chickpea

Scary cabin

2012-01-11T15:16:00.001-07:00

I was looking at cabins in Ruidoso, New Mexico and for $80,000 you can buy "Serial Killer Cabin"

Happy Dia de los Reyes, Day of the Kings

2012-01-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Conventional post-12th century depiction of the Biblical magi (Adoração dos Magos by Vicente Gil). Balthasar, the youngest magian, bears frankincense and represents Africa. To the left stands Caspar, middle-aged, bearing gold and representing Asia. On his knees is Melchior, oldest, bearing myrrh and representing Europe.

Panic Attacks

2011-12-03T09:01:00.001-07:00

Wednesday I had a panic attack, and took the day off from work. I thought I had put coffee in my press but I must have grabbed this can instead.

Thursday when I returned, I realized these are the people I work with. Really the only difference in gender, see I work with mostly girls.
Friday morning I went in to work and my supervisor said that my desk MUST remain clean and mine was just a huge mess to much clutter she said... books and coffee mugs seem to set her off.
The best part of my day was when I was informed that while I was gone they, meaning the IT department, had found a virus on my computer. Of course I was blamed because you know I look up porn (blocked) Facebook (blocked) even thisisnthappiness (blocked), by the way that is an ART sight and yes it does contain photographs, a form of art, and yes sometimes the people are naked... OMG!

You know like this...

or this...

But it also contains photographs of...

a raven in flight

amazing advertising...

and just plain fun.
So I ask you why have I been blocked from a ART site that these twits claim is categorized as (pornographic)? Is the human body not a work of art, did God not create it just like he gave you a brain to use to learn how to do your job? Obviously the IT brain in my office is throwing out the "there is a gray area when it comes to what people think is porn" card. I am sure Rodan would disagree!
I can't stand my job, my boss is a Troll

The rest of the girls seem to find it hard to do 2 things at once and so answering the phone and typing on the computer is just way to much for them. So I come back from a 15 minute break to find one of the twits freaking out cause she doesn't know where to transfer this phone call and she can't find something and she ran out of water and Joe gave her this paper she has no idea what its for (on the top of it says "Daily Inspection Sheet" and Irene got a delivery of toner, what should she do with that and, and, and... I was gone for less that 15 minutes and this poor girl is having a total melt down, really, I mean these tasks are not that hard, I just want to tell her, "take a deep breath and use your brain, but then I realize that might cross into that gray area that most intelligent humans call free thinking or even, God forbid, creativity. You know that ability that God gave you, in addition to boobs, to fix things with your brain in a manner befitting a lady.

Oh and I have to go to the Troll on Monday and ask for more work so maybe they could give me a raise. Look into her eyes, could you do it?

2011-11-16T16:33:00.001-07:00

Jesus, why is it so hard to get a scrip for Xanax, I am just having a bad day, no I am not suicidal just agrivated I just want to go home and relax but no Xanax is a terrible addicting drug that might make me fucking calm down for once and maybe I wouldnt have fucking hernia or ulcers or feel like screaming FUCK OFF to the next person that calls on the phone gaurenteeing that I will get fired and then be even more cranky and have to then contimplate suicide. No I have to make a MOTHER FUCKING appointment so I can sit there and spend money while I am losing money to hear some nurse tell me "oh no we can't just give you a scrip for that its to addicting."
Maybe I should just go totally bat shit crazy in the office and have this 20 minute scream feat of all the crazy shit I have to get done, how my boyfriend makes me CRAZY, how I havent had sex in MONTHS, well enjoyable sex and how my moms dog keeps shitting on the wool carpet, my paycheck is the joke of the century I cant even buy a postage stamp FUCK FUCK FUCK!

2011-11-11T16:38:00.001-07:00

2011-11-11T16:16:00.001-07:00

2011-11-11T15:42:00.001-07:00

2011-11-04T15:31:00.000-06:00

I am having a terrible day so here are some random pictures I like...

My new makeup plan!

Need this!

I thought this was the coolest idea.

2011-11-02T15:26:00.000-06:00

2011-11-01T15:28:00.002-06:00

My last post I had decided to organize my life, really how boring is that! I am just not an organized person I always have a pile of stuff that haunts me everywhere I go, saying "fix me, pay me, do the dishes, you forgot dog food, you should make a list."
I had posted some photos of what I wanted my kitchen to look like but as I scrolled down a bit further I saw this:

This is her "dish washing drawer" REALLY folks, I mean my sponges NEVER look like that they are crusted with food and germs and black mold and when they get that bad, well, I throw them out and take my happy happy ass to the Dollar General and buy a whole new "pack o four" and guess what they are only a DOLLLLLLLLAAAAARRRRR.

