Happy Pie Day!!

It is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and that means it's the day that I make pies. This year I only had three to get done, but one was apple which I have never done before.


I started with the pecan pie...


Then it was onto the apple. I spent the majority of the time peeling the apples and then I had the worries that it wouldn't all fit. But in the end it all seems as though it was for naught as it looks pretty yummy!


Then it was on to the old stand-by of the eggnog pie. Thank goodness it doesn't require any baking, but unwrapping those caramels sure is tedious.


Too bad that I won't be around to eat all of them as we're splitting the holiday with our families. I guess it just means that I'll have to make more pies later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Change in the air...

I know it's fall when three things happen. The fresh local apples show up at the grocery store and are incredibly crisp. Pumpkin recipes are everywhere online. And I have the urge to make chicken noodle soup. This last weekend I did two of those three.

There's just something about homemade chicken noodle soup. I don't know if it's the flavor of the broth, the big chunks of everything that's in there, or the distinct lack of saltiness that I usually find in the canned stuff. I do know that it makes the whole house smell AMAZING! I mean, when you have a chicken broth make that looks like this...

you know that it will taste the best.

Then there's everything else that goes into it. It's surprisingly easy.

Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup
1 whole chicken
3 cans of chicken broth
2-3 cups of water (enough to cover it in the pot)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 whole bay leaves
cracked black pepper
pinch of salt
2 medium onions
1 lb carrots
1 stalk celery
24 ounce bag of thick egg noodles (I like the Kluski brand)

In a four quart stock pot, heat olive oil on medium high and then add the garlic. Once that has darkened slightly, place whole chicken on top of it breast side down until just browned. Flip the chicken so it's breast side up. (I also add a few chicken tenders or a couple of chicken breasts as I always have requests for more meat in recipes.) Let it brown for a minute or two and then add the chicken broth. If the meat is not covered, add enough water to just cover the chicken. Add sage, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, pepper and salt. Bring to slow boil and turn down heat and let it boil for an hour and a half.

While the chicken is boiling, cut up the onion, celery and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Don't make them too small or you'll made chicken mush instead of soup.
After the chicken has cooked, strain the broth through a colander and set the chicken aside to cool for a bit. Pour the broth back into the pot and add all of the vegetables. Again bring it to a slow boil and cook until the carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.
When the chicken has cooled enough to handle with your bare hands, remove the skin and shred it or cube it into one inch pieces. Add it back into the pot when the vegetables are just cooked. Let the whole thing simmer on the stove until you are ready to eat.
In a separate pot, boil the water to cook the egg noodles per the directions. Serve the soup over the noddles in each bowel.

Serves 6

I also made a chocolate chip pumpkin cake that always seems to go over well. Um!

Cleaning Out

The last couple of months I've been cleaning things out to make life better. I've been thinking often about how much stuff I have and how much I could do without and still maintain my happy quality of life. So I now have a general rule. Six months without use and it's time to evaluate if I really want to have it. One year and it's off to Goodwill or to be sold. It's only been two months and I still have way more than I will ever use, but at least I've started trying to figure out how not to waste my space, my time or my money.

A Little Treat

I found a recipe for a microwave chocolate cake not too long ago and was very sceptical about what it would taste like. But really, an individual(ish) size cake that would be ready to eat in less than ten minutes? I had to try it! I needed a little tweeking (the original was way too sweet) and so this is what I've come up with.

Quick Chocolate Cake
4 T all-purpose flour
3 T sugar
2 1/2 T cocoa powder
1/4 t baking powder
3 T milk (buttermilk works better)
3 T vegetable oil
1/4 t vanilla extract
1 egg
3 T mini-morsel chocolate chips (optional)
In large microwave-safe coffee mug (I found the wider the top the better) whisk all the dry ingredients together. Add the milk, oil, vanilla and egg and mix the batter until no lumps are left. Tap the cup on the counter a few times to get out the air bubbles. Pour the chocolate chips on the top of the mix but do not mix them in as they will work their way into batter.
Cook on HIGH for three (3) minutes in a 1000 watt microwave. Adjust the time or heat setting for your microwave strength. The cake will puff out the top of the cup as it cooks, but don't worry as it will fall back down when it's done cooking. Let the completed cake stand in the microwave for at least a minute before eating. Serve right in the mug!

This will real be good for two people, especially if you add a little ice cream. But let's be honest, who really wants to share chocolate cake?

Seeking Solace...

