Humph

I like this expression...it reminds me of Bella Swann.

Though not the original intension of this post, it does remind me that I should mention I have completed the Twilight series. SOOOO good. I can't get over how good the last one was. I didn't want it to end. Oh, but now I have Midnight Sun to keep me entertained for just a wee bit longer.

Next on the reading list is TCOYF. Beta's know what that is. ;) Ian's been bugging me since the store has been closed for quite some time now as a result of a minor accident. But I was too consumed with Twilight! I mean, this was a short time in my life when Edward had to come first. I'm sorry husband.

Anyway, after my edumucation on that I'll move on to My Sister's Keeper. I bought it (along with Beta recommendation Plain Truth) and want to finish the first one before the movie comes out late next month. Can we say girls night??

*humph* was because I'm not sure what else to write here. I have writters block...oh, except I'm not a writer. Maybe that's why I never know what to blog about? Am I boring? Do you have any suggestions for me? Does anyone really care what I have to say? I guess that part is irrelavent because I'm going to ramble anyway. I apologize it it's utterly dull.

Farewell Flex Friday

Rumors were confirmed this week that we all must switch from the beloved 9/80 flex schedule to regular 5/40.

My boss told me this is all a result of one department (contracts I believe) who managed to screw something up big time because they missed a major deadline...apparently no one was around during their "off" Friday to get their S**T done. So why must the rest of us be punished? Everyone in my group knows that if we must come in on Friday, we must come in and work it on out.

The change is effective 6/27 so I still have a couple more Fridays to enjoy. I think it will be a pretty tough transition, being that I've never worked a regular schedule before. The weekends are so much shorter on working Fridays. It will be a dearly missed benefit.

On the bright side, I'm hoping everyone here is fine with me still coming in on the early side and just leaving earlier now. If I can escape by 4 or 4:30 everyday, I'll beat traffic and have more time to be productive in the evenings...maybe even hit the gym before dinner. What? Don't laugh!! It's possible.. =P

Idol Upset

I need to discuss American Idol, I just need to ok? In the past, I've never been very dedicated to the show. I watch the auditions through to the top 10 and then get bored. This season was totally different though. From the first performance of Adam Lambert, I was hooked...could not stop watching...must see Adam Lambert again and again...he is so talented. Every week he brought something unique to the show. I realize it's cliché but he really is a true artist in every sense of the word. Imagine my disappointment when Kris Allen was pronounced the American Idol on last nights result show. Sure, he's got some skills. He's talented but he's generic. There's nothing that sets him apart from so many already current artists out there. He's boring. I mean, did you not see Adam with KISS? OMG!! Compared to Kris' duet??

This article explains my very thoughts but if you just want the highlights, here you go. This is why Adam lost:

“Red state-blue state” politics at work - with Lambert’s painted fingernails, “guyliner,” and uncertain sexuality against Allen’s down-home, churchgoing sensibilities. This matchup appeared to favor Lambert, but a number of blue-state types may be “too cool” for Idol’s mass appeal, and unlikely to vote.

Gokey’s elimination provided the final key to Allen’s victory. For all the musical differences between Allen and Gokey, their personalities have a similar appeal. Both are worship directors at their respective churches, and have the same well-documented “Middle America” appeal.

Of course, in the long run, all this might not mean much. Lambert’s devoted following will serve him well on the charts, while it remains to be seen just how much momentum Allen will carry from his victory.

The future belongs to Adam Lambert. Thank goodness he doesn't have to record that god-awful Kara song and be "stuck" with AI producers forever. He will go on to do much bigger and better things and for that, I will be thankful.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

We made these last night and they were excellent! Do try.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Plank-Grilled Halibut
halibut fillets
olive oil
cajun seasoning
cedar plank (can be purchased at many grocery stores in the fish section, I find them at Costco too)



Mango Salsa
1 mango, peeled, pitted and diced
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
S&P



Slaw
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
3 T light sour cream (you could also use plain yogurt)
3 T light mayo
fresh lime juice
S&P



Directions

Soak the cedar plank in water for at least 1 hour prior to cooking fish. The longer the better...

While the board is soaking, prepare the salsa.

Heat grill to Med-High.

Rub the halibut fillet with olive oil and season one side generously with cajun spice.

