Saturday, February 28, 2009
Snow in February?
Yes, there is snow in February in Minnesota. I don't know if it is because deep down people hate the weather in Minnesota or if it is wishful thinking that "global warming" has finally come true, but there were an awful lot of people that seemed surprised that it was going to and then did snow on Thursday. It was also "the biggest storm this year." I think that because I didn't have a job that required me to clear the sidewalks every 30 minutes, or have to battle the storm on the drive home...it didn't seem like that big of a deal. I was out in it for a little bit, but it just didn't seem like it was that bad. We got about an inch an hour....or a little less depending where you live. I was excited to get the snow. This time of year is always hard for me because I want winter to be over, yet I know in MN we have a few more months of it. And then we get warm ups that melt the snow and make everything look brown and dingy. I don't like that part. I know it will be the end of March or early April before we start to see things come back to life...so I say, let there be snow. It isn't that cold this time of year (highs are above zero and almost always in the double digits) and the snow wont last forever. So I say again, let there be snow. (and drive safely!)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
"that's not me"
Funny story...I had trouble sleeping the other night. Nick was snoring, which almost never happens ;) (I love you Nick!) Usually I can say "you're snoring" and he kind of responds, moves and it will be better for a while, at least long enough for me to fall asleep. Well this particular evening, he was snoring quite a bit. After the fifth or sixth time of gently touching him and telling him he was snoring he kind of responded more. I said "Nick, you are snoring again." He said "what? oh, sorry." a few moments of near silence ensued, followed by "that's not me, that's the dog." As frustrated as I was about not getting to sleep and that Nick, blissfully unaware of my troubles, was contently snoring away since his head hit the pillow, I couldn't help but laugh a little. He doesn't remember any of this. (the dog was snoring a little bit, but it could hardly be heard over Nick)
When did I find time to work?
This week found me pretty busy. Monday I watched our nieces for 8 hours. I enjoyed this time with them.
Tuesday I was very productive in my job search. I applied for a lot of positions, both retail and other. I also did a lot of cleaning around the house. Dishes, vacuuming, getting up a few stains in the carpet....etc. Then I headed off to class. We had a sub as our teacher was at a writing conference. We had the "pleasure" of watching An Inconvenient Truth, the film by Nobel prize winner, Grammy winner and inventor of the Internet, Al Gore. I was very frustrated with this film. We were watching it because it was a "good example of research and argumentative reasoning." I found it all a load of crap. The only research that was sited was "science has proven" and "my friend discovered," and look at this fancy chart of predictions. As for argumentative reasoning, the only thing he argued was he should have been president. So after two hours of being forced into watching that...we got to have our library instruction. This meant that for the second week in a row I got to listen to our assistant librarian go though what the library has to offer. Not really a big deal except she has a very very thick accent that is very though to understand and apparently has many times when she is thinking of the correct word and fills the gaps with ahhhhahhhh. She read us the power point presentation. Including the steps to writing a research paper. Step 1. We can have lots of fun! totally kidding, I hope you got the reference..... Step 1 - topic formation. Step 2 - research your topic. Step 3 - your working bibliography. Step 4 - Develop tentative thesis. Step 5 - Focus your research. Step 6 - Fine tune your thesis. Step 7 - Write your outline. Step 8 - Write your rough draft. Step 9 - Revise (ask friends and family for help, but make sure you are writing the paper). Step 10 - Turn in your paper. Yup, that right there is how to write a research paper in 10 easy steps. Then she showed us how to use the internet and library service associated with the system. Yeah, an hour of this was awesome. 3 hours of my life I will never get back.
Wed was a busy day. My night class met during the day because we had a guest speaker. So I had class at 9:30am. The guest speaker was a gal that "specializes" in complimentary medicine. She is a firm believer in alternative/complimentary/Eastern, what ever you wanna call it medicine combined with Western medicine. She was an amazing woman. I loved having her speak with us and took a lot away from the experience. From there it was rush off to Regions to volunteer for a couple hours. I had two wonderful patients I was able to help and chat with. It was very fun and quite rewarding. I came home and got to spend some time with my hubby....very nice to do so. Then I made 48 cupcakes.