I used to be a firm believer that I just needed to get through things, now I am a proponent of ice cream. So here are my five favorite ice cream flavors for when I need to go to my happy place:

5. Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. For someone who loves to bake, that this one makes an appearance shouldn't be surprising. This one seems to have just the right balance of vanilla ice cream, cookie dough and chocolate chips.

4. Bryer's Chocolate. It's simple. It's not too chocolatey. It's creamy. Why mess up a good thing?

3. Oberwies Mint Chocolate Chip. This is one of those super-premium brands that's superbly creamy and it's got real chips! Plus the fact that it's the awesome mint green makes it the ultimate mint chocolate chip go-to.

2. Ben and Jerry's Neapolitan Dynamite. This is one of those half and half pints for those of us who can't decide between Cherry Garcia and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Why choose when you can have both?

1. Oberwies Chocolate Peanut Butter. This has been my favorite flavor of ice cream since I was five years old. It's super smooth chocolate ice cream with real hard smooth peanut butter ribbons (and globs) through out. It is what man was meant to create when we first combined chocolate and peanut butter. And my cone is always gone too soon.

I know my list is rather chocolate heavy, but if I was doing doing a list that excluded chocolate it would be far longer than five. I'll just have to continue testing the product!

Long Time Coming...

So I need to think of something to say. I just really haven't had words to say what I've done in the last year.
Now all I've got to do is get through the latest move and I'll be happy. I just wish I had all my baking stuff in one place to get through the rough days!

Pics from the Day

Here are just the main highlights from our jaunt to the Mall last week:


Me and Mr. Obama puppet stood in front of the Washington Monument.


The crowds lookings towards the Capitol and the jumbo-trons to hear and watch the speech. Like the rest of the world, the only way we were going to see it was televised.


One of the peaceful demonstrations of happiness in front of Constitution Hall.


Team McPhearson finally making it back to the Key Bridge after luncheoning in Georgetown.

Inauguration Day, in Brief

Got up before the sun. Got to the Metro. Waited past crowded trains. Kathryn got a banana peel thrown at her. Met some cool people when we finally got on the train. McPherson Square! Walked. Crowds. Thought we were going to the parade. Walked. Crowds. Ended up at the Washington Monument. Stood. Crowds. Smiles. Pictures of crowds. Got to know Team McPherson Square better. Colder. Waited. Crowds. People we like an didn't like filling up the Capitol steps.

INAUGURATION!

Smiles on all our faces. A pretty song. A pretty poem. Walked. Crowds. Dude with mega-phone telling us all to repent. O-BA-MA cheer drowning him out. Crowds. Team McPherson2 sticking together. Shuffling past the White House. Almost getting run over by a police officer. Walking again. Crowds. Finally made it to Pennsylvania Avenue. No room at the Parade! Oh well. Walk to Georgetown. Must find a bathroom. Then we'll find some lunch. Team McPherson2 walking over the Key Bridge to Rosslyn. Metro still too crowded, so keep walking all the way back to Courthouse.

Phew!

I'll post some pics later.

Day of Service and Honoring the Past

Our President-Elect had declared today a National Day of Service and so Kathryn and I had tried to sign-up like a month ago to participate in one of the service projects that are happening in the DC area today, but like many of the things she got us on the waiting list of 500 people. So needless to say our plans for today did not start out with us participating in any service projects. We were on our way to the National Archives and the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery and when the first was crowded beyond belief and the second wasn't open yet, I suggested that we walk over to the MLK Library to see what was going on there to see what was going on today. What we found was this:





We got to participate in a service project after all! Thanks to the Morehouse College fraternities to organized such a great project. We met some really nice people and got to participate a little bit in the Feeding America program. So many people had showed up (some from as far as California) that we were only needed for about an hour. We rotated through and let everyone else have a turn.



Going through musuems is nice, but this was WAY better!

We didn't stick around for too long though as the big entertainment was going to Josh Groben and after the concert yesterday I'd had my fill. So it was off to the Portrait Gallery which was finally open and saw the pictures of all the presidents. I think that the presidents who turned out to struggle the most with their time in office have the most unusual portraits.

Then we went to wait in the line at the National Archives to see those documents that are the most important to us in this country. Fortunately I was able to take a few pictures before so many people used their flash and all cameras were put away.

Very few things move me, but the phrase at the beginning of the Constitution really is so powerful to me.



