An obvious Failure.

Hello Readers,
If any of you have managed to hang on, I must say I'm honestly surprised. I have not been the most devoted blogger, which doesn't surprise you by now, I'm sure. I've been managing a restaurant lately, and as the title says, failing miserably.

To be honest, managing doesn't really trip my trigger. At all. The funnest part of my day isn't dealing with people anymore, it's drawing on our chalkboards... I haven't really been cooking because, let's face it, standing, bending, lifting, and making hot drinks all day from anywhere from 7-12 hours really does a number on the body. Especially when it's 2-3 weeks between "days off". (Please note the "", because honestly, calling me and working from home on the computer because I simply don't have the time to do these things at work, doesn't really count as off.)

My energy level has dropped to a mere 2/10 by the time I finish with work. Let's just say, biscotti hasn't been made in my home for a long time. In fact, dinner is a rarity. Poor Boyo has been forced to fend for himself out of our deprived refrigerator. Not having the energy to cook really limits grocery shopping.

Sitting here writing, I realize, I miss writing. I enjoy it. I enjoy eating. Cooking. Being out in the sunshine. Having days off. Having Weekends off to go places! To spend the entire day with Anthony, even if it's just walking around.

Right now, there's a disconnect between the world and myself. I haven't been able to think there's so much stress and need for things to be done. It's overwhelming.

Sorry, dear readers, I've turned into a whiney, egotistical bitch.

Moving passed:
Ate, for the first time at Blind Lady Ale House.
Had a marvelous Moules Frites; fresh mussels steamed in a white wine, then slathered in a wondrous fennel, leek, oregano, thyme, cream, and whole mustard sauce with slivered sweet onions that had been blanched in the sauce. The mussels were finely prepared, not overcooked and tough, and well washed. Just the mussels, steamed as they were, made my eyes close. The sauce, I felt, should have been thicker, richer to match, but it was watery and light. The flavor was nice, but you had to use the shell to scoop some out of the bottom of the bowl if you really wanted to taste it. Highly recommended at a mere $14.50 a bowl with the frites; salty and crispy on the outside with a variety of 3 sauces to dip in, a curry catsup, a white sauce of some mayonaise-lemony descent, and a tart thousand island colored one that, in comparison to the other two, was very mild and seemed to lack flavor, save that initial tartness.

We also helped ourselves to a Butternut squash Pizza. Also excellently prepared with a bechamel sauce, roasted squash, shitake mushrooms, fontina cheese, it's own herb medley, and fresh lemon zest for a clean, mildly sweet finish. It was delectable. The melding of the pungent shitake mushrooms with the creamy butternut squash and the bechamel hit all of my senses in a smooth wave of flavor. Priced at $16.50, it alone was the perfect size for two and very moderately priced for such a delicacy.

I had a Heavenly Hefe to accompany the meal and the light, cleanness kept the meal crisp and went well with the pizza and frites. The mussels weren't bad with it, either, but it didn't compliment as nicely.

+1 for Blind Lady. Besides being bicycle friendly, having goldsprints, and great beer selections, the food wows my senses.

Dear, well, You.

As you may have noticed, this blog hasn't been getting as much attention as, say, Voir L'amour's. It turns out, a lot of finding my passion stuff is about trying new things that would be cool to photograph! Well, alright, that's a lie, but it's keeping the blog post numbers up there, which is good, seeing as it's our photography business.

It's not that I don't want to post here, but they would be duplicates here and there, so I've been cleverly avoiding this blog. =[


Yoga:

I'm not flexible. In fact, I'm so stiff today I'm sore in random parts (like the ring finger on my right hand and my hips.) I found this amazing podcast awhile ago called YOGAmazing and it truly is amazing. =] It's about 10-30 minutes and is broken down into cute "lessons" like "Yoga for Runners" or "Yoga for Flexibility"... Today, I did "Yoga for Toning" thinking, "Yeah! I'm going to be a tough chick and do this tough yoga session while I'm so out of shape it literally hurts! Yeaah!"

Well, I did do and finish it, but let me tell you, fit I am not! Yoga, is fantastic. It centers me, grounds me, and whoops my butt. Into shape, that is.

With the podcast, it's there when I need/want it (even at 12:13am) and doesn't cost anything-- Wait. What?! It's free?!! Heck yeah!! <3

So, sore and energized, I'm going to do another episode. =]

Peace inside! And outside!

Mehk

Back from a long list of successes and Failures. =P Have made about 8 recipes from MAFC and they have all turned out superbly! (Even when curiously, I have substituted fish or tofu in a small dish for myself, but following the recipe otherwise exactly with Boyo's meal.)

