Pre-Weekend

Right now I am home alone (if you are a burglar and you are reading this right now, please don't come get me) and I should be a) making dinner b) cleaning the table, kitchen, bedroom, or livingroom c) turning down the rice that is boiling on the stove or d) walking the dog. But...I don't really want to do any of those things.

I also don't really want to make a real post.

I have about 4 posts lined up but they are waiting for pictures. But getting those pictures onto the computer and edited isn't something I really want to be doing right now. I'd rather just talk about how I am not doing it.

I just got home from work. It was a long day with a break in the middle but I was gone from home a long time and now I am tired. Plus, I am still home alone so there is no one to do anything for, such as a) find something b) feed  c) punch or d) clean.

Today at work we had a lot of kids but they were pretty much all precious. Although there was a squirt bottle at the front counter that we use for cleaning things and I had to hold myself back from squirting kids probably like 5 times. If a kid a) didn't say please b) threw something on the floor c) played tag where they weren't supposed to or d) asked me what time it was, I had to take 10 deep breaths and hold my twitching fingers away from the trigger. Once I did squirt a kid. It was super satisfying. He must not have told his parents because I didn't hear about it.

Anywho, I think I am done for now. I have decided to eat something and think about how I must make myself get up and go to the gym tomorrow. This a) cookie b) french fries c) fried rice and d) snickers aren't going to magically make my butt smaller. (And yes, I know half those things have gluten so I probably have to go clench my stomach in pain here pretty soon.)

OMG, I think we are out of french fries. Fuck me. I guess I will just go lay on the floor and cry and wait for the gluten to catch up with my digestive system.

Playing Hostess

A couple of weekends ago I co-hosted a baby shower for a Ferndale friend. I was in charge of the games and food. My games were unique and my food was obviously divine. I may not be able to do laundry, clean a shower, or wash my car but damn, I can sure whip up a mean chip dip and cupcake.

And, I would like to show it off. Naturally.

I made deviled eggs.

I made cucumber sandwiches.

I made gluten-free carrot cupcakes.

I made chocolate brownie cupcakes.

goodies bags made by my co-host

It was a good shower and baby will have some great clothes and toys when he/she is born. Which should be very soon. Hopefully I get over my cold soon too so I can see the babe when he/she enters the breathing world!

These Brownie Cupcakes are amazing, by the way. In fact, I would like to provide everyone with the recipe. You can make these vegan easily. They aren't gluten free but I will work on that asap!

Brownie Cupcakes
makes 13-15 cupcakes
adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

INGREDIENTS
2/3c semisweet chocolate chips
1/4c plain yogurt
1/2c cherry preserves (black or red)
1/2c milk (I use vanilla soy)
3/4c sugar
1/2c canola oil
1t vanilla extract
1/2t almond extract
1/4c cocoa powder
1/2t baking soda
1t baking powder
1/4t salt

Frosting:
2T melted butter or margarine
1/4c cocoa powder
3T milk
1t vanilla extract
1 1/2c powdered sugar

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin pan with liners and spray each bottom with oil.
2. Mix together yogurt, cherry preserves, milk, sugar, oil, vanilla, and almond extract. There should be no large chunks although the preserves with still be floating around which is all right.
3. Melt chocolate chips in pan on stove. Heat slowly while stirring until all chocolate is melted.
4. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the yogurt mixture. Mix thoroughly with hand held mixer and mix for about 3 minutes on medium speed.
5. Mix in melted chocolate until well incorporated.
6. Fill the liners 3/4 of the way full with batter.
7. Bake for 24-26 minutes. The tops may look semi-shiny and undone but that is all right.
8. Take out of the oven and let them sit in the pan for 5 minutes.
9. Take cupcakes out of the pan and finish cooling on a rack.

To make frosting:
1. Beat together butter, cocoa, milk, and vanilla.
2. Add sugar in cupfuls and incorporate well before adding more.
3. The frosting will be semi runny, runnier than normal frosting, but that is all right, it will "dry" like frosting on a brownie.

Enjoy!

Summer Review

The summer is over. It was officially over last weekend when I didn't sell at the Market and I found myself saying, "what project am I going to do this weekend?" I even cut all my dailias yesterday because I am ready to be done with those. I am ready to hunker down, read a book, turn on the fireplace (yes it's gas), knit, and cook/eat until I gain 30 pounds.

Unfortunately, I know I won't be doing all those things regularly, besides eating, I still am ready to go into hibernation because the summer was pretty busy. We were working in the yard, working to get ready for the market every weekend, attending family events, and trying to relax when possible.

