Monday, August 24, 2009

Continuing in the Squashity Vein

I just made a casserole using my home-grown squash and it smells freakin' awesome.

I tried it while I was putting it together and it already tasted heavenly so even tho I haven't tried the finished product, it. will. be. great!

It looks wunnerful too. I can't wait to have it for dinner tomorrow.

The recipe template (key word: template coz I took the recipe and did some major additions) came from a book sale find called "Country Casseroles". A paperback thin pamphletty type book. The original recipe is called Squash Supreme and is credited to Mary Fisher (Madison, Wisconsin) but with my tweaks it is now called...

Sam's Squash Supreme

6 cups sliced yellow summer squash
1 whole small to mid-sized Vidalia onion chopped
1 tsp salt
1 pkg Jimmy Dean regular sausage
1 can (10 3/4 oz) of condensed cream of chicken soup undiluted
1 pkg already julienned/shredded carrots
1 pkg (2 cups) shredded chz of your choice (I used a parmesan mozzarella mix)
1 cup (8oz) sour cream
1 pkg (8oz) seasoned stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter melted
*optional: Mrs. Dash's Table Blend to taste
  1. In a large skillet, cook-saute the onions in butter while you are slicing the squash so the onions get slightly browned.
  2. Add sliced squash and cook-saute until squash is tender, floppy, and sort of transparent.
  3. Drain well, but don't turn off the burner.
  4. While skillet is still hot, brown the sausage.
  5. Combine soup, sour cream, carrots, and chz.
  6. Add sausage.
  7. Fold in squash.
  8. Mix well and gently.
  9. Toss stuffing mix with 1/2 cup melted butter.
  10. To assemble casserole: spoon one half of stuffing over bottom of greased big casserole dish (I used the biggest Pyrex I own), top with squash mixture, and sprinkle top with remaining stuffing.
  11. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.


Mammoth Pumpkin To Be

So this is the result of my mammoth pumpkin experiment so far, it's only been growing since about the 2nd week of August. Despite the suck-ass weather, it's growing quite well. Let's hope it continues to do well.

Glove for sizing purposes.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Can You Say "M-F'in H.O.T"?

I knew that you could.

The past week and this weekend have been like living in someone's mouth.

If we lived in a big city, I'm sure it would be like living in someone's armpit.

Hot. Humid. Even at night. No relief.

I'm trying to stick it out and not break down and put my air conditioner in, but the fans are just about not cutting it.

It cooled down two degrees with a mild breeze on Tuesday so I sucked it up and mowed my lawn which was out of control. 3 weeks plus some days was almost too long to wait.

Saturday I dogsat. Riley and I had one fiercely hot walk. I told him we were going to walk slow and he listened. I also told him I was not going to run amok in the back yard and he accepted that. Basically all he wanted was for me to give him the frozen peanut butter filled Kong and skedaddle while he wallowed in front of the air conditioner at my parents' house. The life of Riley.

I went to my friend J2's baby shower today. Talk about a roomful of women and no air conditioning, just two fans pushing warm air around. I got to be the "present scribe" and the present list was sticking to my hands and wrists. Talk about UGH!

My car has air. My office has air. Some of the homes I visit have air. Stores have air. So I'm managing. Just barely (barely being an operative word).

On a positive note, my hair has been incredible - lots of body and curls with very little effort. Looks good with my summer tan.

A little TMI - I've started putting deodorant in places other than under my arms.

I've also discovered putting rubbing alcohol on cotton "rounds" (basically smushed flat cotton balls that are somewhat quilted) and swabbing my face before I go to bed to remove the schweaty film on my skin. I know, should be immensely drying and would never attempt to do this in the fall or winter, but with the humidity what's to dry out?

I've been working with different fan configurations in the bedroom and last night I think I've stumbled on a good set up. Last night I actually got cold towards dawn! We'll have to see about tonight because it's raining and I can't have the windows open like I did last night.

Yes, it finally started raining today about 5pm. Heavy at times. Which is good on one hand because then I don't have to water what little garden I have or the hydrangea bush but on the other hand, I don't think it's going to break the humidity cycle.

