Hump Day, hey!

[stoney321]

That subject line works better if you throw in some street moves, like going down on one hand and kicking your legs up while your homies clap rhythmically. Ah, to be a break dancer in 1983...

Today is a day of awesomeness. I will bullet point them for clarity and simplicity.

• swmbo got the bacon-chocolate I sent her and we will determine ONCE AND FOR ALL if it is delicious. My thanks to LutherCorp for serving as a testing facility. (hahaha)
• I have scheduled surgery on my knee, and I no longer need total knee replacement, which is AWESOME. Let's hear it for regular, steady exercise and yoga!
• plans have been solidified to go to the BFF's for Spring Break and see the horses and manatees (there are manatees in the river/spring behind her house! MANATEES.)
• she might be getting Junior Brown back (due to sad circumstances, but BABY HORSE back with its mama! \o/)
• Today is a new day with no mistakes in it (and lots of sunshine predicted)
• Two days left until the weekend!
• Perfect scores on Jessica, Bad Reputation, and Jordan yesterday, including a high score that NO ONE IN MY HOUSE CAN BEAT, aww yeah [/Guitar Hero dorkout]
• I will be getting Rock Star this weekend, because I'm dying to get the Metallica pack. METALLICA! Oh my god. I'm so there it's INSANE [/Eunice]
• finding out that the "shaman" seen with Paris "Just one more cock, mom!" Hilton is an OUT OF WORK ACTOR, ahahaha
• and lastly, having done my civic duty last night and caucusing, even though Texas has a STOOPID Dem. convention (and my county carried Obama, WHOO freaking HOO!)

Feel free to comment with all the good things in your life! *passes around punch and pie* <-- which reminds me, I found the BEST blueberry pie recipe. I'll add an ETA (and a cut) later for those who wanted one the other day. HOLY YUM. (Esp. with the homemade French vanilla bean ice cream. And I STILL dropped two pounds this week. DUDE. Life is sweet.)


Deep Dish Blueberry pie

(I have a 10 inch ceramic pie dish, and used pre-made pie crusts, because life is too short. haha.)

The Filling
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons rum or water (I used water this go 'round. I am surrounded by a complete lack of rum at the moment)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
8 cups blueberries, picked over

An egg wash made by beating 1 egg with 2 teaspoons water
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar (I omitted this step, and it came out delicious.)

In a large bowl stir together the cornstarch, the rum, the lemon juice, the sugar, and the cinnamon. Add the blueberries, and combine the mixture well.

Put first crust in pan, leaving an overhang. Pour the filling in, top with second crust. Fold the overhang under, pressing the dough to the edge of the dish, and crimp the edge decoratively. Make slits and holes in the crust for air vents, brush the crust with the egg wash, and sprinkle it with the sugar. Bake the pie on a baking sheet in the middle of a preheated 375 degree F oven for 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden. Transfer the pie to a rack and let it cool. The pie may be made 1 day in advance and kept at room temperature.

(My pie was done and perfectly golden on top in one hour and four minutes. <-- for my own records.

The only thing I might do differently is use half the water, if not using rum. The filling was a bit runny, which is what the family likes. I like filling to be a bit firmer, personally.)

Comments

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Bacon-chocolate? Tell me more!

There are manatees behind the BFF's house? That makes living in Florida almost okay. I love that she named the pony Junior Brown.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I added a link to the makers of the chocolate up top. I love chocolate with sea salt, with chipotle peppers... I'm Tim Gunn -concerned about the bacon, though. In theory, how can it go wrong? In reality... I'll wait for someone I trust. Hee!

MANATEES! Isn't that awesome? Oh my goodness, Junior is the CUTEST little thing with pink kissy lips. (I hope she's able to get him back.)

[drusplace.livejournal.com]

LOVE this caption on the Hilton link: Flim flam shaman sham:

And bacon-chocolate??? WTF? I'm assuming your comments page will be FILLED with that question.

Oh and I had to go out and get a blueberry pie the other day. It's the YUMMIEST!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I added a link to the bacon-chocolate. We will find out the official results soon, and I'll add an ETA. Hee!

Mmmmm, blueberries! I'll take them almost any way they come. ESPECIALLY in pie form. Glahhhhhh. [/drool]

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Yay for visit with the BFF!!!!

