Sunday, March 28, 2010
slacker
I have not been keeping up with posting very well. I have photos, but I just need to get them here. There might be the same subject on many days, but hey, I tend to get stuck on things. I'll currently blame finals for my neglect. I have to research to do and papers to write, people!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
City Fleas
71/365
The flea markets I went to as a kid, in the vicinity of Pine Bluff, Arkansas were um, kind of junky. Tables of old crap out in a dirty lot behind a parking lot is what I remember. Oh, and of course boxes and pens of baby animals! All the ones I've been to in NYC are very different and the price tags are a wee bit higher.
On the rainy Sunday that I took this photo, I managed to drag Craig out into the storm to check out two Brooklyn flea markets. One was kind of small and more of a local good market--clothes, jewelry, fresh produce. The other was the Brooklyn Flea, which has a part time home in One Hanson Pl, also known as the Williamsburg Savings Bank building. It's no longer a bank but is still a really cool, beautiful old building. I was there more to see the space than buy anything, though I did get a necklace and a ring :)
This booth with artsy light fixtures and vintage clothes was very picturesque to me. I also like the little reflection of the stained glass windows in the glass. There are more pictures of it over at my flickr page.
The flea markets I went to as a kid, in the vicinity of Pine Bluff, Arkansas were um, kind of junky. Tables of old crap out in a dirty lot behind a parking lot is what I remember. Oh, and of course boxes and pens of baby animals! All the ones I've been to in NYC are very different and the price tags are a wee bit higher.
On the rainy Sunday that I took this photo, I managed to drag Craig out into the storm to check out two Brooklyn flea markets. One was kind of small and more of a local good market--clothes, jewelry, fresh produce. The other was the Brooklyn Flea, which has a part time home in One Hanson Pl, also known as the Williamsburg Savings Bank building. It's no longer a bank but is still a really cool, beautiful old building. I was there more to see the space than buy anything, though I did get a necklace and a ring :)
This booth with artsy light fixtures and vintage clothes was very picturesque to me. I also like the little reflection of the stained glass windows in the glass. There are more pictures of it over at my flickr page.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Good idea, bad idea
70/365
In the mood for a dessert other than what we had, I pulled a box of banana cake mix out of the cabinet. I don't use much boxed mix these days but couldn't resist the banana flavor when they had a sale. Sooo, I mixed this in with some vanilla ice cream, which I melt a little in the microwave to make it runny and perfect. This was a definite win.
It was a win until I had a not quite full box of cake mix. The only way to get rid of it was to slowly eat it, spoonful by spoonful, straight or on ice cream. And that is what I did for a week. I should have either put the leftover powder away on a top shelf so I wouldn't just keep eating it.
In the mood for a dessert other than what we had, I pulled a box of banana cake mix out of the cabinet. I don't use much boxed mix these days but couldn't resist the banana flavor when they had a sale. Sooo, I mixed this in with some vanilla ice cream, which I melt a little in the microwave to make it runny and perfect. This was a definite win.
It was a win until I had a not quite full box of cake mix. The only way to get rid of it was to slowly eat it, spoonful by spoonful, straight or on ice cream. And that is what I did for a week. I should have either put the leftover powder away on a top shelf so I wouldn't just keep eating it.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Old Ceremony
69/365
One of the best parts of living in New York City is the abundance of live performance venues. There are two that I really like in our neighborhood, just a 10 minute walk from home (and owned by the same people). Union Hall is a bar with a small stage in the basement and the Bell House is it's big brother in Gowanus with around a 450 person capacity in the performance room. I keep my eye on the calendars of both places for bands I like as well as other fun events, like Secret Science Club (where smart people like Eric Kandel and Neil Tyson Degrasse talk about science, duh) and taxidermy contests. I was really stoked to see that The Old Ceremony was coming to Union Hall (they were the opening act). There was a nice gap between the stage and the audience so we (Craig and Burns went with) got to be front and center, where I snapped a few shots.
In editing, I took out most of the color in the whole set of shots, and left a little of one color. I think I like the result, but maybe I'll change my mind in a week. Give 'em a listen. I like all of their albums.
