i was going to

post a nice picture of my last blueberry muffin… but then today got a severe case of the Mondays.  I guess the fact I only had one blueberry muffin left should have been a sign.

Let's see…
I went to heat my muffin in the microwave and it wouldn't get hot.

Then I figured I'd at least post a picture of the muffin with it's massive crumble topping but since Yahoo locked me out of my mail after not being able to change my password, I can't get the pic here.

I also had all sorts of foul ups with United Airlines this morning.  (More on that later)

I'm afraid to do anything else today.  I might actually need a second Coke today, and cookies.  A second Coke and cookies might help.

And now I feel a sinus headache coming on.

Want to ask me how the guest room conversion to an art space is coming along?  No change.  I need the bed out of there first.

So there's a brief summary of how Wednesday is starting out.

so I had a couple

of things going on last week.  First there was my aunt's birthday.  What was supposed to have been my cousin getting her to the mall "so she could get her daughter a certain pair of earrings" and more of us being there to ambush her and her getting her ears pierced, turned into her finding out about it but still going to the mall and getting her ears pierced.  Note to self: don't be the one to bend over in the front when you're wearing a flowing blouse because that blouse will do just that, flow and make you look wider than you actually are with absolutely no shape and more like a blob.

And why was I even bending over?  There wasn't anyone behind me.  Whatever, I felt the need.

Now on to the big thing.  (Not that my aunt getting her ears pierced after 57 years wasn't a big thing but the next thing that happened last week really lit a fire under me.) 

On Saturday, I went to a class in Houston on alternative printing.  We learned how to do transfers onto different surfaces.  Not only was it my first thing to do with the Houston Center for Photography (we all know how I am with unfamiliar experiences and people and stepping out of my comfort zone) but this really got me motivated... maybe in a good way or maybe in an over-the-top way.  But first, here's what we learned.

We went out walking with an old Polaroid camera and took a picture and learned how to basically dissect it and put it on paper.  I wasn't impressed with my image and I would've gone with my first idea if I knew the words wouldn't have been reversed but I didn't.  Oh well, I still had fun.

We also had to bring several of our own images.  I brought this one I did on the photowalk from downtown and transferred it to wood.

And then there's my accordion player in Puerto Rico transferred onto vellum.  The vellum was super sensitive and hard to work with but I really like how it isn't perfect and roughed up.  I also like how it looks with the light shining from behind.

So.  How did that class inspire me?  Here's what it all comes down to.  There are a lot of things I want to try.  There are a lot of things I don't do because I don't want to drag everything out and then have to put it all away in order to get dinner ready and then pull it all out to finish, etc.  So, I've decided I am making changes to the guest room.  I never use that room because it isn't set up for anything or in a useful manner.  When we first moved in it was set up as an office with a bed but then it became more of a bedroom with speaker storage.  My first goal is to get rid of the bed.  I need to get it to Brazoria and get my 6' table from Brazoria to put in the bedroom.  If I don't have a sleeping solution by the time that room has its yearly guest, I'll get another air mattress.  (I mean I already have a trunk the mattress and bedding could be stored in.)  My next job might be ripping out the carpet.  I mean the stuff needs to be replaced anyway so why not just go without for a while and not worry about spills or anything.  And if I decide to keep this room set up as a workroom for my stuff and I'm better off without flooring, then it doesn't really matter.  See?  This is why I'm excited.  I have so much I want to try and I'll finally have a space where I can do my stuff and not worry about messes and being in the way.  So this is really all that's been on my mind lately.  And that's more than okay.

we were going to

Kerrville last weekend because the weather wasn't ideal the weekend before.  Actually, I wanted to go to Fredericksburg but had to book a room in Kerrville.  Anyway, after I booked the room, I realized that was the weekend that the group that Mom volunteers for was having their annual fundraiser... and Lauren was going to be a participant in their chili cook-off.  Holiday Inn wouldn't let me transfer my reservation to another location but they would let me change the dates.  So I booked another room and our trip to Kerrville turned into a trip to Waxahachie.  We had a good time and even came home with an autographed Dallas Cowboys helmet that Cosme won in the silent auction.  A display case is on its way so now I just have to start figuring out a good place for it.

So we're back and I really should be doing a ton of other things right now but I'm not.  Here's one of the things I should be doing.

Cleaning the back porch.  Maggie has really worked her magic on it.  As I sit here and type this, the sun decided to come out.  So really, right now is the PERFECT time for me to be out there cleaning her mess.  I went out there earlier to feed her and got a couple of videos.  You see, I've been trying to work with her on "sit" and "down".  She does fine at the sitting but down isn't her favorite... but she's great at it in her cage.  So I got a couple of videos of her doing it this morning, out of the cage and on the back porch.  Check these out:





And if I sound really excited about her obeying, I WAS.

I better go out there and start picking up, as much as rather sit right here and visit.  Don't worry, I'll be back.  There are a couple of things going on this week.  One is a surprise for someone.  Even though that someone doesn't read this blog and probably doesn't even know this blog exists, I won't say anything.  Another one is a photography related class on Saturday.  I can't wait and I can't wait to try what I learn.  One more thing, I wish I had pictures of the pizzas I made yesterday.  They weren't anything unusual but I guess I was just really wanting pizza and they hit the spot.  I'll be sure and take a picture tonight after I try a new recipe.

