the musings of a wanna be bond girl

The Killers - Spaceman

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Ok, so I wanted to post the version of this from last night's SNL, but I can't seem to find it anymore. Damn internet! Anyway, I think this song is a much more catchy tune than the released single, "Human". Still, I am anxiously awaiting the Killers' 3rd studio release, and a tour which hopefully will stop in SW Ohio!

where is the pot of gold?

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:37:00 +0000

I'm so exhausted from making SLH's birthday dinner for his whole family...so just a short post. We had lemon basil chicken, pasta salad, corn with herb butter, spinich salad with fruit, bacon and an awesome home made dressing, and strawberry pie and watermelon for dessert. Phew!

This was the view outside of my patio window Saturday am, 6 EST. The sky was a very odd shade of blue on one side, a nuclear orange on the other, and it was raining. This rainbow lasted just long enough for me to see it, take its picture, and sit quietly alone on the patio for a few minutes. No one else on the block, or in my complex seemed awake, so I think it was just for me :)

More on 80's Covers....and Covers of All Sorts

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:53:00 +0000

In light of my recent obsession with 80's covers, and music in general, I got two new-to-me CDs out of the library that prominently feature covers. As a matter of fact, Everclear's latest is entirely covers. I can't say that I'm in love with "Brown-Eyed Girl", but "Jenny (867-5309)" and "American Girl" are worth locating this random mix at your local library. "Rich Girl" and "The Boys are Back in Town" are also standouts. Some of the other songs include tv jingles, and a cover of the Go-Gos which show us that maybe Art Alexakis' lips should be sealed in some circumstances. Looking to see Everclear this year? Click here for their upcoming tour schedule.

Sarah McLachlan's mix is more ecclectic, yet seems more fitting for her vocal range. Covers of "Blackbird" by the Beatles, and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" just sound right coming from the Canadian songbird. One of my friends will be particularly interested in a collaboration with Emmy Lou Harris. Be sure to check these out.....

Music, a Meme

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:20:00 +0000

I have not posted in ages as far as cooking goes. This is not for lack of eating, just lack of creative cooking that I want to showcase for the world. The only thing really worth mentioning food wise, at least this weekend, is my obsession for Yagoot. It is downright delish, especially with Fruity Pebbles. I kid you not. I now know what crack addicts feel like.

I digress...despite being absent in regards to food, I have posted several song links of late, and when I saw this on a fellow bloggers site, I thought I had to take part. I'm probably making a big faux pas (or fox paws as they call it in my family) since I have not been tagged or whatever to take part in it, but I thought it was amusing. Mea culpa if I have just made a blunder.

I have always been a music lover. I have family members who are good at making music, family members who worked at a music school at one time, and family members who can sing the daylights out of anything. I have especially fond memories of when a certain relative was in "The Sound of Music" play in high school. I, to this day nearly 20 years later know every word to every song. I have dated guys in bands, guys with recreational guitar hobbies, guys who owned recording studios, guys who were DJs, and guys who own more cds than anyone should ever own. (I am thankful that most of these guys do not have websites, and therefore cannot be linked. Who wants their dating history shared with the world??!). I also have a guy friend whose cd's would "make babies" and multiply at an ever alarming rate. He really needed to institute a growth slowing policy like China, but never has.

At any rate, being surrounded by music surely has not made me musically talented in any way beyond purchasing itunes songs, or concert tickets. Yes, I had a brief period of being able to play Grandma's organ, but I taught myself because I was bored. It was definitely more of the church music variety, and not anything that would lead to a carrer as Tori Amos. Oh, and I was a DJ for several years in college, at a facility much less formal that what they have now, but again that's more musical spectating, and not playing.

Still, despite having damn near zero musical ability, I would say it has shaped my life. I can hear a song and instantly be transported back to a distinct time and place, and for that reason, this meme really resonated with me, tee hee.

Here are the instructions:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

1. Handlebars by Flobots: I'm not really sure what genre this is, and at times it is as spoken word as any thing Henry Rollins ever did, but right now I love its "call to action" type feel. I also like this line: I can make anybody go to prison Just because I don't like'em... Rather apropos for a prosecutor, no? I sang this song in my head for much of the Pig this year.

