The Creped Crusader

This evening E.V. and I had quite a bit going on...not on our social calendars, mind you, but in the kitchen.  I had some additional preparation due to the fact tomorrow I will be with the cats during my dinner prep time.  So it's going to be a busy night here on the blog.  I hope you are prepared for the challenge!

We did take a stroll out to the 'Wall.'  Things just never seem to change, no?  We discussed the weather and the fact absolutely no one has any plans for the long weekend.  shocking...  hahahaha.  There was a visitor of sorts.  An older woman....I cannot recall her name, but she is one loud talker.  I mean loud!  She enormously dislikes individuals who are not so inclined to use their turn-signals.  You truly do not want to know how I actually know that.  It was kinda, sorta, almost, maybe a rather mortifying situation to witness while sitting on said wall.  I am eternally grateful it was not I that was turning into the parking lot....  E.V. and I quickly escaped.  She was rather anxious to make a quick departure...that woman made her nervous....

We ran home and cooked.  I use the concept of us running rather loosely, as I haven't really run since 2006...and even that is questionable...I think it was to catch a bus or something, so that doesn't actually count.

"Hey, Mama...how about we move things along since we have a lot of bases to cover...we don't have all night!"

I made crepes...Get it??? Creped Crusader???  I'll allow everyone a moment to pick yourself off the floor, since you probably fell off of your chair from laughter, and regain your composure...no worries...take your time...I can wait...  As usual, I jest...  I love crepes, so I made some savory crepes and then sweet crepes.  I couldn't help myself! 

Here is the crepe batter, which you blend, in well, a blender...not to be confused with an immersion blender...the buttons are not internal on this blender...

Two eggs, 2/3 cup H2O, 1/2 cup flour...blend away..and while you are, please be sure and check out my super-cute bento

box in the background!  I can't make bento..but I have the box...

We then cooked up the crepes...they're sort of tricky little rascals.  They require a lot of attention.  You need to hover over the pan...no time for booty shaking and such...

"I implore you, Mama...no more booty shaking in the kitchen.  I had nothing but nightmares all night long..."

I appeased her wishes...since we had to focus on crepes, we merely jumped up and down to House of Pain, 'Jump Around.'  hahahahha...terrible song, but for some odd reason, jumping up and down was quite fun...Terrible video..., however it did make crepe making just a tad more entertaining...

Here's a crepe in a pan cooking

Allow me to introduce an entire plate of my little friends...

Yay for crepes...not as great as capes, but much tastier!

I will first introduce the assembly of the savory crepe...

Smoked salmon crepes with capers, dill, cream cheese, lemon juice and pepper...

Here are the plated savory crepes...

They were served along with champagne grapes.  I was quite excited to find these at the grocery store...a rather rare find.  I never get lucky!  They were sooo delicious.  Um and Yum...

My sweet cape, oops, I mean crepe choice was that of strawberries and cream.  The whipped cream I made myself.  It is easy to make and much tastier than the store boughten variety.

Slice up strawberries, add a splash of H20, some sugar and a little vanilla.  I thickened them up a bit with some corn starch.

Moving along...here are the components necessary for homemade whipped cream..

Pour some cream in a bowl, add a little sugar and vanilla.  Chill in the freezer 5-10 minutes and whip with a mixer.

Ummmm and triple ummm.  I had a bit left over after the assembly of my sweet crepes....Are there any part-time chainsaw jugglers out there interested in what I have left over...You've got my number...give me a shout out! :-)

I then assembled the sweet crepes...

I very much enjoyed them.  Crepes (and capes) rock...especially of the pink variety...

E.V. was dying for a few morsels and leftover crumbs, but isn't that always the case.

"Please, please, please share, Mama!  I'm drooling and I can't stop."

She had more than her fair share today.  Not to mention I made up some chicken stock for tomorrow.  It's the same as my beef stock, except with chicken...

