Counting Sheep

i am not certain that anyone truly knows of my deep love for sheep, other than my old pal Jessie.  This video makes me think of Jessie, too much Bulmers, Wheatabix and how happy and awesome sheep are.

When we were wee freshman at Young Harris College (actually rising sophomores -- the top dogs back when you were only lucky enough to stay at YHC for more than two years if you failed Ms. Nation's Statistics class), Jessie and i enjoyed a two week study abroad trip in Ireland.  Yes other students were there - but most important, of course, were Ms. Collins and Ms. Johnson, respectively.  The trip was the beginning of a fast friendship for which i am extremely thankful, but that is not what i am here to talk about.  Despite my husband's belief that my whole world actually revolves around Jessie -- i have other things to discuss.  (Only 3/4 of my world is about Jessie - sometimes only half.)

So back to the sheep!
These little fellas were not the livestock of choice in my hometown... not a huge demand for wool in South Georgia, i suppose.  Needless to say, until my exposure to the lifestyle of these creatures on my Irish stint, i did not fully appreciate the sacrifices they make for us.  These guys scale rocky cliffs sporting humiliating colored spots on their butts, seeking blades of juicy grass and rays of sun, all to grow a sweater for me - sweaters for everyone!  And now, after watching this video, i find out they are performers as well!!!!  Tis a dream come true, indeed.  This is just one more thing that makes a girl want to steer clear of a sheep on her fork.

Speaking of nixing the sheep from my fork.... we had the BEST dinner last night.  i day dreamed about it all day today.  Butternut Squash Curry. y-u-m.  i found the recipe on Country Living's website, on the same list of vegetarian dishes that i found the roasted celery recipe.  Here is the link to the original: http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/vegetarian-recipes-curried-pumpkin-peas

i had butternut squash leftover from a few days ago, so i substituted the pumpkin with it.  i also used purple fingerling potatoes (my favorite variety of these sweet dirt jewels) rather than a red skinned.  We had the curry over brown jasmine rice.

Jeff and i have actually been doing really well with the "Weekday Vegetarian" plan.  At least Jeff has been doing well when i am planning his meals.  He has admitted to eating chicken tenders at work.  i am sure it is inconvenient for him to find meatless meals in his professional kitchen, where he is the chef.  (sheesh)  

We have tried some awesome new dinners, and i have lost some unsightly poundage.  i feel great!  Cutting out meat from our weekday diet is a plan i will certainly continue for life.  But, i must admit, i am looking forward to the beef empanadas we are going to have on Sunday.

My Mama Made Me Do It (well she tried anyway)...

Check out my shower door.  (Excuse me, OUR shower door...)  i took the photo from inside the shower so y'all could see that, YES, it opens in AND out!!!!  i am oh-so-proud of our bathroom.  You can see a little reflection of it on the door.

Do not worry.  This is not a blog about a shower door.  Well, maybe it is.  It is really a blog about my new friend, the squeegee.

Dictionary.com defines "squeegee" as:

squee·gee

skwee-jee, skwee-jee]  Show IPA noun, verb, squee·geed, squee·gee·ing.

noun

1.

an implement edged with rubber or the like, for removing water from windows after washing,sweeping water from wet decks, etc.

2.

a similar and smaller device, as for removing excess water from photographic negatives or prints orfor forcing paint, ink, etc., through a porous surface, as in serigraphy.

verb (used with object)

3.

to sweep, scrape, or press with or as if with a squeegee.

4.

to force (paint, ink, etc.) through a screen in making a silk-screen print.

In this case, i am talking about the tool (noun definition #1) which i use to do the action (verb definition #3).  Below is an image of my little friend.

So here is the thing about a carrie and a squeegee.  When i was in high school, my mama bought a squeegee for me to use on the shower door in my bathroom.  But i didn't.  Maybe once and a while i would do it for kicks, but really i just felt like i didn't had the time to be bothered with wiping water off of a door every time i bathed.

Oh, younger carrie, what was your problem?

Now - i feel like i have accomplished something great when i squeegee the shower door.  i am aware of what a small task it is, but just taking care of a little chore after my shower makes me feel like i am working toward being a successful homeowner.

Oh, later twenties carrie, what is your problem?

But i do not think that Jeff is using the squeegee.  Which i think is okay, due to my history that i just mentioned.  As long as there is a 50% chance the door is being de-streaked, we should be in good shape.  But then today i was thinking about how he does not use the magical window cleaner and then i started worrying about if we have kids, they will probably be a lot like a younger carrie and a current Jeff.  So there will be more and more showers and only ONE person cleaning off the door!  i am so scared.

And then i thought about today being Wednesday and realized i had taken a vow to blog on Wednesdays.... So my shower thoughts from the morning were all i could come up with to write about.  i apologize.  i am still going to post this blog and share it on Facebook and Pinterest.  

If anyone has any tips on getting a husband to do little things he thinks are silly, please share.  Likewise, if anyone has any tips on how to make a wife understand that husbands do not find the same things important that she does - share away as well.

Here's hoping for a better post next week!!!!

This Time the Quest is Serious...

2013.
This is the year to become an adult.  To become and stay better organized (because i have discovered that organization is key for any sort of productivity on my part).  And to pursue the life that i want to lead.
It is ALL so exciting!

So far, i have started the MPA program at GC&SU.  i have established a small little workout schedule. i put everything in my calendar.  i have committed to becoming a "weekday vegetarian," which should be fun.  i am getting up earlier. And today, i am writing a blog post (an activity that i will add to my calendar to be a weekly Wednesday occurance)!

i want to tell y'all about the delicious supper the Vandervers had last night.  i found this roasted celery recipe yesterday on CountryLiving.com. 

http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/vegetarian-recipes-roasted-celery-blue-chesse#slide-25
We had celery at the house, so i thought i would give it a whirl for our first official "weekday vegetarian" meal.  IT WAS DELICIOUS!  i modified the recipe, using rosemary instead of parsley and pistachios and pecans instead of walnuts.  i also did not use any cheese.  We enjoyed it with a side of yellow rice and cleaned our plates, thank you very much.  i am telling y'all, even Jeff liked it.  This is most definitely going onto the repeat list.

Ingredients

Salt
Pepper, freshly ground
3 bunch(es) celery, tops trimmed, and halved lengthwise
1 cube(s) diced celery
2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
5 tablespoon(s) honey, divided
2 cup(s) apple juice
5 ounce(s) blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup(s) walnuts, toasted and chopped
1/4 cup(s) fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Submerge celery halves in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a baking pan.

Drizzle oil, then 3 tablespoons honey, over celery. Season with salt. Pour apple juice into pan and roast until celery begins to brown, about 25 minutes.

Transfer celery to a platter. In a small bowl, mix blue cheese, walnuts, parsley, and remaining celery. Season with pepper. Spoon over celery, drizzle with remaining honey, and serve.





Read more: Roasted Celery and Blue Cheese Recipe - Country Living