A sure time it's really Spring...

It's asparagus time!

 I've got about 10 spears poking through the earth.  Mmmnn....  I should have a nice handful this weekend!

Yelp!

I've discovered  a new hobby: Yelping!

Check out my Yelp profile (reenie716.yelp.com) where I've been posting customer reviews.  It's very empowering to be able to quickly share our experiences with random, anonymous people (especially after having a particularly bad experience!)  But I also love singing high praises for some of my favorite places.  And it gives me a better excuse for taking pictures of my food :-)

Lighter Sesame Noodles

I tried a new recipe tonight that I found on the Martha Stewart website as part of a compilation of vegetarian recipes, just in time for Lent.

The result was very yummy and it will become part of my regular rotation of go-to meals.  Here's a link to Martha's recipe: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/lighter-sesame-noodles

I chopped all the veggies while the water for the whole wheat spaghetti cooked.  Then once I threw the spaghetti in the boiling water I had time to make the peanut butter sauce.  I love that you toss the veggies in to cook with the pasta water.  I've never cooked this way before and it turned out great.

Since I can't leave a recipe alone, I also stir-fried a block of extra firm tofu and tossed it the peanut butter sauce as the end.  I also used the full teaspoon of red pepper flakes.  Here's the final product:

Even Richard liked it.  It makes a ton, so it's certainly worth the time to make.  This would be a great addition for someone needing a hearty vegetarian dish, especially for a Friday during Lent.

Monkey is a Wombat?

When Richard and I were discussing whether or not marsupials live in America (they do, and we see them often!) we decided to look them up on Wikipedia.

We were so startled to discover that Monkey, who we thought all this time was a kitty cat, is in fact a wombat.  What do you think?

Monkey:

Wombat:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wombat_2.JPG

Two Movies: One Great, One Not So Much....

This weekend we checked out two movies that have been on my hold list for a while at the public library.  I'm very impressed with the availability of independent films through the Stark County Public Library system. 

This weekend we checked out Never Let Me Go and Please Give.  We watched Never Let Me Go on Saturday night and I wish I could get my hour and half of my life back.  I think it was well-acted (Keira Knightly and Carey Mulligan) but the story was not for me.  If I found out that I was a clone destined for early death after repeated organ donations, I would think that a rebellion would be in order.  But then again, maybe the British are too refined for that?  Maybe I missed the point...

Tonight we watched Please Give.  I love a movie with well-developed characters with human flaws.   Catherine Keener is one of my favorite actresses who does not get the recognition she deserves, at least from the mainstream critics.  If you can get past the opening scene (if you are squeamish about getting a mammogram, you might was to fast forward past the opening credits) you'll be drawn in immediately.  If you can't get it from the Redbox, put it on hold at the library and wait a bit.  It's worth it!

On my Playlist

Last week I downloaded Adele's new album, 21.  Every song on the album is fantastic.  I usually pick one or two songs from a new album to work into my "Work Playlist" but it looks like I'm going to add the entire album into the list.

A surprising addition, a cover of the Cure's "Lovesong," was such a surprise that I was singing along with the song before I realized why I knew the lyrics.

What a talent...  I highly recommend her second album and am looking forward to dowloading her first album soon.

What? Two Posts in One Day? You Betcha!

Well, this weekend we are two for two... I've been methodically working through the "best lists" of movies this year and we've seen some really good movies lately (City Island) and some really, in my opinion, horrible movies (Solitary Man) but this weekend I was able to get two really good movies from the public library.

Last night we turned out all the lights and watched Let Me In.  Totally creepy, totally my kind of horror movie. I also love how the movie stayed true to the early 80's.  I love the idea that this movie was taking place around the same time I was watching Salem's Lot for the first time.   Chloe Moretz was the perfect blend of innocence and evil.  Love her!

This afternoon I thought I would throw another movie in while I got a few things done around the house, but I had to ditch that plan when Animal Kingdom completely sucked me in.  I wish I would have seen this movie before I turned in my official Oscar ballot for this year... Jacki Weaver totally deserves the award for supporting actress.  And who doesn't want to spend a couple hours with Guy Pearce?

Next on my play list for this week, The Town and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  I'm hoping we keep the winning streak going!  If I haven't said it here before, let me say it know... My library card is my best friend.  Who needs Netflix when you have a public library?

My New Favorite Gadget (and a bonus Hummus Recipe!)

Okay, so Mom pointed out that the last time I posted anything was at Christmas, so I guess two full months of not blogging is just unforgivable.  So, I'm going to share my new favorite kitchen gadget, the Oxo Good Grips Citrus Juicer.

A while back I broke my favorite lemon reamer / press from William Sonoma and wasn't sure I wanted to get the same kind since, obviously, I'm just too strong and don't know my own strength.  So, I went out to Target and bought a couple different kinds, including the Oxo model. 

It has three pieces that fit together and the main reamer part flips between a smaller reamer for lemons and limes and a larger side for oranges.  

I love that I can really get all the juice out of the lemons and the bottom cup has marks to let you know how much juice you have.  The center catches all of the pulp and seeds.

The lid has a notch that lets you pour your juice without getting any seeds in your bowl.

The pieces pop apart and are dishwasher safe.

Makes my hummus sooo easy to make.... (not to mention homemade Skinny Girl Margaritas!)

