Monday, February 28, 2011

Onions are not my friend.

I made some kick-ass potato soup last night, AND some homemade bread.

Now, despite my adoration of cooking, and complete enjoyment of SOUPS.......I don't enjoy a THICK, creamy soup. Commercial clam chowders? blech. Chain restaurant soups that are anything "cream" or "cheese"? gag.

My problem with soups in a restaurant is to me many taste canned. Fake. PROCESSED. It makes me shudder. For me, this holds especially true for cream soups.

Anyway, I make an untraditional potato soup. I like it, my family likes it, so you all can sneer if you choose, because it works for me. I basically only use onions, celery, LOTS OF BUTTER, milk (skim), salt and pepper (oh...and of course potatoes). It's a brothy soup that is yummy.

I used a pretty big onion this time, and the soup was oniony, but it was SO good. I ate two bowls.

This morning, I was in the shower and kept smelling the deep sulphur-ish smell of onion. I smelled my fingers, and scrubbed them........holy COW, y'all....I realized that it was my BREATH.......my breath hanging in the droplets of steam in my shower. I barely TOUCHED the onions and my fingers were as Hawaiian Coconutty as my body wash allowed!! It could have been nothing else but FUNK emitting from my MOUTH!!! C R IN G E!!

I have issues with things like garlic and onions (AHEM) "staying" with me. But I knew if I could smell it so could half of our county.

I gargled and kept to myself today---kept more than a polite distance from my co-workers and PRAYED that I was bearable. Sans the steam, I had NO CLUE if I was offensive or not.

Sheesh, guys. How mortifiying! All from an innocent bowl of soup. Okay TWO bowls of soup. I'm not sure all the Listerine in the world would combat my issue today.

Let's hope that tomorrow's steam doesn't reveal more than I bargain for in the Morning.

Toodles for now.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Have you ever wished you were Mennonite?

No? Me either. However, I live near a Mennonite community, which I think is totally cool. It's awesome to see those living a different lifestyle just by driving down a country highway. I see people riding their bicycles as transporation, and people using the horse and buggy. I see laundry hanging out to dry most times of the year, and children running and playing.

I would say it's a simple life, but seriously? How can I? I've never lived it....I've never used just the basics to live. I understand that the Mennonites do allow some modern conveniences into their lives, however, I assume it's not to the extent I am used to.

Anyway, the local Mennonite community also has really cool stores. They have a wide range of items sold in bulk. It ranges from spices to pasta to flour! They have frozen veggies and pies for sale, too! It's the NEATEST place. I love going. The one most commonly known around here is Weaver's Country Market, near Versailles, MO. Remember, Internets, we've HAD this conversation before....round these parts it's not called "VER-SAI", but "VUR-SALES" I only live about 15 miles or so from this market. It's totally adorable. They have a small machine in there and they grind their own nuts to make peanut butters! Flavored ones! Like Chocolate, and cappucino! They make cashew butter, too! I can't eat that....I'm allergic to cashews......sucks for me, huh? Anyway, despite the fact they get their food from suppliers like most retail businesses, I like to think of the lovely Mennonite people packaging this cool stuff from scratch......why? Because it adds to the simple life fantasy that alot of us have. We want our tv's and car's and ready made food, BUT we think we want to life off the land. To grow our own stuff.....to make bread.....NO PRESERVATIVES. Well, if you all are like me, it's a nice thought, but not realistic. So, for the sake of my fantasy world, I'll continue to think that cute Mennonite women and girls are doing all of this so we "English" customers can have a taste of the simple life.

Anyway, Heather, my niece and I are going there today. We are also going to Burger's Smokehouse factory store. I am not sure, but I think Burgers has smoked hams and sausages that they sell all throughout the US. Oh, and bacon. Yum. Anyway, they have really good deals on 'seconds' at their store. I know, as weird as I am about food, why would I buy a defective ham? Well, because the HAM isn't defective, it's the way they cut it.....like the spiral cuts are off or soemthing. They sell pieces and ends of bacon for like $2.99 or something. Bacon is 'SPENSIVE people, and Burgers Bacon is good. Last time it was pepper bacon. MMMM...and despite it's 'pieces and ends' disclaimer, it was meatier than the streaky crap I buy at the grocery!!

Speaking of Heather, she wants a nickname like most others on my blog. She and I have a running feud as as to who's status reigns highest in the family hierarchy. She has not, and will not realize that my status is 20 years her senior, and I was the FIRST at just about everything. First child in the family...first GRANDCHILD, etc. That alone wins. She calls herself the Princess, which of course was my title, so I changed it and tell her frequently that QUEEN totally trumps Princess.....but she's not buying. She thinks she should be called Perfectly Princess in my blog. I've told her NO WAY.....but she pouts and pretends as if I'm hurting her in some way, so I will go with it. Just for her. However, y'all know that I don't type out all my nicknames all the time....just like Mr. P. I don't call him Mr. Perfectly all the time......just MR. P, and you know who I mean, right? So from here on, Heather will be called PeePee....short for Perfectly Princess. World, Meet PeePee!!

I know....the thought process would be to call her PP, but PeePee has finer comedic value, so what the PeePee wants, the PeePee shall get.

PeePee and I will be off to Burgers and to Weavers when she gets here. It should be pretty fun!!

Toodles for now!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Social Studies

I went out with High School pals last night! At THE MISSION, a local venue for live music. In my community, there WAS no such animal, so I think it's awesome to have a place like this, and to have it owned by some really cool people!

The Mission is small, and is set up to highlight live music in our area. They are open to all types of music, so it's really cool. I'd say maybe 20 or so of my age group classmates showed for the event and it is SO NICE to see everyone. I, of course, wore too much eyeshadow and made my thinning hair too poufy on the sides, but still......it was FUN!! Mr. Perfectly didn't go with me. He really hates stuff like that, so he knows he's generally off the hook for social engagements with my friends.

For my personal tastes, I would have enjoyed drinks somewhere quieter.........the music was really good, but it was LOUD!! And made it hard to talk. So, instead I spend much of my evening people watching. Whoo Boy.......was it an education!!

Early in the evening a girl that I recognized from either school or around town was there. She was....well.....um.....ACTIVELY trying to dance with her boyfriend. He seemed resistant, but she used his barely swaying body as a vessel for her dance. She swung her hair, squatted to the ground, ground her hips, etc........all on what originally appeared to be a semi-unwilling subject. It was quite the display of dance technique, on an empty dance floor. As time moved on, she went to a more willing dance partner, although, he didn't move as 'energetically' as she did either. It seemed odd to be dancing with your pal this way. But who am I to judge? Maybe she just likes to dance? Soon, she went back to her orignal dance partner who seemed a little more willing to join her (beer induced, maybe?). I was facinated by this, Internets......facinated. I have so may self image issues, I wondered how it was that she could be so FREE on the dance floor!! So open....so not worried. I watched my friends around me, and they too were watching intently to see what would play out. Remember, we live in a small, conservative community (it's hard, Internets,...really it is sometimes) and this isn't what we normally see!!

Well, as the informal co-ordinator of this meet and greet finally explained, she is a local HOOKER!! A Prostitute!! In our fair ciry! UNBELIEVEABLE! I hear tales of prostitutes coming 'round because of the politicians we house as the State Capitol, but I assumed those were the 'pros' you see on TV that are all professional looking and whatnot. This girl just looked like a girl.

So, it was totally fun watching the antics around me and seeing old friends and familiar faces. Everyone looks awesome.....of course!! I was thrilled to be there and can't wait to do it again. Even if I do learn that hookers exist.......that's ok. Everyone deserves to make a living!!

Toodles for now.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The PRESSURE. The WORRY. Oh, Internets, I outed myself on Facebook. To all of my facebook friends. I told them about this blog and invited them to read it…..AND COMMENT!!! Now instead of worrying about offending the 3’s of you, I’ll have to worry about offending maybe 10’s of you.

I decided I needed a good motivator for writing, so after I wrote my little post last night; with a stylus; on a touch pad, I decided to tell Facebook that I had a blog. I thought maybe that would motivate me to write more. If I had MORE READERS and MORE COMMENTERS, that maybe I’d want to write again. With fanfare and passion. With MEANING and joy. To people who would hopefully ‘GET’me. GAH. What have I done.

It occurred to me about the millionth time I checked my sitemeter to see who all may be reading, that I was far too worried about who might be looking, than WHAT I wanted to say. For the Newbies (HI, FACEBOOK!!!), I live in mortal fear of saying something offensive to someone. Politically, emotionally, etc. Since most of my newbies are high school friends, they will also learn that when I come to class get togethers, or see you in public, I cringe because I certainly don’t look like I did in high school. I’m the one that got fat. No……really. F A T. It’s okay….I can see it for myself. I try to delude myself into being cute, but I know. So, I tend to want to be the ‘real me’ on here, but I often am not for fear of alienating my readers. Sheesh, since I hardly post anymore, the alienation has taken place, so I’ve asked a new crop of readers to enjoy this. AND YOU ALL KNOW ME!! That’s even worse! Believe me, it’s easier to be judged by strangers than the high school crowd. **sigh**

Besides that, I’m secretly thrilled when someone reads!! Thrilled and Mortified. I’m such a contradiction in emotion. No wonder I need therapy. And wine.


With the panicked rant aside, I do want to welcome anyone who wants to read this. I do try not to be offensive. I try not to be controversial, however, if I feel strongly about something, I do mention it. Even if other’s won’t agree. I honestly believe that is what makes our Country great. That we are all allowed to have opinions and feelings. Even if yours may be wrong…..(oh boy!!! Did I say that out loud??) hahahaha , just kidding!!

So, apparently there is an informal meet and greet this weekend? Am I allowed to mention that? Well, I’ll just say that some of my pals from childhood, junior high and High school will be gathered at THE MISSION in town. I’m totally excited, especially (Hi Richie and Jenny) that it’s now smoke free. (gah….one of those controversial subjects). I know they don’t hold my opinion against me, and this new ordinance is of concern to them. I hope as many people as can will patronize that business. They are good people and THE MISSION is a cool place. I have a cute new outfit that I could wear, but it’s out of the box for me. I’ll have to think on it to see if I’ll do it up cute or dowdy. I wore it last Friday to dinner with family and friends. Heather, my niece bought me a crown, a sash and a button. Which is decidedly proper for the royalty that I am! Hear that Heather? Queen totally trumps Princess.

Xxxoo. Toodles for now.

Monday, February 14, 2011

HAPPY VD!!!!

Yes, that was my greeting upon Mr. P's arrival home after work. Good thing I don't get too sentimental about Valentine's Day.

Our birthdays our 3 days apart. Mr. P's is the 10th and mine the 13th. By the time Valentines day rolls around, we are celebrated out. I'm not a romance girl. I'm good with a comfy chair and a date with the teevee. I suppose a lot of men would be relieved about no expectations on Valentines day. I think, however, that Mr. P wishes I were more romantic...I know, what a terrible dilemma, huh? A husband that LIKES the sentiment of Valentines day!!

I turned 45 yesterday. Huh. I think I'm not loving how that sounds. I'm too YOUNG to be 45!!! I'm just figuring out who I am! It sounds old. I'm not ready for old. I should be grateful for my happiness. I am grateful. Just not geriatric happy!

Dad and Marty took us and family and friends to dinner. It was lovely. Many of those I love the most were there. So, despite my fear of aging, this was one of the best birthdays ever.

Son #1 has a best girlfriend that had a devastating accident in September. They've been pals since they were in kindergarten. She suffered a traumatic brain injury. He brought her to our birthday dinner! I think secretly, that was my favorite part. I hadn't seen her since her accident, and to have her with us recovering as well as she is was priceless. She's beautiful in every way. She's a wise soul, and has been since we met her all those years ago. She made the evening perfect.

I hope everyone has a swell VD!!!!!

Toodles for now!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Sunday, Sunday.

I got a touchpad thingy so I could blog more. The thing is....I love blogging. I compose them in my head......write lists of ideas and even think of titles that are cute so can develop blogs that way! But here I sit.....doing nothing. So, tonight, while I await the GLEE premier, I thout I would blog.

Son number 2 has friends over....and they are fun. We are watching the superbowl. I'm bored. Even the commercials are dull. We had some good food, bu my attempt at having an imprompteau party backfired. I am not a 'planner'. Why does everyone else have to be? Everyone already had plans. *pout*

Although, next week are our birthdays. Just in case you are one of those planner people and want to send presents! My dad and Marty are taking us out to dinner on Friday. The boys...in-laws and various friends are going and I am sooooooo excited. I adore big get togethers. Especially when its about me!

Although its cool, and I'm grateful to have it...this touchscreen keyboard is small and I am using a stylus...and its so ssllooww! So, my blogging is taking forevah!

Hey, its been nice visiting with you, but I have gas and think I will take it to the bedroom so as not to embarras my son or his friends.

Toodles for now!