the man is trying to keep me down

This weekend I did a little cooking, and was planning on photographing it for You, lovely readers. But, then my camera was outta batteries, and while I know that my battery charger is somewhere amongst the boxes in my house, I can't begin to guess which box. Ah well. So, I guess it wasn't necessarily The Man trying to keep me down, but I am feeling really, really tired of packing and unpacking and not knowing where stuff is. But, it's coming along. In fact, Barbara and Mags spent all day yesterday painting the room we like to call The Multi-Media Room (I was unboxing the kitchen stuff which still isn't done, cooking, etc.). First they painted the entire room and when we came back to look at it, we all HATED it. I'd picked out this coral for the walls, and an orange for the trim and ceiling, and it was just way, way, way too bright--to the point of making you feel claustrophobic and crazy as soon as you walked in. So, they had a little color lab mixing extravaganza from the paint colors we already had, and now the room is a lovely and soothing pale-ish green with antique white trim. Ahhh.

Friday I made us a big salad, pappardelle with pesto and a bunch of veggies from my CSA. Saturday I made some roasted veggies to take to my friend Tracey's birthday party. The dinner theme was Mexican-ish, so I roasted some bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. I tossed them in some lemon juice and zest, chipotle chili powder, and after they roasted, in some chopped cilantro. The dinner menu was outta this world--little black bean and sweet potato cakes, goat cheese enchiladas with salsa verde and/or mole, guacamole and crema. It was so fantastic! The host/chef was Leslie, and she's just a really excellent cook. It was an intimate dinner party, and one of the best times I've had recently. At one point we swapped Bad Date Stories, and I'm still chuckling over some of them. Sunday Barbara made us a lovely breakfast of challah french toast with tofu scramble, and I made us a lunch of lemon thyme tofu with buttered peas, orange glazed carrots and turnips, and roasted baby new potatoes. Then for dinner I made fakin' bacon and green pepper grilled cheeses with homemade slaw and some oven-baked fries. You'll just have to take my word that it all looked colorful and pretty. And, I used most of my CSA and farmers market goodness. Now I just need to make some big salads to power through my cache of lettuce. I can't wait to see what we'll get this Wednesday.

I also finished the book I'd been reading for Queer Book Club last night--Dog Years by Mark Doty. This author was actually here reading during Pride Week for the American Shorts series, but I missed him due to moving madness. I wish I would've heard him read. The book was fantastic. He's better known as a poet, and you can definitely feel that type of lyricism and imagery, but the main focus is the love of his two dogs throughout the death of his partner from AIDS, his next relationship and lots of moving around. It's a beautiful story, and turned me into a puddle of goo after two seriously hardcore sobbing sessions--half for the book, and half for missing my dog Ursa who I lost in October 2006 to kidney disease and then subsequent failure. If you've ever had a dog in your life, you should read this book. So.Good. The book club discusses it tomorrow, and I'm eager to see what everyone thought, and hear reports from the people that saw him speak.

the neverending move

I finally moved the remainder of my stuff last night! I never have to go to Troy Hill again. Thank the baby jesus.

The new house is great, but boxes are littering the place, so we still have a way to go. But, after everything (or most everything) is situated, I'll post some pics. It's going to be really cute.

I haven't been cooking much at all because where's my big saucepan? where's my chef's knife? where's my mixing bowl? and on and on and so forth. But, I've promised B a home-cooked meal this evening, and I've got some gorgeous CSA goods so cooking will happen come hell or high water. I'm thinking a veggie pappardelle with spring pesto and a big salad with a citrusy vinaigrette and some crusty, chewy bread. Will report back.

In other news, you may remember my pal Kramer from various posts. She just started a really cool blog of her own that is like an Amber Alert for bikes in the Pittsburgh area. She just started it today, and it's such a great idea. You bike riders out there should check it out, now-like. Also, for the bike riders in the Burgh, check out this great multi-event bike extravaganza, Pittsburgh Bike Fest.

One of Kramer's other bike-related good deeds:


As for myself, I hadn't ridden my bike since last summer until a few nights ago. I was weak and winded, but it felt good. I want to get back into it, and get to the point where hills (even tiny ones) don't make me feel like I'm gonna die. Wish me luck (I need it).

Pedal on, peeps.

oh, you have forsaken me!

I haven't really forsaken you, I've just been losing my mind with work and moving and cleaning and stressing out and barely sleeping. But, even so, I have done a little cooking here and there!

Barbara's birthday was last Saturday, and we had a little soirée at her sister's lovely home. Her brother and his bf were in from Vegas, and I finally got to meet them and they were gems. You can see from this photo what a good time they were. Their sense of fun and adventure is all over their faces!


I made a Red Velvet Cake and some chocolate cupcakes, but forgot to photograph them until they'd been near-decimated.




Happy Birthday, Sweet B.

Okay, more soon. Swear. Really.