To Do List and recipe request

[stoney321]

• remember to link tx_cronopio to fundraising page - almost there! ($200 in cash isn't showing yet)
• make second pot of coffee
• stare at something until caffeine kicks in
• stare at this: =^.^=
• stare at actual cat
• DON'T BLINK
• ...sucker. They always win
• make Nov. calendar for fridge - circle weekend of 7th - visit from C + C music factory?
• realize that joke wasn't funny because no one knows you mean Chris and Chrissy
• take meds
• tag last entry
• decongest
• go to dentist appointment EARLY in hopes of them stopping excruciating pain sooner
• stop by Central Market for parmesean rind for soup (recipe below)
• finish laundry - WASH SHEETS, eww.
• vacuum/sweep/mop
• polish table - get ball point pen out of wood table
• possibly beat children to remind them to NOT DRAW ON THE FURNITURE
• create alibi in case they've wised up to CPS calling procedures
• remember to put disclaimer in LJ that you don't ACTUALLY beat your children
• much
• ever! Never ever.
• except for all the times you did
• wash counters - use super awesome State Fair cleaner to get out stains
• is that coffee ready yet?
• stare at monitor
• maybe Mahjongg until it's ready
• call for estimates to dig up sod, till in compost for new front beds
• because I am getting too old for this shit
• laugh at cliche lines from movies
• realize you are all alone laughing
• the cats are staring
• DON'T BLINK
• dammit. Darthanne is a GRAND CHAMPEEN
• heh. Peen.
• good god, do something about your hair
• step away from the 'puter.
• link the nice people to the best videos EVER - the GI Joe parody PSA vids, Jesus, it hurts laughing this hard! This one is clearly the funniest thing EVER IN THE HISTORY OF LAUGHING
• No, wait. This one. Ahahahahaha. Ha.
• Get coffee - no seriously. Get up and get it.
• lay head down on desk and nap - sew tyred, ewe guise

Winter Minestrone - a.k.a. Mom Needs to Clean Out the Vegetable Drawer Soup

Swiss Chard, de-veined (chopped and added, too) and thinly julienned
1 acorn squash, quartered, roasted, peeled, chopped into cubes
yellow squash cubed
zucchini cubed
garlic cloves, cubed. Hahaha. chopped
roast two red peppers - cut into dodecahedrons. Or cubed, if you're LAZY.
cannelloni beans, drained
chicken stock (or veggie stock) to cover + an inch
Salt/pepper to taste

Bring to a boil, turn down to simmer for half hour. Add Parmesan cheese rind for 15 minutes to thicken, remove. Can freeze before cooking and adding cheese - will keep for 4 months in airtight container. Will keep for two days in non-airtight container. Will stain freezer and make disgusting mess if you just toss the stuff into the freezer sans any form of container. Also, seriously. IS THAT COFFEE DONE YET?

Anyone have biscuit/bread recipes that call for buttermilk that they love? I have excess buttermilk, and it's not like I'm gonna drink that stuff. DING! Coffee. *drags self to pot* OMG The Office tonight with Jim/Pam. Someone invent a time machine to speed this day UP.

Comments

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

Ooo, the minestrone sounds delicious. I love fall weather because it means soups and stews (and college football and sweaters)!

I cannot WAIT for The Office tonight!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, how I love soup. And warm bread, mmmmmmmm. LEE. Are you watching Friday Night Lights?? Because you totally should be.

I am excited for The Office, too, and wanting Jim and Pam to speak, but I was secretly loving Jim flirting with the new office girl in Scranton...

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

I LOVE FNL! It's one of my new favorites of the season and definitely one of my favorites of all the shows I'm watching right now. entrenous88 and I discussed our love for the show the other night. I'm totally enamored with this show and the characters. SO MUCH LOVE.

I hope the keep the Jim/New Girl flirtation a little bit more. As long as Jim is flirting I don't care if it's with a dirty sock.

[tinpanalley.livejournal.com]

I have lots of love for minestrone so I'm definitely going to try that recipe! And, then the world will drop dead from surprise because I'm cooking.

*wishes you much luck and productivity on your things-to-do*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I love soup of all kinds! And this is something I just sort of go with the flow... If I don't have something, I'll stick something else in. I've put pumpkin cubes in it once before, mmmmmm.

