Kitchen Adventures- South American Nut Brittle

So I have this thing where I love to cook. I love baking. I love being in the kitchen and making something new and delicious. I generally try and make dinner a few times a week (I cook for just me but have never been good at only cooking enough for one person, so… leftovers). My mom cooked most nights when I was growing up and at the holidays food is always a centerpiece- from the dinner to the treats! So I think that she has a lot to do with why I love it. And I remember learning things when I was a kid, so it’s not something that I picked up as an adult- it’s always been a part of me. 

Reader Love

I just want to take a moment and THANK all of you that pop in and read my little blog. Thank you for taking the time. I want to thank those that have liked, commented, and followed posts (and the blog in general). I appreciate every one of you.

I sure things will get more serious around here soon-ish… the spring semester has just begun and that will surely inspire many strange topics and thoughts. But before that happens, anyone have any questions? Anything you’d like to say? Any blogs you think I should check out? I’m interested! Talk to me!

Nerdsplosion!

OK, so one of my favorite things is when my real life and nerd life get to collide and turn into awesomeness! This was a pretty good week for this to happen. 

query…

I’ve got a couple of friends- I’m looking at Shannon and Jackie!- who I would like to have post here. I think their thoughts should be shared… how do I convince them?

Equality and Safety… why are there ever steps not taken?

This week I have been led to, by posts others have made, some very interesting articles. The first was in the LA Times. An investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with children in the entertainment industry. There is a Bill coming up that will require background checks for individuals in the entertainment industry in order to protect children (and others) from dangerous predators. My first question is- why is this only happening NOW? Children have been a mainstay in the entertainment industry since it began. When I think back to old films and TV shows, most of them starred children. And those children grew up in the business; became adults in the industry. How many of them were preyed upon because nobody bothered to make sure the adults around them (often more often than there own families!) were safe? Corey Feldman claims (and personally, I believe him) to have been a victim. He plans to name names soon. Good on him. And there are other kids in recent years who have clearly been victims of the industry… though maybe not sexually brutalized. There has needed to be a watchdog for generations. Why is this only happening NOW?

The original article that sparked my thinking can be found here.

The second was posted by Jim Beaver on his facebook page tonight, a link to a Huffington Post article about a Girl Scout who wants to boycott the annual cookie sales because a Colorado troup allowed a 7 year old transgender child to be included. Um… excuse me? A child HATES another child so much that she wants people to not support an agencies annual fundraiser? Where did this little girl come from and how did SHE get to be a Girl Scout? I think she missed the point of the group. Pretty sure HATE isn’t one of the Girl Scout credos, though since I wasn’t one I can’t be too sure. But I know several when I was a kid (and later) and I doubt they’d have been members if HATE was a value the organization upheld.

So… I personally plan to be out buying every box of Girl Scout cookies I see. I hope you do the same.

What is this world coming to?

2011- A Look Back

It’s the end of the first week of January, and by now I should’ve posted something to celebrate or mourn the passing of a year. However, I’m dealing with a sick animal right now and as much as I want to sit and write, I also want to spend all my time with him. I’ve recently dealt with my mother being sick and hospitalized again and while I know most people are saying “he’s just a cat”, I’d like to point out that he’s an 18 yr old beast who has traveled the country with me and been a grounding and supporting center when I was literally alone, 1000’s of miles from family and friends. We’ve been through a lot. However, my worries have been eased as the treatment is working and he’s returning to his old self. Additionally, I just got off the phone with the vet- no cancer was found in the biopsy. So… my heart soars.

But… while I have a few minutes, I want to think about those things that made 2011 the year it was.

Seems like just yesterday the semester began…

Today was the technical last day of the Fall 2011 semester. Oh my god, yay! I say technical because grades are due by Friday, and grading is the only thing I have left to complete. I turned in my last assignment- an updated draft of my dissertation- about an hour ago. The rest of my assignments were completed a few days ago. I am done done done done done! This was tough semester. Not entirely because of the classes, either. Honestly, most of the work was cake. What made it difficult was that somewhere in the middle, the “senioritus” kicked in. Especially since the last hurdle for the dissertation is within my grasp- the stats part.

But somehow we (I) managed to persevere and the semester is done. Very proud of one peer as she has completed and defended her dissertation already. A few others are close to being at that point- spring is going to be a very exciting semester.

My last post here, made on Thanksgiving, was about being thankful. I was very thankful that I had gone home for the holiday as just days after my mother went into the hospital. She’s home, and fine now. But after the illness earlier this year- it was something I was glad that I home for. And very grateful to my peers and instructors because I was able to stay home for two weeks instead of having to rush back and not be there for her and with my brother.

Well… I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m taking tomorrow off. I’ll grade things on Tuesday. Happy winter break, y’all!

Sharing & thanking

As we sit down to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday, take a moment to say thank you for those in your life. I have much to be thankful. I have the best family and friends- they support me and push me, they share my interests and share their own with me. Beyond these loves, I am thankful for those, past and present, who serve our country and protect us. I am thankful for those that create beauty and share it with the world. I am thankful to be in a position where I don’t worry about where my next meal is coming from, about the roof over my head, and while my path is not always as straight as I had planned, I am grateful for those that guide me. I am grateful for the many experiences I have had over the last year- including travels, adventures, shows, and the chance to meet new and amazing people.

Now to the sharing piece… I don’t normally post here about my other site, but as there are a few posts coming up and while there are some new readers here, I thought I’d point it out. I have a photo site, In Darkness (Guerilla Photos), where I share some photos. I do want to say that I am by no means a real photographer… I just like to take pictures. So… enjoy. And I’ll try to update more often.

My inner geek is showing.

Ha! Like I have an inner geek, my geek is all outer for everyone to see. In fact, I talked about it a bit a few months ago explaining why I enjoy cons and geeking out so much- a battery recharge. Thus, this is not a new topic.

Bring it!

Well, since I seem to be getting more traffic lately- which I blame completely on the fantabulousness of one Deborah Bryan (sorry, Deb, too tired to link right now)… I’d like to ask a favor.

Point me to your blogs or others that you think are worth a read! I’d like to return the favor of visiting.