I've got the cutest nieces :)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Miscellaneous Pictures - Because I can.
First of all,
I get to see my sisters this weekend and all of next week!!! I'm excited!!!!!!! I get to see my family!!!
We rented a condo through the Armed Forces Vacation Club. Each place is something like $350/week. I'll let you know how it is. It seems like it's too good to be true.
Going on vacation is a good time to use my excess lotions, shampoos, and conditioners that we accumulated while moving this summer. Heaven knows I'm too Dutch to throw them away. Here they are - think we have enough?
Here's our guest bathtub. Strangely enough, our guest bathroom only has a tub (no shower head). Our bathroom only has a shower. The bathtub is a good place to relax!
DH's Valentine's Day present from me - Coopers beer. The stout is not his favorite, but he loved Coopers when we were there last summer and looks forward to drinking it next fall!
The world's smallest "Exchange" - aka the one closest to us. Basically, it's a convenience store with a few electronics and assorted ribbons and medals. But it's an exchange. I'm sad because it doesn't carry the cute reusable shopping bags that E posted about, or that are coming out in Navy Exchanges...
Why is it that we never live close to a good exchange? Dh jokes that exchange/commissary privileges were a major reason I married him... I just like a good bargain, that's all.
I finally finished my Christmas Tree Skirt - only 10 months early (or two months late!). I think it looks pretty good!
The back side...
I get to see my sisters this weekend and all of next week!!! I'm excited!!!!!!! I get to see my family!!!
We rented a condo through the Armed Forces Vacation Club. Each place is something like $350/week. I'll let you know how it is. It seems like it's too good to be true.
Going on vacation is a good time to use my excess lotions, shampoos, and conditioners that we accumulated while moving this summer. Heaven knows I'm too Dutch to throw them away. Here they are - think we have enough?
Here's our guest bathtub. Strangely enough, our guest bathroom only has a tub (no shower head). Our bathroom only has a shower. The bathtub is a good place to relax!
DH's Valentine's Day present from me - Coopers beer. The stout is not his favorite, but he loved Coopers when we were there last summer and looks forward to drinking it next fall!
The world's smallest "Exchange" - aka the one closest to us. Basically, it's a convenience store with a few electronics and assorted ribbons and medals. But it's an exchange. I'm sad because it doesn't carry the cute reusable shopping bags that E posted about, or that are coming out in Navy Exchanges...
Why is it that we never live close to a good exchange? Dh jokes that exchange/commissary privileges were a major reason I married him... I just like a good bargain, that's all.
I finally finished my Christmas Tree Skirt - only 10 months early (or two months late!). I think it looks pretty good!
The back side...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
You can take the girl out of Michigan...
I haven't lived in Michigan for the past decade or so. Even after a year in Hawai'i, I have largely regained the ability to withstand cold weather and all that accompanies it.
Last night, after the Vandy/UT game (which Vandy won!!!!!!!!!! It was a very exciting game!) we came home in snow and on ice. This morning, I woke up and most of the snow had melted, and there were light flurries in the air. I got ready for work, bundled up, and walked to the preschool. Upon entering the grounds, I noticed none of the teachers' cars were there. Like an idiot, I walked to the door and not a single child was present. Silly me, I hadn't even thought that conditions would warrant a snow day. Apparently they did. But, hey, I can't complain. It gave me an entire day home with dh and we got to clean the house a bit.
Last night, after the Vandy/UT game (which Vandy won!!!!!!!!!! It was a very exciting game!) we came home in snow and on ice. This morning, I woke up and most of the snow had melted, and there were light flurries in the air. I got ready for work, bundled up, and walked to the preschool. Upon entering the grounds, I noticed none of the teachers' cars were there. Like an idiot, I walked to the door and not a single child was present. Silly me, I hadn't even thought that conditions would warrant a snow day. Apparently they did. But, hey, I can't complain. It gave me an entire day home with dh and we got to clean the house a bit.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Mmmmm! Chocolate bread pudding.
I hadn't really tried bread pudding until this summer on our cruise. It was chocolate bread pudding with a heavenly cream sauce (creme fraiche or something). I craved it later. Last weekend at the cheer competition, we went out for lunch and they had chocolate bread pudding again. It was a sign.
Last night, I made my own chocolate bread pudding. I halved the recipe, and made some modifications, but it was still good! Oh, and we only have heart shaped ramekins... so don't think I was being particularly amorous...
chocolate bread pudding with walnuts and chocolate chips
Bon Appétit | January 2007
Carolynn Angle
4 cups 1-inch cubes egg bread with crust (about 6 ounces) - I just used french/italian bread
1 1/4 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, divided - I used both semi and bittersweet
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted, broken into 1/2-inch pieces - I don't like crunchy pudding, omitted
1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided - I didn't have whipping cream, I just used half & half
1 cup half and half, divided
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk - in halving this, I used a whole egg yolk. I can't split it in half.
1/2 cup sugar
Lightly sweetened whipped cream
Preparation
Toss bread cubes, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, and toasted walnuts in large bowl to blend.Whisk 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 cup half and half, and cocoa in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Add remaining 3/4 cup chocolate chips; stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup cream and 1/2 cup half and half. Whisk eggs, egg yolk, and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Whisk in chocolate-cream mixture. Stir into bread mixture. Let stand 1 hour for bread to absorb some of custard.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter six (1- to 1 1/4-cup) ramekins. Divide pudding mixture among ramekins. Bake puddings until set in centers, about 40 minutes. I think I overbaked it, but it still turned out well :)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Just another Monday... before a Tuesday, after a Sunday
Well, life is always interesting at the preschool. Tonight a father came in to pick up his child. We like it (a lot) when parents actually take interest in their children, particularly when contrasted with the other parents who walk in, on their cell phones, pick up their child and their child's things, and then walk out, still on cell phone. Even worse is bluetooth. Then they look like they're talking to the teacher, but they're really not.
