Do You Smell Something Burning?

To Do in (what's left of) September

I have set some ambitious goals for myself to complete in the remainder of September.  Here's my list:

1. Make a binder for all my owner's manuals, as inspired by Benita Larsson.

2. Organize my "junk drawer" so that all the useful bits stashed in there can actually be found, and used.

3. Take down old shelves on living room wall and replace.

4. Organize the cabinet under the bathroom sink.

5. Organize the bottom cabinets in the kitchen.

6. Clean out the trunk of my car (gotta do this one before it gets cold!)

7. Clean all light fixtures.

8. Clean the oven and microwave.

9. List all items I need to dispose of on freecycle. 

10. Out with the old tv stand, and in with the new.

Wish me luck!  

Back.

I'm back from my unintended blog hiatus.  It seems like I've gotten behind or dropped the ball on a lot the last month or so.  Now it's time to get motivated and play catch-up!

baby birds have arrived!

The birds who've nested on my balcony now have their babies!  They must have hatched while I was at my mom's.  I haven't been able to get a good look at them yet, so I don't know how many there are or anything.  I tried to be discreet while hanging over them up on my stepladder with my camera, but that didn't really work out.  So, I hurried it up and got back inside.  I'll continue to spy on them through the blinds, though, and hopefully I'll get a better peek at the babies!

 

  You can see the baby tucked up under her mama's wing.

 

Close-up shot of the baby.  Isn't that amazing?

 

Daddy bird watching from the tree.  He comes and switches places with the mama when she needs to go find food.

doggie-sitting

Henry and Sam 

My mom called today to say she needs me to come and house-sit and take care of her dogs later this week for a few days.  So, now I need to unpack from being there last weekend and get packed up again.  I don't mind because it's very relaxing staying at her house, and it's nice being close to my grandmama.  Alex will be very happy because he loves my mom's dogs.  The only downside is that she lives in the middle of nowhere, so I'll have to find ways to entertain myself.  I plan to do some knitting and watch a movie or 10, and most exciting of all. . . read the new Sookie Stackhouse book! 

That's right!  Sookie Stackhouse book #9 came out today!  I was going to rush out and get it and devour it all tonight, but now I'm going to hold out so I can read it while I'm at my mom's. 

Ooohh - speaking of books, I joined a foodie book club.  I've missed their first book, but for April we're reading A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg, which I've seen and wanted to read, but never got around to it.  Ashley at (never home)maker put the whole foodie book club together.  It's going to be exciting!!  I've always wanted to be in a book club (reach for the stars, Courtney!).  So, I'll be posting my review of the book on the last Friday of the month.  And then on the first of the month, there will be links to everyone else's reviews. 

Meatless Monday #4

Yesterday, I had to finish up a big project for school.  Of course, I waited until the last possible second to get started, so I had to work like a crazy person to get it done.  Therefore, Meatless Monday's dinner consisted of a big bowl of not-so-nutritious-but-majorly-delicious Frosted Mini-Wheats! 

brain. . . fried.

Did I mention that I hate, with a burning fiery-hot passion all computer projects?  Microsoft Access has completely beaten me down.  I fought hard and long, but I am ready to send up the white flag.  I even had my "Access for Dummies" book - and my trusty Google.  But, in the end, I am still utterly defeated by a stupid database because I cannot figure out how to enter calculated totals for my invoices.  Seriously - why couldn't I just draw it up on a piece of paper - I hate computers sometimes! Grrrrrr, technology!!!  I shake my fist at you!

Easter Weekend

 Edenton, NC - 2009

First of all, bless whatever soul came up with 'Aleve Cold and Sinus' - it's been a lifesaver for me this past week!

I came and spent this weekend with my grandma.  My grandmama is hands down one of the funniest people I know.  I love doing stuff with her.  We always end up having a blast no matter what we do - and usually we're not doing anything other than running errands or going out for lunch, but she's one of those people that can make a trip to Walmart a riot.  I really am lucky to have such a close relationship with her. 

The highlight of Alex's weekend has been hanging out in my mom's Snuggie. He's asleep wrapped up in it now.  So cute! He's majorly obsessed with blankets, and the Snuggie is a favorite.

All in all, the weather's been beautiful, and it's been a wonderful Easter weekend! 

Oh! Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

 
Hopping down the bunny trail!

Hippity hoppity, Easter's on its way!

 

1. Funny bunny pack, 2. lawn for me!, 3. Honey Bunny, 4. Furry

Mangiafagioli - that's me!

 
I have just recently discovered using a mirepoix when cooking beans.  Where have I been??  It just totally toook things to a different level.  Yes - that's right, folks.  I have reached an all new level of beans - I know, it's wild and crazy around here!  Well, back to the mirepoix.  A mirepoix is really a very simple thing: it's carrots, celery, and onion used to add flavor and aroma to soups, stews, stocks, and beans, of course.  A mirepoix is a fundamental flavor base in traditional french cuisine.  And now it's going to be a fundamental in my kitchen, because it's awesome!  I sauteed my veggies in olive oil, but you could also do butter or some other type of fat.  I intended to add a bay leaf, as Alice Waters recommends, but I forgot it.  I'll definitely add it next time, though.  Ms. Waters also suggests using thyme in a mirepoix, or you could add some garlic (as I did).  Depending on what you're cooking up, a classic mirepoix is an excellent jumping off point for any direction you want to take things.  And it's surprising how much flavor just that simple little trio will add to things.  I couldn't believe the difference it made.  

 

 
In other bean news, I just received my first shipment of Rancho Gordo beans!  I'd heard about them through various sites and blogs, and then I visited their website and fell in love!  The company has a beautiful story behind it - the guy who started it wanted to preserve foods indigenous to The America's, and his passion led to Rancho Gordo.  He grows heirloom beans in Napa Valley and works directly with Mexican farmers to produce the most amazing variety of beans.  I purchased five different kinds, as well as some New Mexican red chili powder.  I have a white bean stew I've wanted to make that's been waiting in the wings, so I think the runner beans will be up first!

 

ps - mangiafagioli is Italian for bean eater!  It's usually a reference to the people of Tuscany who eat beans with everything!

Meatless Monday #3

 
I missed Meatless Monday last week, due to an error in my meal-planning.  Oops!  But I was back in business this week!  I had a beautiful salad filled with all kinds of goodies.  I roasted grape tomatoes*, grated some fresh gruyere, added cucumber, onion, edamame beans, and the finishing touch: homemade croutons.  I topped the salad with a dressing made of champagne vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice.  I normally add some salt and pepper to the dressing, but since the croutons already had that, I didn't want to overdo it. 

*To roast cherry tomatoes: First, cut all the tomatoes in half.  Then, toss with olive oil, balsamic vinger, salt and pepper.  It doesn't matter how much oil and vinegar you use - any extra will just roll off the tomatoes.  Spread on a baking pan and cook for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  These are also awesome in pasta!