At this point and time, allow me to set the record straight.  I am the maker of stock, not to be confused with a stalker...I simply do not have that sort of time to devote to stalking...although, coincidentally there is thyme in my stock.  Riddle me this, my friends..  tisk-tisk... and throw in an MMMBop!

"Awww, Mama..did you JUST say that out loud????  That's it.  Where's my passport.  I'm moving to Canada...I can't take this any longer."

She's such a drama queen...and where is her sense of humor.  Typical teenager, as I always proclaim!

We're off to fight crime and such.  Perhaps have a conversation or two with our friends over on at the 'Wall.'  After which I will simply be here chillin' in my pink crepe..oh, I mean cape.  My bad.  Oops.  Have a wonderful evening.  Thank you for being a part of our lives.  I'd skip listening to House of Pain...pick something fun...the You Tube is pretty spectacular.  Not as much as that guy...but...  We'll be here tomorrow....This blog has officially been SWAK...

The Good Life....

I must admit...today was spectacular!  A hundred million, billion times better than yesterday.  I lost nothing, hit nothing, hit no one, didn't trip, didn't fall, didn't have any sort of wardrobe malfunctions.  What I DID have was a spectacular conversation!  Magnificent one might say...the Yahoo rocks..sorta, kinda like the You Tube, but on a different level. Oh, and if you were a curious cat such as myself....part-time chainsaw jugglers are the bee's knees..  I happen to know one...I keep it on the DL...  I probably should think twice about saying such things out loud.  I don't want to jinx my one-day lucky 'streak.'

"Yeah, Mama....zip those lips...I am quite familiar with your 'luck.'  I'm off to hide under the bed..."

Quite the sassafras, that gal.  We worked, cooked, ate, visited the 'Wall' for inspiration, then blogged.  Basically the entire crew was out there this evening,  discussing the usual.  This evening everyone was sooooooooooo cold.  Whereas, Sunday, everyone was sooooooooooooooooo hot.  They are just a hoot!  Oh, and we talked about hoodies and their importance in keeping one warm.  I tried convincing them we need to form a committee, one of which I offered to spearhead.  A shelter needs to be erected and ready to go when the rain shows up.  Apparently they hang out on the 'Wall' during  inclement weather.  I explained conditions on said 'Wall' could greatly improve if we put our minds to it.  They weren't too interested.  Such is life...

"Ah, Mama...you had good intentions....did your best...I'm just here to be your support."  What a sweet pea....if only I felt that way about her at 3am when she needed a walk...

Alrighty people, back to my real purpose.  I made dinner AND I also did something else.  Can you guess???  Do you feel like guessing??  *Tap* *Tap*...this thing on???   Tonights meal was an invention of sorts.  Kinda, sorta, possibly a deconstructed type of stew, soup, thingy... Allow me to explain.  I made beef stock...that was my secret.  Yawn and double-yawn...I know.  Good thing you saved the balloons and confetti for another occasion.

I had leftover steak from last evening and had found this fabulous crispy gnocchi recipe.  I thought...why not combine the two.  What could be better!?!?!  Well, lots of things..like that new Willis Coach bag in mahagony I requested two weeks ago for my birthday.  (mom, are you reading????)...nothing has shown up as of today.  In case you were concerned.  As I digress...I started with soup bones...

E.V. rather enjoys these babies after the stock has finished cooking...

Beef stock.  Bones, herbs, garlic, peppercorns, potatoes, carrots, onions (and a bonus...dried chanterelle mushrooms!  I was able to snag a few from the house).

Boil for a bit and allow it to steep for a bit, then strain and put into jars for later use.  I used about a cup for my sauce.

My sauce was lonely....so I thought I would cheer him up and add some crispy gnocchi and steak from last night.  Just returning the favor, as T.G. really cheered me up.  Just trying to do what's right!

Essentially a dumpling/rivel with mashed potatoes.  I added fresh herbs, garlic, flour, parmesan and a some egg.  Again, the parmesan was absent for this photo.  I send out these memos to remind all ingredients where they need to be an what is going on....no one ever reads them!  So frustrating!...  Brown eggs are beautiful, BTW.  Just like brown hair!

