first things first ....

YAY! i purchased my pass today. i had planned (originally) to ride in extra early this morning, and buy my pass, and then take the bus back out to my jobby job ... BUT, i strained my back last night, and did not sleep well, and had doubts about my mobility and stamina in the morning.

but, thanks to doses of ibuprofen, i am feeling much much better. and, i drove in. we had a scheduled fire drill today, so i took that time to cruise on over to the transit center and purchase my pass. it will be activated the first time i use it, which will be tomorrow ... rain and all.

yesterday, i went for a walk. it was nice to get out and about in the neighborhood on such a fine evening. as much as i like to check out people's houses and gardens, i do spend much time looking at the ground, because the sidewalks here are reminiscent of an earthquake zone. if you don't watch, you will trip.







the last shot is my favorite ....

news from the 'hood

i do love where i live ... though, there are places i imagine i would love more ........ ie: asheville.

but, i don't live there, i live in the 'hood, elsewhere.

and, it 'is what it is'.

for example:

the weather right now is awesome. it's in that transitional phase of perfection ... days that are true 'carolina blue', sunny and comfortable, and simply perfect. on days like that, i like my windows open for fresh air and a breeze, not for an obnoxious musical selection. i think these guys think a lot of themselves .....
perhaps i could had drowned out their music with mine, but i was more in the realm of peace and quiet.

in other news ... gas is getting more and more crazy expensive. and perhaps we have been spoiled compared to other countries, but, $3.99/gal today is the highest i've ever seen it.

and today was the first time i did this ...


i rode the bus !

it was fine. it was easy. it was friendly. and, i did NOT have to drive! i think my outgoing bus of the morning was late. i hightailed it to the bus stop, in fear of missing the bus. but ... it wasn't on time anyways.

and, it was the same on my way home. SO, the bus is not for people who want to be more in control of their schedules.

and, i did find some time for knitting. i think i picked a pattern that is too complex for the distractions of commuting. i will have to find a mindless project before tuesday ....

too pretty to eat

these were on my desk when i arrived at work yesterday. i am not a candy person, but perhaps i've been converted ... LOOK HOW PRETTY!

they're "sweets" from india, via kerstin. (thanks kerstin!)

they have the texture of marzipan. they're not overly sweet either (thank goodness) ... and i especially love how they're kinda covered in silver leaf.

and, i like how some of them look like hatching alien eggs!

for now ...

... the pain is gone. the mark, ... here to stay for awhile yet.
perhaps i should go on a raw diet?

hazardous cook

... i've probably said that before. but, this is my first (in a loooong time) accident in the kitchen.

i just kinda touched my arm on the upper underside of the open oven. OUCH!

a burn. shit. ouch. damn. fuck.

so, dinner was good. wet dish towel with ice was wonderful. and scar will be lovely.

fresh baby

kieran was born last night! ..... finally. i went to see jackie & the hippie at the hospital today, on my way home from work.

he's cute, and he smells good.

yum city!

jackie's delicious fat bottom enchiladas ... she calls them fat bomb, but i can't ever seem to remember that, and they will make your bottom fat.

***************************************************

1 tbsp. butter
1 med. onion, chopped
2 4.5 oz. cans chopped green chiles, drained
1 8 oz. pkg., cream cheese, cut up and softened
3 1/2 c. chopped, cooked chicken breast
8-9 large flour tortillas
16 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 pint whipping cream
Optional: Jalapeno pepper slices
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and saute 5 minutes. Add green chiles, and saute for 1 minute. Stir in cream cheese and chicken; cook, stirring constantly, until cream cheese is melted.

Assemble enchiladas. Place ~ 1/2 c. of chicken mixture into tortilla, and roll. Place seam side down into a lightly greased 9 x 13 in. baking dish. Should make 8-9 enchiladas. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese, and then drizzle with whipping cream. Top with Jalapeno pepper slices if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, until starting to turn golden brown on top.

***************************************************

i like them with sliced jalapenos. i like them for breakfast with a fried egg ontop. i like them period!

yep .... that's me ....

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

i am so laughing! i love the muppets! i have jim henson 37 cent stamps!

note to self : must write more letters !!!

random monday ....

right now, i am sitting here at my computer, swooning over the aroma coming from my oven ... i sure hope it tastes as good as it smells!

i put in some split chicken breasts with chopped up carrots, onion, garlic, and celery. that's been my 'new' thing ... split breasts with skin.

the season has made a turn for the worse .... ie: stupid daylight savings has stolen my morning light, and , it's cold again.

i'd rather have my morning light. it gets me up in the morning. it accompanies me on my morning walk.

today, at the grocery store, at 2pm, i had to repress a "good morning!" to the cashier. i am all off!

and though the writer strike is over (i think?) ... there's still nothing good on tv. i guess that's okay ... as my reception (rabbit ears) will be obsolete next year. which means, i will be soon subscribing to netflix.

the other night, i was enjoying the last bits of early darkness ...


i love my little dragonfly lights ... though the strand is full of lead (as the tag warns) i like that it's white like my mantle. and the lights ... well, they're just pretty.

ps ...

my favorite shot ....