Diversity was an old, old wooden ship from the Civil War.

[stoney321]

Recs/Pimps
Reading

• This terrific story about The Mayor by bookishwench Hasn't gotten nearly enough attention, given all the proclaimed Mayor fans out there. Very nice and slightly poignant.
• This great fic (not crack, although she claims it is) by tkp Post NFA with a slightly AU twist = The mindwipe still holds on Connor. Awesome, and there's more to it here.
• A FANTASTIC Pam story for The Office fandom by sophia_helix. It's not canon now that we've seen the season opener, but it's wonderfully written and funny and sad, too.
• The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman, aka PC on the Apple/PC commercials. Funny parody of a Farmer's almanac.
• -I still have fics to read by Chrisleeoctaves and Kita. I need more TIME...

Miscellaneous

• My new shoes from Brooks: Universal platform (I pronate on one leg, suponate on the other), Adrenaline GTS Six. DO not buy crappy footwear, people. Says the girl with horrid knees/feet/arthritis.
• My second pair of new shoes from Sacony (I almost gave up on them. ALMOST.) Hurricane Grid. Thick thick thick heel padding and motion control. For people who roll their ankles a lot. *raises hand*
• My pedometer from Sharper Image: steps today: 15,748 Translation: 12.1 miles. The FM radio blows, however.
• My fan-freaking-tastic chile rellenos stuffed with shrimp and tilapia - recipe to follow under a cut.
• Steel cut Irish oats with raisins, pecans, and a touch of cinnamon for breakfast. My tummy is pleased.

Anti-Recs:

• FM radio. All of it. Every last channel, except for WRR here in Dallas, because it's the best classical station ever.
• NPR for long walks. Not. Motivational. At all.
• Book Six in the Outlander series. I'm sticking it out because I have completion issues, but JESUS, Gabaldon! Get over yourself and quit writing soft-core porn. People in their 50s who run a farm in the 18th Century are most likely too tired to bone all the damn time. They need to SLEEP.
• My husband telling me that the above mentioned chile rellenos are "fantastic!" but somehow not good enough to serve company. And when I ask him "the hell??" his reply is that I can't take criticism. I'm still trying to understand how "this is FANTASTIC! But not for people outside our home" is criticism. Help?

Recipe!

6 large poblano peppers (Hatch, if you can get 'em.)
1 pound shrimp, shelled, raw
2 fillets Tilapia (or other mild-flavored white fish. Could sub. with scallops or crab meat)
1/2 C low-fat sour cream
1/2 C combo cheddar/jack cheeses
1 can Rotel tomatoes or Del Monte Mexican Style toms (dude, save time and use a can.)
1 red pepper, to be roasted with poblanos
Juice of 1/2 lime
Cumin/Chile powder

Rice and beans for side dish? Or salad? You pick. Preheat oven to 375.

Roast the peppers on the grill or stove-top until blackened all over. Slip off burnt skin under running water, cut off tops and core the seeds, set aside. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In large mixing bowl add shrimp, cover with tomatoes and lime. Dice red pepper and add, along with sour cream, cheese, and a tsp. of cumin and chile powder (more to suit your tastes).

Stuff the peppers, set on their sides on baking sheet, and top with a little extra cheese, if desired. Roast for 25 minutes - check the shrimp for pink color. That's when they're done. Serves 6 (or three really REALLY hungry people.)

I'm going to experiment with a dash of tequilla before baking - see if that jazzes up the taste a bit. Mmmmmmmm. Confidential to anelith: thanks for the Vindaloo recipe!! I'm going to try that later this week, and I'll pass on the paneer recipe when I can track it down.

Comments

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Shrimp in Spanish = camarón.

I'd go for rice and beans as a side. Yum! I'd certainly love o come over for this dish.

Hey...maybe he wants to save up on the dish. Like, he doesn't want to share it, 'cause he wants it all for himself. Maybe?

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Not Caza by a ong shot, but love me some camarones.

And I bet you'd love KPLU-FM, which is NPR- blues and jazz with Morning Edition and ATC. I'm motivated by KUOW, with is NPR but that's because music gives me sensory overload unless I can sit still and listen well; words I can float over. Funny how different people are about these things (although I admit to being very weird, and thereby annoying friends with "talk radio").

Icon is the lilies I was talking about earlier. They should be six feet tall, but I planted them the week after the fourth of July, and then the temps got up to triple digits for a week, and then it got cool, so they stayed hunkered down to the ground for protection, I think.

Julia, also thanks for the pimp of the mayor story; quite perfect and must rec!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

THAT'S RIGHT. Man, I'm so out of touch - I used to be fairly bilingual... *makes adjustments*

And I don't think so. He's weird about some of his old friends. Like, I think he wants me to cook Beef Wellington for his friends. AT A BBQ type setting. Dude, no. That's a bit too fancy for folks in shorts with beer, you know?

