Sleepypie

ARCHIVES :JUNE :2010

June 21

Today, we discuss the following: Sherlock Holmes, Shrek and golf.

1. Sherlock Holmes - Great looking film - a little underrated. Enjoyable. Fun. Action-packed. Liked it!
One of the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes had this negative comment: "Ritchie mounts some impressively exciting action sequences, then bathes everything in dingy browns and grays to achieve an unappealing Victorian griminess."

Actually, I really liked the stylized palette of the film and appreciated that it didn't look like EVERY film that I have seen lately....whatev.

2. Shrek Forever After was smart, great-to-look-at, funny and not nearly as long as Sherlock Holmes! Go see it!

3. I spent some time watching the US open this past weekend - my first time watching golf. That's the Irishman that won (above). People always joke about golf being boring but here's what I think it has going for it:
A. No complicated strategies. One guy, one ball, one hole - end of story.
B. You don't have to know which team is which. One guy, one ball, one hole - end of story.
C. One person plays at a time, and their name is indicated on the screen.
D. It's a quiet game. The announcers are slightly hushed. Absolute quiet is required when players are about to make their move. The groans and cheers from the crowd are funny - if a putt looks like its going in, you can hear the hushed excitement and then it turns into groans when its a miss.
E. Everything keeps moving. There's no time-outs, referee reviews, very limited number of replays, no injuries. They're always cutting to tape (this person just did this on the 8th hole, while we were watching that other guy) - no waiting!
F. Last but not least, the scenery is always stunning! Always green grasses of varying lengths, and frequently a breath-taking coastline! Duh!

June 14
In a few weeks, I embark on a new chapter in my career - yes - a new job. I am both excited and not excited for a bunch of different reasons. One of the unexcited reasons is that I will be moving from a modern, open, white, sexy office on the 19th floor overlooking downtown to a dark, old, office off the downtrodden freeway.

Here's what I am going to need to make my new desk awesome:
1. A wonderful selection of teas in pretty packages. This is going to be a little tough because I'm always changing my mind about what kind of tea I like... But, no matter.
2. A cute new tissue box cover. Something like this one from the headtotoe shop (already have 2 of them)
3. A new mug - Hmm. This wil be a tough one.
4. A fresh set of colored pencils
5. Maybe a new lamp - I will hold off on that until I see what my set up is.
6. Cute mouse pad (sure wish I hadn't thrown away that one I used to have) - Another hard one.

June 10

I made 2 cakes Tuesday night and both were outstanding.

1. Beatty's Chocolate Cake by Ina Garten on FoodNetwork with cream cheese frosting. This is the best cake that my husband or I have ever tasted. It's a pretty easy cake , which is an important aspect to any recipe. Chocolatey without being rich, and so delicate. You know, you don't realize how whisper soft a cake is supposed to be until you have a homemade one. This cake was made to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. It did a good job!
2. Texas sheet cake which I have been wanting to make for about 15 years. Another easy recipe. I love the flavor of this cake. I really do. Again, very edible. The frosting kinda hardens - almost like a fudge consistency. Made this for a friend/coworker's bday. It was excellent.

All that to say that we are adding Beatty's Chocolate Cake to our family lexicon of food ideas and recipes that I have been building. I have a gmail draft email in which I have been adding the recipes that we find ourselves making over and over. It's surprisingly easy to come home from work and not be able to remember a single thing you have ever made for dinner that you liked. May as well a good cake to the list.

1. Turkey burgers with jerk seasoning
2. Chili (turkey, pinto beans, can of roasted tomatoes, 'alternate' chile powder)
3. Fancy salad with chicken on top (mixed greens, cranberries, nuts, cheese, citrus or strawberries, etc) 4. Veggie stirfry pack from central market with tofu (fresh ginger)
5. Mushroom Rice Cooker Fish
6. Curry chicken
7. Pozole (hominy, leftover pork)
8. Meatloaf
9. Tilapea (usually in the pan with whatever spices we feel like)
10. Grilled Salmon with peas
11. Marinated mexican steak fajita meat, grilled pineapple, corn tortillas, cilantro, beans, sour cream

Sides
1. Grilled Salad (romaine hearts, anchovy oil, parm and lemon)
2. Roasted potatoes
3. Roasted asparagus
4. Baked potatoes
5. Corn muffins

Desserts
1. Paula Deen's Crunch top apple pie
2. Ina Garten's Beatty Chocolate cake

Check out the month of May.