UPDATE:  The porch is picked up and swept... dead snake and all.  (Yes, there was a scream involved.)  I was going to clean and scrub it but then I realized that Maggie ate the water hose.  Maybe another time...

have you noticed

a trend with my eating?  Or shall I say my lack of eating out?  Honestly, we eat out quite a bit.  It's not ALL we do but we do our part in supporting the restaurants, especially on the weekends... and weekdays when it just seems faster and easier.  I've really been trying hard lately though to not eat out.  Yeah, there are some situations where it just works better but one thing I've noticed is when I do it once, it's so much easier to do it again.  It's quick and easy.  So I've been working hard at not doing it at all.  But, just as easy as it is to fall off that wagon, it's pretty easy to get into a habit of not eating out.  So if you think I've been talking a lot lately about the stuff I've been making and showing the food I've made, you're correct.  I have been.  Consider it part of my motivation tactics.  (And let's face it.  With all this nasty weather we've had, it's much nicer to stay inside and the heat from the oven/stove doesn't hurt anything.)

I'll confess right now.  We did have Pei Wei over the weekend and I almost gave in on Sunday morning when Cosme suggested tacos.  He also came home early yesterday because he was (and still is) a little under the weather and I know one of the best things when we're sick is soup from La Casona.  So, after I made my trip to Kroger, I stopped and picked up some lunch for him.  That's right.  I didn't get myself anything.  I was holding on tight to that wagon and came home and had a sandwich and I was so proud of myself.  Also, I almost made pizzas the other day but I was not feeling well at all and I knew lasagna would be easier on me.  Even though I felt like crap and Pizza Hut would be much easier and would even deliver a pizza and potato soup to my doorstep, I got the lasagna made and we've been eating on it since.

Speaking of that potato soup from Pizza Hut, we like it.  I've never made a potato soup that I've been crazy about.  Guess what.  I found one.  It is good, it is Eric approved and it was made in the crock pot.  Here it is

It really didn't need the cheddar cheese garnish on top.  All that really did was make it harder to eat. 

In case you're keeping score: Melanie - 2, Pizza Hut - 0

Now excuse me while I go heat up some lasagna for breakfast.  

today

I'm going to share some of the new things I've tried lately, as well as some of the usual.  Last night I made Shrimp Jeannine but I don't have a picture of it.  No fear, I know I'll be making it again so I'll get it then.  I might just post it over on the Our Grandmothers' Recipes site... but I'll wait until I have the picture.

As for the other stuff, there was the white tail shoulder that Dad gave Eric.

I made it out on the grill and Maggie almost couldn't stand the wait... sad to say though, she didn't get any.  Eric left and took it with him.

Over the weekend I tried a new recipe.  It's a Graham Cracker Cake.  It sounded odd but looked good.

Ends up, it is good.  It reminds me of a carrot cake.

Next up were the corn dogs that Eric requested.  We both liked them and they weren't as near a pain in the butt as I thought they'd be.

Then there was the bread I made.  This one isn't a new recipe but it's simple and baked in a bowl.  Anyway, here is the Peasant Bread.

A while back I was on a sandwich kick.  Not just any sandwich, but the Deli Trio from Jack in the Box.  So lately, we've been making them at home.  Sourdough with pastrami, ham, muenster, kosher pickle slices, a little bit of ranch and grilled in a little butter.  I have a feeling I'll have another one this weekend.

Well, that's it for now.  I need to run to the store.  My macaroni and cheese is ready for the oven and now I need to find a meat to go with it.  I'm thinking chicken...

Chicken or not, I need to be at the church at 2 and I'm hoping this sinus/allergy headache pill doesn't knock me out.

one word pretty

much sums it up for me right now.  Tired.  Wait, let me do that again.  TIRED.  Wait, that looks way too energetic and worked up.  How about this... tired.  Even better... tired.  It seems like I've been in the kitchen all day.  Oh, I wasn't in the kitchen after I put my bread in the oven because then I went off to iron.  I told Cosme that by the day I had, I was wondering if it really wasn't 2014 but 1950.

I woke up and made waffles and fried some baked potatoes I'd made yesterday, for that very purpose.  Let's see, I washed all those dishes and then started the made-from-scratch corn dogs that Eric had requested.  But before that I started some dough rising in a bowl, just in time for the dishwasher's heat to help it stay warm.  Once the corn dogs were done and the dough had risen, I emptied the dishwasher and reloaded while I let the dough rise in its two baking bowls.  I put the bread in the oven and went to iron.  I finished the bread and started to clean my shrimp for tonight.  I already had some asparagus in the refrigerator so I put that in a dish and it's ready to go in the oven.  I got out some risotto to make as well but all it took for me to put that back in the pantry were the words "in a separate pot".  Nope, not gonna happen.  If I need something else I'll just cut open one of the baked potatoes intended for breakfast.  During all of that, I've been trying to do photography stuff at the computer, which is at the table.  So yes, I have HAVE been in the kitchen pretty much all day.

On that note, I'm finishing dinner and going to bed early.

I'll try to come back in the morning and talk about food... and maybe the cats.