Oh, vacations. I love you so good.

Our Mexican getaway was marvelous, long road trip and all. It really couldn't have been any better. The weather was a wonderful mid-high 70's with the exception of our last day at sea which has a few drizzles (which, to be honest, was quite welcomed by me. I really started to miss the grey cloud cover I've become so accustomed too). We were constantly snacking on delicious treats over card games and conversations, we read by the pool, people watched, took naps on a whim, and laughed until our cheeks hurt. It was fun to have an excuse to dress sharp and we spoke with some really interesting people. My favorite being the Ukrainian linguist who spoke with Ben while I was able to listen in transfixed by such a beautiful language.


Exploring Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada was great fun, especially the tiny hole in the wall recommended by a local who had ceviche that dreams are made of.  We decided 8 days on a cruise ship wasn't enough fun, so we prolonged our vacation a couple days and let our inner children run wild at Disneyland. We had entirely too much fun and definitely burned off most of our  gluttonous cruise calories hitting as many rides as possible.

I've been playing a lot with animated gifs from sequence shots, and ended up with almost 12 gigs of photos. Needless to say I have quite a few files to sift through. More will most likely be on their way, but until then, here are a few to help me be less of a procrastinator.

Turkeyween

I have so many things to say about this exciting thing called life. Being on a computer for a living has definitely changed my willingness to spend time at a keyboard during my personal time.

Lately work has been crazy bananas, as all of my clients for the last six weeks have been the most irrational and rude group of people I may have ever encountered (as it turns out, most people in the motorcycle world in Wisconsin are not very kind). My fellow project managers and I hit record numbers for the month of November, (which as a business lady I now know is a term that can be thrown around as a generalization to mean "great success") and for the first time in a couple months I feel caught up. I've had almost an entire week completely void of waking up in the middle of the night in a panic trying to remember if I'd requested a domain, or submitted this or that form.

But you have to work hard to play hard, and I feel like I've put in my time to almost be deserving of my lavish birthday gift from my wonderful, handsome, gentleman friend. Ben and I have a joint google calendar to keep track of our busy schedules. On my birthday I discovered an event Ben and entered spanning ten days within December reading Happy Birthday! Depart LA, Port in Cabo. The sneaky son of a gun had spoiled me big time with a cruise! It was quite the surprise, and to say I feel lucky would be a huge understatement. We've been counting down the days and with less than a week remaining until we leave, we're both getting antsy. I can't wait to have my best friend all to myself as we lounge about as a gent and lady of leisure. 

In preparation of our adventure I've put myself on the strict budget and my very first weight loss fitness plan. I have never attempted any sort of diet, or even tried to lose weight, only to actively try to be healthier. To be completely honest, I'm concerned very little with how I look in a swimsuit; I work hard for my tummy! Consuming lavish pastries and delicious biscuits and gravy takes work, my friends. My intent to get in better shape is only to allow myself the ability to be completely gluttonous and avoid the guilt of the many pounds I have every intention of putting on. I am the first to admit self-control is not one of my stronger points (which is precisely why I'm taking preventative measures prior to the trip), but I must admit the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching a weight loss goal is a great feeling.  Plus, I had to have a reason to rationalize splurging on this adorable swimsuit:

 We've been looking high and low for a suit similar to this for Ben but alas, we've had no luck. (One day... one day....)

 Holidays!

Halloween was great fun, and Thanksgiving was spent with good food and even better friends.

Halloween is always a riot, because my hoodlum pals are serious about their costuming. Everyone always looks amazing, but the best Halloween costume of the year has to go to my friend Kurtis, who was (perfectly) dressed as the berries and cream boy from this starburst commercial:

Ben and Ryan as Arrested Development's  Teamocil and Post-Hair Graft, Tobias Funke.

Ryan had even diligently searched and eventully tracked down a wheelchair for full authenticity.

 

And I went as (a slightly schizophrenic looking) Bob Ross.