Here's my new favorite hummus recipe, tweaked a bit from one my Mom gave me a while back.  I still love my "Holy Moly Hummus" recipe for it's depth of flavor, but that one requires a few more ingredients and a couple extra pans, so this one is just quicker and easier.  I throw everything in the food processor and blend.  It's fairly smooth, so it's best for dipping, rather than a sandwich filling. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas (I prefer Bush's chickpeas)
• 1/4 cup reserved liquid from canned chickpeas
• 1/3 cup lemon juice (for me this is usually about 1 and a half lemons)
• 1/4 tahini
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (Mom's recipe calls for 1/8 tsp. but I like the heat)
• Pinch of course salt (Mom's recipe calls for 1 1/4 tsp. but I like less)
• 2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil 

Throw it all in the food processor and blend until you get your desired thickness.  Add more olive oil if you like.  Sprinkle with Paprika. 

Merry Christmas!

And for our blast from the past, here's Richard and Buttercup singing a little Christmas carol for you all...

Thanksgiving Tree Tray

Okay, so I unintentionally left out one of the lovely dishes served on Thanksgiving...  Here's a picture of Jen's cheese tray.  See anything special in the cheese?

Go ahead, look again.  See anything now?

Hmmmm... I wonder what she would do with the deviled eggs at Easter?

For All of the Veg-Curious Out There...

So many people ask me what I eat on Thanksgiving, so I thought I would give everyone a run down of my annual tradition, the baking of the Tofurky.  Yes, Virginia, there really is a Tofurky and here it is...

You can buy the Tofurky roast at Raisin Rack or Mustard Seed in the frozen food section and it comes either in the small "roast" box or you can buy the larger "feast" package which includes gravy and other things I really don't bother with...  It's a soy-based roast molded around a stuffing center.  I really don't like the stuffing part, so I usually eat around that.

I usually start with carrots and add onions and the roast, then use the package baste recipe made from olive oil, soy sauce, and sage. Here's the roast about to get basted and put into the oven...

And here's the roast after baking for an hour and a half...

Then it's time to slice...

Then I assemble my dinner to take over to Mom and Dad's, complete with vegan mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms...

Then it's off to dinner with my own original turkey, Richard.  Thanksgivings are always very exciting and you never know what will happen.  Here Dad tries to lure Richard onto his cutting board...

Dad was able to track down the elusive Christmas Ale after receiving a hot tip from a stock boy at Beuhler's.  It was really good...

I couldn't resist trying on the turkey hat.  I enjoyed the irony of it...

What happens when the Godfather is on TV on Thanksgiving?  All of the boys get sucked in front of the television...

Then it was dinner time...  Mom and Dad really know how to do it right.  Did you notice that Mom somehow managed to be outside the frame of all my pictures?  That woman has honed this skill over many holidays and this year was no different.

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, fun, and maybe a little molded soy product!

This weekend I hope to bake up some new delicacies from my new cookbook I got on Wednesday for FREE (50% coupon, $10 Borders bucks...) 

Monkey Stars in "Paranormal Activity 3"

Well, if we weren't sure before that there was an entry point in our roof for water to gather and leak in our living room, we know now that the hole is large enough for a squirrel to come inside from the cold.

While we were watching Glee and election coverage, the cats became intrigued by some noises coming from the ceiling.  I don't think you can hear the goings-on (we think the critter is rolling around an acorn) Monkey is very freaked out.



Don't worry Mom and Dad... We're having someone out this weekend to look at the roof. Maybe he can bring a have-a-heart trap, too?

Halloween 2010

Richard and I headed out to a party at Jeph and Brett's Saturday night.  We were thrilled to be invited and to FINALLY meet them in person after being blog buddies for quite some time now.  They know how to throw a Halloween bash... Lots of fun people in very funny costumes, and lots of really good food.  I'll share a few pictures and a video here, but be sure to check out Jeph's Halloween Party blog for a link to the web album with lots more pictures.

After vetoing almost all of my ideas for costumes this year, Richard and I settled in on Glee-themed costumes.  I went as Sue Sylvester and Richard pulled the artist card and made a "Grilled Cheesus" costume (Season 2, Episode 3).  Too bad... I don't think my Tea Party Protester costume will be as relevant next year....

Check out the picasa album, "Halloween 2010" to see our pictures of the evening.

Halloween 2010

We had a wonderful time and met lots of fun people.  Here's one of the highlights of the evening... The reveal of the winners of the costume contest!

Scout vs. Coffee Maker Box

Whenever we have an empty box in the living room it's always the object of attention for the cats.  We never know how they will play with the box, but it's always entertaining until they destroy it.

Here Scout explores the box that our new coffee maker came in.  We had to cut off the UPC symbol from the bottom of the box to send in for a rebate, so Scout decided to turn the hole into a new game.



Sorry about the coughing fit... It is allergy season!

For other cat in the box shenanigans, see the new "Simon's Cat" cartoon:

Adventures in Potato Harvesting

A couple weeks ago I decided it was time to dig out the potatoes before it started getting too cold.  By the way, potatoes are WAY fun to grow...  If you ever dreamed of being an archaeologist (and be honest, who doesn't dream of being an archeologist? HELLO???? Indiana Jones???), growing potatoes is pretty darn close. 

The real adventure occurred when I stuck my trowel into the ground and a giant toad jumped out at me.  Yes, I screamed really loud and probably gave my neighbors one more reason to cross the street when they walk their dogs...

So what does a gardener do when she uncovers a huge toad?  She yells for her husband to grab the camera, that's what!

Meet Humphrey, our new slug-eating friend.  He's welcome in my garden any time... I just wish he wouldn't jump at my face when I'm digging.