We made Molded Eggs with spinach and a béarnaise sauce on my birthday (the 7th) and am now experimenting with chocolate chip cookies from this random cookbook for kids. (Which every recipe is doused with sugar and butter and deliciousness! I can't help but make them!)

Hmm, let's see.

Boyo and I have gone on Day-cations and Work-cations. This image above is from a random ride through the countryside on my motorcycle. It was quite an adventuresome day.<3

Then of course, Easter =] Above is Boyo showing TJ (my adorable nephew!) the pictures on his camera from earlier that day and TJ is naming off everyone in the picture (Ama, Mommy, Tia, Papi... )

Lastly, a family photo. This is probably my favorite one, but the sun decided to come out and blow out the details on half of our faces, but it's still my favorite. =}

New computer

First off, forgive the infrequent posts lately. My personal computer decided it wasn't going to connect to the internet (come to find out it's on recall because this is an unrepairable issue). The nvida chip, thing, has blown a gasket! (see how techy I am? =P Gasket...)

Spending a lot of time "off" as well as offline. Two days in a row most days! Not necessarily relaxing with a book and lavender lemonade, but close! Yesterday was a cookin' day. Awoke to attempt of poached eggs a la Julia (which didn't quite hold because they weren't fresh enough and I left them in the hot water in their shells 10 seconds too long and they began to hard boil. =[ Oh.)

Went to work. Came home, started a slow rising bread about 7pm, while waiting for the first rise, I made an orange cod and bok choy stir fry with rice noodles. Which turned out decently. The recipe called for beef, not fish, and I thought I had tofu when I started the marinade. Ah well, frozen cod to the rescue!

Finished up the bread around midnight-1am. It's a whole wheat and oats bread with molasses and almonds. Snuck a piece last night and it was pretty tasty. Definately the fluffiest bread I have made. Must be because I'm actually using bread flour not a whole wheat. Which! Come to realize, my favorite whole wheat flour was not all-purpose!

Success! I also whipped up a bit of lavender honey and vanilla butter for this mornings enjoyment. =]

See a trend? In a lavender mode I guess!

And now boyo is up and I must start the day with delicious coffee (with half and half) and some warm bread. =}

Ciao!

I've stumbled, in more ways than one!

I've stumbled into some old doodles of mine I'm thinking of resurrecting. Possibly doing mini animations once a month. (notice the large span of time I'm giving myself on 1 animation!)




Above: I have an obsession. That obsession is with monsters. Personal monsters. Everyone has something they'd rather not talk about and we carry it in our subconscious, a lead on our judgments. In my series, everyone's monsters are depicted somehow. They interact with them, it becomes a sort of familiar.... This is mine.



Coffee..... =}

How else I stumbled, well, just let my mouth run ahead of my mind.

Above: A drawing in style of a good friend of mine back in highschool. Thanks, Danny =]

I've done a painting or two, but no drawings lately and it's become a bit odd. I've found myself wanting to doodle, but am a bit out of practice. Imagine that! No notebooks to scribble on the ledges with! Ah, phooey.

Sleepless Sunday

Good evening, Folks.

Let's just say my worries are getting the better of me, tonight. Getting the photography business up and running is just as hard as everyone claims (of course). It feels like I accomplished nothing today because at the end, we are no where closer than yesterday. =[

That aside, I have an obsession with lolita clothing. So much so that I aspire to make myself the clothing. However, the patterns I've scrounged for are mainly in Japanese and about 2 sizes too short.

If I could make myself these clothings, had I the skill and the money for materials, I would be dolled up and decked out as often as possible. Even in cold weather! There are adorable coats to throw over cutsey dresses with bows and frills. It would look like a little girl dressed me up every day as her larger than life toy. And I would relish in every frilly moment.

Granted, I love climbing trees (we should do that tomorrow!) and hiking. Wearing boots and getting dirty! Crawling around on the floor to take pictures or just because the rug looks so inviting when boyo is lying there... temptingly. >}

It's elegant, classy. Cute and reminiscent of more cultured times. The extra few layers would, I feel, inspire manners, doors opened, pleases and thank yous. Others to stand up straighter and smile a bit truer (not only laughing at my frilly cupcake of a self, but because they'd recognize a dream inacted!).

Oh, sleepless dreamer. How your idea(l)s mock you.

Most off, I long to photograph strange scenes in these elegant pieces. With confetti falling, black and white. A bit of hand coloring and a slightly demented feel. Something is... off. No eyes, faceless beauties. Seemingly in ordinary life wandering the streets and unobserved by others. Something is taking place. A lift off the ground. Were those streaks really raindrops? A pastel pink. An all gray world. A vision that haunts me. Needs to get out of my head.

