Thursday, December 07, 2006

Thursday Fog

Here in Seattle the mornings and early afternoons have been filled with an abundant amount of fog. In a city with hills throughout it makes for some nifty sights.

Fog is also how I've been feeling mentally so it seems fitting for the weather as well. I'm hoping for my rain to return soon. I'm sure it will, but sooner rather than later would be splendid.

Here's hoping all is well in your microcosm. Enjoy your updates.

Elisa

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Wednesday, December 06, 2006

New Stuff!

I'm surviving my phone calls each night. I must admit it's kind of nice to have a 2 1/2 to 3 hour zone of quiet all to myself each evening.

Tonight we've added a few new things for y'all to read. We've been reporting updates to Kris Dresen's Grace and E thought it might be fun to spotlight a few more comics here. You may be familiar with these strips from your local alternative paper. They have a presence online as well and it's a great way to catch up on a strip if you're not always able to catch it in your local paper. Be sure to check out the archives of these comics. You'll find you're in for some fun reading.

Tamara

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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Tired

Not even halfway through the week and I'm already feeling tired. A sign of what, who knows.

Anyone want to ramble? Know of any nifty sites that we miss? Got any suggestions for us? Heck got any recipes? Holler, we appreciate it.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program. Enjoy.

Elisa

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Monday, December 04, 2006

Luck

I'm going to need it. Tonight I start my lovely part time job of telemarketing. To help with the Christmas load this year I have taken a job soliciting donations of items for a thrift store. Yes. Shudder with me now. At least I'm not asking for money or calling for a credit card company.

I wonder though how long it'll take Cal to realize he can't barge in on mom in the bedroom for a few hours every night? I was told by a gal who has experience at this sort of thing that folks don't like to hear background noise when you're soliciting donations. I figured as much and had already planned to use that lock on my bedroom door. Let's just hope Cal doesn't take it upon himself to pound on the door and yell loudly for me.

Think good thoughts for me this evening while you're enjoying your time not talking to random strangers on the phone.

Tamara

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Sunday, December 03, 2006

'Tis the Season...

...to treat the ones you love to something unique and special. Art is in the eye of the beholder, so take a look here and purchase here. Treat somebody (perhaps yourself) to something incredibly dandy. And as far as I'm concerned this one is a steal of a deal (Santa is purchasing three of these for me this year).

Now on to your updates with lots more variety for y'all. Enjoy 'em.

Elisa

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Saturday, December 02, 2006

Words?

Have any you'd like to share with us? Do you like rambles from others? We do, so step up and share some with us. We appreciate 'em.

Now tonight's update is all about variety. So go enjoy them and remember, feedback is a very good thing to do.

Elisa

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Friday, December 01, 2006

Slush and Sunshine

The snow slowly melts creating a sloppy mess along my street. However...being able to park my car at my house once again is splendid. I had no idea how convienent that truly is.

So hopefully back to our usual gray and rain soon enough. But they first have forcasted some dry, sun-filled days prior to the return of normal winter weather.

The weekend clearly and happily is standing out after a long and tiresome week. Looking forward to being a slug this weekend.

Enjoy the updates and seek some fun.

Elisa

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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Brrrrr....

E's snow hit Oklahoma today. Freezing rain and heavy winds put the kibosh on school for the kids. Now everything is covered by a nice layer of snow. They got to hang out with cranky sick mom today. I'm sure they were thrilled.

Unlike E's bad weather, ours should be over by tomorrow when we're predicted to hit temps in the 40s (4 C). Duncan isn't very excited by the prospect of school. I must admit that I am.

Passion & Perfection updated so you've got a ton to read tonight. Enjoy it and stay warm if it's cold in your neck of the woods.

Tamara

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Wednesday, November 29, 2006

And the verdict is...

...it's a cold. Yep. Felt crappy all day with a head full of stuff. I did nothing except lay on the couch and watch the History Channel. Spaghetti for dinner (sauce freezes well) and we're good for the evening if I choose to camp out in my bed tonight. Wish me luck when it comes to not biting family members' heads off.


Tamara

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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Aaaaa-choo!

I've either caught a cold or I'm having one helluva allergy attack. Either way, it sucks. Enjoy your updates.

Tamara

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Monday, November 27, 2006

Snow

It fell all day here in the outskirts of Seattle. I continued to go out and crunch about in it to make sure I wasn't crazy. I even took pictures and sent them to Tamara throughout the day, hardly believing it myself. Unfortunately my daughter wasn't with me during this grand time of wonder. And I presume it will be melted away prior to her appearance on Tuesday...bummer.

As a child I loved the rare gift of snow. We saw very little of it unless we drove to the mountains (we did this often). But there was something splendid in zooming out that front door layered in clothing to go enjoy the splendor of snow in the front yard.

I still enjoy it even as an adult. Perhaps living in a place that gets tempted by snow, but only a couple of times a year and usually with amounts that equal nothing, makes it magical. So today I'll enjoy that gift from nature with the hope of more soon to follow.

