tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75530167858605614972024-03-20T05:17:44.364-05:00Under the Stars and DreamingSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-42047557385778095102009-06-21T11:26:00.005-05:002009-06-21T11:35:18.424-05:00in honor of the first day of summer...I'm finally going to post some spring pics. What can I say, timeliness is not one of my virtues. The top one is my favorite b/c I didn't think Mr. Bee would come out as anything but a blur. When I uploaded the pic to the computer, I was thrilled!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4lhoRrjOtMI9TFQ3wx2ocyVZpiq3UQIaDClc9_foNGiBg4TUSKQKAKMOsdmeqxczNN4_y0wwo1MUzrRgz2W34Ko3wfFXowkrM9rswWA7IVvz8r7Dc8iCkK3hWr2bRLWXU4ECFgRNG0kd/s1600-h/bee+happy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4lhoRrjOtMI9TFQ3wx2ocyVZpiq3UQIaDClc9_foNGiBg4TUSKQKAKMOsdmeqxczNN4_y0wwo1MUzrRgz2W34Ko3wfFXowkrM9rswWA7IVvz8r7Dc8iCkK3hWr2bRLWXU4ECFgRNG0kd/s400/bee+happy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818781623152370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpyr-J7Uzab0x2DPaByZ5XFOVxLykssxxkBIH4jsulHQi7jg2dSdHtyf5eWLs4DvjxdPylrxzN-l1uMLmHMcB4snkLt6HGQGZGfkSOnKqj5WrMMZPCAWu-9DFe9xUZ26lYGVIMas9VSTu/s1600-h/mtn+laurel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpyr-J7Uzab0x2DPaByZ5XFOVxLykssxxkBIH4jsulHQi7jg2dSdHtyf5eWLs4DvjxdPylrxzN-l1uMLmHMcB4snkLt6HGQGZGfkSOnKqj5WrMMZPCAWu-9DFe9xUZ26lYGVIMas9VSTu/s400/mtn+laurel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818775958981474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhXV7yOz02Rz79F9xB2aXs4nfZJcRh0QoDOYLAnC9ijWeXHcVVm0-YCgxtS-L1TjU9A-zwDj_pDkWSTDXazAdASLJD8f486CmoGL7EyhPB3yVrRf1sM3dVjX5BuJDgJROBj8R0weGz9OP/s1600-h/fallen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhXV7yOz02Rz79F9xB2aXs4nfZJcRh0QoDOYLAnC9ijWeXHcVVm0-YCgxtS-L1TjU9A-zwDj_pDkWSTDXazAdASLJD8f486CmoGL7EyhPB3yVrRf1sM3dVjX5BuJDgJROBj8R0weGz9OP/s400/fallen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818773907440930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAXpYoJtbCd2TQbawTQm17WJc0wuEjEjZ76goCfZVnylxSFQOxlNPFNAWiTzUICgMPRjONTQ7cCWD_11fV2G23jUibNv9CdMUApey5ruCbmMPLB4r32k1PF6fOba_Yxm8A1JBKOrs4EAE/s1600-h/pear+blossoms+sky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAXpYoJtbCd2TQbawTQm17WJc0wuEjEjZ76goCfZVnylxSFQOxlNPFNAWiTzUICgMPRjONTQ7cCWD_11fV2G23jUibNv9CdMUApey5ruCbmMPLB4r32k1PF6fOba_Yxm8A1JBKOrs4EAE/s400/pear+blossoms+sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818770031372242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw1xrNP_p3fPx5IambQetpOFFjjUFgkRUYXzBqkErYHQGtV5PY3lRLkccxhr1_GRtHPFVmD0wI8LaPfjYodBIVs3ruBtwRdzpCwDmgyOEJCsZ3EpWuvCga_YXxGYMZTl6nylYJfi91h-I/s1600-h/pear+blossoms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw1xrNP_p3fPx5IambQetpOFFjjUFgkRUYXzBqkErYHQGtV5PY3lRLkccxhr1_GRtHPFVmD0wI8LaPfjYodBIVs3ruBtwRdzpCwDmgyOEJCsZ3EpWuvCga_YXxGYMZTl6nylYJfi91h-I/s400/pear+blossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818759375010482" border="0" /></a><br />If you want to see a few fall and winter pics, I just updated my flickr photostream. (I figure posting winter pics on June 21st would just be too pathetic, even for me!)<br /><br />Uh, Happy Summer!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-54328843311825566602009-04-19T15:12:00.003-05:002009-04-19T15:33:05.786-05:00M-O-O-N spells moonI have always had trouble taking any worthwhile pictures of our beloved satellite, but with a few tips I picked up, I had some (very) moderate success.<br /><br />I like the spookiness of the B&W.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXs0y8U6-eoD18EiXTMnVlhBwi93xOX9gqvEUHzp3pzoo0u0mTyKHgR8vzHTUrPNVmR5PqG_MpMc3bZPyl-fcB-8e4MV2Tc5qvLd3r1PpSkAjeeBu3lkpj3uZs4exOUOuLFAyA_uaQhTd/s1600-h/BW+moon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326499059323745330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXs0y8U6-eoD18EiXTMnVlhBwi93xOX9gqvEUHzp3pzoo0u0mTyKHgR8vzHTUrPNVmR5PqG_MpMc3bZPyl-fcB-8e4MV2Tc5qvLd3r1PpSkAjeeBu3lkpj3uZs4exOUOuLFAyA_uaQhTd/s400/BW+moon.jpg" /></a><br />But I also like the true color here, and the branch is a nice touch.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNkYqXugLtMX-v9NXL67EA-PFief537o-a_BYPfNhuVrYA1VWXxotNu7UDG7mjgfT5EwR-_NlZ0isG__tqtYz0NUNJqg2iKQEBDYdZZP-Iq6i5t9eDSaf1fKnfClmR8h27DJ6pkINMO6i/s1600-h/moon+branch.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 370px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326499067533646466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNkYqXugLtMX-v9NXL67EA-PFief537o-a_BYPfNhuVrYA1VWXxotNu7UDG7mjgfT5EwR-_NlZ0isG__tqtYz0NUNJqg2iKQEBDYdZZP-Iq6i5t9eDSaf1fKnfClmR8h27DJ6pkINMO6i/s400/moon+branch.jpg" /></a><br />With the aid of my trusty photoshop, I was able to create a more artistic rendering.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU887K-D5fdJTkPwdhb0EfBzgyDHfvRLdg0euXRXM-A4QqY73kfrjBehqXDuR2QpLmIKUsg-aAHr-7dLqpDmkQcqvZSWu6_gDcxLfwv4R3S2Ivmh3b7G5Lhf7d5VTRi9l60JhPNkLmjGFZ/s1600-h/stained+glass+moon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 376px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326499067728054354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU887K-D5fdJTkPwdhb0EfBzgyDHfvRLdg0euXRXM-A4QqY73kfrjBehqXDuR2QpLmIKUsg-aAHr-7dLqpDmkQcqvZSWu6_gDcxLfwv4R3S2Ivmh3b7G5Lhf7d5VTRi9l60JhPNkLmjGFZ/s400/stained+glass+moon.jpg" /></a><br />And again. This one is my favorite, evocative and moody.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326499065666356722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmu5d443jPmo9bfh5n8wGuBpoKDXINofI7OT3StLL5JR7Z_4s23S8XKC8mdYyAuqkymQTmKeXAqgVD81UcPf1PWGXN2v-2UP_CsQ0B2_ARHohLm1uTdfqk64ZDq3DHHMIJiFGu-6Dwc6N/s400/blue+moon.jpg" /><br />I know I'm not around much these days. Work and, of course, life-in-general, haven't left me much time or energy for my hobbies lately. Hopefully I will post more regularly soon, I'm just not sure yet when "soon" will be. If you're still checking in on me, I thank you!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-73307409576123425572009-03-29T19:05:00.001-05:002009-03-29T19:06:17.273-05:00hell hath no fury like... uh, hail<div>Here are some cool pics from the major hailstorm we had last week.<br /></div><br /><div>B took these as it was happening:<br /></div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318752460369617026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjdwthESkAw2PHoJmZapUkbsARXkghHP76p-ccB8WU1WqphQPh4QeE8C69IofJgPPMdL2S1T5GkWAg-s2rwXv4HrIOXd7XtDWTcWJUoYCCAo0jMQgtS6lP-otjZbJjFOs0Mi381M_Kvmk/s400/hail+1+B+took.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318760015801228258" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBE2UaWesbEuW7YBd6_up4pSz_DezzT-CMwRGy4T56fAbkJpisJla_M05z7fcYdGoUtYROPNvll52LlQ9tnn5urtgss7byft2P8LRy8OeDOnRVG7krbVtI50QX0MVmHbJXHWBZxB8Z873/s400/hail+2+B+took.jpg" border="0" />And these just after it stopped:<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318752473803009602" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRyrkfgqDXop6iBlYvUBNey5lyVgMu7Kh_FaqGV9UDU8bvij8mT60IW8lZhPBZeX_jpn_GTfIuHd__BRhnlv-aSC75HXyI6-3Md3MI8Nfg6uXekSOQc1iNSmcEdH_heKvZ2XgMSiexoKk/s400/hail+3+B+took.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318752470394758402" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgzy-NiDjRwEvXM88rExZ5ueVVbOifj7212wN3fKDCDEuys8sssjhm01-Tqfpaw8eT4AWStR0184FrpPIpfolIOuDYKrJbZ0KplRFCIYo1pSdK80bsV7lIIjAPARcWiZJv4vpYR8hMeph/s400/hail+4+B+took.