I find this drawer offensive and very disturbing because I would not use a beautiful lotus bowl to hold my crusty dish scrubby! I would rather fill it with sticky white rice, grab some chop sticks and enjoy the beautiful craftsmanship of how you can easily hold the warm bowl of rice in one hand and eat with another.

I realize that this is really a huge dramatization, but really some of my lotus bowls were brought from Japan, when my father was in the war, they are cherished!

La Chana esta muy loca! Mucho cuidado, ella trabaja en Brokers Logistics pero es un peligro!!

Laura had to interject, and by the wat I am not un peligro!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program... I will organize some of my home but not to this extent!

Here are some cute pictures I wanted to share.

2011-10-14T16:48:00.000-06:00

Hello, my lovlies, I wanted to share these photos with you, NO, NO, NO this is NOT my kitchen but it has become my inspiration. Honestly, I can't stand it this girls whole house is like this! I am envious of people like this, half the time I can't find my cell phone cause its on the bottom of my purse, under all the makeup I don't use, a note book, 20 pens, some old Kopikos i have forgotten about and a camera. I carry around this huge back breaking purse, full of so much stuff because some day I might be trapped in the middle of no where, and have to live on Kopikos and eye shadow, but damn it if I ever need a needle and thread its in my purse.

What am I getting at here, well my doctor said that it is very important to seek out what is bothering you and change it! So I made a list:

My diet is fucked up!
Other peoples children
The fact that its October and 90 degrees out...

Oh wait... I got off track there.

My house is very disorganized, so much so that I hate cooking because I have to dig out my pots, my cutting boards are just shoved in the cabinet. I saw this and thought this is what I am going to do, ORGANIZE MY HOUSE. I will post pictures of before and after and I will tell you now, it will not be this crazy but neat and tidy.

2011-10-13T15:24:00.002-06:00

2011-09-23T16:02:00.000-06:00

There was a story on the news about a puppy that had been thrown in a dumpster and left to die.

The little dog was saved by a woman that heard him wimpering and called our local animal rescue.

Some people are so evil, mean and just plain stupid!

Some cuteness!!!!

2011-09-22T16:17:00.002-06:00

"Bob, what are you doing?"

Thug Pug

Cousin, I want these!

Ummmm, can't decide if this is disturbing or just functionality?

2011-09-22T16:11:00.001-06:00

I so wish I had a patio like this!

I like this guy!

Did I post this already?

I have to admit fall in West Texas is never very fun, but this year it seems cooler and very fall like, yeaaaa!

I think I will go get tons of pumpkins and decorate the front porch!

2011-09-09T12:45:00.001-06:00

I need these outfits!

I love this photo!

2011-09-09T08:19:00.001-06:00

Well it is Friday, and I am sick of the weekends. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy but I have been cleaning out my mothers house and cleaning my own house, that is all I do every weekend. I admit I have taken some weekends off but I have to get down to buisness!

2011-09-05T10:42:00.000-06:00

I have had it with summer!

2011-08-23T07:31:00.000-06:00

"I'm selfish, impatient and a littleinsecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. Butif you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me atmy best." -MM

2011-08-23T07:29:00.003-06:00

New project

2011-08-04T13:10:00.000-06:00

I know I have posted this photo so many times its ridiculous! I am posting it again because once again I have made a suggestion at work that would increase efficiency and eliminate a huge waste of employee, particularly mine, time.

The result, I was royally blown off!

I realize I am a receptionist and a damn good one too, what I am not is a data entry clerk, in fact I HATE DATA ENTRY!!!!!!!

On top of that I am a terrible speller, typist and generally the person that will skip over the 10 irrelevant steps in order to complete the job and complete it correctly!

But instead the "quality assurance" manager has shot me down and will no doubt take my idea and make it his own. This guy is a total sleaze bag and cannot find the time to even explain a new, and pointless, job he wants me to do because he is to busy staring at my tits or legs or ass or really any point on my body that seems to interest him at that moment.