 This year for Thanksgiving we joined forces with our friends Eli and Jen who hosted the great event. Eli is a graduate of culinary school and a sous pastry chef at Le Pigeon, a prestigious French restaurant in town. Needless to say, his skills resulted in phenomenal turkey day spread. Nothing beats Mom's Thanksgiving, but this definitely made it to a very close second.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the holiday season, but am eagerly anticipating the chance to welcome a new baby nephew into the world. Lindsey and Jake's second is shortly on his way, and I'm so excited for them both. (Love you guys!)

Nyan Cat Cake

I have a coworker who is bananas about this silly viral video of Nyan Cat:



A few months ago we somehow got to talking about turning internet memes into food (you know, normal water-cooler chit chat), and how awesome a rainbow nyan cat cake would be. I said I was up for the challenge. However, not being able to bare the heat of my house in the summer months I was baking very little, so I've put it off until now.  With the return of the wonderfully cold grey days have returned, so have my baking mitts.

I gave working with fondant (well, homemade fondant, which is really marshmallows and powdered sugar) a try. I had planned to cover the entire cake in the blue fondant and have a white cat... but as it turns out working with something made out of sugar and more sugar is, well, sticky. And difficult. Very difficult. I settled for a blue cat, and for my first attempt, I'm pleased with my colorful little cat cake. And if I may so myself, it was pretty delicious to boot.

 I

Friends! Family! // Friends?... Family?...

Remember me? I'm the girl that was eaten by her small, gray, cubicle months ago, never to be seen or heard from again. Well I'm back to blogger land, and if I may say so myself, it feels pretty good.

It has been quite the eventful past few months! Ben and I finished our summer with three weeks of visitors, including a great time with my parents, and his mother. There have been camping trips, projects completed (and a few awaiting their completion), books have been read, school has begun, job promotions, culinary adventures, and work. Lots and lots of work.

family snuggle party

There's loads I could write about that's happened in the last few months, but I'll skip straight away to the most important of events, which of course has to do with food. In this case, Bacon Jam.

That's right, you heard me read correctly. Bacon Jam.

A friend send me a link to a recipe which I tweaked and now wonder how I've lived so long without experiencing the joy that is minced bacon spread. Think of it as Bacon Pâté, and it suddenly seems like a delicacy. And I assure you, a delicacy it is!

It's actually a really simple process. 

Cook up some bacon (I used 1.5 lbs).

Crumble, and set aside.

Saute a chopped onion and a few cloves of garlic in a tablespoon or so of bacon grease.

Add in 1/3 c of cider vinegar, brown sugar, and coffee (you can buy single serve instant coffee which works great in instances such as this).

A few Tablespoons of maple syrup (I used a praline maple syrup)

A few twists of fresh ground black pepper

a few drops of liquid smoke (this is a new addition to my spice rack, and I love it. Everyone should have liquid smoke in their kitchen.)

Simmer until it comes to a boil. Boil two minutes, reduce heat, and add bacon.

 Simmer 5-10 minutes until liquid evaporates down to a syrup consistency.

Cool five minutes.

Blend in a food processor.

Ta-da!

 

So far it's been tasted on:
toast with a poached egg, bagel with cream cheese, triscuits, and a piece of dark chocolate. The possibilities are endless! Ben has requested it appear on a chocolate cheesecake, so that will most likely be appearing in the near future. Give it a try! You will not regret it.  

hide and seek posts

I found this sneaky little fellah as a draft! It's a late post, but just think of it as time travel, and then you can thank me for the adventure instead of me feeling disappointed in my inability to complete most things.

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It's Wednesday, and here I sit in my faithful, albeit slightly dreary, cubicle, staring at my computer screens, overwhelmed with a to-do list I am completely incapable of finishing in a two day period. I'm still really liking my job and am putting up live sites like an internet thug, although with all the dns, ttl, ip, ns, url, and seo talk swirling about in my head, I'm beginning to think I was taught the wrong ABC's . It's difficult to be inside at a desk all day when my numbered sunny days are passing me by outside.  Despite my obscene workload, I'm taking this last hour of my day to escape reality and think about all the fun I've been having the last few months whilst not updating this here blog.