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>I took these when I got home from work (almost 2 hours later!!):</div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318752475649069858" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJxwcZHN1AdigrjrMVtT6euClTxNq8rXkxObI7NVWQcJVnRKMFpCOjmf6Xz3zuJMWzEJ8X_OQyfzRMVE-12m9xCLDdfGIuxYfGbjHbA6L_z0crRtAykWNJ3wG_L99nHyHe6mmwuolZ4o-/s400/hail+5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318760023420456786" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QtpjZEM-pv33F3MgBaHv9YRJeJryBLcLUvpSLH_5m-2QcHv3lfUHjYXDdxtiJXHH9R9wC_AkuzC9E_-zY-32OdyKgSAUsI2i1bIZGlpI93ZaX_yiHIrMvZxbn5g8JrjvhlAdZq_ViKnQ/s400/hail+6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiejZL5N0LnN2TbrIRfSS2gs6KFbsW4aY68igAklnBRjq4kJde_03LLwNF_5XAq8T6Xwlz0B2ON-GB5uqqO6C9JvjSuOrKa789J5VV34t36237xLFkf2XFwpeg-8S3JLtcCNJeSHpz7joL/s1600-h/hail+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758127440137250" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiejZL5N0LnN2TbrIRfSS2gs6KFbsW4aY68igAklnBRjq4kJde_03LLwNF_5XAq8T6Xwlz0B2ON-GB5uqqO6C9JvjSuOrKa789J5VV34t36237xLFkf2XFwpeg-8S3JLtcCNJeSHpz7joL/s400/hail+7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDsL5NqGK8YjEPgn9koiIe4d7OGONZjEjtIBRxbBJXFpj-8o5at-JytpsstokNbaoB3oIJqln2ID4fHTPNONz6E-2iRsiyRqBseweExvcjNa7EPZq22xBZaN3ovavgJWZHhbE5j9Rzfaf/s1600-h/hail+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758120284731874" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDsL5NqGK8YjEPgn9koiIe4d7OGONZjEjtIBRxbBJXFpj-8o5at-JytpsstokNbaoB3oIJqln2ID4fHTPNONz6E-2iRsiyRqBseweExvcjNa7EPZq22xBZaN3ovavgJWZHhbE5j9Rzfaf/s400/hail+8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel_F7_-3P3nSLKltuErTmWo01MNWu-ZMiwi55EowuB1dt8P_9Isb6ZnOKPgrWe4K4_OS7dkKbLQS4HdSUIzUBKphyzCzhYj9SxtrbpARmp1QzlD7FKVjpABJYMHbYQgdTHMLIn2AhfBVi/s1600-h/hail+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758116230264530" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel_F7_-3P3nSLKltuErTmWo01MNWu-ZMiwi55EowuB1dt8P_9Isb6ZnOKPgrWe4K4_OS7dkKbLQS4HdSUIzUBKphyzCzhYj9SxtrbpARmp1QzlD7FKVjpABJYMHbYQgdTHMLIn2AhfBVi/s400/hail+9.jpg" border="0" /></a>And these the next morning:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdRzH3EyW2CG4GpqDbPJal1pHc-U0wzP9A80SixMBaCQcThORqURkzSvjCFh-wIpE9WyGAZvwB114e4AQPELdlOSvCGtuaAasF60V0yPbEKTx91V1Tj21DYdEwxuxJTaR3sLwKScFIuPy/s1600-h/hail+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758111792694370" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdRzH3EyW2CG4GpqDbPJal1pHc-U0wzP9A80SixMBaCQcThORqURkzSvjCFh-wIpE9WyGAZvwB114e4AQPELdlOSvCGtuaAasF60V0yPbEKTx91V1Tj21DYdEwxuxJTaR3sLwKScFIuPy/s400/hail+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div>There was still hail on the ground over 15 hours later!<br /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758093173436578" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnoKW0pq0aqFP6309KkzKhgJgHFzFV-4tCKGDAhvWDt9SGs4x_ujKt_Z5kb8BKYwZlU2mgGrDV3ZtON_YKbiN3sgvFyDqXoBlzSPa84au6aTjucZ6aot3bOJorCXB4p2-38u3oULB9FpH/s400/hail+11.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-47350044848749357942009-03-17T13:52:00.000-05:002009-03-17T13:52:16.181-05:00Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scolb.That's an Irish proverb, meaning "A windy day is not the day to be fixing your thatch (roof)." (If google is to be trusted, that is.) Sounds like good advice to me. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'm putting up the following recipe, but just a warning/apology: I sent this exact thing out by email last year, so if you got it then, you've already seen it. But not everyone will have gotten it then (and I didn't make anything this year) so I'm posting it. Plus, it's totally repeat-worthy!<br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />While chocolate cake may not spring to mind as a particularly Irish dish, this one has Guinness in it, which is Irish enough for me! It is truly delectable - moist, rich, not too sweet.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314228306532546402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdhipItzeuLrUZLvPDuemO8553t7DFcjzE7jWiNIXXH4q26OtfdwYwHkpck3ujRW_Lnz7k1Qts7leuqTm5B1FO1wQZLNXpdD0hpWYLRgOFqw6xQ06axgUOxubd5Im97uGno_xdN_PyWZ_/s400/guinness+cake.jpg" border="0" /><br />CHOCOLATE STOUT CAKE<br />Bon Appétit September 2002<br />Servings: Makes 12 servings.<br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">My notes are in green (but of course). <br /></span><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">(** I halved the entire recipe and used two 9-inch cake pans. What's below is the <em>original </em>recipe, though, so adjust accordingly depending on how much cake you want. **)<br /><br /></span>Ingredients<br /><br /><strong>Cake:</strong></p><p>2 cups stout (such as Guinness) <span style="color:#33ff33;">(which is what I used)<br /></span>2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter<br />1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder <span style="color:#33ff33;">(The recipe actually says Dutch-process cocoa is best, but I used my regular Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa powder and it was fine.)</span><br />4 cups all purpose flour<br />4 cups sugar<br />1 tablespoon baking soda<br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />4 large eggs<br />1 1/3 cups sour cream<br /><br /><strong>Icing:</strong></p><p>2 cups whipping cream<br />1 pound bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped <span style="color:#33ff33;">(I used Ghiradelli bittersweet chips)<br /></span><br />Preparation<br />For cake:<br />Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Line with parchment paper. Butter paper. <span style="color:#33ff33;">(I just coated my pans with baking spray, nothing else, and they were fine.) </span>Bring 2 cups stout and 2 cups butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Transfer cakes to rack; cool 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack and cool completely.<br /><br />For icing:<br />Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Refrigerate until icing is spreadable, stirring frequently, about 2 hours. Place 1 cake layer on plate. Spread 2/3 cup icing over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 2/3 cup icing over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining icing over top and sides of cake. <span style="color:#33ff33;">(** I put raspberry preserves in between the layers instead, then spread the ganache over the top and sides. **)</span></p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-36738061409653981502009-03-15T20:40:00.000-05:002009-03-15T20:40:17.273-05:00another winter passes<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313590543454708418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DBItlw1JKBVKK932DVChthJugHmnMEYopbYOlsrwly_MzyjkuYxKBl3IzWlaLq-L5-h9e7uXY5nnw80Wt8NsA6ETHlEZsZm2BxM2d5eV_cTJQsd8_n3_mkbxmAD6FO-Jr9tIzddcmVV2/s400/looks+like+snow+B%26W.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8_c7y0mQ-4eNSdwPI1ThASuVh2Fse3GULQObD_pzUwL_53kYkJTIkny5V_k-22KPNozssRcYfCZEltvw06GdCWwBJ8pzt1tCEHQLaOG1W6cO3r-w4JqEjNjFGRm5FccginzXohYT8voQ/s1600-h/aspens+1a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313593047773775010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8_c7y0mQ-4eNSdwPI1ThASuVh2Fse3GULQObD_pzUwL_53kYkJTIkny5V_k-22KPNozssRcYfCZEltvw06GdCWwBJ8pzt1tCEHQLaOG1W6cO3r-w4JqEjNjFGRm5FccginzXohYT8voQ/s400/aspens+1a.jpg" /></a> <BR><BR><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zULbhK6PDyZWsdQs97WOonXXtq6ZUsV-dBIv0XxGQDVMWObw9g5SpWqw7A30IEdCV3M04y5jrx3v5XwpArOJhI4tLDg_7gbdaGH9TWxm5rgT2gXIa4uknpx99hHhfM443RWVnX5Wf7xY/s1600-h/off+the+rails1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 398px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313593047325665282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zULbhK6PDyZWsdQs97WOonXXtq6ZUsV-dBIv0XxGQDVMWObw9g5SpWqw7A30IEdCV3M04y5jrx3v5XwpArOJhI4tLDg_7gbdaGH9TWxm5rgT2gXIa4uknpx99hHhfM443RWVnX5Wf7xY/s400/off+the+rails1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><div></div><br /><div></div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313590024122828994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_s2eEfeVR7mkDCI9sfg6EgDGtcnBZmPDq3jS7uucVjH5K5cDrHqT0jnZvH4UqP7FoMZazug0sBxl8cxlxiOixHniL-ZuFy6mB6L_s5UExGQ8t5h95YUdkpgpzBHThtBWgsOs5jGiPnRx/s400/blue+sugar+footprint+1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_wlF5tV_Pk7cJmrYgXl6zJCmczRZoisN7Gw0nZ5pVvVa5X5Mhz567quZ3Nd8p88QS5pJXeQMtgcLMERCchrsLpBrXA4FO7CNCIbPyK_AE7QW_xKYq_Dv0q4tZq7m2Yw0kqHAhypVCAj-/s1600-h/icy+leaves.jpg"></a>Goodbye...<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-33429703318046376972009-02-13T08:08:00.001-06:002009-02-13T08:08:27.039-06:00love is for suckers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvICtM9N_PYlpe8HeKuKgWuxnB9ILGkcrv5klNbRyhsKBRGsW-9SsWmkZtJwr5FPdUjzbaR9y9uVKBgO_Uq2dKE7VMPKjfFHVEeLEr6brI6eg77zlwfewmrOqI0L0_2tQ_RsMgje_25BM/s1600-h/loveisforsuckers1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300158608169907650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvICtM9N_PYlpe8HeKuKgWuxnB9ILGkcrv5klNbRyhsKBRGsW-9SsWmkZtJwr5FPdUjzbaR9y9uVKBgO_Uq2dKE7VMPKjfFHVEeLEr6brI6eg77zlwfewmrOqI0L0_2tQ_RsMgje_25BM/s400/loveisforsuckers1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><div>What did you think I meant?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Have a Happy Valentine's Day!</div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-82043430494554616782009-02-04T15:17:00.001-06:002009-02-04T15:19:20.202-06:00short and sweet sour HUTAS* rantIf you are going 50 mph in a 65 mph zone for no discernable reason, I am going to tailgate your ass, and I don't care if you're in the right lane. Pull your head out, hang up your phone, or get off the highway!