Full Salute

So, Bummie was at my house tonight doing laundry. We noticed the lunar eclipse and decided to both salute it.

Well, then Rae called me, Mom called Bummie. They found that we were here together. Then the four of us decided to salute the moon, simultaneously.

Awesome.

Bitter, Need to Vent

Alright, I know, too little, too late, but I really need to vent about something. I got married in September 2006. My wedding was wonderful.

Leading up to the wedding, I had tried to set up time with an inexperienced coordinator, who offered her services free to me so she could gain experience. She had worked with my sister, so that is how I found out about her. She had helped me meet with a seamstress, her friend, who had helped me work out ideas on the dress. I left my mom's wedding dress with the seamstress, while I tried out other options, since I wasn't aware of what I was deciding on at that point. The coordinator was fine with it, as she was trying to be helpful. This was Sept/Oct/Nov of 2005.

Well, once wedding planning things started happening, she was not as easy to get a hold of or to coordinate things with. While she did go with me to look at flowers, she was not open to what I was saying. The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I was with a pushy coordinator.

Well, 6 months until the wedding, I decided I needed to not have her involved anymore. I had scheduled the vast, vast majority of everything, she had only slightly helped me with the seamstress and gone with me to look at flowers. I let her know that I was unable to schedule things that worked out with both of us, and I needed to get on with the rest of the planning, of which she had not been able to work on me with.

Well, this woman still supposedly still has the dress. I am bitter to no end. This woman refuses to answer her telephone, emails or call back. I am sure this is a lost cause, but I am just so sick about it. Both my sister and I have tried to reach her countless times but to no avail.

I am just so sick about this entire scenario. My heart goes out to those brides who are taken advantage of by the sick, twisted or lazy individuals who are not keeping the bride's best interest at heart. May karma bite the ass of those who have bitten others.

Hopefully I can find peace in my heart after this rant.

Bummie is safe

With everything happening at NIU, I thought I would include a post here to let everyone who reads this that my sister is okay. She was in the basement computer lab in the building next door. She was frustrated because she was unable to use her cell phone when they had put everyone within the vicinity on lockdown and she had no reception in the basement. That was a very frustrating hour or two! However, she was safe. We spent time together with Mom on Friday, where she said she was just still shocked. But at least she is safe and unharmed.

Bummie's Housewarming Gift

Bummie's Housewarming Gift
Originally uploaded by Mrs.Catman

This is Bummie's housewarming gift I made for her. The orange fat kitty is Jyagaimo and the grey one is Pippi.

She said they looked hungry so she was going to hang it near the kitchen.

A day dedicated to a donut-like treat...

How can anyone love a Paczki more than me? Here's a hint: they can't.

However, I would like to dedicate this blog posting today for those who have not yet discovered Paczki heaven. Max suggested I make my own paczkis. Although I am certain this will have to be a weekend effort, I am proud to say that I believe some time soon I will have to take on this challenge. (Although it's hard with Lent starting, uh, tomorrow!)

In any case, I stopped by Downer Grove(DG) Ingram'sBusy Bee Bakery in downtown DG. Got there at 5:40AM, the bakery was fully staffed, and they were hopping, even though they didn't open 'til 6AM!!! Anyways, I selected a dozen from their 24 (!) different varieties. What kinds did I buy for the staff?
Lemon
Apricot
Pineapple
Bavarian Creme with Chocolate Icing
Strawberry
Poppyseed
Prune
Raspberry
Fresh Strawberry
Chocolate Buttercream
Apple
Cheese

And which one was for my self? The heavenly (or sinfully) delicious chocolate buttercream of course!!! Why? Well, it's Lent tomorrow. So I'd better get my sugar fix in now, since I'm giving up baked goods. Also, I figure it's like an inside-out cake. The frosting on the inside instead of the outside/top. And there's nothing better than cake. A few things that are just as good, but nothing is really better.

Cherry Cheesecake***

Cherry Cheesecake
Originally uploaded by Mrs.Catman

Crust:
2 sheets of graham crackers, crushed
1 handful of almonds, crushed
2 T. butter, margarine, Smart Balance--melted
(save just a bit to crumble over the top)

Combine and press into the bottom of 2 ramekins.

7-8 oz ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
about 1/4 c. cherry pie filling (or any kind of jam)
1 T. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

Mix/cream the mixture, pour into ramekin. Bake until done. (I used our toaster oven at about 350 or 375 degrees, for about 20-30 minutes and just kept my eye on it.)

Use some of remaining pie filling to cover tops and sprinkle graham/almond mixture on the top as garnish.

***These are completed but have not been tasted yet.
Also, I used the leftover cherry sauce from the cherry pie from the other day, so God help me if I try making it again.

Ok, we tried them. They were a little over-cooked, but still delicious. I would definitely add more cherry sauce. Mr. Catman (who does not like cheesecake) ate the whole thing. Score 1 for the Mrs.