Well, my fingers are sticking to the keys and my wrists to the table. There's two fans with my name on them in my bedroom. Time to read and cool off.

Maybe.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Happy B'day To Me!

Yesterday was my b'day! And while I did not have protesters a'la Madonna, I also did not have to suffer the "Elvis is dead" Syndrome like past birthdays.

It was a great birthday:
  • My parents were in town for a change.
  • I slept in.
  • I got to shop and have a great late lunch with my mom.
  • I browsed a book store for book crack.
  • I got homemade birthday cake and ice-cream and candles. (Aside note: if you put the Kaluha cake in the fridge, the Kaluha gets VERY potent, I almost have a buzz going on from my piece tonite).
  • I got two birthday calls from very good friends.
  • I got a book present from my brother.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

My Top 10 High Schooler Summer Reads

When I was in high school, we lived in Germany, West Germany that is. Before the unification of Deutschland. Anyhoo, the high school I attended was a mix of the American and British school systems with a definite listing towards the American. The school library was so very teeny tiny... an unpleasant difference from the big huge libraries back in the States I was used to spending hours in. It was extremely difficult to get my book fix and I usually ended up re-reading favorites every season or more. So figure one book got read at least 4x/year and 5+ times a year at the most. Summers we'd visit the States and I would stock up at book stores, snapping up these favorites if I saw them. These were the books I couldn't live without (and in no particular order):

1) Crystal Singer - Anne McCaffery (science fiction): I practically memorized this book I read it so many times. I so wanted to learn how to cut crystal, have a symbiotic alien enhance my strength/endurance and make me practically immortal, and eat all the foods they craved during "the hunger". Nothing like sci-fi with a strong-willed female lead character successfully overcoming her flaws to an angst-ridden teenager, balm to the soul.

2) Windhaven - Lisa Tuttle and George R. R. Martin (science fiction): Another strong-willed female lead character successfully overcoming her flaws only this time instead of crystal cutting, it's flying. And while flying is made to sound really really alluring, I was never once tempted to want to try sky diving or hand gliding. I usually devoured this book endless times right after Crystal Singer.

3) The Nursery - David Lippincott (horror): This very little known gem showed me that while I thought I had it bad with my parents, they were nothing like the psycho couple the lead character ends up dealing with. I bought this book in a Vienna train station one night on our way back from a weekend school drama trip and stayed up all night on the train ride home reading it to the end. Then promptly read it again when I got home, but slower this time.

4) Gloriana - Michael Moorcock (alternate reality): This book is wonderful, it combines an alternate Elizabethan I reality, fantasy, magic, murder, mayhem, conspiracy, sex, and writing I can only compare to a huge box of absolutely delicious chocolates that no matter how much you eat, you want more. And there's no fear of calories or nauseousness. Rich and wonderful.

5) The Long Walk - Rich Bachman (Stephen King actually although I didn't know it at the time - sci-fi/horror): This gruesome dark book was a perfect high school read. Fully realized believable characters that you either cared for or hated, just like the people you were going to school with. Very detailed which made my anal-retentive heart go pitter pat. Scary in that you wonder how well you'd do in the same situation and when you'd end up... A damn fine story with an unusual unhappy ending, finally.

6) Sphinx - Robin Cook (suspense): This was actually a find that our American neighbors up the street had. They generously allowed me to plunder their book collection and while reading Nero Wolfe was alright, this book was great. Light reading for me but the story was well-told, fast-paced, and set in Egypt with strong-willed female lead character on a search for ancient treasure. (Guessing you can see a trend by now?)

7) Banners of Silk - Rosiland Laker (historical romance): I read this book to tatters, bought a new copy, read that one to tatters, and am most likely on my 5th or 6th copy. I finally found the original hardback version and that's my "good" copy (I have a back-up HB copy as well, call me crazy, I won't deny it!). Something about this book... I could say it's the writing, the characters, the dresses, the story, but that doesn't get to it. It's all those things and more. It's a book that strikes a chord and I love it and read it over and over and over.