<br /><br />This post brought to you by the letters P, M and S.<br /><br />* HUTAS = Head Up The Ass Syndrome. I made it up, but so did a bunch of other people. pfftSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-14239076620893828642009-01-26T11:48:00.001-06:002009-01-27T08:10:56.971-06:0025 random things about moi(I did this on Facebook too, but figured it was appropriate fodder for the blog since some people who read this aren't on FB. For the rest of you, sorry for the repeat!)<br /><br />Consider this a general tag to all of my bloggy friends - put up a list of your own, I would love to read it! (Let me know in the comments if you're doing it and I'll check it out.)<br /><br />1. In order, I've lived in: Corsicana TX, El Paso TX, a very brief stint somewhere in CA that I barely remember, St. Louis MO, Corona CA, San Antonio TX, Frankfort IN, Carrollton TX, Overland Park KS, Highland Village TX, Austin TX. I've lived in Austin for almost 20 years now, but before that, I had never lived anywhere longer than 4 years, and in a few cases, less than one year.<br /><br />2. My siblings are almost 8 (sister) and 10 (brother) years younger than me, and they have had a totally different experience growing up since my family stopped moving about the time they were starting school, and a couple years before I moved out.<br /><br />3. I love to read, but the only books I've read more than once (as an adult) are the Harry Potter series, Hobbit/LOTR, and Wuthering Heights. And I fully plan to read them all again. EDIT: I can't believe I forgot Gone With the Wind! Duh. Though I don't necessarily plan to reread; 4 times is probably enough.<br /><br />4. Even though I don't reread most books, I still buy 95% of the books I read. Silly and wasteful, perhaps, but I love the feel and smell of books, and the sight of overflowing bookshelves.<br /><br />5. I didn't know my hair was curly like this until late high school. Always had short frizzy layers before then - stupid supercut hairstylists!<br /><br />6. My "secret boyfriends" are Viggo Mortensen, Nathan Fillion, and Tony Bourdain. Oh, and Jim Halpert. So what if he's fictional, like it matters? In which case, I can't leave out Sawyer, Sayid and Desmond! (And my secret girlfriend is Kate Winslet.) Is that too many?<br /><br />7. I think Calvin & Hobbes is the best comic ever.<br /><br />8. As of this writing, my email inbox has 1156 messages in it. None are unread, I just like to keep all of my significant correspondence. (I still delete dozens, if not hundreds, every week.) I also have almost all of the letters, birthday cards and Christmas cards I've received over the past 20-25 years. Email's been a big space saver. :o)<br /><br />9. In 10th grade I broke my ankle, and now I can't remember which one it was. (Left, I think... no right. Left?)<br /><br />10. Outside of the US, I've been to Mexico (a few times), Germany, the Cayman Islands, France and Italy. (Tons of ground left to cover!)<br /><br />11. Even though I only spent about 3 days there, I have a serious crush on Paris. I could simply walk around there for weeks. I tend to love any movie that's set there. And forget mustard and mayo, I put butter on my sandwiches now. :o)<br /><br />12. B and I had our first kiss in the middle of Bourbon Street, NOLA, on Nov. 3rd, 1995. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this past September.<br /><br />13. We met because I (briefly) dated his best friend. That guy ended up being our best man and we're still all good friends.<br /><br />14. My first "real" job (after years and years of babysitting) was working the concession stand at a movie theater one summer. Free popcorn, cokes, and best of all, movies! It was pretty fun, actually.<br /><br />15. I can touch my nose with my tongue, and my fingers are double-jointed.<br /><br />16. I don't know if I want a kid or a dog, but I already have names picked out for either.<br /><br />17. I have a moderate case of OCD. Amongst other things, I have to unplug the coffee maker and toaster, touch all the light switches, and say goodbye to all my cats (even the dead ones), before I can leave the house for the day.<br /><br />18. I've had chronic insomnia for many years. I can fall asleep easily (too easily), but can't sleep through the night. I'm usually up sometime between 2 and 4, for various lengths of time, before going back to sleep. Pretty much every night.<br /><br />19. I've managed to overcome my other true phobias, but I still have a very hard time with the cucarachas. And I can't crunch them or have their corpses in the house, either. I have to trap them under a cup with a rock on top of it, then slide paper or something under the cup, then take them out to the gutter to dispose of them. *shudder*<br /><br />20. I am extraordinarily curious and ask a ton of questions. When I get interested in something, I kind of obsess for a while and learn everything I can about it. On the flip side, I get bored with things pretty easily, once the initial obsession wears off.<br /><br />21. My favorite movies of all time are the Lord of the Rings movies.<br /><br />22. I am an open-minded skeptic about the paranormal, but I'm still fascinated by it.<br /><br />23. I've been in love 4 times. 1 was unrequited (probably a good thing in retrospect).<br /><br />24. My favorite accent is Scottish.<br /><br />25. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Something involving travel, photography, cooking & baking, watching movies, reading books, engaging conversation, writing, and surfing the internet would be perfect. Oh, and I'm kinda lazy and procrastinate like mad. Suggestions?Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-43152466378559698082009-01-19T08:00:00.000-06:002009-01-19T08:00:02.312-06:00can't... resist... sleeping... kitty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P376nz7HPIG3ELPmvbiiVhCTPM13n2Ul-BbnaFMFIHVZf8iGz8GhHEZ-Wx-TKo2Ao8N0TTXtry65aAx8xUTLqL8RJn95HD2X5qmAAPV1IaNGmq61b8PhWLHBdRuHiXnekzf4ncrp0Oy2/s1600-h/puff+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292583182649625746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P376nz7HPIG3ELPmvbiiVhCTPM13n2Ul-BbnaFMFIHVZf8iGz8GhHEZ-Wx-TKo2Ao8N0TTXtry65aAx8xUTLqL8RJn95HD2X5qmAAPV1IaNGmq61b8PhWLHBdRuHiXnekzf4ncrp0Oy2/s400/puff+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkTVmJoX-q5bdhhjFQr9t3eUF_pyRIxfUFfBtMtz_RGswEptfI6vOoURIT1RrsDFxieTbTffSRSktkkeSV8B4mw3jxsqy1_KX9THmUfuwHztDt9I-Rqxz-s-tQQOpTFZXDTbmFp-1D7In/s1600-h/puff+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292583177540017394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkTVmJoX-q5bdhhjFQr9t3eUF_pyRIxfUFfBtMtz_RGswEptfI6vOoURIT1RrsDFxieTbTffSRSktkkeSV8B4mw3jxsqy1_KX9THmUfuwHztDt9I-Rqxz-s-tQQOpTFZXDTbmFp-1D7In/s400/puff+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshBDl-Ui1BT5O-2u-3dIhSqaXGdWubR26qXVmzOGYH96wgILOOUHoWIVQUvz86h_eKczcGukELuKtOyWkzVemWS2_onguePLjW8G08aiAYrhOazDz7FfB3SazUjaPsHAxCemX7cpZEfn/s1600-h/puff+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292582936196197410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshBDl-Ui1BT5O-2u-3dIhSqaXGdWubR26qXVmzOGYH96wgILOOUHoWIVQUvz86h_eKczcGukELuKtOyWkzVemWS2_onguePLjW8G08aiAYrhOazDz7FfB3SazUjaPsHAxCemX7cpZEfn/s400/puff+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pge3pUeaWJ6ntQmVxUDUtswoaZB1tDtgD4Uqls_DN_UduMQvsuteyYgGra7Ama_kuLd5W35vQhN8Nh31BDIqIM_amYuNMMgVl4dQiMDq-FZxEbASfoVKD9prUnZoj_BLcTqKw1jTJCFG/s1600-h/puff+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292582932949226322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pge3pUeaWJ6ntQmVxUDUtswoaZB1tDtgD4Uqls_DN_UduMQvsuteyYgGra7Ama_kuLd5W35vQhN8Nh31BDIqIM_amYuNMMgVl4dQiMDq-FZxEbASfoVKD9prUnZoj_BLcTqKw1jTJCFG/s400/puff+4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfXotLEhFHlHVKPD4Mf4iQ_Q-FkBf5VFGslXIW2RG-TgT6eXKZs7JVnm0wMarV_OpzySAdEy4mGIMo4hO6u53Z5TaZpyCkf5oWi2edQzn_zoU_6bh6w_8KAmJBmB_hzg8mWg7uaZgXw4G/s1600-h/puff+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292582933228474898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfXotLEhFHlHVKPD4Mf4iQ_Q-FkBf5VFGslXIW2RG-TgT6eXKZs7JVnm0wMarV_OpzySAdEy4mGIMo4hO6u53Z5TaZpyCkf5oWi2edQzn_zoU_6bh6w_8KAmJBmB_hzg8mWg7uaZgXw4G/s400/puff+5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9Q8TWCkvMX_-gTiT2aMqZgiHzTcrWEWRahC92q4gcoizIlDymmuN_WChlD7HtkWihL0zcBBY3wWc7VcTuo06X4nnqU8z6bfuOMsWI367UlDiw4rbYP0dFn6EtfbnAS6t2mi21HiP0eV6/s1600-h/puff+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292582917930248994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9Q8TWCkvMX_-gTiT2aMqZgiHzTcrWEWRahC92q4gcoizIlDymmuN_WChlD7HtkWihL0zcBBY3wWc7VcTuo06X4nnqU8z6bfuOMsWI367UlDiw4rbYP0dFn6EtfbnAS6t2mi21HiP0eV6/s400/puff+6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZeghWfH_769pKOeG62Qy2dM21XNcWgKy8Ypm7CqRpAK-L4BbKnGgg-FSykTtSGfldHC3QnPXICFzrQkI-lV8kybduOqDRTxv1NuLtCzgBncPl18HbTnNx1dJXRGrV15y8ZyEmiuspBSK/s1600-h/puff+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 353px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292582919332053954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZeghWfH_769pKOeG62Qy2dM21XNcWgKy8Ypm7CqRpAK-L4BbKnGgg-FSykTtSGfldHC3QnPXICFzrQkI-lV8kybduOqDRTxv1NuLtCzgBncPl18HbTnNx1dJXRGrV15y8ZyEmiuspBSK/s400/puff+7.