Sweet Blog O'Mine

Author: Laren

  • Random Weekend Thoughts

    • My abs hurt so much from Friday's training session that it hurts to twist to either side.  Also hurts to sneeze.
    • Being around a dozen children is exhausting.
    • I'm still pretty convinced that I don't want to live in the suburbs.
    • When a child laughs at something you do, it makes you laugh too.
    • I'd like to make meusli to take to work for breakfast.
    • I wish my apartment had more light.  Since I can't install windows, will just have to buy lots of lamps.
    • Sleeping is a good thing.
    • My forks have seemed to slowly disappear over the years.  Where are they?
    • I am now officially in love with my slow cooker thanks to this short rib recipe.  Thanks, Bill!
    • I need to start buying smoked mozzarella from Alleva every now and then.  It's sooo good.

    That is all.

  • A New Beginning

    I already have goosebumps . . . can't wait to hear the speech, not to mention to have Obama running the country.  There's hope and change in the air, and I'm proud to be an American today!

  • Radio Silence

    Sorry about the radio silence, gang.  Somehow between little blips on Facebook and Twitter I think I've been posting here less.  Let's see, what's new with me?  If you've been following me at either one of those places, you may know that my brother bought me a slow cooker for Chanukah/Bday and I've been seriously debating the pros/cons vs. a traditional Dutch oven.  I've decided to take the plunge and keep it.  Certainly on a day like today, it would be amazing to come home to some slow-cooked short ribs that have been cooked to maximum tenderness and are ready when I walk in the door.  [Note:  it would be also be nice to come home to a meal that someone else has cooked for me; until that day, the slow cooker will be playing stand-in]. Other than that, have gotten some estimates for re-doing two of my closets (another lovely Chanukah/Bday gift, this time from Mom & Stephen) and am planning the dinner portion of a bachelorette shindig for this Saturday night.  And finally, am eagerly counting down the days until we have a sane person in the White House again!!

  • Why?

    Why must I insist on staying up late to watch my DVR'd Top Chef instead of going to sleep like a normal person?

  • Off the Grid

    Windowview

    I spent 4 1/2 days deep in the woods, and although I had cell phone service, I was pretty much off the grid the entire time.  I had a wonderful and relaxing time — it was a perfect way to ring in 2009.  I learned a few things about myself while I was there:

    • The caffeine from tea is enough to keep my coffee addiction under control when no coffee is available.
    • If I could nap every day, I'd be a happy camper.
    • I can live without indoor plumbing, at least for a short period of time.
    • The relief you feel after visiting the outhouse in 5 degree weather at 7 in the morning far outweighs the benefits of the continued warmth under the blankets when your bladder feels like it's about to burst.
    • I have learned to like gin, at least in cocktails.
    • Making a New Year's Resolution to curse more is fun for everyone.
    • I am happy that I have a habit of always bringing earplugs when I travel (there are some serious snorers out there).
    • I make a kick-ass apple pie.

    Some of the pictures are here — the ones with people in them have been redacted to protect the identity of the monkeys, with whom I was very happy to spend my New Year's weekend.

    PS — Congrats to the bearded one for winning the Beard-Off!

  • Belated Picture

    Well, not exactly.  I made another apple pie and remembered to take a picture this time:

    Pie

    I won't get to see how it came out until tomorrow, as I'm bringing it up to the wilds of Connecticut for a long New Year's weekend, full of good company and food.  When I come back, I'll catch up on some of the rest of the pictures that I haven't yet posted!  Happy New Year, all!

  • Starting My Next Year Off Right

    I began my 38th year with a trip to the gym — I feel younger already!  The rest of the day brings shopping and cooking for a very small dinner party tonight.  The guest of honor is a duck, which was given to me as a gift (someone knows how to win me over).  I've already received many birthday wishes — some thanks to the magic of Facebook — which are all making me smile.  I feel so lucky to have wonderful friends and family to help me usher in another year.  And the duck helps too. 

  • Holiday Checklist

    • Chanukah gifts — done
    • Wad of cash for the building staff — done
    • Granola— done (double batch!)
    • Toffee — done (although mangled half the batch, so will be distributing a lot less this year)
    • Eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, drink, lather, rinse, repeat — ongoing through New Year's
    • Fix up the GOD DAMN APARTMENT — ongoing, with furniture placement deadline/commencement of picture hanging by 12/30/08.  Includes trip to Ikea.
    • Relax — ongoing.

  • I Got Mad Pizza Skillz

    Pizza

    Well, they were always pretty decent, but now they are even better thanks to Mark Bello at Pizza A Casa.  I highly recommend his class!

  • Tiny Kitchens Rock

    Sure, I dream of a kitchen with scads of counter space, an island or other spot where my friends can hang out while I cook, and windows where the sun streams in, but that's not what I have.  My kitchen is the size of a suburban closet.  Yet, like Mark Bittman, I have to say, "so what?"  Having a small kitchen has never stopped me.  Turducken for 20?  Sure!  Thanksgiving in my law school dorm?  Bring it on!  Passover seder in my college dorm?  Why not!  Who cares if I use my hall table and sometimes even an ironing board to get the counter space I need — it all comes out just fine in the end.  There's even an extra element of pride about it — I made this feast out of my tiny kitchen, when there are people out there with huge gourmet kitchens who don't even cook.  Ever.  I'll still keep saving for the grand kitchen renovation, but in the meantime, I'll keep on cooking. 

    For another great take on tiny kitchens, check out the Tiny Kitchen video series from the NYT Moment blog (she has more counter space than I do!).