M.I.A. & Gobble Gobble
Wow, almost two months have flown by since I last updated you all. My deepest apologies for that. With work, our trip to Kauai and my out-of-control volunteer activities, I think I got a little burned out. Yet, have no fear! Now that I’m down to ZERO volunteering activities, I’m baaaaaack to blogging. Stay tuned on Friday for pictures and a recap of our recent trip to Kauai.
Last week, as you all know, was everyone’s favorite excuse to over-indulge and watch too much football, ahem Gus. Since our friends were hosting their stateside wedding reception in Boise the Saturday of that week, Gus and I decided to stay in Seattle for the actual Thanksgiving holiday.
For dinner, we were invited to spend the day at our friends’ house with approximately 20 others who weren’t going home. Gus signed up to bring a turkey (because our friends apparently only like ham… seriously) and I chose to create a pumpkin tiramisu. First off, Gus’ turkey turned out wonderfully. He stuffed it with apples, celery and onion and rubbed under the skin with rosemary and garlic! The bird turned out fragrant and juicy. Our friend who hated turkey even took a piece after hearing the above description, and I’m proud to say she loved it.
My pumpkin tiramisu, on the other hand, didn’t fair so well. First of all, I can’t blame this one on the recipe (below). I procrastinated a bit, and didn’t shop for the ingredients until the night before (mistake #1). I couldn’t find ANYTHING (but the rum) on the recipe – no marscapone, no ladyfingers, no amaretti cookies – so I substituted with whipped cream cheese, shortbread cookies and fudge stripe cookies, respectively (mistake #2). Then I chose to go out for drinks in the early evening, expecting that I’d come home later and make the tiramisu, which needed to set-up overnight. Needless to say, I didn’t get started until Thanksgiving morning at 9am (mistake #3). The construction of the dessert went smoothly, although the shortbread cookies were much thicker than I expected. I wrapped that bugger tightly in plastic wrap and tinfoil and threw it in the fridge.
When it came time to eat dessert, I proudly displayed mine and bragged about what it was. Then I dug into it and was saddened and dismayed to see it hadn’t really set-up and the cookies didn’t soak up the rum so they were hard and dry. At least the filling did have a delicious flavor. People scooped around the cookies on the bottom as best they could, but the dessert really didn’t get devoured as I had previously imagined. I didn’t take any pictures either. SIGH. Oh well. The recipe is super easy, but I would HIGHLY recommend using the proper ingredients if you are going to attempt this dish. Good luck, and let me know if it works out for you!
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Super-Simple Pumpkin Tiramisu – via Epicurious
Yield: Makes 8 servings. This needs to set up overnight, so start one day ahead.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese*
- 1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin
- 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
- 2 (3-ounce) packages halved ladyfingers
- 1/4 cup rum
- 2 ounces crushed amaretti cookies*
*Mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese) and amaretti cookies (Italian macaroons) are available at many supermarkets and Italian markets.
Preparation:
- Beat whipping cream and sugar until peaks form. Add mascarpone cheese, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice; beat just until filling is smooth.
- Line bottom of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with 1 package ladyfingers, overlapping and crowding to fit. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons rum. Spread half of filling over ladyfingers.
- Repeat with second package ladyfingers, remaining 2 tablespoons rum, and remaining filling. Smooth. Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Chill overnight.
- To unmold, run knife around inside edge of pan. Release pan sides; sprinkle with amaretti cookies.
New Music Wednesday: In Honor of Gwen
Two weeks ago, Gus’ mom Gwen came to visit us! She and Gus got to spend Thursday and Friday hanging out, while I sadly had to work. Since it wasn’t a holiday, we really didn’t have much of an agenda for the visit. We decided we just wanted to give Gwen a taste of what we do regularly in Seattle. We hit up trivia on Thursday and bingo on Friday. Then on Saturday, we bounced up to the San Juan islands for some exploring and whale watching! We couldn’t have asked for a better day – Clear as a bell and very sunny. We found orcas after about 1.5 hours out on the boat and were able to hang out with them for almost an hour! The guides were able to identify approximately 13 different whales, and they jumped and swam around our boat forever. There was even an adorable baby orca who repeatedly jumped out of the water over and over! It was amazing. They are such beautiful creatures, and it’s hard to fully understand until you see them up close like this… however, I’ll save the “Save the whales” speech for another post.
You’re probably asking yourselves, what this has to do with my normal musical-themed Wednesday posts (Yeah, I’m behind on them too). Well, Friday bingo nights are really bingo + karaoke! This amazing event is held on the last Friday of every month at one of our local senior centers. It’s multi-generational, which I absolutely love, and everyone gets involved! Old and young alike get up and stretch out their vocal chords in between bingo rounds.