Thursday I met with a friend to close our her Creative Memories Party. Then I had lunch with a friend which was awesome. We had Chinese. We ate at the buffet next to Rainbow Foods in Oakdale on 10th St. The food was ok. (the wantons were really good) but the service was not very good. After lunch I headed to the American Cancer Society office to help stuff packets for our Kick Off meeting. I stuffed away and got some other needed literature. I was there for about an hour and a half. I headed home to do a few things before our Kick Off. I grabbed the 48 cupcakes and headed to church for our meeting. I was disappointed by the turn out. But it seems as I have been talking to some Team Captains that Thursdays, and this past Thursday esp. are not good days. I am hoping that is all it is and our Relay For Life will be a fantastic success this year.
Friday morning I printed directions into and out of Minneapolis, took a deep breath and headed to Randstad in Nicollet Mall. I got down there, parked and found my way through the city center building (I think thats what it is called) and got to the right building, and found the place with NO PROBLEMS! I filled out all kinds of paper work and then chatted with one of the job placement reps (Randstad is a temp agency type place). We decided that the original position I applied for was not the job for me. Remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside....for 8 hours for more than a day or two...I would go crazy. Yes it is a pay check, and I shouldn't be that picky...but I don't think my sanity could handle that. So after discussing things I might like to do and talking about where I am at in life, etc...I will call her back on Tuesday to see if she has found any matches so far. I left the building, successfully found my car and left the parking ramp (for $17!!!). I was able to successfully LEAVE Minneapolis with out having to turn around or take 94W and loop back. YAY! (that is a first I think). My nieces came over for a couple hours. We watched Wizard of Oz and Micah got to have a cupcake because "it's so beautiful." Who doesn't like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and colored sprinkles on it?
Nick and I were planning to go to his classmate's bonfire/sledding party. We opted out because we were pretty tired and content to spend the night hanging out with each other on the couch. And it was snowing. So I did more job searching.
Today I spent 10-3:30 at Fashion Bug in CG as an American Cancer Society Volunteer. They were doing a special event bra fitting and "women's health fair." It was pretty fun. I got to meet a few fun gals and I applied to work there. I met and talked with the store manager, so I think I will at least hear back from her.
We met my parents for supper at Timberlodge in Bloomington. We met there at 5:30. That is really early for us to eat. Nick and I got there early and were seated. When my parents came in, SURPRISE, my brother came with too. It was nice. In the past he was always working on Saturday nights. Now he isn't so he was willing and able to come out with us. It was fun.
Its been a busy few days... the next few may be the same. I don't plan to watch the Oscars tomorrow.
Tuesday I was very productive in my job search. I applied for a lot of positions, both retail and other. I also did a lot of cleaning around the house. Dishes, vacuuming, getting up a few stains in the carpet....etc. Then I headed off to class. We had a sub as our teacher was at a writing conference. We had the "pleasure" of watching An Inconvenient Truth, the film by Nobel prize winner, Grammy winner and inventor of the Internet, Al Gore. I was very frustrated with this film. We were watching it because it was a "good example of research and argumentative reasoning." I found it all a load of crap. The only research that was sited was "science has proven" and "my friend discovered," and look at this fancy chart of predictions. As for argumentative reasoning, the only thing he argued was he should have been president. So after two hours of being forced into watching that...we got to have our library instruction. This meant that for the second week in a row I got to listen to our assistant librarian go though what the library has to offer. Not really a big deal except she has a very very thick accent that is very though to understand and apparently has many times when she is thinking of the correct word and fills the gaps with ahhhhahhhh. She read us the power point presentation. Including the steps to writing a research paper. Step 1. We can have lots of fun! totally kidding, I hope you got the reference..... Step 1 - topic formation. Step 2 - research your topic. Step 3 - your working bibliography. Step 4 - Develop tentative thesis. Step 5 - Focus your research. Step 6 - Fine tune your thesis. Step 7 - Write your outline. Step 8 - Write your rough draft. Step 9 - Revise (ask friends and family for help, but make sure you are writing the paper). Step 10 - Turn in your paper. Yup, that right there is how to write a research paper in 10 easy steps. Then she showed us how to use the internet and library service associated with the system. Yeah, an hour of this was awesome. 3 hours of my life I will never get back.