I am sick of this dead end job, with crappy pay and the general lack of respect! Being the head of the front desk is not easy and having to answer the phone for 4 warehouses with over 400 extensions, is not easy.

I think today, I am going to go to a local store that employs young sweet and pretty, but dumb girls and I am going to buy something sparkly to make me happy and be really nice to that poor girl who has just started out and has no idea what is in store for her!

oh Steve???

2011-07-28T16:45:00.003-06:00

Great idea!!!

2011-07-28T16:44:00.001-06:00

I am so going to make one of these when I get home today!

You remind me of Lucille Ball!

2011-04-14T16:30:00.000-06:00

One of the ladies in the office told me that I remind her of Lucielle Ball. What a compliment, Lucy was a beauty, smart and funny. I hope I am like her!

Ever since I was little my mother has told me that this is the proper way to handle a new book, and I still do this every time I buy a book!

I just thought this was cool, I can use this information!

This is how I feel...

Yeaaaa it's Tuesday?

2011-04-12T16:50:00.000-06:00

I was seeing this guy and when I didn't do what he wanted he would send me these vicious text messages all in caps, our relationship was maybe 2 months long...

and how did I answer his ANGRY TEXTS?

Mmmmmmm, bacon!

I like how this looks, I am going to have to go buy some wine!

I just thought this was funny!

Well It is now 4:35 pm and I am totally amazed that I really spent the whole day on the Internet and got nothing done, yes I am at work. After my little talking to I have decided that I don't have anything to do but answer the phone all day and I have begged for more work, something that I could learn, but no! My job duties other than answering the phone, is checking boxes well that only take all of 30 minutes in the morning so I am free to do what ever I want in the afternoon, and so I do.

How do I feel about that right up...

Seriously????

2011-04-04T13:07:00.000-06:00

I started this job on May 3, 2010, everything was going fine until one of the girls that works in the office got mad at me and we had a very small text message fight, whatever that is, right. Next thing I know I am dragged into the HR dept and there must be an investigation, seriously, an investigation. They went through my emails and found a joke I had sent to this girl and a on going conversation between me and one of the guys that kept asking me out. I was verbally reprimanded and told don't ever use company email for personal use!
This happened in August of 2010!

Ready for the WTF?

I was written up April 1, 2011 for the very same thing, no not because I did it again, for the very same emails from back in 2010, yes I am talking about the very same and I was told that they considered suspending me but didn't and that if it happens again that I will be fired.

Get this the guy that sent me the emails quit and they went through his computer, the girl that was the head of HR quit and I guess kept bad records.

Seriously!!!! WTF??????

Do you see?

2011-03-31T15:50:00.000-06:00

I have been thinking a lot about Japan and how in a matter of minutes 17 centuries of history are washed away.
It seems so awful that so many people die, and homes and anichent achitecture, flowers, trees and even the fish swimming in the sea are dead, gone, washed away.

Do we ever pay any attention to the things around us? It is as if we just stop thinking, we stop creating, we stop seeing, and so the slate is wiped clean and we are forced to think, to create, to bring all the beauty back. It is amazing all the things we don't see, even when it comes to the people closest to us.

Hump Day

2011-03-30T13:57:00.000-06:00

Really I hate calling it Hump Day but everyone does so I guess I will be a sheep today!

My card today was Judgement:
Find the way to yourself. If you have to make decisions or judgements try to consider all aspects. If you can identify the root of the disturbance, you will avoid rash judgement and biased evaluations.

Seems simple right, well I am having a hard time finding the root of my disturbance.

Oh nevermind that I have some cool photos I want to post.

This monkey needs to lay off the banannas, ok that was retarded!

I am so doing this to the wall in my office at the house, with postcards, cool!

Hint, hint, 2 vodka on the rocks and 2 xanax, works just fine for me!

Bloganista

2011-03-29T11:52:00.000-06:00

I really wish that I was more of a poster or a bloganista, most of my afternoons are spent scanning blogs for great stuff I love or want, looking at artwork, books, the whole time listning to Pandora and collecting Post-It notes of song to buy on Itunes and making playlists for imaginary dinner parties or road trips. I have to start turning all these things into actions, but it is hard when I have to sit at this stupid desk all day waiting for the phone to ring!

In the mornings I like to read my Tarot card of the day, today the Magician but reversed. I do not exactly follow the purest reading of reversed cards more like I feel that what ever the card is right side up well upside down is just the same but somehow blocked or being held back by something or someone.

