So my birthday was last monday which means... I am now 21.
21 is fun. 21 is not that different than 20. Except that I can purchase alcohol. And you know what that means? Wine time.
I woke up on Monday, November 15 and went to Trader Joe's at 10 am. First legal alcohol purchase I made: 5 bottles of wine and some amaretto. Not even joking. This is California after all.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Peeptoes and Pickles
So the letter of the day today is P. Not as in pee, but as in p. P. p. P. p. whatever. P is the lucky letter today because I got some peeptoes in the mail and I made some pickles.
I love the shoes! They are so cute. They're red peeptoes from anthropologie. Shoes can really transform an outfit and these add a nice pop of color to an otherwise normal outfit (I've been really into neutrals lately). They have a heel but not too much of a heel, so they're a good transitional shoe for me, typically a flats girl.
Oh and as for the pickles... they were super easy, I just had to go to Piazza's to get some ingredients (like white wine vinegar, which for some reason I have never used before). Mix some vinegar and some salt and some onions and garlic in a jar with cucumbers and there you go... pickles! The recipe said that I should to let them set overnight, but I think it's going to take longer so I think I'll leave them in the fridge for a couple days. I hope they're good - I don't know how you could go wrong with something as simple as pickles!
I love the shoes! They are so cute. They're red peeptoes from anthropologie. Shoes can really transform an outfit and these add a nice pop of color to an otherwise normal outfit (I've been really into neutrals lately). They have a heel but not too much of a heel, so they're a good transitional shoe for me, typically a flats girl.
Oh and as for the pickles... they were super easy, I just had to go to Piazza's to get some ingredients (like white wine vinegar, which for some reason I have never used before). Mix some vinegar and some salt and some onions and garlic in a jar with cucumbers and there you go... pickles! The recipe said that I should to let them set overnight, but I think it's going to take longer so I think I'll leave them in the fridge for a couple days. I hope they're good - I don't know how you could go wrong with something as simple as pickles!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Veganism
So it's summertime. My favorite season! (Although fall is nice too).
A lot has happened since I last wrote - since I was stressing about finals and baking apple pies because I guess that's just my way of coping. Anyway, I traveled to and back from Brazil for a summer CRP class. I had the time of my life. Did so many things, saw so many things, made so many friends, took so many pictures, etc etc etc... you get the point.
As most people know, I'm a vegetarian. Most people don't know that I've been a vegetarian for 6 years (and counting!). And now guess what? I've decided to go vegan for a month. I've always wanted to try it. One of my friends I met on the Brazil trip was vegan, so with her encouragement I've decided to finally do it! I see this as a trial period, as more of an experiment than an extreme conversion. I'm going to see if it works for me, and then, if not, I'll just go back to being normal veggie and eating dairy and eggs. We'll see.
I've been vegan for a week so far. I've actually really been enjoying it because it hasn't been that hard. It's been easy for the most part. I guess it's especially so because I make almost all my own food and rarely go out to eat (restaurants don't normally have a lot of vegan options, unless they are expressly vegan). I do miss my cheese now and then. For example, we had a fondue dinner party last Saturday - everyone was happily dipping bread into hot melty cheese while I was eating my salad and my tabouli. But the tabouli was so good it made up for not eating the fondue(!). But other than that, I'm pretty good. I was never a big fan of eggs. And I think that being vegan is good because it's making me experiment more. I'm trying out new recipes, using new ingredients, using old ingredients in new ways... and most of all, I'm eating fresh! Lots of fresh fruits and veggies yummmmmm. So good! Especially in the summer.
A lot has happened since I last wrote - since I was stressing about finals and baking apple pies because I guess that's just my way of coping. Anyway, I traveled to and back from Brazil for a summer CRP class. I had the time of my life. Did so many things, saw so many things, made so many friends, took so many pictures, etc etc etc... you get the point.
As most people know, I'm a vegetarian. Most people don't know that I've been a vegetarian for 6 years (and counting!). And now guess what? I've decided to go vegan for a month. I've always wanted to try it. One of my friends I met on the Brazil trip was vegan, so with her encouragement I've decided to finally do it! I see this as a trial period, as more of an experiment than an extreme conversion. I'm going to see if it works for me, and then, if not, I'll just go back to being normal veggie and eating dairy and eggs. We'll see.
