Bakin’, Bacon, Bakin’ possible recipes, and ten reasons to love life!

1.Candied bacon (aka Pig Candy)
2.Quiche Lorraine
3.Butternut Squash Soup
4.Unique Beef Stew
5.Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
6.Bacon Brittle
7.Greens with Bacon
8.Bacon Ice Cream
9. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (Thanks for that one, Birdie!)
10. BLATs (I like the addition of avocado)
11. I almost forgot the piece de resistance! Bacon Cheesecake!

Tuesday again!

1. Gluten free, dairy-free, sugarless cornmeal pancakes with flaxseeds for breakfast. If you think of pancakes as a particular way to make a quickbread, rather than as a sugary breakfast food, you open up a world of possibilities. I don’t think crepes actually have sugar in the recipe–there are certainly savory crepe fillings, as anyone who’s hung out in Japantown knows.
2. Frost on the ground. It’s awesome looking. I hate to admit it, but i do sorta miss snow and cold and all that good stuff. I mean, not months and months of it…
3. Got a dryer yesterday. Getting it installed today. 6 months without a dryer. It was pretty okay, and I will be hanging stuff on the line again as soon as I can. Especially cleaning rags. They dry off better and last longer when they’ve been dried out on the line. But, dryer for now, good.
4. Possibly also getting car fixed today. Bill is going to let me know if it’s a cheap fix or an expensive one. Whatever. It has to be done.
5. I’m not being sued anymore! The case got dropped, thank Maude. I mean, dismissed. I don’t know why–there wasn’t really an explanation. A while back, I got paperwork from the dickwad who was suing me, asking for an extension (I had filed for an extension 3 months ago, as well). I’m guessing that maybe there’s a one-extension-per-small-claims stipulation? Or maybe jerk-offs reason for wanting an extension was not approved by the courts? Or maybe his paperwork got lost in the mail and didn’t make it to the courthouse?
6. Tangerine sheets. Yeh. I dyed ‘em myself, on the stovetop (in the conservatory with a candlestick). I need more vibrant color in my life!
7. Next painting project: the dining room. I got a can of oops paint, just a whisper greener than robin’s egg blue (with a little gray in it, as the nice lady at Scout Home Hardware recommended–to keep away the glowing green teeth effect) in an eggshell finish. I really mostly wanted it for the wood paneling–wainscoting, whatever you call it–but T-Dizzle got the brilliant idea of using it for above the wood, for the coved ceiling and all. And white for the wood—hmmmm…
8. Tea. Such a weird idea, when you think about it. But it tastes good.
9. rainbow variegated yarn from super CVS to make matching hats for T-Dizzle and her gf.
10. Hot and cold running water.

Tuesday

1. The Sun.
2. English Breakfast Tea.
3. Phone is back on.
4. Nyquil, for delivering on its promises last night.
5. New Adventures.
6. Thinking people.
7. The Beatles (especially Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s–a surefire cure for depression.)
8. My cats.
9. Old books.
10. Being 41.

post thanksgiving grats

1. Trying to get back on track with the grats. I guess I see value in doing this, and so maybe I should be grateful.
2. Novella, for letting me borrow her goats yesterday.
3. Nice day yesterday, good for hanging out with goats and weeding the garden.
4. Fingernails, they just keep growing, giving me something to do with the nail clippers and emery board.
5. The Garden Faerie who, although he gave up on my garden, he did leave me with some pumpkins, which I ate last night.
6. My newly greened kitchen. I mean the paint color, not really any more recycling or composting than usual.
7. A linen top sheet. It’s linen salvaged from some huge roman shades that someone gave me years ago, so it’s not super finely woven, like i would expect linen sheets to be. It’s a little scratchy, in fact, which is why it’s the top sheet. However, it is at least as effective as flannel in keeping me warm, and it’s also very good for keeping cool in the summer. It’s so decadent! Linen!
8. Cooking oatmeal and having tea with unsweetened soy milk and unadulterated stevia. I’ve come to realize that what I don’t like about stevia is that it’s usually mixed with with other fillers that taste like shit.
9. My car is mostly registered. Now, when I get pulled over, I can show my paperwork to the cops, and I won’t feel like a criminal.
10. My toes are cute.