High collared wonders with plumes and tapered legs, sitting in a cafe with her hat askew. Green and black, with wisps of gray frothing from her sleeves and her decorative cup of brew. Stripes, a high backed chair, a discarded parasol. What's happening here? This one is underdeveloped.

I am awake. Yearning to create. Longing to see what I've been seeing in my mind. Create. The clothes, the scene, the mood, your feelings. The photograph.

Everyday has moments I long to capture, had only I the means to not be in my head.

Butter and Cheese

The beautiful thing about cooking, is you can sit down and tell all your worries to the squishy, semi-cold butter that's helping to create something tasty. You can vent at the block of cheese you're grating. They will never tell your woes. And it will be delicious.

Granted, I don't actually talk to my food. But it helps knowing that it's going somewhere. That it all will melt away and leave you with something warm, aromatic and scrumptious.

Baking when you're upset, at least biscotti or scones for me, always makes me feel better. Cooking, on the other hand, can get just plain nasty! Ever hear the phrase, "How you feel affects the food you're making"? Not my baking. =} And lately, not my cooking.

Anyhow, I won't bore you anymore. Here are some images from the past few adventurings. Ending with today's scones and the recipes. Enjoy.




Ham and Cheesy Scones:

1 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. pepper
1-2 dashes of hot sauce (i.e. Tabasco)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 c. cubed ham
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. diced onion
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 large egg yolk
Grated cheddar cheese (amount varies to your tolerance)

-Pre-heat oven to 400*F. Sift the first 5 ingredients into a medium bowl and set aside. Separate out the egg yolk and in a small bowl, whisk with the heavy cream until well blended. Add the cubed ham, parmesan, and diced onion to the dry ingredients. With a fork, fold in the egg-cream mixture into the dry ingredients until all is moist. Be careful not to over work.

Once dough is formed, remove onto a lightly floured surface. (I use a pastry mat on my kitchen floor!) Knead the dough a few times with your hands, incorporating a bit more flour if too sticky. Roll out into a circle and cut in half, then in quarters, and finally into eighths. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and place them on, giving at least an inch between each slice. Brush the tops with a bit more cream and place grated cheddar cheese atop.

Bake 15-18 minutes until the cheese is nicely melted and the exposed tops are a light brown.
Let cool and enjoy. =}


To be posted:
Salmon, chive, and neuf chatel scones. <3

"Lost in your Arms" goodness

I'm a hopeless, irrevocably, inexcusable, sappy, dreamy-eyed romantic. Part of me wants notes scattered with petals on the floor and for you to always call me Beautiful. Not babe. To be swept off my feet and hear something akin to I am the blood in your veins. The marrow in your bones. I am a part of you as you are a part of me. Forever.

Granted, this on-spurt of romantic goo is probably because of the old dime novels I've been devouring lately. Ah, Julia Quinn. Why do you make that sort of love seem so attainable?

Have you ever blushed so hard your ears burned?

Made scones today. With white chocolate and apricots. Made boyo chicken a la Julia Child for lunch. Now it's dinner time and I'm thinking something Italian. Perhaps I'll just run over and pick up some pizza. Or make what we have here. That would be fine as well. =}

American-esque

Let me begin by stating the past few cooking attempts after the biscotti have been nearly disastrous. Somehow, they scrounged by without being horrid, but even I didn't want the leftovers. I made a miso soup with udon noodles and it turned out bitter, sour, salty and sweet. It wasn't bad... but it wasn't good either. Following for dessert was my recently famous eggnog. Only, we were both a little chilled (sickly so) so I opted to try heating it up to just barely above body temperature.

Well, you can guess where that went. Neatly into the trash. Again, it wasn't bad, but it turned into a custardy pudding. Not the creamy, hot, rich drink I had in my mind. Blehk. Then (probably just to me) the nutmeg on top tasted peppery. Peppery! I double checked to be sure it was nutmeg... it was.

So, what's so American-esque, you ask? Why, tonight's dinner, of course! Boyo had some baked potatoes in the oven already and we had some sweet corn that needed to be used.

Forgive me, but let me be the first to say that I am a bit slow when it comes to the obvious in life. I scoured my mind thinking how on earth I was going to tie in baked potatoes, corn on the cob and something with protein (boyo's suggestion) in together.

Tofu + tempura + baked potato? Nah.

Tofu + Bok Choy + stir fry + baked potato? Nope.

Tofu + fried rice + pineapples + baked potato? Ick!

Then it finally hit me. BBQ...

Only, I don't have any BBQ sauce and I have no catsup or tomato sauce/paste/base. Not even fresh ones!

What I did have was a delicious Peach Salsa I'm addicted to. So guess what I made?