Wed was a busy day. My night class met during the day because we had a guest speaker. So I had class at 9:30am. The guest speaker was a gal that "specializes" in complimentary medicine. She is a firm believer in alternative/complimentary/Eastern, what ever you wanna call it medicine combined with Western medicine. She was an amazing woman. I loved having her speak with us and took a lot away from the experience. From there it was rush off to Regions to volunteer for a couple hours. I had two wonderful patients I was able to help and chat with. It was very fun and quite rewarding. I came home and got to spend some time with my hubby....very nice to do so. Then I made 48 cupcakes.
Thursday I met with a friend to close our her Creative Memories Party. Then I had lunch with a friend which was awesome. We had Chinese. We ate at the buffet next to Rainbow Foods in Oakdale on 10th St. The food was ok. (the wantons were really good) but the service was not very good. After lunch I headed to the American Cancer Society office to help stuff packets for our Kick Off meeting. I stuffed away and got some other needed literature. I was there for about an hour and a half. I headed home to do a few things before our Kick Off. I grabbed the 48 cupcakes and headed to church for our meeting. I was disappointed by the turn out. But it seems as I have been talking to some Team Captains that Thursdays, and this past Thursday esp. are not good days. I am hoping that is all it is and our Relay For Life will be a fantastic success this year.
Friday morning I printed directions into and out of Minneapolis, took a deep breath and headed to Randstad in Nicollet Mall. I got down there, parked and found my way through the city center building (I think thats what it is called) and got to the right building, and found the place with NO PROBLEMS! I filled out all kinds of paper work and then chatted with one of the job placement reps (Randstad is a temp agency type place). We decided that the original position I applied for was not the job for me. Remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside, remove the staple, scan the pages and set aside....for 8 hours for more than a day or two...I would go crazy. Yes it is a pay check, and I shouldn't be that picky...but I don't think my sanity could handle that. So after discussing things I might like to do and talking about where I am at in life, etc...I will call her back on Tuesday to see if she has found any matches so far. I left the building, successfully found my car and left the parking ramp (for $17!!!). I was able to successfully LEAVE Minneapolis with out having to turn around or take 94W and loop back. YAY! (that is a first I think). My nieces came over for a couple hours. We watched Wizard of Oz and Micah got to have a cupcake because "it's so beautiful." Who doesn't like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and colored sprinkles on it?
Nick and I were planning to go to his classmate's bonfire/sledding party. We opted out because we were pretty tired and content to spend the night hanging out with each other on the couch. And it was snowing. So I did more job searching.
Today I spent 10-3:30 at Fashion Bug in CG as an American Cancer Society Volunteer. They were doing a special event bra fitting and "women's health fair." It was pretty fun. I got to meet a few fun gals and I applied to work there. I met and talked with the store manager, so I think I will at least hear back from her.
We met my parents for supper at Timberlodge in Bloomington. We met there at 5:30. That is really early for us to eat. Nick and I got there early and were seated. When my parents came in, SURPRISE, my brother came with too. It was nice. In the past he was always working on Saturday nights. Now he isn't so he was willing and able to come out with us. It was fun.
Its been a busy few days... the next few may be the same. I don't plan to watch the Oscars tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"they grow up so fast"
Yesterday I got to spend time with my nieces again. It is such a blessing that they are close by and I get to see them often. During the few months when they were in SLC I realized I should have spent more time with them (as a family, not just Micah). So now I enjoy the opportunity to spend a day a week with the girls.
Taryn is getting to be such a big girl. She is actually getting tough to hold on to while doing things. I am sure Aimee has a much easier time as she has more practice, but man the girl is getting heavy. And she is so strong. She has amazing leg strength that equates to "good luck putting her down or holding her in a manner that she doesn't want. Uncle Nick got home around 6:30 and I handed her off so I could finish the turkey and the potatoes. Well apparently Uncle Nick is a scary guy 'cuz she screamed most of the time he held her. I put Uncle Nick in charge of Micah. That worked pretty well. It is nice to feel loved though, and apparently Taryn is more comfortable with me than she was when they first moved back.
Micah was of course her adorable self. Trying to herd them into the car I said to Micah "hurry up ms thing" she said...my not thing, my is Micah. Ok. Noted. She told me a little later on that she was going to color a picture for "Uncle Nichowas". This isn't a bad thing, as Nick's family does call him Nicholas rather than Nick. It's sad though, because Micah transitioned from "Nicko Nit" to "Nicko Nick" (my personal favorite) to "Uncle Nick" and now Uncle Nicholas (pronounced Nichowas). Certainly she does other things that are just as, if not more cute than previous things...but it was just one more reminder that Micah is a big girl.
