Here we go.

18 June 2014

smells like records

I won the new Fresh & Onlys LP in an online social media contest!  Pretty spiffy, eh?  I adore the first two songs a lot. Melancholy with dreamy, pretty guitar, great for summer.  Still taking in the rest of the album.  Considering going up to St. Louis to catch them on tour. 

I wish bands that I love would come closer.  Closer still.  In my face.  Even closer.  Closer yet.  :::woof:::


10 June 2014

09 June 2014

Trick-fil-A

Hej, dudes + dudettes! Didn't get out and about this past weekend, but it was still a pretty good one.  Last weekend, after breaking our shovel trying to dig out a root ball, I had a mini-meltdown in the front yard.  It was glorious!  I used a lot of salty language.  Immediately thereafter, ATM + I hopped into the car and went over to the hardware store and bought tools, tools designed to excavate root balls.  Instead of one removal per session, we did FIVE.  Our property is jungle-dense with the worst shrubs, vines, and irresponsibly cared-for trees, poor things.  Our goal is to remove it all, let it chill + settle for some time, and then carefully + thoughtfully put in new things.  All this rain has been keeping the ground soft, so maybe we'll see big progress again next weekend.

One of my favorite things about our house are the metal awnings, especially during a perfect rain in the morning when you're allowed to sleep in. Here, you can see the unruly plants trying to get inside the bedroom window to strangle me in my sleep.  I'll show them.
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Sun rays chasing the tail end of a storm:
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And the subsequent mammatus cloud formations.  A lot of these in Arkansas lately:
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Furthering my attempts to demystify veganism for omnis, ATM + I "went there" and made Trick-fil-A sandwiches for supper last night, a double F U to the animal farming machine + to Chik-fil-A themselves.  That's a two-finger bird, you guys.  Isn't that FUN?!

The sandwiches were absurdly DELICIOUS with their "buttered" and toasted buns and their crispy pickles.  They're totally legit.  Try it!

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Trick-Fil-A sandwich:

4 vegan chicken cutlets (try Gardein Chick’n Scallopini)
3/4 cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup pickle juice
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Peanut, canola, or vegetable oil, for frying
Earth Balance spread
4 vegan buns
16 dill pickle chips

  • Defrost or thaw the chicken cutlets if frozen.
  • Combine the almond milk and the pickle juice in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
  • Combine the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, dry mustard, and powdered sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Warm the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
  • Dip a “chicken” cutlet into the wet mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Toss into the flour mixture and coat generously. Repeat the dipping process twice per cutlet -- permission granted to double dip -- and set aside.
  • Place one cutlet in the frying pan using a pair of tongs. Flip occasionally to ensure even cooking. Allow to cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the outside is crisp and golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
  • Lightly 'butter' the buns with the Earth Balance spread and place in a frying pan over low heat until slightly toasted.
  • Place 4 pickle chips on the bottom half of each bun, then top with the fried “chicken.” Serve immediately.
 This is your face, Chik-fil-A!

05 June 2014

PARQUET COURTS

Yesterday eve, ATM + I shuffled over to Memphis to catch Parquet Courts on tour.  So glad we did that.  They sound great live + seeing them live means we're married now.  I am married to Parquet Courts.  They've got a new album out right now + are on tour, so go get married, if you can!  Their last lp is essential, too, btw.

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Before we left Memphis, ATM + I popped over to Imagine Vegan Cafe for lunch.  Honestly, wtf.  There's no sweatin' it because you can order anything off the menu and it's vegan.  Granted, this isn't the raw veg & grain-heavy healthy stuff here; it's vegan junk/comfort food heaven.  But, dang it if it's not just a relief to walk into a restaurant and eat whatever w/o having to be all concerned about  animal ingredients, sub-ingredients, and science-ingredients. It's delicious, too.  We tried the app sampler, Philly cheese-steak sandwich with fries, red beans + rice, and two kinds of cake.  I am so gonna be craving that mess soon.  Goooooo!  BTW, this is such an invaluable resource right here for vegan dining in Memphis, TN.


Looking back on Arkansas from Bluff City:
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02 June 2014

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