2. Sweetest Girl by Wyclef: This song reminds me of Stan by Eminem, in that it mixes the gruff voice of a rapper, and an angelic voice for the refrain. If you check my itunes you will see that this song is by far the most played. This version in particular is...well, freaking awesome.

3. Long Road to Ruin by the Foo Fighters: I love this song so much that I can't even explain it. I'll just leave the lyrics here, and you can see for yourself:

hey now don't make a sound
Say have you heard the news today?
One flag was taken down
To raise another in it's place
A heavy cross you bear
A stubborn heart remains unchanged
No home, no life, no love
No stranger singing in your name
Maybe the season
The colors change in the valley skies
Dear God I've sealed my fate
Running through hell
Heaven can wait
Long road to ruin
There in your eyes
Under the cold streetlights
No tomorrow
No dead-end in sight
Let's say we take this town
No king or queen of any state
Get up to shut it down
Open the streets and raise the gates
I know a wall to scale
I know a field without a name
Head on without a care
Before it's way too late
Maybe the season
The colors change in the valley skies
Oh God I've sealed my fate
Running through hell
Heaven can wait
Long road to ruin
There in your eyes
Under the cold streetlights
No tomorrow
No dead-end
Long road to ruin
There in your eyes
Under the cold streetlights
No tomorrow
No dead-end in sight
For every piece to fall in place
Forever gone without a trace
Your horizon takes its shape
No turning back, don't turn that page
Come now, I'm leaving here tonight
Come now, let's leave it all behind
Is that the price you pay
Running through hell
Heaven can wait

4. Nightswimming by R.E.M. This song is just so beautiful, and seem to have a yearning quality that I love. I wish I could play the piano, just so I could play this very song.

5. Anything Bruce Springsteen, particularly, Thunder Road. I guess the theme for my 7 songs is "yearning". I'm wanting for something, and I don't know what it is. I am sure the fact that I am headed to Eastern PA/New Jersey/New York for a wedding soon also plays into this. The Sinatra/Springsteen/Joel soundtrack is already being put together. I also love that all of Bruce's songs are really stories. And how many of you can say Bruce wrote a song about your hometown? Oh, and he's quite sexy regardless of age.

6. The Old Apartment by Barenaked Ladies I'm nearing a school reunion, at a school where students live in communities of houses on a campus. People were very protective of their house, and territorial of their street. Whenever I meet someone from my school, no matter their age, they ask what street you lived on. This song always makes me think of "my" house, and wonder what color our barbie pepto bismal pink bathroom is now. I'm sure I'll be singing this on the drive to the reunion.

7. Least Complicated by the Indigo Girls Sometimes I have a hard time believeing I'm a 32 year old single woman. Wasn't I just 23 yesterday? Wasn't I sitting on the porch of "my" house recently? Didn't I wear my UHS skirt a few years ago, not over a decade? Such is the same with my thoughts on relationships? I think "didn't we just start dating? I wonder if he likes me". This song makes me feel like a little sweet young school girl (if I ever was one..) giggling about boys. "the hardest to learn was the least complicated".

Honorable mention should be given to "Life in a Northern Town" by Sugarland, as lauded in previous posts, as well as "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, and everything from Coldplay's new cd Viva la Vida.

Kim and Mark, consider yourself tagged.

Sugarland - Life in a northern town ( Live CMT 2008)

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:19:00 +0000

I rarely if ever listen to country music, or country stations. If I am, its generally because I'm trying to find the traffic report as part of my am commute. I came across this the other day, and had to google to see who had done the harmonious remake of one of my favorite cryptic 1980's songs. What northern town is it? What does a northern town even have to do with any of the rest of the lyrics? Who cares. Its a good song, by Dream Academy or Sugarland. Much better than the pop drivel being put out now.

What other awesome 1980's song should be remade? Voices Carry? Stars on 45? Friends and Lovers? Shake You Down? Heart and Soul? Come on Eileen?

Michael Jackson-Man In The Mirror LIVE Grammy 1988

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:08:00 +0000

Every now and then, like when I'm working at home on the weekend (i.e. now), I need to be reminded why I have a job that requires so much work. And then I remember I do it because even though I have 1000's of cases, each equal in importance to me, each of these victims probably has one case that is all they can think of at any given time. This song gives me that little pick me up when I don't want to work any more...

Make that change!

