Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Every Day Life

Well, last night's fried rice was fine, but I thought it'd be a bit more flavorful with the sauce.  I would double the sauce next time for more umami. 
Jim's working hard every night.  Aside from preparing for his usual stuff, he's doing something at school on Monday night that involves preparation.  I'll be getting two sealants on my teeth on Monday.  Trooper will be staring out the window waiting for us.  So it goes.
This year feels a bit easier in some ways because we have a routine down.  Jim's much busier than he was all summer (obviously) so I spend time with Troopie and drink a lot of wine until he makes it through his hump day.  I still miss everyone in Illinois and Florida a lot.  I also miss my friend I had here last year who moved.  But we have a lot of other nice friends here and Jim's been great about spending time with the doggie and I when he can.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fried Rice

I took this picture on our evening walk.  We live right across the street from this gigantic stadium.  I like this picture because it looks like Voldemort is about to attack a Quidditch game (nerd alert!)
Tonight I am trying a new fried rice recipe.  I'm changing a few things, so I'll let you know how it goes.  The chili I wrote about on Sunday was AWESOME! 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Domestics

Today was major domestics day.  I had to work at an event yesterday (which made me cranky, but I'm over it) and then took my LS to see The Lion King (I think I was more excited than she was.)  Today was full on domestics.  Pictured above is the chili I'm making for dinner and the apple bread for dessert.  Can you tell that I was ready for a fall themed day?  It's a lot cooler out and we even had some of our first rain today (boo!)  Jim's at the library studying hard, so Trooper and I went on a run and then set in on some intense cleaning.  Pulling books off of the bookshelf to dust in hidden places cleaning.  I used four Multi Purpose wipes before I moved on to dry towels.  I also said to myself, "We are disgusting."  Which we aren't, but seeing how much dust was hiding made me feel like we are.
The Legal Beagle turns 31 on Saturday!  (He's going to say, why did you have to post that?)  It looks like we are meeting some friends in Portland on Friday night to celebrate.  Saturday we'll head home and I think I'm making him dinner and pumpkin bars.  It looks like Trooper Z. will get to go to the boarder that night, which he will LOVE.  I'm sure he'll run around like a crazy puppy.  As Jim said today, "He never stops being cute."   

Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumn

 It's hard to believe that fall is here when it's getting up to 86 today.  Anyway, my husband is so clever that he makes these awesome salmon cakes with no recipe.  I thought I'd share.  He chops up carrot, celery, and onion (or SLAP CHOPS them!)
 He grinds some crab boil spices for flavor.  As he did this, he said, "I feel like an Incan Grandmother."
 Then he mixes canned salmon, egg, veggies, spices, and makes a patty that he coats in panko.  Oh, and I think he throws regular bread crumbs in there somewhere.  You'd have to ask him.  Then he fries them.
 "Dad, I LOVE salmon.  Almost as much as I love you.  Look at my puppy dog eyes and give me some salmon!"
 I'm sure Jim would share his salmon wisdom with you if you asked.
And a few hours later, this is where we find our prince.  Yes, we have a bug blanket on our bed and I sleep with a stuffed dog.  And a real dog.  It works for me.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

TZ

I like this picture.  I took it in the morning, and the sun was just coming out for the day.  Trooper seems to like his new daytime set up.  When in the crate, he barks his head off and would pull at and bend the sides.  I think he had crate anxiety.  Now, we even find him laying in the kitchen like this when we are home.

More cat drama.  This morning (at 6:30am), the Siamese cat in our complex chased Trooper and Jim up the stairs and clawed at our door.  It's seriously a terrorist.  Cats have too many rights here.  On a 10 minute walk through our complex recently, I counted five cats out and about.  Terrorizing my dog. 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday Off

 I secretly took this picture yesterday afternoon while Jim was on the phone with one of his friends from the Marines.
I also secretly took this picture this afternoon.  Trooper seems to like his new den/ nest in the kitchen and even lays in there when he doesn't have to.  I took the day off today because I have to work on Saturday.  I went to the DMV and FINALLY got my Oregon license (sigh.)  Luckily it only took an hour so I had a cooking party and prepped a turkey lasagna for tonight, cream of broccoli soup for tomorrow, and some sugar cookies for any time.  Trooper loved having me home. 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of volunteering at Eugene Sunday Streets.  This was the first time this event has been put on here and I'm not sure if it will happen again, as I'm sure it took a lot of money and man power.  3 miles of streets were closed to car traffic so people could walk, bike, run, etc in the streets.  Two parks had fun activities like live music and fitness classes.  It was sunny and in the lower 80s, so a great day to be outdoors.  My job was to stand a block away and warn drivers and tell them what routes they could take.  It was a fun event and it looked like it was well received.  Hopefully we'll see it again.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