Gather your strength with faith. The Magician will show the way to success. He is the tutor to assist you in reaching a new frame of mind. Use your creativity and exploit all of your talents.

OK, so as the querant, I read this card as somehow or someone is blocking my creativity, streagth, my success.

Who could that be, I have some ideas but really, truth be told, I had a lover. Yes I said lover, he was fun but really not a serious prospect but just some fun. Well it did not turn out that way eventually he became angry and kept asking for money and so I ended it, then he ended it, twice. Yesterday I burned that bridge for good, I told him all the mean hatefull things I have wanted to say to him, for that matter to just about every ex boyfriend I have had but never had the chance.
It felt FANTASTIC!

I am not really sure how he couldbe blocking my success, and so now I worry that it might me that is blocking myself. This guy had a very limited and dark perspective, he never saw a way out of his current situation, he never really even tried. I on the other hand am fantastically optimistic, happy and most of the time I always have an option!

Things I need for spring!!

2011-01-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

December 17, 2010

2010-12-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

First I guess I will post just some general cuteness..

And on to Christmas...

My mom and dad, their first Christmas together.

Oh and Chanel....mmmm Chanel Christmas!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2010-10-31T13:17:00.002-06:00

2010-10-30T08:00:00.002-06:00

What I am doing tonight!

2010-10-28T14:32:00.000-06:00

Pumpkin ice cream snickerdoodle sandwiches;

via http://www.hostessblog.com/, and http://lepetithappy.blogspot.com/

Imagination

2010-09-07T14:52:00.000-06:00

Yes I am at work, but I don't have anything to do. Some might think this is great, "you get paid to just kick back and surf the net." Really, aaaaaaaa, NO. I am so bord and the clock hasn't moved since I came back from lunch.

Well I found these and thought I would share, I have decided that I should cut out some eyes and a mouth for the plastic plant that sits directly across from my desk.

I want to see how long it will take for anyone to notice?

Here I think I will throw these in too..."Luke, I am your father!"

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T08:34:00.000-06:00

Pretty

2010-04-30T09:02:00.000-06:00

Have a wonderful weekend!

2010-04-07T08:59:00.002-06:00

This weekend I plan to dig my garden, wish me luck! Oh, and I am going to bake this cake and make some custards. I have a ton of custard cups, so I plan to use them, we shall see how they come out.

Pine Nut Butter Cake
serves 12

6 ounces(12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup cane sugar or granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 extra large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons pine nuts

Center a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat to 350˚F. Generously butter or spray a 9" round cake pan. Dust the inside with flour, shake off excess. Cut a round piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the pan. Butter the parchment round and place in the pan, butter-side up.

Place melted butter in a large bowl. Add the sugars and stir together with a rubber spatula until thoroughly blended.

One at a time add the eggs to the butter mixture. Mix evenly, scraping the sides down as you go. The mixture may look curdled as the eggs are added, but it will smooth out. Then add the vanilla and stir to blend.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add to the butter mixture in 3 stages, blending well after each addition.
Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan. The batter is very thick, so use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly into the pan.

Sprinkle the pine nuts evenly over the top of the cake.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely on a rack. Invert the pan to remove the cake, then peel the parchment paper off the back of the cake. Re-invert the cake onto a serving plate.

Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature.

Store the cake tightly wrapped in aluminum foil at room temperature up to four days. Freeze up to 3 months, wrapped tightly in several layers of plastic and aluminum foil. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Adapted from The Essential Baker

Happy St. Patricks Day!

2010-03-17T08:47:00.002-06:00

Paint colors

2010-02-21T08:28:00.002-07:00

I cannot seem to decide on a paint color and it is driving me crazy.

Searching for ideas

2010-01-23T08:24:00.003-07:00

I need ideas!

This is my new home, but these photos are my before photos and they have all the previous owners furniture in them. I have tons of books and am not very fond of plain white walls so I am asking for ideas.

one side of living room

other side of living room

2010

2010-01-01T14:11:00.003-07:00

I have to admit I am not really one to make new years resolutions, because, like many people I know I tend to over do it and then never accomplish any of them. So this year I have decided to make a list of the things that I am not going to miss when I move to my new house.

1. My neighbor practicing his guitar, I am sorry but he is a terrible guitar player and he is so loud that the whole neighborhood is subjected to bad guitar.

