light outside

Today I noticed that the sun IS starting to rise earlier . I can't wait until it is rising when I am up with the dog.

This week has been another cold one here. Thank goodness for our new furnace and for Eddie Bauer down. I think Bill and I would be in a world of hurt with out these two key winter survival items.

Not much on the docket for this weekend. I have a gift certificate to use at 1154 lill and will be joined by Lily in the effort to make our own purses. Have a nice weekend and stay warm.

health kick

it wasn't milk kick but i think i was close enough

Rice Kick

Do you remember that old milk commercial... milk kick?

I have been on a rice kick lately, last week risotto, this week yummy rice pudding.





The Joy of Cooking book suggested putting the warm rice pudding in ramekins. And While I have regular ramekins these are so much more fun. I added minced crystallized ginger to the pudding (something I had learned in a coconut ginger recipe) but apparently not enough, or maybe it was if I had used regular rice. Since Bill loves his rice and is a discerning rice eater, we get the big 10 lb bags of Thai jasmine rice. yum!

Ok enough about food, time for some updates.
This past weekend we had dinner with Brian and Christie. A good time was had by all. Sunday we didn't do much, but we did take Winnie to get groomed and while waiting to pick her up ended up wandering around a Kohls (a dangerous thing). I knew Kohls carried the Sketchers brand, so while there I had to check out the Shape-ups. And yes... I bought myself a pair of the rediculous looking shoes. I am so excited for the nice weather to come so I had try these puppies out on my commute. until then I am wearing them around the house to break them in (or perhaps the other way around.)
And... to help me stay awake as I read about interest rates and exchange rate parity Bill and I booked a quick trip in early Feb. Where you ask? (look at the pictures, though if you know me you probably don't even need the hint.)

simple yet complex

So today I made my last cup and a half of risotto rice in the first box (22 servings). I first made risotto last fall, and am in love. It is so simple but yet complex.


see how creamy it is.... well i know this isn't the best picture, but still


Dinner is served... I added left over BBQ chicken breast to the risotto and i had dinner.

you're a pistachio nut

yeah that is what I tell my dog all the time.

So this week was my first week of studying and I am already feeling that this will be much harder that Level I. I just need to keep the balance currently so that I don't get burnt out. Last year I was able to take a few weekend trips over the months leading up to the test, and I think that might be a good plan. maybe just to go back to Cleveland for a weekend or maybe to go visit friends or family else where. I guess I'll keep my eye out for cheap flights

Tonight we're having dinner with some of Bill's friends and the rest of the weekend isn't too planned out. I have monday off, but Bill does not, so I am not sure what I'll do. May be a movie and some house work? maybe lug my computer into the genius bar?

Anyway I hope you have a great weekend.

Haiti

it pains me to see the devastation and destruction that has occurred due to the earthquake. If you are able to donate money, I know that there are many orgs that will need donations to help. Many of these organizations were hit hard by the economic down turn last year, and the coffers are not what they used to be.

according to reports I read the relief effort will be spear headed by the UN and delegated to these programs

WHO
Red Cross
World Food Programme

I know many other non profits will be providing help, but these will be the big players.

I love nutella

yeah this post has nothing to do with that fact, but I had some today with graham crackers as a snack and they were good.

I can't believe today is Tuesday. It seems like it should at least be Wednesday, if not Thursday. I think my distorted sense of a work week is rearing its head. after all the holidays January is a cold heartless reminder of life. At least since the take over I technically get Monday off. I haven't decided if I should go in and take the holiday at some later point (I have a lot of reporting to do in the next two weeks) but it is nice to know it is there.

We got our Christmas tree down yesterday. I thanked it for giving its life to us and for not shedding any needles until we started to take it down. I think that is the biggest advantage to going and cutting down your own tree. The tree just doesn't dry out like live ones you buy from a store. Anyway, now our living room looks sad and bare. (Just another sign of January). I have decided to keep up the snow flake and snowmen window gels just for a little longer and in an attempt to get ahead of the curve I put out the red table cloth and the valentine napkins. (they will now probably be out until Easter :) )

3d and then some

This weekend started with a very important lesson that I was tempted to call "why you shouldn't be a good Samaritan" but my co worker pointed out to be that maybe it should be called "look out! watch where you're walking". The weekend ended with some lovely 3D graphics.