French Toast with Warmed Strawberries

French Toast with Warmed Strawberries
Originally uploaded by Mrs.Catman

Strawberry Topping:
Dissolve 2 to 3 T. sugar with 2 c. water in saucepan.
Shake about 1 T. of cornstarch with water to dissolve. Add to saucepan.
Add grated lime peel (about equivalent to 1 lime)
Add 2 c. strawberries (cut into halves or fourths.)
Heat in saucepan until slightly thickened.

Batter:
2 large eggs
1/4 c. 2% milk
1 t. vanilla
Vanilla sugar (to desired amount)

Beat ingredients. Make French toast like usual. Serve with strawberries on top.

*2 T. of sugar was used. It wasn't too sweet, but a little sweeter than regular strawberries, which is how we like it.

It's been...one week since you looked at me...

Funny how art is imitating life or vice versa...

Taking Friday off. Made a delicious rib roast on Sunday. We've decided THAT is the roast we will continue to get. Not worth messing with anything else. Also helped move Bummie into her apartment on Sunday as well. Have to show you guys her house-warming gift too--I think I'll post it here when I get home...

I saw a Meals on Wheels van pulled over the other day. It made me wonder what kind of meals...maybe they just wanted to serve them hot and fresh?

Ah well, this is my convoluted entry before hopping off to the gym...have fun reading it. :)

Cesspool 'o Stress

Thank goodness this day is almost over. Thank goodness I haven't taken anything out on anyone besides people who could handle it--Bummie and husband.

"F*ck you, kitty, you're gonna spend the night
F*ck you, kitty, you're gonna spend the night
F*ck you, kitty, you're gonna spend the night
OUTSIDE!!!!"

(Updating my iPod songs for tomorrow morning's workout.) :)

Also, got to catch up with one of my bridesmaids, S, today. She's good and happy, just tired. I hope all works out with her and her man. :)

Patellar Tendonitis Cherry Pie

That's right. Sounds delicious, eh?

I overdid the workout yesterday and am completely paying for it. I have an ice packet strapped to the knee and am looking fabulous today.

Made a cherry pie last night from Morello (sour) cherries. I took the juice and sweetened and thickened it. I didn't add much juice to the pie, but plan on using the "sauce" for something delicious and decadent later.

Sauce:
cornstarch (like 3 T. or so)
water
3/4 c. sugar
juice from jarred morello cherries
lemon juice
almond extract

In a heating double-pan boiler, dissolved the cornstarch in the water. Added everything except extract. Whisked until thickened. Cooled and added extract. (Added the sauce to the strained cherries while preparing the crust.)

Pie crust:
The usual on the crust, except split the Crisco to half butter, half Crisco

Added some cinnamon to the top of the cherries, once they were added to the pie. Expect the pie to be tart due to most of the sugar staying in the juice and not the cherries. We shall see...

I would consider adding some kind of chocholate to this to make it a chocolate cherry pie, but not being too adventurous due to soreness of the knee.

To CARA or not to CARA?

Is it worth it?

I don't live in the city, so will it be worth joining if all of the activities are too far away?

I'm going to have to sleep on it, I guess...

Winter Soup

Made some delicious winter soup today. The Italians would be upset since I started with a mixture of dried lentils, carrots, peas, pasta, etc. I added boullion & soup mix. I then ground up the leftover roast from a couple of days ago and added the ground beef to the soup. I spiced it with some oregano, basil, garlic and onion (yes, it was the powder, I hate to admit). I believe next time I would add some zucchini shreds, corn and black or white beans.

Simmered for an hour on the stove, then added a piece of crusty bread to the bowl before ladeling out the soup.

From what I made, I will admit I went back for seconds & looking forward to tomorrow's lunch!

Pie in the Sky

So I watched Waitress on Friday. People kept telling me I should watch it because, well, I'm pigeon-holed into a pie-maker. It was an interesting movie. Partially related with reality, yet there were scenes so obviously fake it made it look almost overdramatized--like Broadway or something.

Anyways, it did inspire me to make a pie out of ingredients in my house. So, without further adieu, I will share how I made my candied strawberry pie.

1 pkg. of crushed graham crackers
1/4 c. raspberry preserves

Mix well and moosh around on a greased pie plate. Bake btwn 325 and 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes in the oven.

1/2 pkg. semi sweet choc. chips
1/2 c. 2% milk

Heat milk until boiling. Whisk in choc. chips until melty & consistency is gooey. Add some vanilla flavoring. Spread mixture on graham cracker crust.

1 pkg fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and blended
1 c. sugar (I would halve this next time)
3 T. cornstarch
1/2 - 1 c. water
(Next time I would add at least 2 T. lemon juice)

Mix cornstarch, water and sugar in double-pan boiler. Add strawberries and lemon juice. Heat on stovetop until thickened. Pour over chocolated crust. Chill until set.

