The Promise of Spring

Predicted Temperature, Wind chill, Dew point (all in degrees Fahrenheit)
Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service

I hope I can get out of bed before it becomes windier than windy, but check out this gorgeous report!!! And we really only have one day to enjoy it- since it's supposed to snow that night/Sunday. But just the promise of Spring has me Stoked, but not like a number for all you particle scientists. ;)

I'm touted here as the weird one that it's never hot enough for, which isn't true. What is true is that I don't relish anything below 50degF. That is no lie.

Celebrate with me tomorrow. Toss those skis aside and take out the bike! It misses you after all, and the snow will be there waiting for the next day.

Technical Difficulties - fixed

Please tell me if there are any more problems with lost pictures. I think it should be fixed.

Thanks for keeping me aware.

Myriad Apples

Apples, Apples, Apples!

The choices right now are limitless. Each week I see at least one, maybe even two new varieties. Last week, my favorites were the Pink Ladies. Go Pink Ladies! This week, who knows, I even forgot to buy more Pink Ladies with all the choices. I think there's even a new one for me, Rome Apples.

Even more exciting, I found a Granny Smith that appears not to have skin that will stop bullets, but we shall see. What is up with that over the past few years? They used to be such a good apple.

Local Tally thus far:
Braeburn
Cameo
Gala
Granny Smith
Pink Lady
Rome

Vote for your favorite! Better yet, go try them all out.

Technical Difficulties

I am currently having some issues with Blogger saving my photos, as they keep being lost. I hope to resolve this issue tonight.

I apologize!

Refrigerators that Work

Ok, okay, I know, this sounds like a non-theme, but seriously, my refrigerator used to not work.

One day it decided it no-longer wanted to live with me. Apparently, I must have offended it in some grave way, as it decided that 50 deg F was the goal temperature. It was almost as if it had become possessed, as no matter what the dial requested it to do, it apparently was internally overriding the request. Now, I realize high-tech products often have this "I'm close enough" window, which clearly my thermostat takes to the extreme, but seriously, 50 degrees for the freezer too? Clearly, my refrigerator had lost it.

Maybe it hit 30, and just lost it, as the repair man estimated it to be about that age, known as the classic human breakdown age. Just why did no one tell my refrigerator it wasn't human? I do not know, but apparently I should have. Funny? No, not really, as it decided to take with it all my well-stocked supplies for when that blizzard hits, and I need to survive for like a month under 100 feet of snow. Clearly, it had a vendetta against me. And to my poor cheese supply, I am sorry. I know you did not understand when I had to hastily remove you from your dream of potential consumption. Know that you are greatly missed, and that the new fridge hastily awaits your return.

Photo Editing

What's more fun than taking photos? Editing them!

With all the fancy things we can do, that just a few years ago only professional photographers had access to, what's not to enjoy? While I claim to be nowhere near on par with such professionals, I do like to dabble! I also suppose some might disagree with me, finding the actual photo shooting more fun.

Ok, so I LOVE these flowers too, but I also love spending my free time editing photos. I'm sure I'm not very good, but I slowly learn new tricks, and I haven't even installed my Adobe Photo Editor yet! This was all done with a combination of Picasa, Paint and Photo Editor, simple programs almost anyone should have access to. Heck, Picasa is free and the others come with I think all Microsoft packages.

Popcorn in My Soup

Popcorn in my soup? What's that you say? Is this some culinary accident like the invention of the hush puppie?

Why no, I believe this wonderful concoction is one for which we can thank the Native Americans. Now, one place I read it was from was Central America, but if I'm remembering correctly, which I'll put at ~70% probability, I believe I experienced this for the first time in Ecuador. Also, my first taste of Quinoa, which I highly recommend, and also in soups! However, I was too lazy, hence no quinoa today, but I did throw some popcorn in my sweet potato soup, and found it to be much more delectable than the box's recommendation of rice, which I know as I tried that the day before.

While, yes, it might sound weird, I liken it to the well-known tradition of crackers in soup, and in summary, the popcorn is better. Trust me on this, at least enough to try it that is! It imparts just a hint of an extra flavor (nutty almost), kind of like the icing on the proverbial cake soup. That is, unless, you're one of those icing addicts. And with that I will close, amused that my old (F.O.O.D) theme has crept it's way back in. :)

Cheers! ... and go throw some popcorn in that soup.

Flower or Flowers are all Good with Me

Flowers. Flowers as gifts. Flowers that smell. Flowers that are vibrant. 1 or a dozen it's all good.

