Wednesday, February 29, 2012
It's here!!
So just a lil sample of what I can do... they're so pretty!!
I can't wait to get out and do more!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Birthdays
Today we celebrated the birthdays of my two oldest children, Logan and Sydney. They turn 17 and 18 in a few days. I never know what to get Logan, and this birthday was no different.
One thing I do know... he loves BACON!
So with this, and the promise of getting something he wants, he was happy. He wants some weird cat/warrior book, and Mass Effect 3 for Xbox (which is ok with me, as I really like that game).
Sydney's birthday was a milestone sorta thing, being her 18th and all. She'll be heading off to the Air Force in short order, and thought I'd get her something she could use...
Not before playing with her for a bit.
I wrapped up my Acer Netbook computer in a gift bag... she was thrilled to be getting a computer of her own... even a hand-me-down.
It wasn't to be...
She loved me, then instantly thought I was the biggest a$$hole ever!!
I couldn't hold out for very long though!
This was the real Acer computer that Linda and I bought her. I wasn't an a$$hole any longer. :D
One thing I do know... he loves BACON!
So with this, and the promise of getting something he wants, he was happy. He wants some weird cat/warrior book, and Mass Effect 3 for Xbox (which is ok with me, as I really like that game).
Sydney's birthday was a milestone sorta thing, being her 18th and all. She'll be heading off to the Air Force in short order, and thought I'd get her something she could use...
Not before playing with her for a bit.
I wrapped up my Acer Netbook computer in a gift bag... she was thrilled to be getting a computer of her own... even a hand-me-down.
It wasn't to be...
She loved me, then instantly thought I was the biggest a$$hole ever!!
I couldn't hold out for very long though!
This was the real Acer computer that Linda and I bought her. I wasn't an a$$hole any longer. :D
Lenses
So, I've got these lenses and need a camera to go with them. I believe they are Sony lenses (or compatible). At this point, new or used doesn't really matter... I have about $1,000 to spend.
Suggestions welcome.
The lenses are Sigma and Tamron, of varying sizes.
Suggestions welcome.
The lenses are Sigma and Tamron, of varying sizes.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Lobster Stew
Everything went wonderfully well last night. The timing was perfect as everything came together at all the right times.
I was able to post the dessert last night, and it would seem that you all kinda liked it. So now I give you the main course... the Lobster Stew.
The amounts are approximate, as I just kinda cut and chop and add.
2 - 1 1/2 lb lobsters
3 Tblsp butter, unsalted
1 cup Leeks, finely chopped
1/3 cup celery, finely chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1 cup half and half (I used fat free)
2 Tblsp corn starch in 2 Tblsp cold water
1/4 cup creme fraiche
1 Tblsp chives, cut very small
1 Tblsp chopped tarragon
Cook the critters (live) in boiling water, making sure to not overcook them. About 6 minutes. Remove from water and place in a large bowl of cold water.
Remove the meat from the tail, claws, and knuckles, discarding the shells (or save them for stock). Cut the meat into 1/2 inch chunks.
Melt the butter into a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and leek, season with a touch of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the lobster, cayenne, thyme, and lemon zest and stir together.
Pour in the half and half and simmer for a short time, about 2 minutes. Add the corn starch mixture and cook until thickened.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then stir in the creme fraiche.
Spoon the lobster stew into two deep bowls. Place a baked pastry lid on top of each. Sprinkle the top with chopped tarragon and chives. Serve immediately.
The lovely Linda is very happy...
And Chef Duckie is elated...
I was able to post the dessert last night, and it would seem that you all kinda liked it. So now I give you the main course... the Lobster Stew.
The amounts are approximate, as I just kinda cut and chop and add.
2 - 1 1/2 lb lobsters
3 Tblsp butter, unsalted
1 cup Leeks, finely chopped
1/3 cup celery, finely chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1 cup half and half (I used fat free)
2 Tblsp corn starch in 2 Tblsp cold water
1/4 cup creme fraiche
1 Tblsp chives, cut very small
1 Tblsp chopped tarragon
Cook the critters (live) in boiling water, making sure to not overcook them. About 6 minutes. Remove from water and place in a large bowl of cold water.
Remove the meat from the tail, claws, and knuckles, discarding the shells (or save them for stock). Cut the meat into 1/2 inch chunks.
Melt the butter into a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and leek, season with a touch of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the lobster, cayenne, thyme, and lemon zest and stir together.
Pour in the half and half and simmer for a short time, about 2 minutes. Add the corn starch mixture and cook until thickened.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then stir in the creme fraiche.
Spoon the lobster stew into two deep bowls. Place a baked pastry lid on top of each. Sprinkle the top with chopped tarragon and chives. Serve immediately.
The lovely Linda is very happy...
And Chef Duckie is elated...
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Dessert
Ok, so it's more of a hand held pie than a tart, but for some reason I like calling it a raspberry tart.
Here it is, very simple:
12 oz frozen unsweetened raspberries (fresh if available in season)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
1 1/2 Tblsp corn starch
1 tsp vanilla
1 pkg (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry shells (thawed)
1 egg
Mix the corn starch with 1 1/2 Tblsp of cold water.
In a large saucepan add the raspberries, sugar, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat until juicy (frozen takes about 5 minutes).
Once juicy add corn starch/water mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring often until thickened. Remove from heat.
Dust a work surface with flour. Lay out the rectangular pastry sheets, cut each sheet into 4 long sheets (you'll have 8 at this point). Set aside.