8) The Fortress - Gabrielle Lord (horror/suspense): IF this was treated right, this book would make a great movie. But then all really good books that you stay up all night to finish and then have bad dreams about are never made into good movies because they never match what your imagination accomplishes. This book rocks, still. I finally got an out-of-print copy and it is exactly as good as I remember it. A teacher and students pitted against terrorizing kidnappers in Australia - that's all I can tell ya!

9) Anne of Green Gables series - L.M. Montgomery: I love reading this series. I read the first book to the last and cram a lifetime in a relatively brief span. Again one of those books where the writing, characters, and story just click and I can't pinpoint exactly why. Wait, maybe it's because while I'm reading it, I'm in the story and not aware that I'm reading. That's it, that complete suspension of reality.

10) Moomintroll series - Tove Jansson: Yes, these books are on the younger side but the stories, writing, and pictures are so engaging that I still find myself coning back to them again and again.

Common trend (in most of the books): strong-willed flawed female protagonist who has serious issues/dangers to overcome be it on a different planet, alternate reality, outback, in the distant past, or modern day.

What these books did for me in high school (and do so even today): due to a combination of great writing/great stories/great characters/great details = suspended reality and made me leave my life for a while never once feeling like I was reading a story, but actually seeing it unfold before me (granted in my head, but still).

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Moomin's Weekend Friend

So Moomin was looking out the window when a huge fuzzy bumbly bee landed on the screen for a wash break. It hung out for about 10 minutes meticulously grooming legs/feet/wings. Moomin enjoyed every moment although as soon as the bee stopped moving, Moomin took to watching the crows across the street.


Here he is trying to make contact. I'm such an overprotective mamacat that I did not fall for his cuteness and open the window. Stinging is not fun. Ripped screens are not fun.

Two days of Slambo sunbathing this weekend! I am one delicious caramel fudge brownie! And yes, I'm being careful for all you sun-naysayers. I'm wearing sunscreen on my face and only staying out for short periods of time. I am feeling healthier this summer with all the vitamin D I've been soaking up and I'm definitely looking healthier too. Come this winter I will again fade to fish belly white. I might have to buy a "happy light". Huh (snort).

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

My Chimney Has a TopHat

I finally got my flashing fixed/replaced.

With all the rain we've been having, mostly heavy and driving, Dad's jerry-rigged tar patch finally gave out and I've been experiencing a "River Runs Through It" on my living room wall.

My roofer contractor is reputedly one of the top guys in the area so he can pick and choose his jobs after playing golf and bar-hopping. Yeah, I know, doesn't sound promising, but he came highly and reliably recommended and if he's that good that he can do what he wants when he wants and everyone wants him, then I don't have any complaints.

Neither does my wall. No more leaks! And he guaranteed his work. And he was reasonably priced. He did say the local squirrels snacking on my lead are eligible for mental disability coverage. Well, at least the ones not run over by cars.

And he let me know my chimney is NOT lined and advised me NEVER to use a woodstove. Makes me wonder how my home's previous owners avoided burning the house down around them because there was a woodstove hooked up when I purchased it. It's still in the basement, full of ashes, just no longer hooked up to the chimney.

He put a top hat on the top of my chimney to keep critters, debris, and rain out of it. Apparently I didn't have one of those either. Go figure, I've had this house since '99. He was concerned about "wicking" which leads to wearing and leaking of the chimney inside - brickwise but as the Universe looks after fools and drunks, I don't have any evidence of that.

One more repair down. Several more to go... but not right now, or soon, or even in a while. I need to percolate some more.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Giant Pumpkin Update

Houston, despite my timely manual matchmaking efforts, we now have a rotting head-sized pumpkin that is beginning to resemble something halfway solid a child has upchucked.

I am SO disappointed but not very surprised given the insane wet weather we've been having.

On the up side, the vine is busy attempting two or three more pumpkins and with the male and female flowers finally in sync, I don't have to "show them the way".