When we took Gwen, this younger guy (20s-30s?) got up in front of the crowd and sang “My Humps” originally by the Black Eyed Peas. However, this particular rendition was created by Alanis Morrissette as an April Fools’ Day prank in 2007. It’s the ballad version! Yes, you heard me right. Ballad. Slow. Normally a style reserved for love songs, sad songs, etc. Anyone that knows this song, however, knows it is anything but those descriptors. The entire room was howling on the floor in laughter during the entire song, and the guy got a standing ovation! If you are into karaoke, I highly recommend adding this to your repetoire. I promise you’ll be memorable.
So, without further ado, I give you the ballad version of My Humps, followed by the real version for comparison’s sake. I hope you enjoy!
Twenty-seven years and counting…
Last Friday was my 27th birthday. We had a ton of fun celebrating at my favorite bar and grill with many of my friends. Some of the great pictures are below.
As I reflected upon my last year and thought about the next, I had a funny thought. Do you remember when you were younger and you declared, “When I turn [insert age here], I’m stopping. I’ll just be [insert age] forever!” Well, I always said 27. Now that 27 is upon me, I’m not so sure I’m ready to stop anymore. I’ve got a pretty large life list, and it really isn’t getting any smaller. Plus, I don’t feel as “old” as I thought I would on this day. “Old” is a funny word because I still feel rather the opposite. Anyway, I just thought I would share my thoughts. Here’s to more adventures and more birthdays… at least for now!
New Music Wednesday – Edward Sharpe & The Magentic Zeroes
Warning! This song is extremely catchy and you may find yourself humming (or whistling) along with the tune. That said, please enjoy “Home” by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (another warning: this is the craziest website I’ve ever seen. Kind of makes me dizzy). I really think it’s the woman’s voice that I love so much, it’s just so unique. I also love the lyrics, “Holy moly me oh my!” What do you think?
Mid-Year Update!
Wow, what hasn’t been going on in my life over the past month? SHEESH! I have been one busy lady, and have totally neglected all of you, my loyal readers. Here’s the quick rundown of what’s been going on:
- Gus and I played host to my sister and her friend Liz, as well as my long, lost college roomie Colleen (she came to visit from NY). Per usual, I love visitors and we had a great time showing everyone the city and just plain ‘ol catching up. Come back soon guys!
- We have also had an extra roommate for the past few weeks. Gus’ friend ended his relationship at the beginning of August, and is allowing the girl to stay in their house until she figures out another plan. It’s actually been really fun to have this friend around. He’s clean, helpful and quiet. PLUS, he’s a HUGE help on my weekend crossword puzzles… and what’s more relaxing on a Sat/Sun morning than enjoying a crossword puzzle with a good friend?
- I quit my job, and took a new position at another agency. This was the right move, both in terms of my personal sanity and professional development. My new agency is slightly smaller than the last (only 5 people total!), and I joined in a slightly higher position (Senior Account Executive!). My clients are a nice mix of consumer technology companies, which are much easier to learn about than some others I’ve worked on. My first day was last Wednesday, and I’ve been drinking from the firehose, so to speak, ever since. My new schedule is so relaxed that I’ve been able to start working out in the mornings, and in turn, have freed myself up in the evenings for happy hour or hanging out with friends (guilt free!).
- Gus and I finally nailed down our vacation days for the rest of the year, and I couldn’t be more excited. Normally we travel more at the beginning and middle of the year, but that isn’t really the case this year. We started 2010 with a bang (Olympics, Vegas, New Mexico) and we’re sending it out in a similar fashion. Going to Kauai (11/2-11/7), Montana for Thanksgiving, Boise for a stateside wedding reception (11/27), National Finals Rodeo in Vegas with my family because my grandma is dying to see it, and who wouldn’t love to hit the casinos with their fun grandma? (12/9-12/12), and finally Santa Fe for Christmas! Whew… here we go!
Now before I end this post, I wanted to wish my parents a wonderful 3oth Wedding Anniversary today! They are enjoying a relaxing vacation together in Glacier Park this week, so they won’t see this for a couple days, but feel free to leave them some well wishes in the comments section below. I love my parents so much, and hope that I’m lucky enough to be married for 30+ years to a wonderful partner. Thank you both for being such a great example and steady rock in my life!
I Reached the Dark Tower!