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Ha! Does Mr. Stoney have something against CHEESE? *eyes him suspiciously*

You know, I gave up on my New Balance shoes recently. I mean, OW! The hell was that about, I still don't know. I think I just got a lemon pair, the way you can sometimes buy a crappy car from what's supposed to be a good make.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I love NPR when I'm home. When I'm at mile 10 and feeling like curling up in the shrubbery, I need some Stevie Wonder or Earth, Wind, and Fire to pep my pootie.

Oooh, look at those Star-gazers!! I grow those, but for us, they bloom in May, typically around Mother's Day. Those may be my most favorite lily of them all. And the SCENT! Mmmmm. SIX FEET?!? Christ. They only grow to 4 feet, here, but spread nicely, so I'll take it. *envies*

Oh, crap! you've had a Five Things, too, right? *adds that to list of the catching up variety*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

NO! He loves cheese! This is company we haven't seen in years (and kind of an unspoken rival, methinks. They grew up together and I think they have pissing contests of "who's done better." Bah, I say.) See comment above where he thinks Beef Wellington would be a good choice. (Hahaha. NO.)

New Balance are usually rock solid for me, but I've bought that lemon pair, yep. (You know, they'll take them back and replace them if there's a defect! I've held shoe companies accountable. *g*)

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Um! Recipe sounds great!

Husbands are an odd lot, aren't they? I'd chalk it up to a testosterone-charged brain misfire.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

HE IS A WEIRDO. And he could NOT understand why I boggled. "It's fantastic?" Yes. "You loved it?" Really, really good sweetie. "But you don't think I can serve it to people outisde of this house?" Absolutely not. It needs work. *KILLS*

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Not Stargazer, although that's a parent; Imperitor, which is L. longicuspus X orientale and blooms in August when planted in May; on the other hand, in May the bulbs are $19.98 for three, and I paid about half that on the last day of June.

Yeah, I've got a five things out there. It's OK, if a bit long for the meme.

Julia, off to grab a photo

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

AHA! So he would like it if you served Zee Fancy Theeengs. Maybe Osso Bucco? Or you should make something down home that just has a fancy NAME. OR you could easily sell the Rellenos by saying you got the recipe as a secret from a charming little SUPER EXPENSIVE INN! Take that, rival friends! :D

Yeah, I should take them back. I've thought about giving them away, just in case it's me and the footbed not getting along. I've never worn NB's before that, and I'm unlikely to do so again on the off chance they just aren't right for me. But if they're of use to people, I'd like to have someone else have them.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Book six is out? *squeels*

Fucking love that series. Mmmm. In fact, the Outlander books inspired the handfasting ceremony of my RPS character, complete with a circle of stones and everything.

*bounces*

Gonna be getting #6 soon, yes indeedy.

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the husband's criticism. WTF?

You like the Brooks shoes? I've never tried them, but I love Saucony's Hurricane Grid. I also like New Balance, but they stopped making the style I used to wear and I can't remember the model that replaced it. I'm currently running in Asics Gel Kayanos. I love them and I'm really due for a new pair, especially since I've started running again (once a week mixed with my other stuff is not too harsh for me). I just went to the Asics site and they've got this new Gel-Kinsei that looks awesome, but at $165 I don't think so. I can get a really good shoe for a little less than that, thanks. I don't mind spending good money for shoes, but I also like to weigh my options.

People in their 50s who run a farm in the 18th Century are most likely too tired to bone all the damn time. They need to SLEEP.
Dude, I'm 31 and I work at a desk and I need to sleep. *g*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I think he was just being cantakerous. Which... QUIT. And seriously, these friends are so down to earth, I don't know WHY he was being like that. Chuh.

Well, I don't know what your foot is like, but a good shoe store (that sells running/walking shoes) should have someone on hand that can watch your walk in your socks and find a good one for your foot. And while I"ve not had problems with NB before, who's to say that you don't have a special-shaped foot that requires a specific type? *protects your feet, omg* I would just hate to have you eat the cost of your shoes, you know? But sometimes it's just easier to get a new pair than deal with the hassle of salespeople, sure.

*squish*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It IS out - in paperback, but I gotta say I'm having a hard time sticking with it. And I think I'm one of the few that liked Book 5! I'm holding fast, and hoping it picks up steam soon. (I'm on page 139 and it feels like she's STILL setting it up, sheesh!)

And I really REALLY love this series, too. It's my guilty pleasure. :D

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

This is random as all hell buuuuuuut. I had a dream about you last night. *waggles eyebrows*

Actually, it was you and Mr. Stoney (my mind's version of Mr. Stoney, anyway) and the three of us were at a bar. You sat in Mr. Stoney's lap because you didn't like chairs and I danced and sang on top of the bar. Of course, being me and my weird brain, I wasn't doing any sexy dances. No, I sang and acted out "I'm a Little Teapot" repeatedly while you and Mr. Stoney cheered me on.

