Muchito & the Gang

Well, the Baked Mediterranean Vegetables did not turn out as well as I had hoped. I ate some today for lunch and it wasn't that great. Next time, I will use a smaller pan and make more batter, and try to add some more flavor to my batter...it was a little bland. Doug still ate it, though, so I guess it wasn't too bad.

Too bad I was too lazy to cook my soup tonight. I had spaghetti and corn on the cob instead. Interesting combo? Points for originality! The Lovely Bones came in from Netflix, and I had to watch. Creepy. Sad. Scary. Highly recommend. The Vegetable Corn Chowder will be conquered tomorrow night. I hope it tastes like Panera Bread's Broccoli and Cheddar soup; that is some good eatin'! I appreciate Panera Bread not only for its delicious food offerings, but also its fine beverage selection. Where else can you get a fountain caffeine free diet Pepsi?

Do you remember that awesome Diet Pepsi jingle? "You got the right one baby, uh-huh uh-huh...Diet Pepsiiiiii!" And the Buttercream Gang totally rocked that joint! You see, the Buttercream Gang differs from other gangs in that it does good deeds. Oh, but do you remember when the gang fell on hard times? When Pete went all hardcore? Upon returning from the dirty city streets of Chicago (or was it New York...I guess it doesn't matter) to his podunk USA town, Pete no longer wanted to help little old ladies cross the street, instead, he wanted to steal their purses and tag the side of their houses. Represent! But, oh, do you hear that? Do you hear that melodious tune? The Buttercream Gang serenades Pete, "You got the right one, baby! Uh-huh!" Pete's small heart grew three sizes that day!

The jingle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRU3sBu7Imo

The gang:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOWW-r0AWr8

The day is almost over, and it's getting dark, or as Mr. Dylan once said, "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there." It's actually cold out here. Granted I am a total wimp, but dang it, I could go for some long sleeves. And by the way, fireworks suck. I've been hearing them all night, and we'll hear them from now to September. Also, why is there a huge fireworks show on Labor Day but not on July 4th? Cincinnati is so hysterical.

Hysterical! Guess who just visited me on the porch? Muchito the cat. Poor little guy, he's skin and bones. I think Doogles and I should put some food out for the little goomer.

The Verdict on the Dish

So...I made the Baked Mediterranean Vegetables tonight. I haven't eaten it, but Doogie says it is yummy. It made the house smell wonderful, that I know.

I know it's inconceivable that I, the lady with the candy drawer, just watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the first time tonight. It was outstanding! Why haven't I watched this masterpiece sooner? I want to drink soda that makes me fly, burping to land, all the while quoting classic lines from literary giants and sporting a killer purple velvet jacket. However, before moving into the Chocolate Factory, one would definitely have to consider the creep factor of the oompa loompas.

Once, in high school, a friend who shall remain nameless called this sea-hag girl a deranged oompa loompa. Isn't that a little redundant? Much like the scenario this morning in the car:

Radio: The first documented bear attack in Kentucky happened this past weekend at Red River Gorge in southeastern Kentucky. The hiker was taken to a nearby hospital where he suffered only minor injuries. The black bear is still on the loose.

Doug: Still on the loose? It's supposed to be on the loose! It's a black bear in the mountains.

I'll be heading for the mountains this weekend, friends. I have one goal: to take a picture of the "Welcome to Dwarf, Center of the Universe" sign. You can't really appreciate it until you see it. Right at the mouth of the holler, that's right, the holler. Check this shiz out, Dwarf Baptist Church on googlemaps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dwarf+kentucky+cornett+road&sll=37.335474,-83.133354&sspn=0.001431,0.003484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cornett+Road+Combs+Branch,+Bulan,+Perry,+Kentucky+41722&ll=37.334064,-83.129575&spn=0.005724,0.013937&t=h&z=17&layer=tc&cbll=37.335057,-83.130219&panoid=0qj5-ZLWjTrdTtUxrT-t-A&cbp=12,124.61,,0,5

Yes sir, big time!

Time for bed, but before I go, a recipe that I shall try tomorrow:

Vegetable and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
1 T vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 3/4 cups diced potatoes
2 T all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup broccoli florets
3 cups corn
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and potato and saute over low heat, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes.

2. Stir in the flour and cook (like gravy!), stirring for 30 seconds. Gradually stir in the milk and stock.

3. Add the broccoli and corn. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender.

4. Add 1/2 cup of cheese and stir until it melts.

DONE and DONE!

The Blue Fugates, etc.

People, let me tell you, I've never seen the beat. Blue people! I've heard this story all my life growing up in Dwarf, so I thought I'd share the story and the link with you.