Once the dough is created you roll it out and cut it into pieces.

Here is the dough rolled out...after it is cut, you boil in water until it floats, drain and then fry in some peanut oil. 

Frying anything in peanut oil makes it THAT much better.  As I have professed before, I would eat my own flip-flop if it were deep fried.  mmmm.. Then I sprinkled with a little parmesan. 

To accompany my main dish...I'm still at a loss for an official title.  If any of you have any comments or suggestions for a name, I can be reached at 1-800-PINK-NINJA.  It is toll-free...please dial carefully...

I broiled green beans, carrots and zucchini tossed in olive oil and some pepper.

My Public Service Announcement for this evening.  While you are waiting for your beef stock to reach a rolling boil so you can add your slurry of cornstarch and water, do not, under any circumstances, use that as an opportunity shake your booty in the kitchen and use your whisk as a drum stick while listening to MMMBop.  You burn vegetables.  See for yourself. 

Distraction is ugly.  I blame that song.  It is ALL Hanson's fault!  Fortunately I had extra vegetables in the refrigerator.

On a positive note, I have now perfected the air drum....I could totally play drums for Hanson, but only if they begged...Oh, and whisks make excellent drum sticks, in case you were wondering.  I feel it is my civic duty to inform the public of things, especially those of the utmost importance.

I re-broiled a new batch of vegetables....disaster averted!  Can I get a 'yay' for a contingency plan??!!!???!!  It's a good thing I roll in this manner...and have a cape!  It's pink, in case you were wondering.... :-)

Here is my deconstructed, sorta beef 'stew' with crispy gnocchi instead of egg noodles...

It really tasted very good.  E.V. had zero complaints, yet she never does...in that respect she does NOT take after her Mama...

"Mama, I love it!  And I love you, too!!"

Again, we rather enjoyed your company.  We'll be here tomorrow.  I felt it necessary to make such claim in the event you were concerned, anxious, apprehensive, bothered, troubled.....I could go on and on and on, but, again, you know that already.  Oh, an go listen to the acoustic version fo Foo Fighters, Everlong.  Great stuff, I kid you not...I'm not the kinda gal that kids..but you already knew that!

To Be Continued....



Falling for You....

Where were we, folks??  As far as days go, if I were to rate today on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a -4....it would have been a -35, but there was That Guy...made things significantly better, and for that I profusely thank and appreciate.  We were cursed from the beginning, being a Monday and all.  E.V. and I were up with the chickens.  Not my doing by any means.  It was all her fault!

"I'm sorry, Mama.  Mother Nature was calling and I had to pick up the phone!  I had no choice!!  Please forgive me..."

Alright, perhaps just this one time.  After an early AM walk, which did not rock my world..not even close...things sort of went downhill from there.  My computer blew up, and I am most certain it had nothing to do with the twenty-five windows I had open simultaneously.  Absolutely zero! 

Here is my office...can you see Taylor Hanson on the left???  Only a slight drool...I promise!  I should note..this photo was taken at 7pm. 

Martinis + Spreadsheets = Disaster. 

We ran errands.  That sounds safe, no??  When we went to leave the garage to run our errands and we ran into the gate.  Apparently you are supposed to hit the garage door button to open the gate.  Who knew!?!?!  I'm rather certain once they review the surveillance footage from the garage, they'll kick me out and I will have to resort to street parking....at least the shop welded on my catalytic converter.  Then I lost my camera, so there almost was no blog.  I suspect Grumpy Smurf snuck back up here and hid it...he is a jerk.  I say that only because I never, ever, ever lose anything!  Ever!  hahahahaha...I wish...

"It's OK, Mama....can we move along.  Remember that discussion we had regarding focusing...It's time...Oh, and while you're at it, will you please pick another song.  If I hear MMMBop one more time, I'm throwing myself off of the Sellwood bridge!"