2. The constant construction on the house across the street. They park all over the place and I cannot get out of my drive.

3. Formica

4. Football games at the University. My whole street is blocked because everyone parks here instead of paying for parking near the stadium.

5. Leaky pipes, leaky roof.

6. My mortgage payment!

7. Eggs in my drive

8. Teenagers racing up and down the street.

9. For that matter, the constant traffic

10. Property taxes!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

St. Lucia's Day

2009-12-13T07:56:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Lucia's Day

Hello everyone...

2009-11-28T09:23:00.003-07:00

I know I have been very MIA, but I have a very good excuse.

I am trying to sell my house. I currently have a contract on it but the buyer is very, well to say it nicely, she is a huge pain in the butt!
I have picked out a new house and I pray it will be mine but we will have to see.

I am going to have to start packing once the contact is complete, and that should happen soon!

I don't want to move but I know in my heart it is for the best, please do me a favor; Pray, pray to whom every you want but just pray. I am going to need some help from a higher power to get through this with my head straight.

Thank you!!!!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T09:45:00.002-06:00

My decorations have become CLUTTEER????

2009-10-16T10:06:00.004-06:00

For no reason at all

2009-09-16T09:25:00.004-06:00

Labor Day

2009-09-07T09:29:00.001-06:00

artwork by midori　yamada

What I will be doing this weekend

2009-08-21T08:31:00.001-06:00

Hazelnut & Nutella Sandwich Cookies
makes about 36 cookies

1 cup hazelnuts
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup nutella or jelly
in a food processor, grind hazelnuts until they are finely ground but not clumping together. in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. add vanilla and combine. add flours, salt and ground hazelnuts and stir until well combined. divide the dough in half and press each half into a flat disk. wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
preheat oven to 350 degrees F. remove one of the dough disks from refrigerator and let soften slightly. roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until about 1/8-inch thick. using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out dough and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. gather scraps and continue to re-roll until all the dough is used, returning briefly to refrigerator if the dough becomes too soft. bake cookies 14-16 minutes or until the edges begin to brown slightly. cool completely and sandwich with 1 tsp desired filling. enjoy!

via pictures and pancakes

Looks like fun, huh!

2009-08-11T10:22:00.002-06:00

Have a fluid weekend!

2009-08-07T09:35:00.002-06:00

The Garden

2009-08-05T11:00:00.002-06:00

Some photos of my garden.

Sydney cooling off

Mint

Cinnamon Basil

Chives

2009-08-04T10:36:00.000-06:00

2009-08-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Artist Midori Yamada

2009-08-01T10:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday

2009-07-31T09:07:00.001-06:00

2009-07-30T07:22:00.002-06:00

We are not in this world for ourselves. We came here to do some very specific work: to look past our own selfish desires and to share of ourselves. Our goal is to get to a place where we are acting in true service to one another, no matter our circumstances.

Today, do one completely selfless action.

via Daily Kabbalah

2009-07-19T10:12:00.000-06:00

"A mish mash of hangy things"

2009-07-07T11:34:00.003-06:00

I agree, a solution to ugly popcorn ceilings!

via http://www.youaremyfave.com/

Postcards

2009-07-07T11:26:00.002-06:00

This is one of my favorites, thanks Angie!

Hey, you might want to check out my postcard slide show, I have added a ton of postcards. I have been so behind, I am going to have to catch up!

I want one of these!

2009-07-07T11:06:00.002-06:00

I love this lunchbox, they have them at Graham & Green in the UK.

Beautiful

2009-07-05T08:50:00.002-06:00

I found this hummingbird nest about a month ago, I thought it had been abandoned but to my surprise it contained two babies.

Yesterday, was their first flight and I got to see it. It has to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.

2009-06-22T07:33:00.003-06:00

My fabulous neighbor, Kate, was making Pad Thai the other night, the aroma that filled the kitchen was wonderful, and has stuck with me all weekend. I think I will have it for dinner tonight.