One of the best parts of living in New York City is the abundance of live performance venues. There are two that I really like in our neighborhood, just a 10 minute walk from home (and owned by the same people). Union Hall is a bar with a small stage in the basement and the Bell House is it's big brother in Gowanus with around a 450 person capacity in the performance room. I keep my eye on the calendars of both places for bands I like as well as other fun events, like Secret Science Club (where smart people like Eric Kandel and Neil Tyson Degrasse talk about science, duh) and taxidermy contests. I was really stoked to see that The Old Ceremony was coming to Union Hall (they were the opening act). There was a nice gap between the stage and the audience so we (Craig and Burns went with) got to be front and center, where I snapped a few shots.
In editing, I took out most of the color in the whole set of shots, and left a little of one color. I think I like the result, but maybe I'll change my mind in a week. Give 'em a listen. I like all of their albums.
G-U-M-B-O
68/365
One of the best things my mom made for us while I was growing up was gumbo. Amazingly, I did not learn how to make it until I had graduated college. How did I go that long without learning this? Anyway, it's another photo series for this day. The most important part of any gumbo is the roux, which is made by frying flour in oil. The more you cook it, the more flavorful and delicious your gumbo will be. The hard part it to not burn it. You can cook and stir for 20 minutes only to burn it and have to start over. Talk about frustration!
This is my roux from beginning to gumbo will all the ingredients. My final roux was a little darker than the third picture, but that is a crucial moment in cooking and combing ingredients so I ignored the camera. Who wants to learn how to make a roux?
One of the best things my mom made for us while I was growing up was gumbo. Amazingly, I did not learn how to make it until I had graduated college. How did I go that long without learning this? Anyway, it's another photo series for this day. The most important part of any gumbo is the roux, which is made by frying flour in oil. The more you cook it, the more flavorful and delicious your gumbo will be. The hard part it to not burn it. You can cook and stir for 20 minutes only to burn it and have to start over. Talk about frustration!
This is my roux from beginning to gumbo will all the ingredients. My final roux was a little darker than the third picture, but that is a crucial moment in cooking and combing ingredients so I ignored the camera. Who wants to learn how to make a roux?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bedtime
67/365
This is how our living room looks pretty often on winter nights. After a warm dinner, with the heat on and blankets to keep us extra cozy, sleep is never far behind. Craig often lays down on the couch as bedtime nears and then he falls asleep and I have trouble convincing him to get up and go to bed. Sometimes he stays like this for hours before stumbling downstairs and then I get mad at him for waking me up (it's more sleepy grumpy than really mad). Even if he didn't get much time out for a walk, Shep usually crashes around 10pm and sighs or groans every now and then to let us know it's time to go to the bedroom. He pretty much always stays in the room we are in (like any good herding dog), so he obviously can't go to bed without us.
This is how our living room looks pretty often on winter nights. After a warm dinner, with the heat on and blankets to keep us extra cozy, sleep is never far behind. Craig often lays down on the couch as bedtime nears and then he falls asleep and I have trouble convincing him to get up and go to bed. Sometimes he stays like this for hours before stumbling downstairs and then I get mad at him for waking me up (it's more sleepy grumpy than really mad). Even if he didn't get much time out for a walk, Shep usually crashes around 10pm and sighs or groans every now and then to let us know it's time to go to the bedroom. He pretty much always stays in the room we are in (like any good herding dog), so he obviously can't go to bed without us.
Spring activities
66/365
It was a relatively warm day and the sun was out, so I took the opportunity to start my seeds and I was pretty excited. We don't get enough sun in the yard for produce, but I can grow some herbs. I planted cilantro, chives, parsley, basil, rosemary, and sage. I took these pictures outside in the few minutes of sun the yard gets this time of year, but they are safe in the kitchen for now. I look at the little cups several times a day for signs of sprouts. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa.
I don't usually take many crooked angle photos, but they seem to be in so I have one here. Do y'all like angled photos?