New Balance LOVE/Hate Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:37:00 +0000

I've been MIA again thanks to my new job (which I also have a love/hate relationship with), but the main reason I've been so busy is high milage, and the coming of the PIG 2008! This weekend will be my 3rd full marathon. Please say a prayer for me. I'm praying that the balance tips to love.

Leona Lewis on the Tonight show with Jay Leno

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:34:00 +0000

I don't even like Jay Leno, and I normally don't like the Mariah Carey diva-esque types, but there is something vulnerable yet powerful about feline beauty Leona Lewis. Oh and she has a great vocal range too. I guess being in a romantic good place makes one like these sorts of songs too....

to all my Peeps (a quickie)

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:17:00 +0000

I have to admit that spring is my favorite time of year. It encompasses March Madness, Easter, and my birthday all in the opening weeks. Everything is melting, and the flowers are starting to sprout. Most importantly, however, is the appearance of Peeps. I have loved them since I was a child, and love every flavor, color, and shape. I even love Peep themed items.

For interesting Peep facts, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peeps

And have a Happy Easter

a make up: pierogies

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:58:00 +0000

I am Italian, and a mix of things on my father's side, including German and Welsh. SLH is Polish and Slovak. We have a tendency to eat Italian food, as well as whatever suits my fancy out of my myriad of cookbooks, food blogs, and pure fancy. I admit that we never make German food because I am not that into sauages, and I honestly do not know much about Polish food, or Slovak food. When Martha had a recipe for all nationalities of dumplings in her February issue, a little lightbulb went off in my head that perhaps SLH and I could make pierogis to celebrate his Polish heritage. Although Martha makes everything seem easy, I guess I did not appreciate the vastness of the task we were going to undertake. Additionally, it was not bright to plan this task for a work night, especially a night where I went to basic training in the morning. Maybe Mrs. T is onto something here. Her pierogis are ready in 5 minutes, and only cost $2 a box. Of course, then I would not have had the chance to see SLH in an apron, his little nimble fingers deftly plying the dough. I have a feeling this scored points with SLH's Polish mother as well.

Martha's recipe, according to my mom's Slovak neighbor, is pretty standard. Having never made this, I was not entirely sure what the dough would look like. I am used to homemade pasta dough, which is less sticky. I think my dough was a little off, so I added more flour than Martha called for. I made both the dough, and boiled all the potatoes before SLH arrived home from work. He then cut the onions, and mashed up the filling. I then rolled out the dough, and he cut the circles. We both took turns making and filling pierogis. We also sauteed the precious onions in tons of butter for the most traditional of toppings. (Martha suggested covering them with applesauce, but that sounded gross to us).

Martha's recipe for Pierogi from Feb 2008 issue

makes 32

dough:

2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk, more if needed

filling:

2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled (about 8)
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons chicken stock
pepper to taste

To make the dough, whisk together flour and salt in a bowl. Make a well in the center, and add egg and milk. Using your hands, gently draw egg mixture into flour mixture. Continue to work until dough comes together to form a ball. (She says to add more milk if it is crumbly. Mine was too sticky so I added flour). Place dough on a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 1 hour.

Meanwhile, you should be carmelizing onions if you want them to put on top. We did not follow Martha's recipe.

For the filling, you boil the peeled potatoes, about 17 to 20 minutes. Drain, and then put them back into the pot so they can dry off a bit. Martha recommends a food mill or a ricer. We had neither, and just used an old fashioned masher to try to make the potato the right texture. Also, we included finely minced onion in our filling, about half a cup to the 8 potatoes, as we remembered a good onion taste to the filling of our childhood church lady pierogis. To the mashed up potato and onion, you add the chicken stock, and some pepper. We also included some grated cheddar cheese.

Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds. Martha used a 2 3/4 inch cutter, but we found this made pretty small dumplings. We used a 3 5/8 inch one. They looked more like Mrs. T. Spoon filling into a dough round, about 1 tablespoon, and press closed, forcing the air out. We used a little water on the edges to seal them closed. Repeat what seems like a never-ending amount of times.

To cook, add dumplings to boiling water. Martha's smaller sized ones recommend a 4 minute cooking time. Our bigger ones took about 8 minutes. Drain, and cover with butter and sauteed onions.