End of Summer Colors

 These are from the Rhythm and Blooms tent at the Saturday Market.  Supposedly they are "ever lasting."
 I just love the brightly colored fruits and veggies.  It makes me feel healthy just looking at them.  Not pictures: broccoli and squash.  I think I'm going to make a cream of broccoli soup this week to have with grilled cheeses.  It's about that time of year.
Trooper Zika takes his job of watching over the complex VERY seriously.  He can hear all of the Ducks tailgaters and wants to be a part of that party.


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Jailbird

I apologize that this is grainy, but Jim sent it to me this morning from his iPhone.  Trooper Zika is now being kept in the kitchen during the day.  Luckily he can't figure out how to jump over or push down the extra tall gate.  If this picture had a caption, it'd be, "Dad, it's just like when you were stationed at Gitmo." 

Jim's in Bend for work and we miss Jim.  I jogged Troops to the dog park after work and made fish and home made mac n cheese for me for dinner.  Now we're wrapping up a little wine drinking/ crafting/ Mad Men watching time (all of Trooper's favorite things.)  I can't believe I'm thinking about Christmas crafts already!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Where Does the Time Go?

I leave my job promptly at 5pm and I don't have children, so I seriously wonder where my days go.  I have no answer.  By the time Troopie and I exercise, stop at the dog park, I make dinner, etc, it's almost 9pm.  I need more hours.  Who doesn't?
Fall just seems to be in full swing here.  I made the banana muffins I mentioned yesterday and they were AWESOME!  The chocolate chips were a nice touch.  I also made the tofu recipe.  It was good, but prompted me to have hot dogs for dinner tonight.  I needed a meaty sausage product after that.
Jim is going to Bend tomorrow for work.  He'll be back Friday night.  Trooper and I plan to work on sewing and watch girlie things on tv.
Somehow I feel like our weekend is already jam packed.  Or at least mine is.  BBBS had a group activity Saturday morning (Boot Camp for children... should be interesting), I'm volunteering at Eugene Streets on Sunday, and a friend's birthday dinner on Sunday night.  All fun, but already sounding tiring!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Fall is in the Air

Fall is in the air.  When I left yoga at 7:15 last night, the sun was just going down.  It was even cloudy and misty when we woke up this morning.  I love the fall but the end of summer makes me a lil teensy bit sad.  The good news is that cooler weather is more conducive to baking and crafting.  Jim's had banana muffins on the brain, so I am going to try these awesome looking Barefoot Contessa muffins.  I may also throw in a bag of chocolate chips for good measure.  Generally, that's not a bad idea when baking. 
This week has started a new work schedule for me.  I go in a half hour earlier but take an hour for lunch.  So far, Jim has come home for lunch at the same time, so we've been able to have a little visit during the day and pet our pooch and eat lunch together.  It's kind of a fun treat! 
Tonight I'm also trying a new dinner recipe that Jim's Aunt posted on Facebook.  It's part of our continued effort to have a few meatless nights every week. 



Moo Shu Tofu

Serves 4-6

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Polly Sang



1/2 cup Less Sodium ...Soy Sauce

2 tbsp Rice Wine (Sake)

2 tbsp Sesame Oil

2 tbsp Apple Juice

1/4 cup Lemon Juice, Fresh

2 tsp Ginger Root, Minced

2 tsp Garlic Cloves, Minced

2 lb Tofu Firm

Cooking Spray, Pan Coating



3 tbsp Canola Oil

3 cup Mushrooms, Sliced – button, shiitake or woodear

1 tbsp Ginger Root, Minced

1 tbsp Garlic Cloves, Minced

1-1/2 cup Carrots, Fresh, Julienne Sliced

1 qt, 2 cup Shredded Green Cabbage, Fresh

1/4 cup Less Sodium Soy Sauce

12 ea Flour Tortilla, 6"

3/4 cup Hoisin Sauce



Mix together soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, apple juice, lemon juice, ginger and garlic for marinade. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Remove tofu from package and rinse well. Pat dry and crumble with your hands. Place in marinade and marinate for at least 15 minutes. Remove from marinade. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray, spread tofu on pan without crowding and bake until golden and crisp. Toss a few times during cooking time to achieve even browning, about 30 minutes.