Last weekend was wonderful-- hitting the mid 80s it was the hottest day we've had yet (you can keep your crazy heat, midwest, I don't want it).  Yuki is my coworker that I've become pals with, her and her partner Danny live on a farm about twenty minutes outside of the city.  They have goats and chickens and bunnies and bees and a gorgeous view. Along with some of our other Portland family, we grilled delicious food and lounged about on their luxurious porch in the shade while visiting and listening to the singing and guitar stylings of our more musically inclined friends.

The most exciting of news is that of my baby sister, who recently left for a year adventure to live as an exchange student in Brazil. Emily is the caboose of our family and has always impressed me with her thoughtfulness and creativity. Before she could read and write on her own, she would pull out her crayons and have someone help her write out notes, letter by letter, for members of our family, usually left as a surprise on our pillows. I moved away from home when she was still quite young, and treasured the pictures and notes I would get in the mail from her. I know her kindness, originality, and intelligence, will assist her in a successful trip! I can't wait to hear more about her adventures.

I was lucky enough to take a trip to Utah to see Em before she left, surprise my pops for his fiftieth birthday, and celebrate the 4th of July with (almost) my entire extended Utah family. It was a short, but lovely trip. Spending time with my family and seeing Utah pals is always a treat, and this visit was no exception. Lindsey and Jake shared their big news of the soon to be arrival of baby number two, Grandma and Grandpa Flinders rode a zip line (!!!!), I went shopping with my sisters (and enjoyed it! I'm a regular ol shopper!), ate amazing meal after amazing meal, watched Emily dance (even if it was in dvd form, I'll take what I can get), played with my sweet niece Molly, listened to Poot play music, played video games with Camber at her first apartment, hung out with my mom in her brand new studio, and even had our own mini-supermarket sweep (Tahini! Tahini!).

The impressive man I get to call my father went on a fifty mile bike ride with Jake, my brother in-law, on his fiftieth birthday. I don't think I am currently capable of doing fifty miles of anything; Just thinking about it makes me tired, but I'm super impressed with their ability and will live vicariously through their accomplishments. It was great to celebrate the awesomeness that is my dad, but I missed Brady and his family, especially since he shares a birthday with our pops. He requested no gifts for his birthday, so we all made a dish for a birthday potluck. Everything was delicious, but Emily's chocolate malt ice cream cake stole the show. Saying goodbye was made easier knowing I get a visit from my parents next month. I'm looking forward to playing in Portland with them and already have a list of food I want to share with them that will require them to eat at least six meals a day. I hope they've begun their fast to prepare.

Bambi Eats a Bird

I've been waiting for life to slow down for a hot minute before I updated this here blog again, but it has recently occurred to me this will never happen.  Like this deer gobbling up a little 'ol bird, life has one surprise after another for me the last few months. Luckily, they've yet to involve the devouring of a (live) creature.

Working a desk job has been going surprisingly well. I no longer have nightmares about waiting on tables that have shrubs growing out of their baked potatoes or people demanding a blanket. I received a raise, and a promotion is on the horizon.  I only feel the need to turn the cubicles into hurdles occasionally, and by putting into practice some leg exercises I can do at my desk I have eliminated my self-diagnosed restless leg syndrome. It's as if I'm actually growing into a real live adult!

Summer could not be more welcome by me. Three months of no class sounds amazing. Next week I am kicking off The Summer of Janell with a camping trip on the coast in a yurt with my pals. It's been in the making for months and I could not be more excited. While looking  into ideas for food, I came across the most impressive muffin baking process ever, by using nature's muffin cups: orange peels!

These little buggars were super easy and turned out incredibly moist with the perfect orange flavor. for camping, you fill the peels 2/3 full and cover with tin foil, place on coals and bake 10-15 min. I decided to give these a go before the camping trip and baked up a batch in the oven. I was worried the peels would dry out a bit without the tin foil, but it worked out great. I had oranges that fit perfectly in my muffin tin. One tip: don't cut the oranges in half like a grapefruit, they hold their shape better if you cut them the other way. Scrape them out with a spoon, careful to not to poke holes. You want to keep the peel as in tact as possible. Not only are they delicious, but these muffins come with fresh squeezed orange juice! I can't wait to try bran and cranberry muffins, too.

