I lied about the cinnamon.
So, my computer crashed Monday. Long story short, I lost two days of work, but my spectacular hero of a husband fixed everything in just a few hours on Tuesday.
Nothing lost, nap and reading time gained. Win.
Why do you care? Because by Tuesday night, I was sick of looking at my computer and decided to give you some cool links rather than create an original post. So here you go:
Filed under Science
My mom is very sweet. Every year, she makes whatever we want for our birthday dinners, including the ridiculous cakes we ask for.
I’m not certain how the tradition of outlandish cakes began, though I seem to remember being one of the first to make a request like a confection featuring green hills, sheep and a tourist bus… it was shortly after my trip to the UK.
We’ve made it a little easier in the past years by combining the dinners – my sister and me in late fall, our husbands in mid summer. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge to come up with something to give Mom pause. Today, I’d like to show you a few of her stellar creations:
Filed under AutoBio, Of Family and Children
I’m not even touching the fact that it’s Black Friday. I’ll just say that I don’t participate. It’s scary and and commercial out there.
Even though I don’t go to an office, this was a short work week for me. I got to play with friends on Tuesday night, and spent the majority of Wednesday shopping, preparing and cooking.
By the end of Wednesday, I’d pretty much given up on trying to squeeze in every little work detail, had accepted that I’m going to have a cold until March and did some yoga. I also enjoyed a bowl of the corn chowder I made.
Filed under I'm a Professional, Seasonal
For most of my life, I’ve had an ambivalent relationship with coconut. I never minded the flavor, but was firmly against the texture of shredded coconut, which is the form in which I’d always experienced the food.
As I got older, I learned to appreciate coconut, but have only recently realized how many coconut products we can incorporate into our diets for good taste and health.
In just the past few weeks I’ve noticed people talking about coconut more, mainly as an alternative for those on vegan, lactose intolerant or gluten free diets. And I always take Housewifing Around seriously.
Filed under Health
I want to give a quick shout out to a relatively new bar and venue in Downtown Grand Rapids – The Pyramid Scheme. I got to check it out for the first time last night.
My husband’s band, The Pilot Lights (woot!), was one of several bands participating in a benefit show for a local gentleman recently involved in an accident and medical mishap. The Pyramid Scheme hosted the event, which included live music, free food and a silent auction.
Filed under Local
When you’re very small, but too big to go to the nursery or Children’s Church in the basement, you need certain items to keep you quiet during an hour long Christian Reformed service.
If you’re a girl, you have a small purse for the storage of these items. Most likely, the purse contains necessities like tissues as well.
To keep you entertained, your Sunday purse holds tiny books of Bible stories, a baggie of Cheerios and a delicate cloth and porcelain doll named Church Baby. You’re allowed to play with her while the minister talks, but if you start clinking her feet together, it’s back into the purse she goes.
Filed under AutoBio
I used to make a lot of pot roast. “Meat and potatoes” was how my husband and I were both raised, and few things are easier than throwing a hunk of meat and root vegetables in a crock pot for four hours.
But, those days are gone. Pot roast is actaully something I haven’t really missed. I just assumed we’d parted ways for good, and that was that.
Then, the other day, I had a taste of the mushroom stew hubby made. Now, it’s been a year and a half at least since I’ve tasted anything remotely close to pot roast, but I swear to you that this stew was just. like. pot roast. Even the texture was reminiscent.
Filed under Recipes
Along with my husband and myself, two cats live in our house. We’ve always had two cats, aside from the brief period after one was hit by a car and before we adopted a new kitten.
Every now and then, I’m reminded how much a part of our lives these felines are. Most recently I was reminded when we noticed our oldest cat, Ted, walking with a slight limp. He’s alright – maybe just a little stiff with the cooler weather. Nevertheless, his health is really very important to us.
So, without further ado, los gatos:
Filed under Of Family and Children
Here’s a thing: Advertising my writing services. Novel.
I mean, I have business cards, a twitter account and this blog, but I haven’t really done any actual advertising, where I pay someone to present my info through their media outlets. Part of the reason is that I don’t have much extra budget to speak of. Also, an easy opportunity has never presented itself.
Until now.
Filed under I'm a Professional
Broccoli – the stereotypical bane of fun loving children everywhere. I’ve always wondered how kids can hate food that looks like trees…
First, the facts. Broccoli is a part of the cabbage, or cruciferous, vegetable family. Other members of this crew include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbages. Broccoli develops best during the cool months of the spring and autumn.
For the best storage, keep dry broccoli in a loose or perforated bag in your fridge’s vegetable crisper. As with any produce, the fresher it is the better it will taste and be for you, so try to eat your broccoli within three to five days.
Filed under Recipes
