I like food, food is good

vintage aprons recently added to my collection of "stuff"

I think I like to cook.  I think I have to cook.  I was never a fast-food person, nor do I have the cashola to go out to eat every night, so I guess there's not much of a choice, but there is a choice when it comes to making whatever your heart desires and additional perks which include: knowing where your food is coming from, the ability to try endless recipes, and knowing what the hell goes in to your plate!

When my husband and I got married in 2006, it was the first time I lived somewhere else and with someone other than my parents.  Preceding the wedding, I had to register for and attend my bridal shower.  At the time, I was a hardcore vegetarian (not extremely hardcore these days, for I’ve allowed poultry into my diet) and my new life mate is a meat and potatoes meat kind of guy.  Pressure cooker's on!  When I registered for my shower (I personally believe you should have one after the wedding) I put things on my list that I've seen in my mom's kitchen:  Pots, pans, meat-pounder-thingy, flatware, dishes, and so on.  In addition to these items, I received several cookbooks ranging from Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals to more fancy fare French cuisine books.  Okay, now that's great, but what the hell am I supposed to do with this stuff besides cram it into the limited cabinet space we have?  I swear our first year of marriage consisted of Zatarain's Jambalaya (can't even look at the box without gagging now). 

Peppered throughout these past few years, I've experimented with several recipes and found myself rejecting many dinners (especially from Rachel Ray! Damn, that girl loves EVOO, chili, and onions a little too much), but then I’ve managed to come across a few recipes from different sources that became somewhat of a staple.  I started to develop my skills in the kitchen, slowly learned what different kitchen utensils would make my life easier, and before I knew it, my own recipe book started to build and my husband endearingly dubbed me “The Shit”.  Cooking finally has become less of an intimidating challenge and more of a welcomed skill.  Now, if I only had a dishwasher….. 

I've always grown up knowing there's either "Good Cooks" or "Bad Cooks".  I just think a meal might be lacking because there is no love put behind it.  Cooking requires one to follow directions as well as leaving open a huge entryway for creativity.  I vow to share food I love (or even hate) as a part of my wintery winter, springy spring,... blog entries.  xo

In the meantime, my mother recently introduced me to smitten kitchen.  Last night I made the baked potato soup, which was great, for it wasn't even baked and there is absolutely no dairy added!  Last week, I made the surprise hit, mushroom bourguignon. Ohhh I'll take anything with egg noodles! 

Our FAVORITE food find during this most wintery winter, is from ReadyMade Magazine.  The Curried Yellow Split Pea & Carrot Soup is the bomb digs!  The best part is the spicy sour cream dolloped on top!  I've made it twice in one month and a batch lasts us one week.  I cannot speak more highly of it!  Freaking delicious!  I used split green peas instead of yellow, where the only difference would most likely be the color difference as well as doubling the recipe for the spicy sour cream.  This soup paired beautifully with vegetable samosas with chutney!  Enjoy!

Cynema

Yesterday morning was a rare one.  Before my husband left for work, he stopped at Starbucks and picked me up my favorite pick-me-up (small bold coffee in a grande cup with steamed 2%, $1.61) and delivered it to me at 7:30am, right where I lied in bed!  I felt like the Queen of Sheeba!  He then reminded me of the dangerous addition to the bedroom...the new blu-ray DVD player that streams netflix/pandora/youtube/younameit.  I've only used this thing once since he bought it after the holidays because I would be tempted to stay in bed glued to the TV all day (Let’s just say I'm "in-between" jobs). 

I allowed myself a total of one feature so I ventured to the documentary section (like always), and saw that I had "I Like Killing Flies" on instant queue. 

My half-baked review: I wouldn't want to go to Shopsin's for the heavy-hitter food or the entertaining, yet ruthless berating (think Seinfeld's Soup Nazi), but no viewer could help the interesting allure of truth to Kenny Shopsin's half-baked philosophy.



I was a bit of a late viewer on this particular film (Filmed in 2003 and premiered at Sundance three years later, I believe).  Since I am also an avid "Yelper", Shopsin's has moved (yet again), and it was so interesting to see that reviews were either ranked from very high to extremely low.  The "1 Star" reviews are from those who were denied service at this NYC dive. 

