My First Love

I fell in love with Clark Gable when I was a 10-year-old young girl after I read "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and watched the film over and over again on VHS (I had to change the tape to a second one during the intermission. Think he was the prototype of my "type" of guy tall, dark, broad shoulders and not necessarily a clean shaven face. Delicious.

My second love was Cary Grant, after watching "Arsenic and Old Lace." Also Tall and Dark and manly.

My One True Love, you ask... Gorgeous!

Working in the Shadows

Read great book recommended on Citizen Reader's blog, Working in the Shadows: Doing the Jobs [most] Americans Won't Do by Gabriel Thompson in two days. I have to give my subsequent thumbs-up, too. It was published in 2010, after employer sanctions laws in AZ (my home state) but before the pinnacle of SB1070 controversy. Instead of focusing on being able to live on minimum wage or how disgusting it is work work in a slaughterhouse, Thompson strived to live and work as an immigrant. Succinct, to-the-point and brightly written, I can't say that it was necessarily an eye opening experience, rather it furthered my interest in the lives of the people that come to America in hope of a better life - the ones who work several jobs, getting paid sub-minimum wage to work mind-numbing back-breaking tasks (can you imagine dumping big tubs of chicken parts into a bigger tub of more chicken parts or picking lettuce in the sweltering fields in Yuma, AZ for your eight (or more) hour work day - how boring and straining).

Just today, parts of Senate Bill 1070 were put on hold, while the remainder may go into effect tonight at midnight. It is interesting times we live in. I enjoy learning from both sides of the [border] fence and am convinced if more people took an educating and open-minded approach, compromises can be made and agreements reached.

Peace and Love.

Listening to: "What Else is There" by Royksopp
Reading: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Holy Delish!

Made Greek Souzoukaklia (pic and recipe from Allrecipes.com) last night (really have no idea if it is actually Greek). Man, it was good! I thought the ingredients were a bit odd, but what they hey! I used what I had in the pantry so the website's recipe is a little longer. 1 lb. ground beef or turkey, 1/3 onion-chopped, 1/8 tsp coriander, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 dash nutmeg 1/8 tsp paprika (I didnt have cayenne pepper, and paprika is red so...), 2 T. chopped raisins, 1/2 tsp chopped flat leaf parsley, mix and grill. I did burgers, but should be skewered meatballs.

Our Calendar of Cookery is a resounding success. We have discovered several new staples to our pantry and I have found that cooking for Happy Husband each day make him happier and even more helpful around the house.

He popped up from playing video games and asked if he could help me clean up, gave me a hug and a kiss and said thank-you. He did a load of laundry in the morning. When asked, "What brings this on," he responded with "I don't know. Just being nice." Just goes to show you how a little effort goes a long way in maintaining the peace in your household. Happy Wife and Happy Husband indeed.

Listening to: "Howl" by Florence + the Machine
Reading: "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay

People are Melting!

It is about 7,000 degrees in Phoenix this week. Yesterday saw a man riding a bike on Bethany Home Road (yes, I work an hour from my home) wearing a get-up leaving little to the imagination. A lime green crop top with white lace-up booty shorts.

At least he has the legs for them ;)

Listening to: "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles
Reading: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Calendar of Cookery... Progress, but not Perfection

Monday: Shrimp Etouffee (Happy Husband felt like shellfish). Wow, this was awful. Bland and overcooked. 1/3 into the meal, I threw it out and made turkey sandwiches. Cross that off the list!

Tuesday: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash. A resounding success! With the spaetzel being more porridge or gruel-like, there is definitely room for improvement.

