Moving

I’m in the process of moving to my new host. Things will look different soon.
The new site is ugly but functional. Hopefully we’ll get a re-design in there very soon.
Please do not panic. Check in periodically for painful gnashing of teeth as I complain about the process.

In the quiet

Every morning I sit on the sofa, catch up with the news and blogs and forums and whatever other online dicktitudes I waste my brain power on.
Every morning before work I sit here listening to NPR and the birds.
And every morning the dogs find a way to curl up near me and nap. It is the most peaceful part of my day. I love watching the dogs sleep.

Curriculum Vitae

Who’s the orc in charge of design and development for Saurumon? You can’t just say “make helmets” and have 10,000 helmets made that look the same. Someone has to draw the helmet and say “make this helmet” to all the helmet makers. Same with armor. Then you’ve got things like that wolf shaped fiery battering ram. Some orc sat down at a flat drawing surface and took some nice charcoal pencils and thick paper and drew it out. Not like some 7th grade boy drawing his fantasy weapons in his notebook when he’s supposed to be learning about the intricacies of the Teapot Dome Scandal. No way, this orc has skills! Design skills! He has to make it look good AND figure out the functional specs for it. What will it be made of? What will they burn in it to make the best and most fearsome fire but that won’t burn out too quickly? How will the handles be positioned so that the uruk hai or goblins can carry it most efficiently and without getting burned themselves.
Somewhere there is an orc with a design degree, maybe even an engineering degree. Where do orcs go to college?
And do they have cram sessions?
Anyway, spent the day with Lord of the Rings playing in the background while I sat on the phone with the insurance company and tried to deal with stuff. I comforted myself by cooking a roast in the crock pot and making rice and gravy and asparagus. Comfort food even on such a humid day.

Chai Spiced Rice Pudding

1/2 gallon 2% milk (i suppose any kind could work, i just happened to have 2%)
3/4 cup rice
2/3 cup sugar
cinnamon stick

spice mix:
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 tsp vanilla
rice, sugar, milk and cinnamon stick in pot over medium heat, stirring.
once it comes to a simmer add the spice mix.
Simmer over medium heat 45 minutes or so, stirring constantly, until it becomes thick and delicious. Stir in vanilla.
Cool, serve with golden raisins and pistachios

Screw you, Maartha Stewart

That’s right, screw you, Martha Stewart! I can do what you do but I can do it without being forced to play lesbian housewife to a bald bull behind bars.
Burn? oh yeah! suck it up!


Strawberry Smartass Jam (thanks to Alex for the name!). Tasty strawberry jam with crystallized ginger. Yum.

Spicy german brown mustard! Good for brats and happiness. On the counter I have a batch of dijon mellowing. Tomorrow I will divide it, half will be dill and half will be chive.

I feel all productive! I even cleaned the entire kitchen.
And in non-old lady news I have pics related to the birthday…


My dad wearing his pinwheel hat at my birthday party! Pinwheel hat!

My magical pirate ship kite that David got me for my birthday. YAY!!!!

There, pictures posted.
Now for popcorn and movies!