Ok, I didn’t personally reach the Dark Tower, but I completed Stephen King’s Dark Tower series of books! For those of you who don’t know about them, The Dark Tower series consists of seven books following Roland Deschain and his quest to reach the dark tower and kill the Crimson King who wants to destroy the world! While I won’t tell you what happens, or if he makes it, I will let you know that these books are heralded as King’s masterpiece – a distinction which I fully support!
King began writing The Dark Tower series when he was just 19 years old. He dreamed of writing an epic adventure like Lord of the Rings, and was deeply inspired by the spaghetti western movies he watched regularly. It did, however, take King nearly 20 years to finish the series. If you remember, King was hit by a vehicle quite a few years ago while out on his daily walk and nearly succumbed to his extensive injuries. It took him nearly nine years after the accident to recover and complete the tedious writing and editing processes (although if you read the series for yourself, you’ll learn that King feels the book wrote itself, and he was merely a vehicle through which it flowed. An interesting concept!).
My adventure with this series started late last summer when Gus, knowing how much I love books that come in a series, suggested I undertake The Dark Tower. I happily agreed because I already loved and admired King’s work (read his autobiography “On Writing” if you really want to fall for his writing). And so began my nearly 12 month commitment to the main character, Roland, and all the cohorts he meets along his path. In between each of the seven books, I forced myself to take a “book break,” during which I read something else. I’ve found when it comes to series, you can get too wrapped up in the plot, read the entire thing way to fast and potentially not enjoy the task at hand if you aren’t careful and stretch out your reading.
My grand adventure came to a dramatic close early last week. And without giving away if it was a good or bad, I have to say, I’m quite sad to know the ending. I dearly miss having the characters be a part of my daily bus commuting ritual. With that sad, I HIGHLY recommend these books. They do fall in that “sci-fi” category, but don’t let that turn you off. They are delightfully written and are guaranteed to deeply entangle you in the plot line.
So… now that I’ve accomplished this huge endeavor, my book list is rather thin. Have you read anything wonderful lately that I should consider? Currently, I’m reading Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea.
New Music Wednesday – One Republic
Not a whole lot to say about this song other than that I’ve officially bought into the national craze over the band One Republic! This song is catchy, and the lead singer’s voice is delightfully unique. I believe that One Republic really got their start writing great songs for some top music artists. Then one day, they woke up and realized, “why am I helping other make all this money, when we have all the necessary parts to be a successful band ourselves?” I say congrats to them for their success! With that, here is One Republic’s song “Secrets.”
Also, stop over at Belles of the Sound to see why I consider myself a bad Seattleite. Maybe you can provide me some advice!
New Music Wednesday – Michael Buble
Ok, I apologize in advance that this video is just a giant ad… I couldn’t find an official video or any live videos that were a good quality. What I really love about this song is the walking bass line (can’t you imagine walking to the beat?) and the background singers going “doo be doo be doo.” This is a great pick-you-up song. With out further ado, here is Michael Buble’s “All I do is Dream of You.”
Confessions of a Beginning Gardener…
Ok, I have a confession. Remember when I planted that cute little container garden over Memorial Day? I planted 3 bell pepper plants, two basil plants, two parsley plants, rainbow carrots and broccoli. Well, everything has absolutely TAKEN OFF! It’s very exciting, except for one thing: I didn’t exactly follow the directions when planting the broccoli and carrots, which I started from seeds. The directions stated that I should plant one seed every 10-12 inches. I decided that if I followed those directions, I would only plant like 3-4 seeds, which would mean I waste the 60 others in the packet and what happens if some of the seeds are duds? So, I went ahead and happily sprinkled my seeds every half inch or so in my little 1/4 deep troughs. Perfect! Right? No? Oops.
Here’s what the garden looked like Day One:
Garden Day 1!
And here it is this morning, Day 54:
My Garden! Day 54.
L-R: Bell Peppers, Rainbow Carrots, Broccoli (herbs in back)
So what do you all think I should do? Do I NEED to do anything? Gus thinks I need to pull some of the broccoli plants (on the right hand side) so they have more space to grow. I, however, am very proud of my little broccoli/carrot forest and I can’t help equating pulling one of the plants to condemning it to death. The bell peppers and herbs are growing nicely (homegrown basil is delicious, btw), but I’m not sure if I should be seeing broccoli heads yet or not.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
PS. I am aware of the aphid problem, and am currently in the process of battling it with soapy water! Thanks Google!
New Music Wednesday – Dave Nevue
I found this on my classical Pandora station. I love listening to this channel when I need peace and calm at work in order to focus. It seemed like one of those days today. You all should know how much I love/enjoy/appreciate piano music too… Enjoy pianist/composer, Dave Nevue’s rendition of “Be Thou My Vision.”
The Jeanine Project 