On our way back we walked through the Mall to see what was happening and to see the set up for tomorrow. It is a crazy place already! And the worst part was when we walked by the MSNBC booth, who should be there, but my new best friend Josh Groben. we really need work on scheduling our events at different times.

Concert at Lincoln Memorial

Yesterday I went to probably the best concert I have ever had the pleasure of going to, even if Josh Groben was one of the performers.

Kathryn and I arrived at 9:30 in the morning and we could have gotten a bit closer than we were, but decided that we wanted to have a good view of the screens and from our vantage point we could still see the stage, although the performers looked like wee little bugs dancing about while their voices were broadcast across the front long.



I'd never heard 300,000 people singing the Star Spangled Banner before and it really was a moving sound. Definately worth the five hour wait to hear the concert and our President-Elect speak!

Merry Christmas!

May your days be merry and bright! And may all your days be bright!



PS 26 days to go. Does anyone have any suggestions where on the Mall we should stand to participate in the inauguration?

Let It Snow!

I really did try to make it early to work today. Honestly I did, but then I remembered what happened last time I did.

And then it started to snow.

And now it won't stop snowing.

And I'm certain it's going to keep on snowoing until Easter.

Also...28 days!

The Count-down Begins!

Yes, only three more days until Christmas! But that is not what I'm looking forward to this year.

Like 2008 year, my Big Event will be happening in January 2009! So today I've decided to officially start my Inauguration Day count-down at 29.

29 Days until I will be freezing my butt off on the Mall with 2 million other people to watch, listen, or breathe air molecules in the same vicinity in the 44th president. Maybe if the Secret Service and the Capitol police let us get that close.

Maybe.

Being Well Shod

I am a firm believer in shoes. Ask anyone who knows me. I love shoes. One of my greatest joys is to go shoe shopping. One of my second greatest joys is to look at my favorite shoes. (Hello! Christian Louboutins have red the color of Chanel nail polish on the bottom! How amazingly fabulously beautiful shoeiness can you get?)

Anyway, I really want to make sure every day when I leave the house that I am well shod.

Today though I had to leave way earlier for work than I normally do and of course I was running late and of course I was thinking about my busy day ahead (alright, I was really thinking about the pies). I was very proud that I had left close-ish to on time and I was really warm in my car for such a cool day. Then I realized why I was so warm and toasty. I had left with my slippers on. I really don't do mornings well.

Pie Night

The thing I like most about Thanksgiving doesn't actually happen on the fourth Thursday of November. It's the fourth Wednesday I look forward to making pies! I'm sitting in my mom's kitchen right now smelling the cherry and apple pies finishing their time in the oven. The peacan and pumkin have finished and are cooling on the counters.



Mom and I have really gone to town this year. We even made the cherry pie filling from scratch. That means that I get to eat all the left overs. This year I'm thankful for cherry pie filling from scratch. Bakers Square doesn't have anything on us. Marie Calander who? I still have two more to make tomorrow morning. Thank goodness for a large family who likes desserts and who is willing to try new pies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Perfecto!

What makes the perfect book? Is it the story that's well told? What about the beautiful language the author uses to describe the events that unfold? What about unforgettable characters? Does it require all of these things and then more?

I've read many books in my life. Some of them I've glanced through (Twilight anyone?) and some I've had to savor and go back and re-read time and again just so I understand what it is the author is trying to tell me. Some I really do love. Some I consider brain candy. Each serves their own purpose, and yet I've never learned what the perfect book is. Does it only apply to fiction or can non-fiction works join the ranks of their novel brothers and sisters? How will I know when I come upon that one work that changes me forever?

This weekend I saw some of the earliest writings of civilizations at the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago (I'll post more about that later in the week), and it really got me thinking about how important the written language is to the development of civilization. What will be the surviving written language of our generation? Our contribution? Texting?

Top 5 Book for Last 5(ish) Years:
Suite Francaise by Irene Nairovsky
Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Collins
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Some Serious TV Time...

I have been watching some of my favorite shows as usual this fall and here are a few thoughts on what I've seen this far...

Pushing Dasies
Oh, if every show could just bundle all of the funny and procedural and snark and happiness into one 43 minute show, it would be this one narrorated by the supurb Jim Dale. I want to help Emerson and the gang each week solve the crime. I'm glad that they've moved off the story of Chuck and her aunts this season (altough I am missing seeing Swoozie Kurtz in her eye patch) to delve more into the relationships amoung the four main characters. The more I've gotten to know each of the characters this season and their zany problems, the more I want to know! This show might be on the chopping block though and everyone should watch it to keep it going.

