(no subject)
Once again, I have been neglectful in the relating of life events. Since I don't feel like relating the events of the last few weeks in mind numbing minutiae I will do it in list form.
1. My meds are working. I am happy in many ways. I have a ridiculous amount of energy and joie de vivre right now. I don't know when I became so insufferably cheerful but I am vacillating between whether it is an amazing feeling or just really annoying to everyone else. I suppose that they are in no way mutually exclusive.
I am continuing to work with my therapist weekly. I am not sure how much I am getting out of it, but it is one of those things where you get out what you put in. I am sure that the irony is lost on no one that the worksheet that she gave me last week(yes I get therapy homework) on procrastination has not been looked at since. My next appointment is tomorrow and I expect I shall skim it whilst sipping my mocha in the morning.
2. I have recently discovered the wonder that is Cook's Illustrated tm magazine. I have yet to make something out of there that hasn't been immensely delicious and wonderful. Good food makes me so happy and making it myself makes me even happier. There is this zen peacefullness that fills me in the kitchen. It has been a long time since I have felt so creative, just another side effect of not being depressed. I blame the Prozac. Anyhoo, there were some requests that I talk about my interesting kitchen projects.
In the past month I have made, White Chicken Chili with scads of hot peppers, Cannelini beans, and delicious stewed and then shredded chicken parts. I then made Thom Ka Gai (Thai coconut chicken soup) both a full meaty version and a veggie version for a non meat eating friend. The lemongrass was quite fibrous but lent the soup such a lovely flavor that it was well worth it. Even Sylvia commented on the "delightful broth" (her words not mine).
I made a nice stab at Asian slaw for which I shall supply the recipe since I made it up.
1 small head green cabbage, shredded
1 small head red cabbage, shredded
2 carrots peeled and julliened
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 blood orange, juiced
2 tablespoons tamari
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- Toss veggies together
- Mix vinegar, sesame oil, orange juice, tamari, salt, and pepper and pour over veggies.
- garnish with almonds
- chill until ready to serve
I have also made homemade pad thai three times, myriad baked goods, chicken and dumplings and last night a memorable Chcken Tikka Masala.
I stirred up a lovely rice dish to go with it.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 half head of orange cauliflower
2 carrots
2 tablespoons ginger
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup rice
3 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
- Heat oil and add garlic, ginger and salt and pepper.
- Add veggies and saute for 5-8 minutes
- Add rice, broth and whole spices
- lower heat, cover and let rice cook for 15-20 minutes
Very simple and extremely delicious. Later this week I intend to make scallion pancakes and General Tso's Chicken. I kind of feel like a rock star.
3. My grandfather turned 93 a few days ago. It is pretty amazing how long he's been around. And he is still living independently. I am hoping that the longevity is genetic.
4. My brother, Eric, is joining the Navy. On one hand I think it could be very good for giving him some direction and it sure beats playing WoW to the exclusion of all other things. I am worried for him though. The military is never exactly a safe career choice. Of course he is only 19 and could stay in long enough to get college money. Either way he is growing up and moving on and it makes me feel kinda old.
5. I have one more month left of my twenties. All told I am looking forward to turning thirty. My 20's have been filled with way too much drama and stupidity. I am actually kind of feeling like a grownup now. It is weird.
6. The kids are good. Morgan is getting teeth at a prodigious rate ( he is working on teeth 6 and 7 now) and is crawling with speed. He also pulls up on anything, including me. He is a sweet tempered darling and it is so much fun to watch him blossom.
Sylvia has really developed a great deal more emotional maturity over the past few months. She isn't exactly listening better but at least she understands when you use logic upon her. She is full of questions and amazing amounts of energy. She looks forward to starting Kindergarten.
I know I have more to say including our play date this Wednesday and the glorious upcoming thaw that we are having here in Wisconsin, but if I don't pay attention to my partner he will make up ridiculous things about me in the fanfic of his life.
1. My meds are working. I am happy in many ways. I have a ridiculous amount of energy and joie de vivre right now. I don't know when I became so insufferably cheerful but I am vacillating between whether it is an amazing feeling or just really annoying to everyone else. I suppose that they are in no way mutually exclusive.
I am continuing to work with my therapist weekly. I am not sure how much I am getting out of it, but it is one of those things where you get out what you put in. I am sure that the irony is lost on no one that the worksheet that she gave me last week(yes I get therapy homework) on procrastination has not been looked at since. My next appointment is tomorrow and I expect I shall skim it whilst sipping my mocha in the morning.
2. I have recently discovered the wonder that is Cook's Illustrated tm magazine. I have yet to make something out of there that hasn't been immensely delicious and wonderful. Good food makes me so happy and making it myself makes me even happier. There is this zen peacefullness that fills me in the kitchen. It has been a long time since I have felt so creative, just another side effect of not being depressed. I blame the Prozac. Anyhoo, there were some requests that I talk about my interesting kitchen projects.
In the past month I have made, White Chicken Chili with scads of hot peppers, Cannelini beans, and delicious stewed and then shredded chicken parts. I then made Thom Ka Gai (Thai coconut chicken soup) both a full meaty version and a veggie version for a non meat eating friend. The lemongrass was quite fibrous but lent the soup such a lovely flavor that it was well worth it. Even Sylvia commented on the "delightful broth" (her words not mine).
I made a nice stab at Asian slaw for which I shall supply the recipe since I made it up.
1 small head green cabbage, shredded
1 small head red cabbage, shredded
2 carrots peeled and julliened
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 blood orange, juiced
2 tablespoons tamari
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- Toss veggies together
- Mix vinegar, sesame oil, orange juice, tamari, salt, and pepper and pour over veggies.
- garnish with almonds
- chill until ready to serve
I have also made homemade pad thai three times, myriad baked goods, chicken and dumplings and last night a memorable Chcken Tikka Masala.
I stirred up a lovely rice dish to go with it.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 half head of orange cauliflower
2 carrots
2 tablespoons ginger
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup rice
3 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
- Heat oil and add garlic, ginger and salt and pepper.
- Add veggies and saute for 5-8 minutes
- Add rice, broth and whole spices
- lower heat, cover and let rice cook for 15-20 minutes
Very simple and extremely delicious. Later this week I intend to make scallion pancakes and General Tso's Chicken. I kind of feel like a rock star.
3. My grandfather turned 93 a few days ago. It is pretty amazing how long he's been around. And he is still living independently. I am hoping that the longevity is genetic.
4. My brother, Eric, is joining the Navy. On one hand I think it could be very good for giving him some direction and it sure beats playing WoW to the exclusion of all other things. I am worried for him though. The military is never exactly a safe career choice. Of course he is only 19 and could stay in long enough to get college money. Either way he is growing up and moving on and it makes me feel kinda old.
5. I have one more month left of my twenties. All told I am looking forward to turning thirty. My 20's have been filled with way too much drama and stupidity. I am actually kind of feeling like a grownup now. It is weird.
6. The kids are good. Morgan is getting teeth at a prodigious rate ( he is working on teeth 6 and 7 now) and is crawling with speed. He also pulls up on anything, including me. He is a sweet tempered darling and it is so much fun to watch him blossom.
Sylvia has really developed a great deal more emotional maturity over the past few months. She isn't exactly listening better but at least she understands when you use logic upon her. She is full of questions and amazing amounts of energy. She looks forward to starting Kindergarten.
I know I have more to say including our play date this Wednesday and the glorious upcoming thaw that we are having here in Wisconsin, but if I don't pay attention to my partner he will make up ridiculous things about me in the fanfic of his life.