1. Pics: Just came across this today from Cute Overload. It made me laugh out loud because I can totally imagine myself trying the same thing with the same results (that is, if I had 2 cats and a dog).
2. Video: Can a cat and a crow be friends? Check out this fantastic video that my mom sent me a link to. It's about 7 minutes, but it is worth it. You especially have to see the pranking action around the 5 minute mark.
3. Article: The New York Times column The Minimalist has some good tips on what to ditch from your pantry and what to always keep on hand. It's amazing how he can make a simple bean recipe sound so delicious. I will have to try cooking dry beans since he says there's a huge difference from canned.
4. Video: Wing Suit Base Jumping. Go watch and prepare to be in awe. Something with 9,000 diggs in 2 days--you know it has to be good.
5. Lists! Who doesn't love lists?! This is a good one: What's In and Out for 2009. I must be behind the times, because I still like a lot of the "out" things (Lost, LOL Cats).
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Random Thoughts
- I had no mail today. None at all.
- I got a free cappuccino at Sheetz just for filling up my car.
- I counted it up today and I did a total of 299 on-call shifts in 2008.
- I saw Craig Ferguson on Million Dollar Password and was impressed with his intellect, so I recorded his talk show (the Late Late Show). I am in love with his Scottish accent. And he's pretty funny!
- I am currently obsessed with lox and cream cheese.
- There were seven other people in the gym at work today. It really is not big enough for that. On the upside, though, I found out they are finally going to put in a new TV in the next couple of weeks. The old one broke and has been gone for about 3 months.
- I heart Robert Krulwich's science podcast on NPR.
- I know it's time to take down the Christmas tree but I am so fond of the lights.
- Quite recently there were no movies I wanted to see. Now there are so many! Marley & Me, Milk, Last Chance Harvey, Hotel for Dogs, Bride Wars, Four Christmases. And in Feb they release He's Just Not That Into You and Confessions of a Shopaholic!
Monday, January 05, 2009
I think it fits in well!
Granted, it's behind me when I'm sitting at my desk all day. But I have other beautiful items to gaze at.
See Elefante, and the new baby? See the fountain behind the bamboo?
Here's a closeup of the painting.
I think I've posted more about my office (i.e., workspace) than anyone ever would care to know. But when you occupy a space over 40 hours a week, it's important to you. Okay, ME, it's important to ME. But it's my blog. You can get your own blog and post about your own office. Or classroom. Or cubicle. Or UPS driver's seat.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Sunday report, with bonus recipe!
Update: I forgot an ingredient for the casserole. See below for correction.
I exercised a total of one time this past week. Not to start the year with excuses, but I did just make the resolution on Thursday. I use the gym at work. It is tiny, but it has two ellipticals, two treadmills, and two recumbent bikes, along with some free weights and one of those weight machine thingies where you can do lateral pull downs and such. I suppose I could have gone into the office Saturday or today to get in another workout, but nah. I did walk for several hours at the mall yesterday. Although it was not vigorous, it is much better than my typical Saturday of sitting in front of the TV and/or computer.
My plan is to work out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after work. Exactly which days may have to be adjusted based on things like what day everyone wants to go out to sushi and the like. This coming week, Thursday and Friday are going to be atypical. We are having our annual Kick-Off, which is supposed to be a kind of look back, look forward event. I'm not quite sure what we're doing Thursday. It's departmental meetings, I think. So I think I can work out that evening. But Friday we are not going in to the office. We are meeting in a conference room at the RBC Center (it is like 1 mile from our building), and then going out for a big dinner. I have no idea where yet. Communication in my company leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm told that's the number one topic at Kick-Off, so hopefully it will improve in the future. I have often thought of proposing that I add to my current position the duties of internal communication. But that would mean I have to know everything that's going on and decide who needs to be informed. And although we've been told in the past that this is a "transparent" company, the current administration comes across as more secret cabal than populist collaboration.
But I digress. Moving on to a more pleasant topic, let's talk casseroles. As in, the one I made for dinner tonight. It is to die for, but the ingredients are so simple. I found it in one of those recipe books they have at the grocery store checkout line. I love those. They're always good for a few winners. This is a breakfast casserole, but honestly, it is good any time of day.