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-53231198068373085422009-01-15T18:00:00.000-06:002009-01-15T18:00:35.789-06:00the honeymoon's overOh, no, not with Facebook. We're still completely enamored with each other, aren't we, mon petit chou? (Although as I was logging in here, after logging in there, and logging into myspace, and logging into my paystub site, and logging into my bank site, I started to wonder just how many passwords one brain can hold...)<br /><br />No, it's my car! Last March, I bought a lovely new Hyundai Sonata. It's the nicest car I've ever owned, and I've been nothing but happy with it.<br /><br />Until now.<br /><br />The damn CD player will no longer eject my CDs! Arrgh!! Sure, there are worse fates than listening to U2, Sinead O'Connor and the Xanadu soundtrack (yes I'm serious, it's really good, I SWAAAARE!) for all eternity - at least I removed all the Christmas music before it went on the fritz.<br /><br />So now I have 3 slots left, and I have to think very carefully about what to put in. This is like one of those party game questions... if you could only have 3 CDs with you on a desert island, which ones would it be? Whichever ones I pick, will be the CDs I listen to <strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">forever</span></em></strong>!! I hate making decisions like that! I can't even play those party games, best I can usually do is come up with a top 20 or so.<br /><br />I guess I'm going to have to do something that I really really despise. I'm going to have to take my car in for repair. This shouldn't be happening in our honeymoon year! I guess it's better to find out sooner rather than later that Mr. Sonata isn't perfect, though. *sigh*Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-85573963919799886692009-01-14T16:19:00.003-06:002009-01-14T16:32:21.047-06:00can't blog, facebookingIs that a word, facebooking? Good gravy, I have resisted this for a LOOONG time. Several of my friends have good-naturedly harassed me about joining, and I've managed to put them off for ages, but no longer. <br /><br />Facebook = Borg: resistance is futile. <br /><br />It's fun, so far, but very bad for productivity. Very very bad. (So what the hell, I've already wasted this much time, may as well pop over and write a quick blog post, right? heh heh)<br /><br />That's it for now, I have plenty of stuff to write about, but I can't because I just got 18763 more emails from FB...Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-82115959379460145512009-01-11T15:36:00.000-06:002009-01-11T15:36:30.355-06:00our annual New Year's Day (ish) meal<div>It's January 11th you say? Well, we didn't even eat this until Jan. 5th, so... that's just how I roll. But we eat this a few other times during the year, no need to wait till next January before trying it for yourself!<br /><br />First, make a pot of black eyed pea soup. Then bake up some cornbread, and at the very end saute some baby spinach. Yuh-hu-hummy!<br /><br /><strong>Black Eyed Pea Soup:<br /><br /></strong>The soup is based on a recipe a co-worker gave me, and I changed it up a little bit. (I'm going to write it conversational style because I don't have an actual recipe.)<br /><br /><div></div>Chop an onion and about the same amount of celery and a couple cloves of garlic. In a soup pot, saute all that in some olive oil for a few minutes. Also, add a few twists of freshly ground black pepper and a couple shakes of red pepper flakes. After the veggies have softened a bit, add in one sliced link of kielbasa type sausage (the pre-cooked kind). Saute that for a few minutes. Then add in:<br /><div></div><br />2 cans of drained & rinsed black eyed peas<br /><br /><div>1 can of drained black eyed peas with jalapenos (I don't rinse those to better keep the heat & jalapeno flavor)</div><br /><div>3 cups water</div><br /><div>1 cube chicken bullion</div><br /><div>1 package of grape tomatoes, each sliced in half</div><br /><div></div>And any more seasoning that you want, like I usually add more black & red pepper and some salt and some garlic powder. Stir and bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 25 minutes or so, till thick and creamy. (Like most soups, don't judge this one till it's done, the whole is way more than the sum of its parts.) Taste, and tweak seasonings if necessary.<br /><br /><div></div>Now, while that's cooking, make your cornbread. I admit here in front of god and everybody that I use Jiffy cornbread mix and I love it! So sue me. I do make a double batch in one pan to make it thicker and fluffier. I use a bit more milk than called for and start checking for doneness way before the recommended time. (Do not overbake! Otherwise it will get dry and icky.) Of course you should put a big ol' pat of butter on it before you eat it. I also like to take some and put it right in my soup.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><p>For the spinach, saute a small clove of chopped garlic (or half of a large clove, don't overdo it trust me) and some red pepper flakes in some olive oil. Stir continuously and cook on medium for just a minute or two, till the garlic is softened and fragrant but before anything burns. Then turn the heat down to medium low and throw in a bag of baby spinach. Gently stir and work in all the spinach so it gets coated with the oil and wilts a bit. This won't take long at all, so watch it or you'll have a big pan of spinach mush. (I'd still eat it though, yum.) Remove from heat and transfer to plates. Sprinkle with coarse salt. I used some grey Fleur de Sel that I bought on impulse and haven't known what to do with. Crunchy!</p>The soup and cornbread are great leftover, but make the spinach fresh if you have this for a second night.<br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 197px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290136560749632162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz8288zjYd_-SYHvKbdAYC6OIZqGRnip_0sNls155owppNKWRn1HIRNuF9WHvav3nvkvb9U5zm2wQPDUPZMxgVu2g9AMonQzaj4mWrd550YuaLdup6g4ocBYp2GkAshSLHLj3jOcSZTYC/s400/black+eyed+pea+soup.jpg" border="0" /></div>This is easy-(black eyed) peasy, delicious and hopefully will bring all who eat it good luck and prosperity in the new year. If nothing else, it will bring them a few minutes of culinary pleasure, Southern style. Happy New Year!</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-78696079178659126132009-01-07T17:07:00.005-06:002009-01-07T17:23:29.904-06:00I Ate'nt DeadI've just been out borrowing. **<br /><br />New post coming soon.<br /><br />** If you don't get this reference, I urge you to familiarize yourself with a little planet called the Discworld. I love this series, it's my third favorite ever! (After Harry Potter and LOTR <em>of course</em>.) For A LOT more info, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld">start here</a>.Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-81740024558830075912008-12-24T16:00:00.002-06:002008-12-24T16:00:00.346-06:00have yourself a merry little christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYJzsiV4B8N88BdE4yhf3mpTTP8X8FSoOM4DvTIp-8GWj3Fka_S0yLix1cbpo4fPgA5fL5b7PzxcsK12GMZ6Vh2IQrMVamfZBe6cCgRheyR8doGq-osY5f9eSh2Yl7oru0oEU0Phe4x2A/s1600-h/card+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282260307090938434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 338px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYJzsiV4B8N88BdE4yhf3mpTTP8X8FSoOM4DvTIp-8GWj3Fka_S0yLix1cbpo4fPgA5fL5b7PzxcsK12GMZ6Vh2IQrMVamfZBe6cCgRheyR8doGq-osY5f9eSh2Yl7oru0oEU0Phe4x2A/s400/card+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5UdlA2rbrmqKOk5acTpwCeL0CeF0TE5QW-U6pKAPKl2dxbTCGkMIMzlBsIB1ZY6n-8fhevqH2744IMCLeKwzx5QgVGmOhxQvqc94fkI8OBSPRIwvU-NZc6IATJghlW-ZL9H56VMHWCCG/s1600-h/poinsettia+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282260305365266642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5UdlA2rbrmqKOk5acTpwCeL0CeF0TE5QW-U6pKAPKl2dxbTCGkMIMzlBsIB1ZY6n-8fhevqH2744IMCLeKwzx5QgVGmOhxQvqc94fkI8OBSPRIwvU-NZc6IATJghlW-ZL9H56VMHWCCG/s400/poinsettia+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Be safe and have fun!