1639dream

Sep. 20, 2003

 

 

I had a dream last night that was odd. but I can't remember most of
it. Something about how I was going somewhere on a bus full of newage
hippie types who were all drumming and chanting, but I'd gotten a
cheap ticket, so it was OK. Then we stopped for gas and somehow I was
the one who got out and started the pump. Then the lady driver starts
driving the bus and I'm all like "STOP! The gas nozzle is attached to
the bus!" and she just kept slowly driving to another part of the gas
station, saying it was OK, the hose would stretch. So the total on
the gas was, like, $200 and I was trying to swipe my card but it
wouldn't 'take'. I was bitching at the driver that since I had paid
for my bus ticket, and now a tank of gas, that this trip was more
expensive than the plane trip. Then, suddenly, all the hippies were
off the bus and standing around by the pump. Each of them either put
cash & coins into the cash & coin acceptor part of the gas pump
(wtf?) or swiped their credit cards and paid $10 or $20 or however
much they figured they could afford. I put in $10.20. Eventually the
gas was paid for.

I guess by jumping off first and taking charge of things and not
asking for help I ended up shouldering most of the burden, whereas if
I'd just asked or waited, I would have gotten help. Thank goodness
my card didn't work or else I would have ended up paying for
everything. So..that was interesting.

Then I was at a pet store (like it was attached to the gas station?)
and trying to buy a frog. I saw a sign that said they were $1.98, but
when I got up to the register, the girl charged me $9 something. I
argued with her and we went to the tank where I got the frog.
Apparently I'd picked up a $7 deluxe frog and then with tax it was $9
and change. So I paid and I was about to leave to get back on the
bus, and then she left and there was a guy behind the counter. I was
looking around and found some really cool tri-colored bettas, like
all spotty and stuff. They were called 'confetti bettas' or
something. I went to the cash register where the guy was and traded
the frog (which was in a brown paper bag with his face sticking out)
for the betta (which was in a white wax-paper liquid-filled
envelope). Then I was at my grandmother's house trying to find a
suitable vase or glass to put the fish in, and nothing worked. I
think I ended up putting him in a coffee pot but worrying that
someone was going to try and make coffee later.

I think my brain is happy that I looked at the delphi glass catalog
and I want to make stuff again.

1640cool

Sep. 20, 2003

 

 

I tried on my size 14 leather pants that I got on Ebay & they fit!
(barely) My tummy is still pretty flabby, though. Need to get back to
regular Pilates!!!!!!

1641LJ post from last night

Sep. 20, 2003

 

 

Creative juicy
I've been in a big lull with all of my bead stuff, stained glass
making, soapmaking, sewing, and basically anything creative.

I got a stained glass supply catalog in the mail today and I'm all
het up to create again. But, telling myself very firmly that I am
going to work with what I HAVE and NOT buy any more stuff! No matter
how pretty and cool it is!

It's tempting though--I found this stuff and I'd really like to play
with it. Not that clay is really my 'thang' but...this just looks
awesome. And I'd love to put my brother E to work on some stuff--his
sculpting skills are fantastic.


*sigh* My ego and my business just took such a huge knock with the
failed TRF bus trips, the failed Excalibur Booth, and the failed
Natural Magic booth...I just don't know how much more failure I can
take, so I haven't made any more efforts in a long time.

I may hate my 'real' job but at least I have none of my real self
invested there. I go, do my work, and go home. It sucks, and it is
spirit-draining to some degree, but I leave it at the end of the day
and that's it. Failure at something I care about, something I love,
and something that is important and beautiful to me...that kills my
soul. And I don't think I've got too much more in there to kill.
But....NOT creating is also soul-killing.


So this is me...putting the band-aid back on this particular psychic
wound, wiping my tears, cleaning up my work room so I can get things
done. I want to create. I will create. Knock me down 100 times, I
will stand up 101 times. Dammit.

1642Autumn Equinox, maybe?

