Saturday, April 4, 2009

Life is Hectic

I was getting excited about college because on Wednesday I heard back from a scholarship I applied for. I got $2000. I was dancing around and being happy. The rest of my night went great. There isn’t anything to report about the land sale, I don’t know much about it at this point. Thursday I got to hang out with my cousin and I finally watched REPO! Then yesterday comes and so does the emotional roller coaster. I had a breakdown over college stress when I got home from school. My parents kept trying to comfort me, but all the doubt I had been feeling about me being ready for college just surfaced and wouldn’t be ignored. It wasn’t very pretty.

It's going to be a busy weekend, so it looks like I won't be able to do much catching up for the posts I missed the past three days. I keep trying to get on just to type this post, then things and people keep coming up. I'll try to find time soon- I really want to read your blogs.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Fried Rice

1 1/3 cups uncooked white rice
1 2/3 cups water
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1/4 pound bacon, cut into strips
1/8 cup soy sauce
1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed
2 green onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, season eggs with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in small frying pan, pour in eggs. Coat the bottom of the pan with the eggs, in order to cook them evenly; cook for about 3 minutes. Flip the eggs, cook one minute more and remove them to a cool surface. Let them cool, then cut them into thin slices. Set aside.
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Spoon remaining 2 teaspoons oil into the skillet with the bacon fat. Stir in rice; break up any clumps and toss to coat with oil. Stir in bacon, soy sauce, peas, eggs and green onions. Stir and cook until heated through, approximately 3 minutes.

From: allrecipes.com

Okay- YUM! I don't know how often I'm just craving fried rice, but we can't get to the Chinese food place. Plus if we drive all the way there I always get more than just fried rice. I like knowing what goes into my food, so I'd rather make it at home anyway. I didn't think it was so easy! I watched the group next to me in chefs class make this with ease. I ate some then, and I'm craving more now.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta

1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. seasoned salt
8 oz. fettuccine or angel hair pasta (cooked and drained)
1 1/2 cups broccoli floweretts (cooked tender-crisp)
3 Tbsp. walnuts (chopped)
fresh, grated Parmesan cheese

Procedure
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the basil, lemon juice, garlic powder and seasoned salt, blending well. Add the fettuccine, broccoli, walnuts, and chicken or shrimp (if desired; see note, below). Blend well and toss to coat the fettuccine. After tossing, add fresh grated Parmesan cheese to top off the dish.

Notes, tips, and variations
Cooked chicken breast or cooked shrimp may be added if desired

From- "http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Garlic_Parmesan_Pasta"

We made this in my chefs class, and it's good! The name of the recipe is very misleading, though. There is so much basil in it that you can't taste much garlic, and the parmesan just goes on top. I plan to add less basil next time I make it, because I really do want the garlic flavor to be there.

Lots of Random Things

First off- besides the crazy bird which has been trying to fly though my window, there isn't anything new going on right now. We're all anxious about tomorrow. My sister managed to get a picture of the bird. We had one last year who did the same thing!

Mrs. B. posted about something really important over at her blog about the government possibly putting a ban on organic farming. There is no way I can word it as well as she did, so I'll just give you the link. Please check it out if you're interested!

Then Boho Mom posted this cool thing about a Fairy Name. This is mine-

Your fairy is called Buttercup Rainbowwand
She is a fortune bringer.
She lives in clover fields where fairy rings grow.
She is only seen when the seer holds a four-leafed clover.
She wears bright clover green. She has multicoloured wings like a butterfly.


I can't help but groan at the name. It's so girly. Ah well. Like Tia said "It's a fairy! Of course it's going to be girly! Even with the girly name, the fairy sounds cool. What are your fairy names?

I'll be posting a couple recipes in a minute. One for garlic parmesan pasta, which is has more basil in it than anything, and a fried rice.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Updates On My Boring Life

My World Religions teacher lent me a book I've been trying to read for a few days now. We're currently studying religions originating in China, so of course one of the main religions there is Taoism. She lent me the book she brought in called The Tao of Pooh. Basically, it's Winnie the Pooh explains Taoism. It is so easy to read and it's fun because it includes all the characters from Winnie the Pooh.

I've been reading that when I wasn't reading the new Kim Harrison book I was talking about sometime last week. I finished reading White Witch, Black Curse last night. Kim Harrison knows how to keep you wanting more- I highly suggest reading the Hollows series!

Other than reading, I haven't been doing much. I made some chicken that I loved, I'll definitely post the recipe later. It's a rainy day here, though, and I don't feel like doing anything.

We're supposed to meet with the person we may be buying land from this Wednesday. He's got the price he wants figured out, and he says it's a good deal. We hope his idea of a good deal is the same as ours!