Soup rules because you can just stick anything in a pot and it will be good, thus sayeth I.

*eyeballs list with suspicion*

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

I love Minestrone. I have tagged your recipe in my delicious bookmarks. Do you pronounce it with a long 'e' at the end? Some people don't, but I always have. So I've got it named Stoney's Minestrone which kinda rhymes and I think that'll make it taste even better. Don't you? ;-)

I made chili a few weeks ago (about 5 qts of it so we've still got two baggies in the freezer) and I just sort of threw stuff in. Chris was a little horrified that I didn't a) use a recipe or b) buy a packet of 'chili mix'. I looked at him like he was on crack and explained that 'chili mix' is just a bunch of spices I already have in the cupboard. I got a bunch of different beans, some diced tomatoes and tomatoe sauce, a mix of leftover ground beef and ground turkey that needed to be used before they spoiled, some canned corn, plus some peppers and onions. It came out great. To mollify him I wrote down how much of everything so I now have a recipe for in the future. Maybe I should post it. Hmm...

Oh yeah, beat those kids. I'll be a character witness for you in court. *g* Honestly though? I have a friend who I would never leave alone with children because she does think it's okay to use physical punishment but I don't think she knows where to draw the line. I just ... I get that some people spank their kids (I was spanked), but I just think there are better ways.

My mom and I had a disagreement about this last time I went to visit her. She said all kids need a good beating now and then. I replied that spanking and beating were not the same and that no child should ever have to be afraid of their parents. She asked if I had ever been afraid and I just turned and looked out the window (we were in the car). My spankings were never bad, but I was always afraid that my mother was going to snap. The few times she did I was lucky that she just screamed and sent me to my room for when my dad came home. She was at least aware of the fact that when she snapped she was out of control. Ahh, childhood memories.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Heeee, I TOTALLY pronounce it with the long ee, and yes, I would think rhymes make the food test better. Hahaha. Red beans and rice did miss her.

Oooh, post that chili recipe!! That's about how I make it, too, although there is a growing contingent in our house that frowns on beans, but that's a Texas thing. (I usually use ground turkey and they DO NOT KNOW, hahahaha.)

And yes, I have no problems with corporal punishment if the situation warrants. But yeah - there's a difference between spanking and beating. When your kid flinches from you? That's a sign. It's true that I've snapped (my opinion) and have just screamed at the boy, but I'm a big fan of asking his forgiveness for not holding my temper, and then getting him to apologize for not being in control, or whatever caused me to snap. I want him to see that sometimes I lose control, but it's not OKAY. Same for him.

My mom was the one who lost it, too. My dad always felt so bad for having to punish him. We sensed weakness early on and exploited it. Hahaha. My mom? She'd go fucking apeshit on us.

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

For my dad giving the spankings was like taking out the trash -- he did it when my mom asked and there was no emotional attachment to it. Usually I got in trouble when he was at work, so he wasn't the one who was angry. I think that worked well. My mother's a psycho nutcase.

I know a lot of people don't do beans in the chili and I get that. But it's the beans that make it so yummy for me. I make a white chicken chili too that is yummy.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Aw, Sal... I just saw your donation. You are an absolute TREASURE. Thank you so much. I've been all weepy about this walk this week. My Finish Line shirt came in, and I'm starting to decorate it with all of the survivors and succumbers (I like making up words) that I'm carrying with me on this walk, and I'm just gobsmacked by your generosity.

Hearts times a million.

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome. I was very lucky to make my fundraising goal when I did the AIDS marathon, so I like to turn that generosity around to others when I can. Plus, I have family and friends who have been affected by breast cancer, so it's a personal issue too. *hugs*

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Parmesan cheeeeese...yummmm...

I wanna cube some cloves! I had three, now I have nine! Ha!

Enjoy thy coffee while I share with thee two (yes, 2) biscuit recipes.

--Biscuit recipe, comfort food variant:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl. Cut in the shortening by hand, and add the buttermilk just until dry ingredients are moistened. A sticky dough will result.