Future notes (besides listed above):

I would lighten this by adding less sugar. Also, I would vary this by making a lemon-strawberry pudding for the inside of the crust and without the chocolate covering. Ah well, that is part of the fun, eh? Next time, we'll chat about soup.

Shopping Fun

Mom and I went to Trader Joe's today. It was a must on her to-do list since she never gets to go. While we were shopping for some baking supplies, I recalled I needed some almond extract. So, of course, we headed downtown N-ville to Penzey's Spices. After Penzey's, we stopped for brunch at Egg Harbor Cafe, which was a bit of a wait but worth it.

Later, I took a nap, got up and ran, then settled in to watch some NFL Playoff Football.

Not bad for being "mad" at my hubby all weekend. (I'm mad because we did not have our 'date night' this weekend. And I'm really not mad anymore other than it is still the weekend. It probably makes no sense to anyone except me, but eh, oh well.)

Are you pregnant?

No, just fat, now get the hell out of my way. WTF? C'mon people. You suck asking that question. Why not ask me if I'd like a fork in my eye? I'd prefer to answer yes to that. Get the hint?

Took advantage of the new day despite the lingering pissed-offedness. Also, for some reason, woke up at 3:00AM, wide awake. Awesome.

Today's mile ran in: 11:03
Ah well, ya gotta start somewhere. And that's better than a week ago. :)

Did 1 mile, walked a lap then
2 laps
15 pushups
20 crunches
15 UDAT
10 (*2) front lunges
Repeat above *3.

2 laps
15 bicep curls
15 side raises
15 tricep extensions side
15 tricep extensions overhead
Repeat above *2.

2 laps
15 shoulder lifts
15 side raises
20 quick abs
Repeat above *2.

Stretched.

I'm wondering if I should start counting the laps at the beginning and do more before the bootcampy part. Ah well, I'll figure it out.

New Year, Old Song

..but different perspective.

Happy New Year to one and all.

Again, I begin with a dream. My first dream of the new year: I woke myself up crying from my dream. I dreamt that a large man had gotten out of his car and was yelling at me. Not just blah, blah yelling, but threatening I'm-gonna-beat-your-ass yelling. And he began to beat me too. No one would help me. And I woke up crying from the helplessness.

There's a cheerful way to begin a new year.

But if you think about it another way: Every day is the beginning of something new. Use it or lose it. Take control or let it take control of you.

Update: iPod, puzzles and pasta maker to celebrate the year. Hoorah.

Somethings that made me feel good...

Volunteering: Husband and I volunteered for a local shelter to serve Thanksgiving dinner. We really had a great time, despite my trying to pimp out my cranberries, sweet potato casserole and candied yams. No dice for the most part, which was a little disheartening. But Mr. Catman was popular with his stuffing (dressing) and green bean casserole.

Sharing information: Was chatting it up with some colleagues about random things about Chicago, since they weren't from here. And lo and behold, I shared some very useful information about a couple of Michigan Avenue stores: Bloomingdale's and Sephora. See, I guess non-locals are not aware that any makeup counters in this area will do a free makeover. And one of these colleagues was interested in trying new makeup, to help cover a large birthmark on her face, about which she was understandably self-conscience. So I passed along that she could just stop by a makeup counter and try the makeup before purchasing. It's not much, but I'm hoping it made a positive difference in her life. And helping do that made me feel good.

Good day and good idea?

Finished Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. AWESOME book!!!

Worked extra time this past week, so I had today off.

• Slept in


• Raked some leaves


• Went to the library


• Shopped downtown Naperville


• Bought some Penzey's spices


• Bought new running shoes


• Bought a peppermint mocha from Starbucks


• Had a nice dinner with the hubby

Also thought I had a real good name for a daughter (if we have kids). Ready?

Kitten Catman. Mr. Catman laughed out loud at me and told me to ask my mom what she thought. I guess I'll sleep on it, considering we haven't decided if and when we're having kids.

Two words...

soy 'nog! Woo hoo!!!

Kitchen Madness!

What did happen this weekend?


1. Made homemade unsweetened applesauce.
2. Made apple butter in the crock pot.
3. Canned the apple butter in 12-8oz jars.
4. Made a peach pie. (Apple would have been more chopping than I was interested in.
5. Used leftover pie crust to make little 'pies'. Filled some with leftover apple butter. Filled others with a chopped almond, honey, vanilla filling. Baked for 18 minutes at 375 degrees.
6. Prepared and currently baking a bone-in, ribeye roast.
7. Prepared and currently baking red potatoes, chopped green pepper and onion.

Appliances used:
Canning pot, mini chopper, mixer w/ juicer attachment, dishwasher, stove, both baby and momma ovens, stock pots, mini cuppy caker pan, roasting pan, numerous utensils, etc.

Trying to decipher to whom to gift the apple butter to for Christmas. Trying to decipher if I'm going to make some homemade applesauce whilst the bags of apples are so cheap. Trying to remember what I was going to hunt the Internet for...