I have to admit that this is a terrible picture. One of the food blogs I read, Peabody, has such great food photography. She would probably comment that this is all blah colored brown food, much in need of a green vegetable. I definitely agree, but after making all those pierogis, on a work night, and sitting down to dinner around 10:00p.m., we were happy to be eating anything !

After Pierogi Fest 2008 my mom told me about a church in my hometown that was featured on the news. I am sure this was on the news as it is still Lent, and I am from a very very Catholic hometown. Anyway, they showed 20 older ladies who worked at a local church, and were making pierogi for their church's sale that week. Twenty ladies made 8000 pierogis in one day. They used an assembly line system, 350 pounds of potatoes, and very nimble fingers. They put us to shame!

blizzard

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:23:00 +0000

I grew up in northern Ohio, where the words "lake effect snow" ruled my school aged years. I was frequently glued to the radio (am I dating myself here? yes, my school age years were pre-internet) waiting to hear that my prayers were answered, and "Youngstown Public and Parochial Schools" were closed. This did not happen a lot. Being from the snow belt, school did not close for 3-4 inches, like it does here in Cincinnati. Yes, us northerners are better equipped with snow plows and salt, but we are also made of heartier stock. I walked in my little plaid skirt, rain or shine, unless there was the rumored 8 inches of snow. (The word on the grade school street was that the school would not close unless there was 8 inches, the temperature was zero or below, or we had ice.) I will say there were many a cold snowy day that we still had school despite all of my prayers.

The best "snow day" ever was in third grade, when the pipes at my grade school froze up, thus cracking all of the tile floors. We got to be off a whole week. It was awesome.

Anyway, the weather gods had been predicting major snow storms here in southern Ohio all winter, with little to show for their predictions. I would frequently go to bed, just like 20 tyears before, saying a final prayer that the snow would come, and close everything. I guess I didn't want to accept that adults did not get snow days, and even if they did, the government rarely closes, so I would have to go to work.

This time I didn't even pray...and the snow came, and kept coming, and is still coming now. While the 10 inches we have here wouldn't be quite as incapacitating up north, its still a lot of snow. Everything is closed...all malls, most churches, pretty much everything that there is to do. I must admit that I'm kind of happy. I am sad that my run got cancelled, but forced relaxation is nice. SLH and I spent a quiet day together, watching basketball, making pancakes, listening to music and planning our vacation. See, adults should get snow days more often. They're good for the soul....

(and they give me time to update my blog!)

washing dollar bills like laundry....

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:02:00 +0000

the current favorite song to spin to, along with "hard road to ruin" by the fighters of foo.

i always spin to fast music...mainly hip hop, for the beats. this song, however, definitely incites sing-a-longs whenever it is played. SP probably would be sick of it except he sings it in the car when its not even on...

KELLY KELLY KELLY

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:59:00 +0000

Its time for the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor rematch tomorrow in Las Vegas. Why does agenttriplex even care about boxing, you ask? Because hardworking and talented yet humble Kelly Pavlik is not only from my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio...he's from my neighborhood. He's the epitome of where I'm from, and that's why he's carrying the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Check him out here, and for more Kelly coverage check out:

http://www.defendyoungstown.blogspot.com/

http://www.vindy.com/pavlik/

and the article that brings tears to your eyes if you're a Youngstowner...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/richard_hoffer/02/06/pavlik0211/index.html

Go Kelly!

p.s. a lengthy post is coming later. we've been quite busy with the month of meyer lemons, plus soup, soup and more soup!!!

Superbowl XLII Bud Commercial - Horse TEAM

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:04:00 +0000

by far my favorite super bowl commerical, although i'm rather partial to clydesdales for some reason....

i'll definitely be thinking of this while i train. is there anywhere near by where i can practice pulling trains?

Price Hill Girls

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:06:00 +0000

This has been the talk of the little town where I reside this week. A lot of local folk find this video offensive, although I'm not quite sure why. I think its just a few local college kids having fun. Its not crass, not lewd, and doesn't contain swear words. They're not singing about drugs, sex or crime. Its just a little rap parody. Everyone is too worried about offending people. After watching this you'll probably wake up one morning singing "I like them price hill girls. where they at? on glenway..."

current addictions

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:21:00 +0000

I have a personality that is such that when I like something, I REALLY like it, and have a tendency to overdose on it. As a part of my healthier living resolution for 2008, I have recently purchased several items that are sure to play a big part in my every day life.