So, in order to put the 2011 summer to rest and get ready for my knitting needles, I would like to reflect on its events -

Failures:
1) The deer ate all the f-ing beans. I love eating beans and canning beans. That didn't happen.
2) I wish I would have swam in the pool more often. However, the green water scared me away most of the time. Next summer we will be more on top of that situation.
3) I didn't weed as often as I should have. Although really, I don't care.
4) I ran but not as far as I wanted. I never made it passed 9 miles and that was only once.
5) The number of times I hung the clothes outside to dry: 0. Total failure!
6) The number of times I turned on the video camera: 0. What is wrong with me?!
7) The number of times I made blackberry pie: 1. That should have happened at least 5 times!
8) The number of weekends we missed the Farmer's Market: 3 or 4, I can't remember.
9) Camping. Did we even go? I can't remember. I think maybe once but that is definitely NOT ENOUGH!
10) We didn't loose any weeding tools. Some people might think that is a good thing. It isn't. See number 3.

Successes:
1) I went waterskiing. Some summers I can't say that and it makes me sad, luckily I can say I did this summer.
2) The Public Market (farmer's market) was amazing. While we didn't make much money it was super fun!
3) I got Mr Pepperworth to run Ragnar and like it!
4) I canned applesauce, sweet pickles, salsa, and green salsa. Great for eating in the winter!
5) We introduced Red to Earth Hour, she calls it Pioneer Hour. She even observed it without whining! Sissy even observed it on the same day. Bi-state Earth Hour. Great!
6) I read many books. I love reading.
7) I joined the Ferndale Public Market board. This should be interesting.
8) Our asain pear tree gave us some pears. Last year it didn't. They are so delicious!
9) The house got cleaned every weekend. I think. I am pretty sure. It may have looked like a shit hole 6 days a week but I think every 7th day it was clean. That's how I remember it.
10) Simon hasn't pissed on the couch for a couple months. Hallelujah.

Although there may have been equal amounts of failures and successes, the summer was still a great one. It was a summer of learning. We are already gearing up for next summer and planning our year. I am already craving cherries and sunscreen but I will embrace the winter months by eating as much squash as possible.

The Cowboy Way

This past weekend Mr Pepperworth and I got off work early and drove 2 hours to see Riders in the Sky with my Ma and Pa. After years of hearing me and Sissy singing things like, “I wanna drink my java from an old tin can…” “Mom, where are you? I’m over here, behind the big rock…” and “Oh, I am Queen Elizabeth…”, it was time to introduce Mr Pepperworth to the sweet group that is RIS. 

Now, my family has listened to RIS since I was about 8 years old. RIS has over 8 albums out but we had one album back in the day. Well, one tape. One tape that they don’t even produce anymore. It is a good one! So needless to say, the group has been around awhile. 34 years to be exact. And, honestly, they look kinda like they have been around that long. (I realized that Mr Pepperworth and I only go to concerts/events where we are the youngest people there but that is another story.)

Anywho, RIS is a cowboy group that sings old country western songs but also has some funny songs to go with them. There used to be three of them, now there are four. They added an accordion. He’s pretty good.

There is this one song on the tape we had called, The Queen Elizabeth Trio. It is really the Happy Wanderer but the guys sing it like they are old British women. Since it was a trio, and we tend to like things that are Monty Pythonish, my Pa, Sissy, and I sang the song. We sang it hiking, we sang it as a phone message, we sang it for shits and giggle. Good family times. So…because I thought it was funny, I emailed RIS’s manager. It went something exactly like this:

Hello,

I am not quite sure if this will find the right person, or if this is even possible, but my name is Emily and I will be attending the Friday 10/14 show in Covington, WA with my husband and parents.

I am super excited to see the group as I grew up listening to Riders in the Sky on family vacations. My sister, dad, and I would sing at the top of our lungs to Saturday Morning with Riders.

Anyway, long story short (that includes many singalongs), I would like to make a song request for Friday night. I am sure this doesn't usually happen but my request would be "Queen Elizabeth Trio", although I know there are 4 guys in the group now. I know it isn't really a hit song or even very sophisticated, but it would make my dad so surprised and happy if the guys would sing it seeing as my sister, dad, and I sang it constantly growing up. I am assuming it isn't already on the play list. :)

Hah, thanks for reading this odd request. Again, I have no clue if a)this is possible or b) this will reach anyone but hell, it was worth a shot for my Pa.

Thanks again,

Emily

Ferndale, WA

The response was something exactly like this:

Hi Emily,

Great letter! I've passed on your request. No telling what those cowboy characters will do.

You'd be surprised how many letters I get asking where to find those old shows. CBS put them in the archives and we have never been able to release them on dvd. So sad - they where really wonderful and the guests, Rikki Lake, Florence Henderson, Julia Sweenie...people would love it.

Thanks for writing,

Roberta

Riders In The Sky

And, guess what....they played it. And, they introduced it by asking if I was in the audience. And, then they said they hadn't sang it in 20 years. And, then, they bombed the song. Oh well, it was still funny in my opinion and then they referred to me later in the show and other people after the show asked me if I was Emily and my dad was Pa (because obviously that is what they referred to him as). I got a kick out of it anyway and I think Pa did too. Another great Riders in the Sky moment to add to the family fun list.

I gotta say though, Too Slim, definitely the funniest Rider.

I think Mr Pepperworth is a fan now too.

This Really is Embarrassing

I need a sherpa to guide me up this mountain. Laundry Mountain.

Ugh, I hate weekends (not really).

This doesn't even include the 2 more loads of clothes.

Please pray for my safe return.

Best Fries Ever

My friend just posted these fries on her blog and in a fit of hunger overindulgence, I decided to make them that night for dinner. With fried rice. I know, best combo, huh?  Well, I already had everything on hand because we have some beautiful purple, red, and yellow potatoes from the garden so I couldn't pass up the opportunity for fries, but then again, when can I pass it up? (never!) Anywho, I made this because it is super easy and I have never really been able to master homemade fries.  I made these fries back in 2009 but these 2011 fries just are a ish-ton better. Sorry for previously posting an inferior product.

However, because I like to tweek things and try to make things better than the last, I decided to add a few special ingredients to my fries. It certainly was a good thing.

Homemade Oven Fries
serves 2-3
adapted from these guys

INGREDIENTS
4 medium to large potatoes (I used our homegrown yukon gold and purple), rinsed, peeled roughly, and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
4T olive oil
ground black pepper
salt
small pinch cayenne pepper

METHOD
1. Put oven rack to lowest position, put a baking sheet on the rack, and heat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place cut potatoes and 1T salt in large pot; add water to cover.

3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and gently boil until exteriors of potatoes have softened but centers still are semi-hard, you can use a fork to make sure it can't pierce through the middle, about 5 minutes.
4. Drain potatoes well and transfer to large bowl. Drizzle with 2T oil and sprinkle with 1t salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper; using rubber spatula toss to combine.
5. Drizzle another 1T oil and continue to toss until exteriors of potato slices are coated with starchy paste, 1-2 minutes.

6. Working quickly, remove baking sheet from oven and drizzle 1T oil over surface.
7. Carefully transfer potatoes to sheet and spread into even layer. Bake until bottoms of potatoes are golden brown and crisp, 15-20 minutes.
8. Take sheet out of oven and flip potatoes and rotating sheet. Bake 10-15 more minutes until fries are completely golden.
9. When finished sprinkle with pepper and maybe some more salt and enjoy!

Incredible Journey

Yes, this is about Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. Only with an English Pointer, a Siamese cat, and an orange Tabby.

Sometimes Mr Pepperworth and I like to pretend Buk, Stan, and Simon will go on an adventure someday. Not because we left them alone or anything. No, it will be because they just want to go for a hike and because they are getting to be adults.

We will let them go and give them packs to carry food, water, and treats but the hike will turn somewhat dangerous when they become lost because Buk left his map at home and Stanley forgot his compass. That's when the homeward bound part turns into real life! Of course, we will be looking for them and have helicopters out but we won't find them for a couple days. And, in those couple of days where they are lost, the story will go a little something like this (as dictated by Mr Pepperworth and myself over the course of a few years of storytelling):

Buk, Simon, and Stanley have been lost in the North Cascades for three days after going on a hike. They come to a river and need to cross....
"Whoa, water. We're three brothers who LOVE swimming, let's go!" - Simon

"Oh man, you know I don't go in water." - Buk
"Yea, I'm with Goofy over here. Water mattes my fur like nothing else!" - Stanley
"Do you two want to see Mom and Dad anytime soon? If so, you are going to have to figure out a way to cross."-Simon
Just then Buk falls into the river after peering over the bank to watch a fly float on the water. Splashing and doggie paddling ensues.

"Dog overboard!" - Simon
"Quick, let's run down stream and see if we can stop him somewhere!" - Stanley
After running downstream, the cats find a bridge and an old fishing net. They hold the net in their teeth and catch Buk but of course Buk is too big and they drop him. Luck is on their side though and there is a logjam under the bridge. Buk climbs to safety on that. Everybody is safe but Buk is very wet and walks with his tail between his legs and his ears down.

They all lay on the bank panting for a minute.
"Whew, we thought we may have dog-gone lost you forever on that one Buky." - Simon

Stanley, not amused, "at least we all are safe for the moment. Look, over there! A road!" 
"Let's see if we can catch a ride!" - Buk, whose mood has turned around suddenly.
They all run off together to the road and see if they can't get a ride into town on a watermelon truck.

And, scene!

As you might be able to tell, Simon is the smart but funny one. He knows what is going on and can get the group together to focus on getting home safely. Buk is the goofy one of course. He gets stuck in the brambles and falls in the river and when it is time to decide which path to take Buk always chooses the path with a cougar waiting at the end behind the big rocks. Stanley is the prissy one. He usually drags behind the rest trying to clean his fur and complain. But, although Stanley complains, he is pretty tough and super brave. He is also the serious one, when he isn't looking for his flea comb.

Starring: