2011 Plans (Less intimidating than "Resolutions")

And hopefully more likely to happen.  Ok, number one is this blog.  I am really enjoying this so I am going to make it better for you, dear reader, and for me.  For you:  better photos, and more regular writing, for me:  better camera and photo taking skills, and more stories.  Got a lot of em.  To come:  Bad tv section, more cooking, spring garden, silly animals, and funny husband and tips from the smallest, coolest house in Alexandria, VA.

If you are celebrating Christmas, have a wonderful, merry day. Don't eat too much and make yourself ill.

Christmas eve lesson:  Before 90 minute mass with lot of singing and where you are the lay reader, do NOT make and tackle a couple pounds of Old Bay shrimp right before.  You will be PARCHED.  Like, uncomfortably.

Love and hugs,
JPV

Making Broth From Scratch on a School Night? What am I, Insane?

Clearly, the answer is yes. I am way too tuckered out on a weeknight.  As calming as it is to chop chop chop.  But I am going to have to pull through because I need to cook or freeze that chicken tomorrow.  Yeah, you're right.  I'll freeze it and make the broth this weekend.

Remember way back to last night when I talked about my one reader?  My mom?  Guess what -- she didn't have time to read today. I find it odd, I told her, seeing as she is still in the hospital with nowhere to go considering she attached to the wall by a suction tube (removing fluid from the lung of the seemingly never-ending pneumonia). And she does get on FB.  And emails me.  No biggie.  Not bitter.

;)  MWAH!  That's a big kiss to Mom. 

Can I make it through tomorrow without hitting the sushi bar at work?  I think not.  Will take photos.

xox

Sunday Night Slice and Dice: Lazy Girl's Chicken Soup with a Side of Dexter

So lazy that I didn't even get around to making it.  Busy, actually.  So busy that I broke down and bought pre-cut chicken breast slices instead of doing a whole chicken.  I'll do a veggie stock from scratch then put in some organic chicken stock and the chicken. Then I guess it is veggie broth with some chicken thrown in (and ginger, love fresh ginger in my broth).  I did watch Dexter, with my Sunday night TV/cooking friend, Ms. Ellen [awesome all around friend, really, but on Sundays, we watch some whatever Sunday night cable show we are into -- and she will eat anything I cook.  THAT is a good (and trusting) friend.] 

I call her Ms. Ellen because when she tells hysterically funny stories about the students she teaches, and quotes them, I hear her say "Mees Ellennnnn" frequently.  We religiously waited for JRM (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) in the Tudors every Sunday night. (*sigh*) And now we are into Dexter, though it stresses the heck out of both of us way too late on a school night.  Next week is season finale. Our nerves will get a break.  We''stick to me cooking, and both of us eating.

Back to chicken soup, or veggie broth with chicken in it (and soba noodles, maybe, hmmmm).  Monday night. Hubby will keep calling my mother in the hospital to make sure she stays awake for the Patriots game (football?  hockey?  ;)  while I make soupie soup (as favorite neighbor Donna calls it.  Even though she's about to move far far away, a whole ten minutes and I am very sad.  til then, my favorite neighbor).

Be back with magical busy girl soup!

Til next time, fair reader (and I do mean singular, because I believe there is only one.  And it is my mother)