Also, I totally forgot to share that blueberry pie recipe with you, d'oh!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm very excited. The kids are going on and on about getting to see the horses and manatees and the ranch and.... eventually, the BFF. :D

Oh, don't worry about that! If you find it, great. If not, I found a FABULOUS one (and just added it to the post.) HI BABYCAKES!!

[lostlo.livejournal.com]

My life is pretty tough today, so I accpet your 'list good things" challenge.

- you have an awesome new user icons
- Florida hasn't managed to kill ALL the manatees yet
- I think I'm almost over this damn cold
- Boss is out of the country, always nice
- it's sunny and warm(er) here, too!
- you caucused for Obama. Awesome!
- punch and PIE whoooooo!

Don't forget to celebrate pi day by making another pie on the 14th. Now I have a pie recipe, how convenient! Thanks :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Clearly I will need to make 3.14 pies on the 14th!! I'm so glad you put that on my radar. *adds to calendar so there is no chance of forgetting*

Aww, I'm sorry to hear life has been hard on you. But! There are some things of joy-making on your list! *gives you extra lovings*

Also, your icon IS UTTER PERFECTION.

[mere-ubu.livejournal.com]

OMG, I'm going to have to get that bacon chocolate for Monsieur Mere. (He has a bacon PROBLEM, yo.) I was going to sign him up for the bacon-of-the-month club for Father's Day, but this is even better!

Aww, manatees! You lucky luckies.

That pie looks sooo good. I'm off for spring break next week and I'm gonna' see if I can hunt me down some blueberries.

\0/ for your knee! Woot!

Pee ess: I drank coffee this morning, but I had to make a concerted effort to not think too much about it. *shudder*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

(Um, it's not a bacon PROBLEM. It's a bacon SOLUTION. Haha.)

And tomorrow, the coffee will go down even better. (That's what she said.) I cannot stress the deliciousness of that pie enough. PER.FEC.TION. *kisses fingers*

..there's a Bacon of the Month club??? Um, I'll be signing up for that ASAP.

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Several things.

1. I LOVE YOUR ICON.

2. Bacon-chocolate? Why was I not instantly alerted as to the existence of this wonder? And if I was, why do I not remember?

3. AS MUCH GOOD LUCK AS ENCAHNCED ALL-CAPS CAN GIVE YOU ON YOUR SURGERY! And please keep me posted--how has exercise and yoga elimited the need for replacement, and what will you be getting instead?

4. Yay, horses and manatees and BFFs!

5. Yay GH rockout--and even moreso on Rock Band. You will love it. I'm designated drummer for my group of friends. :D
I generally don't like Metallica (which makes NO sense, since I love love snarly drum-heavy roaring music), and I don't much like Lars Ulrich as a person, but I love his drumming style and respect the heck outta the band. Thoroughly worth the purchase, I tell you. :D

6. Awww, yeah to civic duty. *Democracy-five!*

7. And, finally: piiiiiiieeeee. Yay. Oh, so yay. Thank you!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

1. It makes me laugh EVER TIME I SEE IT. (I need to find the originator to credit them...)
2. I am VERY INTERESTED in the taste-test that will commence shortly. Because... it could be Two of the Greatest Tastes that Taste Great Together. Or, you know. Not.
3. DUDE. I immediately thought of you when he said that about my x-rays!! Apparently the walking (no more knee-impact sports for me! not for four years now), proper foot gear, stretching etc. has helped break up all the calcium deposits, encouraged repair in my miniscus, improved the fluid production... I still have a tear on the cartilage under my patella that needs stitching and a scope. I AM VERY EXCITED.
4. Is this the best vacation plan ever, y/y?
5. Considering my husband was a pro drummer for well over a decade, I'm surprised we haven't gotten it yet! I CAN NOT WAIT. Um, how awesome are you to talk about drumming with me? Ditto on Lars - excellent drummer, a bit of a douche in RL. My fave drummer of the past ten years is Carter Beuford of Dave Matthews band. He is, if I may quote Sting quoting Branford Marsalis, a mother fucker. :D
6. it feels really good to know my vote COUNTS this time. *G*
7. THAT WAS FOR YOU, BABY!

[altyronsmaker.livejournal.com]

Oh good lord. it looks like life is imitating art AGAIN. Ever hear of the movie Guru? Jimi Mistry, Heather Graham, Marissa Tomei, and Dash Mihok star in it. Wacked out movie about an Indian dance instructor who comes to AMerica (L.A. specifically) to make his fortune in movies, and ends up being a fake guru to some trippy air headed socialite (Marisa Tomei) and a 'love doctor' to Heather Graham's character.