It was a relatively warm day and the sun was out, so I took the opportunity to start my seeds and I was pretty excited. We don't get enough sun in the yard for produce, but I can grow some herbs. I planted cilantro, chives, parsley, basil, rosemary, and sage. I took these pictures outside in the few minutes of sun the yard gets this time of year, but they are safe in the kitchen for now. I look at the little cups several times a day for signs of sprouts. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa.
I don't usually take many crooked angle photos, but they seem to be in so I have one here. Do y'all like angled photos?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Stanley-Bob
65/365
I had other more interesting pictures from this day but I thought SB deserved a day on my blog. He had surgery last winter and it's been a rough year for him, but he's starting to seem better.
He had a lump below an eye. After calling around I found a vet in Brooklyn that sees exotics so I packed him up in a little box with a hot hand taped to the bottom to keep him warm (it was below freezing out!). It was either an infection or an object was stuck under his skin. We went with the easier to treat track first, infection. I had to put antibiotic drops in the eye for 10 days and that was pretty hard in a gecko. No improvement so then it was time for risky surgery (risky because apparently such a tiny little thing can only be revived from anesthesia about half the time). I even had to sign a waiver saying I knew the risks.
A few anxious hours later the vet called to tell me he woke up and promptly bit her, which meant he was doing well. (He has never in all these years tried to bite me, but she had tiny teeth marks to show on her thumb.) She removed some strange object and then the hardest for me part came. I had to give him antibiotics every other day for two weeks. I thought eye drops were hard to administer but now I had to give him a shot, with a tiny needle, in his teeny tiny leg. It was awful. He would make this sad little sound every time, like a gecko whimper, but he never bit me like he bit the vet several times.
The scar kept some of his sheds from going well which led to him not eating as much and then his fat little tail slowly got shriveled. Lately he's been shedding well and eating like a champ again. He eats mostly live crickets and sometimes wax worms, these days in case you were wondering.
I had other more interesting pictures from this day but I thought SB deserved a day on my blog. He had surgery last winter and it's been a rough year for him, but he's starting to seem better.
He had a lump below an eye. After calling around I found a vet in Brooklyn that sees exotics so I packed him up in a little box with a hot hand taped to the bottom to keep him warm (it was below freezing out!). It was either an infection or an object was stuck under his skin. We went with the easier to treat track first, infection. I had to put antibiotic drops in the eye for 10 days and that was pretty hard in a gecko. No improvement so then it was time for risky surgery (risky because apparently such a tiny little thing can only be revived from anesthesia about half the time). I even had to sign a waiver saying I knew the risks.
A few anxious hours later the vet called to tell me he woke up and promptly bit her, which meant he was doing well. (He has never in all these years tried to bite me, but she had tiny teeth marks to show on her thumb.) She removed some strange object and then the hardest for me part came. I had to give him antibiotics every other day for two weeks. I thought eye drops were hard to administer but now I had to give him a shot, with a tiny needle, in his teeny tiny leg. It was awful. He would make this sad little sound every time, like a gecko whimper, but he never bit me like he bit the vet several times.
The scar kept some of his sheds from going well which led to him not eating as much and then his fat little tail slowly got shriveled. Lately he's been shedding well and eating like a champ again. He eats mostly live crickets and sometimes wax worms, these days in case you were wondering.
Ferocious
64/365
Shep sleeps on his back a lot and his upper lip hangs down showing his teeth and making him look tough while sleeping. A dog that sleeps on it's back with its feet in the air, is a happy, relaxed dog, by the way. When we've been gone for most of the day, Shep greets us by flopping on his back and wiggling around trying to get us to play.
Shep sleeps on his back a lot and his upper lip hangs down showing his teeth and making him look tough while sleeping. A dog that sleeps on it's back with its feet in the air, is a happy, relaxed dog, by the way. When we've been gone for most of the day, Shep greets us by flopping on his back and wiggling around trying to get us to play.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
63/365
After off-leash, Shep and I stopped by the beef stand at the farmer's market and got raw bones for him. Lucky dog! I stuck them in my purse for him to enjoy at home.
I made him do down and stay while I place the bone and took some pictures. He's the blurry dark spot in the background.
He's coming into focus. He's staring at me waiting for me to release him to his treat.