Once upon a time, far far away, deep in the mountains of Appalachia... So, this dude, Martin Fugate, has a recessive gene that if dominant would turn his skin blue, smurf him, essentially. He comes all the way from France to Ball Creek, Kentucky and marries a broad who also has this recessive smurf gene. With their genes combined, their offspring will be as blue as Captain Planet for years to come. Martin and ole gal breed, and because it's 1900 and they're in BFE Kentucky, their offspring inbreed. Ball Creek looked like Smurf Village. Gargamel showed up in the '60s to snatch up some smurfs (descendants of Martin and ole gal) for testing. He found out that their blue skin is due to the lack of the enzyme diaphorase...or something like that. So, since he figured out what the deal was, he found a cure, and gave the pills to the guinea pig smurfs. Magically, they turned pink. The smurfs take the dope Gargamel gives them, and stop inbreeding, and now people on Ball are a normal color...but they're still crazier than shithouse rats.



http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyperry3/Blue_Fugates_Troublesome_Creek.html


To further enlighten you on southeastern Ky...how Dwarf got its name:

The local post office was established on July 24, 1878 and named Tunnel Mill, for the tunnel which Sam and Felix Combs, using hand drills and gunpowder, had recently cut through 172 ft of solid rock for the purpose of carrying water to their mill. The post office closed in 1881 but was reestablished on July 13, 1883 as Dwarf, honoring the Combs brothers' brother Jeremiah, called "Short Jerry" for his stature.

Let's go Krogering!

Just got back from dinner with friends. I needed to go to Kroger to procure some fixings for this week's vegetarian-friendly line-up, but put off the trip so that I would have something to do tomorrow night. Is that sad? You don't have to answer the question...I know the answer.

The Answer Man is in (or is it on) my Netflix queue (how do you pronounce that word). It stars Harry Dunn (Dumb & Dumber) and Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls..shuh). I figure you can't go wrong with that combo, right? Also on/in the queue is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I have never watched this film, though I am a proponent of Mr. Wonka's candy.

The candy drawer at work needs something fruity. Perhaps some runts. Or some Laffy Taffy. Ooh or maybe some Sprees (or is Spree already in plural form). Definitely need some Spree(s). I wonder if one can purchase Spree(s) at Sam's Club. Spree(s) are absolutely a goodness that must be purchased in large quantities.

Large quantities of tomatoes are needed, I have noted, for a vegetarian diet. I sure am glad I have 8 tomato plants growing. Every recipe I have read calls for a tomato or 2 or 4.

For tomorrow night I'm making this tasty dish (without tomatoes):

Baked Mediterranean Vegetables

Ingredients:
1 small eggplant, trimmed, halved and thickly sliced
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup milk
2 T fresh thyme leaves
1 red onion
2 large zucchini
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
2 T sunflower oil
2 T grated fresh parmesan
salt & black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Put the eggplant in a colander, sprinkle with salt, leave for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and pat dry.

2. Beat egg, add flour, and a little milk to make a smooth paste. Gradually blend in the rest of the milk, add the thyme leaves, and seasoning to taste. Stir until smooth. Put in a cool place until needed.

3. Preheat oven to 425. Put some oil in a roasting pan and warm for a bit. Pull out roasting pan and put all your chopped veggies in, stir to coat with oil. Bake in oven for 20 minutes.

4. Give the batter a whisk, then pour over the vegetables. Return pan to the oven for 30 minutes. When puffed and golden, reduce the heat to 375 and bake for 10-15 minutes until crisp around the edges. Sprinkle with parmesan.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Allison to Doug: I'm going to punch your face off!

Doug to Allison: Don't you think that is a little extreme? I mean, you're going to punch my face off?!

Lacto-ovo vegetarian

It is hard to type with a kitty on your arm. Flash Gordon used to be so small; now, he is fat like the rest of his brothers. I dare say he is developing fat sacks. Purr purr purr. At least he is cute.

I have recently made a lifestyle change: I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian (that means no meat, dude, but eggs and dairy are a-okay). Yes, for 12 days now I have not eaten meat. I really haven't missed it. The urge for a good cheeseburger hasn't hit yet. I'll probably cave when that happens. It all started with a wedding party. June 12, 2010 we served fried chicken and pulled pork bbq. The guests punished the chicken, but Doogles and I were left with a decent amount of pulled pork. I must've had me about 6 sammiches in 2 days. I quit meat cold turkey after a trip to Chipotle for a barbecoa burrito. Too much meat, too little stomach room. So, like I said, it's been 12 days. I don't really feel any different, I don't know if I'm supposed to. I thought I'd smell weird or something...like a carrot or a hippie.

Do you remember Hippie Stu? What a weird guy. He said he had the hook-up for magic mushrooms. He was old. So old. You remember Bonnaroo? And how some dirty hippie stole Michael's sandals, and he had to go around the rest of the weekend in his house slippers? Classic.

Coca Cola Classic is far superior to Pepsi. Pepsi products, as a whole, stink. That's why 7Up and Dr. Pepper went their own way. They knew Pepsi would only ruin their reputation. Don't you hate it when you go to a restaurant and you order Sprite and they say, "Sierra Mist?" Ugh. No. Sierra Mist is weird. What is wrong with you people? Do you know anyone who willingly purchases Sierra Mist? I didn't think so.

I didn't think that Max Midina was a good fit for Lorelai. I mean, he was handsome, smart, quoted great literature, romantic...but he was not funny...he was not manly. Sure he drove a killer vintage Mustang, but Luke drove a truck. Men should have trucks. And they should go fishing. And they should easily be able to fix stuff around the house whenever it breaks. And they should be funny. And get mad when you want to dress them up in fancy suits.

Doug has one suit. The suit he wore to the wedding. He took it off and threw it in the floor when we got home. Now it's covered in cat hair, like everything else in my house. Ah, cats.

This is a test. This is the first blog I've ever written. Neato. Flash Gordon says, "Meow."