</div><div><br />~ Susie</div><div> </div><div><br>(P.S. - It's unlikely I'll post anything over the next week as I'll be traveling around the southwest. Just thought I'd save y'all some mouse clicks. But be sure to come back next year!!)</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-27281803344444813552008-12-21T09:44:00.001-06:002008-12-21T09:45:46.960-06:00ghost of christmas past?So last year when I actually decorated the house for Christmas, I decided to take a bunch of pics so I'd have proof for the doubters but mostly so I could practice taking pics in low light. Which I still suck at. They're always blurry, so I guess I need a tripod and maybe a better camera too. Or something. Anyway, when I was going through them, something on one of them caught my eye... <br /><br />In the picture below, there is a small dark humanoid form in front of the fireplace. What the hell is that???? Now let me say, I took a bunch of pics in a row and it's only on this one, there is no ordinary object inadvertently placed in front of the lens that could be mistaken for whatever this is, and I even showed it to B and some other friends (all skeptics) and none of them could figure out what it is either! <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-2PuZ4G6d8DIZKs2xTeHyNo2Em8xB2yQ9Ky3ID1Zg9i8E9cadSZzFfC3i91CMbHbZOwOdU0P6Ulugb8UlAN1wZKwlj3tfz-LTZCoZ5zw-ACVYMKTKivQL8SADGT2OfkTZaIXsXWRaOCA/s1600-h/100_3762a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281353108216742626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-2PuZ4G6d8DIZKs2xTeHyNo2Em8xB2yQ9Ky3ID1Zg9i8E9cadSZzFfC3i91CMbHbZOwOdU0P6Ulugb8UlAN1wZKwlj3tfz-LTZCoZ5zw-ACVYMKTKivQL8SADGT2OfkTZaIXsXWRaOCA/s400/100_3762a.jpg" /></a>Here I've lightened the exposure and zoomed in, so you can get a better look.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqV-OVZngBVSr-1_zfvG1DdwDjoGJS85DnvHDX0Lbu3vgMT7Xftz4xY7OLW24ppeIctKGhzcpQ2GUnHnrS06YZDvJGGkRaZjhjlbXyDBJxO_NuW_nJ8boOaU2SWm67hxHspRvhPjVZkMv/s1600-h/ghost+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281351018681100082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqV-OVZngBVSr-1_zfvG1DdwDjoGJS85DnvHDX0Lbu3vgMT7Xftz4xY7OLW24ppeIctKGhzcpQ2GUnHnrS06YZDvJGGkRaZjhjlbXyDBJxO_NuW_nJ8boOaU2SWm67hxHspRvhPjVZkMv/s400/ghost+1.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Now I'm not saying I think it IS a shadow person or something like that (uh, that would be bad), but it's been a year and I still can't solve the mystery which is kind of creepy but in a fun way. We've had a handful of other unexplained phenomena happen here over the years, nothing scary just... unexplainable. I'll have to do a post about those things someday. But for now, any idea what this might be? It does appear to reflect light, supernatural beings probably don't do that... right? Can you see it???</div></div></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-68447362943214501502008-12-18T22:11:00.001-06:002008-12-18T22:11:29.902-06:00cranberry crunch cookies & italian cookiesSo our office party was pretty small & quiet this year (we were hoping for better), and there was way more food than hungry people, so my cookies were largely untouched. Which sucks ass because I spent three freaking nights baking them. At least, everyone who ate them seemed to like them, which is cool since I crave that sort of validation. All the cookies are very good, you can't go wrong with any of these, assuming you like what's in them.<br /><br />The cranberry crunch cookies are chock full of goodies: dried cranberries, toasted almonds, oatmeal, and graham cracker crumbs which gives them a fun, unusual crispy/crunchiness. Yet they're chewy at the same time. Like I said, unusual and fun. I found this one <a href="http://www.cookiemadness.net/?p=2603">here on Cookie Madness</a>; Anna links to the original recipe on her post. (Which is what I used.) The prep on these is a bit of a pain compared to some cookies, as you have to toast the almonds, grind up the graham crackers, zest the orange. But there's nothing difficult about any of it. Also, these are pretty sweet, so I might skip rolling them in turbinado sugar (though that lends a pleasing sparkle and crunch) OR I might just cut back on the brown sugar some, if I make them again. But they're not cloyingly sweet or anything, I just personally prefer a bit less sweetness.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t4QUOaiL8ecsrDM3ZVnt08YcJRBNvALDMDoXiR8XIaxHTr7b5EpAzO04P477S1aFyJTnQ_cocKqqeHbIhlYwL_ZWLlJ5OnEloQideWDPiiM-s1I1MiqN_YoKmL98XBdcoHXUCf4hJfET/s1600-h/cranberry+crunch+cookies.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281336826892568002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t4QUOaiL8ecsrDM3ZVnt08YcJRBNvALDMDoXiR8XIaxHTr7b5EpAzO04P477S1aFyJTnQ_cocKqqeHbIhlYwL_ZWLlJ5OnEloQideWDPiiM-s1I1MiqN_YoKmL98XBdcoHXUCf4hJfET/s400/cranberry+crunch+cookies.jpg" /></a></p><p> </p><p>And I found these Italian cookies <a href="http://noblepig.com/2008/11/30/its-that-time-of-the-year.aspx">here on Noble Pig</a>. Are these the cutest cookies in the universe or what? OK, maybe not, but they are definitely the cutest cookies I've ever made. I have a thing for sprinkles, what can I say. The original recipe calls for anise extract, but um, no I did not want licorice flavored cookies under my sprinkles, so I used lemon extract in both the dough and the glaze. Also, I added the zest of two lemons to the dough. Otherwise I think I followed the recipe exactly. When dipping the cooled cookies into the glaze, I did about 5 at a time, then sprinkled, then repeated. You want to get the sprinkles on there while the glaze is still wet. Oh, and this is my first foray into Crisco usage. It's a super small amount when you spread it over this many cookies, and I wanted to get the texture right, so I figured what the hell. (I am usually a butter purist.) No regrets with that here, though I will stick to butter-based recipes most of the time. Besides being adorable, these taste great, and they make your mouth happy because it thinks it is eating a teeny tiny cake - WITH SPRINKLES!!</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281336813040826786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13nzDylj3ps2C7l5KbGnVXF9kvvySiDW_SBANzjb0s1BjFgCskWX3PTv9UeucVi7cazoyxcjvnV8-24a74uoqj754ZdQdo273mgUhKJPfYne_od7r8KtLNyHrM3nyWKM8dmDPL9j-z97s/s400/italian+cookies+1.jpg" /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ-jRpDrG4OzFEYspHMJf0_bT5hxGWaJrcySyUgu9-R4KyIGPJzl13NqMlKnoNH4eTsscZXkQgRlR6hcVx1H379_gGDN9SOrmFzRh-hqwfM-euP_caIwjquRLENWwDlbsrumOxqHUvjh2/s1600-h/italian+cookies+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281336817283532050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ-jRpDrG4OzFEYspHMJf0_bT5hxGWaJrcySyUgu9-R4KyIGPJzl13NqMlKnoNH4eTsscZXkQgRlR6hcVx1H379_gGDN9SOrmFzRh-hqwfM-euP_caIwjquRLENWwDlbsrumOxqHUvjh2/s400/italian+cookies+2.jpg" /></a> happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy...<br /><div><div> </div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-88953218884116928562008-12-17T10:52:00.000-06:002008-12-17T10:52:58.208-06:00quick FYIDo you ever feel like all those cutie pie animals out there on the internet must be getting smug and uppity with all the adoration? Well, this site takes their adorable fuzzy asses down several pegs, and it is hysterically funny! So I want to give it special mention because I think it's one of the funniest blogs I have ever come across. Really, as far as cute animal blogs go, the only thing that rivals this one, in my opinion, is ICHC. It's called <a href="http://fuckyoupenguin.blogspot.com/">&*#$ You, Penguin</a> and there's a link over there as well --->. (I certainly love the F word, but since I don't know who is looking at this - could be lil' nieces and nephews sometimes - I do limit my use of it on here. So that's why I have the word itself bleeped out. But on the site, there's a copious amount of cussin', fair warning.) Anyway y'all, check it out - it's twisted and hilarious, and we all need more twisted hilarity in our lives!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-1530504584083320342008-12-14T22:06:00.000-06:002008-12-14T22:06:00.833-06:00peppermint bark chocolate cookiesWell, the wedding I was in was a rousing success, I had a nice visit with my folks who came down for the weekend, I got all my shopping done (I think), and I made one out of the three cookie recipes I need to have baked for the potluck on Thursday. I probably should make the second recipe tonight, but it's already 10:00 and it's just not going to happen. I'm still feeling overwhelmed, but it's good to know I have accomplished <em>something</em>.