"Mine!"-Shep.
After off-leash, Shep and I stopped by the beef stand at the farmer's market and got raw bones for him. Lucky dog! I stuck them in my purse for him to enjoy at home.
I made him do down and stay while I place the bone and took some pictures. He's the blurry dark spot in the background.
He's coming into focus. He's staring at me waiting for me to release him to his treat.
"Mine!"-Shep.
Fried cupcake!
62/365
On the left is a tres leches and on the right is chocolate raspberry. They were two of the best cupcakes I've ever had. A local bar (Union Hall) hosted an event in which a local bakery (Robicelli's) sold cupcakes, both raw and deep fried. My friend Salley and I went and shared a fried tres leches and I took these two home. The fried one was good, but nothing special. I am however, sold on Robicelli's cupcakes now.
Notice the gooey, melted icing. Yum!
On the left is a tres leches and on the right is chocolate raspberry. They were two of the best cupcakes I've ever had. A local bar (Union Hall) hosted an event in which a local bakery (Robicelli's) sold cupcakes, both raw and deep fried. My friend Salley and I went and shared a fried tres leches and I took these two home. The fried one was good, but nothing special. I am however, sold on Robicelli's cupcakes now.
Notice the gooey, melted icing. Yum!
Snack addiction
61/365
Craig teases me for liking "kid" food, but I do love my goldfish. I remember my mom buying the giant milk carton of fish at Sam's club when I was a kid, and I thought it was beautiful in the cabinet. Then in high school, my Uncle Jimmy gave me a bag of pizza-flavored fish. I liked them. Years later I tried the flavor-blasted fish (lots of extra seasoning) and it was another win.
The only place to get these two around here is at Target, usually. It was worth the trip to stock the cabinets!
Craig teases me for liking "kid" food, but I do love my goldfish. I remember my mom buying the giant milk carton of fish at Sam's club when I was a kid, and I thought it was beautiful in the cabinet. Then in high school, my Uncle Jimmy gave me a bag of pizza-flavored fish. I liked them. Years later I tried the flavor-blasted fish (lots of extra seasoning) and it was another win.
The only place to get these two around here is at Target, usually. It was worth the trip to stock the cabinets!
A good idea
60/365
This picture isn't pretty but it's to show something that I think is a very good idea: ceiling-mounted tracks for curtains. I have to search out the extra-long shower curtains but this is so much better than the rods, especially tension rods. There is a section of large, built-in shelves in the hallway with another track and curtain. That way there are no space-wasting doors to contain our stuff; we just slide a curtain to hide the clutter.
This picture isn't pretty but it's to show something that I think is a very good idea: ceiling-mounted tracks for curtains. I have to search out the extra-long shower curtains but this is so much better than the rods, especially tension rods. There is a section of large, built-in shelves in the hallway with another track and curtain. That way there are no space-wasting doors to contain our stuff; we just slide a curtain to hide the clutter.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Random stuff
59/365
The flowers my folks sent were fading so I pulled out the best remaining blooms for this little arrangement. In front is a fresh batch of peanut butter rice crispies. I was still taking it slow on foods at this point but was really craving something with peanut butter so I whipped this up. It's a really fast/easy treat. Of course, in trying to be healthy, I altered the recipe.
Original recipe:
1 cup light Karo
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups rice crispies cereal
Melt first three ingredients together, about 2.5-3 minutes in the microwave. Heat slowly by stopping to stir it often. If it boils, the treats will be very hard. Once these ingredients are melted together, combine with the cereal, mix well, and smooth into a cake or casserole dish. Cut before they completely cool.
Healthier (?) recipe:
2/3 cup sugar or splenda
2/3 cup honey
1 heaping cup low-fat peanut butter
5 cups multi-grain rice crispies
1 heaping cup oats (quick or traditional)
Same instructions as above. I used Splenda this time and I think I could get away with less if using Splenda, which tastes sweeter than sugar to me.
The flowers my folks sent were fading so I pulled out the best remaining blooms for this little arrangement. In front is a fresh batch of peanut butter rice crispies. I was still taking it slow on foods at this point but was really craving something with peanut butter so I whipped this up. It's a really fast/easy treat. Of course, in trying to be healthy, I altered the recipe.