Poor Paris...I feel bad for her and her stupidity. *sigh* Pretty close to scraping the edges of that there gene pool, don't ya think?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You're a better person than me, then. I have not ONE OUNCE of compassion for Paris (Ms. Hilton if you're nasty.) I'm ready for her to drop off the public radar for good.

[brandil.livejournal.com]

YAY KNEES!!!

\o/ Seriously that is awesome.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I am on CLOUD NINE, Brandi! The first thing I'll do when I'm healed up? DEEP KNEE BENDS. Whoooo! A better ass is IN MY FUTURE! :D

[marenfic.livejournal.com]

Bacon chocolate? Hmmmm. I await the report.

The fish flakes you sent are yummy. I have not tried them on rice yet, but have licked them out of the palm of my hand. They have a crack-like quality to them (or it may have been that I riding the crimson pony-- did you get my dorky messages, by the way?)

Yay for the downgraded knee surgery!

Today I will collect data until 8 pm! This actually does make me happy. We're doing a study on exposure to different reality shows and the immediate effect on body satisfaction. We have three conditions with different ideal body exposure (America's Next Top Model, Trading Spaces, and Meerkat Manor as the control). I run the Meerkat Manor group and have had to watch a Meerkat die over and over and over again. That's less fun.


Sad news-- Maddy has become an escape artist and we will no longer be able to leave her to run free in our huge backyard. Dog tie-downs make me sad, but her getting run over or beaten up by the other dogs that roam the neighborhood would make me sadder.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Dude, I suck. YES I got your calls and laughed whole-heartedly. (I'm sorry I didn't call you back!!) BUT! I am glad you like the fish flakes. Man, they are PERFECT when you're on the crimson pony. Fishing in the red river. Getting your monthly bill from Aunt Flo. HEEEEEE. Mmmm, crack.

Dude, that sounds REALLY cool. (Um, except for the Meerkat part. Poor little fella. You, too. *hugs*) I bet the Next Top Model panel would be an absolute BLAST.

Oh my god, MADDIE! What the hell??? You know, I was going to ask you if you wanted me to do some gardening at your place when I'm there. (I can look into plants that DISCOURAGE DOGS BARGING THROUGH. Things with prickers, etc.) And a healthy Maddie within cuddling distance is WAY BETTER than a no-Maddie house.

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Good news on your knee; knee replacement recovery is not, I hear, a field of daisies nor a walk in the park.

Mine is better, due to injected steroids and physical therapy; unfortunately, the knee brace I was prescribed gives me nettle-rash. However, why is it, if there is a hole to be stepped in, one always hits it with the foot below the bad knee?

Julia, there is agitation in my household that we must go to Portland andget a bacon doughnut.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

One of the reasons I'd put off the surgery was the anticipation of four - six weeks in a wheelchair and crutches. With my active family? Um... you know that would mean the mother in law coming to stay. Hence the not having. *G*

Oh, no! Are you allergic to the lining, maybe? injected steroids are LOVELY. Big fan. Um, not of the process, but the after-affect.

Bacon donut!!!!!! Um, please airlift me one, if possible, thanks. :D

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

If you're going to eat chocolate bacon, you might as well go the full bacon:

bacon chocolate chip cookies with maple cinnamon glaze - recipe


Making your own bacon (feel free to make a bringing home the bacon joke.

how to make bacon toffee.

I am so relieved you don't need knee surgery. Artist!sis didn't need a knee replacement but she has had knee surgery twice and it's not pretty.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I just hollered to the Mister that I could make him Bacon Toffee (two of his favorite things) and he made a hurling sound. Hahaha. Swmbo has reported that she very much enjoyed the bacon chocolate! It's official: it is safe to go into the water. :D

Now, I still have to have surgery, just not total knee replacement. \o/ Is that what your sis had to have? Yow. Poor baby. The BFF has a bionic knee from a horse accident at the age of 20, and while she's fit and hale now, it was a bad and long recovery.

My doctor says I should be off crutches in about 36 hours after my surgery, SWEET.

[anelith.livejournal.com]

We saw some of that bacon chocolate when we were in a Whole Foods in SC! There was also a chocolate with hot peppers, and I think some other flavors. We were not adventurous enough to try any of these exciting flavors. Ha!