Turn the dough out on a floured board and knead the dough no more than 3 or 4 times. Do't manhandle the dough! Less manhandling (or womanhandling)=flakier, fluffier biscuit.

Roll or pat to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with whatever you have handy (I have one of thoe old Coca-Cola fountain glasses). Take about a teaspoon-tablespoon of shortening and melt it down (I just leave it in a bowl on the stovewhile the oven preheats); brush the tops and bottoms of the biscuits. Better than egg wash!

Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.


--Biscuit recipe, artery-clogging variant:

Bacon Onion Cheese Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup minus 1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
4-5 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Cut in the shortening with your hands (I stop when I get to the pebbly stage). Add the milk, cheese, chopped onion and crumbled bacon, just until dry ingredients are moistened. A sticky dough will result.

Turn the dough out on a floured board and knead the dough 3 or 4 times. No manhandling! I learned this the hard way. Eww.

Roll or pat to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with whatever's handy. Do that brush-with-shortening thing.

Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.

Enjoy!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

GLAH. Oh my stars and garters, those sound SO GROOD. And you are correct with the lack of manhandling with biscuit dough. I've found that to be true with rolls, as well. The less touching, and the less flour for rolling/cutting, the lighter they end up.

YUM. Oh, man I'm salivating. THANK YOU!!! *cubes you, then multiplies by a factor of 10!*

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

You are most welcome. My many cubelings smile with culinary glee!

[crevette.livejournal.com]

Damn you. Due to that link to the Mahjong, I will GET NOTHING DONE TODAY!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha, MAHJONGG WINS AGAIN!!

how are YOU, cookie? Feeling more human post-walk??? (I'm getting so excited/nervous/weepy/rarin' to go for mine in 7 days!!!)

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

"Last one there's a penis pump." Oh Stoney! I just watched those vids. Now I'm watching He-Man: The Quest for Chicken. I'm supposed to be working. This is all your fault.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

ISN'T THAT HILARIOUS? "Give him the stick. DON'T GIVE HIM THE STICK!" I have all 25 on my hard drive, if you need me to zip them up and YSI them to you later today...

HE-MAN. Have you seen the 4 Non Blondes cover video??

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've seen that (and have it bookmarked). So freakin' funny. I'd love the GI Joe vids. Send 'em on over. *g*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee! I will! (Just back from the dentoost, so I need the distraction from the puff-face.)

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

Sweet. I posted links to you know what. If you want to add links, feel free. I've approved the people who've applied so far.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

AWESOME. I do see that, and it looks pretty. Mind if I put up a smoke screen on the user info page? If you dun lyk, baleete it.

:DDD

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

Do what ever you want, sweetie. We need to put together rules and stuff too.

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I'd never try to stare down Darthanne, she might be considering whether I was good eating.

Hey, sorry your tooth is still hurting! I hope the dentist fixes you right up.

Question: what do you use to get pen marks off your wood table? Nathan used some supposedly washable marker on our table one time, and it never did come off. I'm curious to know whether I could try your method on our table.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

I can't watch the vids til later. *cries*

Buttermilk? Red Velvet Cake, maybe? Ranch Dressing? Pancakes? I'm so freakin' healthy...I do have more buttermilk recipes, but they're at home.

Are you getting all geared up for your walk? Tootsies tuff-enuff? I'm so excited! And proud. *tear*

I'm having Indian food for lunch today! And trying to introduce Eddie to it. We'll see how that goes!

One woman, one cat enter. One of them leaves. Darthanne is a Thunder-cat, foolish woman! I hate trying to type at this office. Too many distractions. Parmesan rules.

<-- Darthanne and Hope

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Heeeeee! I'm looking for buttermilk bread recipes, preferably to go with soups and things, but the Red Velvet Cake... Man, I forgot that uses it. I should make one this weekend!

Man, Darthanne is the one cat to rule them all. Except Hope's all frisky lately and trying to play with her, and Darthanne is RUNNING AWAY. I think from love, but maybe... JUST MAYBE I HAVE A NEW FIERCE CAT. Except for her being a skitty. (Our coined word for scared kitty)

I'm all puffy faced from the dentoost and laughing at myself in the mirror, hahahaha! Ow.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup stone ground cornmeal
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cups whole corn kernels (fresh, blanched or canned and drained)

Preheat cast iron skillet or corn stick mold in a 425 degree oven. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients with a wooden spoon, do not overmix. Remove baking dish from oven and grease with vegetable spray or brush with melted butter. Add batter and bake for 10 to 15 minutes for sticks and 20 minutes for loaf or cake.