But I'm not holding my breath for any pumpkins this year. My other regular pumpkin vines are just growing forth greenly, not having any babies yet.

I did manage to get 4 yellow squash.

My BiPolar Potato Salad

Or "Hot/Cold Potato Salad" or even "Two Part Potato Salad" if you prefer my more PC names. I myself prefer the nonPC name - "BiPolar Potato Salad".

This is my new summer "catnip" recipe. I describe certain meals as "catnip" because I can't get enough of them and would roll around in them if I were a cat.

So...

The Cold or Manic Part:
  • One bundle of green onions - cut with scissors, oh so much easier
  • One bundle/stalk/set of celery - diced into nice little centimeter pieces
  • One bag of julienned carrots - chopped into little centimeter pieces
  • Optional: one yellow pepper - chopped into little centimeter pieces
  • Trust me, you are going to want to take the anal retentive/OCD time to make the pieces small.
  • One package of real bacon bits (Oscar Mayer) (optional, but you're gonna miss 'em)
  • One 5oz container of fresh shredded Asiago cheese (optional, I love me some dairy)
  • Mix all of these in a big ass bowl and refrigerate til potatoes are done.

The Hot or Lethargic Part:
  • One mesh bag of purple or russet baby/mini potatos
  • Boil them up while doing the Cold/Manic chopping part.
  • Once easy to poke with a fork, stop the water.
  • Take them out one at a time and put in a tupperware or other plastic bowl (with a top that fits)
  • Mash/chunk them with a fork.
  • Add Ranch dressing and Ginger Soy Sauce to taste. I can't give you measurements coz I just add and mix until the potatoes are a chunky-creamy texture and taste like heaven. One hint, more Ranch than Ginger Soy sauce, but it has to be Ginger Soy, god that stuff is yummy!
Putting it all together or BiPolar Part:
  • Bring out the cold veggie mix.
  • Ladle as much of it as you want in a bowl. I like pasta bowls for this.
  • Then take about a cup with a little + of the potato mixture and put on top of the veggies.
  • Mix the potatoes and veggies together, ideally you want each bite to have p's and v's together!
  • Put the cold veggies away.
  • Put the potatoes away.
  • DO NOT MIX THEM!! Keep them in separate containers.
  • Only mix together what you are going to eat. I can't stress this enough!

What makes this salad work is that the veggies stay crisp and cool and delish.
And the potatoes are warm and comfort-foodish.
Together=bliss.
If you work it right, there will be more veggies than potatoes each helping and you'll run out of both at the same time if you keep this in mind. If you try to make them equal, you will run out of potatoes very quickly. For us calorie conscious people, we need the veggies to be the bigger portion. Besides the potatoes are almost too good to have too much of, although I've gone there. The veggies really balance out the over-goodness of the potatoes.

Leftovers or Post Crisis Potatoes:
  • When you want more the next day, just heat the amt of p's you want in a bowl.
  • After they are warm, ladle on the cool v's and mix and you are ready to go.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

The BugFest That Was This Weekend

I swear I encountered every freakin' bug that lives in my yard, my parents' yard, and on the dogsitting walk this weekend. I had to bugspray myself good to just sunbathe.

You name it;
Mosquitos (poor Riley, if I hadn't coated his buttocks with Burt's Bees bug repellent... he sorely needed it while taking a poop in the woods. God they're ferocious!)
Earwigs
Big juicy black ants
Tiny red ants
Slugs (okay, so they aren't "bugs" but they are pests)
Flies
Horse flies
Deer flies
Bees
Wasps
Some other very large flying stinging creature that I did not care to investigate closely
Grasshoppers
Moths
Midges
Gnats
The striped bugs eating the squash and pumpkin leaves
Japanese beetles
Some other kind of beetle that was black

And spiders, tons of those too;
The Bad Ass Big Yellow spiders (BABYs)
Daddy Long Legs
The zebra-striped jumping ones
The brown nonwebbers that scuttle frantically when startled (usually found around the soil)
Tunnel spiders
And of course, the garden orb spider as seen below.

It's a wonder I wasn't carried off and sucked dry.