(◦′ᆺ‵◦) ♬° ✧❥✧¸.•*¨*✧♡✧ ♡Good Night♡ ✧♡✧*¨*•.❥

MELODY LEE

I'm sorry that you may have to watch an anti-ACA ad before watching this. :_(

SO NOW YOU KNOW

VEGAN MATZO BALL SOUP

It took us until about the middle of February to really get a handle on the dietary mayhem caused by the holidays. We're full steam ahead with VB6 now.  It's easy when you get to eat amazing things like matzo ball soup.  I swear, this satisfies on many levels.  Try it!  Lifted from hell yeah it's vegan! blog.  I wouldn't deviate from the recipe, it's perfect as is.  Also, there's some overnight chilling, so start this a day before you actually want to tuck away.

Ingredients

• 12.5 oz firm silken tofu
• ¼ c plus 2 Tbsp olive oil, separated
• 1 c matzoh meal
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp celery seed
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped into half-circles
• 2 celery stalks, chopped into half-moons
• 1 handful fresh dill, chopped
• 6 c vegetable stock
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend together tofu and ¼ cup oil.
2. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and stir in matzo meal, nutritional yeast, salt, baking powder, onion, pepper, garlic, and celery seed.
3. Place dough in an air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.
4. In a large pot, saute onion, carrot, and celery in 2 Tbsp olive oil until soft.
5. Add dill and stock and set aside.
6. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form mixture into 2″ balls.
7. Drop balls into broth.
8. Bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

FRIDAY

I went to see the doctor yesterday because I have fluid in my left ear.  How it got there is beyond me (shower, probably), but it's messing up my hearing and balance game, so I got it checked before it started giving me a fever and all that.  On top of that, it's day two of lady jams.  I've got cramps that register on the Richter Scale.  On top of that, I've got a bad case of nerves.  Work has been rough for me lately.  Enough for me to ask for a little pro assistance.  My go-to calming and tension easing methods seem like child's play.  So, I'm buzzing on all of these pills doc gave me.  I admit, I feel pretty spiffy RIGHT NOW.  Except for the nausea.  Ho ho!

We've put our minds together, ATM, Zach + I, and are reworking the kitchen renovation plans. We all agree that we do not want to see a stop in progress.  With a little finessing, and probably a lot of sweat equity, we are just going to keep going and do things piecemeal.  We've got the funding for the dry wall and the electrical work, so that's next.  All the while, we're going to keep saving.  We will end up shaving off the sum of money we'll need to borrow, probably saving a couple thousand.  It's going to be slow going.  As Zach said, we'll probably end up experiencing five different versions of this kitchen before it is all said and done.  I think that's kinda cool.  Metamorphosis.

That doesn't mean that we'll stop trying financial institutions.  I've met with Blair to get information on the people she worked with for her reno. And instead of just a plan B, we've got a C, too.

Occasionally, I'll go through ATM's books to find something to read.  I just finished his copy of George Saunders' Tenth of December. I just started his copy of CivilWarLand in Bad Decline.  I really loved Tenth of December.  I'm really loving CivilWarLand.  Saunders is a master short story teller.    

I've come across a cache of mixes by DJ Count Sizzle that are fun & important.  They've been the soundtrack to a lot of my current projects (cooking, textile dyeing, busywork).  That and Todd Terje's latest album It's Album Time.  And Blood Orange, too.

This evening, ATM + I decided to try our hand at making gnocchi.  It's a little involved, but it's not as difficult as I'd imagined.  I was so afraid that I'd make a gummy, chewy pasta, so I was real light-handed with the flour.  With a little tweaking, it'll be perfect next go around, not to say that it wasn't delicious because we ate. it. all.  Serves four? Pft.

KMHD + I had Barbies when we were little (You really do not want to know what we had our Barbs do), but because our stepmum is Japanese, we were more exposed to Sanrio products.  It was awesome because at the time, you *could* buy Sanrio products here in specialty shops, but we got the goods direct from Japan.  We were the envy of all grade school girls. Anyway, I still have a soft spot for My Melody, Hello Kitty (we share a birthday), and Keroppi.  I still have some of the things Mayumi got me in elementary school.  I've recently learned that Sanrio has a new character that I'm absolutely infatuated with.  He is an egg yolk.  Yes, an unmotivated, lazy, sad little egg who wants to be eaten.  I get you, Gudetama!

