she's just saying...

upcoming topics

Yes, it's been a little quiet here lately. Either my life is getting too boring to blog about or too busy to find time to blog. Weirdly, it's both, but that's no excuse. Topics to come:

• The art of sleep
• Knitting socks (I'll try to keep it interesting to non-knitters)
• how to make kick-ass limoncello (involves Everclear...)
• a review of Wii Sports Active (my latest attempt at a club-free workout)

Doesn't that all sound great? Now I just have to write it...

I'm kind of running dry, actually. Maybe I could try the improv approach: throw out a topic and I'll write a post on it. Could be fun! (for you) and probably scary (for me). I don't promise anything.

Mexican calendar girls, irony and my ex-boyfriend

I ran across this cool book while searching for a new calendar, and was reminded of an incident from my not-so-distant past.

My BigBro lives in Austin, Texas (don't get him started, please), and a few years ago sent me a calendar from his local diner that featured an illustration of a buxom Mexican beauty with straps of bullets across her chest and a gun slung on her back.

I thought it was lovely and generously thought it would be a great gift for my boyfriend at the time. (Yes, that one.)  I gave it to him for Christmas and waited for the appreciative response. He opened it, looked at me blankly and said: "Why would you think I'd want this cheesy calendar?"

I should have sensed at that point that we weren't made for each other. What I saw as an ironic, iconic, folk-artsy hip piece of Tex-Mex Americana, he saw as a cheesy calendar. Which, to be fair, it was. But that wasn't the point.

Well, never mind. I wish I'd kept it. So, hey, Steve, send me another one!

Fear of Flying: 2010 version

The not-so-friendly skies

I got this email from from Sister #1 and had to share:

"In the last 8 weeks I’ve had:

-- 18 take-offs and landings;

-- 3 de-icings;

-- 1 long delay at a connecting airport due to snowstorm fouling up schedule;

-- 1 delayed departure due to bad weather at destination;  

-- 1 pre-dawn flight in total darkness (cabin lights inoperable due to cold overnight temps);

-- 1 crew-change delay due to bad weather elsewhere causing late arrival of incoming flight with new crew;

-- 1 return-to-gate (mechanical problem) with rebooking on later flight on same airline;

-- 1 cancelled flight (mechanical problem) with rebooking on much later flight on different airline; and

-- 2 last-second aborted landings 15 minutes apart (pilot said he couldn’t see the runway), rerouting to another airport, 2-hour wait on the other airport’s runway, flight cancelled, and long bus ride back in snow and fog.

I guess the good news is my luggage was never lost and no one broke their hip putting my suitcase in the car."

[note: my dad fell with a suitcase last year and broke his other hip. He's recovered.) 

Blech.

Nooo! I caught my dear son's cold. I tried hard to avoid his swirling germ cloud, but what can you expect living with an outgoing and demonstrative 10-yr-old, hacking all over the place and leaving a trail of used tissues?

I really rarely get sick. I do get the big stuff: two sinus operations, glaucoma, broken foot a few years ago, food poisoning last spring, migraine here and there. To compensate for those, I've never had the flu, don't get colds, no stomach viruses. So I consider myself quite healthy. Henry's the same. Get this: he's NEVER had an ear infection or thrown up from illness. That may be a record for the Bend-La Pine School District. But we now have this annoying little cold.

On the plus side: I'm curled up on the couch, watching football, knitting and drinking tea with honey, lemon and bourbon with cats in my lap and Henry waiting on me. It could be worse.

No photo today, unless you want to see a mountain of tissues. Probably not.

:30 seconds and $10

Don't have a stamp? Don't have time to call? Don't want to fill out an online form?

If you have a text-enabled cell phone, text the word HAITI to #90999 and answer "yes" to the return text message. There. You've just donated $10 to the Red Cross to help Haiti survive.

Top Ten Tues: blog resolutions

New Year's Blog resolutions (a year or two late, but at least now I know I can stick to them mostly):

1. I'll always be nice, or at least not overtly mean.
2. Along with that, I will try not to embarrass anyone deeply.
3. Family-friendly, more or less. My mom reads it. Hi, mom!
4. Topics will include a little something for everyone. Almost.
5. Images will be inserted in just about every post.
6. I'll never run ads on my blog or shill for compensation.
7. I will post at minimum twice a week, and usually more.
8. Recipes will be kept to a minimum.
9. No long-winded travel posts - borrring. (IMHO)
10. I ALWAYS appreciate your comments, even if I don't respond.