Anyway, we like it when parents take interest in their child's life. But there is a line. A fine line. The father crossed that line tonight. Apparently, the child had diarrhea yesterday. The father asked about what the child ate today, and then he went in to discussing poop. As in using the word "stool." I don't do that word less than an hour before dinner, unless in reference to something I stand on to reach the linguine on the top shelf that only dh can reach.
After the delightful conversation that seemed to be prolonged by my intense attempt to stifle laughter as the child's teacher tried to grasp for answers to the father's questions, we watched them walk to the door. And as they walked, the child wasn't paying attention and walked into the wall. One second he was walking, the next he was flat on the ground. It was one of those things where he almost bounced off of it and was like "when did they put a wall here?" Steve Martin or Jackie Chan movies have nothing on him. I just about died laughing.
hmm... now that I write it, it was not that funny... I guess you had to be there...
Tomorrow night - 1 vs 18. Be there and wear white.
Anyway, we like it when parents take interest in their child's life. But there is a line. A fine line. The father crossed that line tonight. Apparently, the child had diarrhea yesterday. The father asked about what the child ate today, and then he went in to discussing poop. As in using the word "stool." I don't do that word less than an hour before dinner, unless in reference to something I stand on to reach the linguine on the top shelf that only dh can reach.
After the delightful conversation that seemed to be prolonged by my intense attempt to stifle laughter as the child's teacher tried to grasp for answers to the father's questions, we watched them walk to the door. And as they walked, the child wasn't paying attention and walked into the wall. One second he was walking, the next he was flat on the ground. It was one of those things where he almost bounced off of it and was like "when did they put a wall here?" Steve Martin or Jackie Chan movies have nothing on him. I just about died laughing.
hmm... now that I write it, it was not that funny... I guess you had to be there...
Tomorrow night - 1 vs 18. Be there and wear white.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Valentine's Day Flowers
I told you a little about one of the orders I took for Valentine's Day flowers at my flower shop job. I'm going to elaborate a little more.
Me: How can I help you?
Him: I'd like to order Valentines Day flowers.
Me: You've called the right place. Who are we sending these to?
Him: Amy.
Me: What is Amy's last name?
Him: I'm not sure.
Me: That's ok (warning flag number one goes up). What is her phone number?
Him: It's her work number, is that ok?
Me: Sure. (envisioning an office crush on the girl across the hall or in the office one floor up - something Jim and Pam style.)
Him: Ok, it's 555-1212.
Me: And to what address should we send the flowers?
He gave me the address. Then I realized what it was. My friends live on the same street. There's a Melting Pot, and then there's an establishment often frequented by men "for the wings." Turns out she's a waitress there.
I tried to talk him out of sending a dozen red roses... to no avail.
Do I even need to write a moral for this story? What would you say the moral of the story could be?? Write your own!
Me: How can I help you?
Him: I'd like to order Valentines Day flowers.
Me: You've called the right place. Who are we sending these to?
Him: Amy.
Me: What is Amy's last name?
Him: I'm not sure.
Me: That's ok (warning flag number one goes up). What is her phone number?
Him: It's her work number, is that ok?
Me: Sure. (envisioning an office crush on the girl across the hall or in the office one floor up - something Jim and Pam style.)
Him: Ok, it's 555-1212.
Me: And to what address should we send the flowers?
He gave me the address. Then I realized what it was. My friends live on the same street. There's a Melting Pot, and then there's an establishment often frequented by men "for the wings." Turns out she's a waitress there.
I tried to talk him out of sending a dozen red roses... to no avail.
Do I even need to write a moral for this story? What would you say the moral of the story could be?? Write your own!
Honesty is the best policy...
I applied for a job as a receptionist at a department at dh's school. It would have been a 9-5 job in the same building as his school. I had envisioned us riding to school together, eating lunch together when possible... it being quite cute. Plus, it paid more. Well, I think it paid more. They told me I would be an hourly employee, earning between $9 and $16 per hour. Gee, could you narrow it down a little. $9/hour might not be worth it... $16 per hour definitely would be nice!
I had two interviews with them. The first was normal, about an hour. The second, was between 3 and 4 hours long. For a receptionist position. Crazy. I debated at the second interview whether or not I should tell them there's a possibility we'd go to to Australia this fall. I decided it'd be better to tell them.
I got this email on Friday.
It was so nice getting to know you during the interview process. We all thought you were delightful and qualified for the position. We also appreciated your honestly about your long term availability through the fall of 2008. However, we have decided to offer the position to someone who has the potential for long term availability. We all wish you the best and hope to see you again at one of the school events.
(bold and italics added by me)
Shoot. Honesty IS the best policy, right?? I didn't want their stinking job anyway.
I had two interviews with them. The first was normal, about an hour. The second, was between 3 and 4 hours long. For a receptionist position. Crazy. I debated at the second interview whether or not I should tell them there's a possibility we'd go to to Australia this fall. I decided it'd be better to tell them.
I got this email on Friday.
It was so nice getting to know you during the interview process. We all thought you were delightful and qualified for the position. We also appreciated your honestly about your long term availability through the fall of 2008. However, we have decided to offer the position to someone who has the potential for long term availability. We all wish you the best and hope to see you again at one of the school events.
(bold and italics added by me)
Shoot. Honesty IS the best policy, right?? I didn't want their stinking job anyway.
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