the couch impatiently waiting for the ball to drop so I could go to bed. (You'll all envious of that last one, neh? You should be.)

And then there was that one time when Clara and I were in the only bar on an island off the coast of Ireland with a bunch of drunk revelers singing Auld Lang Syne, and at midnight we went marching the perimeter in time to the local bagpipe bands.

I don't think we'll ever top that. But I'd love to try.



So friends & other fine folk, what are you doing New Year's Eve?

Things I Love, Christmas Edition

Is everyone else as exhausted as I am? This holiday season really took it out of me. But, between you, me, and kitchen sink, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am happy to report that all the parties were a success and all gifts were well received (worrying about that is a major source of panic for me). So after such a successful Christmas, I'm taking a little bit of a break; just a simple little post tonight. I thought I might take a page out of Miss Lucy's book and do a Things I Love post and since Christmas just whooshed by, I'll combine the two. 

• I got to see some folks this holiday that I hadn't seen in a while and that was a blast.
• I love Peter Jackson forever for giving us something to look forward to next Christmas with the trailer for "The Hobbit." So excited!
• I love how well my family and friends knows me; I got steampunk and sci-fi for Christmas. Check out my new toy! He moves and when I turned him on for the first time, he made straight for the Christmas village on the piano shouting "Exterminate!"

• I'm super delighted to know that my brother's fiancée is comfortable enough around us to wear some truly impressive leopard print pajamas on Christmas morning. And that she wasn't weired out by my family's eccentricities. Welcome to the family, Maria!
• So much good food!
• Performing a bit of magic with Miss Lucy; I swear those bundles worked, Lucy!

There was so much more, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to get started on my New Year's resolutions; I ate far too much! I hope you all had a Fantiastic Christmas!

I think that was more "nog" than "egg"....

Greetings, Spatulans!


I hope everyone had a fun, happy, fulfilling, and yummy Christmas!  Being your Monday blogger, I have the honor of giving you your first post-Christmas blog! Yay!  Also looks like I'll be giving you the first blog of 2012 too... no pressure on the new guy! *looks at Lucy*

My Christmas was an interesting one.  I was originally going to spend it with my family going out to dinner.  But my stepmother, being the wonderful woman she is, decided to cover some shifts for the weekend for a coworker who lost a child over the holidays last year.  THAT is some Christmas spirit!  I spent yesterday with some friends instead and had a fantastic time.  Met some new people, and enjoyed the company of those I already knew.  This week was mostly spent reflecting on the company of friends, and the wonderful people I am surrounded by.

So what did you guys get up to for this holiday season?  Any fun, interesting, and most importantly magical adventures?

Silver Bells on the Silver Screen

Less than a week to go, gang, before the big day! I hope none of you are running around with the last minute panics. With all the shopping done, and all the food planned out maybe you can finally take some time to relax and watch some Christmas cheer. I try to watch at least one of these movies every year and they are my absolute favorite holiday films.

Meet Me in St. Louis
I know it isn't, strictly speaking, a Christmas flick, but there is something about Judy Garland in that beautiful red dress singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" that gets me every time.

Bernard and the Genie
I have no idea where my family found this movie, but it is delightful and, yes, it is a Christmas movie. It stars Alan Cumming and Lenyy Henry, with guest shots from Rowan Atkinson, Bob Geldoff, and the Mona Lisa.
(And sorry for the quality of the video, the movie is from '91 and the internet doesn't appear to like it.)

A Christmas Carol (1984)
 This is, without a doubt, my favorite Christmas movie, an dmaybe even my favorite of all time. What could be better than George C. Scott as Scrooge, David Warner as Bob Cratchit, and Edward Woodward as the Ghost of Christmas Present? Nothing, that's what.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

More Christmas baking.... without the baking...

Weeeheeeheeeelllll then.... seems like we're on a baked goodies trend.  However, in my previous post I mentioned how my baking endeavors have gone, so here is a delightful recipe that we would make at my house that again requires no baking.  And this time, it involves rum... and chocolate... because that's what the holiday season is all about right?  You can make your balls however you like, big, small, odd-shaped.  Personally, I like mine dipped in chocolate.  Get your mind out of the gutter... Santa is still watching and he will not hesitate to take all your presents back, you dirty perverts.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup spiced rum

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed vanilla wafers, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and nuts. Drizzle in vanilla, corn syrup and rum.
2. Scoop scoop and shape into 1 inch balls or larger. I used about 4 teaspoons of the chocolate mixture per ball which equaled 2 level scoops from the small cookie scoop.
3. Roll Rum Balls in additional confectioners' sugar, cocoa, sprinkles or whatever strikes your fancy. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days to develop the flavor.