I've been vegan for a week so far. I've actually really been enjoying it because it hasn't been that hard. It's been easy for the most part. I guess it's especially so because I make almost all my own food and rarely go out to eat (restaurants don't normally have a lot of vegan options, unless they are expressly vegan). I do miss my cheese now and then. For example, we had a fondue dinner party last Saturday - everyone was happily dipping bread into hot melty cheese while I was eating my salad and my tabouli. But the tabouli was so good it made up for not eating the fondue(!). But other than that, I'm pretty good. I was never a big fan of eggs. And I think that being vegan is good because it's making me experiment more. I'm trying out new recipes, using new ingredients, using old ingredients in new ways... and most of all, I'm eating fresh! Lots of fresh fruits and veggies yummmmmm. So good! Especially in the summer.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Apple Pie!
I did it! I made a (successful) apple pie and a decent pie crust.
I rarely make pies (because most of the time I am making cookies or cakes or scones or something) but every once in a while I get the urge to make a pie - about once a semester. I remember making a pie during finals week last fall semester and lo and behold! here I am making another pie during finals week of spring semester. I remember being so excited making that blueberry pie in December and then it turned out horrible: the crust was not flaky and much too hard (the result of too much kneading?) and the filling was mediocre.
But this time my pie was a success! People randomly stumbled into the kitchen and everyone who tasted it loved it! The filling probably could have used more sugar (it was tart because the recipe asked for lemon juice) but it was nice having a pie that was not overly-sweet. The crust was good too! Although I am still perfecting my pie crust... Sadie is the real master when it comes to pie crusts. Wish I knew how she does it.
This is the recipe (thanks epicurious!):
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Common-Apple-Pie-20145
I liked that it was kind of free-form and encouraged experimentation with the filling. I am always a fan of experimentation, especially in the kitchen. For me baking has always been intuitive and I am glad that other people understand that as well. I followed their recipe for the crust but ommitted the lard because 1) I am vegetarian, and 2) lard is gross! who wants lard in their apple pie?
P.S. Not only did it taste good, it looked good. Pictures to come later.
I rarely make pies (because most of the time I am making cookies or cakes or scones or something) but every once in a while I get the urge to make a pie - about once a semester. I remember making a pie during finals week last fall semester and lo and behold! here I am making another pie during finals week of spring semester. I remember being so excited making that blueberry pie in December and then it turned out horrible: the crust was not flaky and much too hard (the result of too much kneading?) and the filling was mediocre.
But this time my pie was a success! People randomly stumbled into the kitchen and everyone who tasted it loved it! The filling probably could have used more sugar (it was tart because the recipe asked for lemon juice) but it was nice having a pie that was not overly-sweet. The crust was good too! Although I am still perfecting my pie crust... Sadie is the real master when it comes to pie crusts. Wish I knew how she does it.
This is the recipe (thanks epicurious!):
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Common-Apple-Pie-20145
I liked that it was kind of free-form and encouraged experimentation with the filling. I am always a fan of experimentation, especially in the kitchen. For me baking has always been intuitive and I am glad that other people understand that as well. I followed their recipe for the crust but ommitted the lard because 1) I am vegetarian, and 2) lard is gross! who wants lard in their apple pie?
P.S. Not only did it taste good, it looked good. Pictures to come later.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Feminism (or the lack thereof)
I'd like to pretend I'm a feminist... but try as I might, I fail miserably.
Consider this: for Halloween I was a Pin-Up Girl and a Librarian/Housewife (my Halloween spanned two nights). How much farther from feminism can you get? Both are different takes on the epitome of female objectification: one, the very image of sex; the other, the image of domesticity. And I voluntarily, even excitedly, portrayed both of these. They were great costumes. It was fun.
Whether I want to admit it or not, I am obsessed with the "cult of domesticity." I love cooking and baking and cleaning and dressing up and being seen. I'm passive, which just continues the tradition of female subordination. Is that bad?
Consider this: for Halloween I was a Pin-Up Girl and a Librarian/Housewife (my Halloween spanned two nights). How much farther from feminism can you get? Both are different takes on the epitome of female objectification: one, the very image of sex; the other, the image of domesticity. And I voluntarily, even excitedly, portrayed both of these. They were great costumes. It was fun.
Whether I want to admit it or not, I am obsessed with the "cult of domesticity." I love cooking and baking and cleaning and dressing up and being seen. I'm passive, which just continues the tradition of female subordination. Is that bad?
Fate?
I normally don't even pretend to believe in fate or destiny, but something happened today that made me question my skepticism.