If anyone has any other fun camping food ideas, feel free to send them my way!

workin hard for the money

I was speaking with a coworker the other day (that's right, folks. I've got myself some fellow workers, with whom I complete tasks along side for a wage that we receive from a boss man. A regular ol' em-ploy-ee., this one here!) about how we had obtained our prior jobs. She had a similar situation to mine, in that the majority of jobs (over twenty!) I've held in my twenty-six short years (and yet to be "fired" from any of 'em!) I have landed from being offered the job, never by applying.

It would make sense then, that three days after I decided to take a break from sending out at least five resumes a day, (which I did for thirty days-- I'd do the math for you, but I've got a job,) I had a friend contact me meeting with his boss for a position. It really does pay to have good friends (pun intended).

Acclimating from restaurant industry to an office setting has been a strange transition for me. Besides feeling as if my eyeballs are on the verge of drying out from the florescent lights and computer screens, I'm really enjoying the change of pace. I'm learning a lot, and most importantly, I no longer (by requirement) have to wear shoulder pads or a bow-tie.

Life, is good.  

Thinking about the strange ways and odd coincidences that have brought both jobs and friends into my life makes me realize just how important life's crap storms can be in the long run.  It's like John Hartford wisely said, I would not be here if I had not been there. Sometimes it's easier to appreciate the here when I take the time to remember the there.

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In case you're curious (which you ought to be), my many positions in order of appearance are: 
babysitter, 
dishwasher, 
old people feeder, 
fountain girl, 
hostess, 
janitor/housekeeping, 
hostess, 
plasma peddler, 
telemarketer, 
server, 
concessionaire, 
door-girl, 
box officer,
server,
office supply peddler, 
server, 
server, 
massage therapist, 
server,
infomercial extra,
box officer, 
server, 
sweater folder, 
and currently-- cubical dweller extraordinaire.  

finding inspiration in the ordinary

I'm going to come right on out and say it-  I.love.the.interwebs.

Also what I love: people's creativity.


Having a bit of extra time on my hands these last few weeks I have been enjoying the exploration of each of these. One of my favorite finds comes from Todd McLellan and his deconstructed series. Here is his deconstructed typewriter:

I love the idea of taking ordinary objects and looking at them in a new way.  Seeing this little guy's insides neatly displayed is inspiring and also makes me love my little typewriter even more as I see all the pieces that come together to make such a wonderful contraption. It's worth a click to go look through his other work, and also a video of his deconstruction in action.

Todd isn't the only one that's finding clever uses for the retro machine. Check out this typewriter illustration.

I saved this picture, but neglected to bookmark or take note of the artist, so forgive my lack of citation. However, in my search to correct my blunder, I came across a man who used the same medium for his work. Paul Smith passed away a few years ago, but was a self taught artist with cerebral palsy. At first glance, or even an in-depth inspection, I doubt anyone would be able to guess his pieces were made with a typewriter.

You can watch a short clip of his process here, which is remarkable.

I watched a documentary (okay, I've been watching a LOT of documentaries... but that's beside the point) where the director-artist-skateboarder and generally awesome Mike Mills shared several inspiring thoughts on creating. Two of these quotes I found particularly wise which warrant sharing here:

"Be good with doing what you do. With art you can make what you can't do."  

"Are you healthy? Are you breathing? Then get started."

There is plenty I cannot do, and healthy and breathing I am.  So, here I go.

the solution to all of my problems

Yes, I'm learning.
Now, point over there!

enter: unemployment. Where I whine, panic, and eventually calm the crap down.

Today marks the fourth day I've spent as a non-server after one thousand, six hundred, and two days of being employed as a bow-tie donning, shoulder pad wearing, waitstaff.