Pad Thai – Thai-Style Stir-Fried Noodles
A Recipe of Kasma Loha-unchit
Recipe Copyright © 2000 Kasma Loha-unchit.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. dried thin gkuay dtiow or rice noodles (also known as ban pho to the Vietnamese)
3 Tbs. fish sauce (nahm bplah), to taste
3 or more Tbs. tamarind juice the thickness of fruit concentrate, to taste
2 Tbs. palm or coconut sugar, to taste
4 Tbs. peanut oil
1/3 lb. fresh shrimp, shelled, deveined and butterflied
3/4 cup firm pressed tofu, cut into thin strips about an inch long, half an inch wide and a quarter inch thick
4-5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 shallots, thinly sliced (or substitute with half a medium onion)
1/4 cup small dried shrimp
1/4 cup chopped sweetened salted radish
2-3 tsp. ground dried red chillies, to desired hotness
3 eggs
3 cups fresh bean sprouts
1 cup garlic chives, cut into 1 1/2-inch-long segments (optional)
Garnish
2/3 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
1 lime, cut into small wedges
A few short cilantro sprigs
4 green onions - trim off root tip and half of green leaves and place in a glass with white end in cold water to crisp (optional)
Soak the dried rice noodles in cool or lukewarm tap water for 40 minutes to one hour, or until the noodles are limp but still firm to the touch. While the noodles are soaking, mix the fish sauce with the tamarind juice and palm sugar; stir well to melt the sugar. Taste and adjust flavors to the desired combination of salty, sour and sweet. Prepare the remaining ingredients as instructed.

When the noodles have softened, drain and set aside. Heat a wok over high heat until it is smoking hot. (Note: If your wok is small, do the stir-frying in two batches. The recipe may also be halved to serve two.) Add 2 teaspoons of oil and quickly stir-fry the shrimp until they turn pink and are almost cooked through. Salt lightly with a sprinkling of fish sauce and remove them from the wok.

Swirl in the remaining oil, save for 1 teaspoon, to coat the wok surface and wait 20 to 30 seconds for it to heat. Add the tofu, frying 1 to 2 minutes, or until the pieces turn golden. Add garlic and stir-fry with the tofu for 15 to 20 seconds. Follow with the sliced shallots and cook another 15 seconds. Then add the dried shrimp, sweetened salted radish and ground dried chillies. Stir and heat through a few seconds.

Add the noodles and toss well with the ingredients in the wok. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes and when most of the noodles has changed texture and softened, push the mass up along one side of the wok. Add the teaspoon of oil to the cleared area, crack the eggs onto it and scramble lightly. When the eggs have set, cut into small chunks with the spatula and toss them in with the noodles.

Add the sweet-and-sour seasoning mixture. Stir well to evenly coat noodles. If the noodles are still too firm to your liking, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of water over them to help cook. Taste and adjust flavors as needed to your liking by adding more fish sauce or tamarind juice; if the noodles are not sweet enough, sprinkle in a small amount of granulated sugar.

When the noodles are cooked to your liking, toss in 2 of the 3 cups of bean sprouts and the garlic chives (if using). Sprinkle with half the chopped peanuts and return the shrimp to the wok. Stir and when the vegetables are partially wilted, transfer to a serving platter, or dish onto individual serving-size plates, and garnish with the remaining bean sprouts and chopped peanuts, the lime wedges, cilantro and green onions.

Serves 4 as a one-dish lunch. Squeeze lime juice over each portion before eating.

Friday

2009-06-19T07:56:00.002-06:00

Have a magical weekend!!!

The garden

2009-06-14T08:51:00.003-06:00

How I feel today

2009-06-10T07:15:00.002-06:00

2009-06-08T08:37:00.000-06:00

Some things I will never understand, but that is OK!

Meredith

2009-06-03T08:24:00.003-06:00

My cousin Meredith is visiting from Ohio, so I might be missing for a few days. I will post pictures of all the crazy, fun things we do though.

Carnival

2009-06-03T08:09:00.004-06:00

These photos are really weird, but because I always turn the flash off. I don't like when everything is bathed in this artificial light, but I don't have a very steady hand so they come out like this. I think they are fun!

Farmers Market

2009-06-03T07:53:00.004-06:00

I know I have been kinda MIA lately, but here are some photos of the fun and silly things I have been up to.

Kate checking out some of the cool plants, she bought that one by the way.

Happy Weekend

2009-05-29T07:58:00.002-06:00

Into consideration

2009-05-28T11:18:00.002-06:00

The fabulous, talented and creative Jen Gray made this most incredible video.

via Superhero Journal

Feeling down???

2009-05-28T09:42:00.001-06:00

I have been feeling a bit down so I watched this and I am feeling a bit better.