20 oz. fresh shredded potatoes
1/3 cup butter
1 cube bouillon
Melt butter, combine with potatoes. Mash up bouillon cube and sprinkle over potatoes; mix. Press potatoes into bottom and up along sides of 2qt baking dish. I've found that the taller ones result in a moister finished product than the long flat ones. Bake that at 350 for 30 min.
1 lb turkey sausage
1/3 cup onion
Meanwhile, brown the turkey sausage with the onion and drain fat, if any.
1 cup cottage cheese (original recipe calls for 4%--tonight I used 2% and it was just as good, but not as firm after cooking)
3 eggs lightly beaten (I usually use real ones, but tonight I tried southwestern Egg Beaters and it worked fine)
4 pieces of American cheese (please do not get 2% or god forbid, fat-free)
Combine the cottage cheese and eggs. Tear the American cheese into small pieces and drop into egg mixture, then stir. Pour sausage into egg mixture and stir. (You may wish to add some chopped roasted garlic at this point--the recipe does not call for it but I do!) Then pour everything into the potato crust and bake at 375 for 45 min, or until knife inserted at center comes out clean. Allow 10-15 min for casserole to set before eating. You can get 6 servings out of it if necessary, but it is so good you'll probably only get 4.
My only complaint about this recipe is that you have to bake it twice. I may try eliminating the potato baking one day to see if it still comes out okay. Or maybe only baking it until I'm done preparing the filling.
And yes, I realize it may seem ironic starting this post with talk of exercise, and ending it with talk of cheesy comfort food. But the comfort food is the reason and reward for the exercise!
I exercised a total of one time this past week. Not to start the year with excuses, but I did just make the resolution on Thursday. I use the gym at work. It is tiny, but it has two ellipticals, two treadmills, and two recumbent bikes, along with some free weights and one of those weight machine thingies where you can do lateral pull downs and such. I suppose I could have gone into the office Saturday or today to get in another workout, but nah. I did walk for several hours at the mall yesterday. Although it was not vigorous, it is much better than my typical Saturday of sitting in front of the TV and/or computer.
My plan is to work out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after work. Exactly which days may have to be adjusted based on things like what day everyone wants to go out to sushi and the like. This coming week, Thursday and Friday are going to be atypical. We are having our annual Kick-Off, which is supposed to be a kind of look back, look forward event. I'm not quite sure what we're doing Thursday. It's departmental meetings, I think. So I think I can work out that evening. But Friday we are not going in to the office. We are meeting in a conference room at the RBC Center (it is like 1 mile from our building), and then going out for a big dinner. I have no idea where yet. Communication in my company leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm told that's the number one topic at Kick-Off, so hopefully it will improve in the future. I have often thought of proposing that I add to my current position the duties of internal communication. But that would mean I have to know everything that's going on and decide who needs to be informed. And although we've been told in the past that this is a "transparent" company, the current administration comes across as more secret cabal than populist collaboration.
But I digress. Moving on to a more pleasant topic, let's talk casseroles. As in, the one I made for dinner tonight. It is to die for, but the ingredients are so simple. I found it in one of those recipe books they have at the grocery store checkout line. I love those. They're always good for a few winners. This is a breakfast casserole, but honestly, it is good any time of day.
20 oz. fresh shredded potatoes
1/3 cup butter
1 cube bouillon
Melt butter, combine with potatoes. Mash up bouillon cube and sprinkle over potatoes; mix. Press potatoes into bottom and up along sides of 2qt baking dish. I've found that the taller ones result in a moister finished product than the long flat ones. Bake that at 350 for 30 min.
1 lb turkey sausage
1/3 cup onion
Meanwhile, brown the turkey sausage with the onion and drain fat, if any.
1 cup cottage cheese (original recipe calls for 4%--tonight I used 2% and it was just as good, but not as firm after cooking)
3 eggs lightly beaten (I usually use real ones, but tonight I tried southwestern Egg Beaters and it worked fine)
4 pieces of American cheese (please do not get 2% or god forbid, fat-free)
Combine the cottage cheese and eggs. Tear the American cheese into small pieces and drop into egg mixture, then stir. Pour sausage into egg mixture and stir. (You may wish to add some chopped roasted garlic at this point--the recipe does not call for it but I do!) Then pour everything into the potato crust and bake at 375 for 45 min, or until knife inserted at center comes out clean. Allow 10-15 min for casserole to set before eating. You can get 6 servings out of it if necessary, but it is so good you'll probably only get 4.
