Category: update

This is the second time in not so many months that I’ve gotten this bright red notice when I log into my credit card account. I actually really appreciate that Citibank is on the ball, but it’s a bit embarrassing running down a list of recent charges and admitting ‘yes, that was me’ to each one.

Import Japanese video game? Yes, yes, I ordered that.

$1.99 from iTunes? Um, yup, bought an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Newegg.com? Okay, so I bought another video game. Jeez.

Perhaps it’s time to lay off the ‘Place Order’ button. I may need to stay away from the Internets altogether in my free time. Of course that would mean no updates here, so I can’t very well do that. Am I the only one that gets these calls? Do I really make more online purchases than the average cardholder?

It has been awhile since I’ve added new items to my regular cooking repertoire. Well, I guess I tried the Brussels sprouts, but I’m talkin’ main dishes here. Meals.

I need some inspiration. I don’t get Food Network and PBS is showing ‘Viewers Favorites’ today so there won’t be any Mark Bittman or Everyday Food to study.

In my head, I picture something noodly or rice-based or chock full of beans. I don’t know. Something new and delicious. Sans exotic ingredients.

I know it’s a broad request. Maybe a nice go-to recipe of someone else would fit the bill. A lunch or dinner you’ve got down pat.

I gotta say I am really enjoying all the feedback. So many great ideas for Brussels sprouts. Before that it was the book suggestions.

Generally I think the mission statement for my blog is something like this:

“Keep people far and near updated on the Annie Jo goings on”

Since a lot of friends and family live far away, it’s an attempt to connect. But I like the addition of this ‘forth’ to my ‘back’ (or vice-versa?), so please keep it coming.

It turned out delicious. I made the no-knead special.

The first time I tried this, it was brilliant. The second time I made the recipe, the dough was terribly sticky and I later realized that I had measured the water incorrectly, putting too much in. The bread was good, but a dish towel was nearly lost in the process. This third time around I added some walnuts and it produced quite a tasty loaf.

I say, give this bread a try if you haven’t already. If anybody is wondering, I use a 2 quart Pyrex glass bowl with a lid (fairly inexpensive at Target if I remember correctly). I will also mention that I get my yeast from Costco because it’s about $3 for a huge sack of it that lasts for months.

Today’s lunch menu featured roasted brussels sprouts.  I can’t remember ever eating the vegetable before, but we all know of their less than stellar reputation.  I cut them in half, put them in a hot oven with olive oil, salt and pepper and waited for a nice crisp brown exterior.

Honestly I was frightened of eating them.  They were decent.  Some were better than others (the smaller ones).  I bought a bag of them so I had no choice in which individual sprouts came home with me.  I might try selecting them with care and giving them another go.  It takes me awhile to warm to new things, anyway.

Anybody else have experience with the infamous sprout?

After ignoring my poor little scoot for quite some time, I ventured out to the garage and wheeled it into the daylight.  About eight strenuous kickstarts later, the engine was up and running.  I was really just planning on letting it warm up to make sure winter hadn’t sucked all the life out of it, but the somewhat warm day lured me into a short ride.

So all is well on two wheels here and the temperature has dropped back down.  It seemed winter had left, the snow is just about melted, but snow is now back in the forecast.  I will be glad to make good use of my cold weather winter loot.

My nephew popped onto the scene this morning at 7:10am.  He is bright eyed and ready to make his way in the world.

Some of the rest of us are a little tired, most especially Oliver’s mom (way to go Marika!!!!!).

He just squeaked under the New Year’s wire and I am thankful he arrived before I had to leave.   More later, for sure.

The Nintendo Wii I tracked down more than two months ago and eagerly anticipated giving to my Mom for Christmas was stolen right out of my luggage on my trip from Boston to Seattle.

I packed my stuff, took the bus to the subway to the bus to the airport and arrived in good time on Christmas Eve evening. The nice ticket agent checked me in right away (there’s never a line at the Alaska Airlines desk in Boston) and threw my Wii stuffed bag on the conveyor belt.

Right from baggage claim on the other end I noticed the zipper on my bigger suitcase was a little open. A few steps later the bag looked noticeably droopy as the Wii box had made the soft sides look squared.

At that point my heart sank and I think I knew what had happened. A frantic look inside confirmed my suspicion that a sticky fingered baggage handler or whatever kind of airport employee had taken my lovingly acquired Nintendo Wii. My Mom’s Christmas present. On Christmas Eve.

Call me naive but my one concern with checking the Wii in my luggage was that it would be damaged. But I figured that it was tucked into its packaging and surrounded by some clothes.

Here is what I have learned:

• Alaska Airlines reserves the right to steal electronics from checked luggage
• Alaska Airlines employees have no kind words or sympathy for victims of stolen Christmas presents
• People steal stuff (I have “learned” this many times, perhaps this is a refresher)
• Vans are the perfect shoe for airport security

So since TSA inspected my bag, my only recourse is to file a claim with them. That should be a great success.

I did not bring my own Wii thinking we’d play Mom’s. So I am Wiiless on what should have been a Wii-filled Christmas (brother got a Wii from Mom and me). The money down the drain and the fact that I can’t just waltz into a store and buy a new one (scarce supply) was bothersome. Mom’s not having a big gift to open Christmas morning was more bothersome. Christmas was still awesome though and we’ll (brother and me) make it up to Mom whether she likes it or not.

I think we got at least another 4″ of snow today. While I don’t have a photo (my resolution for 2008 might be to take more photos and I’m hoping Santa brings me some things to ease that process), I will show you my footwear. They may look a little clunky but I am grateful for them.

Warm and toasty. Sturdy and dry. Harvard Square gets a little squishy when snow is around and these puppies do a fine job of cutting through the slush and tromping over the crusties.