Sep. 20, 2003

It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but I want to go out to the park
anyway. I also want to make stuff. Hm. Anyway...here's some recipes
I'd like to make: (I halved all the recipes except the grape leaves,
figure it'd just be me & Sweetie, anyway)

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1743,145189-231205,00.html
BROCCOLI GRAPE SALAD

1 heads broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 sm. bunch red grapes
1/2 pkg. sliced almonds

DRESSING:
1/2 c. mayonnaise (can be light)
1/4 c. sugar
1/8 c. apple cider vinegar

Combine broccoli, bacon, grapes and almonds in a large bowl. Combine
dressing ingredients. Shake or stir until smooth. Pour dressing onto
salad. Toss. May use more or less dressing depending on amount of
salad and taste. Refrigerate. Toss again before serving.
==================

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-
/0890879958/qid=1064112032/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/002-
8670509-5229624?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Dionysian Stuffed Grape Leaves

1 jar grape leaves
1 lb ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
1 c. uncooked instant rice
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
Handful of currants
1 lg egg
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 c. chopped fresh mint
handful of pine nuts
salt & pepper
1 15 oz. can whole tomatoes
2 1/4 c. beef broth
Splash of Chianti or other red wine
1/2 c. water

Remove grape leaves from jar & soak in cool water for 5-10 min.

Mix ground beef, onion, rice, ground cayenne pepper, currants, egg,
mint, parsley & pine nuts in a large
bowl. Salt & pepper to taste. Make sure the mixture sticks together
but is not too wet.

On a large cutting board, line up a few grape leaves at a time, shiny
side down. Pinch off the stem as you
go along. Place approx. 1 tbsp filling in the center of each leaf.
shape the filling into an oval, lying
horizontally across the surface of the leaf. Turn the side flaps
inward then roll them tightly upward towar
the pointy end. All filling should be covered within the leaf.

Using a large, heavy stew pot, arrange each leaf side by side in
layrers until they are neatly packed and
you have about 2" of headroom. As you are stacking, crush up tomatoes
in your hand and layer them
among the leaves. When pot is full, pour in remaining tomatoes &
juice, beef broth, wine ,and water. Add
liquid so that it reaches top layer of leaves but does not cover them
completely. Place a heavy plate on top
of the leaves to hold them in place while cooking.

Bring to a boil, cover, decrease heat & simmer. Cook for 45-50 min.
Do not lift cover as this is cooking.
Rice should be done, beef should be not-pink. Cool before serving.

==========

Luminous Crescents

3 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 pint small curd cottage cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1 c flour
1/4 c grated romano cheese
1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese

Cream butter, cottage cheese, and salt in a bowl. Add flour, mix
until well blended. Divide the dough into
2 flat balls. Refrigerate until cold enough to roll, approx 1 hour

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease 3 baking sheets. on a floured
sheet of wax paper, roll out one ball at
a timeto a 9 or 10 inch round. Sprinkle each round with 1 1/2 tbsp of
parmesan & 1.5 tbsp of romano. Cut
each round into 8 pie shaped wedges. Beginning with the wide end of
each wedge, roll toward the point.
Place the wedges point-side down on the prepared baking sheets. Shape
into crescents. Sprinkle the tops
lightly with remaining cheese. Bake for 20-25 min until golden.
Immediately loosen from baking sheets &
place on wire rack to cool.

========

Sandalwood Soda

3 c water
3 whole cloves
3 green cardamom pods
1/2 c. honey
2 drops sandalwood oil
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange or 2 limes
1/2 c. plain yogurt
2 c. soda water

Boil water. Steep cloves and cardamom for 6 minutes. Add honey &
sandalwood. Boil until mixture becomes a thick syrup. Remove cardamom
pods. Remove from heat, stir in citrus juice & let mixture cool.
Place yogurt and cooled syrup in a blender. Puree until frothy. Pour
into a bowl and mix with soda water.

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