My only complaint about this recipe is that you have to bake it twice. I may try eliminating the potato baking one day to see if it still comes out okay. Or maybe only baking it until I'm done preparing the filling.
And yes, I realize it may seem ironic starting this post with talk of exercise, and ending it with talk of cheesy comfort food. But the comfort food is the reason and reward for the exercise!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Busy Saturday
Okay, I cannot lie. I am posting this on Sunday but I backdated the post to Saturday because I am too ashamed to admit I failed on day 3. I did not forget to post--in fact, I thought about it several times--but I was just too busy. And frankly, I'd rather have a busy life and not be able to post than have no life at all with nothing to post about!
I started the day going to the Starving Artist sale at the Holiday Inn. They probably have these in cities all across America. "Original oil paintings! Nothing over $59!!" It was a tiny room with tons of paintings and tons of people looking and buying. I could have spent several hundred dollars but was looking for something to hang in my office. There is an empty wall behind me and I've been looking for something to hang ever since I moved in there. I was hoping for a 24x36 vertical piece, but 99% of what they had was horizontal. So I ended up getting an 18x24 horizontal piece, framed. The frames really make the paintings look nice. After I hang it at work I'll post a pic. It was a hard decision because there were lots of great ones. I was contemplating a Paris scene with the Eiffel Tower or the Arch d'Triomphe in the background, or a Venice scene with gondoliers, but ultimately chose one that could possibly be along the Amalfi coast of Italy or perhaps Greece. It is very colorful and it makes me happy to look at it.
After the art sale I went to Crabtree Valley Mall to do some belated Christmas shopping. I had tons of fun because there are so many bargains out there. I ended up getting several things for myself as well, such as slippers (new slippers are the best!) and some Hallmark ornaments 60% off. There was also a big sale at Bath & Body Works, and it's hard to pass up things that are normally $10 on sale for $2.
When I finally had shopped till I dropped, I called my parents and asked them if they wanted me to pick up something for dinner on my way to their house. We decided Pei Wei sounded good. I love Pei Wei. It's the bistro version of PF Chang's. Delicious food at good prices. At my parents' house we ate then watched a movie called Hope Springs. Netflix had recommended it to me. It sounded good--a romantic comedy with Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, and Heather Graham. It was kind of slow to start, and a little quirky, but it ended up being cute enough.
I'm off to my massage and then to do some grocery shopping, but I promise to log on again for my Sunday post. Speaking of Sunday Posts, have you checked out Post Secret lately? If it's not a regular on your list of sites to visit, it should be. Go check it out!
I started the day going to the Starving Artist sale at the Holiday Inn. They probably have these in cities all across America. "Original oil paintings! Nothing over $59!!" It was a tiny room with tons of paintings and tons of people looking and buying. I could have spent several hundred dollars but was looking for something to hang in my office. There is an empty wall behind me and I've been looking for something to hang ever since I moved in there. I was hoping for a 24x36 vertical piece, but 99% of what they had was horizontal. So I ended up getting an 18x24 horizontal piece, framed. The frames really make the paintings look nice. After I hang it at work I'll post a pic. It was a hard decision because there were lots of great ones. I was contemplating a Paris scene with the Eiffel Tower or the Arch d'Triomphe in the background, or a Venice scene with gondoliers, but ultimately chose one that could possibly be along the Amalfi coast of Italy or perhaps Greece. It is very colorful and it makes me happy to look at it.
After the art sale I went to Crabtree Valley Mall to do some belated Christmas shopping. I had tons of fun because there are so many bargains out there. I ended up getting several things for myself as well, such as slippers (new slippers are the best!) and some Hallmark ornaments 60% off. There was also a big sale at Bath & Body Works, and it's hard to pass up things that are normally $10 on sale for $2.
When I finally had shopped till I dropped, I called my parents and asked them if they wanted me to pick up something for dinner on my way to their house. We decided Pei Wei sounded good. I love Pei Wei. It's the bistro version of PF Chang's. Delicious food at good prices. At my parents' house we ate then watched a movie called Hope Springs. Netflix had recommended it to me. It sounded good--a romantic comedy with Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, and Heather Graham. It was kind of slow to start, and a little quirky, but it ended up being cute enough.