I'll admit the first two days were spent throwing myself a bit of a pity party. Waves of panic would come and go along with visions of my inevitable destitution. I could see my future unfolding; being so hungry and desperate for even a few spare coins, I would take to the streets where I would perform tricks with Ziggy, in hopes of buying a block of ramen. Ziggy would of course be forced to dress in an embarrassing outfit, which would completely destroy any self-worth that poor dog has left, until he could no longer take it and my K-9 companion-- my meal ticket!-- would pack up a puppy knapsack and leave me behind as he joined a traveling pack of Sharpei Magicians (spoiler: they hide things in their folds!) where sure, there's a little less dignity, but at least he'd get to eat. And I would be left with nothing to offer him to convince him to stay. I consoled myself by watching Katharine Hepburn films (some of them twice), and eating my feelings through a box of hostess snack cakes* Ben was thoughtful enough to buy me while I begged Ziggy not to even think of leaving, no matter how hungry he became. I'd find a way to feed him! If only he'd stay!

Luckily, I am resilient! And also have the most supportive friends and family a gal could ask for who are assisting in my acceptance that this is, in fact, a wonderful thing. I'm looking forward to being the NW representative for Jiggystick Lip Balm and am excited to be working with my father, even if it is out of state. Already my productivity has impressed me; novels have been read, jobs have been looked into, finances have been reevaluated, budgets put in place, projects are being completed, and school works are getting studied. I have high hopes for myself of turning something I was initially distraught about into something positive, and feel like I'm making pretty good progress. So throw it at me life. I'm ready. 

*Hostess snack cakes don't make up the usual sweet treat fare around this household, but recently I came across the recipe page at hostess, (Don't ask. Really.) which is amazing. I browsed (for hours) through all the concoctions, most of which call for at least one container of *thawed* whipped topping (a sure sign of something delicious *gag*). While Ben looked on in horror I imagined all of the families whose Fourth of July tradition is the Patriotic Twinkie Pie ("but mom! I had to shell all of the twinkies last year! No fair!"). All I know is that the day I show up to a party and find this awaiting me, is the day I will be a truly happy girl. I highly suggest you take a gander at some of these gourmet suggestions. And please, oh please, take them to a party and tell me all about it. One would think such a spectacle would not cause a craving of processed fake foods, but not for this one here. No, It's all I've been able to think about since. No pie, or cookie, would be a proper substitution. Which is another reason I know Ben likes me. He'll buy me horrible foods.
And that is the story of why I binged on Ding Dongs.

pastry party!

There has been an overwhelming lack of pie updates on this here blog. Fear not! There has still been plenty-o-baking going on in this household. This week my adoptive brother, Dylan (brother of the lovely Caitlyn) and I had a pie makin date. The pastry product: a sweet potato pie. Dylan loves to cook/bake but this pie held a special purpose; to woo his lady friend neighbor. He is already an expert- the pie was a success in both being delicious and impressing the neighbor lady.

 

(After several attempts of getting this to be right side up, I'm temporarily giving up before I get frustrated. Thanks, blogspot.)

 

I also gave a savory tart a go. This is a cranberry, blue cheese and walnut tart. It turned out great! I want to try it with chevre next time.

 

I'm not sure what's up next on the baking docket, but it will certainly be putting to use this handy little tool,

a lattice cutter, Lindsey gave me for Christmas.  With it's help I may just make the prettiest little pie there ever was.

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Cranberry Walnut Tart Recipe

Crust

• 1 cup flour
• 2/3 cup walnuts, ground
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 ounces butter, chilled and cubed 
• 1 tablespoon milk

pulse dry ingredients in a food processor, add milk to form a ball, then press into pastry pan. Poke with fork. The recipe says a 9 inch pan, I did several smaller pans. Freeze for 30 minutes, then bake for 15 minutes @ 375

Filling

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cranberries 

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/3 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced fine

2 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled  ( I used a bit more....) 

 

Saute onion and salt in olive oil (I added a little garlic to be a little crazy) until soft and carmalized. Add cranberries and sugar and cook until berries pop. Stir in walnuts and thyme. 

Spoon mixture onto tart, crumble cheese on top and pour cream and eggs (which you've whisked together) over top. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. It will be set up nicely when it's ready to be pulled out.

Random Order

 Truth be told, it doesn't take much to make me happy. Today was one of the simple things in life I adore. A pastry date with Cait! Dylan and Lizzy joined us at Random Order, and not only had great pie (banana cream, vanilla salted caramel apple, and brandied pears with dark chocolate and candied ginger streusel- Pie to the People, indeed!) but many-a-laughs and good conversation. Which is part of the reason I love pie, the company that usually comes with it.  Random Order was amazing- these are big words, but... I think I have a new favorite bakery.

I am incredibly amused by the fact I know the city by where pastry shops are located. I often get turned around in parts of NE Portland, but bakery locations can always help me connect the dots. Pie: helping me get around the big city. Thanks pie. 

Another simple thing that makes me happy-- these three good lookin boys. 

 

playing a bit of blogging catch up

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.
-Kurt Vonnegut

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     Would you look at that, December has up and left, and it took 2010 with it. I have accumulated a lot of wonderful memories from this last year, but have eagerly embraced Twenty Eleven with open arms. All the usual talk of New Year resolutions and goals and starting anews got me to evaluating where I ended up and who I've become after a years time. There were a lot of personal growth experiences from the year I will always cherish, and am proud of myself for. I am thankful I've somehow managed to gain alongside this growth, a level of maturity which allows me to recognize it as such.  One of my favorite accomplishments of the last year was one of the more silly of my endeavors, teaching myself to bake pies. Having not only a visual sense of growth from the beginning to present, but also one I can eat, is really exciting. I'm certainly planning on continuing with the pie making, but am excited to pick another uncharted (culinary?) adventure to explore and conquer!

     December went something like this for me: Finals. Trip to Utah. Work. Sick.  Being able to have that second bit was a saving grace.  Visiting my parents is always such a wonderful time for me. I love living in Portland very much, but being away from family can be so very difficult.  The best times spent at Deer Hollow are always the low key moments spent around the table playing cards, or in the living room visiting while watching bits of an old movie; delicious food involved always. The car ride with Dad from the airport to Logan came complete with an introduction of Ben to the experience that is Smith and Edwards and a chicken lunch at the famous Maddox.  Seeing extended family at the Flinders Fam Christmas party, and visiting with Grandma & Grandpa Firth was wonderful. One of the highlights of the trip was the art project Mom put together. We each had a blank canvas to create a multimedia collage. It was quite the spectacle as we all tore into old magazines and paints and glue. I really enjoyed watching everyone's personality came out in their pieces as they evolved layer after layer.

 Some of the finished pieces:


Camber's Nest

 Brady's awesome take on the Evolution of Man

Dad's Cycling Yeomen

 

 My Captian of the Queen 

 Danielle's garden inspired piece

 

 Lindsey and Jake's abstract color fantastico

 Emily's Crowned Bluebird

There is never a shortage of good times with my family.

 Liam hard at work as a snow plow.

 Miss Elsie is the happiest little turtledove to ever be.

 Ben sporting what may be the best Christmas gift ever.

 Missing Lindsey and Jake, the siblings took a trip to the creperie.

 I miss having Poot around in Portland. Hearing him play is an all around family favorite.

 Two of my favorite face makin goons.

Liam demonstrates the cookie eating process for maximum enjoyment.

 Nana and Papa creating another generation of bookworms.

Being able to play with my nieces and nephew was another highlight for me. My siblings make for some pretty great parents.

     _______________________________________________

And now for a little random awesomeness:

 During my brief battle with the plague, I became a slight hypochondriac. I diagnosed myself with many-a-ailments, if for no other reason to keep myself occupied. One of these diagnoses was the passing of a kidney stone. During my research (after a lack of sufficient evidence I dropped my suspicions)  I found this:

Pretty awesome, right? Turns out this jagged rainbow is nothing more than a kidney stone as seen through an electron microscope. Wow-ow-ie! That's amazing! It almost made me disappointed to not have one of the buggars myself. ...but not quite.

Now that my health has returned I'm keeping it on a short leash, determined to not catch another bug for the remainder of the flu/cold season. So far I'm feeling pretty good about it.