HEY, good news on that knee! When will you have the surgery? I suppose after your 3-day event?

Did you get any sleep last night? The caucusing went on so LATE! This morning CNN online *still* didn't have all the results.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I've had the chile chocolate and it's WONDERFUL. I think with your love of Indian spices you'll like that. It's not spicy like the food I made you when you visited. :D It's just got a bite at the end of the chocolate flavor. V v good.

Well, the idea is to get my knee fixed now so I won't have any worries while training. The 3-Day isn't until November, so I'm getting my knee fixed on the first Thursday of April. YAY.

Fortunately, I only had to sign my name in - I didn't need to listen to all the stumping. I voted early, so I just zipped in (after twenty minutes of looking for a parking space) and zipped back home. Keep in mind that the caucus votes in Texas haven't completely come in (they have to be hand counted) so it's not 100% sure that Clinton took Texas. Barak got the majority of votes in every major Texas city. All of the outlying counties were for Clinton, so it's a higher number of counties, not necessarily the highest # of delegates. Have I mentioned how much I hate the primary system for the Dems in Texas?

[euro-fics.livejournal.com]

Duuuude, your icon! *pees pants*

I have that t-shirt, too.

"These are HAPPY TREES!!!"

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I kinda want to add an arrow pointing to the trees/mountains and the text would read "not Sparta."

:D

[zyrya]

The Beloved and I have determined that there are four food groups: Filling, Green, Yum, and Sauce. But a friend says there are two:
1. Things that go with bacon.
2. Things that go with chocolate.

My world! She is upside down!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I HAVE CHANGED YOUR VERY ESSENCE!! Apparently, the taste test by trusted mouths said = A-OK. In fact, it was called downright delicious.

(Hahahaha to your four food groups, btw.)

[dovil.livejournal.com]

Yay about the knees! I've been chipping out bits of my bone and putting it in an envelope to send to you for your reconstructive surgery - place bits of cannibalised toaster so that if you were in the backyard and heard that the postman had arrived you could leap over the house to get to the mailbox.

I want a manatee rolled in chocolate sauce with a cooked suckling pig shoved up it's butt. With icecream!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You know how the French like to pose their meat au naturel? It would be great to have a Great White (braised) leaping up off the table with a buffalo (spit-fire roasted) charging at him. In the Great White's maw is the following:

* Deep fried manatee with whiskers recreated out of licorice
* baby pandas, shish-ke-bobbed, so it looks like they're climbing on bamboo
* a bald eagle (breaded, fried, feathers re-created out of marzipan) circling high over head

The whole table can be sprinkled with rare tree frogs that have been sauteed in a little garlic and olive oil.

I don't know about you, but now I'm STARVING.

(Go ahead and send me those bone chips. It'll help me finish off my voodoo doll to eventually control you.)

[soundingsea.livejournal.com]

Yikes, good news about the knee thing being less than was feared.

Also, bacon + anything = bad; + chocolate == EW!!!!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

If I may quote Pulp Fiction... Bacon tastes goooood. Pork chops taste goooood.

And, evidently bacon + chocolate is delicious. I never would have known. (You do see how my evil plan worked? I had someone else try it. It could have put me off bacon AND chocolate for years!)

*G*

[showmewrtr.livejournal.com]

I just followed your post for Junior Brown and OMG is he adorable!!!! Hope everything works out there.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I MEAN, ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT BABY?!? She'll find out later today if the new owner will relinquish JB. Otherwise, she might have to involve the authorities. (Um... that baby is *not* being taken care of. *woe*)

I cannot stop looking at your ADORABLE icon. <3

[violethamster.livejournal.com]

Bacon-chocolate. I never thought either of those things would fill me with such horror. The only unusual chocolate I've had is chocolate with curry spices and chocolate with crushed pink peppercorns, which were delish.

Knee replacement sounds like something that isn't much fun. Congrats on avoiding it!

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever eaten blueberry pie in my life. I think I may need to do some baking. Ooh, and I made homemade bagels tonight, with the boiling and everything. They are very yummy.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Apparently the bacon-chocolate was fantastic! I really like chile-chocolate. (That's a commonality in Mexico.) I bet peppercorns would be good, too.

You've never had a blueberry pie? You def. need to do some baking. It's a close tie between that and cherry pie in my top pies of all time. (Pecan is #1. Southern to the core.) please send all the bagels to my mouth ASAP, thanks. (mmmmmmmm.)