I don't really feel like writing anything right now, so here are some good things I've found online recently (because God knows there's always time for putzing around the internet, am I right?):
The Mental Floss tumblr has a great little post about howMr. Rogers was a super guy.
Best gift for a little nerd in your life: the little librarian playset.
Here is a story about how, during Prohibition, the U.S. government poisoned a bunch of alcohol and people got so sick from it that many of them died.
Here is a tutorial on how to use bias tape, in case you are an aspiring seamstress.
Here is a tutorial on how to use the phrase "begs the question," in case you spend time with any English majors.
1000 Awesome Things, updated every weekday. I also think
I must remember to show this to Adam the next time he shakes his head at the shoes I've chosen to wear.
Also, this cracks me up every time I look at it.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
My first recipe
Ever since I moved away from my family, I've been trying to hone my cooking skills. Sometimes this requires calling my mom or dad and asking for a recipe, but usually I just Google something and hope for the best.
Anyway, right after we moved to Denver, Adam asked his mom for her meatloaf recipe and I asked my dad for his. It turned out I never used either of them, and actually along the way I misplaced my dad's recipe. So no meatloaf for us. (It was very sad, as I'm sure you can imagine.)
Fast forward to this weekend, when I decided it was of UTMOST IMPORTANCE that I make meatloaf. (Who knows why - I get these crazy ideas in my head sometimes.) I called my dad, but he and my mom weren't at the house, so he gave me the entire recipe from memory minus the oven temperature and baking time, promising to call me back later.
With this partial recipe, Adam's mom's recipe, and the internet, I decided I was ready to go. I knew I wanted a taste of the meatloaf I'd grown up with, but I also know I wanted some guidelines. As I was throwing things into my mixing bowl, I said to Adam that he should expect some sort of hybridized version of our parents' meatloaf recipes. And that is what I present to you here.
(The only caveat I must add is that I like a meatloaf that's a little crispy on the outside, so next time I think I'll up the oven temperature. [Maybe 400F for about 45 minutes?] I like it with a little ketchup and Tabasco, and of course some mashed potatoes on the side.)
Loren's Meatloaf
1 lb. ground chuck (I used 93/7 beef)
1 onion, minced
1 1/2 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (my dad swears by Townhouse crackers, but I used what I had on hand)
1 egg
1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes, divided - slice one half of the tomatoes, reserve one half
salt and pepper to taste
dried oregano to taste
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine beef, minced onion, egg, crackers, sliced stewed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and oregano. Divide mixture into three small loaves and place into a 13 x 9 baking pan. Top loaves with remaining stewed tomatoes. Bake for 1 hour.
Sorry I don't have any photos. Adam and I were crazy hungry by the time this was done cooking, so I had no interest in stopping to record my success. (We don't do too well when we're hungry, but that's a story for another time...)
Anyway, right after we moved to Denver, Adam asked his mom for her meatloaf recipe and I asked my dad for his. It turned out I never used either of them, and actually along the way I misplaced my dad's recipe. So no meatloaf for us. (It was very sad, as I'm sure you can imagine.)
Fast forward to this weekend, when I decided it was of UTMOST IMPORTANCE that I make meatloaf. (Who knows why - I get these crazy ideas in my head sometimes.) I called my dad, but he and my mom weren't at the house, so he gave me the entire recipe from memory minus the oven temperature and baking time, promising to call me back later.
With this partial recipe, Adam's mom's recipe, and the internet, I decided I was ready to go. I knew I wanted a taste of the meatloaf I'd grown up with, but I also know I wanted some guidelines. As I was throwing things into my mixing bowl, I said to Adam that he should expect some sort of hybridized version of our parents' meatloaf recipes. And that is what I present to you here.
(The only caveat I must add is that I like a meatloaf that's a little crispy on the outside, so next time I think I'll up the oven temperature. [Maybe 400F for about 45 minutes?] I like it with a little ketchup and Tabasco, and of course some mashed potatoes on the side.)
Loren's Meatloaf
1 lb. ground chuck (I used 93/7 beef)
1 onion, minced
1 1/2 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (my dad swears by Townhouse crackers, but I used what I had on hand)
1 egg
1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes, divided - slice one half of the tomatoes, reserve one half
salt and pepper to taste
dried oregano to taste
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine beef, minced onion, egg, crackers, sliced stewed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and oregano. Divide mixture into three small loaves and place into a 13 x 9 baking pan. Top loaves with remaining stewed tomatoes. Bake for 1 hour.