<br /><br />These cookies are really good. They pretty much taste exactly like you'd expect, in a good way. The recipe can be found <a href="http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/006207peppermint_bark_chocolate_cookies.php">here</a>. No surprise that I did the "bark" the lazy way: used a scant half cup of crushed 'soft' peppermint candies* and a heaping half cup of white chocolate chips. (This dough is thick; I think my 20 year old hand-me-down hand mixer was about to overheat! Someday you will be mine, KitchenAid stand mixer... someday.) Keep the dough in the fridge between batches. All my batches were done in 10 minutes, which never happens when I make cookies, so be sure to check these at 10. Oh, and someone in the comments suggested adding a bit of peppermint extract but I did not and I would not in the future. Too much mint is overwhelming, the candy adds plenty of it, trust me. I got about 46 cookies or so. I will wrap these in wax paper and put them in an airtight container, then freeze till Thurs so they stay fresh-tasting. I'll try to post the other cookie recipes later in the week, but no hard and fast promises! G'night. <br /><br /><p> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279858577646144354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6pivk3Gb0jnO7uoqgsUv3XIygl8rsbnba364o9i07CvbxgIkov7BXdALz8M_RJvx9OXJdFO_X4ZsbcCfaO5ZSZsaz5sZQoFNPaKuE-dwvorBFFWZcjdNjyVZw1C4NH-mFkes77eHYg3S/s400/peppermint+bark+cookies.jpg" /><br />* Like <a href="http://www.groovycandies.com/V2ProdDetail1.asp?Product_ID=566">these</a>. They're hardish but sort of melty when you chew them. I wouldn't even think about using the totally hard kind; these were a pain enough to crush as it was. I unwrapped a bunch, put them in a freezer bag and went after it with a rolling pin. They crush better if you throw your weight into pressing the pin down on them, rather than bashing them.</p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-72973328558185903082008-12-11T18:11:00.000-06:002008-12-11T18:11:22.688-06:00super long post full of random thingsLast night we had a power outage that lasted 3 hours. Something blew up on top of some pole and several blocks went down. Luckily it was back on by 11:30 so we didn't freeze too bad, but never mind all the stuff I was hoping to accomplish. The good thing is, the moon was bright and the stars were shining and I spent a long time gazing at them. Wouldn't have done that otherwise.<br /><br />I am FREAKING OUT about Christmas. I haven't done a single card or bought a single gift. And I can't do much this weekend because I'm in a wedding. And I have to bake 3 kinds of cookies for my office potluck. At some point. FREAKING OUT. And I didn't even decorate this year. Y'all people with mad skilz in time management - HOW DO YOU DO IT??? Seriously. Please tell me how. (If you're wondering how I have time to write this post, the answer is, by writing it at work, of course! heh)<br /><br />The foliage around Austin is unbelievably gorgeous these days. I guess drought is good for one thing. I like to commute on prettier roads, and all along Mopac and downtown in the Clarksville area it's a feast for the eyes. So many colors, some trees are just <em>glowing</em> I swear. Please look around if you haven't yet, it won't last much longer!! Here are a few pics I took in Dallas over the holiday weekend, more coming later from here at home. Maybe. (See above plea for help.)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308807552945042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJU8tY4YfRIbG4sKtnIuZjsebWqlIsvWqWjJKaWsLlavmcYlqgW09SWr_TszqXO7AAXVHwe1kKZlyLKxuhspZdykxKxGD9XAQLZLxPMX2JRWMS9WHXSqvM3iBA866q4CKLkSKjlvDKE19/s400/tree+4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308226855313106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPGv7nTfp4JUBQjBnrgh2_xo79StY_vKn6QvHkwlJ8heCTXhI8N03lNC-yxb-bx49xockc65mBA280Kc05m7gs3LvJyNGLj-9iQNId_gxb7EbFcc235sLi5Dncd3ypPwyQ_8ThFK7v8nA/s400/tree+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308220347960402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAJsxLakmQLNGzAbkEMbNg4U6oF52ju1UR-te8BZJfs__YPwqzMpagi5Bll8_oTdlb3IBb3iF6HFsQC7dZEHsloRLYf7V1s_VeE0Kt5D-uGh4GR_FSPq8lFQ9nPWSxBV3ECrdPs0w8Nmd/s400/tree+2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276307420683329282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cuILSrJyUNh2X6yF_aLIREMcmgZk5_38smoUme2uLcacJ9JeVKPqqc8eprJmqnJzzm4LnNBGA4_LvFRHUJTuUx6BZyNhxqa1p8ztWEFeLNN-jRXEGmGXcg-HMywOcWIjek_I21WwK4NN/s400/leaves.jpg" border="0" /><br />Haagen Dazs has a Limited Edition out right now, which is Peppermint Bark. Holy crap is it good. I ate three-fourths of the pint in one sitting. No, I'm not proud of that.</p><p>Why do those "Classmates" and "Reunion" sites keep emailing me that people are searching for me or signing my guest book, but then they won't let me see <strong><em>who's</em></strong> searching or <em><strong>even see my own guestbook</strong></em> without paying for a subscription? Fuck you, classmates and reunion.</p><p>I wish I could take pictures of smells. The other morning some guys were chopping down a tree behind my office and the fresh lumber smelled so good, I wished I could capture it and share it somehow. Poor tree though.</p><p>Over Thanksgiving, I learned that my brother and I apparently have exceptionally small ears.</p><p>It was a good holiday. Everyone got along, there was no real drama (though one nephew did squeeze out a few tears after losing at monopoly), it was downright pleasant all around! Plus I won the pot, twice I think?, in the card game we always play at B's family get-togethers. Suckas.</p><p>Also over Thanksgiving, I went to half a bachelorette party and I had a birthday. </p><p>37 feels a lot older than 36. (Hence, the attendance of only half a bachelorette party.)</p><p>My mom made me my "signature" birthday cake: devilsfood cake with chocolate frosting with M&Ms all over it. YU-HUH-HUMMY!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276307408578902882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjGWaazGBJ9M9XdJMnbHMfTVLk9j8CsoQVwz6F-e0OcCq_CX_qJdC6jqfhXpWUme6JVyG13AhM28lTuRL-rNbMGRVjpizmGT8FVc_wDxTctJlrSrrj1d6f-i4OEc5imfmV6sFW66BK1AU/s400/cake.jpg" border="0" /></p><br />On the way home from Thanksgiving, we hit terrible traffic. No shock there, but it sucked anyway. B wanted to try a new alternate route, east of 35, so we did do that for a while. It was great, no traffic, just country roads and farms and fields and sky and grass and trees. Really pretty area (east of Hillsboro basically). The dying grass along the highway was sort of glowing greenish white. We had vast unobstructed views of the sky, silverlined clouds heading on towards sunset. (So many times when I'm driving, I see things that would make beautiful photos, and I'm not in a position to take any. This is very disappointing, but I suppose the bright side is it forces me to just enjoy the moment without filtering it through the lens, which can cause a detachment from the situation happening in real life.) I wanted to get back on the highway before dark, so we went back to 35 and the rest of trip was congested and annoying. Except for two things: the atomic sunset and later, our view of the moon's alignment with Venus and Jupiter. That was awesome! (Can you see the smiley face created by this alignment? Pic from Astronomy Pic of the Day. I love that site. As you might can tell, I love the skies.)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278665809017419922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWCgcaji28itJ8Nj624OCiQ-qy-kxbd2xIYCdlTy7_MXJ6GOAzjpod_Q9NhzRJx9GF7XaaEQKjpzFai6Odzej842P2ZJp7Zm4ymknkKJy6pQw1OrxbkNQlLQ8e705LnJaDIkrOUi_2X66/s400/australia+sunset.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br />How about some more pics from the holiday weekend, even though it was like two weeks ago. This is my parents' dog, Zelda. Isn't she cute? My aunt thinks she looks like Falcor from The Neverending Story. hee hee<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl2JCMg4_nJOwswz2tzHz5ldGWwlMKR3KCoxX3s_Q10fZryt1JmsE7mvm8kANO40ahMEO100OUHR5pb1eYgknI5uKrJKZHr5suHUUX4s5UQUELhDw_WDxKBRhaNxII_0smqIak3sL8Fwf/s1600-h/zelda+tired.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276309080724787762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl2JCMg4_nJOwswz2tzHz5ldGWwlMKR3KCoxX3s_Q10fZryt1JmsE7mvm8kANO40ahMEO100OUHR5pb1eYgknI5uKrJKZHr5suHUUX4s5UQUELhDw_WDxKBRhaNxII_0smqIak3sL8Fwf/s400/zelda+tired.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Not so much here!