Remove the plank from the water, pat dry and place on grill for 2-3 minutes (this seasons it if being used for the first time...most can be used 2 or 3 times). Turn plank over and place fish on top. Cover the grill and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the halibut is just cooked through. *Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy so flames can be extinguished if the plank starts to burn.

While fish is cooking, prepare the slaw.

Serve fish on corn tortillas with slaw and mango salsa. I also served our tacos with avocado on the side since Ian is not a huge fan; however, I otherwise would have put it straight into the salsa. Beans and cheese make a tasty accompanyment on or to the side. Enjoy!!

He Goes Bananas

It is true. I am married to a man who doesn't much prefer scrumptious sweet treats that come out of an oven. Shocking as it be, he made a special request the other day -- that I make some more of that "really good bread" I made once before. Apparently he couldn't get enough of this homemade banana nut bread with chocolate chips! I'll admit, it is GOOD, especially as breakfast or dessert. But you could very well leave the chocolate out for a more traditional bread...I would add some extra nuts if I did that. =)

The original recipe was found on AllRecipes.com but the one I've posted below includes the modifications I made per reviewer suggestions.

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread

Yield (2) 9x5 loaf pans or 1 bundt pan (I've tried both now and either is fine...but with 2 loafs you can easily freeze one for later)

1 cup butter flavored shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
6 very ripe bananas, mashed
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
*Lowering the temp to 335-340 will reduce outside browning some...just let it cook on the longer side.

In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in the vanilla, mayonnaise and bananas. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture; stir just enough to evenly combine. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 75 minutes. Cool loaf in the pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Hello, Hydroponics

We're learning all about hydroponics systems from my sister Becky and her boyfriend. They're really into "going green" in general and have taken up growing, if you will, as a hobby. If you'd like to read up on hydroponics, you can find a lot of info here on Wikipedia. Side note - I just learned what a "wiki" was...hence, Wikipedia. Where have I been? *Reminder to self - stay technologically plugged in and savvy ok?

For my birthday, they offered to build us a hydroponics system in our backyard, which we got started on this past weekend. The type we decided to go with is the Nutrient Film Technique whereby a continuous, shallow stream of nutrient rich water flows over the bare roots through channels. I'll just go ahead and post our progress..

First thing they did was build a base on which to lay the piping/channels. This was made of 2x2" pieces of wood that angled out from the top in order to maximize sun expose on every level. The structure measures 6' across, 5' high and 2' out from the bottom. Before we could get much further, we tested the pump and realized that it wasn't powerful enough to get the water up from the reservoir to the top pipe. We need the flow to work right in order to determine the best angles to attach the channel pipes to the base. Here's a picture of phase 1:

I also learned all about starting the seedlings in these little greenhouses they sell at the nursery. This is so cool!! You get these little pellets that sit in a tray and expand into nutrient rich soil as soon as you add water. Then you just drop a couple seeds into each one, cover it up with the plastic lid, set it in sun, keep it moist and let it go! In a couple weeks, these suckers should be ready to transplant into the hydroponics system.

Oh but I will say, this particular system that we're building works best with lighter, smaller veggies like lettuces and herbs. We chose rosemary, thyme, cilantro, basil, cabbage, spring lettuce mix, and two types of romaine...I think there was something else but I can't remember.

Pellets:

Expanded and seeded pellets in greenhouse:

"Get Rich Slowly" Garden Project

I need to begin by recommending one of my new favorite blogs that my friend Jennie told me about. Get Rich Slowly ("personal finance that makes cents") is full of great tips with regards to debt elimination, saving money, and practical investing. Since the author is just your average joe-schmo who once dug himself out from a massive pile of personal debt, it's not complicated with too much jargon. He actually spells things out in layman's terms with the basis being that very few people get rich quick but almost anyone can get rich slowly.

One thing that I'm especially interested in is the GRS Garden Project. I'd never thought to actually keep track of these costs until I started reading about it on this blog. Being that Ian and I are slowing (need to hurry up before it's too hot) getting around to starting our backyard garden, I've decided to track our spending vs. harvest costs as they do on GRS. I'm sure that being newbies has it's disadvantages due to start up costs and what not, but hopefully in the future as we begin to refine our skills, we'll be able to make the most of having home grown produce right outside our window.

More to come on our outdoor endeavors...