Taryn is getting to be such a big girl. She is actually getting tough to hold on to while doing things. I am sure Aimee has a much easier time as she has more practice, but man the girl is getting heavy. And she is so strong. She has amazing leg strength that equates to "good luck putting her down or holding her in a manner that she doesn't want. Uncle Nick got home around 6:30 and I handed her off so I could finish the turkey and the potatoes. Well apparently Uncle Nick is a scary guy 'cuz she screamed most of the time he held her. I put Uncle Nick in charge of Micah. That worked pretty well. It is nice to feel loved though, and apparently Taryn is more comfortable with me than she was when they first moved back.
Micah was of course her adorable self. Trying to herd them into the car I said to Micah "hurry up ms thing" she said...my not thing, my is Micah. Ok. Noted. She told me a little later on that she was going to color a picture for "Uncle Nichowas". This isn't a bad thing, as Nick's family does call him Nicholas rather than Nick. It's sad though, because Micah transitioned from "Nicko Nit" to "Nicko Nick" (my personal favorite) to "Uncle Nick" and now Uncle Nicholas (pronounced Nichowas). Certainly she does other things that are just as, if not more cute than previous things...but it was just one more reminder that Micah is a big girl.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentines Day!
Nick and have a history of not celebrating V-day on V-day. Since the first time we were together to celebrate it, we weren't together on the day, so we celebrated when we could. It has kind of been that way since. Rather than make a big deal out of going out to eat when it's really crowded (esp a Sat night) and we are guaranteed to pay too much and wait too long, and be kind of disappointed with the whole evening, we hung out with some friends.
After Nick got home from work we did a mad dash clean up of the house to prepare for a few classmates of his coming over to study tomorrow. Then we headed to Kim and Paul's house. (Yes, it should probably be Paul and Kim but in my mind it has and will always be Kim and Paul. Sorry Paul!) They made their awesome homemade chili. Having mentioned in an earlier post, I am picky about my chili, I think this chili may be one of the contributing factors. It is great chili. I made cookies this week, so we brought some with and had some wine to go with them. Yummy. Kim's brother John was there for a while too. He is in a Nursing program, so the three of us had a chance to ramble on about medicine and learning about medicine. Nick pharmacy word vomited all over him. I felt bad, but was secretly glad someone else got to learn from him.
After dinner and chatting for a while, we decided what better way to celebrate V-day (all together) than to watch a move. We selected Zach and Miri. I refuse to include the whole title in hopes that my blog wont show up in Google searches. Since I haven't done much movie reviewing, I don't have a rating system or anything, so I will just say that I did like the movie overall. Being a Kevin Smith film, the language and subject matter were expected. However I was quite surprised by some of the content. Not surprised that Smith put it there or that some of the actors went along with it, surprised that it made it into the film for viewing. It was pretty graphic. There was even full frontal male nudity for long enough to realize it was there, not just the flash that might happen in other movies where you have to think about it...this was obvious.
Moving past the surprising bits, it was a cute, "romantic comedy" type movie. I enjoyed the return of some of my favorite K. Smith movie actors. We decided to stick around for the deleted scenes. WOW! there was a full hour and a half of deleted scenes. Most of them were pretty funny, some were kind of pointless to include. Justin Long was great, but some of his deleted scene should have stayed deleted.
Like I stated, I have no official rating scale or anything, but I enjoyed the movie. It was a fun evening with awesome friends. What a great way to spend V-day!
After Nick got home from work we did a mad dash clean up of the house to prepare for a few classmates of his coming over to study tomorrow. Then we headed to Kim and Paul's house. (Yes, it should probably be Paul and Kim but in my mind it has and will always be Kim and Paul. Sorry Paul!) They made their awesome homemade chili. Having mentioned in an earlier post, I am picky about my chili, I think this chili may be one of the contributing factors. It is great chili. I made cookies this week, so we brought some with and had some wine to go with them. Yummy. Kim's brother John was there for a while too. He is in a Nursing program, so the three of us had a chance to ramble on about medicine and learning about medicine. Nick pharmacy word vomited all over him. I felt bad, but was secretly glad someone else got to learn from him.
