Giving of Thanks and All That Jazz...

As well all get ready to embark on that journey to grandma's house for massive helpings of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and good natured-motherly guilt lets all take a moment to think about what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Randomness and otherwise...

1) I am thankful for bosses who email at 9am saying we're closing at 3pm day before Thanksgiving.

2) I am thankful for the health of myself and my family and friends. May we Jedi's live many more long happy years!

3) I am thankful for Ryan Reynolds...just because wouldn't you be?

4) I am thankful for friends who are totally honest and tell you when you look like a stuffed sausage in that tube top.

5) I am thankful for family who are always there to listen as you bitch about whatever (Note to self: New Year's Resolution: bitch less)

6) I am thankful for that cool nip in the air that we're feeling now as late fall sets in. My favorite time of year.

7) I am thankful for my fuzzy little companion, Asher. Sure he seems to like the taste of my blood sometimes but he's my little monster and me loves him.

8) I am thankful for Ryan Gosling. (ie: see Ryan Reynolds above)

9) I am thankful for friends. They say friends are the family that we get to choose. I may not have that many good friends, but I know those there for me are there for good.

10) I am thankful for my parents. Those people who gave me life and love unconditionally. I know I've not always been the best child, but I hope I've done you justice.

This list is by no means all inclusive, but just a random bit of what was on my mind as we get ready to leave work (shhhhh) at 2:50 on Wednesday.

I hope that as you enjoy your buffet and subsequent turkey coma this year, you take a moment to think about all those things you are thankful for in your life and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sassy and Corny... Just Like Me!

In honor of my new goal of reducing salt and just plain cooking more in general, I give you my very first recipe recommendation! Please hold your applause...

While perusing Kraft.com I found the following recipe:

Sassy Potato Corn Chowder (Courtesy of KraftRecipes.com)

What You Need
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped  

1 can  (14 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth  

1-1/4 lb. baking potatoes (about 3), peeled, cubed  

1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen corn, thawed, drained  

2 stalks celery, sliced  

1/2 cup  chopped onions  

1/2 cup MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing  

2 Tbsp.  flour  

2 cups milk 

 Make It

COOK bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings from pan.

ADD broth and vegetables to saucepan. Bring to boil; simmer on low heat 15 min. or until potatoes are tender.

MIX dressing and flour in medium bowl. Stir in milk. Add to potato mixture with bacon; cook 3 to 5 min. or until slightly thickened and heated through, stirring constantly.

 This seems tasty so let's give 'er a go!

Step 1: Collect your ingredients! (Ain't they pretty?)

Step 2: Start frying up your bacon. Have a moment of panic as you realize you didn't plan out your prep work and have not yet thawed your corn, diced your potatoes or sliced up your celery...take a moment to thank God for microwaves with defrost functions.

Step 3: I playfully call this step "Darn it, I miss!" You spend some time cleaning up the mess you made of your kitchen floor while peeling your potatoes in haste. You then remember your poor neglected bacon and take it off the burner after it has been thoroughly petrified as per below:

Step 4:  Enjoy the facial as you combine your veggies and broths. (This takes time...lots of time it felt like...)

Step 5: Make creamy!

Step 6:  Let thicken up a bit and enjoy! (I would have preferred a more aesthetically pleasing bowl for this picture, but unfortunately I've not run my dishwasher yet)

While I did find this soup tasty I did find it lacking a bit in flavor and seasoning. You won't get any judgies from me for adding a little extra something whether it be extra salt, cheese, or whatever floats your boat. The bacon adds a little pizazz and I feel this dish might benefit even more by sitting a few hours, or overnight. I had also used skim milk for the recipe as it was all I had. Using whole or even 2% milk might benefit as well but I'll let you be the judge of that. 

Pretty sure I'd try this again sometime. It's a hearty, comforting chowder that stays with you. 

Bon Appetit!

NaNo - We Ain't Talking iPods

For my exciting new thing of the month, I've decided to join the ranks of those who desire to spend the month of November hunched over the glow of their computers late at night hammering out inspiration into beautiful prose. I am of course talking about NaNoWriMo.

If you've never heard of it?

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Basically throughout the month of November amateur writers (and even some not-so-amateurs) take it upon themselves to complete a 50,000 word novel in the span of 30 days. Breaking that down, you're looking at writing just under 2,000 words per day. For me, I'll probably be lucky if I can get 100 words per day.

Now, why exactly you ask did I partake of such nerdish insanity that I probably have little hope of actually completing?

1) I am a nerd

2) I'm a little crazy

When I was little I was the only child and me and my parents lived on a block full of households that were probably only inches away from being considered for Medicare. My imaginary friends had imaginary friends (Yes, I was that good.) I would run around the backyard playing scenes in my head that involved secret passages and fairy kingdoms. Oh, the stories I was able to weave in  my vivid imagination...

Well the imagination has never really went away, it just doesn't manifest itself in my running and hiding in people's backyards with a stick for a sword. (That's kinda frowned upon by law enforcement after the age of 10) So instead I find myself attempting to put ideas and words onto paper. The only problem I've had in the past is making them coherent...

A few years ago, I started a story idea that has kept festering and picking at my brain (No, no summary as of yet. The idea is still forming and I'm not ready to share it. Nyah!). I always tell myself I'm going to finish it but I also have a nasty tendency to procrastinate. Those poor characters are probably sitting on their little corner on my jump drive thinking "Alright, already!".

I'm hoping doing this NaNo thing will get those creative juices flowing and get me to finish that idea I started so long ago. I have my doubts that I'm going to be able to make the 50,000 word requirement but I don't think they're going to cut off my fingers one by one if I don't.

I'm hoping also to make this a little exercise in living without regrets. Color me crazy, but I just have this feeling inside me that if I don't get this idea out on paper, don't finish this project, it's just going to be something that I live to regret. I don't want to live my life with regrets any longer. I don't want to be my own worst enemy and the cause of my own failure. It's time to start owning up to that.

I can't guarantee that I'll get this story out and done before my November 30 deadline, but I do make this promise to myself that it will get done eventually.

Bah enough seriousness! Wake up, little minions in my head! There is work to be done... ~hobbles away~