Whisk egg with a dash of water. Brush the edges of one cut sheet with egg mixture. Place a spoonful of raspberry stuff on one end of the sheet.
Fold sheet over so that short ends meet. Crimp with a fork to seal. Cut a venty thing in the top. Place on baking sheet. Repeat for 7 remaining sheets.
Brush remaining egg on the tops of each pie. Bake in a preheated oven (375) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove, let cool. Serve and enjoy!
Here it is, very simple:
12 oz frozen unsweetened raspberries (fresh if available in season)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
1 1/2 Tblsp corn starch
1 tsp vanilla
1 pkg (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry shells (thawed)
1 egg
Mix the corn starch with 1 1/2 Tblsp of cold water.
In a large saucepan add the raspberries, sugar, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat until juicy (frozen takes about 5 minutes).
Once juicy add corn starch/water mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring often until thickened. Remove from heat.
Dust a work surface with flour. Lay out the rectangular pastry sheets, cut each sheet into 4 long sheets (you'll have 8 at this point). Set aside.
Whisk egg with a dash of water. Brush the edges of one cut sheet with egg mixture. Place a spoonful of raspberry stuff on one end of the sheet.
Fold sheet over so that short ends meet. Crimp with a fork to seal. Cut a venty thing in the top. Place on baking sheet. Repeat for 7 remaining sheets.
Brush remaining egg on the tops of each pie. Bake in a preheated oven (375) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove, let cool. Serve and enjoy!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Valentine's Dinner
This year I decided to put my passion to the test... I'm giving my Valentine the gift of food. I am going all out in high style (or as high as my budget will allow). And I'm making everything from scratch!
Doing a three course meal. For the first course, a light salad... fresh spinach, portabelo mushrooms, sweet onions, and a fresh raspberry vinigarette. Not difficult. Tasty, simple.
The entree is a bit more challenging... and fun. I'm going to do a lobster stew, with a pastry lid. It's kinda like a lobster pot pie, but without all the crust that would just get mushy. The stew has leeks, celery, chives, tarragon, thyme, lemon zest, creme fraiche, cayenne...oh, and lobster! I'm breaking out the All-Clad for this baby! The pastry lid is basically a pie crust dough, baked in advance and placed on top of the individual bowls of stew.
For dessert, I'm making a raspberry tart. Don't worry, it's sugar free! :D A simple, yet damned yummy tart. :D
Oh, and to drink... cause we're not pretentious or anything... Stella Ar tios (in the Stella Chalices I bought for Linda, just for this evening).
Here's a pic of the setup. a $50 Bed Bath and Beyond gift card came in handy here!
Doing a three course meal. For the first course, a light salad... fresh spinach, portabelo mushrooms, sweet onions, and a fresh raspberry vinigarette. Not difficult. Tasty, simple.
The entree is a bit more challenging... and fun. I'm going to do a lobster stew, with a pastry lid. It's kinda like a lobster pot pie, but without all the crust that would just get mushy. The stew has leeks, celery, chives, tarragon, thyme, lemon zest, creme fraiche, cayenne...oh, and lobster! I'm breaking out the All-Clad for this baby! The pastry lid is basically a pie crust dough, baked in advance and placed on top of the individual bowls of stew.
For dessert, I'm making a raspberry tart. Don't worry, it's sugar free! :D A simple, yet damned yummy tart. :D
Oh, and to drink... cause we're not pretentious or anything... Stella Ar tios (in the Stella Chalices I bought for Linda, just for this evening).
Here's a pic of the setup. a $50 Bed Bath and Beyond gift card came in handy here!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Picture Perfect - Far From Home (Competition)
I could have used an obvious one of me... being far from home... I couldn't find one that I took of myself that was any good.
I figured this guy was surely far from home, since he lives in "a galaxy, far, far away"...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Its been a wonderful day. Had an appt with the hot doc, she wasn't there. Saw the pa. Not so hot. My blood is bad. A1C went from 6.4 to 7. Too much protien. Thyroid still not working. The power went out, the hard drive on my puter is gone. Lost emails. Cooked dinner for, and am now sitting with Linda. Nothing else really matters. The day is good.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
GTP - Bullet in My Hand
Out of the Darkness
A movement in a dream
Reaching out a hand
Always on the edge of a scream
Rising from the depths
Fires burning all around
Finding the light
Not hearing a sound
Touching your soul
Finally able to stand
Holding your heart
With a bullet in my hand
Red Light Kings
"Bullet in My Hand"
I've got a fast life and
A slow cuttin' knife
I've been drinkin' at a poisoned well
No home and a bag of bones
And nothin' else left to sell
I know why I'm in this hell
I just don't wanna believe
Past that line you just can't tell
But right now
There's someone lookin' out for me
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
I got one more shot at livin'
I'm lucky that I can
Cause I got a little roughed up
Yeah I really got fucked up
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
I got a cold stare, the wound's still there
But there ain't much left to bleed
A short fuse that I still use
I'm my own worst enemy
Stare at the faces I once knew lined up just to bury me
There's a long black car that's waitin' to leave
But right now
There's someone looking out for me
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
I got one more shot at livin'
I'm lucky that I can
Cause I got a little roughed up
Yeah I really got fucked up
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
Cause I got a little roughed up
With a bullet in my hand
Yeah I really got fucked up
With a bullet in my hand
Can you see the light?
Can you see the light?
Can you see the light?
I can see the light
I can see the light
There's someone looking out for me
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
I got one more shot at livin'
I'm lucky that I can
Cause I got a little roughed up
Yeah I really got fucked up
I came out of the darkness
With a bullet in my hand
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