30 Rock
I cannot say how much I love this show. It's only been back for one episode, but it hit out of the park. I just always love them all. Who doesn't want to watch a black man dress as a white woman with monster claws? Plus Oprah!

Heroes
I really love the concepts of this show and I always really love the commitment the actors bring to it. But it's all too...earnest. This season see all of the characters finding new ways of becoming villans and we've seen other characters we thought were villans turn to the light. I want to like it, but I find myself waiting longer and longer before I launch the DVR to play each episode.

The Office
Again this season this show has been a bit uneven. I was so excited to see Michael growing as a person in his relationship with Holly but as most shows do, their investment has to be protected so Michael is back to his sad self...but hopefully not back to Jan. On the Jim and Pam front, I'm glad to see that their relationship has now turned towards the engagement, but I'm not sure what's going on with her in New York. Will Jim be following her? Erm, I have a feeling that Jim might have bigger fish to fry in New York. I am kinda sad though that Andy has become Dwights foil. I liked Jim and Dwight together because Jim never actually means to harm Dwight. This one can only end in a bad place.

Life
I love this show for the character of Charlie Crews. If this show were just his character walking down the street, I would watch it all the time. (Besides Damien Lewis has been on my list as my favorite red head since watching Band of Brothers over and over again.) I wish that they would get back more to the arc story, less of the procedurals, and WAY less of that stupid stero-type of a boss that they're forcing upon Crews' partner, Dani Reese. Plus more Ted. I mean, who doesn't like Adam Arkin? And who doesn't like Adam Arkin with Christina Hendricks playing Crews' new stepmom Olivia?

Ugly Betty
Favorite part of this new season? THEY'RE FILMING IN NEW YORK! I always love to see people filming on location and loving the locations. Least favorite thing about this season? Pretty much everything else. I feel like Betty (the show and the character) have reached the point that she needs to figure out how to move up and on so we can too.

Dancing with the Stars
So this isn't a show you so much watch and let it go through you like a $1.50 burrito at Taco Bell on a Saturday night after you've been drinking too much. It's only tolerable if you fast forward past Samantha. No one has really grabed my attention this season. The new pros that have lasted are whiney (Lacey) and I think the game is now rigged that Brooke is a shoe-in (or foot-in) to win.

I know all of those are shows that have either been on for a while or returned from last season, but I did try a few new shows this fall too...no mixed results there.

Kath and Kim
Avoid this like the STD that these ladies are probably carring. Seriously not funny. Just sad.

Curose
I wanted another island adventure to hold me over until Lost comes back Januauary 21, but this was not to be even with all the manly beauty.

Fringe
Even the furrows of Joshua Jackson's eyebrows were not deep enought to suck me into this show. It just kindda sucked.

My Own Worst Enemy
I was hoping it'd be a fun spy show like Chuck. It is a spy show, just not fun.

To sum up...I will not be watching any new shows this fall. I cannot wait for the mid-season replacements! That's when Dollhouse comes out. Although from what I understand we won't be able to see it until February.

So what it comes down to is that I have to wait until January for the continuing saga that has become Lost. And of course I'm just waiting for January 16 so I can get some closure on Battlestar Galactica. I don't know how I'll get past March when it all ends.

But in the mean time, I have to content myself with rememberences of Mad Men. In honor of that I'm including the link to the Mad Men Live Revue.

Honorable Mention
House
Bones
Stargate: Atlantis
Graham Norton

Veterans' Day, Part Deux

I'm not sure how to approach this...but what I'm about to post is what happens when people's intentions to honor our soldiers meets Americana at its, erm best.



I salute you! But is this really how we see our military?

Veteran's Day

Love love living in this country of ours and I'm especially greatful for those who have fought to make it what it is. Especially you, Mike. I'm very proud of you. I feel a great deal of indebtedness to those who have done something that I know that I'll never do, but I can remember them.

So even though I'm not from our great 51 state...erm I mean Canada I really love the following poem and it means a lot to mean on today for the 11th hour of the 11th month.

In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the the crosses, row on row,
That mark the place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up your quarrel with the foe:
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-Lt. Col. John McCrae

The Monday Blahs

I've decided that I really should not do Mondays.

That goes double for Monday mornings.

I should just not do anything for them. Stay at home, in bed, preferably asleep.

I'll have to figure out how I feel about Tuesdays tomorrow, but I don't think that the future looks very bright for them.