Item A is a bosu balance trainer, better known a giant blue dome of pain. I had used one quite a bit when I was working out with a personal trainer. Winter makes me lazy so I thought I'd be more likely to work out if I could do it at my house, and also whip Santa's Little Helper into shape at the same time. It hasn't worked out quite as planned. I joined a gym this week....and Santa's Little Helper detests the blue dome of pain. We made a deal on NYE that we'd both do 20 situps for every drink he had that night. Little did he know he'd cripple both of us. He was out of commission for at least a week. I recovered faster, but hey, us wanna be bond girls have to be tough. I swear we are going to have bikini ready abs by summer.....but it sure is hard to make myself use that thing when I'm already running 3 days a week, plus spinning 2. Watch out Ursula Andress, I'm going to give you a run for your money. FYI, It is excellent to do the plank on as well.

Item B is something that started out as my need for Strawberry C-Monster when I am sick, and ended up with us having 5 bottles of Bolthouse Farms juice in my fridge. I think I created a monster with Santa's Little Helper. At first he said something like "who needs juice that is $3 per serving", and the next thing you know he's bringing home GreenGoodness for us to have a taste test. I don't know what is more suprising: that a guy who used to live on frozen pizza is bringing me organic juices, or that I might actually drink wheat grass/blue-green algae juice tomorrow with my whole wheat pancakes? All I know is we have spent a lot of cash on juice in the last two weeks, having taste tests of things we'd never thought we'd drink. (mushroom juice anyone? and what is a prickly pear anyway? Thank God I own the Field Guide to Produce. We're still trying to figure out what a camu camu fruit is. Apparently its so nice they named it twice.) In case you're wondering, Strawberry Banana Smoothie and BlueGoodness rank highest with Santa's Little Helper, while Vanilla Chai Protein, and Passion Fruit are my personal favorites, but the taste test if far from over. If you know more weird organic things we should try as a part of our new healthier us for 2008, let me know. When we do something, we definitely do it all the way. :)

p.s. I DID create a monster. Santa's Little Helper suggested we make cream of broccoli soup tomorrow, as a good together project, and a healthy lunch. Who would have thought the guy who thought all soup came in cans would even think of that....and a healthy soup at that!

I've been MIA (and tomato soup!!!)

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:03:00 +0000

I've been MIA since before the holidays. This is not wholly intentional, but it is not wholly unintentional. I was busy with holiday stuff, like everyone else. Then I'd planned to write a thoughtful New Year oriented post, and it went downhill from there. The new year is a naturally introspective time where people take stock of the past year's accomplishments and failures, and usually resolve to do things both achievable and impossible as a part of the next year's plan. I'm constantly reassessing my life anyway, so new years just brings this into my normal focus for everyone else. I'm also experiencing job unhappiness, so thoughts turn to the "what if", and "how am I going to" as far as deciding what I'm going to do when I grow up. I have the job I always wanted, and now I want a new one. It isn't as easy to plan what the next job will be when I'm not even sure what I'm qualified to do besides send people to jail. All of this usual new year introspectiveness was coupled with the rapid decline and departure of one of my best friend's dad. It was shocking, it was sad, and it forced us all to examine our own mortality. I've had 3 friends lost a parent in the last 2 years. In my mind, our parents shouldn't be dying yet....but then again I still think I'm 23! More good people always die than bad people. I have more than enough bad people I could nominate to take good people's places....

All of this added to a mental state not quite ready to make a public new years resolution.....but if I don't do it soon, I'll be out of time!!!

I feel I should note that these are substantially similar to the resolutions made for 2007. Progress has been made in many areas, but there is always room for improvement.

New Years Resolution 2008

1. Get my marathon time down to a flat 4 hours. (I was pretty close at the Pig 2007/Nike Women's half 2007). To accomplish this goal, however, I will need cooperation from the weather, and perhaps a flatter course. If I'm ever going to qualify for Boston before having kids, the time is now to get faster.

2. Not only eat healthier, but eat more local foods. This is in part a reaction to reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle . See previous review. Eating locally in Cincinnati is not going to be as easy as I'd hoped, and as easy as it would be in my hometown, but I love fresh fruit so much that it is worth the effort. I am hoping I can convince Santa's Little Helper to head to Findlay Market and local farms with me.