She has a point, and I didn't want to waste too much of your time this evening, and I have my second installment of  'The Wall' story.  We're talking about the ladies tonight.  Everyone over on 'The Wall' is dying to know what I've said.  But, none of them have computers, internet access...the essentials. 

The ladies of 'The Wall...'  I will start off by saying that none of them, myself included look spectacular in a white T-Shirt....we leave that task up to Adam.  After all, he could probably be the President of the 'sporting a white T-shirt well club.'  They all live over at the retirement community, except for me.  There is Gayle, Mae, Barbara and Mary.  Mary is with Russ, the ex-Oakland Raider...  They drink lots of coffee, all have grown children, enjoy gossiping and talk about the weather, and like the guys, tell the same stories over and over again...  I never understood 'the weather' conversation...  They are all quite sweet, they love E.V. and laugh at my jokes.  They're a total hoot.

Alright...I've vented, you listened, didn't hit delete (at least I hope not)...so we shall move onto cooking.  Sorry for getting off-track.  I blame it on Monday..as I have said before, I always find someone else to blame...it's not my fault...nope.  Not at all...I'm absolutely perfect.  hahahahahaha.  Talk about embellishments...  I'm the Doctor of Spin, to be PC...

I did some research today and I was going to make this parmesan custard to accompany my steak and pea pods.  Then, exhaustion set in....so that will have to wait until later this week when I have more time and energy.  I kept things relatively simple.  I'll be crashing and burning in about thirty minutes.  I'll save my fancy-pants stuff for later in the week.

We had a heavily pepper crusted steak...

You can't beat pepper....well, you probably could...but it would be an ugly fight.  Not to mention, what if pepper sued you for his medical expenses....it could be costly...just sayin'...He'd take you on Judge Judy...hahahaha.  Not pretty, people...

Ginger-soy pea pods and oven roasted rosemary red potatoes were the sides to our steak...  I can share some post pea pod shots, however the potato shots were utterly hideous...so allow me to introduce the peas...I had about ten pea jokes up my sleeve...I spared myself the embarrassment..but they were good...excellent, one might say...next time..next time...

I grated up some ginger and added some soy sauce...they were pretty feisty and yummy.

Considering I do not have a grill, I used a combination of peanut oil and butter to fry up the steak.

The cast iron pan makes up for my lack of grill.  Oh, and if you look closely, you can see my reflection in the oil.  Good thing I showered and brushed my teeth today.  teehee..

I ended up creating two separate plates for the final meal.  The first one sort of irritated me..but the second one wasn't quite right.  You be the judge.  I hate it when the food presentation does not go as envisioned in my head.

Where are some microgreens when you need them????

Upon consuming cow...I prefer it closer to the mooing stage.  This is rare...sorta..could have been a little more rare.  Personal preference.  However, if you do like that sort of thing, McCormick's serves a killer Kobe Beef Carpaccio...Again, I'm a walking public service announcement...it's my duty to protect and inform....that's why I have a cape!  Always prepared!!

E.V. loved both versions...I personally love my mini skillet.  All in all, it was tasty...but I did buy a some mint flavored Oreos.  It's been that kind of day, and we'll head out to the livingroom and eat too many of them...because they are delicious and that's how we roll!!

"Mama, ya gonna share with me????  I love Oreos!"

She loves anything.  Total mooch..I thank you for allowing us to rant and be lunatics....all on the world wide web...we're not shy gals, in case you hadn't noticed!  Have a terrific evening!!  Stay tuned, as usual we'll be here tomorrow!!

TTYL, T.G.....



The Wall...

Allow me to clarify...this post has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with Pink Floyd.  Around these here parts there is a different 'Wall.'  One of which I have hinted about for a week or so.  I decided since it was Sunday and there were a couple of things which caused reason for celebration, I would delve into the mysteries of the 'Wall' and discuss.  All both fascinating and humorous.  Quite possibly the understatement of the year.  I'll get to all of that in a moment.  Patience, people!  It makes us better human beings....and it is virtuous!  Who wouldn't want to be virtuous??  I can only imagine how good that looks on your resume...