It’s been a busy week.

one. Big Trash Day is done. I am sooo glad to have all that crap out of my basement/garage.
two. First performance with the CWO. I think the last time I played in a full orchestra was in ‘86. I’ve played in chamber orchestras and smaller combos for pits and church gigs, but not the full deal for a while. It was so very different from playing in a band. It’s going to take a while to process the whole thing.
three. Mel and Rachel, L-Dawg, T-Dizzle and Jet for coming to see the show. It was nice to have the support.
four. Also glad that the intense week of rehearsals for the orchestra, performances for T-Dizzle and preparation for Big Trash are OVER.
five. The new, weird style of dancing that I saw at a punk show at the Gilman on Saturday. I can only describe it as speed crunking. Sort of rhythmic flailing around. I can’t actually execute it, because I’m pretty sure that my arms would fall out of their sockets if I tried, but I can most certainly appreciate it.
six. The feeling that I can make it, after all, like Mary Tyler Moore.
seven. Got to ride in a cool, red Mustang on Saturday, compliments of Ryan. That was a blastola…
eight. Josie for the pepe talk, not to be confused with a pep talk, because that reeks of cheerleader. Pepe talk is being supportive with a fake French accent.
nine. Elvis. ‘Nuff said.
ten. I got the Sun in the morning and the Moon at night.

Tuesday’s dead… or not

one. After going to two completely different kinds of Halloween parties on Saturday, I am happy to say that I am a certified weirdo. I am comfortable with my little metalheads. I like ‘em.
two. Beans and root vegetables for brunch today. Yum!
threeeeee. Big Trash Day on Friday. Gonna unload a shit-ton of crap from my garage. Doing most of it today!
four. Acupuncture today. It’s kinda like spa day for me.
five. String sectional tonight. Good thing, cuz I fracken need the help, especially with the Haydn.
six. Having L-Dawg at home for the past couple of days (she was grounded!). I really like my kids. I like having them around. Bummer that the seemingly only way that I get to spend time with her is if she’s in trouble! But, we had some nice convos and giggles.
seven. Plants in my kitchen.
eight. Trying to figure out what it is that I’m really passionate about. I think maybe I’m passionate about doing a lot of different things!
nine. Burzum.’Nuff said.
ten. My next tattoo…..

Post-Halloween grats.

1. Dressed like a dude on Friday and went to see Brainoil and Ghoul at the Oakland Metro. I pretty much passed. Only a couple of astute girls saw through the disguise. I did introduce myself to almost everyone I talked to, so they would know it was me. I felt weird, like I was lying. I was afraid that someone was going to start a fight with me, and indeed, when I was driving home and turned onto my block, there were four idiots doing some lame kind of “Fight Club” action at the end of my block, and one of those fools gestured at me like he wanted to fight me. I pulled in my driveway and called 911, like a good girl!
2. Dressed like Sally Bowles on Saturday. I felt more comfortable as a girl, fo’ sho’. Plus, I got to sing a little of “Cabaret”. Fun!
3. My hair is growing quickly, for which I am most grateful.
4. Mr. Panther is just the greatest cat in the world to me.
5. The (cute!) guys at the pet food store who have been helping me figure out what the hell to do about Soly’s skin rash.
6. My bedroom. It’s pretty wonderful right now.
7. The Community Women’s Orchestra for giving me the opportunity to play classical music again. It’s so challenging! Now, when I go to play metal, I fell like I can do anything in that genre. Classical music makes me a metal badass!
8. Getting caught up financially.
9. Amaranth, my old friend. I did indulge with a little sugar, dairy and wheat this weekend, and I can feel the difference . So, back to the same ol’ same ol’ and I am a happy lady!
10. my new housemate who came up and paid me rent yesterday! I am sooo relieved! Bit by bit, the stress of the past renter is melting away like when my kids leave an entire stick of butter on top of the stove….