I'm off to my massage and then to do some grocery shopping, but I promise to log on again for my Sunday post. Speaking of Sunday Posts, have you checked out Post Secret lately? If it's not a regular on your list of sites to visit, it should be. Go check it out!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Day 2, not a failure yet
Today I'm supposed to write about TV, music, or movies. I chose Friday for that theme because Thursday night is Grey's Anatomy. Except that it wasn't on last night. But new episodes resume next week, and they're also moving Private Practice to that night. Yay!
I'm also highly anticipating the return of Lost. It's been forever so I don't even remember where we left off but I downloaded a recap episode from iTunes so that should help. I haven't watched any video on my iPod lately since I haven't done any traveling. I've yet to catch the "watch shows online" bug. Perhaps if my computer were connected to my TV I would be more inclined. I may have to try that. I think my LCD set has an input for computers.
In regards to cinema, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last weekend. I enjoyed it. I think it is one of those films that will grow on you the more you watch it, kind of like Meet Joe Black. I didn't leave the theater thinking, Wow, that's the best movie ever! But it did have an epic quality that I'm fond of, along with good writing and performances. I thought the setup of having the story be told as a memory from the woman's deathbed while Katrina raged outside was kind of odd. I didn't see any symbolic reason to set it during Katrina, but perhaps I'm dense. I never was very good at catching on to symbolism.
I am dying to see Marley & Me, but it is not appealing to my friends because they know it has a sad ending. I know I'll be bawling, but I still want to see it!
I'm also highly anticipating the return of Lost. It's been forever so I don't even remember where we left off but I downloaded a recap episode from iTunes so that should help. I haven't watched any video on my iPod lately since I haven't done any traveling. I've yet to catch the "watch shows online" bug. Perhaps if my computer were connected to my TV I would be more inclined. I may have to try that. I think my LCD set has an input for computers.
In regards to cinema, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last weekend. I enjoyed it. I think it is one of those films that will grow on you the more you watch it, kind of like Meet Joe Black. I didn't leave the theater thinking, Wow, that's the best movie ever! But it did have an epic quality that I'm fond of, along with good writing and performances. I thought the setup of having the story be told as a memory from the woman's deathbed while Katrina raged outside was kind of odd. I didn't see any symbolic reason to set it during Katrina, but perhaps I'm dense. I never was very good at catching on to symbolism.
I am dying to see Marley & Me, but it is not appealing to my friends because they know it has a sad ending. I know I'll be bawling, but I still want to see it!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
I have not been a very good blogger lately, so I might be setting myself up for failure, but I am going to try and post every single day in 2009. We'll see how long that lasts. To help come up with things to write about, I'm setting up some daily themes. My rule is that I can deviate from the theme if I have something else to write about, but if not, at least I can have some direction for those days when the inspiration just doesn't strike.
Mondays: Animals
Tuesdays: Travel
Wednesdays: Top 5 web finds
Thursdays: Gratitude
Fridays: TV/movies/music
Saturdays: Quote of the Week
Sundays: Exercise Report
That last day's theme gives away one of my other resolutions. I must, must, must work out at least three times a week. Perhaps if I am committed to reporting back here each week, I will be less likely to flake out.
My last resolution is a very simple one, but if I can keep it my closet will thank me. After I change into my pajamas, I have a habit of tossing my clothes either on top of the hamper (is it really so hard to OPEN it??!) or on top of the chest of drawers in the closet. My resolution is to either put the clothes IN the hamper, or to hang them back up. Yes, I wear many things more than once in between washings. Don't you?
Mondays: Animals
Tuesdays: Travel
Wednesdays: Top 5 web finds
Thursdays: Gratitude
Fridays: TV/movies/music
Saturdays: Quote of the Week
Sundays: Exercise Report
That last day's theme gives away one of my other resolutions. I must, must, must work out at least three times a week. Perhaps if I am committed to reporting back here each week, I will be less likely to flake out.