  



Looking forward to getting things done this weekend.  And the weather will be good.  Everything is in bloom.

HOW MUCH IS DIDDLY SQUAT?

When we went to the bank this afternoon to get a loan, the only thing I imagined not working out was that we wouldn't get the entire amount of money we were hoping to borrow.  I did not expect to be completely shut down.

It was about 3 minutes into our meeting with the loan officer that I knew we were getting diddly squat because he started feeding us some prepared lines.  He blamed the market, and regulation, and people who defaulted on their loans - he basically blamed everything and everyone except banks themselves for our being denied. Banks can do whatever they want!  I had to tune out because I could feel my anger rising.

To our credit, our credit is in fine form.  What we lack is EQUITY.  Our house? It's just not worth enough.  So, as I'm understanding it, only well-to-do folks can get loans.  Please enlighten me - how is that fucking fair?  How are we to improve our station in life when we're not even offered the same benefits and opportunities that our parents were extended?  Improving the next generation's quality of life is a fucking myth.  Might as well take your chances with the lottery, right?

This is so heartbreaking. I'm gutted.  And angry.  We've worked so hard, but we just don't stand a chance.  ATM + I always consider ourselves extremely fortunate, but we're not hi-falutin' folk. 

Maybe it was unwise to start disassembling the kitchen, but, really, it couldn't be avoided.  We had to fix the plumbing in the wall behind the counters.  And we had to take down the cabinets above the stove to see if there was any damage to include in our loan estimate.

I'm out.

Zine post with art, music, some personal narrative, hopeful plans, and maybe a recipe.

Nan Goldin, NYC 1983

ATM + I are real slow to decorate the walls of our home because we gotta be really really sure.  Last week, during my lunch break, I came across this wee art deco style shelf with mirrors at Sweet Home Furnishings.  It's now hanging, with confidence, in our bedroom.  Good lighting at night.

We've grown tired of all of the contingencies that come with a kitchen renovation, so we decided to do something well within our control (I think) and bought a dishwasher.  The way our temporary kitchen situation is, we can go ahead and start using it right away.  I think this will boost morale and dish cleansing performance.  The only way I can make this news exciting is with this exhilarating promo photo:

This track off the Liars' new album is so good, it's been stuck in my head for days now. The video is brilliant with it's using the same 9 second clip over and over again:

New sounds from the Eagulls:

I found four kinds of daffodils in our yard.  Of our (going on) five years living here, they've not blossomed as strong and hard as they have this time:

Started some new batches of tofu misozuke.  Still looking for a conscientious business person to help me with this.  This is a serious inquiry.  Know anyone?

Since spring is here, I've been wanting to eat all of the green veg like sweet peas and asparagus.  And rhubarb, the official harbinger of Spring.  Folks around here don't really like to touch the stuff and ATM attributes my liking it to being part Yankee.  Is that true?  I don't see how one can resist strawberry-rhubarb pie.  Anyway, last Friday, I made peas & pasta, a seriously delicious springy green dish.  I think you'd like it.

Ingredients:
1 cup dried pasta (we used mini penne)
2 cups shelled peas (fresh or frozen)
1/2 loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 shallot, peeled and quartered
1/4 c finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper
3 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto
1/4 c whipping cream

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding 1 c peas the last 2 mins of cooking.  Reserve 1 cup pasta water.  Drain pasta.

In a food processor, combing remaining peas, basil, shallot, 2 T of the Parmesan, salt, pepper, and 1/2 c of the reserved pasta water.  Process until smooth.  Set aside. 

In a large skillet heat butter over medium heat.  Add and cook prosciutto until crispy.  Remove to paper towel to drain.  Cut prosciutto into think strips and set aside.  Add cream to skillet; bring to boiling.  Boil gently, uncovered for 1 minute.  Add pasta, blended pea mixture, and the remaining 1/2 c pasta water.  Toss gently until heated through.  Gently mix in prosciutto and remaining Parmesan.  Chow down!