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPB3fcQqPrnOOyh_uw79rg1XcrOL0Iv4-9-p9oLMrG-urKtuv5f6DS0mks0_iKjoFEHFoThI2naNeK8kg_WSnQ71OORGQzeFhSBj0qSONQhglOn_xzK8_adzUHjkvVJbuzK6UW7muVWbU/s1600-h/zelda+beg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308833118638978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 376px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPB3fcQqPrnOOyh_uw79rg1XcrOL0Iv4-9-p9oLMrG-urKtuv5f6DS0mks0_iKjoFEHFoThI2naNeK8kg_WSnQ71OORGQzeFhSBj0qSONQhglOn_xzK8_adzUHjkvVJbuzK6UW7muVWbU/s400/zelda+beg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you can't be with the one you love, hook him up to a webcam. (My nephew was sick this day so he stayed home, but he still got to join us!)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCLgdlTAucd5EAOBbBzG2WxLOvNObnX964TNiE0rVCiLVqvFIy9l82qg4d8bs5Ts966aCMc5M8yziVOsr-oOC1pscHGFdFx3s2iUjZXc8Fvi23H0fs0OqggCYIfh-8WcrYihImxvELdKu/s1600-h/webcam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308822926635890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCLgdlTAucd5EAOBbBzG2WxLOvNObnX964TNiE0rVCiLVqvFIy9l82qg4d8bs5Ts966aCMc5M8yziVOsr-oOC1pscHGFdFx3s2iUjZXc8Fvi23H0fs0OqggCYIfh-8WcrYihImxvELdKu/s400/webcam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XzSI3hZT75w1ikCIqjjjqomr8uLvBNZZtF6q8ZdaZTVSYA90szJQ26nmjb41kb1gZKtWEssZm6cPvhxnbZWLv_aaBSjIM-y4AtofJ7-VJoKVDRrLyLmVeXuJMAzL9Ls8bdTIvwt3bovc/s1600-h/webcam+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308816549593378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XzSI3hZT75w1ikCIqjjjqomr8uLvBNZZtF6q8ZdaZTVSYA90szJQ26nmjb41kb1gZKtWEssZm6cPvhxnbZWLv_aaBSjIM-y4AtofJ7-VJoKVDRrLyLmVeXuJMAzL9Ls8bdTIvwt3bovc/s400/webcam+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's another nephew, preparing for his performace of All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth. He's a method actor.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD_UTDJ4g4Y7bJ98iF0IyRKiBY2bK2g2JVw0Qr2szbrZrvpCR0hpbw-XCmyEsqx1UECc3OZXm9bP3g5hRBQ1tVYxjgCdjVmGHwCaCrA-psoIsKIb2B7tKoMKFlizCcP62_iqXpBCO7lJW/s1600-h/toothless+mug+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308208046816018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 380px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD_UTDJ4g4Y7bJ98iF0IyRKiBY2bK2g2JVw0Qr2szbrZrvpCR0hpbw-XCmyEsqx1UECc3OZXm9bP3g5hRBQ1tVYxjgCdjVmGHwCaCrA-psoIsKIb2B7tKoMKFlizCcP62_iqXpBCO7lJW/s400/toothless+mug+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>How many screens can one roomful of people look at? Is this weird? </div><div><br /></div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276307487466634274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAU4bc1xmbi_WFwft4uEGadJTWMEKQcFA6CbttbDlSaLLImvSoVPlnDSweDzPr8VSDVzHzOC3B_BreDa0vB7Qg8HEzjkvumTnoYMIgj56xu8T7Ku-6aFAydS6flZlNZOg8_2s2a0RROP7/s400/staring+at+screens.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Internet addiction starts young these days. And it's no wonder considering the environment. ^</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276307431156778290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2ZSxTIzMH3-xiUz8sDvBOMMdxKQThS_w-Kk5X-ZLAI8huHG_aX6p8Ju8Ll4znP1XlVGVVlVSgi9uV3-9fSnusGXFpsS0fXijiBRnpATIvtaIWu970pagoKI3w4lncSRB-PXZ40o4jZxr/s400/maddie.JPG" border="0" /><br />B really likes pie. He ate two pieces of leftover pumpkin pie in a row, knowing that we were about to eat my birthday cake. He ate some of that too.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnctoIlrKF9MEws9uUOJOushoAYcXCw5fWBNYvq617qme6CRwJM0dWt0qGgJgChZIwReqLR6sutZNEm3ba0ysaI6tgyAw5a-bWzZfsl6xAXQOK728MJDp65ZdwB5EJFEDAHiligxUx0fBO/s1600-h/pie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276308206175556290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnctoIlrKF9MEws9uUOJOushoAYcXCw5fWBNYvq617qme6CRwJM0dWt0qGgJgChZIwReqLR6sutZNEm3ba0ysaI6tgyAw5a-bWzZfsl6xAXQOK728MJDp65ZdwB5EJFEDAHiligxUx0fBO/s400/pie.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>The formatting here on blogger drives me crazy! </p><p>Is that all for now? I think so. If any of you actually read the whole thing, I'm impressed. I mean it with those time management tips. I am in desperate need here. (After 37 years of extreme procrastination, though, it might just be too late.)</p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-15467231301058067842008-12-09T12:19:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:19:00.514-06:00i can has lazy post?I promise I won't keep posting ICHC pics instead of writing something. Eh, I can't actually promise that, but I will try not to do it very often. But sometimes one just comes along that is so frickin frackin awesome, I have to share it with my loyal readers. If you're not checking this site every day (link is over there somewhere --->), you are simply missing out on one of life's very real, very simple, daily pleasures.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/12/09/funny-pictures-he-listened-to-the-sounds/"><img class="mine_2681197" title="funny-pictures-cat-prays-the-lock-on-the-door-works" alt="funny pictures of cats with captions" src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2008/11/funny-pictures-cat-prays-the-lock-on-the-door-works.jpg" /></a><br />more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/">animals</a><br /><br /><br />Oh yeah, that "real" post is coming soon. And by soon I mean sometime before the apocalypse of 2012. Did you know that there will be an apocalypse on 12-21-2012? * All the other doomsdays and apocalypses I've experienced (Y2k, 6-6-06, etc etc etc) have been perfectly pleasant, so I'm not too worried. Also, by then, all the Harry Potter movies, and The Hobbit movie, will have been released, and maybe even the "other" hobbit movie that's to follow it. (Though that one could be dicey as it has a Dec 2012 release date.) We've seen a black man elected to office (please don't screw up please don't screw up) and we've seen dogs and cats living together. And there won't be any ice caps left to worry about. So basically, I'm cool with it, though I do want to get to Europe one more time before it happens. And I have a lot of books to read and movies to see and wines to taste and restaurants to visit and recipes to make (oh man do I have a lot of recipes to make). So I better get busy living or get busy dying, as a wise movie character once said. 4 years - what will you do with your time?<br /><br />* Disclaimer 1 - there are all kinds of wild theories about the end of the Mayan calendar indicating the end of the world. I don't actually believe it, I'm being flippant with the above paragraph. Uh, just in case any of you were wondering. (Though "carpe diem" is always a worthy goal.) ** I know as it gets closer crooks and hucksters will prey on people's fears for the purposes of making a buck and/or scaring people into their churches. There's a movie coming out about it, too, for which I saw a teaser the other night before James Bond. *** Apocalypses are big business. Of course if any of these people actually BELIEVED it, they wouldn't give a flip about making money, b/c really, what would be the point? So there you go. And just in case, like me, you want to read a little more about it b/c there is this teeny tiny weensy part of you which you are ashamed to admit exists that feels the tiniest bit of anxiety about it, go ahead and read <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/19/no-doomsday-in-2012/">this article</a> and move on with your life.<br /><br />** Disclamer 2 - I totally think we could wipe ourselves out at any time, mind you. I just don't think some ancient calendar will have anything to do with it.<br /><br />*** James Bond is very good. I have fairly neutral feelings regarding the franchise in general but thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I love the gravitas and all-around badassness that Craig brings to the role.<br /><br />PS - This turned into a real post, didn't it? Yay!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-8016515691956482072008-12-05T13:23:00.000-06:002008-12-05T13:23:07.314-06:00I AM NOT A FREAK!Y'all, check out what my friend "Anonymous" just put in the comments on the nostril post. I will copy it here:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Having upper and lower jaw surgery on Monday, I have the answer to this question! My surgeon is about to alter the dimensions of my nose and airways, so, he asked me if I breathe out of one nostril all the time, or if it goes back and forth. Back and forth was my answer, and he said, "good". I always thought that was a problem, too. He said it was normal. He called it 'cycling', and said that if it didn't cycle between nostrils, then one side would get dry as a bone and have problems. I guess one side opens for awhile, then the other side closes via the tissue re-inflaming, thereby prepping it to open back up later, breathe air and warm it, catch particles, etc. So, I guess 'cycling' is good, normal, and not a problem!