Mb-n-K

Plus, we walked there

As yet another component to our Apple anniversary--I mean, our "Fruit and Flowers" anniversary--K signed us up for the Garden Party cooking class at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Just what I needed to combat the food/cooking rut!

Going in, we expected an instructional setting, with a chef walking us through technique, flavor combinations, and process.  We were surprised, yet ultimately delighted, that it was more of a party (just like the title said)!  There were about a dozen people signed up--we each got an apron & chopping station, with access to all the kitchen resources.  The menu was planned, and the recipes were distributed amongst the group members. 

After much chopping, slicing, stirring, grilling, icing, toasting, grinding, blending, marinating, baking, boiling, and assembling, we all settled in to enjoy a scrumptious meal.  Our contributions are shown to the left.  (Sorry--not wanting to get the iPhone gooey, I didn't take too many pictures.)

The menu:

• White Peach Sangria
• Red Sangria
• Summer Tomato Tart
• Chunky Shrimp Gazpacho with Basil Croutons
• Grilled Vegetables
• Garden Pasta Salad (K made this!)
• Fennel & Carrot Slaw (Mb made this!)
  
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chile Butter
• Diablo Skirt Steak Salad
• Fruit Shortcakes with Mascarpone Cream

Everything was so good!  A surprise bonus at the end: the cake baking class from the next kitchen brought us their leftovers :)  But wait, there's more--we didn't have to clean up!

- Mb

Reading

Apple and I went to Danehy park the other day.  I brought my current book, water, and some toys for her.  We found a comfy shade, and as it was a quiet day, settled in for a relaxing afternoon of reading and chewing.  We woke up an hour later.  (Interestingly enough, out of all the chew toys I brought for her, Apple chose to munch on her water bowl.)

So, my reading pace might be achingly slow, but I can't complain.  I read at least a page, and got to cuddle with the pup.  At this rate, this list of books I want to read should last me through the winter holidays:

• The rest of The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan - I stalled halfway through; it took up all of my thoughts!  He will be speaking at the Slow Food convention in SF at the end of the month.
• Say You're One of Them, by Uwem Akpan - Because of a great review in EW.
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski - The write-up in the Globe talks about the unlikely best-seller, though it was the opinion of my hairdresser that got me interested.
• Speed of Dark, by Elizabeth Moon - Left at my door by a neighbor.
• How to be an Adult, by Nerissa Nields - I guess this is more of a reference manual that I should've read a while ago. Luckily, there's a blog to go with it.

Anyone want to join me on any of these?  The second on the list is a set of short stories, so it might be the most accessible.  Maybe I'll book club it.

- Mb

Q: What do obsessive dog owners do at work?

A: Watch their pups on live web cams!

Mimi's Scooter cam:

Our Apple Scrappy cam:

(Employers, please note that these screenshots were taken during the lunch hour, as when this post was composed.)

- Mb

Hiya

In the hopes that lists are better than nothing:

• I still have to write about the last two days of my Guatemala trip.  I will also backdate the daily e-mails I sent to people during the excursion and post them here.
• An interesting fact about Apple's breed: A curiosity of the breed is that whenever an adult wheaten incurs an injury to the skin the resulting coat will grow out in the puppy brown color and then return to Wheat over time. (From Wikipedia's SCWT article.)
• Don't forget to keep checking our Flickr streams--there are pics from Guatemala, Poland, and various local dog gatherings.
• We stood in line for iPhones.  Of the various taunts/cheers the passers-by threw at the crowd, my favorite was "Let's go, iPhone, clap, clap, clapclapclap... (repeat)"  I like my old phone better (camera, flash/light, tactile feedback, smaller), but the iPhone is a cool gadget that I'm enjoying (IM-like texting, swooshy screen effects, web browsing). 
• Sorry Meems, no plans to use Loopt in my near future.  Though I did insist that I'd stopped joining social networking sites, and now I have a Facebook profile.  (Lucid is a persuasive fellow.)
• Happy summer vacation to all--K and I have returned from our big trips, but still have an SF/CA visit.  Wishing safe travels to you guys going to Italy, Canada, Cape Cod, Maine, etc!
• We're eagerly awaiting the arrivals of two baby girls!