Peach-a-que Sauce! How did I make it you ask? Well, let me show you. Forgive my measurements, I tend to do everything by eye and not by cup. =P So these are my guestimates.

Peach-a-que Tofu:
Sauce:
2/3 cup Smoky Peach Salsa (mine was from Fresh and Easy)
1/8 cup Apple Cider Vinager
1/2 cup Brown Sugar (don't pack it! )
2 dashes of Oregano
2 tsp. White Pepper (you can use black, too)
1/2 tsp Cumin (less is better than more!)
2 dashes Paprika
2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 cup Water
1/2 shot Espresso

Tofu: slice 1/2 inch thick and normal width "planks"

** Bring all of the ingredients of the sauce to a boil over medium heat and allow to condense down and thicken stirring occasionally. Once it's about 1/3 condensed, throw in tofu and cover. Reduce heat to a medium-low. Give the pot a good shake every few minutes to keep the tofu coated and to prevent burning.

For the baked potatoes, I mixed 2 green onions cut into pieces with what I had left of sour cream with an equal portion of greek yogurt. I left the corn whole, blanched in hot water. No butter.

Once finished, I set our floor spots and had boyo crack open a Brewski (right?) and viola! Il est américain!

Quite tasty for a slow brain's work. =] I hope you enjoy, lovelies. <3

Biscotti Mornings

Today I woke up and decided to cook. =] I realized how much I've really missed cooking and so biscotti started it again. Then wheat pancakes (I'd forgotten the baking soda until about 1/2 way through. Guess who ate the flat cakes? Moi!) and a spinach-scallion omelette with white pepper and to top is all off, a mild pure maple syrup. I am now a true adorer of omelettes a la Julia Child. Creamy and rich inside and not quite cooked rock hard. Gooey wonders. <3 Granted, they are pretty rich with the butter, but one or two a week and they are marvelous!





I've been taking a lot of advice from Julia the past few times I have cooked. Not often lately because of a nasty cold which, after 2 weeks, is still lingering about. I must admit that even to myself, my own cooking when not following her recipes, has improved.

Here is a sneak peak into our fridge to see what I'm working with! It's usually not this full, but we went shopping yesterday and what a sight it is to behold. <3

(Above: Shameless advertising for F&E.)Isn't that fruit just the cutest! I wanted a small one anyhow and lo-and-behold, a little heart shaped guayabana.

I realize that I don't post any of my photography here beyond my attempts. If you're ever curious to see what that's up to, visit www.voirlamour.blogspot.com.

And now, I must be getting ready for work. Adieu!

Can we glue it back on?

Today was one of those days that you sit down and think, "Why the hell didn't today go well? I felt great!" (well, minus the cough, sneezing and runny nose.)

For those of you who don't care fine. You've come to the wrong place. For those of you that do, even better.

Day started at 1AM when I awoke dehydrated to find boyo unable to sleep again. He said he'd come to bed soon so I went to bed. Only to wake up at 4AM (he's asleep, thankfully), then 6AM. Then 6:50AM, then 7:40AM to finally misread the clock and think it's 9 o'clock, but it wasn't and I woke boyo up. Hurrah. =[ It was 8 o'clock.

Ah well, we all have those, just get up and go, right? Reading The Rainmaker and it told me something along the lines of, "don't drink coffee because you'll spill it on yourself and the stain will distract your customer." Did I mention I was meeting with a model to set up a shoot today?

The website we used was freaking out, so as it was working, I sent her a message verifying today. No response last night so I figured I'd text in the morning. She had my number if she wasn't showing, no big deal. Quick text, "Can't make it." But nothing. So, all dressed up, I take a final sip of my coffee and it dribbles down my chin and all over the front of my sweater... shirt. Thing.

Get to the coffee shop, realized we hadn't had breakfast we get a sandwich, which was pretty tasty! Sundried tomatoes, regular tomatoes, a bit of mayo, onions, a little mustard, mozzarella cheese AND chedder . Toasted. Oh yeah. Tasty!!

Send the model a text and, whoops! She's can't make it. For legitimate reasons, mind you! We plan on rescheduling and off we go. Some hours later, boyo and I get indian food. It's pretty tasty as well and the ladies behind the counter are in a good mood today. I smile and spicy, delicious veggies are all mine! With ginger beer! Punjabi Tandoor on Activity Road. A must have. A crave!

Off to home, nearly bursting at how quickly we devoured our food and off we go again, this time, to get me to work. Which wasn't bad! Mind you I overheard that the restaurant owners are ready to call it quits and confirm this rumor going around. but ah well. Oh and an issue with W2's.