Rain

2009-05-21T08:20:00.003-06:00

It is raining, can you believe it?

Verdin update: he made it through the night and so I took the tiny little guy to the bird rescue, I was told that they are hard to raise when they are so tiny but she was going to try and she put him in the baby incubator.

Verdin

2009-05-19T22:42:00.004-06:00

Today i drove up in my driveway and found that one of the Verdin nests had been pilaged and the babies were on the ground. I don't think it was a cat because the nest is to high and on a very thin branch, but I thought maybe it was the Grackles but they would have eatten the babies. My neighbors brother came over and helped me put the babies back in the nest and the mom came to rebuild but one of the babies fell out and now I can't get him back in the nest, if he makes it through the night I am going to take him to a lady that rehabs birds. He is so tiny!

A tiny, active songbird of the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the Verdin is the only North American member of the penduline-tit family (Remizidae). Vocal and often conspicuous despite its size, it builds a large enclosed nest in thorny scrub.
The Verdin builds nests for both breeding and roosting; roosting nests are much smaller. The outer stick shell is constructed mostly by the male, while the female does most of the lining.
The roosting nests help it stay warm in winter. Winter roosting nests have thicker insulation, and may reduce energy requirements for thermoregulation by as much as 50 percent. Nests built in summer open toward prevailing winds, perhaps to aid in cooling. At 4.5 inches in length, it rivals the Bushtit as one of the smallest passerines in North America.
© Herbert Clarke / CLO

Postcards

2009-05-14T19:46:00.001-06:00

If you are wondering I moved my postcards to the very end, because I put them all in a slideshow. Go check it out!

To make lunch fun

2009-05-14T07:44:00.006-06:00

When I was a kid my mom would pack my lunch, I remember it was like opening a present because it was always different. I loved hard boiled eggs and PB & J,well not together, but sometimes she would give me Tuna, stinky Tuna and I hated it because I was convinced that once I opened that lunch box the smell of tuna would take over the whole room.

Lately I have been trying to eat better and in the summer here I like to drive up to the mountains and have a picnic, cold fried chicken, MMMMMM. We also will drive to the lake to go jet skiing and camp out too. I have been looking through my cookbooks to find things to pack for trips and picnics, I even think my mom and I might go on some road trips this year.

These are Bento boxes and really they are what the Japanese consider LUNCH, well I think I will make some for my trips, and today I am going out to find pretty things to pack them in.

via http://www.flickr.com/photos/hapabento/

I feel today as if...

2009-05-13T07:39:00.001-06:00

Lotte Reiniger

2009-05-13T07:38:00.001-06:00

2009-05-12T13:20:00.001-06:00

Maple

2009-05-12T09:11:00.004-06:00

I bought a Japanese Maple tree, but I am afraid to plant it in the ground. I am afraid that El Paso is to hot and dry for a Maple.
Maybe I will just buy a huge pot for it and keep it that way, what do you think?

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T08:30:00.004-06:00

Thank you!

Computer

2009-05-08T07:35:00.002-06:00

OK, my PC has decided to stop working and I have to use my laptop, this thing is so small I need glasses to see the letters on the keyboard and I have no scanner, printer and all my photos are in the PC. My Monday post was directed at my PC and if I lose those photos I am going to blow a hole in it the size of China.

Here is some Eddie Izzard to make us all laugh for Friday.

It's Monday baby

2009-05-04T07:57:00.002-06:00

Madness

2009-05-03T08:46:00.002-06:00

I was at Barnes & Noble the other day and I had to sneeze, I turned my head and covered my face. I did not sneeze but when I turned around the girl behind the counter had backed away from the register and was looking at me like I was a leper.

Is it not allergy season as well?

Beautiful

2009-05-03T07:49:00.000-06:00

Meanwhile, Mine That Bird had been uncorking a monstrous move from dead last on the turn, reminiscent of Borel's Derby-winning ride aboard Street Sense in 2007. After squeezing through a tight spot on the fence, he roared past a number of rivals as if they were standing still, and he suddenly burst into contention in midstretch. Before Pioneerof the Nile knew what hit him, Mine That Bird flew past to win in a manner as authoritative as it was surprising.

via kentuckyderby.com

Ketucky Derby Day

2009-05-02T08:13:00.006-06:00

(above is Brokers Tip, winner of the 1933 Derby);

The first Derby was run on May 17, 1875. Founded by Col. M. Lewis Clark — a descendant of William Clark, the famous explorer of the American interior — after noticing that Louisville lacked a top-notch racetrack. The "most exciting two minutes in sports," as its known, is a 1.25 mile race for three-year old horses. The Derby is also known as the "Run for the Roses" — a name given to the event in 1925 by a New York sports columnist — for the wreath of 500-plus red roses that is placed around the winner's neck, the rose tradition began in 1896.