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">That's right - I am totally good and normal and all y'all two-nostril breathers are the freaks!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAA</span>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-55290334967443209612008-12-04T17:49:00.000-06:002008-12-04T17:49:00.253-06:00CD cover memeI have a vague notion that I will put together a post to sum up my holiday weekend, but in the meantime, here's a fun little meme. Y'all should play, too, and tell me what you get on your blogs or in the comments! <br /><br />(And if you think it's really too late to be recapping Thanksgiving, consider that I still haven't unpacked yet from that trip. Timely is not my middle name.)<br /><br />Step 1, click here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random</a> <br />The name of the article is the name of your band.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">Mine: Okay High School</span></strong><br /><br />Step 2: <a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3" target="_blank">http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3</a> <br />The last four words of the <em>last</em> quote is the name of your album<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Mine: Politics is applesauce.</strong> (My quote only had three words.)</span></span><br /><br />Step 3: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/</a> <br />The third image, from left to right, is your cover art.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">Mine:</span> </strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingedegroot/3082493790/"><strong>http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingedegroot/3082493790/</strong></a><br /><br />I think it all works beautifully together, actually!! This must be how some bands actually name themselves. For would-be evidence, check out this article:<br /><br /><a href="http://new.ca.music.yahoo.com/blogs/mojo/718/whats-the-worst-band-name-like-ever/">http://new.ca.music.yahoo.com/blogs/mojo/718/whats-the-worst-band-name-like-ever/</a><br /><br />Reminds me of the fake band name that B and I came up with years ago - 24 Hour Emergency. Not bad, right? Right??Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-25816720177143153502008-12-02T13:47:00.000-06:002008-12-02T13:46:56.428-06:00i know, i know<div>I need a new blog entry! Even if you were thinking about trying those enchiladas, you are probably so sick of looking at them that you will refuse to do so now. I am going to try to put up something of substance (as much as anything ever is) soon, but for now, I have a question for my loyal readers and the universe at large:<br /><br />Is it normal to only breathe out of one nostril at a time? Which nostril is clear varies, but I can rarely breathe through both at the same, and that's even when I'm NOT congested. Is this true for everyone, or am I a freak? (Meaning: am I freak <em>in this regard -</em> no need to debate my freakishness at large!)<br /><br />And because posts are always better with pictures, I will leave you with this:<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275281376123482642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzmNk9XfFxKXv-DR94GkVXDNIAQJHYLXxxp_rCqsmWJ2OWk8GGjVvjdeMj0OkFiPpWJwZqw95QD5Hhm_KEsHJYEFf4r4xctZcwkxJxuDI51uk7HPBKmBwkAEI7-0xSNG8fp6INmHpFUau/s400/hold+hands.bmp" border="0" /><br />The cuteness... it burns...Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-63814355896980244222008-11-20T10:32:00.000-06:002008-11-20T10:32:00.481-06:00spicy pumpkin enchiladasI can't stand pumpkin pie. I don't know what it is, I like those flavors and I like creamy pies, but blech, something about it just wigs me out. However, I will pretty much eat pumpkin in any and every other way imaginable. And it's good for you, too - bonus!<br /><br />I found this recipe where I find a ton of my recipes, from the Cooking Light bulletin board. I'm just a lurker, I don't need yet another cyber place to <s>waste</s> spend time posting stuff. If you ever want to kill a few minutes between projects, or just get some ideas for dinner, I highly recommend stopping by and browsing around. There's a link to the main page over there somewhere. ----><br /><br />These babies came from <a href="http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=57205&highlight=pumpkin+enchiladas">this</a> thread; my notes and changes are below. You could do whatever you want for the filling, though beans and/or chicken sound better than beef or pork in this case, at least to me. The only thing that some people might have a problem with is that they're pretty mushy, esp. the first night. So if that bothers you, well you should try to get over it because these are so yummy. But if it really <em>really</em> bothers you, you might want to skip these. <p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270745903949570482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 351px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHkj72pf8KxqcAiSh37SWANxV_Ak6eQCT-WRVjYJKUzZFldrRbXb3hFLyDYHM84IA0lmfGtTcDgOtiK0Rpfz1pWpG7_4KBDYtkjT6JwTBE9T_mDybUKG0_mg8EVoLgewYZExquGqyc7SC/s400/pumpkin+enchiladas.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>SPICY PUMPKIN SAUCE/ENCHILADAS</strong></p><p>1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree<br />4 garlic cloves, peeled (I used 3 and it was PLENTY)<br />1 jalapeno, quartered (remove ribs and seeds for less heat, if wimpy)<br />1 tsp. chili powder (I also added a dash of cumin)<br />8 corn tortillas (6 inch)<br />Filling of choice (see below)<br />1-1/2 cups grated sharp white cheddar (or just enough to cover it)</p><p>Serves 4<br />* Prep time: 20 mins.<br />*Total time: 1 hour</p><p>Preheat oven to 425. In a blender, puree pumpkin, garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, 2-1/2 cups water, 2 tsps. salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth. (Hold blender top firmly as blender will be quite full.) Pour 1 cup of the sauce into the bottom of an 8 inch square or other shallow baking dish. (** I used a 9x11 inch dish, I think - I would <strong>NOT</strong> use anything smaller than that, it was FULL.)</p><p>Nuke the tortillas for a few seconds or dip in simmering water or whatever you do to make them pliable. Roll tortillas with filling: mound on half of the tortilla and roll up; place seam side down in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce on top; sprinkle with cheese. </p><p>Place dish on a baking sheet (I didn't, but remember I used a bigger dish); bake until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool five minutes before serving.</p><p>FILLING: I used a can of black beans, drained and rinsed, combined with half a carton of Fage plain Greek yogurt, a small can of diced Hatch chilis (HOT of course), and about half a bunch of green onions, thinly sliced.</p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553016785860561497.post-67182089909177810812008-11-13T16:17:00.007-06:002008-11-13T17:27:24.665-06:00in which she leaves politics aside and resumes her inane perspicacious musingsLove is a Stranger - the best Eurythmics song in the history of Eurythmics? I think we all know the answer is yes, but if you have a cogent argument you may attempt to dissuade me. And the video, oh how it reminds me of the glorious days of early MTV. I have no idea if MTV even plays videos anymore, but if they do, I bet there are few as good as the masters of the 80s. Duran Duran's repertoire alone is proof!<br /><br />But back to Eurythmics. This video is classic - cool, sleek, dark, and a bit dangerous, and Annie Lennox is completely fabulous. Unfortunately youtube is not allowing the video to be embedded, which pisses me off, but what can you do? I'll tell you what you can do - go to this link and reminisce about a bygone era, and a band and network whose better days are behind them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLwy2QuVOUE">Love is a Stranger</a><br /><br />Do it! I'll know if you don't do it! And then I will also know that you suck!<br /><br />PS - I will be doing these types of posts regularly.<br /><br />PPS - Maybe.Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899811647839978333noreply@blogger.com3