Back to the celebration...aside from a clean apartment and laundry, we have reached a milestone of sorts.  One I never fathomed. I do not routinely check my blog traffic.  I don't like to jinx myself and it is not as though I am encompassed with good luck.  I'll have you know, as of this evening, I broke the 400 mark.  I had over 400 checker-outers!  That made me smile. (not as much as T.G.), but a huge smile none-the-less.  I cannot thank you all enough, and if I knew your addresses, and if my handwriting wasn't so poor, and if I stationary, and stamps, I would personally send you all thank-you cards.  My parents did teach me good manners.  I know better.  I really, really would.  So, I'll send out a virtual thank you, which isn't quite as personal.  But I sooo appreciate your support.  This is fun, and I quite enjoy writing .  Your loyalty is astounding...and also a virtue, in case you were a curious sorta cat!

Alright...back to the 'Wall.'  Anyone gotta a tissue???  hahahaha...  The 'Wall' is a spot over on Marigold where an eclectic group of individuals hang out.  I officially was inducted into said group two weeks ago.  Now that I am a member, there are seven of us.  Three guys, three girls and me..oh, I'm a girl, in case there was any confusion.  As to not overwhelm you with information, I will start off discussing the guys of the group.  I'll save the gals for tomorrow. Amongst this group, I am the only one gainfully employed.  Most of them are from the retirement community down the block...except for Adam.  He and I are the only ones under 40.  They all tell the same stories over and over and over...and we do gossip.  Gossip is fun.  Shhhhhh...that's a secret.  I do not generally gossip, ever!  hahahahaha.  Tom is around  50...very nice guy, taking care of his terminally ill uncle and has a sassy, cute little chihuahua named Petey.  Russ is in his mid 60's...always swears that if he were 30 years younger I'd be his girlfriend, tends to drink way too much and used to play football for the Oakland Raiders back in the mid-late '60's.  Boy, the stories he tells.  He's a hoot!  Then there is Adam....he is from Ohio, has lived here about a month in the apartment complex across the street, is an ex-Marine, and looks SPECTACULAR in a white T-shirt.  Just sayin'.  That sort of thing doesn't usually make me go weak in the knees..but, mmmm, yeah..if I were 24 again....the possibilities...

"Mama...you're old enough to be his Mama....Shame on you!  But you have my approval!!  I do like his white T-shirt!"

She takes after me, as I have always professed.  No, we didn't spend our day dreaming about cute little ex-marines from across the street.  I had an agenda, and am a realist...he'd be like, "look old lady, take your cane and get outta my face!"   No time to waste on such nonsense!  Again, I blame the heat....that and white T-shirts...they should be illegal!

We did quite a bit of cooking today...I like to be all fancy-pants on the weekend.  As you are well aware, I have way tooo much free time on my hands.  I do my best to stay out of trouble.  My cape was in the wash, so.....I worked on my Ninja skills.  I am improving, in case anyone was wondering...

I had the other half of my game hen to cook.  I decided to make that, along with potatoes and spinach.  Spinach is a very underrated vegetable.  Quite tasty, if you ask me.  But do you know of a word that rhymes with spinach??  That's sorta-kinda-maybe driving me crazy, just a bit.  No cause for concern.  No need to send out the guys in white coats carrying straightjackets and such..

The other half of my hen...I browned the skin....it was just the right thing to do.  However, be sure and wear a brand new white sundress while doing said task.  It's all about ruining new clothes.  Would someone please send me an apron?!?!?!?

Here is my after photo...Gorgeous, crispy skin.  Things don't get much better than that...they probably do...but I'm at a loss at this point....

I made my own intrepretation of chicken saltimbocca.....Here is my sage and prosciutto.  They rock, and roll as well...and can play the cello!

I placed sage leaves atop the game hen and wrapped in the prosicutto.  Zero regrets!  Four out of five 'That Guy's' would approve...I know my stuff!