- Mb

Apple Anniversary

No, not that Apple, though it's fitting she entered our life just a month shy of our fourth wedding anniversary.  This year we celebrated with theme fruit and flowers.  In addition to the Apple iPhones we bought ourselves, we also exchanged other small gifts as well.

Luckily, my honey knows me very well... or maybe she saw this clip from The Big Bang Theory:

Can't wait to play with my new toy!

-k

Masochism

Do you have things that you love with all your heart, but they also drive you insane at the same time?  I know I'm doing this to myself, since I can't imagine others go through life with same sort of anxiety.

For some sick reason, I like following politics.  Not what's actually being said or who's elected, but the whole game, including the reactions or non-reactions of everyday people.  With the right play, or response, you can get masses behind almost anything.

Now, I'd be ok with all of this, if it were innocent posturing.  But the part that makes me sick to my stomach is that the pawns at the bottom of this game are real people, with their own lives and loved ones.  It also weirds me out that I feel like I'm watching the same game, just with slightly different players.

So when I see our Hope capitulating, I can't help but think we're not changing enough.  I like to think my guy will be better, but sadly realize he is just another player in the game.

Thanks for letting me rant.  In exchange for making it this far, here's a random puppy video:

Ah, distractions.
-k

P.S.  Rest in peace Tim Russert, one of the greatest play-by-play commentators out there.

Perspective

Not so great things lately:

• I've left many books half-read
• Piles of unsorted paperwork
• Haven't been to church in months
• Blank journal pages / A scarcity of posts here
• I mindlessly left my ATM card in the machine
• Dunno where my checkbook is, either
• Can't find my Jeepy keys (have been using K's)
• I've multiplied my carbon footprint by driving home at lunch to walk Apple, instead of getting a ride in the morning and walking home after work
• I only run once a week or so
• Haven't cooked in ages
• Tim Russert, George Carlin, Tiger, Midwest flooding, ferry capsized in the Philippines
• Sadness

Not so bad things lately:

• All things puppy related
• Great news from many friends: engagements, weddings, babies, houses
• Family in town
• Graduations
• Finished a 5k despite lack of training
• Volunteering in Guatemala
• Cubs
• Cafe Indigo cake returns
• Slow Food Nation in SF over Labor Day weekend

- Mb

Another list, puppy-style

People say the puppy will grow out of:

• Her brindle-like fluffy brown coat
• Peeing every couple of hours
• Following at my heels and staying near without a leash
• Yelping when left alone
• Respecting the difference between human food and dog food
• Needing lots and lots of naps
• An intense fear of a semi-inflated yoga ball

I'll be sad when some of these phases pass for Apple, but definitely relieved about others.

- Mb

Puppy updates

Thanks for all of your name suggestions!  It's official--the puppy now has an engraved ID tag that reads: Apple Scrapple.

Apple, for the computer company--really--not Gwyneth "Mrs. Coldplay" Paltrow's daughter.  Scrapple, because it's cute, not because of the gross pork (not even good enough for hot dogs) mush.  Incidentally, "Apple Scrapple" also refers to a yummy loaf from the Great Harvest Bread Co.  (I used to enjoy it fresh from a bakery in Evanston, with my nephews.)  I tend to call her just Apple, K likes Scrappy.  Some people still call her Chilly or whatever they want.  We'll see what she grows into and what she prefers to be called.

Much thanks to Mimi (and Scooter), Melissa (and Eiko), Betsy, and Jared for keeping her company on her first day without me or K at home.  It seems that we have as much, if not more, to learn as the puppy!

How sad/nerdy is it that I wish I could IM my puppy from work?

- Mb

Help us name things

Coming up with the right name is harder than I thought.  There are given names, nicknames, pet names, first names, last names, middle names....   

Naming (or being named) can imply ownership, affection, familial lines, mutuality, or other ties that bind.  I'm probably putting too much thought into it.  Just want to have good names for things I care about. 

K and I are both hoping that somehow, the puppy will communicate what her name is.  We randomly say names and hope that she responds.  I've said "Chilly" dozens of times, just wishing she'd look up.  She's just so mellow, you see.  Then I can call her Chills.  Or Chili Pepper when she's being crazy.

Meanwhile, after Sunday's race in Yarmouth, some of the runners were trying to come up with a name for the 5k club.  Participation is fluid, meet-ups are casual, but it's consistent, regular, and always fun. 

Any suggestions (for either the puppy or the club)?

- Mb