Rules of Cooking by PeggyLu

  1. Play some music really loudly, preferably something you kind of like to dance to.  Cooking is hella boring, so you’ll want something to take your mind off of how dull you feel.
  2. There’s probably no such thing as too much garlic.
  3. Always use broth or stock.  It makes people think you know what the hell you’re doing.
  4. Using wine when you cook also makes people think you know what you’re doing.  Bonus, you get to drink the wine while you cook.  Julia Child taught me that.
  5. In every bag of potatoes, there’s always that one that is pretty messed up.  Don’t waste your time trying to cut off the bad parts of that one.  Just throw it away.
  6. Use every dish.
  7. Try not to cook meat or dairy.  There’s less chance that you’ll give everyone food poisoning that way.
  8. Things you just have to leave on the stove or oven for an extended period of time are the best dishes.  It gives you time to do something else while you wait, like straighten your hair or remember where you left your keys.
  9. When it comes to vegetables, don’t peel them.  Not only are all the nutrients and vitamins on the skin, but it saves you a lot of time.  Also, potato peelers are pretty much just knuckle skin shavers.
  10. Impersonating the Swedish Chef from The Muppets is required.
  11. Doing the running man in the kitchen is acceptable.
  12. No one is going to know or even care if you mash the potatoes by hand.  Use a mixer.  Trust me.
  13. In the case of potlucks, don’t be afraid to buy something and put it in a dish.  No one has to know that you didn’t cook it.
  14. Cut every corner you can.
  15. Have fun

I hope you found this helpful.  Good luck getting through the holidays.

Just sayin’.

Crazy Single Girl Life – Holiday Wrap-Up

Let’s start at the ending, or the new beginning as it were.  It’s a new year, and yes, I’m single.   Still.   (I hate the word ‘still’.)    No one even attempted to kiss me at midnight.   I blame a horrific breakout and an unfortunate lei for that.

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Anyway, I spent the evening at Slim’s seeing The Slackers, The Impalers, and The Struts.   And really, what better way to ring in a new year than with some favorite bands and favorite friends, like Clam, who showed up as unannounced as always.

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I am very thankful that 2008 is behind me, and I know there’s not truly much difference between a couple of days ago and today, yet it feels like a huge page in the book has been turned, and I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter of life.

So far, 2009 is starting with the band still looking for a singer, but still charging onward.  I’ve joined a soccer team, and games start next week.   I’m still at the same job I’ve been at since June, and I love it.   And the biggest shock of all, I’m still in the same apartment.  It’s been well over a year, and I am showing no signs of moving.  Whew!   

Now, moving backwards, a few days before Xmas, I was extended an invitation from my Aunties and cousins to join them in Las Vegas for the holiday.   I decided this was the perfect opportunity for one last road trip for 2008.   I sort of got so excited that I forgot about one thing – mountains.  There are mountains between here and there, and where there are mountains, in the winter, there’s bound to be snow.

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So I learned really quickly how to drive in the snow, and eventually arrived safe and sound in The City of Sin.  It wasn’t a very sinful trip, considering how I was with the fam, but I liked it just fine.  I walked just about everywhere and drank too much.  In fact, I was so parched by the time I left that I decided to give up drinking when I got back for at least a bit.   I only had a small amount of champers at midnight on NYE. 

The highlight of Vegas for me was sitting in the dueling piano bar in the Paris hotel.   If you’re in town, looking for a break from the gambling and the bustle, I say it’s a great way to spend an evening.

But, of course, it’s not Xmas without the Strange Manor gang, and I spent the evening with them before heading out of town.   They had their usual party with gift exchange, good company, food, and drinks.
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And of course, there were a pair of ska and reggae shows the weekend before the holiday, The Aggrolites with The Impalers and Hepcat with The Soul Captives.  

 

The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites

 

 

The Soul Captives
The Soul Captives

Overall, it was a brilliant Holiday season, and I’m mostly pleased with it, but I am equally pleased that it’s over.   I’m ready for brand new Crazy Single Girl Adventures!

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Onward & Upward!  Science & Honor!

Here’s to you, 2009.   Don’t let me down.

What’s That White Stuff Falling From the Sky?

I’m at the folks’ place in Washington for the holidays. I’m working the system pretty well, I think. The boss said, “go ahead and work from home the week following Christmas,” so I’m working from Mom’s home. I got in yesterday. I had to work the after school job through Monday.

Right after we got back from the airport, it started to rain/snow. It was all slushy, and nothing was sticking because of the rain in the mix. On the news last night, they were reporting from a hill in Seattle, where it had actually started sticking. They were saying it was the first white Christmas in Seattle for over a decade, and they showed a little girl building a snowman. It was my first ever white Christmas. It only took 30 years.

Just about 20 minutes ago, it started really snowing, though. I’m sitting here right now watching it fall out the front window. It’s collecting on the trees, the lawn, and the road. I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere. I did go out and catch a few flakes on my tongue, but that was good enough for me. I’m over it.

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Sitting here is like the opposite of being in a snow globe.

Holiday Madness = No New Posts

I have been going non-stop since Friday afternoon.   Once I get to my parents’ house on Tuesday, I’m sure I’ll have to devote to writing some blogs, and giving the run down on all I’ve seen and done.

Tomorrow night – the Strange Manor Christmas party.  An annual tradition.   My favorite party of the whole year.  I can’t wait!