Very nice with soup, especially a hearty soup like your Minestrone.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, good lord that sounds WONDERFUL. Mmmmmmm, cornbread. I think I know what I'm making with tonight's soup, THANK YOU!!!!!

♥

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Ooooohhhh...with chili...or with collard greens...hunnngryyyyyy...

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Back from dentist? What is the tooth report? I hope positive, with markedly decreased ouchage.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee hee! I *am* back from the dentist! I was able to avoid a root canal - narrowly! - and am plied with soup and Advil, so I'm feeling SO MUCH BETTER. Hurrah!

Thank you for asking, sweetheart!!

[bollix.livejournal.com]

I have no biscuit recipes, but this is the most amazing carrot cake recipe in the UNIVERSE, and it uses buttermilk:

2 c All purpose flour
2 ts Soda
1/2 ts Salt
2 ts Ground cinnamon
3 Eggs; well beaten
3/4 c Vegetable oil
3/4 c Buttermilk
2 c Sugar
2 ts Vanilla extract
1 cn Crushed pineapple; drained,
- 8-oz can
2 c Grated carrots
1 cn Flaked coconut; 3 1/2-oz can
1 c Walnuts; chopped

Bake at 325 for 45-55 min. in a 13 x 9 x 2 pan.

Frosting: 1 8 oz block & one 3 oz block cream cheese
2 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter
2 tsp. vanilla

Allow butter & cream cheese to soften at room temperature. Use a mixer & HEY VOILA!! Everyone loves you.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

alskhfouiebskdjfn;ksjnvw;iusdbv;!!!

Dude, that looks SCRUMPTIOUS. Carrot cake is in my top five cakes of all time, YUM!!!! Thanks for this!

♥

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I have never hit Doodle. I smacked Aaron across the cheek once (and then felt the guiltiest guilt of all time. I out-guilted Angel which is no mean feat) because he knows how to push all of my buttons at the exact same time. It doesn't help that you can catch him with his hand in the cookie jar with cookie crumbs all over his body and he will still look you straight in the eye and say, "Twasn't me." At the ripe of 16, he's grown up a lot but he still has a take no prisioner attitude toward everything.

That minestrone sounds delish.

Mashed potatoes made with buttermilk instead of milk and butter are quite tasty and nicely tangy.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, yum. I'm totally in a mashed potato kinda mood, too! (The minestrone was SOOOO grood last night, too.)

And yeah - I feel guilty afterwards, but sometimes it's the only way (spankings) to break through the "performance" The Boy is notorious for, and get him back to earth. I don't have to spank the girls - I can guilt them into confessions, good behavior, etc. in five words or less. :)

[lettered.livejournal.com]

Hee! This is the best to do list ever! But my s-i-l tells me to blink at cats a lot because she says they think you're challenging them if you stare outright and then they are hostile towards you. Is this not so? Because I *always* do staring contests with cats and then feel bad about it, like I'm sending mixed messages when I pet them.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee hee!! That is TOTALLY true about cats, yes. BUT. If you narrow your eyes and blink slowly, they will come to you for snuggles. TRY IT AND SEE. I coax my kitties into my lap with that all the time. It's like they think you're a fellow cat wanting to snuggle and sleep, and they join in. Awwww.

[lettered.livejournal.com]

I do narrow my eyes and blink. But they never come to me. It makes me sad. Few things make me happier than a cat in my lap--they're so warm and they get heavy and purry and I just feel so much like I'm doing something right--but they never seem to want to.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

See, they clearly know you want it, and as is their nature, are denying you. What you need is my elderly, drooly cat, Scrappy. He's too dumb to realize someone may not WANT him in their lap, making biscuits and drooling on their clothes, and so he leaps.

And digs his claws in so you can't move him away. Hahahaha.

[lettered.livejournal.com]

I love Scrappy.
On the whole, I definitely love old cats best.