Yeah. It was. . . interesting.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'd used Sacony RELIGIOUSLY in the past, but their new low-end Jazz series blows chunks. SO I was so happy to get the Hurricane. I have a heavy heel, so YAYNESS! If Asics makes a motion control shoe, I'm there. I'm so sold on the stiffness... These Brooks are KICK ASS. My knees are very happy in them. The Brooks ran me about 85 bones, and the Hurricane was 115, but the shoe store gave me a 10% discount for doing the 3 Day, SWEET! And yeah - I spend money for good footwear, but I don't foolishly buy shoes. *pointed look at Adiddas and Nike for making crappy and expensive shoes!*

And hahahaha! I swear, there have been 5 bouts of fornication between this couple, and I'm only on page 139 of 979!! long-winded much? *sleeps with YOU, omg*

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yeah, five wasn't as good as the first four but I can't quit reading. Same thing with the Jean M. Auel series-her last book I could have gone without reading but just had to.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You DID?!? NICE. *beams* Lee, you crop up in my thoughts all the time - why can't you live CLOSER?? We could totally do teas and fun shopping lunches and watch football and I'd hook you up with the wealthy professional guys Mr. S works with!

And I would SO cheer you on singing me that! Ahahahahahaha!! *points to icon* That's Mr. S. *beams* He's a hunk.

[brandil.livejournal.com]

I'm reading the Gabaldon stuff and am on Book 3. So far the second is my favorite. I read really horrible reviews for all the books past 4 at Amazon ...

The recipe sounds really yummy. WTF is wrong with Mr. Stoney does he want you to serve a four course meal or something?

I meant to read that Mayor fic but forgot to save it off the newsletter, thank you! The TKP fics are really great - I didn't fall head over heels with Kita's and I just can't read B/A it makes me sick to my stomach - but I have heard great things about Chrislee's.

Um yeah, that's it.

[lettered.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks.

Oh, and dude, those fics by Kita and Chris. So. freakin. good.

You walk so damn much.

I hate the radio, too.

Mmm, food! Except I don't like shrimp. I love poblanos, though. I want a vindaloo recipe! I got Indian spices for my birthday, and so far I made one great chicken thing and one really bad chicken thing. Oy.

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Oh, and forgot to say...

I gave up on Gabaldon after Book 4. And damn, that first one was SO good. I still get goosebumbs when I think about that scene where she saw the smallpox vaccination scar. But IMO once she took 'em to America? So over! Good to know that I don't need to give Book 6 a chance.

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

ZOMG! *moves to your house* Are you within driving distance of Sue? Because if she's still doing that thing next year, maybe I can take a few extra days off work and drive to see you. And then we can make my dream come true!!! HAHAHAHAH!! I do an *excellent* "I'm a Little Teapot"!

YAY! I pictured Mr. Stoney right! I knew I had seen him before (and possibly remarked that he is hunkalicious) but in the dream last night, I wasn't sure if it was really Mr. Stoney's face or man-from-the-TV-right-before-bed.

*points to icon* That's Mr. Southernbangel. He just doesn't quite know it yet.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I actually liked 4, and 3 turned out to be my favorite over all. *cough* Ships, wot? But 5 was fine, she just goes on and on and on and... It's like those 100+ chapter fanfics. They're SO IN LOVE with every word, they won't let anything be cut. Gabaldon is reaching Anne Riceian proportions in the "no-editing" game. YOW. But I do love the cahracters...

I do not KNOW what is wrong with him! And seriously: is SO GROOD. you should make and tell me how it turned out! (And I'll re-post when I know how the tequila makes it MORE AWESOME. How could it not?)

I loved those stories by TKP - I owe her fb for the second part. Her writing fits my brain. Same with Kita - I've just not gotten to it. And I'll say this re: Chrislee: she writes TIGHT. It's dark as hell, usually, but it's TIGHT. Whyfore you get sick to yore stummach?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I DO walk so damn much! And I've got more to go! *is on a training schedule* It's for a fundraiser - Susan G. Komen.

RADIO BLOWS. No shrimp? You could make the same recipe with chicken, or with other seafoods you prefer, like scallops and or crab meat. Mmmmm, rellenos! If you'll give me a bit, I'll forward the Chicken Vindaloo recipe to you - it looks GOOOOOOD. I think I may love Indian food most of all, but it's a close tie with Japanese. *oh so fresh!*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm sticking around in hopes it'll improve, but I freely admit that I'm one of the only people around here that loved them going to America. (I want to know what the hell her dead husband knew!! He TRAINED Briana. Hmmmmm.)

That scene with the vaccination scar was SO FREAKING GOOD. Same here with the goosebumps.