and yesterday was wednesday

1. Getting caught up with my bills. Next, I will get caught up with my blog!
2. Got a call from the Garden Faerie yesterday. He had sorta dropped off the face of the earth, but I’m glad to hear that he’s okay.
3. Making good on my promise to myself to eat more veggies this morning by having a baked potato. Very tasty the vegan way.
4. Practiced violin last night and the music was easier! Yay!
5. Have invited a shit-ton of people to the orchestra concert, and a few have given an enthusiastic “yes”!
6. It’s cold enough for me to break out the extra duvet. I like this. When I was a kid, growing up in Colorado, it was so cold in my mom’s house that I’d pile on at least five layers of blankets and sleeping bags and stuff to stay warm. So I’m used to the weight of all those blankets, and I feel just ever-so-slightly insecure if I don’t have that. Anyway, I did have extra weight and warmth last night, and I felt so comfy and toasty in bed. The dog and two cats helped.
7. All my cleaning rags are clean and dry. Yay, laundromat!
8. My kids are sweet and talented.
9. Orchestra rehearsal tonight! (feels so different from saying, “band practice tonight!”)
10. There are a couple of blossoms on my little apple tree. Hmmm… seems out of season, but what do I know about apple trees in the Bay Area in October?

yesterday was tuesday

1. I got home at midnight. I was gone from my house, with a one hour visit only, from 9 am till midnight.
2. Saw the Michael Jackson movie. Loved it. I cried.
3. Making money all week.
4. Almond milk? We’ll see how it compares to soy milk.
5. I like how my tattoos look.
6. I don’t know about the dog and the cats sleeping on my bed. Eh… I’d like some alone time, but I do appreciate the fact that I am so popular.
7. New mascara. I think I’m becoming somewhat of an addict, like how people buy shoes. I might be getting that way with mascara. I want the perfect one (I had a wonderful Chanel mascara a while back, but they don’t make that particular kind anymore), but I don’t know if it’s meant to be.
8. My hair is already growing out. I hope I can get together with Karen soon to give it some shape.
9. Sea salt. Salt from the sea. How awesome is that? Just sayin!
10. Regularity.

Monday.

one. this day is almost done. Soon, I will be joining my dog in a chorus of snores.
two. practiced the two new pieces for the Community Women’s Orchestra. When I say new, I mean NEW, as in, commissioned for this season, for this orchestra, like world premieres. Holy Moly. Well, they were easier the second time around–I mean, not sightreading.
three. Really enjoyed driving around in the great weather while listening to Doom Metal in my little beater car today.
four. money is flowing again.
five. this travel trunk I picked up off the side of the road a few weeks back. I do intend to paint it and make it look cool. in the meanwhile, Mr. Panther likes to sleep on it. Maybe he is dreaming of distant shores.
six. Watched “The U.S. vs John Lennon” tonight. I am still bummed that he died. They had a clip of Walter Cronkite announcing his death on the evening news, and I effin’ remember that, and it made me sad like when I was twelve. Perhaps he will visit me in my dreams tonight.
seven. did I mention that I get to go to bed soon?
eight. macadamia nut butter. deelish…
nine. figuring out that this one passage would be easier in second position. Oh, and figuring out that some other part is in 5th position, even though I’ve never really learned 5th position, per se, on the violin (just the viola), and then using some semi-crappy bass player thinkin’ to make some other section easier. (Like, I don’t wanna move around too much, so how can I be lazy and still play this shit?)
ten. Remembering this AWESOME floor-length, high-wasted, black taffeta skirt that used to be my orchestra black skirt. I gotta find out if it’s a long-black kinda group, this CWO, or short black. Yes, I am obsessing on what to wear. I’m the same way with band attire. I think about the entire entertainment experience.