After dinner and chatting for a while, we decided what better way to celebrate V-day (all together) than to watch a move. We selected Zach and Miri. I refuse to include the whole title in hopes that my blog wont show up in Google searches. Since I haven't done much movie reviewing, I don't have a rating system or anything, so I will just say that I did like the movie overall. Being a Kevin Smith film, the language and subject matter were expected. However I was quite surprised by some of the content. Not surprised that Smith put it there or that some of the actors went along with it, surprised that it made it into the film for viewing. It was pretty graphic. There was even full frontal male nudity for long enough to realize it was there, not just the flash that might happen in other movies where you have to think about it...this was obvious.
Moving past the surprising bits, it was a cute, "romantic comedy" type movie. I enjoyed the return of some of my favorite K. Smith movie actors. We decided to stick around for the deleted scenes. WOW! there was a full hour and a half of deleted scenes. Most of them were pretty funny, some were kind of pointless to include. Justin Long was great, but some of his deleted scene should have stayed deleted.
Like I stated, I have no official rating scale or anything, but I enjoyed the movie. It was a fun evening with awesome friends. What a great way to spend V-day!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Even better, its free!
Today was a long day, but offered many things to blog about. Yay!
I was trained and "worked" my first shift as a Volunteer in the Cancer Care Center at Regions. It was pretty interesting. I learned a bit about medicine and patient care. I also got to talk to some great people. Some of the benefits of being a volunteer is they comp the parking. Yay! I don't have to spend money to volunteer. The other is they give everyone a $4.50 voucher to use in the cafeteria. Today was a little odd because I started at 11 and was "scheduled" to stay until 4. I ate brunch before I left home. It was a filling pasta dish. I didn't actually get hungry until about 3:15. I decided at 3:30 it would be appropriate to leave. There were only 2 patients left in the "infusion area" and they were both well cared for and given drinks and snacks and blankets and pillows, there was no more for me to do. So I headed out. I went back to the volunteer office and collected my belongings and then headed, voucher in hand, to the cafeteria. Of course, they stop serving lunch at 2pm and don't start serving supper until 4:30. I decided the salad bar would be fine (it stays open). I got a decent salad and it rang up as $4.48... yes, I don't have to pay, and then headed to school.
I got to school and ate my salad. I saw a friend and chatted for a bit, then did some review for a test revision that we had today. This week is mid-term for Globe University/MSB. This being the case, they had "special stuff" happening a few days. Today was Baked Potato day. They provided (for free) a baked potato with many options for fixin's including chili and broccoli & cheese. I chose the broccoli and cheese because I realized recently I am pretty picky about my chili. Anyway, I had more of a meal for free, including the drink and cookie. We also got our registration packets for next quarter. Registration starts next week. Wow, that is quick. 6 weeks of school down already! This also means we got mid-quarter grades in. I have and A in composition and an A in Patient Care. Yay me! I am pretty proud of myself for doing as well as I am in both classes.
Once in class we had the chance to revise a test from a couple weeks ago before correcting it. I knew I missed several things so I had been studying them for the past few weeks. The test was 158 points. I got 150. Overall the class did not do so well, so I am very proud of how I did. With out the opportunity to revise, I would have missed 5-10 additional points. My instructor is pretty cool.
Speaking of my pretty cool instructor, when the instructor from the massage therapy class asked if the 5 of us could be used for practice for a massage tonight, she said "yes, we will end class early so they can be practiced on." Yes, I got out of class early and took advantage of the free massage. The fact that they were students wasn't a big deal to me. They were far enough along that it wasn't just the basic how to class. They were in a sports massage class. This meant the massage incorporated stretching too. It was really nice. It was free. What a great perk for being a student at a Globe campus that offers Massage Therapy. :)
I was trained and "worked" my first shift as a Volunteer in the Cancer Care Center at Regions. It was pretty interesting. I learned a bit about medicine and patient care. I also got to talk to some great people. Some of the benefits of being a volunteer is they comp the parking. Yay! I don't have to spend money to volunteer. The other is they give everyone a $4.50 voucher to use in the cafeteria. Today was a little odd because I started at 11 and was "scheduled" to stay until 4. I ate brunch before I left home. It was a filling pasta dish. I didn't actually get hungry until about 3:15. I decided at 3:30 it would be appropriate to leave. There were only 2 patients left in the "infusion area" and they were both well cared for and given drinks and snacks and blankets and pillows, there was no more for me to do. So I headed out. I went back to the volunteer office and collected my belongings and then headed, voucher in hand, to the cafeteria. Of course, they stop serving lunch at 2pm and don't start serving supper until 4:30. I decided the salad bar would be fine (it stays open). I got a decent salad and it rang up as $4.48... yes, I don't have to pay, and then headed to school.
