RE: Beets

Posted in What's Cookin' by

Ok, so last week I got the bright idea to buy some beets at the DCFM to make at home. This original quest ended in failure because I did not plan ahead and have a recipe in mind to actually cook them. So, the beets decided to commit suicide in my crisper drawer while I fretted on what to do to them.

This week I went back to the DCFM to buy more beets, this time with a plan. My good veggie guru gave me a simple recipe for roasting them in the oven. Armed with this culinary knowledge, I set forth on my quest again last night to have them for dinner. . . Success!! They turned out beautifully. Tender, moist and lustfully juicy red. Hurray! I ate two of them last night for dinner plain. I am going to slice up the remaining two for lunch: chilled beets with walnuts and goat cheese.

Major disappointment

Posted in Books by

Ok, I went to check out the Middleton Library today. I was all excited because it looks like a really nice one. It was newly built and it is always busy when I drive past. So, I was looking forward to browsing the stacks and picking out some good reads. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. They have nothing! I went in there with a list of books that I was looking for and they didn’t have half of them! Plus the ones that they did have were looking raggedy and old. Quite a sad site really. I ended up getting a few books, “classics” that I think everyone in high school read but me. Animal Farm, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Dorian Gray, etc. I am going to see if maybe I can order some books online from this branch for the more current ones I am looking for. Will let you know how that goes. . .

Tomatoes

Posted in What's Cookin' by

This weekend, the hubby and I went to the Dane County Farmers Market (DCFM) for some produce, flowers, and a delicious chocolate long john. Yum Zum. Among other things, I purchased approximately 30 lbs of tomatoes. (This is about one of those large cardboard produce boxes full.) The reason why I did this is not for some out of control craving, but because I have been wanting to can some for the winter. No, I am not crazy. This was time consuming, but actually pretty easy to do. I have done it in the past in CMH with my own tomatoes. Plus, I have fond memories of my mom and our neighbor basically openning a canning factory in the kitchen each summer. So, I now have ten quart jars full of yummy tomatoes in the pantry. I am thinking that I can get another batch done before the season is over, so I will have enough to make homemade sauce for through the winter.

I know that some people are thinking, “ Is she nuts? Why not just buy some canned tomatoes from the store?” Well, with those canned tomatoes, you do not really know where they are coming from, how they were grown, or when they were canned. I feel that these are healthier and better tasting. Plus, it is also way more inexpensive to “put up” some tomatoes on my own that buying them all at the store. I am looking forward to winter so I can see how they turned out.

Face Your Manga

Posted in Geekery by

Presented to me by a friend as an exercise in weirdness, I just created a manga version of myself online. Why is it that I look better in avatar form than in real life?? The weirdest thing about this is that I actually had to get up to look in the mirror a few times to figure out what I look like. If you are up for it, make yourself over in your own image. (Whuh?)

Book Bike

Posted in Books by

Ok, here is another reason to love Chicago. Gabriel Levinson has created the “book bike.” Essentially, he rides around Chicago parks and neighborhoods and gives away new books for people to read. Levinson, who is a reviews editor for Make: A Chicago Literary Magazine, accomplishes this by working with both local and national independent publishers, such as Drawn & Quarterly, McSweeney’s, Farrar Straus and Giroux, Dark Horse, Soft Skull Press and Lake Claremont Press, to donate books to his cause. To read more about him and where he what park he will be at next, check out his website.

Now if he would only make a trip up to Madison . . .

BTW, don’t you want to own one of these! I could see myself using it to buy groceries, taking Walter for a ride, ha!

What to read . . .

Posted in Books by

I am recently without a book to read. Normally, I usually have several going at the same time, or have a stack of them waiting patiently for me. However, I have neglected to line up some reading for myself and now I am stuck. Hoping that someone might be able to give me a few suggestions. . .

I guess this gives me some motivation to check out the local library.

Beerfest

Posted in Travel, What's Cookin' by

This weekend, Shawn and I went to check out “The Great Taste of the Midwest 2008” aka Beerfest. Think about 100+ brewers/brewpubs serving over 500 different kinds of beer in a beautiful lakeside setting with a view of the state capitol. The weather was absolutely perfect and they keep the size small by selling a limited number of tickets. But enough about the setting, lets talk about the beer!

I didn’t keep count of the number of beers tasted (servings are 3 oz) but here are a few of my favorite’s Old Hat Bewerey had a delicious Cherry Pilsner called Cherry Baby. It was light, crisp and refreshing with a hint of fresh cherries. Almost like a champagne than a beer. Another good one was Prairie Rock Brewing Company’s Vanilla Creme Ale. Delicious. Nice and creamy, think of a cream soda for adults. . . and I normally don’t like cream soda! Unfortunately, I do not remember the names of the brewer’s, but I also had a fantastic imperial stout, a yummy blueberry stout, and a raspberry lambic that was out of this world.

Shawn and I have already decided that we are going to go again next year. Hopefully, we’ll be able to talk some of our friends into joining us. Oh, and next time I have to make us pretzel necklaces!

My sigg

Posted in Homey Goodness by

Hurray, I finally got my Sigg that I wanted so bad. Isn’t it the cutest? I love the grassy meadow print on it. Not to mention this thing is light a a feather and super durable. I have already dropped it a few times and not one scratch or dent! I also love the great little flip top/sports top thing. Never going to lose a cap again.

Now I can drink with a clear conscious about not contributing to the amount of plastic water bottles that are overflowing our landfills. And look so stylish while doing so!

Beets Me

Posted in What's Cookin' by

Ok, so I had a great idea to buy some beets at the farmer’s market. They looked so good, fresh and earthy. Aren’t they just great looking? Plus, they are always so delicious at restaurants in salads and things. What was I thinking?? They are now sitting in my fridge, mocking me every time I open the door. What am I going to make with these things and how the heck do you cook them? I have looked through all my cookbooks and all I can find is a recipe for shredded beet slaw. Blech. I am determined to find a simple, yummy recipe online for these suckers. Hopefully I will find one before they revolt.

I survived Lolla ‘08

Posted in Tunes by

What a fantastic weekend. Had a blast at the concert. Super hot sweaty mess, but well worth it. We danced our heart out at DJ Bald Eagle, DeVotchka, and Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and rocked out at The Black Keys and The Racounteurs. Was a bit disappointed with Rage Against the Machine and missed seeing Eli “Paperboy” Reed, but otherwise it was perfect. Was impressed on how diverse the crowds were and also how everyone was very mellow and neighborly. Even the beer and food prices were reasonable. I guarantee that I will be back next year.

We also went to The Hideout on Saturday after the concert. Lord, that was fun. Nothing like dancing up a storm after a full day of concert going! Peanut butter feet, indeed! Best part was Shawn, The Dancing Bandito, nearly lost my mind on that one.

NOTE: Completed #54 on list.