1.28.2009

Winter this time

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We're experiencing a nice wintery winter this year in CT. The photo above is lit solely by the daylight reflected off the snow, coming in the livingroom window.

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Things got a little sloppy tonight, with freezing rain, but every sloppy storm has been short lived, and the recovery times have been equally short.

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All in all a good day to stay home, hang out with sleepy cats...

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...and stay hydrated.

1.15.2009

Inspired

On occasion, a meal in a restaurant inspires me to try cooking something at home. Bacon-wrapped scallops, for instance.

Restaurant style (local 121 in Providence, RI)

bacon wrapped scallops @ local 121

Home style

bacon-wrapped scallops

The home-style process can be viewed on flickr. Wrap, roast, repeat.

On occasion, my iPod inspires me with it's choices from my musical library, usually in the morning on my way to work, when inspiration is needed most. Today was one of those days. You may agree to disagree. I make no apologies.

You're Gonna Get It - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals
Save It For Later - The English Beat
One World (Not Three) - The Police
Toe to Toe - Jungle Brothers
Funky Town -Lipps Inc.
Spirits - Gil Scott-Heron
Remember Me -Johnny Cash
Hallelujah I Love Her So - Ray Charles
Mystery Dance - Elvis Costello
Build High - The Pixies
Come Back Margaret - Camera Obscura
Don't Stand So Close To Me - The Police
Yellow - Ken Nordine
Lust - Les Baxter featuring Bas Sheva
Maiden's Prayer - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Lately I've been skipping most of the Police and 80's music, but today I let it go and I really appreciated it, since my normally 30 minute commute was over an hour due to weather and idiots who can't drive. Music really does soothe the savage road rage beast inside of me.

1.11.2009

Back to business

We had a service for dad on the Friday after Christmas, against his wishes, but the service wasn't really for him, it was about him, for the rest of us. There were friends, family, co-workers, and clients, gathered to remember, share, and listen to each other. It was important to so many people, and I don't think we would have done it any other way. Thank you if you were there, and thank you for thinking of us all if you were unable to join us.

The rest of the "holiday" was spent quietly with friends and family, and here we are almost half way through January. Val and I returned to Connecticut to find a pile of holiday and sympathy cards, and the Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit that Val ordered before Christmas. We have needed the return to routine that work brings, but we have really been enjoying the Wii, and with it have made small but steady resolution progress.

The other Christmas present from Val that I was excited about was my new vacuum coffee pot. We bought it over Thanksgiving down in NC, and I had tucked it away so it could still be a gift. I tried it out today.

vacuum coffee setup rinsed & ready

There are quite a few parts, but it's pretty simple once you set it up...

6 or 8?

Water goes in one half...

grounds ready

Grounds go in the other...

vacuum coffee setup

The heat is on, and then you wait.

vacuum coffee boil

The bubbles form, but instead of a gurgle, or a whoosh or whatever, the water is slowly pushed through the grounds, very, very quietly.

I can see coffee

It ends up in the top, and because of the vacuum created, the coffee is sucked back into the bottom.

coffee back to the pot

The top is left with just grounds.

vacuum coffee grounds

And you end up with just coffee in the bottom.

vacuum coffee 6 cup pot

The coffee was different, as promised, with a different scent, and a different taste than regular brewed coffee. I will be researching and experimenting with various beans and grinds and heat and such, to figure out what works best. Best for me, that is.