I proceeded to bake it in an oven for about 20 minutes.  For that I do have regrets.  It was hot around here today!  I need to find more summer-friendly recipes....But rather tasty.  Totally worth my pain and suffering...I'm a martyr....just in my free time, of course!

I wasn't stupid...and I did not place this hot pan on my carpeting.  I'm learning.  It's taking some time...I will eventually be a-ok!

Along with my game hen, I served whipped potatoes with garlic and creamed spinach.  Both were remarkable!!  Again, that may be a bit of an overstatment..but I hadn't eaten all day.

Here are my spinach components.

A roux of butter/flour (I feel soooo French!), cream, nutmeg, onion, garlic and spinach!  Award-winning combination!

Once the above mentioned ingredients were brought together...they may for a splendid side...

Even Popeye is jealous at this point!  Again, merely an observation...

The game hen was in need of a comfy place to rest...so I thought whipped potatoes would be most appropriate...

I've said this before...the bomb shiggaty!

"Oh, Mama...hurry up!!  I'm sooooo hungry!!!!  Don't subject a dog to drooling!"

I plated everything.  However, I am not particularly fond of the appearance.  Something is off.  It tasted very good...I just was not pleased...too much food.  Maybe that was it.

May I present....dinner.  Can I get a little finger clap????  Just a little bit???  Are those crickets I hear???  Hello???

Be sure and take advantage of your pan juices.  They add an excellent accent to the dish...

After we ate, we hung out at the wall for a bit.  Tom was the only one around.  I have actually been listening to Mumford and Sons today...it's sort of like The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie...I fought being a fan every step of the way.  I just couldn't help myself.  I have little-to-zero restraint...Again, it is something on which I am working.   One of these days I will be totally put together.  hahahahahahha.  Probably not.

My herbs are almost dry...and I had no choice but to move them outside to the veranda.  They're in a vulnerable position.  That Guy...where are you...I accepted your application!  This is an urgent matter...before spiders take over and such..

I straight-up fired Grumpy Smurf...now he has a reason to be grumpy.  Then I threw him off my veranda.  It was an ugly fight.  We'll leave it at that...

"Awww, Mama...you should be nicer to Smurfs!"

Thanks again to you all.......As previously mentioned, your support keeps me going.  I could not do this without you!!   We'll be here tomorrow...so watch out!

Pocket full of Kryptonite

Today was a typical Saturday, much to our chagrin.  We did our best to stay out of trouble and stimulate the economy.  That meant a dog park tour and shopping.  Not for anything fun, really.    Mostly boring things like food and ice cube trays.  We did write some haikus for someone...they always say a way to a man's heart is through haiku...merely an observation. We did pick berries, briefly.  E.V. is a horrible berry picker.  I'm never taking her with me again.  At this rate it will take eons to acquire enough berries for more coulis!  I was sort of disappointed...shhh..she can never know!  Please tuck that secret away!

"Look, everyone!  Mama bought me a new bone today.  I love it!!"

We cooked!  Of course we did....isn't that why we're all here??  At least that's my reason for still calling planet Earth my home.  I didn't get accepted into Saturn...those darn GRE's...  No tears!!  None.  I've gotten over it and moved on....again, trust me, I'll be alright!

I have a big announcement regarding my meal this evening.  I'll give you all a moment to take a seat.  Grab a drink.  Take a deep breath, or two.  Totally up to you....  I am taking precautions, because as I have previously mentioned, I don't have insurance.  In the lucrative world of blogging...ya gotta cover all of the bases...dot your I's and cross those T's...words to live by!!

We, being E.V. and myself, had a cheeseburger and onion rings for dinner.  Best decision ever!  Well, not exactly.  Embellishment.  Yet another one of my illnesses..  I try.  I really, really do...

Ground beef...I specifically chose this package.  It's special...just like me!  Only not in a good way.  hahahaha

Elements of a burger....C6H12O6.  Hahahaha...no that is sucrose...I jest.  Who doesn't love a little chemistry humor??  Chemistry makes the world go 'round!  Just ask Avogadro (I've got his number!)  Garlic, onion, soy sauce, a splash of cream....