In a hot skillet, drizzle in oil. Add sliced mushrooms, ginger and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Toss in carrots and cabbage to wilt and add in soy sauce; add crispy tofu. Toss to combine and heat through. Steam flour tortillas in microwave covered about 20 seconds on hi. Serve moo shu with tortillas and sauce on the side. Roll up into tacos and enjoy.

By: Be a Flexitarian
 
In other exciting news, Jim and I are planning to head to Illinois for a week at Christmas!  We'll keep our Midwest Peeps posted!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Shrimp and Grits

Have you ever had Shrimp and Grits?  It's a lovely southern treat.  I hadn't made this in awhile and made it tonight.  It was pretty delightful.  For extra decadence, you can also add shredded cheese to the grits.  Tonight we did without it.  You should make it for your loved ones.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Fall?

Is it fall yet?  It got up to 94 here today, the hottest day of the year.  There's no humidity, so that helps matters.  Last night was Book Club, and we discussed The Book Thief.  It was so much fun.  I made the bean dip I blogged about a few days ago. 
Today was the first home game of the year for the Ducks.  Trooper LOVED the tailgaters when we went on our morning walk.  He was like a politician (kissing babies.) 
This afternoon I took my LS to see The Smurfs.  As I was watching, I wondered if the Smurfs are Communist.
Jim is making me one of the FAVE things for dinner tonight: cheeseburgers!  On the grill!  What a guy.  He just told me it's time for me to make the bacon, so I have to cut this short.
Oh, and our washer and dryer arrived today!!!  

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Oregon is a Wacky Place

These are real events happening in Lane County this weekend:

Ferret Agility Trials
9/11/2011 - 9/11/2011
Recurrence: One Day
Event Days & Times:  Sunday, noon - 4 p.m.
Admission: Free; $3 for ferret entry
Location: Emerald Park
Address: 1400 Lake Drive, Eugene, OR
Phone: 541-484-1090
laneferrets.org/
This fun and funny competition is the main fundraiser for Lane Area Ferret Shelter and Rescue, the only ferret shelter in Oregon south of Oregon City. Also enjoy Artistic Animals, where your pet creates his or her own work of art.


Alpaca Sum'r Nights
9/11/2011 - 9/11/2011
Recurrence: One Day
Event Days & Times:  Sunday, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Location: Applegate Hills Alpacas
Address: 90653 Dalewood Drive, Junction City, OR 97448
www.AlpacaBreedersConnection.com
Applegate Hills Alpacas would like you to come join them for some old-fashioned fun on the farm. Horseshoes, badminton or just relax. Watch alpacas pronk. Beverages provided, bring a picnic dinner.


What is pronking?!?! 

Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day Part II

 When we woke up, we headed to Dorena Lake, in Cottage Grove, about a half hour south of Eugene.
 We went early to beat the heat.  Trooper just loves being outside. 
 It was hazy because there are some fires burning east of here. 
 Still working on the treat training.  That dog will do anything for a little lamb jerky.
Only a few months until the rain comes back.  The sun makes it a little nicer around here.

Right now Jim is making me one of my favorite things, Ina's Chicken Piccata.  It's the best.  So is Jim. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Labor Day

 Jim is such a good Puppy Daddy.  There's a spot on our walk to the dog park that always has broken glass in the way, and Jim picks Trooper up to carry him.  It makes me laugh every time.
I wish I could say that Trooper was just sitting like this, but there's a treat off to the side that's he's looking at.  He LOVES jumping up on the tables at the dog park.  I think he likes that he can see what's happening.

We've had a busy weekend as always.  On Saturday morning, Jim bought us a used washer and dryer!  Yay!  They are going to be delivered next Saturday morning.  An electrician came and fixed our outlet, so hopefully no electrical shocks.  Yesterday afternoon we watched the Ducks football game.  I was reminded, once again, that I'm not the biggest fan of the football.  Or watching any lengthy sport for that matter.  But I enjoy good company and being social, so sometimes I partake. 

This morning I was very Pac NW and rode my bike to yoga.  It was about a half hour bike ride there.  It felt great!  By the time I left it had gotten a bit hot (90s all week!) but it's always so nice to ride my bike. 

Trooper is at the groomers now.  We are still working on the balance of his medicine.  Too much means GI problems and too little means hot spots.  He's getting shorn like a little sheep to help monitor the hot spots.  While he is at the groomers we're cleaning like mad.  It's always a little lonelier here without him. 

I've tried to look up a great recipe from MSL, but can't find the exact one.  This zucchini fritter recipe is pretty similar.  We've made them three times now and love them each time.  They're great dipped in plain yogurt and apricot preserves.  A great way to use all of those summer zucchini!