Okay, in keeping with #5, here's a random photo that marginally meets #3 and #4. It clearly violates #2, but I'm primarily embarrassing myself, so that's alright. In fact, isn't that why you read?

Several unidentified family members.  I might still have those underpants.

England must be catching a chill...

because hits on my posts mentioning handmade fowl outergarments are WAY up.

Wouldn't it just be easier to just glue their feathers back on?  OK, I concede it might not be easier, but certainly more permanent.

Or cutting up old sweatpants and making drawstring ponchos?

Or how about electric blankets, as in our favorite book "Click Clack Moo?"

(click on the little thumbnails to see more)

• 
• 
• 

I'm not going to spoil the denouement here, but it involves the duck.

Maybe knitting a cape is the easiest, actually. Seems like a weird way to spend your time, but I really can't talk, having knit several apple cozies lately.   

Color of the (last) decade

Chocqua. It's actually two colors, aqua plus brown.

As shown in the Nines Hotel: 

From the NY Times: "The color scheme was present in the carpeting, which had putty, Tiffany-blue, beige and dark-brown stripes." (This photo is not the area of carpet of which they gush. That was in the hall, I think.)

Aqua is a lovely hotelly color, with or without brown. Check these out from the same hotel:

Actually I was kind of surprised the Nines used the choqua color scheme, because it's been way done already. I mean, when you can get a blue/brown striped crib ensemble from KMart, maybe professional decorators should be moving on.  

Though I do love this self-patterning yarn: (mitts courtesy of ADD Knitter)

Actually, after blogging all this, I'm over this look. What's next?

Interesting question: what do you think the next new-new color scheme will be? Has anyone spotted one that seems fresh, of-the-moment, and oh-so-modern?

What's in your cupboard?

I love and admire my big sisters. They're role models and (now that they're no longer babysitting me) friends. And they're both great cooks.

Sister #1 (the eldest) visits me at Christmas about every other year. She loves to take on cooking the big fancy meals and I love to let her. She always has a new recipe or approach she wants to try as well as the old favorites. We're both "foodies" (I know, I hate that word too) and use what some might call exotic or gourmet ingredients. But every year, there's an ingredient she needs for a dish that I don't stock.

The first year, it was white pepper. I'm a black pepper fan and had never seen the need to use any other color, but after not having it that year, I was sure to keep it in stock. (It's a more delicate flavor and doesn't mess up a white dish with unsightly black flecks, if you have to know.)

The next year it was capers, which I do normally have, but had run out and not restocked. Two years ago it was Kitchen Bouquet. "You don't have any Kitchen Bouquet???" she asked incredulously. I'll confess I had no idea what it was, though I'd seen in in my mom's cupboard. I also don't cook beef so didn't use it in gravy, which was what S#1 wanted it for. This sticks in my mind because my niece innocently asked what was wrong with the gravy, and was informed that it looked that way because "Melissa doesn't have any Kitchen Bouquet!" You better believe I went and bought some after that.

This year, I carefully checked my supplies, laid in several more pounds of butter and a quart of half-and-half and figured I was good. And I was, pretty much, except for dried tarragon and white wine vinegar. Honestly, how can you make Bearnaise sauce without tarragon and w.w.vinegar?  (I didn't get any points for growing fresh tarragon as it had already died. And I had FOUR other kinds of vinegar, but oh well.) 

Well, S#1 managed with fresh parsley and shallots (both of which I did have on hand), and the Bearnaise and the entire meal was incredible. Then she made Hopping John for New Year's and that was delicious as well. (I ran out of onions for that one but the neighbors came through.) It was a wonderful visit and I'm glad she made the trek across the continent to see us.

Of course, now I'm a little paranoid about the deficiencies of my pantry -- what will it be next time? Any guesses?

The mysterious "Kitchen Bouquet"

Handsfree

A new Oregon law bans using mobile communications devices while driving unless you are using a hands-free device. Though they built in at least 12 exceptions to the rule, so it's a bit of a gray area. For example, an exemption covers "a person activating or deactivating the mobile communication device or a function of the device (note: dialing is considered the same as texting and is not a 'function of the device')." Oh, and farmers. This from the actual law, really.

Inane as Bluetooth ear things look, they are somewhat more safe than taking up one whole hand to hold a phone, I guess. Though I'm always poking at mine to hear better or to grab it as it falls out or (accidentally, really!) disconnecting a call. 