When you're given a flower something instantly happens. Others notice too. Definitely don't carry them around if you don't want to be noticed. I think it's impossible to carry even one red rose and not have it catch everyone's eye, men, women, children, ok, I really don't have any data on the children, but I'm betting they look too.

The question is, "Does it catch our eye as it's a part of nature, hence, our immediately being drawn to it?", or is it more of a social question, "That's a nice flower. I wonder how (s)he got it? (S)He must be appreciated."

I do not pretend to know the answer. I just know that days later it still brings joy, just looking at it.

Plush Terry Robes

I know it's winter, but I even love these in the warmer months. And please don't skimp on the length, you want it as long as possible, trust me. The one oddity that may be mine alone is the preference for thinner versions. Somehow they're easier to just accidentally continue to wear for hours on end. ;)

It might seem quaint, but rolling out of bed, bleary-eyed, and reaching for the robe almost perks me up as much as my AM cup of joe. I do have to say, the combo is not to be beat! For added enjoyment, add furry slippers during the cold mornings, such as tomorrow promises to be.

Backward Book Signings!

What's better than reading a book? How about having the author read you the book?

I believe the caucussing results could very well have been affected by the event tonight. Ishmael Beah spoke to a full house, a good 2000+. I was pretty impressed, especially after such poor showings for other worthy events just last week.

The event was quite a unique one to me, and I am not a novice to book readings/signings. What was unique was that I'd already read the book. Just what kind of a promotion was this? I wasn't sure, but I liked this "Backward Book Signing" already.

I would describe it as showing up to your favorite class, for which you have done the reading so you are fully ready to receive the lecture versus the standard format, which always feels (at least to me) like you're that kid the back of the room going, "what was the reading about?", "I wonder if I should have read it?", "should I even be here?". Clearly, there's no question about whether or not you're going to buy the book. Not only have you already bought it, but you must have even enjoyed it since you're devoting more time to it by just coming to the event.

The book of tonight's Backward Book Signing is a non-fiction memoir by a former boy soldier from Sierra Leone. I actually picked up the book about 6 months ago. It just happened to catch my eye sitting there all pretty and new, just as a new hardback will oft do, so I picked it up and proceeded to read it in about a night, okay, probably two.

It definitely leaves a lasting impression. Hope and compassion rise to the top amidst the well-detailed horrific events. The language is very straight-forward, but with a descriptive eloquence, which Ishmael attributes to his native languages being inherently poetic. But you don't have to take just my word for it - TIME magazine rated it #3 on their Top 10 Nonfiction Books last year. It was also on the NY Times 100 Notable Books of 2007.

To more Backward Book Signings! ... and even the standard style, as I'm sure those will be much more abundant.

Theme Change!

Today is the last day of Figuring Out Obvious Distractions (F.O.O.D.): If you couldn't figure it out from the title, this is predominantly a food blog, although, on occasion some thoughts and randomness do find their way as posts.

I am effectively killing it!

One could argue it was already dead though by the dearth of posts. Don't worry though, I think this will be more fun for both you and me (meaning maybe I'll actually post on occasion), and really not all that different if you look through my previous (incredibly old) posts. And besides, I will give you the chance to voice your disapprovals if necessary. ... However, please do so by tomorrow. :)

So without further ado, I hereby unveil:
What I Love Today!

...see, now how could you hate a theme like that? I ask you. Clearly, yesterday I loved cappuccinos, surely not to be the last of those days, but I digress. So, with this announcement, each day (that I post, so as to not sign me up for more than I will possibly do) I will discuss something that is wonderful, be it for a lifetime or just a day. Everyone, of course, is free to approve, disapprove of my choices, and, as always, I appreciate any comments that do so.

I hope all (3, okay, in all likelihood 1 or 2 if I am lucky) of you enjoy!
-Your cheerful Blog host

P.S. I suppose this is what a warm day of continuously falling white powder does to one, though I should not detail so as to not thwart a potential post! That is unless I get a blundering of comments telling me my new theme is wretched, although, I somehow doubt that. And yes, for multiple reasons. ;)

Cappuccino and Chocolate Biscotti = a grande start to the day!

I was reminded lately that I have been neglecting my posts. It is true, and it's not like I wasn't aware. Anyway, here is a splendid cappuccino and chocolate biscotti that I highly recommend for a quick breakfast before having to run out the door. I don't think there's much better than a dipped chocolate biscotti. The taste is just unrivaled. I suppose I could also comment that just because you aren't in Rome, or Switzerland in this case, doesn't mean you can't live like it. Yes, this delicacy is made much easier with the likes of Nespresso, no lie.