Come home to find our picnic table destroyed. A nasty mess. Watched a bit of photographer's videos and relax on the floor with my love and I decide, (because I've been thinking of getting my hair cut and because his hair was bugging him so much that he was pulling it out), to cut his hair.

Just to try what the hair clippers manual said vs. the video I watched last time, I used the clippers and kept them on the very long side, to be safe. I like his hair on the longer side.

Let's just say, people may give us a military discount now. Without asking for I.D.

Yes, lovelies, I chopped it off. No intentionally, but again, he doesn't care how his hair is.

I am sad for him. I sincerely wished to pick it back off the floor and put it back. To close my eyes and hope it never happened. It really does make my heart heavy. I know it's just hair, and I know it shouldn't bug me as much as it always has, especially getting my own hair cut, but boyo's? It makes me feel like our pet hamster died.

(and we don't even have a hamster.)

The weather is under Me!

Alright, possibly not so funny. Especially since every two minutes... well, never mind. =]

A new endeavor to strike upon! The area of being a food critic! Ta-DA!! I'm a food critic anyway at heart, from taste as the flavors roll over my tongue (or assaults it) to the texture, the service, to the feeling as we're walking out. Yet another adventure to stick to. I hope it does!

After sneaking in a few of Julia's recipes and making up a good amount of decent dishes at home boyo and I decided to have a Date Night. We looked on Yelp! for a good place to go and since we both love asian food (japanese... thai... yum!) we found Tajima's over in Clairemont. What a horrible endeavor.

Apparently two people thought my food review was funny, so here it is:

Went there [the other] night. It was an abomination to call that good food. Quite the opposite, actually. It was more like bad americanized fast-food of some asian decent!

We ordered the creamy scallops, which had the barest piece of scallop, but was a heavy filling of a deep fried mush of mayonnaise and corn. To be dipped in BBQ sauce, none-the-less! The squid that we had was chewy, old and the fryer oil must not have been changed in at least a few days because it tasted dirty. Like it was fried in the sludge at the bottom!

The green tea was pre-sweetened with Honey (yuck!) and service was absolutely horrid. And I mean horrid! Not one table touch, my glasses were empty from 5 minutes from getting them until we left without an offer to refill, I flagged down a server and told them the food was disgusting and she walked away and finally refilled the hot tea as she dropped off the check... Uhh... No.

Oh, the main course. First off, it was a seafood Yaki of some sort with egg noodles, but tasted more like a mcdonalds patty drenched in mayonnaise and more BBQ sauce. Secondly, there was this weird onion skin THING on top that, I kid you not, WAS MOVING. I asked what it was when I complained about the food and never got a response. The food was room temperature and may have been someone else's reject from an hour before. I kid you not, that was the flavor, texture, and temperature.

We dropped a good amount for that disgusting portion of mayonnaised-BBQ badness and didn't tip. Maybe the ramen and soups are the only things that aren't drenched in mayonnaise that's not listed ANYWHERE on the menu.

If I could rate this a Zero, I would. It ruined a perfectly good date night as we left hungry, dissatisfied and thoroughly grossed out.

Failures

Boyo's picnic roast is finally going to be made today! (After 5 days of marination). It's a long process it seems, with 2 hours of prepping just the sauce for it to cook in, but we'll see.

I made him the other day, (unsure if I mentioned it), a slab of the ham that I had cut off for him to enjoy, with green onions, port, sherry and cognac. He said later that it was the best pork he's ever had. Boo yeah! Thank you, Julia.

I have recently become fixed on greek yogurt. The tangy sour cream-esque flavor mixing with my healthy cereals, giving them a sweet and creamy flavor. It takes the bite out of my coffee and it oh so addicting.

A small inspiration. =] I hope you let little things inspire you, too.

When you're frustrated with something, or karma tells you with a strong signal that you should step away, you should listen to that impulse.

After cutting through the cord of my computer with a pair of nastily dull scissors, after following a youtube type step-by-step video of this little old woman and her advice on how to make a nice slipcover for your nasty old couch and screwing it up so bad it is now a Sally themed Tim Burton couch, after you finally see and the words swirl around your head "Congratulation! It's a Clown." rings ridiculing in your mind. You really should stop.

Did I? Of course not.

Now my couch is covered, but don't move it too far from the radio or you'll see my major error and frustration that I didn't even bother to sew. Most of the couch is tucked it, which doesn't look bad and thankfully, there is tons of space to. The bottom, which I was going to get some velcro for, because Ikea thankfully put a strip down there for their own slipcovers, I realized was stapled. Yes. Stapled on with nothing more than paper staples, not even upholstery staples! So, I followed suit, angrily slapping the underneath of the couch with the stapler, warning off my boyo whenever he got too close.