3. Get fit enough for the test. Nuff said.

4. Worry less about things that cannot be changed. And things that do not matter that much. This should lead to other benefits, like sleeping better, angsting less about work, and Santa's Little Helper also being happier.

I'd like to say that save more money should be on here, but it is not a realistic goal for a girl who is in a wedding, has to throw a shower, wants to join a gym, needs to buy a more reliable car, and works in a profession that doesn't give raises resulting in perpetually smaller paychecks as health care costs (amongst others) go up.

All of this introspectiveness inspired a homey meal of tomato soup and grilled cheese. Not entirely sure why, but we always eat soup when people are sick or die. It seems to make people feel comforted at the very least. Props to Cooking Light for this recipe. It was easy enough to whip up on a cold Sunday morning, but fun enough that Santa's Little Helper wanted to help blend it all up. The soup received our seal of approval.

Ingredients
1 cup less-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon brown sugar

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

1 cup coarsely chopped onion

5 garlic cloves

2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, drained

Cooking spray

3/4 cup half-and-half

Cracked black pepper (optional)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 500°.
Combine 1/2 cup of broth, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Place onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Pour broth mixture over tomato mixture. Bake at 500° for 50 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned.
Place tomato mixture in a blender. Add remaining 1/2 cup broth and half-and-half, and process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Garnish with cracked black pepper, if desired.

Over the Rhine @ Cornerstone 2006 I Want You to be My Love

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 05:39:00 +0000

i want you to know me now.....break a promise...make a vow....i know you want me now....like i want you.....

this song has been in my head this week. not quite sure why. its such a beautiful song. been in a little of a weird mood....so weird that i apparently don't even want to make full sentences. i guess its the whole new year thing. i feel like i should be turning over a leaf or something, but nothing has come to mind yet, hence i have not posted my annual "resolution" list. any ideas?

at any rate, i wish i could sing half as good as Karin Berquist. props to hometown over the rhine. not sure why they have not achieved more commercial popularity since she sings like a throaty angel, but i'm fine keeping them just a little secret for those of us midwesterners in the know....

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:23:00 +0000

.....and agenttriplex clause was still wrapping gifts after midnight on december 23....i blame santa's little helper for this stuff not being done...but as always, it will get done before the reindeer hooves click on the roof.

anyway, just wanted to wish everyone a merry christmas.....and I'll be back before new year.....

p.s. yes, anyone who does this to their pets has way too much time on their hands...

Alicia Keys -No One (Live Saturday Night Divas)

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:58:00 +0000

my current heavy rotation song......can't listen to "jingle bell rock" that many times in a row...

nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:20:00 +0000

It was another busy weekend here at my house. Christmas shopping took most of Friday since it was PAY DAY. I'm thisclose to being done shopping...which is good since its December 16. Can you believe Santa's Little Helper hasn't started? Sigh. It gives ME stress thinking about it.

Saturday brought the first major snow of the year, although it was nothing like the snow I grew up with, being raised in northern Ohio. I was a lazy bum, and did not run. (Only a few more days of being a sloth.) I didn't feel too bad, however, because the view out my window soon looked like a snow globe, and I would have been a little snowwoman running the hills near my house with my runny nose.

A big day was planned, however, so Strawberry C Monster was needed! We also got provisions at Busken. Santa's Little Helper definitely missed his calling as a cheesy advertisement writer, as is evidenced in Busken's new book of billboards. Perhaps this will be his second career, and all of the bad puns I am subjected to can become a source of income instead of just groans.

Santa's Little Helper and I drove north to our alma mater to hit the bookstore, peruse our old haunts , and see a game . It is amazing how much campus has changed since I was last up there a few years ago. And its wild how old I felt walking the grounds near my freshman dorm. Thoughts were running rampant, and memories came pouring back of things both mentionable and unmentionable. I've definitely sledridden down that now-forbidden hill. :) A drive through the Ghetto was a stroll down memory lane, except that the famous (infamous?) 132 is now brown, instead of a pale yellow. I am guessing the bathroom isn't pepto bismal pink anymore either.