So Friday I am walking home from the train station and it is really starting to get cold out. we had had a day in the high 20s but the weekend was supposed to be cold. As I walk past my neighbor's house I see a yellow had on the ground in the drive towards the street. I laugh to myself (silly kids) pick up the hat and then notice that the neighbors aren't home. To keep the hat safe I decided to put it inside the front door figuring that some one would see it when getting the mail the next day. so I walk up put it on the door knob and the turn to get home. as I take the first step I feel my feet go out from under me and I fall backwards down the flight of 5 steps. Luckily i am wearing my backpack, which protected much of my back from the fall, but my right are is tingling and I can't get my right hand to work. I am fine for the most part, but what ever I did to my shoulder really effected my nerves funny. I am still having a hard time lifting and doing certain tactile movements. Bill called me Colt McCoy, gee thanks honey.

Saturday we hung out during the day and then went out to the west burbs in the late afternoon for some errands and some dinner. That night we caught the Watchmen movie on HBO. I don't know why people panned the movie. I thought it was pretty good. A little disjointed but over all not nearly the worst movie based off a graphic novel/ comic book.

Yesterday I had one goal when I woke up: take down the Christmas tree. and yes, the tree is currently still up and fully decorated as I type this. That is mostly because Bill decided to take a break from work in the late afternoon and we went and saw Avatar. We both really enjoyed it. We didn't see it at an Imax (instead we tried out the new theater on Roosevelt for those who live around here) but we did see it in 3D. I think that if you want to see this movie and really appreciate the graphics and special effects that it will most likely win tons of awards for you have to go see it in a theater. yeah its pricier, but go see it at a matinee and skip out on some other splurge that you might make in the week.

So today I hope to get that tree down and make some progress in my Stalla books. Oh Ethics, it seems like yesterday we were together for the Level I exam.

Winnie part II

So I think I have found the solution to the Winnie problem. I keep her between me and the side of the bed and then she doesn't bug anyone apparently she just respects me and my sleep more.

In other news we are getting quite the snow storm here. As I have spent the day at work I can't tell you how much, though we had about 3 inches when I walked to the train at 7 this morning and I don't think it has really stopped since then.

Anyway have a nice warm evening.

winnie the sentry

While we were home the past two weeks Bill and I tried letting Winnie sleep upstairs with us. Unlike some dogs Winnie cannot get on and off our bed without us picking her up, so when she sleeps with us it is until one of us gets up.

Sentry Duty

Now I love my dog and I love that she warms up my bed for me and snuggles most of the night near my feet, but Bill doesn't have the same opinion or experience. You see, Winnie feels that Bill's side of the bed is her side of the bed (might have to do with all those nights he works late and she comes to bed with me as a guard). Winne also feels it is her duty to make rounds and guard us (see above). so, while I peacefully sleep Bill is woken up basically every hour with the dog version of "1 o'clock and all is well". and then as she settles in for another power nap she tries to politely push Bill out of the way.

Sweet Dreams

Then there are the dreams. I have no idea what dog dream about, but they must be very vivid. It isn't unusual for us to wake up with Winnie either snoring or chasing something, but the other night we had something new. she barked very loudly (in her sleep) and proceeded to have a case of hiccups while sleeping. while we were both annoyed at the bark it was too cute to be mad.

Wake-Up Call

Finally, Winnie is programed like a precise Swiss watch. It doesn't matter how late she went to bed or how tired you are almost exactly 7 hours after going to sleep or at 7 am (which ever is earlier) Winnie wakes up. she starts with some stretching and then quickly moves on to licking her lips, playing double dutch between our legs and coming very close to our faces ("I'm not touching you" close) to stare us down and see if we're awake.

All of these antics have made me love Winnie more, but Bill has decided the dog's place is downstairs in the family room. I can't say I blame him, but every night when I go up to bed I see her sad little face and I feel so bad. So I think it will be Bill's job to put Winnie "to be" from now on.

vacation is over

except that i plan to take off Wednesday. ha -ha! Work week I have outsmarted you again.

I hope that all of you have lovely holidays. I know I enjoyed my time home with the husband and the dog. But honestly it is nice to be back in the routine.

Tree

Just wanted to share a picture of my tree with you all before we take it down. January 6th is fast approaching, and we'll probably take it down right after.