But, hey: I'm an early adopter, especially if my company enables me, so I am now using a device that wins my vote for the most impressive brand name ever:

The BlueAnt Supertooth Light Bluetooth Handsfree Speakerphone

[And no, KG, I didn't steal it from the display case at Edge. I was awarded it as a Circle of Excellence winner. So there!]

Anyway. That's what that thing is on my visor. In case the name doesn't explain it to you, it's a speakerphone that works via bluetooth, a wireless technology. This company also makes ear things (what are they called again??), but personally, I'm not about to stick a blue ant in my ear. Unfortunate name choice, really.

Of course, the way I fiddle with the thing and drop it and forget how to transfer the phone call to the speaker and everything, I suggest not driving behind me. Not to mention one blurry eye and a burnt-out headlight.

Scintillating, fascinating, thought-provoking...

posts coming in 2010!

No, really. Seriously. Don't all drift away to find some more entertaining blogs. Or at least come back after.

Many promising blog post subjects exposed themselves over the holidays, so to speak. All will be revealed when I fight through the massive mountain of Christmas detritus keeping me from my home office (aka Holiday Central). Remember how organized my Christmas seemed? I won't even post a post-pic right now.

Here's some sneak shots having to do with topics to come:

Hmmm. What could it all mean??? You'll have to come back to find out...

How you know you live in a ski town

Emergency! Emergency!  Should we call the police? The sheriff? 

No, wait! Let's check the conditions!

Once a challenge: now routine.

Remember this post? I was so proud of my competent-ness.

My soccer-mom cream Subaru Outback station wagon's headlight was out. (This, and the second favorite forest green color, is the official car of the Bend School District. Or should be.) Neighbor X pointed this out and offered to help me change it. Since I am Independent Woman, I decided I would tackle it myself.

Remembering my mantra (one of them): "Girls can do anything," I drove to the auto parts store, had that momentary gut-flutter walking in the door (male-domination shopping anxiety), and strode purposefully over to the "Headlights" section. I had run through the lights in the parking lot to make sure I knew which one was out and had studied the manual, memorizing the part number before entering the testosterone zone. My goal was not to go up to the counter first and play the part of the helpless female asking for guidance from a patronizing clerk who gets to flex his superiority muscles. If you're a do-it-yourself female, you know what I'm talking about.

I found the part number easily, briefly negotiated the various brands and qualities of headlight, and grabbed the most techno-contempo package. Took it up to the counter where a very nice gentle biker-type helped me. I asked casually if this was something I could fix myself and added: "I'm pretty handy." He replied, "Well, if you're handy, it should be easy." We decided I should change out both at the same time as the brand I chose was "better than your stock bulb." (I need all the light I can get these days.) I paid and left, wondering if I actually was pretty handy, and sort of surprised I described myself that way.

Got home, mixed up a Bloody Mary for support (it's Sunday afternoon!) and studied the manual. Incomprehensible diagrams as usual. I popped the hood, fumbled around and figured it all out eventually. Changed out the bulbs and added anti-freeze for good measure. Checked that they worked, closed the hood and basked in that rush of pride, strength and satisfaction that comes whenever I accomplish a "guy's job."

Whoo hoo! I came back inside, turned on the Seahawks game and picked up my knitting, repeating under my breath: "I'm pretty handy," and feeling it.

-------------------------------------------

Well. last week the same lightbulb burned out and I had to replace it again. No longer a challenge to master; now another routine chore ...

Update for all concerned readers: NO, I didn't touch the bulb! Does it look like I'm touching the bulb???

And yes, I do need a manicure - thank you for noticing.

Next: I replace the brake pads! (just kidding)

I admit: I'm a fanboy

Henry and I saw Avatar 3D yesterday, and I can't stop thinking about it.

The story is not really the point: it's your usual sci-fi evil earth corporation plundering beautiful virgin planet mixed with boy-meets-alien in a Lord of the Rings New Zealand forest. We inherently know the story arc and resolution, having seen this play out a hundred times in a hundred different time periods. James Cameron is not a great writer: that's not where his genius lies.

It's the cumulative impact of the filmmaker's vision, imagination and visual effects: breathtaking, mind-blowing, spellbinding. Think of when you saw  2001: Space Odyssey, or Star Wars (the very first one): suddenly there's a whole new way of telling a story with film. 

Yes, the blue aliens are a little goofy, the evil US military is still evil, the acting is non-nuanced and the dialogue is corny. Amazingly, it's easy to forgive all that, because the glowing forest, the floating mountains, the lithe creatures, the movement, the luminescence, the 3-dimensionality is frankly astounding. It's a 2 1/2 hour movie and I never wanted it to end. 