Original recipe:
1 cup light Karo
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups rice crispies cereal
Melt first three ingredients together, about 2.5-3 minutes in the microwave. Heat slowly by stopping to stir it often. If it boils, the treats will be very hard. Once these ingredients are melted together, combine with the cereal, mix well, and smooth into a cake or casserole dish. Cut before they completely cool.
Healthier (?) recipe:
2/3 cup sugar or splenda
2/3 cup honey
1 heaping cup low-fat peanut butter
5 cups multi-grain rice crispies
1 heaping cup oats (quick or traditional)
Same instructions as above. I used Splenda this time and I think I could get away with less if using Splenda, which tastes sweeter than sugar to me.
My 4 year old dog has similar tastes to 4 year old humans
58/365
Craig took Shep out for a walk one snowy night and they came home with this. It's a huge Elmo head that seems to have been part of a costume. I checked craigslist for several days to see if anyone posted it missing and eventually let Shep go at it. It's kind of fun because we can use the straps to wrap it around him and then watch him try to get it off.
This was definitely a last minute effort to get a picture for the day.
Craig took Shep out for a walk one snowy night and they came home with this. It's a huge Elmo head that seems to have been part of a costume. I checked craigslist for several days to see if anyone posted it missing and eventually let Shep go at it. It's kind of fun because we can use the straps to wrap it around him and then watch him try to get it off.
This was definitely a last minute effort to get a picture for the day.
When will it end??
57/365
I got really behind on my thesis while sick and this was in the middle of my catch-up period. Tons of articles printed out and marked up with notes. I want to be done but there is a lot left to do.
I got really behind on my thesis while sick and this was in the middle of my catch-up period. Tons of articles printed out and marked up with notes. I want to be done but there is a lot left to do.
Puppy love
56/365
Lately Shep loves it when Craig invites him up on furniture and crawls into his lap and gets really playful. He makes lots of silly noises (his happy and play sounds). I think it's pretty cute.
Lately Shep loves it when Craig invites him up on furniture and crawls into his lap and gets really playful. He makes lots of silly noises (his happy and play sounds). I think it's pretty cute.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Some color on a snowy day
55/365
My folks sent me this get-well arrangement, which the florist delivered on foot during the "big" snowstorm of the winter.
My folks sent me this get-well arrangement, which the florist delivered on foot during the "big" snowstorm of the winter.
Baby steps
54/365
Somebody was eating food by the 25th! This was my diet for the next few days, which was fine because I didn't really have much of an appetite yet. Apparently when I'm dehydrated and recovering from a stomach bug, food becomes the focus of my pictures. Haha.
Somebody was eating food by the 25th! This was my diet for the next few days, which was fine because I didn't really have much of an appetite yet. Apparently when I'm dehydrated and recovering from a stomach bug, food becomes the focus of my pictures. Haha.
Light at the end of the tunnel
53/365
With little improvement in my symptoms and the worried looks on the faces of friends who saw me, I finally called my doctor on day 4. Long story short, by the day I took this photo I was able to keep pedialyte down! The grape flavor was by far the best. I edited this photo to show how angelic the empty bottles were to me that night--3 liters of fluid in my belly in 2 days!
With little improvement in my symptoms and the worried looks on the faces of friends who saw me, I finally called my doctor on day 4. Long story short, by the day I took this photo I was able to keep pedialyte down! The grape flavor was by far the best. I edited this photo to show how angelic the empty bottles were to me that night--3 liters of fluid in my belly in 2 days!
Self-portrait of a zombie
52/365
My camera was already on the tripod so I just sat down and clicked a few shots. This was a day spent worshiping at the porcelain altar or curled up under blankets. I don't have a picture for the next couple of days due to these activities and their draining effects on my body. I guess I need a healthy again picture now!
My camera was already on the tripod so I just sat down and clicked a few shots. This was a day spent worshiping at the porcelain altar or curled up under blankets. I don't have a picture for the next couple of days due to these activities and their draining effects on my body. I guess I need a healthy again picture now!