Wednesday: I made so much that we are having a Paprikash Redux tonight, with some alterations.
Here is my little recipe:

Chicken Paprikash
1.5 lb chicken (I used bone-in thighs, but prefer breast)
1 T. Canola Oil
1/2 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped (I also have added some garlic powder - we use a lot of garlic around here)
3-4 button mushrooms, chopped (these can be omitted)
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 T. Hungarian Paprika (you could use "normal" paprika, but you'll miss out on the smoky-sweet flavor)
1/2 c. water
1/2 can diced tomatoes (liquid reserved)
1 T. all-purpose flour
4 oz. (about 1/2 an 8 oz. container) fat-free sour cream

1. Brown Chicken in oil on stove-top about 15 minutes, turning over at 7 minutes. Set aside on plate. Saute onions, garlic until onions are translucent. Add in spices and mushrooms. Return chicken to pan and pour water all over. Cook over medium heat approx 40 minutes. Adding more water if necessary.
2. Mix together canned tomato liquid, flour and sour cream. Slowly mix into chicken pan. Cook until thick and creamy. Yum!

**Serve over egg noodles or with spaetzel (dumplings made from egg, flour and milk) for a more authentic hungarian experience. Recipe has a little less than 500 calories per serving. Obtained from allrecipes.com**

Commencement of Cookery

Today is the first day I pledge commitment to my Calendar of Cookery. I have planned out five meals a week for the remaining three weeks of July. I went with an ethnic theme for July as I truly enjoy multicultural cuisine. I'll post some recipes as I go along, if they are up to par (quick and easy and mighty tasty). Tonight ... Chicken Paprikash {HUNGARIAN}. Later this week we'll have Tandoori Fish {INDIAN} and Shrimp Etouffee {CAJUN} just for a couple samples.

I made sure to leave a (2) day of leftovers/day of takeout/day of dining out per week just in case I don't feel like cooking. I made a weekly shopping list so that we can save on our grocery bills. A major component to my manifesto. Eat groceries, not money. Simple.

Let you know how it goes.

Listening to: "Headlock" by Imogen Heap
Reading: "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick

Happy Birthday to My Other Half!

Happy Birthday, Happy Husband! I am so blessed to have been a part of seven of your 29 years. I love you!!! Celebrating the big day (7/7/10) with a Cubs win over the Diamondbacks.

Keep the winning streak alive! They have NEVER lost a game we attended.

Happy Independence Day 2010!

This July 4th Weekend, Happy Husband and I went to Telluride, Colorado to spend time with his friend Eric (they have known each other since they were kids). Eric has lived there for seven years and we finally made the commitment to drive up to see him. It is an eight and a half hour trek so it is no small commitment to make! Our friend Adam tagged along for the journey.

On Friday night, Remy jumped out of Eric's bedroom window - down two stories! Having seen him do that, I wouldn't have believed it if I had been told. Shockingly, he is fine; no cuts, no broken bones, just a little shock. Little Remy just wanted to walk along to Telluride's bars with his mom and dad.

Saturday was filled with the great outdoors as we hiked Bridal Veil to see the falls. The view is simply spectacular. You can see Telluride from up in the clouds, a picture perfect Alpine postcard town. We were drenched by the mist of the falls, slipping through mud and grass when at its base. What a fantastic hike!

I also have to mention that we ate lunch (and breakfast on Saturday) at The New Sheridan. The food is great and the Bloody Mary's are the best (says Happy Husband as I prefer to eat salads and not drink them). Highly recommend this restaurant/bar/hotel as it is in the perfect location on Colorado Avenue (Telluride's Main Street) right in the middle of everything.

That night we met up with some of Eric's friends and some ASU students/grads like us. Small world, big smiles. We hung out, lit fireworks in a bathtub in a garden and I heard Ween sing a song with name name it. Enjoy it. I laughed pretty hard when I heard it.

Sunday, the Fourth of July, was the parade complete with Air National Guard 4 plane flyover and block party by Eric's condo. They cooked a pig in a Caja China and local brewhouse, Smugglers, provided refreshments. Verrrrry tasty. Dogs were everywhere, people were playing Bags, washers and dancing. We capped the night off with drinks at The Last Dollar Saloon after the most incredible fireworks display.

Had a wonderful time. As someone who prefers to stay away from snow, I didnt really think Telluride had more to offer than skiing and boarding, but I was very very pleasantly suprised. I am happy that I suggested this spontaneous adventure.

Listening to: "High Road" by Broken Bells
Reading: Finished "Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Steig Larsson