I stepped away. First for lunch, then for pie.

That was the best move I've done all day.

So if you happen to come in, don't stare too closely at my couch. Just note the colors, the pillows and take a seat. Speaking of, I'm working on the pillows now and better get back to it. Boyo is snapping pictures of me and I'm certain I'm glaring in at least half of them. Here are the pictures for today! Enjoy. >[



This is the final result. Mind you, it was white and yes, I know there are wrinkles, but it just needs to be tucked in a little more.

The material: All of it was $2.00 The gray material is silk I found it at a thrift store for a buck. The red material was free because it was someone's scraps and the beigh was a buck as well at a swap meet. Can't beat the prices! The most expensive thing was the batting for the pillows which totaled around $26.00 for 2 24oz bags and 2 12oz bags. (I don't know why I didn't buy another 24oz, the thought is just occurring to me. It made sense with the 2 large pillows and 2 small ones theme. Ah well. Same price.)
Total work time: 10 hours.

Lesson: Buy the damn slipcover next time.

Coconut Rice and disinterested days

My new default dish is Coconut rice. Today we're having it with shrimp. Don't get me wrong, it's delish! I could eat it just about every day, but it's become my go-to. The pot roast of my childhood days.

Remember childhood? Mine was complicated and simple. Meals were one of four dishes when it was made at home. Otherwise, and most likely, we ate out. Ranking number 1 was Pot Roast (with baby carrots, onions, yukon potatoes, green onions, and sometimes mushrooms (or other random add-ins that had to be used) with white rice and corn. Number 2. Beef stew with white rice- it was almost like a gravy soup, really... Number 3. Corned beef hash- out of a can, but seasoned tastily- with white rice and corn. Number 4. Sandwich night (blts or burgers or pb-and-js).

Thrown in were random Breakfast-for-Dinner nights and we'd have waffles and pancakes. Dessert-for-Dinner nights- once every few months we'd go to Basken Robins and get sundaes. If we were too broke to eat out, it was M.I.Y. (make it yourself) which were usually cereal, omelets, sandwiches or, if you were daring like me, leftovers.

We were out of the house a lot when we were kids (my younger brother, older sister and I). My sister and I played sports year-round (softball, baseball, soccer, basketball (her), volleyball (me), fieldhockey (her), drama (me)) so we usually ate terribly at the ball fields or concession stands. We'd bring more sandwiches and chips and gatorade, fruits and sunflower seeds. Drink slushies and run amok with sugar highs and crashes, games and just being brats- err... kids.

So, will this trend of making coconut rice continue? If I ever have kids, will they groan at the thought of having it again? I don't know. I like to cook too much and although it's an easy and relatively cheap dish, I like to think I'll be more creative.

But then again, I am doing it now as a default for boyo and I.

And the cycle continues. =P

Work and Play-Work

Let me use this space to grumble and growl over the amount of time I'm spending at my place of business only to come home and do more work, play-work this time, on the computer. Hours upon endless hours starting at a blindingly white screen.

Speaking of which, why don't I turn it down? Ahh, much better. =D

What's frustrating is having a computer that doesn't agree or comply with your wishes. For example: I tried to open Flash. It crashed (the program did). So I reopened it. It told me Flash needed more memory, so I shut everything down and restarted it again. It called me funny names and crashed again. It crashed 1/2 way through a project (which I made the mistake of not saving) and now! Close to the end of my photo gallery, it's refusing to create a motion or even a classic tween in AS 2.0 (which I was using alright last week) and not following any of the commands I'm requesting of it! Like scrolling! >.< Grrr!!

It's all fun and games, both jobs, but one leaves my legs sore, my feet achy and my left wrist with a hallow pain. The other burns my eyes, makes me sleepy and gives me a funny crink in my neck.

I'm strangely disconnected as I'm connected in this web and today, nothing is working right. I'm tired, still hungry after eating and am seriously contemplating a glass of either sherry or port.

And the biggest piece of chocolate pie you can imagine.

Cooking:
Haven't been doing much lately. My mind has been elsewhere. However, inspired by MtAoFC (Mastering the Art of French Cooking), I am marinading a picnic roast (pork) for my boyo in a yummy smelling garlic-wine... soup. =}

We were supposed to attempt a Quiche du fruits de Mer, but I don't feel like making the pastry shell. Terrible, isn't it?

/Sigh* Ah well. Time to stop whining.

Side-note:
Have I mentioned my "day-job" is said to be going out of business? I must say said to be because, while they have told some regulars, the owners have yet to tell any employees. When asked about it, they either shrug or exclaim "We're not closing yet!"
*cough*
The latest news from the grapevine is we close on Feb. 10th when the lease is up. We've all been looking for other jobs halfheartedly because we enjoy working there, with each other! But put job hunting as the whipped cream to the top of my pie and, darlin' I'm wiped.