Happy May Day

2009-05-01T10:58:00.003-06:00

The photographs are of my boyfriends mother celebrating May Day in Germany when she was a young girl.

May Day marks the end of the uncomfortable winter half of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations, regardless of the locally prevalent political or religious establishment.

One of the main traditions in Sweden is to light large bonfires, a custom which is most firmly established in Svealand, and which began in Uppland during the 18th century. An older tradition from Southern Sweden was for the younger people to collect greenery and branches from the woods at twilight, which were used to adorn the houses of the village. The expected reward for this task is to be paid in eggs.

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, the night from April 30 to May 1, is the night when allegedly the witches hold a large celebration on the Blocksberg and await the arrival of Spring.

Wallpaper???

2009-04-29T13:04:00.003-06:00

I love this

created by Jo Lynn Alcorn for Maya Romanoff Wallpapers at Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2009.

Mojitos

2009-04-28T09:14:00.003-06:00

My mint is growing like crazy...time for Mojitos!

Mojito Recipe
2 ounces rum
1 ounce lime juice or half a lime
2 tablespoons sugar
Mint leaves and stalks
Soda Water

Place the sugar, some mint and splash of soda water in a pint glass. Use the stalks of the mint as well as they release a great flavor for your mojito cocktail.

Use a muddler or some kind of similar device to lightly press mint and dissolve the sugar into the mojito mix, until it smells of spearmint gum.

Squeeze both halves of lime into the mojito glass, leaving one piece in the mojito mix.

Add your favorite rum to your mojito, mix your mojito and fill the mojito glass with ice.

Top your mojito mix with soda water, garnish with mint sprig and serve the mojitos.

Zoo

2009-04-28T09:00:00.004-06:00

Bernie and I went to the zoo last week, it was really hot but we had a great time all the same.

Relax

2009-04-25T08:25:00.001-06:00

via http://ffffound.com/

Humm, some ideas

2009-04-24T08:45:00.003-06:00

Mayflowers

2009-04-24T08:42:00.004-06:00

It's mayflower season in Sweden. Every year -- for more than a hundred years -- Sweden's Mayflower Charity Foundation has sold these little flowers to raise money to fight child poverty. Their website has a lovely catalogue of all the flowers -- dating back to 1907. The idea was started by Ms. Beda Hallberg from Göteborg. "Her simple but brilliant idea was that everyone could contribute by buying the small flowers from children – 'Children helping children'," according to the website.

via http://theenglishmuse.blogspot.com/

THE GREAT TURTLE RACE

2009-04-22T08:36:00.002-06:00

From Canada to the Caribbean and South America, 11 turtles are racing across the Atlantic Ocean. Join us in following the 2009 Great Turtle Race.

www.conservation.org

Happy Earth Day

2009-04-22T07:59:00.005-06:00

The diversity of nature is everywhere. So why not roll up your sleeves and see what's been living right outside your door?
• Buy a local field guide and explore your own backyard. From bees and butterflies to frogs and fish, all living things contribute to a healthy environment.
• Find out if there are threatened species in your community and see if there are ways you can change this trend.
• Visit a local botanical garden, forest, or nature preserve to learn about nature from experts and scientists in a fun way.
• Find out if there is a local nature club. These groups often plan conservation events that are opened to the whole community. Why not learn with others like you?
• Take only photographs and leave only footprints when you explore.

via www.conservation.org

Happy Weekend

2009-04-18T07:59:00.002-06:00

Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre

2009-04-17T17:15:00.003-06:00

via http://silhouettemasterpiecetheatre.com/

Ruidoso, New Mexico

2009-04-17T14:00:00.008-06:00

On the drive up it began to snow and sleet, it was beautiful but cold!

After visiting the nursery, walking around downtown and having a late lunch, we decided to drive around in one of the neighborhoods. Odd that they named this section Deer Park Crossing.

It was funny because they were all over even on the golf course.