Take a look at the Shopsin's 900+ item menu!

The Most Wintery Winter

I visited the hair salon about a month ago and was not only treated to a few long hours chemically assaulting my mane, but I also walked away with this whimsy declaration provided by a neighboring salon client: "This is one of the most wintery winters we've ever had".  I'm not sure if this random thought was targeted towards me or someone else (for my peripheral vision was blocked by an aluminum helmet), but still, I couldn't help but snicker at her discernible observation so feebly stated.  First of all, she had the audacity to take her intended noun and describe it as its own adjective!  Secondly, who is the we she's referring to?  Humans?  The voices in her head? We don't "have" seasons... seasons have us!  Looking as if she were a woman in her 60s, I thought, "Surely, you must have experienced other "wintery winters" in your lifetime, unless of course, you once inhabited a place of warmer climate for a large portion of your life".  But for some reason, however, a statement as moronic as that, has stuck with me.  It was one of the proclamationiest proclamations I have ever heard!  Of course, my cynicism faded a bit, for it has been an obnoxious winter.  Isn't it funny that small-talk mini topics consist of mostly blurps about the weather, whether we find it to be behaving acceptably or not?  Weather is something humans cannot control (but can aggravate) hence the consistent tantrums we have when precipitation (in any form) ruins our plans.  Snow is charming at first and many people cannot help but be captivated by its beauty, but after a while, it's basically a pain in the ass.  Relax and enjoy it instead...and with that, I am going to dedicate a few future blogs to suggested activities that have kept me feeling warm and with purpose during this merciless season.

Surroundthings

"eat-in chicken kitchen"

Tchotchke (Typically pronounced "CHACH-kee") are small toys, gewgaws, knickknacks, baubles, lagniappes, trinkets, or kitsch. The term has a connotation of worthlessness sentiment or disposability, comfort, and happiness, as well as tackiness.

I think it's time to rewrite the Wiki's definition of "tchotchke", and in the meantime, I have added the word gewgaws to the cluttered word bank section of my cerebrum. 

My tchotchkes are objects I take pride in.  Typically, they are extremely cheap (if not free), but became invaluable additions to my environment and represent an extension of my personality.  Has this become a theme?? Sometimes they are personified (it's not a secret anymore), but mostly, they are items on display wherever I may dwell.  Most make it through the years, while others may meet a tragic accidental demise (by human or by dog).  Nevertheless, these are my gewgaws.... more than just "stuff".

the sunny room

 

Crafts for Poor People

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you that I'm crazy about all things "Sedaris".  I have idolized the talents of Amy Sedaris (as well as her brother, author David Sedaris), since her hilarious creation of the 46 year old high school freshman Jerri Blank from Comedy Central's, Strangers With Candy (RIP).  Since then, I've been a dedicated fan and have been thrilled to own her off-beat, (yet right-on), home-ec book, I Like You:  Hospitality Under the Influence. 

Of course, as a girl after my own heart, Ms. Sedaris published yet another amazing treasure:  Simple Times:  Crafts for Poor People.  I just ordered it off amazon.com and you should too!  Not convinced?  Here's some persuasion from the artist, herself. 

Oh Deer!

My sister Katy and her beau Adam have been adorning their apartment walls with the most interesting creations.  Their most recent pièce de résistance is the PETA-friendly deer head mount that Adam created using a chicken wire base and paper-mâché. I love seeing great wall real estate being put to creative use! 

The talent doesn't stop there, Adam contributes his vocal chords and guitar to the über-talented band:

Sleep Well and his latest side project William The Tree.  Take a listen, you'll love them!

William the Tree - Trailer

William the Tree | Myspace Music Videos

Sleep Well - Run

Sleep Well | Myspace Music Videos

メリークリスマス

My brother Dominick currently teaches English to elementary school students in Nagahama, Japan.  He is home for the holidays (it's been a year and a half since we've seen him) but before he left he took this awesome picture with his class wishing our mom a Merry Christmas.  It's just really way too cute.  My brother is the redheaded caucasian top and center, in case you were wondering :)