However, tomorrow is an estate sale close to where we live. Please, oh please have been a photographer and have either a rollieflex or a hasselblad for $10!

Trying new things

Tips for cutting your man's hair:
1) If going without shoes, take off your socks! The cut hair clings to them and turns them into furballs. An interesting sensation as you walk around the kitchen!

2) Don't be intimidated. It gets surprisingly soothing.

3) Use the clippers on the side of the head, too. I'm a fan of using the scissors now, but the clippers are great because it creates a short, even pattern.

4) The clippers cut the hair really, really short. Even the higher numbers, which makes sense. I thought my boyo was going to be a 4, but went with a 6 to keep it on the long side (in case I made a mistake) and that was the length I had wanted it at to begin with.

5) Hopefully your boyo is amazing like mine and doesn't really care what his hair looks like, so long as it looks good. I most definitely was not going for any particular style, and probably wont for a couple more cuts, but I wanted it to look presentable and sort of fit how I like his hair. It turned out well, but if he'd wanted spikey hair or a certain style, errm... that would have been lost on me. As you I imagine, too! If it's the first time you're cutting hair.

6) Make sure what ever you're using to cover him stays closed. Otherwise there will be a huge line of hair down his back.

7) Don't use hair detangler... =P I didn't have a spray bottle so I used a hair detangler spray that I have to wet his hair... It left his hair almost greasy and pretty nasty to the touch. It didn't stay damp long and just got worse the wetter I tried to get it. Luckily, it turned out well. And we showered afterward.

[[Edit]]
8) Be sure to check that the side burns are straight. =P
9) Shave all the way around the crown. Don't forget the sides. xD It looks silly if you do.

Not a day off yet!

What a long, refreshing and tiresome day today has been. I haven't eaten one thing from my house today. Everything has been "road food" here in my own city.

While my computer fixes itself and loads the images of today, here is the story.

Woke up around 7:30AM to a delicious giant cup of steamy chocolatey coffee made by the love of my life. Nothing tastes better than a sip of coffee the minute you wake up. I kid you not!

The reason we were up so unbelievably early today was a photoshoot! This restaurant I'm in with is allowing us to shoot there, so long as we do it before they open and not get in the way. Rockin! We had a model and it was all green from there. =] Started shooting around 9AM after more coffee and a breakfast debate. I put on some tunes on the overhead radio and got into it. That finished up around 10:40-11 ish and we were all pretty hungry.

Got breakfast at a small cafe called Influx off Broadway. Meal numero uno. After that, I had to dash into work for about 2 hours because this large party was supposed to come in. Luckily, they never showed because we got slammed and the owners, who are normally assisting the other girl, didn't show up. Lucky chance I was called in. On my only day off. It wasn't bad.

After work, sugar levels were beginning to dwindle so, after wandering a thrift store, Boyo and I grabbed a late lunch, about 3pm at this awesome little place called Senor Mangos. Eating in the car, we raced to our next photoshoot with another girl over in Mission Trails. Dragging around a our equipment and Boyo barefoot, we shot in tall grasses, attacked by knats, grasshoppers trying to jump between toes and, eventually, mosquito.((such a funny looking word.))

After, we went with our model to a sushi place and, while not hungry from our late lunch, decided it rude not to eat. After reviewing the menu, we ended up ordering far too much food, but laughed, talked and ate the time away.

Finally, at 8:25PM, we are home. Shoes are off, pictures are being uploaded and all is quiet and still. such a blessed sound. No cars racing or kids shouting, no dogs barking (which is a rarity in our house. Our neighbors dogs are terrible), no drunk college people (another bad neighbor, not with the barking dogs), and no talking. It's bliss. <3 Sometimes, you just need to rest and now is that chance.

*Phew!*

Dedication. Dedication!!

I am going to try to work with more dedication for this blog.

First off, let me inform you of a few lovely facts. Anthony and I are getting the wheels turning, the ball moving and the layout set for our photography business. Thus far, I've designed our business cards, made our website, created templates for posting our... desire to work out there, have picked out the images I need to retouch for our Events page and, have been inspiring myself by looking at wedding photography.

Mainly models in wedding dresses. So mainly, wedding dresses.

It makes me sigh a heartfelt one as I see piles of lace and glass beadings, low-cut backs, vintage hairstyles, and properly fitted gowns. Then you see frills everywhere! The mermaid cut, the princess cut, the Asymmetrical cut, the list goes on! And it makes me dream and yearn to wear such finery! Why shouldn't they be for everyday?