It was the strangest thing. I was walking around downtown Ithaca taking snapshots for my Streescapes assignment. I was strolling down the main Commons and kept noticing this man in front of me. Young guy, well-groomed, business casual attire. Must have been a Johnson School grad student. It was like I was inadvertently following him. He would turn, and then I would turn (because that was on my path). He definitely saw me because he looked back a few times (checking me out? I don't know). He was going where I was going. And then he took a left, and I continued straight. Whew. Didn't want him to think I was creepy or anything. And then...
I decided to go to Starbucks to get some coffee and work on my project... and lo, and behold, who did I see in front of me as I crossed Seneca Street? Mr. Business Major. We crossed the street and he continued straight, while I turned left. Good. He must be going to somewhere important, because there are a lot of tall, looming, business-y looking buildings on Tioga Street, and that would make sense. So, relieved, I walked into Starbucks. And there he was, right in front of me in line. WHAT WAS GOING ON? So I try to play it cool and pretend like I hadn't noticed anything and ignore the strangeness of our little saga. And then the barista chick asks us what we want, and he orders a Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte. Exactly what I was going to order. THE SAME DRINK (except mine was nonfat). This was too ridiculous to be happening to me. I go to sit down and the only table is within close proximity, so I constantly see him sitting a few feet from out of the corner of my eye. I go to pick up my drink and he stares at me, downright stares. Now, I don't know what he was thinking, whether he was flattered or creeped out or checking me out or what...
Now if this isn't fate, I don't know what is. It's not like he was particularly attractive or anything, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be my future husband.
It was the strangest thing. I was walking around downtown Ithaca taking snapshots for my Streescapes assignment. I was strolling down the main Commons and kept noticing this man in front of me. Young guy, well-groomed, business casual attire. Must have been a Johnson School grad student. It was like I was inadvertently following him. He would turn, and then I would turn (because that was on my path). He definitely saw me because he looked back a few times (checking me out? I don't know). He was going where I was going. And then he took a left, and I continued straight. Whew. Didn't want him to think I was creepy or anything. And then...
I decided to go to Starbucks to get some coffee and work on my project... and lo, and behold, who did I see in front of me as I crossed Seneca Street? Mr. Business Major. We crossed the street and he continued straight, while I turned left. Good. He must be going to somewhere important, because there are a lot of tall, looming, business-y looking buildings on Tioga Street, and that would make sense. So, relieved, I walked into Starbucks. And there he was, right in front of me in line. WHAT WAS GOING ON? So I try to play it cool and pretend like I hadn't noticed anything and ignore the strangeness of our little saga. And then the barista chick asks us what we want, and he orders a Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte. Exactly what I was going to order. THE SAME DRINK (except mine was nonfat). This was too ridiculous to be happening to me. I go to sit down and the only table is within close proximity, so I constantly see him sitting a few feet from out of the corner of my eye. I go to pick up my drink and he stares at me, downright stares. Now, I don't know what he was thinking, whether he was flattered or creeped out or checking me out or what...
Now if this isn't fate, I don't know what is. It's not like he was particularly attractive or anything, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be my future husband.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Serial Cleaner
I went on a cleaning spree today. Baking rampage, cleaning spree… see a pattern? What’s next?
I find that the state of my room is directly correlated to the state of my mind. Not to delve into mental health too much here, but the dirtier my room gets, the more clogged my brain gets. As a result, I am unable to think, let alone get to my bed without stepping on anything.
So I washed my linens and made my bed and took a shower and put things in their place, more or less. Feeling 100x better now and I might be productive for once. Back to endlessly reading… I have two books and a paper to finish by Friday. But hey, I asked for it.
As a side note: I can’t believe it’s November already. Which means fall is almost over. And also means my birthday is in two weeks (exactly)! I can’t believe I’m going to be twenty. The big two-O. Two decades old. Gahhh if I’m going to be twenty why can’t I just be twenty-one already?
My (Halloween) Baking Rampage
I went on a baking rampage tonight. It was wonderful. I made cookies AND cupcakes for the house. Double whammy. Recipe for snickerdoodles (cinnamon sugar cookies) below:
Snickerdoodles (my favorites)
1 cup butter or margarine
½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 cups flour (this can vary)
1 egg (optional, helps bind it together)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Soften butter and put into large bowl.
3. Combine both sugars with butter and mix (with spoon or hands; I prefer the latter).
4. Stir in flour and egg. Mix thouroughly.
5. Shape dough into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon.
6. Roll each ball of dough in the sugar-cinnamon mixture so that it is completely coated.
7. Lay out dough balls on cookie tray (preferably greased). Flatten if needed.
8. Bake for 20 minutes, but begin checking cookie progress around 10, then again at 15, etc…
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