Sorry I don't have any photos. Adam and I were crazy hungry by the time this was done cooking, so I had no interest in stopping to record my success. (We don't do too well when we're hungry, but that's a story for another time...)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A new project
My friend Mary is both an eternal optimist and a crafter. Because of this, she is always certain that she can recreate anything she sees online. For example, she made this adorable pillow dollhouse for her niece, and I believe she did it with no pattern or anything.
Anyway, Mary saw this blanket and decided that she and I should both make one for ourselves. I wasn't sure at first, but Mary's optimism won out. I'd say things like, "but don't you know how long it takes to make a granny square? That blanket is going to take forever." And Mary would say, "it can't take that long, can it?" And the hope in her voice? I couldn't say yes. I couldn't crush her dreams. So I said, "maybe you're right. We can do it."
And that is how I started the biggest craft project I've ever taken on.
To stay motivated, Mary and I had a crochet day last weekend, and I've been busy trying to get a head start before my classes get into full swing. I'd like to think that I'm making good progress:
I guess the lesson here is that I should try to take after Mary and be more optimistic about what I can attempt. Who knows, you may all be getting handmade Christmas gifts next year. (Just kidding. This optimism isn't coming that fast.)
Thursday, January 06, 2011
iWant that kitchen
Even after any of my siblings were too old to watch it, my parents used Nickelodeon as sort of "background" tv in their living room. Drake & Josh was a particular favorite, and eventually iCarly made it into rotation. It was then that my love affair began.
I really, really enjoy iCarly, not so much for the riveting storylines or phenomenal acting (both of which are actually lacking) but for its occasional wit and fantastic set designs.
Specifically, I want to live in Carly's apartment; more specifically, I want her kitchen. Every single thing in it is perfection. To wit:
(via)
1. GummiLights. These are 8-inch-tall lamps from a company called Jellio, which I once heard was hired to specially make some of the housewares that fill Carly's apartment. I don't know that a Gummi Bear light would really compliment the look of my house, but if one came my way I'd figure out a way to make it work.
(via)
2. Wood block printing press letters. Vintage goodness. Need I say more?
(via)
3. Book-it t-shirt. I know this isn't technically part of the set, but I saw one of the characters* wearing this shirt and I went on an internet search for it seconds later. It was sold by Urban Outfitters, but sadly is now nowhere to be found.
*A quick aside: the kid wearing this shirt was way too young to even know what Book-It was, therefore the irony and humor of wearing said shirt is sort of lost, right? This is the type of thing that typically makes me mad, but I decided that in this case, I'd give the show a pass for no other reason than that someone else somewhere in the world remembers going to Pizza Hut for reading.
(via)
4. Cookie Time cookie jar. This is the thing that started it all - I noticed this cookie jar and decided I needed it. I think I'll eventually be able to find one on eBay, but for now, I'm just going to keep watching iCarly and envying her trendy apartment.
I really, really enjoy iCarly, not so much for the riveting storylines or phenomenal acting (both of which are actually lacking) but for its occasional wit and fantastic set designs.
Specifically, I want to live in Carly's apartment; more specifically, I want her kitchen. Every single thing in it is perfection. To wit:
(via)
1. GummiLights. These are 8-inch-tall lamps from a company called Jellio, which I once heard was hired to specially make some of the housewares that fill Carly's apartment. I don't know that a Gummi Bear light would really compliment the look of my house, but if one came my way I'd figure out a way to make it work.
(via)
2. Wood block printing press letters. Vintage goodness. Need I say more?
(via)
3. Book-it t-shirt. I know this isn't technically part of the set, but I saw one of the characters* wearing this shirt and I went on an internet search for it seconds later. It was sold by Urban Outfitters, but sadly is now nowhere to be found.
*A quick aside: the kid wearing this shirt was way too young to even know what Book-It was, therefore the irony and humor of wearing said shirt is sort of lost, right? This is the type of thing that typically makes me mad, but I decided that in this case, I'd give the show a pass for no other reason than that someone else somewhere in the world remembers going to Pizza Hut for reading.
(via)
4. Cookie Time cookie jar. This is the thing that started it all - I noticed this cookie jar and decided I needed it. I think I'll eventually be able to find one on eBay, but for now, I'm just going to keep watching iCarly and envying her trendy apartment.
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