Oh yeah... $6,000+. Well, should only we feel so fine for those moments in our dresses as in our everyday clothes!

Such brings me back to my inspiration from these images. I've been looking at a lot of Wedding Photographers shooting brides in their dresses, never really showing the dress and the bride in all her glory, but rather bits and pieces of her, or from very far away. The dress is demeaned by detail shots being taken off a hanger in a window instead of following the gentle curve of her waist, or graciously adorning her neckline.

Yes, it is the bride in all her natural glory on her wedding day. That's what it's about and the dress is a major part of that! How many sessions, salons, racks, magazines were gone through to find the One. It seems as daunting as finding her boyo!

Couldn't a bit of time be spent crafting an image that shows her hard work and love? The rest of the day is shown in such dedication!

That's just my outlook on it. Give it what two cents you will.

On a different tangent...
So, I have been cooking! Tonight, for my boyo, I made tri-tips in a red wine sauce with sweet potato fries and snap peas. Being vegetarian, I didn't try any of it, which makes cooking a bit difficult for me. I'm so used to cooking by taste that I find myself imagining the flavor with the smell and guessing what it needs from there. It's a fun exercise.

He gave it 3 out of 4 forks. The meat,unfortunately, came out more of a medium than a medium-rare as I'd, quite frankly, just forgotten it in the oven for a few extra minutes. There was a thick piece that was closer to it that, in his opinion, "...would have blended the dish well together," as the sauce was "dry".

I understand. I can picture it, the taste, the blend of the flavors, the textures. Imagining it doesn't make me want it, just allows me to experience it. I've been a full-blown vegetarian/sometimes vegan/ pescitarian for 3 years and counting. It's been an adventure learning to cook various foods without tasting them.

I may have mentioned before, but I'm not for "turning" anyone. If you are, good for you! If not, then that's fine, too. =] I believe, you believe, lets be happy!

Hmm... oh, I had a sun dried tomato with basil... mulch.... erm... stew? Hydrated with more yummy Merlot. It had garlic and onions and was delish. I melted some cheese on a tortilla and stuffed some sweet potato fries in there. It was fantastic! For a random, throw-things-together-so-you-have-something-to-eat-besides-fries-and-peas dinner, it gets a 3 out of 4 fork rating as well.

Speaking of from now on, I'm going to try rating all of my meals with a 4 fork rating system. My adventures on a 10 point system. And sewing... well... let me actually get started on that again before I dig a hole for myself. =}

Procrastination

Not that I haven't been cooking and exploring, dear readers. Heavens no. Just the holiday season hit and so did the work rush. The jacket hasn't progressed any since the last post, so I blew my deadline, and the cooking. Well, I'm still whipping things up, just not the cakes I've been imagining. =[

Here are some of the latest endeavors and some old photographs to tide you over with. =]




[Above] This is Heather. =]

[Above] Self Portrait

[Above] I'm an active listener to a radio show called "A Prairie Home Companion". Let's face it, Garrison Keiler is an amazing story teller. "It's been a quiet week in Lake Woebegone, Minnesota my hometown," he begins my favorite segment.

"Where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children above average." There's a big deal made about Cheddar cheese and butter and, well, anything delightfully "Minnesotan". My love is from around and abouts there and it's always fun to listen to and poke fun at.

Anywho! There is a big deal made about Cheddar cheese... on pie. Hot, steamy apple pie. "Oh, the delicacies!" as Garrison Keiler would say. So on our last trip to Julian, we decided to give it a try.

Sadly, it wasn't all we'd hoped it would be. It may be a good blend, but it wasn't. Maybe the pie was too cold and the cheese wasn't melted enough. Maybe it wasn't a good cheese or a good pie. Perhaps neither according to my rapidly increasing difficult to please taste buds. It wasn't half bad with the ice-cream, too. But a bit too much fat for my stomach to be happy with. I'd rather just take a cup of coffee, pale. Cream only. Thanks =]


I have this intrigue with graffiti. Especially when people try to scrub it off and it doesn't say or mean anything. It's alluring.

This was a butternut squash soup with a nut pesto. It was quite tasty, if I must admit. This was almost a month ago. =[


A randomly inspiring sewing machine I found at a thrift store. Trying to get myself to sew again! I keep dreaming of the jacket as a finished product.

This was Tempura night. Nothing special. We had a tempura mix packet which wasn't very good, so I attempted to add some tastiness to it... And failed. It wasn't bad, though! I also made a sweet-soy-sake sauce to dip it in. Now that was delicious. =}



If you haven't guessed it by now, I'm a sucker for sweet foods. Just not candy-like foods.