My last resolution is a very simple one, but if I can keep it my closet will thank me. After I change into my pajamas, I have a habit of tossing my clothes either on top of the hamper (is it really so hard to OPEN it??!) or on top of the chest of drawers in the closet. My resolution is to either put the clothes IN the hamper, or to hang them back up. Yes, I wear many things more than once in between washings. Don't you?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas
We had a lovely family Christmas. Here are a few pics:
Santa was very good to me. I got lots of books, a bluetooth headset, some kitchen stuff, a projecting clock, and best of all, a pocket camera. (After much research, I decided on the Panasonic LZ8, for anyone who's interested.) So now I will be able to take pictures even when I don't cart around my big Nikon. Yay!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Green Bay, WI
Back in mid-November I went up to Green Bay, WI for work. The way my appointments were scheduled, I had a fair amount of time to do some sightseeing. I took in both Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers football team) and the National Railroad Museum. Here are some photos from the trip.
These seats are uber expensive.
Our tour guide was excellent and our group was friendly.
Those are cheese hats in the back of that Packers truck. The gift store was a sight to behold.
Big Boy...designed specifically to haul payload over the mountains. It needed to carry an ungodly amount of coal.
This is the engine room of the Big Boy. Yikes!
A Pullman (sleeping) car in rather good condition. There was a neat exhibit inside that made use of big LCD screens and an animated attendant would speak about civil rights as they pertained to train travel.
I climbed this observation tower. It has 99 steps exactly!
The view of the museum from the wooden tower.
Looking out onto the river that runs next to the museum...see that ice there? Yeah, it was cold.
In addition to the enclosed warehouse, there was a "trainport" of sorts with more specimens. They were covered, but still exposed to the outside elements. Walking through some of them, it was so cold and quiet, it felt like I was walking through something frozen in time.
I pretty much had the museum all to myself, which was nice.
Do you think there are enough rivets on this train? I think it needs a few more.
Now that's what I call a stainless steel kitchen!
Something about this car reminds me of the show Mad Men.
They had a big display of train logo signs. I really like these two but they were all cool looking.
These seats are uber expensive.
Our tour guide was excellent and our group was friendly.
Those are cheese hats in the back of that Packers truck. The gift store was a sight to behold.
Big Boy...designed specifically to haul payload over the mountains. It needed to carry an ungodly amount of coal.
This is the engine room of the Big Boy. Yikes!
A Pullman (sleeping) car in rather good condition. There was a neat exhibit inside that made use of big LCD screens and an animated attendant would speak about civil rights as they pertained to train travel. 
I climbed this observation tower. It has 99 steps exactly!
The view of the museum from the wooden tower.
Looking out onto the river that runs next to the museum...see that ice there? Yeah, it was cold.
In addition to the enclosed warehouse, there was a "trainport" of sorts with more specimens. They were covered, but still exposed to the outside elements. Walking through some of them, it was so cold and quiet, it felt like I was walking through something frozen in time.
I pretty much had the museum all to myself, which was nice.
Do you think there are enough rivets on this train? I think it needs a few more.
Now that's what I call a stainless steel kitchen!
Something about this car reminds me of the show Mad Men. 
They had a big display of train logo signs. I really like these two but they were all cool looking.
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Puppy
My parents got a new puppy a couple of weeks ago. His name is Roscoe, and he's a chihuahua. He is the cutest thing you've seen in your entire life. Picture the most adorable baby animal EVER, then multiply that cuteness by infinity, then you will begin to understand how cute Roscoe is. These pix don't even do him justice.
He was playing with a leaf that was blowing in the wind on Saturday afternoon. Chasing a leaf, people. With such enthusiasm and curiosity and innocence it just makes your heart melt. Into a puddle. Then you step in that puddle and go, "Wait, that's not my heart, that's pee!" Yeah, he's still working on his housetraining skillz. But that only takes away from his cuteness by .1%, so he's still got plenty to spare.
He was playing with a leaf that was blowing in the wind on Saturday afternoon. Chasing a leaf, people. With such enthusiasm and curiosity and innocence it just makes your heart melt. Into a puddle. Then you step in that puddle and go, "Wait, that's not my heart, that's pee!" Yeah, he's still working on his housetraining skillz. But that only takes away from his cuteness by .1%, so he's still got plenty to spare.
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