Hobo Chic and The Hunger Games

I love my sister for many reasons.  Mainly because she cracks me up.  She's a tell-it-like-is person and I admire that about her whereas I sugar coat it and put it in the context of puppy dogs and rainbows.  

I was someone who always marched to the beat of her own poorly fashioned drummer.  For those of you who didn't know me in grade school or have not seen the photos, I rocked the tie dye shirts, long shorts, knee high socks, and some knock-off version of Birkenstock sandals as much as anyone can "rock" an ensemble like that.  I was just plain awkward...for a loooong time.

Anyway, during a recent conversation with my sister, we said that lucky for me the Bohemian style is in and since that's the style I tend to lean towards, my clothes are somewhat in fashion.  She continued by saying that it's actually more "Bohemian Chic."  I replied, "So you just add 'chic' to the end of it and it makes it better?  How about Hobo Chic?"  And, it stuck.  We have now coined my fashion nonsense as Hobo Chic.  And now onto the real story...

I often send her pictures of clothes, shoes, and accessories I come across in seeking her approval (although sometimes it's the disapproval I get instead).  I only caught a glimpse of the bottom part of this advertisement while in the shoe section of a store and thought, "OOOO!  Where are those?"

 

When I proceeded to look up to find them in the store, I saw the rest of the advertisement and realized they were men's shoes.  You may be asking yourself, "Gee, didn't the hairy ankles give it away?"  In the excitement of seeing the shoes, I hadn't noticed so no, I didn't see the hairy ankles Mr. High-and-Mighty.  ;)

 

However, I did find these and bought them.  For those inquiring minds,  they are self-tested and sister approved.  I guess buying shoes for women is a step in the right direction.

Last Friday, I saw The Hunger Games with my two gal pals from college.  It was great hanging out with them and in my excitement for the movie premiere (and my general excitement for the books that are crazy addictive and suck you in), I decided to do my hair like the main character from the movie.  For those of you not aware of what it looks like, just Google "Katniss Braid," and you can see for yourself.  I think I did pretty well if I do say so myself.  (And by the way, the shirt is part of the Hobo Chic collection approved by my sister.)

 

My thoughts on the movie?  Thank you for asking.  Without spoilers, let me just say it took some solid thinking for me to make up my mind as to whether or not I liked it.  While, it stuck pretty closely to the books, I would have liked to see more character development.  Overall, I decided I really did like the film.  Besides, I really like Peeta's character and the actor who plays him ain't too bad either!  Which by the way, has anyone noticed his name is pronounced the same as "Pita," which is a bread-like substance and in the book, Peeta makes bread?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

The kitchen is my lab.

I'm sad that I didn't have time to make some Irish soda bread or Barmbrack this year nor did I watch "The Quiet Man."  (Insert big fat frowny face here).  But by golly, I had to at least celebrate some how!  So, I made my own shepherd's pie and called it a day.

Here's the recipe if you're interested:
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg of soy crumbles
- 1 small can of vegetable stock (equivalent to 2 cups)
- 3-4 tbsp of flour (or enough to thicken it to your preferred consistency)
- 3 large potatoes (or if you're lazy like me, 3-4 cans of sliced/cubed potatoes)
- 2 tbsp of butter
- Shredded cheese
- Vegetables of your choice (I used frozen corn, peas and carrots, and green beans)
- Pepper
- Thyme


Directions:
1.) Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.

2.) If using fresh potatoes, skin and boil in water until tender (but not mushy).  Drain water and mash.  (If using canned, drain liquid and mash or if you're extra lazy pressed for time like me, throw those bad boys in a food processor and PRESTO!  Instant mashed potatoes without the dehydration.)

3.) Add the butter to the mashed potatoes to make a bit creamier (or you can sub sour cream).  Set aside.

4.) If using frozen veggies, throw them in the microwave and heat according to the directions (or cook them on the stove top.  Who am I to judge?)

5.) Warm up/brown soy crumbles in a very large frying pan.  Once warmed, add the veggies (or better yet, just throw the still frozen veggies in with the soy crumbles like I did.  Lazy to the max!)

6.) Add stock to the mixture about 1/2 cup at a time and alternate adding flour and the stock.

7.) Add seasonings to taste.

8.) Once everything is thickened to your liking, put the veggie/soy mixture at the bottom of a 9"x13" cake pan.

9.) Spread potatoes on top.

10.) Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until potatoes have browned.

11.)  Sprinkle some cheese on top.

12.) Bake for another 5-10 minutes of until cheese has melted.

NOTE: if your veggies have a butt load of freezer burn, the extra ice/water from the veggies will mean you'll have to add more flour to thicken the sauce.  So, prepared to add more flour or compensate by adding less stock.



Now, I have eaten a certain nameless fast food joint's oatmeal in the morning and decided I can save money while enjoying it more if I made my own because I can whatever fruit I want.  (I know - way to stick it to the man.)

Below, you can see my colorful and very yummy oatmeal.  As I ate it in the car while driving (because that's safe and I only drive safely), I did my yummy tummy dance and said aloud, "Ugh!  You're so good!  Why don't I eat you more often?"  If you like oatmeal, I encourage you to do make your own.  I did plain with some strawberries, raisins, Granny Smith apples, and blueberries topped with some maple syrup and brown sugar.  And the best part?  I was full for HOURS!  One of the most filling breakfasts I've had in, well, ever!

Races, Friends, and Food...Oh My!

Here are a few updates before I delve into some homework, followed by Once Upon a Time, then by more homework...

Today was the American Lung Association Fight for Air Stair Climb.  I begrudgingly signed up, but I became more enthused as time passed.  (I was begrudged merely because stairs generally hurt my knees.)  Anyway, I had a blast and hope to do it again next year with hopes of doing all 4 towers!  I completed the one tower (49 floors, not 45 like I originally thought) in 9 minutes and 54 seconds.  I was pleased!

The next order of business - food.  I ate at this awesome restaurant called Frances' Deli and had a very delicious grilled cheese on rye with a potato pancake and coleslaw for sides.  And let's not forget the pickle!  Mmmm...hit the spot.  Then of course I followed it up with a very delicious sundae (split 5 ways so really it wasn't that bad to have).

Lastly,  I bought a food processor and was pleased with how well it worked.  (I'm skeptical about these types of purchases, but I researched as best I could.  No, no excel spreadsheets were made for this purchase.)  This recipe for banana soft serve was pretty good.  I added strawberries, but you can really add any fruit you want.  Granted, I wouldn't mistake it for ice cream in a blind taste test, but it's pretty good if you're looking for a change or a healthy alternative to ice cream.

I read this blog a lot for yummy ideas and her photos look freakin' beautiful.  So, don't go all Judgey McJudgerson on me and knock my dishes.  They were free and I'm darn grateful for my we-don't-break-even-if-you-drive-over-us dishware.  Anyway,  if you try the soft serve, let me know what you think!

Later gators!

Ugly Cry

Ugly cries happen to the best of us and by us I mean you because awesome people like me don't ugly cry.  Of course I'm kidding and if only I had the photo to prove it.  Since I don't, you'll just have to believe me.  I had one big fat ugly cry Thursday night.  Don't cry for me, Argentina.  Really.  I'm over it now and quite frankly, sometimes the ugly cry is one of the most therapeutic and cathartic experiences so long as I don't look in the mirror because I am not one of the lucky ones.  My face turns red and blotchy when I cry making it very difficult to conceal (and frankly even look at).  Actually, my face turns red for a lot of emotions and would make a pretty sucky mood ring come to think of it.  Naturally, I was driving when the ugly cry reared its head and I thought, "Boy if I get pulled over maybe the cop will show mercy for this hot mess."

When I look back on it, it's pretty ridiculous as to what was my tipping point.  Basically, the stresses of my new "normal" already keep me a little more on edge than usual, but life decided to throw me a curve ball and then hit me with a pitch while she was at it.  Filing my taxes proved to have some hiccups, I thought I tanked my quiz and then the icing on the cake was when I plugged my phone into the car outlet to charge and I thought the ringer was broken.  Oh gosh.  The phone threw me over the edge.  Now entering: bat $#!+ crazy mode.  I lost it.  I start bawling and sniffling and yelling to myself in the car, "This is why you don't own nice things!"  It wasn't until I unplugged it and tried the volume controls that I realized you can't change the ringer volume when it's plugged into the car charger.  Despite my lapse in brain functioning, all was now right in the world.  Phone is fine, I did well on the quiz and the taxes are *hopefully* figured out.  What can I say?  I have a history of overreacting.  True story...my mom told me that when my sister and I were younger, we (or maybe just I) cried over a small amount of milk spilled on the counter out of fear that she'd be mad.  It was at that moment she realized she needed to loosen up on the neatfreak-ness, but I digress.  Simply put, I'm a basket case sometimes.  "I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTIONS!!!"  Well, this was my first ugly cry throughout all the stresses of grad school.  I'm entitled to one.  Check that off my list!

Newbee post!

Greetings!
I am new to this whole "blogging" thing because apparently I have been living under a rock for a while so please be patient as I squeeze in the ever important blogging time among my schedule of teaching, going to grad school, interning, working out, perusing facebook, pinning on pinterest, and staying on top of my hygiene.  I am doing my darnedest to keep in touch as I balance this ever filling plate of mine and thought this might be a fun way to do so.

On a random note - it smells like birthday candles from a neighbor's apartment in my building.  At least I hope it's birthday candles.  Oh well.  Time for class!