I got to school and ate my salad. I saw a friend and chatted for a bit, then did some review for a test revision that we had today. This week is mid-term for Globe University/MSB. This being the case, they had "special stuff" happening a few days. Today was Baked Potato day. They provided (for free) a baked potato with many options for fixin's including chili and broccoli & cheese. I chose the broccoli and cheese because I realized recently I am pretty picky about my chili. Anyway, I had more of a meal for free, including the drink and cookie. We also got our registration packets for next quarter. Registration starts next week. Wow, that is quick. 6 weeks of school down already! This also means we got mid-quarter grades in. I have and A in composition and an A in Patient Care. Yay me! I am pretty proud of myself for doing as well as I am in both classes.
Once in class we had the chance to revise a test from a couple weeks ago before correcting it. I knew I missed several things so I had been studying them for the past few weeks. The test was 158 points. I got 150. Overall the class did not do so well, so I am very proud of how I did. With out the opportunity to revise, I would have missed 5-10 additional points. My instructor is pretty cool.
Speaking of my pretty cool instructor, when the instructor from the massage therapy class asked if the 5 of us could be used for practice for a massage tonight, she said "yes, we will end class early so they can be practiced on." Yes, I got out of class early and took advantage of the free massage. The fact that they were students wasn't a big deal to me. They were far enough along that it wasn't just the basic how to class. They were in a sports massage class. This meant the massage incorporated stretching too. It was really nice. It was free. What a great perk for being a student at a Globe campus that offers Massage Therapy. :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Just another manic Monday
I had the pleasure of hanging out with my nieces today. I had the morning to myself, so I got groceries and started on some of the prep/cooking that I needed to get done today. As mentioned in an earlier post, this week is Pheed the Pharmacists, so I had a little extra to prep. The girls arrived at my house around 2. Taryn was very tired and slept peacefully for a while. Micah was excited to watch Aerial until I mentioned that I had cookies to make. For the next half hour all I heard was "My wanna hewp make tookies." I finally got things cleaned up and set up to where we could start. We washed our hands and got the bowls and measuring cups and spoons...and of course the ingredients. Micah was so excited to make "tookies." She did help pretty well and I was surprised as the help of an almost 3 year old only made a slightly bigger mess than I usually do on my own. Her favorite was adding the cocoa powder. "My wove chocolate!" and then her favorite was adding the chips. And then her favorite was adding licking the spoon which of course I let her do. She fell asleep on the couch while the cookies were baking, but boy was she up and ready as soon as I told her cookies were done.
Like I mentioned, Micah is almost 3. Today I learned, no less than 8 times that she has a birthday coming up soon. She also explained that she has a birthday soon. She is going to Grandpa's so he can make her a Dora cake. I think she told me this 3 or 4 times. The next few times she told me about this great upcoming birthday, it was a princess cake that Papa was going to make for her. I asked her about the Dora cake she mentioned earlier. Her reply, "he can make boff of dem." I don't know if there really is a plan for Grandpa to make any cake and be here (or for them to be at Grandma and Grandpa's) but Grandpa has made the cake for her first two birthdays, why would this one be any different?
Despite hearing many stories many times, I really did enjoy my time with both of my nieces. Its fun to spend a day "playing."
Like I mentioned, Micah is almost 3. Today I learned, no less than 8 times that she has a birthday coming up soon. She also explained that she has a birthday soon. She is going to Grandpa's so he can make her a Dora cake. I think she told me this 3 or 4 times. The next few times she told me about this great upcoming birthday, it was a princess cake that Papa was going to make for her. I asked her about the Dora cake she mentioned earlier. Her reply, "he can make boff of dem." I don't know if there really is a plan for Grandpa to make any cake and be here (or for them to be at Grandma and Grandpa's) but Grandpa has made the cake for her first two birthdays, why would this one be any different?