My nurse
51/365
This was my first day with my evil virus and I was so scared Craig would get it that I tried to stay away from him, but that didn't mean I couldn't force Shep to keep me warm. I begged him into the bed with me and he snuggled up to me (which he usually only does with Craig) for many hours. I'm sure anyone with a dog understand how comforting they can be when you're sick.
Craig's point and shoot was near the bed and I didn't imagine I would be taking any other pictures for the day, so this is it.
This was my first day with my evil virus and I was so scared Craig would get it that I tried to stay away from him, but that didn't mean I couldn't force Shep to keep me warm. I begged him into the bed with me and he snuggled up to me (which he usually only does with Craig) for many hours. I'm sure anyone with a dog understand how comforting they can be when you're sick.
Craig's point and shoot was near the bed and I didn't imagine I would be taking any other pictures for the day, so this is it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Toys!
50/365
Shep is a pack rat and I am his enabler. I have dedicated a drawer to his toys and it's overflowing! If I can't close it all the way, and a toy is peaking out, Shep will just longingly stare at it from wherever he is.
I think this is better than a basket on the floor for a couple of reasons. One, it keeps down the number of toys scattered. Two, when you take a toy away for a while, it regains value. If all the toys were out all the time, I think he would just get tired of them all. Plus, I think it's good that we control the toys--he has to work to get them.
Shep is a pack rat and I am his enabler. I have dedicated a drawer to his toys and it's overflowing! If I can't close it all the way, and a toy is peaking out, Shep will just longingly stare at it from wherever he is.
I think this is better than a basket on the floor for a couple of reasons. One, it keeps down the number of toys scattered. Two, when you take a toy away for a while, it regains value. If all the toys were out all the time, I think he would just get tired of them all. Plus, I think it's good that we control the toys--he has to work to get them.
Shep in not amused
49/365
I didn't like the other pictures I took this day so I thought it was time for a dog picture. This is Shep on our snow-covered deck. He loves sitting out there during this cold and snowy weather. When we get home from from a long walk in the park on these cold winter mornings, Shep runs to the back door to go lie out in the snow instead of running to his bowl for breakfast. Once out there he spends a lot of time staring in at me, but he doesn't want in. I guess the herder in him just has to keep an eye on me.
I didn't like the other pictures I took this day so I thought it was time for a dog picture. This is Shep on our snow-covered deck. He loves sitting out there during this cold and snowy weather. When we get home from from a long walk in the park on these cold winter mornings, Shep runs to the back door to go lie out in the snow instead of running to his bowl for breakfast. Once out there he spends a lot of time staring in at me, but he doesn't want in. I guess the herder in him just has to keep an eye on me.
A most beautiful box
48/365
Those of you from Arkansas and Tennessee certainly know what this box holds. Corky's is a bbq chain down there (it's probably more places by now) and it serves up the most delicious, artery-clogging meals. BBQ sandwiches, buttery rolls, racks of ribs smothered in calorie-laden sauce (which can be bought by the gallon at Sam's club). It's good. I miss it.
At a party last year our friend David brought Corky's to a party, here, in Brooklyn. He had ordered it online. In his travels with his band he had it while in the south and of course fell in love and figured out he could have it anytime he wanted with a few clicks of the mouse. I've ordered and eaten some now and it's good, but not as good as eating in the restaurant. Just knowing I can order is nice, though.
Those of you from Arkansas and Tennessee certainly know what this box holds. Corky's is a bbq chain down there (it's probably more places by now) and it serves up the most delicious, artery-clogging meals. BBQ sandwiches, buttery rolls, racks of ribs smothered in calorie-laden sauce (which can be bought by the gallon at Sam's club). It's good. I miss it.
At a party last year our friend David brought Corky's to a party, here, in Brooklyn. He had ordered it online. In his travels with his band he had it while in the south and of course fell in love and figured out he could have it anytime he wanted with a few clicks of the mouse. I've ordered and eaten some now and it's good, but not as good as eating in the restaurant. Just knowing I can order is nice, though.
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