Time permitting, I'd like to work on:  learning basic sumi-e, studying shibori,  and keep on keeping on with the misozuke.  Oh, and taping the edges of the bathroom for a painting.  Peace.

UP + UP

I'll be honest, I've been struggling to maintain a good disposition lately because work has been pretty awful. Like, no-appetite-to-eat-supper awful.

Thank goodness for the little things, right?

1.  Sunday before last, I made my first matcha latte at home.  It's a weirdly intense prepared beverage and I'm not just talking flavor.  It actually warmed my core and deeply calmed + quieted my brain.  I didn't have to have my usual two cups coffee that morning, which is unheard of.  I like it!

I think that now I've tried this amazing elixir, I can allow myself to buy a decent matcha powder and a chasen.  It's difficult to get the clumps out with just a regular whisk, I've discovered.

It's an attractive beverage:

 

2.  Half of my first batch of tofu misozuke turned out to be a proper success!  This is actually pretty big news!  I will be starting new batches this weekend using the effective recipe.  Once I get the hang of it, I will need to find a business-minded person to help me. Like someone who is in touch with Bill Clinton.  I want Bill Clinton to eat my tofu misozuke.  I am not even joking.

I made this!


3.  Last weekend, ATM + I played This Old House and disassembled the cabinets above the stove. I was afraid of what we'd discover once the cabinets were removed, but thankfully, there are no major repairs required, just some regular cleaning and sealing.  Our house will be 80 years old next year!




Found an old ventilation hole:


The ceiling tiles remind me of Sun Studio:


As you would expect, the removal of these cabinets really opened up that little kitchen and made me excited about things to come:


4.  We are in possession of our own pasta machine now.  I plan on giving up trying to eat healthy and just let myself completely go on pasta. WHY NOT


5.  Our felines continue to rule + charm us.  This gal watches hockey and True Detective with me in bed!







6.  I watched all of S1 True Detective in two days.  A week later, it's haunting me in the best way possible. McConaughey is completely hypnotic.  I would like Bridget Fonda to be a True Detective, for the record.

7.  For the first time ever, KMHD + I had our brunch bought for us by 'that gentleman over there'.  A stranger, on his way out of Taqueria Karina gave us a tip o' that hat and left.  Deffo made our day.  I should do that for someone some time.

A WARNING AND AN ULTIMATUM

STAND ON THE HORIZON

THE MISSING

P E O P L E IN THE CITY

SUGAR WATER

AILIEN'S KITCHEN

We are so close to officially starting our kitchen renovation.  About time, right?  Still have a couple more things to do before we go to the bank to solicit money.  It's exciting, but I feel it's not a real thing until we're actually underway.

So, when you do a renovation, there are a billion things you must decide.  A billion, no less.  Making decisions on the spot is awful + I'm pretty bad at it.

There's a bakery in Oslo called Blings that is the inspiration for our remodel.  In case you just aren't feelin' it, what I see is a great blend of organic elements, pattern, and a touch of masculinity.  The color is there, but not overwhelmingly so.  They lean quite a bit on natural lighting, which is available in our kitchen.  Lighting is soft.  I feel I could do a lot of stuff in this kitchen.  It also looks like it smells good.

Here's another view:

Two of my co-workers recently went through a reno.  It drove them to the brink.  I expect no less.  Pray for AiLien.

HOW DO!

It's another crunchy snow day here in North Little Rock!  I love snow days.  It's FREE time.  Such a hot commodity!  But, seriously, I get to work on projects, do some self-care, drink coffee, stare out the window and watch birds eat the seed I just put out for them, take naps, make food, ... whatever I like!  The very best part of all of this is that we still have electricity.  Having internet is bonus.

Mardi Gras is tomorrow! You go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans just once and you're wanting to do it for life, is what I'm discovering.  Especially since it's been an unforgiving winter's winter.  I want to walk the streets and eat king cake and po boys, damnit!  I've got some homemade king cake ready to bake & take to the office for my co-workers tomorrow, if these icy streets let up.