I think the bookstore's buyer has really stepped it up as there were multiple things I wanted to buy, not the least of which was an under armor running shirt with a UD on it. So cute. So after I dropped a pretty penny, and after a chicken and provolone sub which was good despite an unwanted helping of mayo, we were off to watch the Flyers kick some Coppin State booty. I can't say it was a good game, because it was a thrashing, but a win is a win. The weather precluded us from getting a fishbowl, but I guess it prevented us from getting any DUIs :)

We came back to watch some of my library goodies, including some episodes of Survivorman and the movie Zodiac. I think Santa's Little Helper is taking it as his personal challenge to solve the ciphers the Zodiac sent.....

Today was a day of rest, a day of football, and a day of cooking. I fully intended to attach a picture of a finished product but we ate it up so fast that there wasn't time. Props to Peabody for her amazing potato soup recipe. I have tried several, and this one is definitely the winner. Creamy, thick, satisfying, and definitely the thing to make when you've purchased 15 lbs of potatoes for two people.

Ok, time for dessert.....

Boo....

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:22:00 +0000

So its the absolute busiest time of the year....and guess what????? I'm sick! Boo. The to-do list is a mile long, the house is still recovering from baklava weekend, and the turtles are begging for baths. All I want to do is lay around and watch a marathon of Sex and the City or other such mindless pursuits. There are two things required when I'm sick. One is Mrs. Grass Soup. Yes, now I am probably capable of making homemade chicken stock and actual soup, but who feels like doing that when they're sick? Mrs. Grass is one of the few processed childhood foods that I still crave. (see also: Salt and Vinegar chips, kool-aid, and tater tots). I swear this stuff makes me feel better......much better than standing in the kitchen while I'm sick chopping celery and onions for stock.

Necessary sick item number two is actually something that I do not have in house, and am so craving but do not have anyone to call to go fetch it for me. There is a Wild Oats Market pretty close to here, but that would necessitate taking off my flannel PJs, going to get gas, and then driving there. Not very likely to happen. Anyway, Odwalla Strawberry C-Monster is well worth its exhorbitant price tag. It tastes like a mouthful of fresh strawberries, and makes you feel instantly healthy. I guess that is what mainlining vitamin C does to you. You can bet I'll be picking up some of this when I head to the bank and dry cleaner tomorrow am.....

Ok, time to watch CSI and cuddle with the cheetah....

go shorty, its your birthday....

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:29:00 +0000

I've always felt that birthdays were very special. My mom was would allow me to pick my favorite meal for birthday dinner, even if it was super intricate and time consuming like homemade manicotti. (yes, even as a child I was a food elitist). I've tried to keep up this sort of tradition myself despite not having kids of my own by being the in-house birthday baker at virtually every job I've ever held. The last position at my current employer got so intricate that co-workers were requesting homemade tirimisu, cream puffs, and other such delicate and fragile creations for their birthdays. I was one step away from having to provide 12 creme brullees, or pavlovas! I was especially worn out in March when we had 5 of the 12 of us have birthdays. Now in my new position, there's really only a few to bake for, and they have not yet come to expect exquisite pastries on workdays.

Today was my office mate's birthday so last night, despite being a little cooking weary (see pot roast, baklava, and most importantly, failed hash browns) I set out to make him a cake. It is admittedly nothing special, but I think it fit the season, and looked rather regal on its serving tray!

Someone special needs to have a birthday so I have an excuse to make this:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/darkest-chocolate-crepe-cake

What's your favorite birthday tradition?

a day of cooking: the cookie exchange and the pot roast, or how to wash every dish in your house in one day!

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:17:00 +0000

Once the holidays get closer it seems that there is never enough time in the day, and always more things on the "to do" list than when it was started. This weekend was the same. I had planned for Sunday to be an all day cooking day to make the requisite number of cookies for the annual work cookie exchange. Being known for being a decent cook got me roped into making baklava, an all day endeavor, when some of my compatriots were making buckeyes, and other easier treats. I knew I'd need reinforcements to make so many cookies, and present them in a cute way. I think I have a little bit of Martha in me somewhere. Anyway, Santa's Little Helper had requested a pot roast some time back, so I thought Sunday would be the ideal day to combine a dinner that needs hours to cook, and a cookies that require a lot of love in them.