Despite hearing many stories many times, I really did enjoy my time with both of my nieces. Its fun to spend a day "playing."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
new recipes
One of the things that you may or may not know about me, I like to collect and try new recipes. (blame that one on my Grandma) This isn't "weird" or "different" except I have quite a collection of recipes I have tried and like, and a huge collection of "new" recipes that I haven't tried yet. Despite this collection, I keep looking. I guess hoping to one day find "THE RECIPE." Anyway, I frequent Allrecipes.com to get ideas and new recipes and maybe a new twist on an existing recipe.
Tonight I was looking for a rice recipe. This week Wednesday for Pheed the Pharmacists (where I cook lunch for up to 10 of Nick's classmates) I am making enchiladas and wanted to make a Mexican rice with vegies in it. When searching, I almost always read the comments made on each recipe. I realized there are basically three types of people that post comments.
1. These people look at the recipe, make something that kind of resembles the original and then comment "this was a great recipe. I followed the recipe exactly except......." I always enjoy these comments as this gives me a great place to start when I make it.
2. The people that comment "this was great" or "This was no good" That's all they say and I have no way of knowing what was great or bad about it.
3. The third type of person is the person that says "This wasn't as good as I thought, I will keep looking for a better recipe." Now, I know there are a lot of people that don't cook like I do. I don't claim to be a wonderful cook, but Nick does claim that, so I will go with it. More than that though, I LIKE to cook. Sure I am disappointed when it doesn't turn out quite right, but I tend to find a way to improve it then. What would make this better? Maybe more of this, less of this or add some of that. I don't understand giving up totally on recipes if they don't totally hit the mark.
My exception to giving up on recipes has been Pad Thai. I have been searching for a little while to find a great recipe. I have one that is pretty darn good. I have tried 3 or 4 others. I am usually able to say what I don't like about those others...and move on to try another. If you have a GREAT recipe for pad thai pass it along.
Tonight I was looking for a rice recipe. This week Wednesday for Pheed the Pharmacists (where I cook lunch for up to 10 of Nick's classmates) I am making enchiladas and wanted to make a Mexican rice with vegies in it. When searching, I almost always read the comments made on each recipe. I realized there are basically three types of people that post comments.
1. These people look at the recipe, make something that kind of resembles the original and then comment "this was a great recipe. I followed the recipe exactly except......." I always enjoy these comments as this gives me a great place to start when I make it.
2. The people that comment "this was great" or "This was no good" That's all they say and I have no way of knowing what was great or bad about it.
3. The third type of person is the person that says "This wasn't as good as I thought, I will keep looking for a better recipe." Now, I know there are a lot of people that don't cook like I do. I don't claim to be a wonderful cook, but Nick does claim that, so I will go with it. More than that though, I LIKE to cook. Sure I am disappointed when it doesn't turn out quite right, but I tend to find a way to improve it then. What would make this better? Maybe more of this, less of this or add some of that. I don't understand giving up totally on recipes if they don't totally hit the mark.
My exception to giving up on recipes has been Pad Thai. I have been searching for a little while to find a great recipe. I have one that is pretty darn good. I have tried 3 or 4 others. I am usually able to say what I don't like about those others...and move on to try another. If you have a GREAT recipe for pad thai pass it along.
MMMM.....Fried Fish
Today Nick and I headed out to Carver County. My uncle has been fishing a lot over the last two months. That would be ice fishing for those of you that may not know how a Minnesotan might catch fresh fish. He has been stock piling them in his freezer and invited some of the family to enjoy them with him. They were SO good. I believe he said there were 120 filets, which were consumed by 12 members of the family. They were awesome with the homemade tarter sauce, with buffalo hot sauce, and plain with no sauce at all. And being the wonderful German, Lutheran family we are...there was plenty of other food: baked beans, German potato salad and cheesy potatoes, cole slaw and two types of dessert. It was nice to see the family for a little gathering. We also watched Smokey and the Bandit part 2 and the start of part 3 before we convinced the rest of the family that part 3 wasn't good, didn't have Bert so it wasn't worth it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)