I actually don't like king cake unless it's from Randazzo's, so I modified my cinnamon roll recipe by adding colored sugars on it. It is taking all of my power to not go ahead and bake up what I made for work.  [UPDATE:  we totally ate them.]










On Saturday, ATM, Britt & I went to the SOMA Mardi Gras parade.  The parade was shorter this year, but there were so many more folks in attendance.  I was especially thrilled that the Central High School Jazz band performed and warmed up the crowd.

Too, I'm genuinely pleased that I've passed my M'Gras love on to Brittany.  She rocked her mask + beads and expressed a desire to start our own krewe and walk the parade next year.  Like it made me really proud. I'm game if we aren't actually in New Orleans!

 Photo by ATM

I LOVE MY BAD ATTITUDE

Last weekend, ATM + I went to Memphis to meet up with my paternal in-laws since we were unable to see them over the Christmas holiday.

To pertinently go off-topic, I get really annoyed with my 'expect the worst, hope for the best' attitude sometimes.  It's a form of protection, see.  It is necessary sometimes, but, generally, it's a piss poor attitude to have.  It doesn't compliment my desire to just go with the flow.

All that to say that I had an honest good time.

On Friday, ATM + I went to another River Kings match.  We had some seats close to the ice, the view completely obscured by fat heads and the away team's bench.  This is the south, I don't expect hockey to take off and for seats to get filled, but it's happening. All of the seats around us were occupied, so it was a bit cramped.  We were amidst a family of twelve and they kept getting out of their seats and squeezing past us, so before the third period, we found some empties a little higher up and with a much better view.  I joked that ATM should take notes in a little notepad and pretend to be a hockey scout.  Might as well, since we already stick out in Southaven, MS anyway.  No victory this time, but I still had fun!


The next day, we met Jerry + Shawn (in-laws) for lunch at Rendezvous.  So, to me, the food there is just o.k.  I think it's criminal how much they charge for BBQ and I suppose you're paying for the atmosphere and "world famous" part.  ATM + I have kinda sorta grown out of "Memphis food", like BBQ, fried chicken, and other wonderful gut bombs.  By that I mean that it's not our first, second, or third choice when we're in town.  We've been exploring other cuisines, trying on things we do not have here in (N)LR.  But, what can you do when it's the restaurant of choice of others and they're picking up the bill?  Smile and eat yr damn sandwich, is what!

After lunch, we walked it off at the Memphis Botanical Garden.  The promise of spring is everywhere, but everything is completely dead head.  Even the koi were still in hibernation.  I love walking the Japanese part of the gardens because it's so inspirational.   It is a life goal of mine to bonsai a full sized tree.  I partially blame my boss for this interest as he has me trim the trees in our office every day that I'm there.  I can't water them, though.  That is reserved for the experienced.  But, I can cut to my heart's content.  It promotes growth, he says.  Anyway,  if and when we get past this kitchen renovation, I can start believing that we'll one day get our backyard in order.


Before we headed back home, ATM and I cruised down Summer Ave. to try ramen at Edo for supper.  A couple of things: We've never driven down Summer Avenue.  I thought I knew Memphis pretty well, but I keep learning how I don't know much of anything!  We were so pleased to discover that it's a beautiful drive, faster than Poplar Ave., and there are so many things to explore over there!  Didn't know it was possible to adore Memphis more, but here we are.  Let's talk about Edo.  It's my new favorite restaurant over yonder.  It's a little run-down (in the best way possible) Japanese restaurant that reminds me of our beloved Mt. Fuji here in town.  The food is fucking fan.tas.tic.  I started with the agedashi-tofu (hold the bonito flakes) and ramen for my main meal.  Tempura banana a la mode for dessert.  Hot damn!  I am sitting here smiling thinking back on it. I honestly cannot wait to get back there!  Look at this broth!


I thought my design pals would get a kick out of this plank wood font typeface.  Somewhere on Union Ave:

I JUST CAN'T BE HAPPY TODAY

MILD THING

CAN'T CHEAT KARMA

LOVELY + SOFT

I made peace with Winter and have come to appreciate + even like it.  I really loved walking around in the snow the other night.

Critters:

Birds only: