Forgot my luggage in the Middle East

I was reading through some of the blogs that interest me. I remember a time when I was truly involved with the causes I care for. Now, I read and forget. I dont act. I lost some sort of motivation when I went to Iraq. It depresses me. The realization makes me act less. I think about being more involved and then I decide that no one really gives a crap what I think. What the hell is wrong with me? Where the hell did Brooke go?

Marie Curie's Zombie Message

Eating Well

So, my recent soup turned out well. Thank goodness. I have only attempted a random soup veggie thing once and it didnt turn out. I didnt think about the beets... Warning to all. Add Beets - EVERYTHING turns red and EVERYTHING tastes like beets. I really like beets... but this does prove that there sometimes can be too much of a good thing.

I had gotten a little carried away with my tasking for the thanksgiving relish tray... I brought 4 large trays...lol.. I had lots of left over carrots, celery, and cucumber. So, I used my favorite appliance ever - the food processor. I threw everything in there...chopped it all up with some garlic and shallots... then threw it in the crock pot with veggie broth, my broccoli slaw that I need to use before it became toxic waste, some left over rice, red potatoes, and some maple sausage. Few Hours LAter - TADA! Dinner! And Richard and Sean really like it...although Richard thinks it tastes like squash. I am assuming he is tasting the carrots and just associates the squash because squash is one of those things that I like to add.... squash, nuts, and mushrooms...they almost always show up in my cooking. Sean likes eating this with Parmesan risotto.

Julia made us a great casserole. It is very simple... It has potatoes, cabbage, and kielbasa... oh, and cheese. I am not quite sure the exact recipe... She made mine with cornstarch rather than flour. She so nicely respects my gluten free lifestyle. My bum appreciates that!

I MUST HAVE THIS HAT!

Just an adorable picture of my adorable nephew Brayden... in a hat that I NEED!

My Mom Will Live Forever.... I Hope!

I have been sitting on my heating pad perusing the internet. This seems to be my only pastime lately. Damn the holidays that make getting into doctor appts impossible! I even stooped pretty low to try to get in earlier. I cried.... I yelled. No compassion I tell you.

Continuing on, I was reading about twins and the article states that mothers of twins live longer because they are naturally physically stronger. My mother had two sets of twins.... I think she may be wonder woman. My sister Tristan has twins too.... she can be moms sidekick. Oh, crap. I forgot myself in this superhero saga. I can be like Edna in the Incredibles. Design stuff... be really irritating and obnoxious. I fit that persona well.

If you are interested in a little Twin Trivia http://www.livescience.com/16466-twins-multiple-birthsfascinating-facts.html

An Inconsistent Puma

Wow, it has been almost a year since I posted on here. Sweet, now I know I will have at least one post for 2011.

I am giggling as I look at my last post. That was a really good stew, btw. I am laughing because I was doing the vegetarian thing last year, but now...alas..I eat meat, but not wheat. I am a freak. No ifs, ands, or buts...

So, the last year has been good. I am a Puma now. I was informed that I am not old enough to be a Cougar, so I am a Puma. I just call myself lucky. Sean is a very special man and I love him very much...even if he is only 12...jk jk...he is 23.

I have never been good about the writing about me thing....so I wont do that. I hope someone out there stills pays attention to this...I dont blame you if you dont. I am so inconsistent.

This time I get what I want!

So, I can't eat meat anymore..... Today, I am CRAVING steak with mushrooms. I have never before in my life craved this, but I always want what I cant have.

I am tired of that! I decided to make something that I am allowed to eat that would hopefully satisfy my craving.

Winter Portobello Mushroom Stew.

This is a quick stew (as long as you have the mushroom stock already prepared). Supposedly you can make it work with water rather than the stock, but I recommend trying the stock. It is fabulous. It is a really awesome alternative for broths with a very hearty flavor.

You can eat the stew with polenta, potatoes, pasta, or over toast. My uncle Richard and I had it over toast and with mushroom and herb risotto.

To make the stock:

You will need:
1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms.
2 tsp. olive oil
1 coarsely chopped onion
1 chopped carrot
1 clove garlic
2 sliced mushrooms
2 tsp. tomato paste
1/2 cup cooking wine
salt
pepper
1 tsp red wine vinegar

Cover the dried mushrooms with 1 1/2 cups boiling water and set aside.

Heat the olive oil with the onion, garlic and 2 mushrooms. Saute over high heat until well browned (10 min?).

Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tsp. tomato paste. Stir in the wine and simmer until wine is reduced (roughly three minutes).

Add the porcini and their water, salt, pepper, and the vinegar.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain and remove mushrooms. I left all the veggies in, but the shrooms get a little rubbery.


Winter Portobello Mushroom Stew

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
salt and peppa
1/2 lb portobello mushrooms, sliced
1 lb. large white mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp. tomato paste
mushroom stock made above or 1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. butter

Heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add the onion and rosemary and cook for about 12 minutes (till browned). Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a bowl.

Return the pan to medium heat and add half the remaining oil. When hot, saute the portobellos until browned (5 min). Then add them to the bowl with the onions.

Take the remaining oil and saute the white mushrooms.

Return everything to the pan. Add the garlic, tomato paste, mushroom stock, and vinegar. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Swirl in butter.

A New Turn

I have to make changes in my life....while I dont want to, they are necessary. I am looking towards the future as a positive thing... Ok...lying... I am actually depressed about it.

Bands...

I need to know more about music... cause I love it. I have found it very difficult to have an interesting conversation about music when all you can say is, "I really like that one song by that one band with the hot guy.....I like his socks..." No one gets it... I dont know why!

hahaha

so I am starting with this list that tells the top 100 band according to somebody. That is why I started with Zeppelin...number one my ass.

http://www.avrev.com/top-100-bands-of-all-time/top-10-rock-bands/index.php

I guess I am a horrible person

Today, I was told that if you don't love Led Zeppelin, you are a horrible person.  I DO NOT love Zeppelin.  I am okay with being a horrible person. 

Reasons to not believe that Led Zeppelin is the best band of all time:

1. Robert Plant - Sorry, but his vocals suck.  Technically, he is fine,  but he has no soul...no force.

2. Jimmy Page riffs - Sometimes they sound like a creaky door and that is really irritating to me.  People complain about nails on chalk boards, which I dont understand, but I imagine they are feeling the say I feel when I hear Jimmy Page live solos...

3. John Bonham solos - good, solid player, but 20 minute solos?  come on!  BORING!!!

4.  Songs like "Dyer Maker" and "The Rain Song" - enough said.

5.  Their songs are tttoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo llllllllllllllllloooooooooonggggggg!!!

6.  They are ridiculously overplayed.

7. They are overrated.  Yes, they are.  Believe me....they are.

8.  They are egotistical assholes.  I just dont like assholes...  Not musical ones anyway.