Fresh from the Farm

Just moments ago Deborah from Nevermore Farm dropped off my first CSA veggie box. It's got grapefruit, clementines, lemons, persimmon, lavender, white rice, a turnip with greens and some bags of unknown greens. I emailed over there to find out what the greens are so I know how to cook things (or not to cook them at all!) as well as get suggestions for what to do with the lavender.

Wait, am I turning into a hippie yet?

2:17PM -- Here's part of the email I got from Ken that's sent to all subscribers.  It includes the "real" list of what's in the box.  I must say that I love this!

-Oro Blanco Grapefruit
-Bearss Lime
-Satsuma tangerine/mandarin (still can't tell the difference)
-Forellenschuss lettuce--some of the heads are really big, with lots of red tinting on the edges. The discoloration is from frost. There should be plenty of more evenly colored leaves underneath. We ate one of these last night and I gave up cleaning it when I wasn't halfway through but the bowl for salad was overflowing.
-New Zealand Spinach--for new subscribers, this is one of our more unique offerings. It needs to be cooked, there is enough for a single serving. (the darker green, triangular leaves) for more information
-Elysee Escarole/Curly Endive mix--sharp and bold, and screaming for candied walnuts and bleu cheese dressing, a single serving...
-Turnip, Purple Globe or baby Shogun. Don't forget the greens are very nutrutious. As most will notice, we have turnip issues. They are split or otherwise look like aliens. I'm working on it.....don't know what to do with those greens? I made this the other night and if it can get mustard greens to be exciting, I'm pretty sure it can do turnip greens......
-Lavender or Sun-Dried Roma tomatoes--packaged treasure from the summertime. Don't forget that you can make syrups with lavendar and otherwise cook with it. Or you can breathe it in deeply and feel remarkably less aggravated......
-Fuyu persimmon
-Kokuho Rose (oblong, sushi-type) or other local, rice

The Making of a Tart

I slept over Christine's house on Christmas eve so we had a leg up on the drive to Donner Ranch the following morning. We planned a day of skiing, which scared the living shit out of me, since I had not been in over 20 years.  On Christmas Day I came downstairs at 7AM and joined Christine on the couch.  We had coffee and tarts and were still there at 11AM.  I guess skiing will happen another time. :)

We spent the day drinking Carolans, playing Scrabble (on the board!!), cleaning Christine's room (Merry Christmas) and watching Napolean Dynamite. We did get out and walk in search of a chinese restaurant for dinner, but after almost 5 miles of walking we were back at home unsuccessful.

Maybe the mince tarts were a factor...

We used the Pillsbury pie shells that you unroll for our mini-tarts.  I did help cut out the circles, but I quickly moved into the role of photographer.

I re-rolled the left over dough with Christine's mack-daddy rolling pin and she used the dough to make pretty lattice tops.

I love that I just watched the magic happen -- taking pictures.  I did force (okay, well encourage) Christine to do a proper lattice on the mini-tarts.  And look at the finished masterpiece!

Who let the tarts out?  Woof-woof!

You must watch this

I abstain from my right to update you all on my crazy antics in effort to share a short entertaining video.

have fun!

Got one

So the dreaming thing is totally happening and I have images swirling in my head from last night, but not enough to report. However, 2 mornings ago I stayed with my eyes closed and reviewed a dream before awakening.

I was with Denise Arribas and she was looking for a new place to live. So we went to this apartment complex, but the apartment in question was way on the other side. So she decided to slip into a closer unit and lo and behold the door to said unit was open. When we got inside the room was dark. There was one guy asleep on the couch and I believe another one asleep in an arm chair. Maybe there was a third one in the bedroom. I was not comfortable with the situation because we were basically breaking into these guys place. I cannot remember if it was Denise or me, but when the guy on the couch started to stir, one of us said to the that we would only be there a minute. We then left pretty quickly.

Once in the long hallway, the lights went out and I see the shadow of a man in a wide brimmed hat and a young child on his left. I called out and the boy answered back. Since the man did not I figured that what would come next would not be good. So I did what I usually do in these situations.

I woke up.

Lazy Saturday...

I installed the new belt in my vacuum, but it still makes a horrible noise. I called Bissell this morning and did a series of removing hoses and checking filters, but the noise remains.  Since I am no longer under warranty, I am on my own.  Instead of driving back to Kelly's Sew & Vac, I sat on the couch and played Scrabulous.  I also caught up with Angela & Chris on their way home for Christmas and started a plan to help begin their new website template idea for restaurants and artists.  Next I signed up for a local CSA and ate some soup made from the raw Latke Fest fixin's.

Nothing better on this overcast day than a little more avoidance of my to-do list than going to the movies! Charlie Wilson's War, here I come!!

Takes a lickin', still no tickin'

It's already 6pm and I just consulted my list of things to-do and I got nothin'. I did work a bit on my fellowship application today and looked up dentists in the area, but no can do in the tickin' off the list department.

I did clean much of my apartment today (including the overflowing sink of dishes) and turned my vacuum over to pull the fuzz out of the brushes. I don't know what got me thinking about pulling the cover off, but when I did the belt came off in my hands. Oh, I guess that's what's been making that horrible noise.

So before taking a little time out to see Sweeney Todd, I biked to Kelly's Sew and Vac, which is now called Party & Vac. Yes, I agree that's bizarre. I went down the aisle of Hawaiian stuff and graduation decorations to the back and picked up a #7 for my Bissell. Now I just need to figure out how the heck to install it.

On my little biking adventure I considered all of the possible status updates for my facebook profile. I think I decided on "Hope Mirlis audibly pants while biking in the wind." It wasn't until I left with the new belt that I felt my bike's tires and they were both just about our of air. After the movie I stopped by one of the million bike shops in town and filled up my tires. It was amazingly easy to ride home. I believe my new profile status will read, "Hope Mirlis feels like a dumbass."

Me, Me, Me

I don't really have any trouble taking care of me, but I do think I lost of little bit of the artist in me the last few years.  This MFA journey is a way back.  I did find out this morning that I got all As this quarter.  So, go me!  I also took a ride into Berkeley last night with Randy to see Argonautika and will be going with Chad to see Underneath the Lintel at B Street tonight.

However, I sat on the couch on Tuesday night and watched the finale of The Biggest Loser.  Yes, I sat my rump down and watched ALL TWO HOURS.  It was clear to see that these people had stopped caring about themselves and let themselves go.

While my apartment is usually a disaster, I do try and keep myself organized.  Or at least lead people to believe that.  So yesterday I got my monthly mani/pedi and today is my first facial in quite a few months.  I need to schedule a massage and I contemplate getting my haircut and eyebrows done.  It's doubtful that we will have another Core Fitness class this year and since it does not fit into my schedule in Winter, I bought a 10 class pass at Bo Tree Yoga this morning before the Gentle Flow class.

With so many people gone for the holiday break, I got quite a few surprised looks from people when I said I would be staying in Davis.  It's time to not only take care of me, but also take care of all of things I have been putting off.  And maybe if I see a movie or two, all will be well.

The current list:

-- write UC Davis fellowship application

-- go to the dentist

-- fight parking ticket

-- update banking

-- do research on actor/medical school collaboration

-- work with Chris & Angela on getting a business plan together for their new venture

-- take an Interplay class in Oakland

-- get CA drivers license

-- read short stack of plays

-- read short stack of books

-- go on at least one date

-- do my "homework" for the first Fate & Spinoza rehearsal

Um, what am I waiting for?