(The marketing is state-of-the-corporate-art, of course: twitter feeds, app downloads, interactive websites for the McDonald's toys, etc. What do you expect for a $300-$500 million budget [depending on who's counting]? And don't get me started on the morality (um, immorality) of spending half a billion on a piece of celluloid when so many souls could be saved with that amount. The reality is that no one is about to say "Hey, instead of making this movie, let's send the money to Unicef!" That's a topic for another more socially-responsible blog.)

James Cameron,Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg: all are committing to Digital 3D for their upcoming movies. It is the way image-making is moving, whether through the movie screen,  home TV or computers. Story-telling is still about the story, at its heart, regardless of the tricks. But this movie paints a world unlike one you've ever imagined, and that is its story.

Go see Avatar in 3D and tell me what you think.

Taa-daa! The finished objays

Now that all the recipients have opened their gifts (except BigBro), I can reveal the results of my knitting marathon (except BigBro's).

First: felted clogs:

Next, many headbands ("Calorimetry" for my Knitty and Ravelry buds):

The ever-popular knitted mitts:

an apple cozy (THIS WAS BY REQUEST)

and a little gray mouse.

Gee, it seemed like I made a lot more than that. Of course, this doesn't show the items that were ripped out, abandoned, half done or just begun. Now to get to them... (January birthdays coming)

PS: the answer to this riddle can be found in the first photo.

Instant tree

Seriously, I did not mean to offend with that last card. It's a blog! It's supposed to be rude and irreverent! (Isn't it?) Anyway, back to appropriateness.

Christmas greetings! Naughty or nice?

As I mentioned, I don't send Christmas cards. Or, I do send them, just virtually: a blog post to all!

First, the family-friendly card:

  My Central Oregon readers will note that this is a Western-Oregon-centric card. The Bend version would have to include cyclists, burning buttes and roundabouts.

For the rest of you (you know who you are),

Apologies to my Christian readers. Do I even have any?
(Don't answer. Rhetorical. Really.)

How many screens does it take

to run a business?

This is my friend Brian. The two monitors on the left are Mac and the other two PC, all run from one keyboard and mouse.

Notice he's texting from his phone in the middle of all this.

I was pretty impressed. A great guy and a great company.*

*No promotional consideration was paid for this endorsement, except lunch.

"You like me. Right now, you like me." *

*Actual transcript of Sally Fields' 1985 Oscar acceptance speech.

Tonight I went to a Christmas event for the Board I'm on. While I was mingling, a young elected official who I admire began to praise my blog to all around us. I was so surprised -- I didn't know she knew of it, and she clearly was a frequent reader. She said she felt like a part of my life. I was so pleased, and frankly stunned.

[She also told me this great story about the Baked Goods Christmas Tree she won but that's another post.]

I know some of my regular readers: there's the blog writing crowd (linked over there on the right), some coworkers and my family, but who else?  I have no idea. (Sorry, but I don't count the chicken-sweater seekers. They don't care about me -- they just want poultry patterns.)

It's such a self-indulgent exercise, writing a personal blog. I have nothing much to talk about except my ever-fascinating self. I keep myself entertained, but I'm always so taken aback when I hear from others who enjoy it. That truly feels like a gift from the universe. 

So here's to you, known and hidden readers. For you I search for new topics, I edit my words carefully, I sit down and write even when I have nothing to say. I don't know how long this blog will continue (I'm beginning to bore myself, frankly), but as long as you're out there, I'll keep trying. Kisses and hugs, love you, mean it and all that. Hope you had a Happy Hanukkah. (We'll discuss Christmas later)

Soft ball and hard crack

Q: What do those phrases stand for?

A:  Stages of sugar in candy-making. It's what the mixture does when dropped into cold water. If you're new at it, or not, it definitely helps to have a candy thermometer.

I like to make candy -- it's an adventure. I especially love to make real fudge so I can eat it. NOT the recipe with marshmallow fluff: the real candy-thermometer fudge. It's a messy process and a little tricky, as it crystallizes easily and then you get that gritty mouthfeel - sign of an amateur candymaker.

I may or may not make fudge this year. However, every year I do make nut brittle for my dad. It's like peanut brittle but with cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, etc. instead. Very decadent. And murder on the fillings.

Here are some pics of Nut Brittle in the making. Recipe available upon request (I'm too sleepy to post it right now)

The set up:

Approaching the hard crack stage (300 degrees)

You stretch it while it's still hot (it's not as dark as it looks here)

Done. Yum.