Now off to your updates. Enjoy them.

Elisa

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

Birthday Boy

Today is my oldest son's 11th birthday. Since his birthday always falls near Thanksgiving we postpone the party with his friends until a week later. Today we did the family party. His grandparents came over and we ate Indian tacos (Native American Indian not the continent--it's an Oklahoma thing) and opened presents. It was very low-key and relaxing. Just the way I like the family party to be. I made a small cake because next week he'll be getting a cake for his roller skating birthday party. My moist chocolate cake recipe is perfect for this because it's tiny, easy to make and tastes really good. In fact, it's almost all gone thanks to two boys who keep cutting away pieces.

Hope everyone's weekend has been restful. Enjoy the updates.

Tamara

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Saturday, November 25, 2006

Recipe Night

We once again have been given some words and a recipe for your enjoyment. So without further ado here's Hope.

On Thursday, I prepared my Thanksgiving Gumbo. In my family, no holiday dinner is complete without Gumbo. But Gumbo is not just for holidays. I prepare it when the weather becomes chilly (for Houstonians, that's anything below 70 degrees!) when I or anyone I know have/has a cold, or sometimes simply when the mood hits me. Mind, it doesn't hit me very often given the time that it takes, but sometimes I surprise myself.

Gumbo is a southern Louisiana soup. The word Gumbo roughly means 'a little bit of everything'. When I lived with my parents - forever ago - my mother and I always cooked together. O.K., so I chopped vegetables or seasoning as my mother calls them; and, generally did what ever she said. When we cooked Gumbo, it took a couple of days. Why? Everything had to be fresh. The day before, we peeled and de-veined the shrimp--typically about 2-4 pounds. We picked crabs for crabmeat. And finally, we sliced fresh okra. Now, I prepare it in about 4 hours--here's how:

1. Spray a large pan or cookie tray with nonstick cooking spray. Turn the oven on 400 if gas or about 375 with electic and dump in about 32oz or 2lbs of fresh or frozen Okra - I use frozen, it works the same no matter what my mother says! Allow the okra to cook--check on it occasionally and stir it on the tray. It takes a while. The okra is finished when it is brown and no longer - for lack of a better description, slimy. It takes about 35-50 minutes depending on your oven, the size of your pan. The larger your pan/tray, the quicker the okra cooks because then it's easier to spread it out.

2. While the okra cooks or before starting, chop 1 large onion, 3 stalks of celery, 1 large green bell pepper, and 4 large cloves of garlic.

3. Boil about 2-3 chicken breasts or between 1-1 1/2 pounds.

4. Slice 2lbs of smoked sausage (Choose your favorite) I use two different types. One is hot (spicy) and one is medium (spicy). Put the sausage in a large pan and bake the sausage for about 15 minutes in the oven with the okra. After 15 minutes, take the sausage out and put the sausage on a plate that is padded with paper towels to drain the excess oil from the sausage

5. Chop 6-8 shallots and put them aside in separate bowl

6. In a separate large skillet, put in about 2 tablespoons of canola oil (I don't actually measure, I'm just guestimating.) and about 5 tablespoons of white flour (same applies for this amount as above). Cook this on low stirring constantly until the roux or gravy is dark brown.

7. When the roux is dark brown, slowly pour in 8ozs. of chicken broth (canned is fine) while stirring constantly so that the roux doesn't turn lumpy.

8. After the broth and roux are mixed thoroughly, add to the stockpot with the cooked Okra. Then add about 3-4 quarts of water, depending upon the size of your pot. Also, add chopped vegetables--onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Also, chop boiled chicken breast and add it to the pot. You might choose - I do - to add the water in which the chicken breasts were cooked as part of the 3-4 quarts of water. Also, add red pepper flakes to taste, black pepper and salt to taste, and 4-6 bay leaves. Cook this on about medium high for 45-65 minutes.

9. After the above has cooked for the prescribed amount of time add cleaned and de-veined shrimp, fresh crab meat and sausage

10. Cook for about 7 minutes then add shallots.

11. Cook for 10 more minutes then turn off pot.

12. Let Gumbo sit for about 30 minutes.

13. While waiting for the Gumbo to 'set', cook a pot of white or brown rice - I prefer brown.

14. Put a scoop of rice in a bowl then ladle Gumbo on top.

So there it is - Gumbo in 14 easy steps.

HBJ


Remember to thank Hope for sharing her recipe we certainly appreciate it!

Now off to the updates, enjoy 'em.

Elisa

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Friday, November 24, 2006

Lazy Day

Had a lazy post-Thanksgiving day. Mike and Duncan slept most of the day away after camping out all night in front of a store. Yes, they partook of that strange American custom known as Black Friday. Don't ask. It's very scary.

Cal, mom and I went to see a very keen movie today--Happy Feet. If you've got a kid in your life, definitely take them to see this movie. Heck...even if you don't have a kid in your life, go see Happy Feet.

Enough chitchat, off to the updates!

Tamara

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