Nom! Sansan.

My life has been a whirlwind of emotions recently.  This trip only reminded my of why I fret so much, all my anxieties and sadness.  Reflecting on this trip and my life has allowed to to release all my tension.  I am reminded of all the things that are important. Family, forgiving and forgetting, being together, taking things slow and not forgetting to breathe.  I am reminded of all the things that aren’t important.  Letting myself get pushed into thinking that I HAVE to to anything.  We don’t have to do anything.  We just need to enjoys ourselves and each other.

After this trip, I now understand why Californians can put up with the taxes and traffic. This place was a paradise. The grass was golf-course green, every plant thrived in its soil. At Deer Park, all the animals and people lived in harmony.

I think this trip made my parents and aunts want to buy a plot of land here. I am totally for it.

In every step there is peace.

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I’ve eaten eggplant before, but it’s usually smothered in tomato sauce and cheese or stuffed with tomato sauce and cheese.  This is my first time cutting into an eggplant. I didn’t know it was filled with seeds o_O  It’s cool to eat the seeds right?

I made a veggie quesdadilla with fried eggplant, fresh tomatoes, fresh mushrooms, lots of cheese, basil, paprika, salt and pepper.  I honestly thought this was going to be disgusting, but I wanted to do something with eggplant.  Surprise surprise, they turned out yummy.  Yes Tabasco sauce!

(Fuzzy pic because I own an outdoorsy camera.)

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My purchases finally came in the mail. I’m already thinking spring and ready for the warm weather.  Except it snowed today   I’m still thinking positive.  Knowing that swimming, hiking, and sunshine are in my future is what keeps me from stabbing myself in the neck.

Shoes from UO and Modcloth

Shorts from UO and AA

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Easy easy dress. It took me less than three hours to make.  It was all a matter of measuring and sewing, measuring and sewing.  First I measured from my underarm to shoulder.  Next I measured where I wanted to end the sleeve.  Then I measured the hem of the dress.  I added some angles and double checked each step.

It came out as this cool geometric shape.  No pattern needed.

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This sauce can go with lasagna, pasta, veggies and lots of additions to appetizers.  The nutmeg in this makes it soooo savory.  I literally ate it by the spoonfuls.

4 tbs. butter

4 tbs. all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 cup whipping cream

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Melt butter over medium heat in large pan. Stir in flour with wire whisk and simmer 1 minute. Pour in milk and cream and stir until smooth with whisk. Add nutmeg.  Serve with parmesan cheese.

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I’m in the middle of doing my taxes for the first time.  I made hella money in the past year but only had $1000 saved for some reason.  Went through my bank statements and found where that money went.  Mostly clothes and food.  Must. Refrain. From.  Shopping.  Right after this last purchase from AA and UO! 

Here’s a graph of how most of that money was spent:

I promise to cut down on the shopping and eating out.  Today for lunch I had ramen.  My favorite way to have it is with part of the seasoning packet, spinach, an egg dropped into the boiling water, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Cost $1.00 but tasty.

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1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 English muffins
4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups pistachios
1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. 3.  Grind English muffins in food processor to create fine bread crumbs.  In a separate bowl mix flour, muffin crumbs, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture. Fold in nuts and white chocolate chips.
4. Divide dough into 2 equal parts. Form into logs and place on baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until very lightly brown. Cool and cut diagonally into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange slices on baking sheet and continue baking 10 minutes, until golden brown.

The secret is the English muffins. It adds a crunchiness you can’t get with just flour.

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This is the first piece of clothing I’ve ever made.  It could have turned out better, but learn as you go.

I took an old black vest I bought for $1 and cut along the seam lines.  The cut pieces were used to trace new patterns on my fabric.  There was a little trouble sewing the pieces together, something just to figure out.  I hand-sewed the navy roping, constantly measuring and realigning to get it right.  Final touch were added buttons.  I should have lined the inside too, but I’m too lazy.

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Mom: It’s so sweet!  And you’re going to add sugar on top?!

Me:  It’s not a diet dessert (duh)

Nothing but egg yolks and heavy creme.  Note to self, must cook for longer time.  They came out a little runny, but still good. They most definitely have to cool for 2 hours before eating to get the right texture.

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