The Roast Beast:

I must admit, I'm leary of things that get cooked in the crock pot out of fear that they will be chewy or overprocessed. My last pot roast effort wasn't very noteworthy. Too many of the available recipes involve cans of cream of mushroom soup, which make both me and Santa's Little Helper want to retch. In the end, I didn't like any of the recipes I located, or I was missing too many ingredients to fuss with on a rainy cookie baking day. I combined several recipes myself, adding onions, carrots, potatoes, lots of fresh ground pepper, a bay leaf, 8 cloves of garlic, and a lot of beef stock. See http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/236745 for inspiration . To my suprise, my slow cooker turned out the best meal we've eaten since the Herb Roasted Turkey back in November. My pot roast might even rival Santa's Little Helper's mother. A good thing indeed!

Baklava, Baklava and More Baklava:

With a hearty breakfast in our bellies, a pot roast cooking in the crock pot, and a lengthy nap it was time to begin the daunting task of assembling the multiple baklavas. I had made this recipe numerous times, however it is not a recipe easily doubled (or tripled as the case may be). Copious amounts of nuts were ground, butter was melted and tons of honey was poured. The house smelled like the Panegyri Greek Festival held locally every June. The most personally daunting part is the cutting of the pan of baklava before it goes into the oven. I always have difficulty not pulling the knife through, as well as making equal sizes pieces. I guess I'm not cut out to work at http://www.bonbonerie.com/ just yet.

In the end, come 11 pm, all the baklava was made. Santa's Little Helper and I carefully put each piece into a little paper, which then went into a little red bag. I'll spare the details (and jokes) about a guy with big hands, his difficulty putting tiny cookies into tinier bags, and just how many "casualties" there were. Just before the stroke of 12, all cookies were bagged, all bags decorated, and all dishes washed. I think a surge of Berries and Cream Dr. Pepper provided the last bit of sugar needed to get that all done before I turned into a pumpkin at midnight.

Today's cookie exchange provided more cookies than I can eat, even with help from Santa's Little Helper. Other partecipants made rum balls, buckeyes, various takes on old favorites like chocolate chip and oatmeal as well as interesting creations with lemon, nuts and candy canes. Props to the judge for the best decorated cookies. Who knew he had an artistic side? :)

In the end, it all got done, and a good time was had by all, but this amateur chef has no desire to set foot into the kitchen until at least Thursday....

Oh, and I couldn't forget to include Effie's Baklava recipe straight from her Greek relatives. Its time consuming, but well worth it.

Baklava

1 package phyllo dough
1 lb honey
1 lb butter
½ cup water
2 packages crushed walnuts
½ cup sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
½ washed orange

Preheat oven to 375.
1) In one bowl mix powdered sugar and walnuts. You could also add almonds.
2) Melt butter but allow to cool a bit so it doesn’t burn phyllo.
3) Open the phyllo. Move fast so it doesn’t dry.
4) Butter the bottom of the pan with a brush. Place one sheet of phyllo down then brush the top of it with butter again. Repeat this until there are 8 sheets of phyllo with butter on the bottom.
5) Place ½ of nut mixture on the top sheet. Sprinkle with butter.
6) Put a layer of phyllo/butter (3 more sheets worth).
7) Put ½ nut mixture on top layer of phyllo. Sprinkle with butter.
8) Use the rest of the phyllo for the top crust layering as phyllo/butter as before.
9) Cut it with a very sharp knife before baking. You must cut before.
10) Bake 40-50 minutes @ 375 until golden brown.
11) Allow to cool.
12) Make the syrup.

Baklava Syrup

Combine honey, water, sugar, cloves, cinnamon stick and ½ orange with rind on in a sauce pan. Allow to cook for 20 minutes but be careful as this can boil over making your stove a sticky mess. Remove the orange, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Allow to cool slightly. Pour the syrup over the room temperature baklava. Eat!

You can use other stuff in the syrup. Only the honey, water, and sugar are mandatory.

A Fine Frenzy - Almost Lover - Unplugged @ VH1

noreply@blogger.com (agentXXX) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:02:00 +0000

So I don't know if this song is less sad than my last song post, apologies to Mark...actually, I'm certain it isn't. Maybe the best music isn't the happiest...

she looks a little like Tori, but doesn't sound like her except maybe that they both use a piano. Tori is more....powerful and violent.

This song reminds me of New Jersey..