Not your ordinary burger...would you expect anything less at this point??  This is the ultimate cheese and bacon filled cheeseburger...  Cheese is the bee's knees.  It is my Kryptonite.  Well, cheese and cybercrushes.  Can't help myself.  Purely a weakness!  I did have other photos of the cheese filling, however my less than adequate photo taking abilities preventing one from posting said shots.  No disappointments...next time, guys!  No worries!

Before I began frying up my burger....grill would have been my first choice, but I don't have a grill.  Again, don't be sad....I'm not.  I prepared the onion rings.  I have never made my very own onion rings...so I am a little attached to these babies...

I used red...you've all heard my lecture on onion selection, so I will spare you the ugly details.  Soak them in buttermilk.  Why??  Because I said so, that's why!  There is a reason, however it escapes my tiny brain at the moment.  However, you will have zero regrets!

Once they've been chillin' in buttermilk, grab your tongs...don't be shy, and toss them around in some flour...  It is their destiny!  They won't argue...Have you ever heard an onion argue??  They may make you cry, but they will never argue!  I've dealt with lots of onions.  I speak from experience!

We're soooo close to eating.....it makes me want to drool.  Drooling is not a bad thing, in certain situations.  I say it is socially acceptable, in certain situations.  I would provide a list of the ideal 'certain' situations, however, I won't bore you...

"Mama..you're getting better at this blogging thing...you're kinda, sorta staying right on track.  I am impressed by your progress.  My faith in you has been vindicated..."  She's only being supportive because I bought her a new bone.  Typical!

Why, thank you my sweet pea.  She's my rock.  My motivation.  A super-special gal!

I was nervous about making my onion rings.  It involved grease and frying and oil and stinky smells and third-degree burns.  But then I considered how delicious one would taste.  I went through the whole risk-reward evaluation....the rewards greatly outweighed my risks....Yep, for once, a good decision was made by Lesley Brennan.  Put that on your calendars, or in your pipe and smoke it, as it seldomly ever happens!

Yay for fried foods....ummmmmhmmmmmm and yum!

Here is the cooked burger...

Again, we all are well aware of my thoughts on cheese.  Cheese.  It does a body good.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!  OH, that and butter....butter is better...

Shall we cut to the chase and finally eat.  I've only had a squished fig newton all day (don't even bother asking)..so I was, of course, starving.  Well, now I am not, silly!

I threw in a pickle.  You can't really beat a dill pickle.  They're the cat's whiskers!  Which is actually better, if you stop and think...bee's knees or cat's whiskers....this Saturday night's condundrum was brought to you by Starbucks..hahahahaha....not really... 

After we ate...E.V. actually joined me in the bedroom/office/cave while I blogged. 

"Hey, Mama...point that fan in my direction.  It's hot!"

I felt it necessary to provide a status update on the drying of my herbs.  Things are getting ugly around here....see for yourself...

Day #3 - Grumpy Smurf was incapable of handling the spider pressure.  I had no choice but to call in additional troops.  They are worthless!!  I have one pre-approved application from That Guy.  Things are looking up at this point.  All criteria has been met!  I will be expediting the process, as the position needs to be filled ASAP!

Tonight we have quite enjoyed The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.  I was skeptical about allowing myself to really like this song, and I did fight it.  Seemed too.....um, there's a word... I'm not quite sure...but it turns out....great song.  Quite catchy!  Like MMMBop...  Speaking of which, I couldn't let them go.  A dear cyber-cutie  friend of mine pointed out that I would be losing the presence of pre-pubescent rock magnetisim if I were to eliminate them from my life.  I was in a panic and couldn't fathom the thought.  I used my Jedi mind tricks on the computer speakers.  They now play it on command.  All is now right in my world....thanks to cyber-cuties, that is!

We'll be around again tomorrow.  It's cleaning day!  Hahahahha....we live the life, no???  Be sure and stay tuned...